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Canucks Trade Tiers: Does Benning have any more moves up his sleeve? – Sportsnet.ca

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With the 2020 NHL Trade Deadline drawing near, Sportsnet is breaking down what each Canadian club has to work with as they head toward Feb. 24. We’ve sorted each roster into Trade Tiers to hash out who’s safe, who’s available and who’s likely on the move.

The Vancouver Canucks may have already made their 2020 trade-deadline play, making one of the first big splashes by acquiring longtime King Tyler Toffoli.

In exchange for the three-time 20-goal scorer (and one-time 30-goal man), the Canucks relinquished Tim Schaller, a second-round pick and prospect Tyler Madden — L.A. will also acquire an additional late pick in 2022 if Toffoli re-signs with the Canucks.

With the club sitting third in the Pacific, just a hair above Calgary and Arizona, and as injuries drop a few key names off the Canucks roster, the Toffoli deal could wind up a crucial factor in whether Vancouver can make the post-season when all’s said and done.

So, where does GM Jim Benning go from here? There’s a good chance Vancouver is done for the deadline after bringing Toffoli aboard. But if the club feels more minor tinkering is needed to mitigate the injury losses, here’s a look at where they stand, in terms of who could potentially move before Feb. 24:

Not Going Anywhere

Elias Pettersson
The young phenom’s ascent continues, with a point-a-game pace leaving him on track for career-highs by the end of 2019-20. At this point the clock’s simply counting down until he takes over the league.

Bo Horvat
The ‘C’ on his sweater says all that’s required about his future in Vancouver. The club’s two marquee centres are set for the foreseeable future, and as a bonus, Horvat’s on pace for a career-high in points, too.

Brock Boeser
The young sniper — who’s in the first season of a three-year deal in Vancouver — likely was an untouchable name to begin with, but a rib-cartilage fracture that’ll keep him out well past the deadline (and potentially for the rest of the season) confirms he’ll be sticking around.

Quinn Hughes
He’s already amassed 45 points from the back end as a rookie — and is on pace for nearly 60 — leaving him in contention for the Calder and potentially even the Norris. He’s as untouchable an asset as they come.

J.T. Miller
The second-highest scorer on the roster in goals and overall points, bested only by Pettersson, Miller’s been one of the best off-season acquisitions league-wide. The 26-year-old’s playing his best hockey yet, and figures to remain in the picture for a fair while.

Micheal Ferland
Injury issues have limited Ferland to just 14 games so far this year, and he’s now out for the remainder of 2019-20 recovering from a concussion. He’d likely stick either way, but certainly does with the injury in tow.

Tyler Toffoli
He’s only just arrived, and should be a key addition to the Canucks’ top six, regardless of where he slots in.

Alex Edler
The 33-year-old rearguard remains a crucial part of the Canucks’ cause, leading all skaters in ice-time and providing a veteran presence for the team’s young blue-liners.

Tyler Myers
Myers is only one year into a five-year pact he signed with the Canucks last year. He also has a no-move clause, giving him full control over his situation.

Jacob Markstrom
The 30-year-old has blossomed into a bona fide No. 1 for Vancouver, and with a .918 save percentage and 11.86 GSAA, he’s giving Vancouver everything they need in that role.

(Likely) Not Going Anywhere

Adam Gaudette
He’s proven a valuable piece of the Canucks’ future, showing flashes of potential through his 110 games in the big leagues, and putting up a career-high 27 points so far this season. He most likely remains in the Canucks’ mix, but if a bigger deal is on the table, perhaps his name is one that winds up included.

Jay Beagle
The veteran is perhaps more expensive than other potential bottom-six options, but has carved out an important role in Vancouver. If they needed to move salary, his $3-million cap hit might be an option, but for the time being he’s a key role player for the club — and has some control over his future with a modified no-trade clause.

Antoine Roussel
Much the same as Beagle, Roussel has some no-trade control over any potential deal and plays an important role among the bottom-sixers — in this case, bringing a bit of sandpaper to the forward corps.

Thatcher Demko
His first extended stay in the big leagues has gone well, and there’s no reason the Canucks need to part with him at the moment. Should a club desperate to shake up their tandem come calling, it could be possible, but what seems more likely is the 24-year-old remaining in the picture for the time being.

Josh Leivo
The former Maple Leaf seemed to hit his stride at the NHL level last season, and has 19 points on the year this time around with UFA status looming. But a fractured kneecap sidelined him in late December, keeping him out for the remainder of the year, and likely negating any potential deadline deal.

