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Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Der-Arguchintsev, Amirov, Marner & More – The Hockey Writers

Published

4 years ago

December 17, 2020

In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs News & Rumors, I’ll look at two Maple Leafs’ prospects who have recently come from the KHL. One is Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, who’s recuperating from a bone bruise, and the other is Rodion Amirov, who will be playing for Team Russia during the upcoming World Junior Championships in Edmonton starting on Christmas Day.

Finally, I’ll look at what Mitch Marner has to say about two of his new teammates – Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds.

Item One: Semyon Der-Arguchintsev Injured His Knee in KHL Game

Yesterday, Joshua Kloke of The Athletic reported that Maple Leafs prospect Semyon Der-Arguchintsev had suffered a knee injury (a bone bruise) during a KHL game on November 29 that put him out for four weeks. (from Maple Leafs Prospect Report: World juniors, injury updates, rising stock, more, Joshua Kloke, The Athletic, 15/12/20).

Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Peterborough Petes, SDA, OHL — Semyon Der-Arguchintsev with the Peterborough Petes (CHL Images)

Der-Arguchintsev was the Maple Leafs third-round pick during the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and is perhaps as well-known by Maple Leafs fans for playing with budding star Nick Robertson as for his own skill. Der-Arguchintsev (who’s known for short as SDA) scored 12 goals and 63 assists (for 75 points) as Robertson’s teammate with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL last season.

At the end of October this year, Der-Arguchintsev was loaned to Torpedo of the KHL. During the 10 games he played there before his injury, he’s scored a goal and five points.

Der-Arguchintsev reported that, “At the end of the day I was still happy with my team here and I was happy to play some hockey. My coaches put me on the ice a lot in situations where I could be successful. During the games, I tried to shoot the puck more and tried to get into the middle of the ice (more) than I did in the OHL.”

Assuming there’ll be AHL play this season, that’s Der-Arguchintsev’s likely destination.

Item Two: Rodion Amirov Is Causing Buzz with Maple Leafs Brass

The World Junior Championships are scheduled to begin on Christmas Day in Edmonton, and one of the gifts Maple Leafs brass can’t wait to open is watching their first-round draft pick Rodion Amirov play for Team Russia. Amirov was Toronto’s 15th overall at the October NHL Entry Draft.

Amirov has already shown he can play on the international stage. At the Karjala Cup in early November, which is a tournament usually played by European men’s professional teams, the Russians played their junior team against professionals from Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic. Not only did the Russian Juniors win all three games, but Amirov led all goal scorers with three in those three games.

Rodion Amirov Team Russia — Rodion Amirov of Team Russia (Vincent Ethier/LHJMQ)

Although Amirov has only scored five goals and totaled eight points in 23 KHL games this season, Toronto’s director of amateur scouting John Lilley doesn’t seem concerned.

Lilley noted, “The KHL is a difficult league to play in as a young guy. It’s low-scoring, and I think he has done well. It makes him better because he has to be aware of his surroundings on the ice and rely on his sense and speed and skill because he is playing against men. When you get isolated in a one-on-one with a 28-year-old ex-NHL player and you’re growing, and you’re young … he has done a good job of finding ways to have success despite still getting stronger.”

Although no one’s certain when Amirov might join the Maple Leafs in the future, there is a buzz within the organization about that possibility. (from “Lilley, Leafs scouting staff ready for live look-in during world junior tournament,” Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun, 14/12/20).

Item Three: Mitch Marner Looking Forward to Playing with Thornton and Simmonds

Yesterday, Mitch Marner was a guest of the Tim & Sid Show on Sportsnet. During the show, Tim and Sid asked Marner about his thoughts about the newcomers on the Maple Leafs’ team. He was especially excited about playing with the new guys and had specific thoughts about Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds.

When Patrick Marleau was a teammate of Marner and Auston Matthews, it was widely known that he took the two then very-young Maple Leafs stars under his wing. In fact, he sort of adopted them. They spent holidays with the Marleau family and obviously talked hockey – lots and lots of hockey.

In fact, Marleau was so appreciated by the duo that, during the NHL All Star Game in San Jose in 2019, Matthews paid tribute to Marleau during the skills competition by removing his own jersey to show a Marleau jersey underneath it.

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The threesome built a great relationship when Marleau was in Toronto. During the interview, Marner was asked if he called “uncle Patty Marleau” to ask for “the lowdown on Joe Thornton.” Marner hadn’t reached out to Marleau since Thornton was signed; however, he noted that Marleau had spoken lots about Thornton from the time the two played together with the San Jose Sharks.

Just after Thornton signed with the Maple Leafs, Marleau tweeted this message:

For more than two decades, Jumbo and I have been friends, with the vast majority of those years being teammates, too. I now consider him a brother. Toronto has gained a tremendous influence, and we will miss his presence here in San Jose. Good luck in TO! -PM pic.twitter.com/pE09ZLjllz

— Christina Marleau (@c_marleau) October 17, 2020

From Marleau, Marner learned that Thornton liked to keep things “light” and have a great time. But Marleau had also shared that Thornton was competitive on the ice and played hard to win. When Marner heard Thornton had signed, he texted him to say how excited the team was to have him.

Marner had played with Wayne Simmonds for Canada at the 2017 world championships. He believed both Simmonds and Zach Bogosian would be great on-ice examples for the group.

Marner noted that they were “Guys that every single night come to play. They can do a lot of different things, throwing the body, fighting if need be, but at the same time having the ability to make skillful plays.”

Marner spoke with Simmonds after the power forward had signed and knew he was excited to be with the team. Marner believed Simmonds “wants to prove to everyone that he’s still the player he was.”

Toronto Maple Leafs Mitch Marner Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews — Toronto Maple Leafs Mitch Marner and Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

Marner has been practicing with Simmonds and reports that he looks “like a beast out there.” Specifically, Marner noted that when Simmonds was working down low and has the puck, it’s hard to get it off him. He’s a “big, big man” who can control the puck around the net and seldom misses from close-in. Simmonds has impressed him already.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

With the World Juniors coming, the decision made to keep Robertson at the Maple Leafs training camp is interesting. It would be a bit interesting for me to know who made that decision.

There’s no doubt that Robertson is absolutely all in with his attempt to make the Maple Leafs roster. It might be that the Maple Leafs are committed to having him on that roster; or, on the other hand, it might have been totally Robertson’s decision not to play for Team USA in Edmonton, and the organization shouldered the decision to deflect any bad feelings by Team USA away from its young prospect.

Whatever the reason, it will be interesting to see Robertson’s final landing spot this season. I, for one, would love to see him in a Maple Leafs uniform.

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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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Sports

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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