In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs News & Rumors, I’ll take a look at rumors that the Maple Leafs have some interest in Zdeno Chara. I’ll then look at what players might be signed to the best contracts.
Finally, I’ll share my belief that Austin Matthews is emerging in status and might be closing the gap between himself and the great Connor McDavid as one of the best players in the entire NHL.
Item One: The Maple Leafs Are Not Interested in Zdeno Chara
A recent report by Boston Hockey Now’s Jimmy Murphy suggested that the Maple Leafs might be one of three teams interested in signing Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara. However, just as quickly as that rumor came out, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox reported that it was likely false – although who really knows with the Maple Leafs?
Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins leaves the ice after warming up for Game Four of the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Final (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
Fox’s guess is that the team won’t even invite anyone to training camp on a PTO. They’re done revamping their roster. As far as Chara goes, the rumor is that like the rest of the hockey world, he’s waiting to see what the NHL and NHLPA can work out about starting the 2020-21 season.
Rumors suggest, according to Boston Hockey Now, the Bruins and future hall of famer Chara are ‘far apart’ on a contract extension and that Chara has had offers from ‘more than three teams.’
Item Two: The Maple Leafs Best Contracts?
In a recent mailbag article, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox was asked to comment on which Maple Leafs player had the best and worst contracts. His answers suggest he agrees with me about the change in the status of William Nylander’s contract from a “salary-cap problem” to a “team-friendly contract.” Nylander’s contract seems now to be separated from Marner, John Tavares, and Auston Matthews’ contracts.
Fox believes Nylander “bounced back to prove worth every penny of his cap hit and should cruise around the 30-goal, 60-mark through his 20s while gaining the blue line like few others.” He also noted that, should the Maple Leafs be in an emergency to gain salary-cap space, the front-loaded nature of Nylander’s contract makes him a great trade chip.)
Fox also named Morgan Rielly’s $5 million and Ilya Mikheyev’s $1.645 contract as good contracts. He believes Zach Hyman is underpaid at $2.25 million. According to Fox, Hyman plays physically, forechecks hard, makes those he plays with better, and is getting better with experience.
Finally, Fox cited general manager Kyle Dubas’ belief that the organization doesn’t “have any contracts that we look at and say, ‘We need to get rid of this player. This player isn’t delivering on it at all.” Fox tends to agree and points out that the Maple Leafs aren’t burdened by contracts like Milan Lucic, James Neal, or Loui Eriksson carry.
Item Three: Auston Matthews Is Gaining on Connor McDavid as the NHL’s Best Player
In yesterday’s post, I made a case that Mitch Marner, although he’s a great player, hasn’t progressed like Auston Matthews has and doesn’t have the on-ice team impact Matthews has had. The question became over the past season: How good can Matthews get?
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews jumps over the sticks of Detroit Red Wings defenceman Filip Hronek and defenceman Danny DeKeyser (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov)
Defining a “best NHL player” is a personal preference because there are a number of amazing NHL players. For example, in September 2019, David Satriano (an NHL.com Staff Writer) ranked the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid the NHL’s best player. He followed McDavid by ranking Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov second, Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby third, Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon fourth, Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane fifth, Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin sixth, Boston Bruins’ Brad Marchand seventh, Florida Panthers’ Aleksander Barkov eighth, San Jose Sharks’ Brent Burns ninth, and the Lightning’s Victor Hedman tenth.
Obviously, Maple Leafs fans will note that Matthews didn’t make that list. Again, such a list is personal; however, I’m here to support Matthews as a player who’s quickly moving up that list and might – not far into the future – surpass almost everyone on this list.
I’m not alone in thinking Matthews might be closing in on McDavid the best NHL player. In 2018, Sportsnet conducted a vote about whether fans would rather have Matthews or McDavid on their team. With more than 10,000 votes cast, McDavid was the fans’ choice by a wide margin. But that was two years ago, and Satriano’s list was now more than a year ago. What would fans say today?
Here’s my own ranking of these two talents head-to-head, focusing on individual skills and areas of team impact.
Area #1: Skating
Here McDavid has a wide edge not only on Matthews but on everyone else in hockey. In my mind, McDavid is simply the best skater ever to play NHL hockey. At every skills competition at all-star weekend, McDavid is the player to beat in the race for the title of the Fastest Skater Competition.
Although McDavid is trickier as he gets closer to the goal than Matthews and is adept at faking out goalies, Matthews has the better shot. He can almost shoot the puck through goalies. He has great hands, a quick release, and an accurate shot. The edge in shooting goes to Matthews.
Area #3: Playmaking
Matthews is a great puck-handler, which is helped by a high hockey IQ. He also plays a great transition game through the middle of the ice. Still, McDavid sees the ice like no one else not named Wayne Gretzky. He passes first and shoots second, which is the opposite of Matthews. The edge to McDavid in playmaking.
Area #4: Defensive Ability
McDavid, for his elite play in all areas, isn’t as a good a defensive player as Matthews, who’ll one day, I believe, be seen as the King of the 200-foot game. He’s becoming more well-rounded than McDavid and doesn’t have McDavid’s defensive issues. There’s even been support for Matthews as a Norris Trophy winner, which is talk that likely won’t be pointed McDavid’s way.
Area #5: Talent Level
McDavid is one of the more talented players in NHL history. McDavid will also regularly outscore Matthews, but his lack of defense means he won’t stop as many points as Matthews. Matthews is also much grittier, bigger, and stronger than McDavid. Should Matthews continue to improve, he might even surpass McDavid’s on-ice impact. And that’s a radical thought.
Edmonton Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen celebrates with Connor McDavid (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Matthews is also fortunate to play on a better team than McDavid’s Oilers. I’ve even heard rumors that McDavid – although he’d never say – might consider leaving the Oilers. But those are rumors.
McDavid is the captain of the Oilers and, since Day 1, he’s been a class act. Matthews, the Arizona issue aside, is growing into more of a leader. But he isn’t McDavid yet.
Both these young players are exemplary players. McDavid’s always been a star, with Matthews quickly becoming one. My call right now is that McDavid remains the better player. However, both Matthews and McDavid are generational talents and NHL hockey fans are lucky to watch each of them play. Their highlights will be shown and reshown season after season.
What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?
The answer to what’s next for the Maple Leafs might be “not much.”
The Maple Leafs have added strong depth players at bargain contracts and are probably pleased where they stand. Adding more players might mean losing someone already signed. As I noted earlier, Fox reports that the Maple Leafs won’t even bring in anyone on a PTO. If that player actually made the team, cap space would need to be cleared.
I have to think the organization feels it’s done as well as it could, all things be considered, signing players. That said, one can never assume Dubas will completely close the door to different possibilities. I have a sense that Maple Leafs fans are quite ready for the 2020-21 season to begin.
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.