Tyler Motte
The same goes for bottom-sixer Tyler Motte, who’s performed well in his role ahead of hitting RFA status this summer. A shoulder injury knocked him out of the lineup in late January, and his four-to-six-week timeline from early February leaves a couple more weeks to go before a potential return, well after the deadline.

Oscar Fantenberg
Ditto for Fantenberg, who’s dealing with a concussion at the moment and remains on the injured reserve. The 28-year-old looked good on the Canucks’ back end before he was felled by injury, and should be a good addition once he returns from the IR.

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Probably Safe, But It’s Possible

Chris Tanev
The 30-year-old is no stranger to the rumour mill, with the league’s obsession with right-handed defenders often pulling Tanev’s name into discussions of potential trade targets. That he’s a pending UFA adds a little more possibility to the situation (though Tanev has some control over his future with a limited no-trade clause), but at this point it seems the Canucks would benefit more from keeping him in this mix as they push for a return to the post-season.

Jake Virtanen
Also a name that’s come up in past rumours, and also a pending free-agent (though of the RFA variety). Virtanen’s been in the mix so long, it’s easy to forget he’s just 23 years old. He’s already put up career numbers in 2019-20, and is all the more important right now given the team’s injuries up front. He more-than-likely stays, unless a larger, can’t-miss deal is put on the table.

Troy Stecher
The team’s recent blue-line additions have meant a reduced role for Stecher, who saw his average ice-time drop from over 19 minutes last season to around 15 this season. He’ll also be an RFA this summer and due for a raise from the $2.35 million he’s making in 2019-20. Allowing the 25-year-old to continue growing with the organization seems the better bet, but he’d certainly draw some intriguing offers if the team does opt to go in that direction.

Brandon Sutter
Injuries have thrown a wrench into Sutter’s time in Canucks colours, particularly over the past couple years. He’s still been a useful piece when in the lineup, but does count a decent amount against the cap relative to his role. That said, a limited no-trade clause gives him some degree of control over his destiny as well.

Loui Eriksson
There’s no question it would benefit the club to get out from under the Eriksson contract, as has been the case for some time. If it’s possible, it’ll happen, but with the 34-year-old only putting up 10 points on the year so far, that still doesn’t seem likely.

Find the rest of our NHL Trade Tiers lists here: CGY | TOR | EDM | OTT | WPG | MTL

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Could Be On The Move

Jordie Benn
The veteran endured a lengthy stint in healthy-scratch territory this season before getting back into the lineup more recently. He can still be of use for the Canucks on the blue line, but given the time in the press box, the possibility for a fresh start for both sides could also be on the table.

More Likely To Move

With the Canucks already having swung what’s likely their primary deadline deal, moving out multiple pieces to bring Toffoli into the fold, there are no clear pieces sure to still move or deals they’ll need to make.

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Dolphins will bring in another quarterback, while Tagovailoa deals with concussion

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins will bring in another quarterback while starter Tua Tagovailoa deals with his latest concussion, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.

For now, Skylar Thompson will be considered the Dolphins’ starter while Tagovailoa is sidelined. Tagovailoa left Thursday night’s 31-10 loss to Buffalo in the third quarter with the third known concussion of his NFL career, all of them coming in the last 24 months.

“The team and the organization are very confident in Skylar,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel said the team has not made any decision about whether to place Tagovailoa on injured reserve. Tagovailoa was expected at the team facility on Friday to start the process of being evaluated in earnest.

“We just have to operate in the unknown and be prepared for every situation,” McDaniel said, noting that the only opinions that will matter to the team will be the ones from Tagovailoa and the medical staff.

McDaniel added that he doesn’t see Tagovailoa playing in Miami’s next game at Seattle on Sept. 22.

“I have no idea and I’m not going to all of a sudden start making decisions that I don’t even see myself involved in the most important parts of,” McDaniel added. “All I’m telling Tua is everyone is counting on you to be a dad and be a dad this weekend. And then we’ll move from there. There won’t be any talk about where we’re going in that regard … none of that will happen without doctors’ expertise and the actual player.”

Tagovailoa was 17 for 25 passing for 145 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions — one of which was returned for a Buffalo score — when he got hurt. Thompson completed eight of 14 passes for 80 yards.

Thompson said he feels “fully equipped” to run the Dolphins’ offense.

