With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, it’s time to award winner and loser titles around the league. Deals made in the weeks leading up to the deadline were also considered for this exercise.
Winners
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers filled a huge need on deadline day, adding some much-needed speed and skill to the wings in the form of Andreas Athanasiou and Tyler Ennis.
Athanasiou can absolutely fly – he has speed similar to McDavid‘s. He’s having a rough season, but who on the Detroit Red Wings isn’t? He’s just a year removed from a 30-goal campaign and will undoubtedly benefit from playing alongside either McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. He’s also just 25 years old and a pending RFA. Acquiring him for only two second-rounders and Sam Gagner is a huge win.
Ennis is such a good fit for the Oilers. Not only is he an Edmonton native, but he thinks the game at an elite level and has enough skill to hang with the Oilers’ top centers. He can also be effective playing down in the lineup. He had 14 goals and 33 points in a middle-six role with the Ottawa Senators this season. Giving up just a fifth-round pick seems like a steal.
General manager Ken Holland also landed another familiar face from his old team in defenseman Mike Green. The 34-year-old isn’t the difference-maker he used to be, but he should be rejuvenated by the move to a playoff-contending team. The cost of Kyle Brodziak and a conditional fourth-rounder seems more than fair. – Wegman
Vegas Golden Knights
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
You can always count on the Golden Knights to make a splash. One year after landing Mark Stone, Vegas went big again, grabbing goaltender Robin Lehner to resolve a major issue.
Entering the deadline, the Golden Knights’ all-situations save percentage this season was .898 – the ninth-worst mark in the league. By adding Lehner – the owner of a .918 clip in 33 appearances with Chicago – into the mix with Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas now owns arguably the best goaltending tandem in the NHL to complement an incredibly deep roster.
Vegas upgraded its bottom-six on Monday by adding Nick Cousins. The team also acquired Chandler Stephenson earlier in the year, while also nabbing Alec Martinez from the Los Angeles Kings in a recent deal to add experience to its blue line.
There’s now no glaring holes in the Golden Knights’ roster, and they’re well-positioned to do some significant damage in a wide-open Pacific Division heading into the playoffs. – O’Leary
San Jose Sharks
Doug Wilson’s Sharks are having a disastrous year, but the savvy GM made the most out of a bad situation leading up to the deadline.
In three separate deals, Wilson managed a first-round pick, a second-round pick, and a third-round pick while only giving up Barclay Goodrow, Brenden Dillon, and Patrick Marleau. Netting a first-round pick from the Tampa Bay Lightning for Goodrow, even though it’ll be toward the end of the first round, is quite impressive.
Wilson can either use these picks to help rebuild San Jose’s depleted farm system, or use them as trade bait to take another swing at things in 2020-21. Either way, it’s masterful work. – Wegman
Jean-Gabriel Pageau
The Islanders made one of the biggest moves of the day in landing Pageau from the Ottawa Senators, and let’s be crystal clear right off the bat: the player is the winner here, not necessarily his new team.
Having a chance to compete for a Stanley Cup after a tumultuous few seasons with the Senators is a major upgrade, but a five-year, $30-million contract to help him ease into his new surroundings on Long Island is a clear-cut win for the 27-year-old pivot.
Pageau is having a career year with 24 goals and 16 assists, but the price New York paid for him was steep. A first-, second-, and third-round pick was one of the biggest packages given up all day, and a $5-million AAV is quite pricey for a veteran player who projects to slot into the third line. – O’Leary
Somewhere in between
Carolina Hurricanes
Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
The Hurricanes‘ moves on deadline day have us feeling like this gif of Larry David. There’s a lot to like, but there are also some questionable decisions made by GM Don Waddell.
The Vincent Trochecktrade is a steal. Trocheck is far better than Erik Haula and Lucas Wallmark; the two prospects heading to Florida aren’t considered to be of the blue-chip variety. Trocheck gives Carolina an impressive trio of centers – joining Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal – and is under contract through 2021-22 at a reasonable $4.75 million.
