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Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Malgin, Power Rankings, Fantasy & Dubas – The Hockey Writers

Published

5 years ago

March 8, 2020

Because the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t play until Tuesday when they meet the Tampa Bay Lightning at home, I want to use this post to review some of the “odd” news and rumors surrounding the team that sometimes get moved to the back when games are being played close together.

Item One: Newcomer
Denis Malgin Moved Up to the Top Line

When Denis Malgin came to the Maple Leafs from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Mason Marchment, it was a trade that seemed to slip under the radar.

In fact, I admit I knew little about Malgin other than he was a young player from Switzerland (which interested me because I had recently taught in Switzerland). It seemed he would become a bottom-six depth forward for the team, who believed he would be an upgrade on Marchment.

Denis Malgin, when he was playing with the Florida Panthers (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Obviously, general manager Kyle
Dubas knew more about Malgin and had other plans. In Thursday night’s game
against the Los Angeles Kings, Malgin was jumped up to a line with
John Tavares and William Nylander. Pierre Engvall had started
with Tavares and Nylander, but that partnership didn’t last as the game
progressed.

After the 1-0 shootout loss, coach Sheldon Keefe reported postgame that, “It really felt to me like the Tavares line was going to be the difference-maker for us. The best game John has played a while, Willie played really well. Made a change and put Malgin on that line and it really started to go.”

Malgin, who’s small for an NHL forward at 5-foot-7 and 177 pounds, hasn’t picked up a point in six games with the Leafs since he was acquired from Florida, and he’s only averaging about nine minutes of ice time. It will be interesting to see how Keefe uses him in the near future (from “Maple Leafs’ effort better but handed a goalie-dominated 1-0 shootout loss to Kings, Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun, 02/06/20)

What does Malgin think about playing in Toronto? He noted after the trade, “When I was a little kid, I always wanted to play in Montreal or Toronto. Now I’m here, and I’m excited.”

Item Two: CBS Power Rankings

CBS Sports’ Pete Blackburn released his NHL power rankings for the week of March 5; and, in his write-up, he speculated about potential Hart Trophy candidates as the NHL’s most valuable players for this season.

He first named the Edmonton Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl who’s having an amazing season from a production standpoint. Blackburn then named Connor McDavid, who he called the most skilled player in the world. Who’s to argue? Third, he named the NHL’s leading goal scorer, the Boston Bruins’ David Pastrnak.

David Pastrnak Boston Bruins — David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Finally,
Blackburn named Artemi Panarin and Nathan MacKinnon as two players
who’ve meant the most to their teams. He suggested Panarin’s season was the
reason the New York Rangers have been a surprise in the Metropolitan
Division and that MacKinnon has almost doubled the point total of the next
closest teammate on the Colorado Avalanche – a team that’s playoff-bound.

As a commentator for the Maple Leafs, perhaps I’m biased; I was surprised he didn’t mention Auston Matthews – who’s in a race for the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goalscorer. However, he does believe Matthews is the team’s most valuable player. Here’s a summary of his write-up.

Toronto Maple Leafs #12

(As a note, the team moved up five spots since last week, but might move back after the poor California road trip.)

Team’s
Most Valuable Player: Auston Matthews

Blackburn believed Matthews has proven he’s one of the best young offensive players in the game, who’s in the thick of the Rocket Richard chase with a career-high 46 goals. I might add that Matthews has also improved his defensive game as well. Although according to Blackburn it’s been a “frustrating season” for Toronto, Matthews has developed into an elite scoring threat.

Item Three: Fantasy Hockey Top 200 Player Rankings

On Mar. 5, the NHL released the top 200 players on its Fantasy Rankings. The NHL’s list for the top five players were: (1) Pastrnak – Bruins right-winger; (2) Draisaitl – Oilers center; (3) McDavid – Oilers center; (4) Nikita Kucherov – Lightning right-winger; (5) Panarin – Rangers left-winger; and (6) MacKinnon – Avalanche center.

Mitch Marner Toronto Maple Leafs — Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

The Maple Leafs placed seven players in the top 200 fantasy players. High-scoring center Matthews was listed at #7; right-winger Mitch Marner was listed at #17; center John Tavares was listed at #31; forward William Nylander was listed at #59; goalie Frederik Andersen was listed at #60; defenseman Tyson Barrie was listed at #89 (he jumped 17 spots because he’s become the leader on an injury-riddled Maple Leafs defense); and, finally, forward Zach Hyman was #109.

Item Four: Maple Leafs Dubas Didn’t See a Long-Term Fix

In a sit-down interview with The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Maple
Leafs general manager Dubas explained why he didn’t make a big trade at this season’s
trade deadline. As he noted, he couldn’t create a long-term fix that solved the
team’s problems and simply didn’t want to make a splash just to make a splash. (from
“LeBrun: Q&A with Kyle Dubas on the Leafs’
turbulent season, EBUGs and more, Pierre LeBrun, The Athletic, 04/03/20)

Dubas wasn’t interested in a short-term fix; and, throughout the trade deadline, the rumors were always that if he traded for a defenseman the player wouldn’t be a rental. Instead, he was seeking a player who came with term on his contract. Obviously, Dubas and most Maple Leafs fans think alike – the troubles on the team’s defense deserve longer-term care and aren’t a short-term issue that’s easy to fix.

Tyson Barrie Toronto Maple Leafs — Tyson Barrie, Toronto Maple Leafs (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

Dubas revealed that rumors about potentially moving defenseman Barrie
were accurate, but Dubas wasn’t offered what he thought the team needed as part
of any return. As a result, he’ll accept the risk of losing Barrie for nothing
in free agency.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

As noted earlier in this post, the Maple Leafs play a tough team in the Lightning on Tuesday evening on home ice. The Lightning’s game against the Boston Bruins on Saturday was punctuated by on-ice fisticuffs, which suddenly helped fans realize teams are gearing up for playoff hockey.

Certainly, the Bruins and the Lightning will be in the playoffs. Whether the Maple Leafs make the postseason or not relies on their play over the next while. The Florida Panthers beat the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday 4-1, which reminds Toronto that a playoff berth must be earned.

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Sports

Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

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.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

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.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

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.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

Published

1 day ago

November 8, 2024

Anne Joseph

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.

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