“What’s going to lie ahead, who knows, but man, I’m confident, though,” Thompson said after Thursday’s game. “I feel like I’m ready for whatever’s to come. I’m going to prepare and work hard and do everything I can to lead this team and do my job.”

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Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa sustains third concussion of his career after hitting head on turf

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion for the third time in his NFL career, leaving his team’s game Thursday night against Buffalo after running into defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.

Tagovailoa remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room.

The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion. The team said he had two during the 2022 season, and Tagovailoa was diagnosed with another concussion when he was a college player at Alabama.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa would get “proper procedural evaluation” and “appropriate care” on Friday.

“The furthest thing from my mind is, ‘What is the timeline?’ We just need to evaluate and just worry about my teammate, like the rest of the guys are,” McDaniel said. “We’ll get more information tomorrow and take it day by day from here.”

Some players saw Tagovailoa in the locker room after the game and said they were encouraged. Tagovailoa spoke with some players and then went home after the game, McDaniel said.

“I have a lot of love for Tua, built a great relationship with him,” said quarterback Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa after the injury. “You care about the person more than the player and everybody in the organization would say the same thing. Just really praying for Tua and hopefully everything will come out all right.”

Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season — a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL — and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 this season. Tagovailoa left with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, and that was the final score.

“If you know Tua outside of football, you can’t help but feel for him,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said on Amazon following the game. “He’s a great football player but he’s an even greater human being. He’s one of the best humans on the planet. I’ve got a lot of love for him and I’m just praying for him and his family, hoping everything’s OK. But it’s tough, man. This game of football that we play, it’s got its highs and it’s got its lows — and this is one of the lows.”

Tagovailoa’s college years and first three NFL seasons were marred by injury, though he positioned himself for a big pay bump with an injury-free and productive 2023 as he led the Dolphins into the playoffs. He threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards last year.

When, or if, he can come back this season is anyone’s guess. Tagovailoa said in April 2023 that the concussions he had in the 2022 season left him contemplating his playing future. “I think I considered it for a time,” he said then, when asked if he considered stepping away from the game to protect himself.

McDaniel said it’s not his place to say if Tagovailoa should return to football. “He’ll be evaluated and we’ll have conversations and progress as appropriate,” McDaniel said.

Tagovailoa was hurt Thursday on a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight ahead into Hamlin and did not slide, leading with his right shoulder instead.

Hamlin was the player who suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 at Cincinnati, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.

Tagovailoa wound up on his back, both his hands in the air and Bills players immediately pointed at him as if to suggest there was an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving to the sideline.

Tagovailoa appeared to be making a fist with his right hand as he lay on the ground. It was movement consistent with something that is referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury.

Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Tagovailoa departed. Thompson came into the game to take Tagovailoa’s spot.

“I love Tua on and off the football field,” Bills edge Von Miller said. “I’m a huge fan of him. I can empathize and sympathize with him because I’ve been there. I wish him the best.”

Tagovailoa’s history with concussions — and how he has since worked to avoid them — is a huge part of the story of his career, and now comes to the forefront once again.

He had at least two concussions during the 2022 season. He was hurt in a Week 3 game against Buffalo and cleared concussion protocol, though he appeared disoriented on that play but returned to the game.

The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that if a player shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — he must sit out the rest of the game.

Less than a week later, in a Thursday night game at Cincinnati, Tagovailoa was concussed on a scary hit that briefly knocked him unconscious and led to him being taken off the field on a stretcher.

His second known concussion of that season came in a December game against Green Bay, and he didn’t play for the rest of the 2022 season. After that, Tagovailoa began studying ways where he may be able to fall more safely and protect himself against further injury — including studying jiu-jitsu.

“I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands,” McDaniel said. “I’m just worried about the human being.”

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Alouettes receiver Philpot announces he’ll be out for the rest of season

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Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Tyson Philpot has announced he will be out for the rest of the CFL season.

The Delta, B.C., native posted the news on his Instagram page Thursday.

“To Be Continued. Shoutout my team, the fans of the CFL and the whole city of Montreal! I can’t wait to be back healthy and write this next chapter in 2025,” the statement read.

Philpot, 24, injured his foot in a 33-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Aug. 10 and was placed on the six-game injured list the next week.

The six-foot-one, 195-pound receiver had 58 receptions, 779 yards and five touchdowns in nine games for the league-leading Alouettes in his third season.

Philpot scored the game-winning touchdown in Montreal’s Grey Cup win last season to punctuate a six-reception, 63-yard performance.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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