The Sami Vatanendeal is fine, considering it only cost Waddell a conditional fourth-rounder, a prospect, and a depth defenseman. However, Vatanen has missed the last 10 games with a lower-body injury and it’s unclear when he’ll be ready to contribute to Carolina’s banged-up blue line. Even when he is healthy, he doesn’t move the needle all that much. Here’s a look at his isolated impact at five-on-five over the past four seasons:
HockeyViz.com
Waddell further bolstered the back end after landingBrady Skjei from the New York Rangers for a first-round pick. Skjei is just 25 years old and signed through 2023-24 at a $5.25-million cap hit. He hasn’t improved since his 39-point rookie season in 2016-17, and by all accounts, isn’t worth his contract:
HockeyViz.com
The most puzzling part of Carolina’s deadline day is that Waddell failed to address the club’s biggest need between the pipes. Both James Reimer and Petr Mrazek are out with injuries, so the club will rely on the inexperienced tandem of Anton Forsberg and Alex Nedeljkovic in the meantime. Considering an elite goaltender such as Lehner was there for the taking, it seems as though Waddell missed the boat on this one. – Wegman
Losers
Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago had a pair of attractive assets to sell in Lehner and defenseman Erik Gustafsson, and the returns for both players were underwhelming to say the least.
Lehner, a Vezina Trophy finalist last season, only fetched a second-round pick, Malcolm Subban, and prospect Slava Demin. Could GM Stan Bowman not have received a bigger package from teams like Colorado or Carolina, who are desperate to reinforce their crease heading into the playoffs? Making matters worse regarding the Lehner situation, he reportedly offered to take a three-year contract from the Blackhawks at a “minimal price” as he approaches unrestricted free agency. Now it appears Chicago will go back to Corey Crawford, who is significantly older than Lehner and has posted worse numbers. This is a head-scratcher.
As for Gustafsson, it’s bizarre he only fetched a third-rounder based on the blue-liner market this winter. Martinez cost Vegas two second-rounders, while Brenden Dillon and Marco Scandella went for a second in their respective trades as well. Gustafsson is having a down year but has shown more offensive upside in his career and is younger than all the aforementioned rearguards.
All things considered, it feels like a massive swing and miss from Bowman and Co. in the Blackhawks’ front office. – O’Leary
Toronto Maple Leafs
If the Maple Leafs end up making the playoffs, it’ll be a miracle if they get out of the first round, considering they’ll likely face the Boston Bruins or Tampa Bay Lightning. This makes the decision to keep Tyson Barrie all the more confusing.
Barrie has not been a fit with the Leafs whatsoever. While moving him would’ve created another hole on Toronto’s weak blue line and signaled a waving of the white flag on the 2019-20 campaign, it would’ve been far more acceptable than losing him for nothing in the offseason.
Barrie, a pending UFA, was a part of the Nazem Kadri trade in the summer, but it seems highly unlikely he re-signs in Toronto, especially after Jake Muzzin‘s extension Monday. GM Kyle Dubas likely could’ve landed a second-round pick for Barrie at the very least. – Wegman
Joe Thornton
Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty
First things first, we feel terrible for insinuating Thornton himself could ever be considered a loser. If you’re reading this Jumbo Joe, it’s not personal, your current situation is just less than ideal.
Thornton admitted prior to the deadline that it is tempting to join a contender and chase the Stanley Cup that’s eluded him his entire career. Then, after watching his longtime buddy and teammate Patrick Marleau get traded to Pittsburgh, Thornton was reportedly disappointed he didn’t get the same treatment.
We just want what’s best for you, Joe, and 20 more meaningless games with the Sharks this season certainly isn’t it. – O’Leary
Colorado Avalanche
The Avs had the opportunity to be big players on deadline day but ended up being awfully quiet. Colorado has boatloads of cap space and a deep prospect pool but failed to make an impact move. They landed a decent middle-six forward in Vladislav Namestnikov from the Ottawa Senators, but that was it.
