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Mailbag: Lafreniere destination, trade talk intrigue – NHL.com

Published

4 years ago

July 1, 2020

What is the most suitable and exciting team in play for Alexis Lafreniere? — @alehtonen

The best story is the Montreal Canadiens getting to select Lafreniere, keeping the forward prospect in his home province. That’s the Hallmark story, and it would be an amazing consolation prize for the Canadiens if they lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers. Montreal has not had the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft since 1980, when it selected Doug Wickenheiser. The Canadiens could have had Quebec native Denis Savard or Paul Coffey, too. Either way, Lafreniere going to Montreal would be the biggest story of the 2020 NHL Draft. It’s too bad he’s not a center, because that’s where the Canadiens have a real need, but getting the chance to have a potential generational talent on the wing would be among the most significant developments for Montreal in a long time.

The Canadiens, who went 31-31-9 (.500 points percentage) before the NHL paused the season on March 12 due to concerns about the coronavirus, are the No. 12 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins (40-23-6, .623) are the No. 5 seed.

What if Lafreniere, who played for Rimouski in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, were to land with the Penguins and potentially get to play with center Sidney Crosby, who also played for Rimouski? The public explosion of opinions would be wild, but the options for Pittsburgh would be amazing. The Penguins could have Lafreniere play with center Evgeni Malkin, keeping forward Jake Guentzel with Crosby. Or what about a line that includes Crosby with Lafreniere and Guentzel? Intriguing. They could have all four plus defenseman Kris Letang on the power play, with Lafreniere potentially shooting from his off wing.

Another intriguing consideration is the Edmonton Oilers losing to the Chicago Blackhawks in the qualifiers and winning the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery. The Oilers (37-25-9, .585) are the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference; the Blackhawks (32-30-8, .514) are the No. 12 seed. A draft lottery win would be Edmonton’s fifth since 2010; it used the previous four No. 1 picks to select forward Taylor Hall (2010), center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011), forward Nail Yakupov (2012) and center Connor McDavid (2015). Similar to the Penguins, the Oilers would have great options, including using Lafreniere with either McDavid or center Leon Draisaitl. They could each be a part of the power-play unit.

The eight teams that are eliminated from the best-of-5 qualifiers each will have a chance to win the No. 1 pick based on the results of the first drawing for the draft lottery. A second drawing will be held after the qualifiers are completed and before the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs to determine who will receive the No. 1 pick. Each of the eliminated teams will have a 12.5 percent chance of winning.

Training camps, which are part of Phase 3 of the NHL Return to Play Plan, are expected to open July 10. When Phase 4 begins, at a date and in two hub cities to be determined, the qualifiers will be played.

Video: Mystery team wins NHL Draft Lottery

If the Arizona Coyotes win the No. 1 pick, do you think a potential trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Auston Matthews is possible? Arizona would get a homegrown star while Toronto gets Alexis Lafreniere, NHL salary cap space to fill in the blue line, and potentially another piece. — @Rob_Oswald

Mind blown. Love it. But I think it’s a fantasy.

If the Coyotes get the No. 1 pick, they’d have to convince the Maple Leafs that Lafreniere has better upside than Matthews, because that’s the crux of the trade proposal you made. But that’s a hard thing to do based on what we know about Matthews and what we don’t know about Lafreniere.

Matthews is averaging 1.01 points per game (285 points in 282 games), including 0.56 goals per game (158 in 282 games) during his NHL career. He likely would have scored 50 goals this season (he had 47 in 70 games) if it hadn’t been paused. He’s 22, four years older than Lafreniere. He’s a center, and the Maple Leafs are in win-now mode with two of the best players in the game at the position: him and John Tavares.

Lafreniere has great upside, but we don’t know if he’s going to turn into a player as impactful as Matthews. He’s also a left wing, and my belief is teams are built through the middle, which is why Toronto is in a great position with Matthews.

I don’t think the Maple Leafs would do it. I think the Coyotes would love it.

Will the NHL have any hurdles to jump over with the lack of noise in the arena? Similar to the Major League Baseball game played in Baltimore with no fans, the players had to watch what they said. The microphones could hear them without a crowd. — @theashcity

It’s a great question and one I never really thought about before you asked it. My initial thought is that a hockey game lends itself to more noise than a baseball game, such as the one played without fans in attendance at Camden Yards between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox on April 29, 2015. Baseball is clearly a slower, more methodical game that allows for lulls in action, leading to quiet on the field. With that, it’s easier to pick up a singular voice, which is what was happening that day in Baltimore.

Hockey isn’t like that. The skates, the sticks, the pucks, the boards, the posts and the pings, it all creates a soundtrack unique to the game, and I think some of that could drown out voices from players, coaches and referees. I’d be blind to the situation if I said it would drown all of it out, but there are other ways to make the sounds of the game suitable for a television broadcast, potentially including a 7-10 second delay that gives the producers the opportunity to hear something that shouldn’t reach the airwaves and hopefully quickly silence that part.

There is also the possibility of creating artificial crowd noise, such as what they’re doing for some soccer broadcasts. That’s a divisive issue publicly. I don’t think it’ll be perfect. How could it be without fans in the building? But I’d argue that the broadcasts aren’t perfect when there are fans screaming their heads off and noise is nearly blowing the roof off arenas. Mikes pick up voices. Lips are read. It happens. But I think players, coaches and referees will understand the weight of their voices and how they can carry, and will be mindful of it.

Nils Lundkvist is staying another year in Sweden. Do you think the New York Rangers maybe use him as a trading chip to get a top-four left-handed defenseman for Jacob Trouba given they already have a clog on the right side? — @1994_nyr

Lundkvist, one of the Rangers’ top defenseman prospects, was a first-round pick (No. 28) in the 2018 NHL Draft and is staying in Sweden for one more season to play for Lulea of the Swedish Hockey League. New York’s plans for the 19-year-old should not be afffected by his decision to stay in Sweden, and though your idea of using him as a trading chip to get a left-handed defenseman has merit, there’s still a lot to be determined.

A key factor is whether the Rangers plan to keep right-handed defenseman Tony DeAngelo on a long-term basis. DeAngelo is a pending restricted free agent and could sign another one-year contract if he’s not traded. New York also could give him a long-term contract, solidifying his place on the right side with Trouba and Adam Fox and opening the door to potentially move Lundkvist for help on the left side.

I’m still not sold on that, though, because the Rangers have organizational depth on the left side. They already know what they have in Ryan Lindgren, and they’re high on the potential of K’Andre Miller, a first-round pick (No. 22) in the 2018 draft who signed an entry-level contract March 16. Libor Hajek, another left-handed defenseman, has shown flashes of what he can be in 33 NHL games over the past two seasons.

I think decisions on DeAngelo’s future need to come before New York considers any trade possibilities regarding Lundkvist.

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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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