In today’s NHL rumor rundown, the NHL has officially honored a few stars with awards, putting any debate to rest about where the play-in points might go. In Montreal, the Montreal Canadiens got good news and potentially bad news. The Toronto Maple Leafs are adding a prospect to their playoff roster, and the San Jose Sharks have questions they aren’t quite ready to answer.
Montreal Gets One Player Back, Another Questionable
Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin revealed on Twitter today that forward Jonathan Drouin will be healthy and active for the team’s playoff series. Drouin missed most of the season due to a variety of injuries, and if he’s back and healthy, and anywhere close to the 2018-19 version of himself, this could be a huge boost for the Habs.
Montreal Canadiens center Max Domi celebrates with teammates (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)
Unfortunately, the availability of forward Max Domi is in question. Bergevin spoke to media and noted that there are questions about whether or not Domi will play because he’s a diabetic, and team doctors may determine it is unsafe for him to join the team during the pandemic. Medical testing has shown that diabetics are 25% more likely to require hospitalization and while Domi has had no prior issues with his Type 1 diabetes during his NHL career, the Canadiens don’t want to take any unnecessary risks.
Bergevin also explained to Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports this week that the team will not be issuing contract offers to prospects Allan McShane, Cole Fonstad and Samuel Houde.
Detroit Red Wings GM, Steve Yzerman noted on a conference call with media that he is not planning on making a coaching change at this time. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, explained that Blashill signed a two-year contract extension in 2019 that carries him through the 2020-21 season. While his 153-194-52 record isn’t glowing, he’s not being held responsible for the failures of the team.
She adds:
When he met with the media following the February trade deadline, Yzerman backed Blashill, saying it was unfair to judge him on the team’s record because of various factors, most notably the number of injuries (Larkin and Bertuzzi were the only Wings not to miss a game this season).
source – ‘Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will keep Jeff Blashill as head coach’ – Helene St. James – Detroit Free Press – 05/27/2020
Maple Leafs Will Add Robertson to Roster
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas announced on social media that 2019 top pick Nick Robertson will join the team for their playoff run. Dubas had previously noted he expected Robertson to battle for a position on the team next season but the situation surrounding the NHL now has changed things.
Nick Robertson will be included in the #leafs expanded playoff roster, according to Kyle Dubas.
Robertson, 18, recorded 86 points in 46 games for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes and also starred for Team USA at the World Juniors. He may not play much with the Maple Leafs, but the thought is that he’ll get an opportunity.
Sharks Coaching Situation
Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com noted that San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson said on Tuesday that interim head coach Bob Boughner isn’t guaranteed a job with the organization next season. Wilson notes, “We are still in the process.”
He added:
“I’ve talked to all our players. I’ve been talking to Bob quite a bit lately, talking about just how we want to play and some adjustments, and some things that were learned through not only our team this year, but around the League, what works and what doesn’t.
“So it’s a process that’s ongoing. Very difficult to come in and coach a team halfway through the year. You don’t necessarily have all the ingredients in your staff that you want around you. … I think he came in and did a very good job.”
Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
Wilson noted that he also talks to Joe Thornton almost daily and they are continually in communication about their future plans. It sounds like Thornton will be back with the team next season.
NHL Awards Handed Out
The league officially announced the winners of the Art Ross, Maurice “Rocket” Richard, William M. Jennings, and Presidents’ Trophy today. Leon Draisaitl takes home the 2019-20 Art Ross, Alex Ovechkin and David Pastrnak will share the Rocket Richard Trophy, and Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak take home the Jennings as the goaltending duo with the lowest goals-against-average.
The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.
The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.
Trends of the Week
The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.
In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.
When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.
Upsets of the Week
The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.
Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.
NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.
Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.
The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.
Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.
Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.
Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.
TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.
Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).
Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.
Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.
Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.
Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.
The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).
The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.
The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.