Maybe they were in the hunt for Chris Kreider before the power forward re-signed with the New York Rangers for seven years at $6.5 million. However, this seems like a missed opportunity for GM Joe Sakic. At the very least, he could’ve acquired more depth across the lineup with the anticipation of a deep playoff run. – Wegman
LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — A top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board declined Friday to confirm media reports that India has decided against playing any games in host Pakistan during next year’s Champions Trophy.
“My view is if there’s any problems, they (India) should tell us in writing,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Lahore. “I’ll share that with the media as well as with the government as soon as I get such a letter.”
Indian media reported Friday that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has communicated its concerns to all the Champions Trophy stakeholders, including the PCB, over the Feb. 19-March 9 tournament and would not play in arch-rival Pakistan.
The Times of India said that “Dubai is a strong candidate to host the fixtures involving the Men in Blue” for the 50-over tournament.
Such a solution would see Pakistan having to travel to a neutral venue to play India in a group match, with another potential meeting later in the tournament if both teams advanced from their group. The final is scheduled for March 9 in Pakistan with the specific venue not yet decided.
“Our stance is clear,” Naqvi said. “They need to give us in writing any objections they may have. Until now, no discussion of the hybrid model has happened, nor are we prepared to accept one.”
Political tensions have stopped bilateral cricket between the two nations since 2008 and they have competed in only multi-nation tournaments, including ICC World Cups.
“Cricket should be free of politics,” Naqvi said. “Any sport should not be entangled with politics. Our preparations for the Champions Trophy will continue unabated, and this will be a successful event.”
The PCB has already spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of stadiums in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi which are due to host 15 Champions Trophy games. Naqvi hoped all the three stadiums will be ready over the next two months.
“Almost every country wants the Champions Trophy to be played here (in Pakistan),” Naqvi said. “I don’t think anyone should make this a political matter, and I don’t expect they will. I expect the tournament will be held at the home of the official hosts.”
Eight countries – Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, England, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan – are due to compete in the tournament, the schedule of which is yet to be announced by the International Cricket Council.
“Normally the ICC announces the schedule of any major tournament 100 days before the event, and I hope they will announce it very soon,” Naqvi said.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Ottawa‘s Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe of New Zealand are through to the doubles final at the WTA Finals after a 7-6 (7), 6-1 victory over Nicole Melichar-Martinez of the United States and Australia’s Ellen Perez in semifinal action Friday.
Dabrowski and Routliffe won a hard-fought first set against serve when Routliffe’s quick reaction at the net to defend a Perez shot gave the duo set point, causing Perez to throw down her racket in frustration.
The second seeds then cruised through the second set, winning match point on serve when Melichar-Martinez couldn’t handle Routliffe’s shot.
The showdown was a rematch of last year’s semifinal, which Melichar-Martinez and Perez won in a super tiebreak.
Dabrowski and Routliffe will face the winner of a match between Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, and Hao-Ching Chan and Veronika Kudermetova in the final on Saturday.
Dabrowski is aiming to become the first Canadian to win a WTA Finals title.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
Inter Milan winger Tajon Buchanan, recovered from a broken leg suffered in training at this summer’s Copa America, is back in Jesse Marsch’s Canada squad for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Suriname.
The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ont., underwent surgery July 3 to repair a fractured tibia in Texas.
Canada, ranked 35th in the world, plays No. 136 Suriname on Nov. 15 in Paramaribo. The second leg of the aggregate series is four days later at Toronto’s BMO Field.
There is also a return for veteran winger Junior Hoilett, who last played for Canada in June in a 4-0 loss to the Netherlands in Marsch’s debut at the Canadian helm. The 34-year-old from Brampton, now with Scotland’s Hibernian, has 15 goals in 63 senior appearances for Canada.
Midfielder Ismael Kone, recovered from an ankle injury sustained on club duty with France’s Marseille, also returns. He missed Canada’s last three matches since the fourth-place Copa America loss to Uruguay in July.
But Canada will be without centre back Derek Cornelius, who exited Marseille’s win Sunday over Nantes on a stretcher after suffering an apparent rib injury.
The Canadian men will prepare for Suriname next week at a camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line,” Marsch said in a statement. “We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer.”
The quarterfinal winners advance to the Nations League Finals at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., with the two semifinals scheduled for March 20 and the final and third-place playoff March 23, and qualify for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Thirteen of the 23 players on the Canadian roster are 25 or younger, with 19-year-old defender Jamie Knight-Lebel, currently playing for England’s Crewe Alexandra on loan from Bristol City, the youngest.
Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies captains the side with Stephen Eustaquio, Jonathan Osorio, Richie Laryea, Alistair Johnston and Kamal Miller adding veteran support.
Jonathan David, Cyle Larin and Theo Bair are joined in attack by Minnesota United’s Tani Oluwaseyi.
Niko Sigur, a 21-year-old midfielder with Croatia’s Hadjuk Split, continues in the squad after making his debut in the September friendly against Mexico.
Suriname made it to the Nations League quarterfinals by finishing second to Costa Rica in Group A of the Nations League, ahead of No. 104 Guatemala, No. 161 Guyana and unranked Martinique and Guadeloupe.
“A good team,” Osorio said of Suriname. “These games are always tricky and they’re not easy at all … Suriname is a (former) Dutch colony and they’ll have Dutch players playing at high levels.”
“They won’t be someone we overlook at all,” added the Toronto FC captain, who has 81 Canada caps to his credit.
Located on the northeast coast of South America between Guyana and French Guiana, Suriname was granted independence in 1975 by the Netherlands.
Canada has faced Suriname twice before, both in World Cup qualifying play, winning 4-0 in suburban Chicago in June 2021 and 2-1 in Mexico City in October 1977.
The Canadian men, along with Mexico, the United States and Panama, received a bye into the final eight of the CONCACAF Nations League.
Canada, No. 2 in the CONCACAF rankings, drew Suriname as the best-placed runner-up from League A play.
Canada lost to Jamaica in last year’s Nations League quarterfinal, ousted on the away-goals rule after the series ended in a 4-4 draw. The Canadians lost 2-0 to the U.S. in the final of the 2022-23 tournament and finished fifth in 2019-20.
Canada defeated Panama 2-1 last time out, in an Oct. 15 friendly in Toronto.
Goalkeepers Maxime Crepeau and Jonathan Sirois, defenders Joel Waterman, Laryea and Miller and Osorio took part in a pre-camp this week in Toronto for North America-based players.
Canada Roster
Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau, Portland Timbers (MLS); Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal (MLS); Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC (MLS).
Defenders: Moise Bombito, OGC Nice (France); Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich (Germany); Richie Laryea, Toronto FC (MLS); Alistair Johnston, Celtic (Scotland); Jamie Knight-Lebel. Crewe Alexandra, on loan from Bristol City (England); Kamal Miller, Portland Timbers (MLS); Joel Waterman, CF Montreal (MLS).
Midfielders: Ali Ahmed. Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS); Tajon Buchanan, Inter Milan (Italy); Mathieu Choiniere, Grasshopper Zurich (Switzerland); Stephen Eustaquio, FC Porto (Portugal); Junior Hoilett, Hibernian FC (Scotland); Ismael Kone, Olympique Marseille (France); Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC (MLS); Jacob Shaffelburg, Nashville SC (MLS); Niko Sigur, Hadjuk Split (Croatia).
Forwards: Theo Bair, AJ Auxerre (France); Jonathan David, LOSC Lille (France); Cyle Larin, RCD Mallorca (Spain); Tani Oluwaseyi, Minnesota United (MLS).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
