TORONTO – Like all respectable roller-coaster riders, the Toronto Maple Leafs had their photograph snapped at the bottom of a frightening plunge.
The hockey players gathered and posed at centre ice Monday afternoon, cheesing for the annual team photo, clueless if 2019-20 will be one to regret or cherish.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe addressed the group after the flash’s burst and the shutter’s click.
“It’s one thing to be in a picture, but the reason why you take a picture is to have a memory,” he told them.
“We want to be able to look back at our team picture and be proud of our group and remember the individuals, applauding the efforts that many people brought.”
Considering the landscape and the opponents, those efforts must be ratcheted up by about 44 notches over the next five days, as the Leafs draw the mighty Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday, the wild-card charging Nashville Predators Thursday, and visit Boston for a showdown against the NHL’s No. 1 outfit Saturday.
“We’ve struggled with playing teams below us in the standings,” Jason Spezza said. “That’s something we won’t have to worry about this week.”
In times of nervousness, we resort to humour.
How the Maple Leafs respond to their 0-fer in California — and the Florida Panthers’ creep to within a single point of supplanting them in a playoff position — will filter the feelings associated with Monday’s photograph.
Keefe said his players are “confused themselves” as to why they’ve run so hot and cold, but they’ve agreed that their competitiveness needs a boost.
“I’m a bad scout,” said Morgan Rielly, who’s been stuck watching the ride from afar. “I can’t really put my finger on it, to be honest with you, but I think that a big part of it is work ethic.”
Even if Rielly is admittedly nervous to come back in such a critical game after eight weeks on the shelf, Tuesday’s return of Toronto’s No. 1 defenceman should provide a jolt. Rielly’s feel for the puck may be rusty, but his effort level won’t be an issue.
“I’m a big Morgan Rielly fan, I’m not gonna lie,” said Lightning coach Jon Cooper, who coached his fellow B.C. native on 2016’s Team North America.
“When there was so much star power on the back end there, he kinda was just that guy that did everything right for you. I like his game. I like his vision. I really like his compete. I think he’s an intangible kind of defenceman that can do everything for you. He’s a guy you want to have in your locker room.”
As the Leafs welcome a difference-maker into the room, Tampa, already playing sans captain Steven Stamkos, must persevere without another one.
Perennial Norris candidate Victor Hedman (lower body) participated in the morning skate but will not dress.
“He’s one of the straws that stirs the drink,” Cooper said. “Victor Hedman can dictate a game. So, when you’re taking out 25, 26 minutes a night and [someone who plays on] all your special teams, a driving force of what helps your team, it has an effect.”
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In the home room, Keefe hopes a juggling of his top six will also have an effect.
For the first time since before Christmas, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner will be pulled apart. Matthews and Hyman will be joined by the red-hot William Nylander, the most dangerous forward during last week’s lull. Marner gets reunited with John Tavares, and Kasperi Kapanen gets a promotion to their left side.
Toronto is rubbing any two sticks together, scrambling for a spark.
Over the past two days, speaking from a league-mandating, sanitized podium, multiple players have mentioned the scant number of games remaining (13) and the need to inject each one with post-season intensity.
“It’s a difficult team to get a read on,” Zach Hyman said. “There are nights we play extremely well and we can beat anybody, and then there are nights where we don’t live up to expectations.”
Guessing which night we’re in for Tuesday is about as easy as predicting how that team photo will age.
Yet for all the justified criticism and doubt shaded their way, the individuals in that frame still control their own destiny.
“What a picture represents are the memories,” Keefe said, “and we have an opportunity here to make the season a memorable one.”
Vancouver Canucks winger Dakota Joshua is set to make his season debut Thursday after missing time for cancer treatment.
Head coach Rick Tocchet says Joshua will slot into the lineup Thursday when Vancouver (8-3-3) hosts the New York Islanders.
The 28-year-old from Dearborn, Mich., was diagnosed with testicular cancer this summer and underwent surgery in early September.
He spoke earlier this month about his recovery, saying it had been “very hard to go through” and that he was thankful for support from his friends, family, teammates and fans.
“That was a scary time but I am very thankful and just happy to be in this position still and be able to go out there and play,,” Joshua said following Thursday’s morning skate.
The cancer diagnosis followed a career season where Joshua contributed 18 goals and 14 assists across 63 regular-season games, then added four goals and four assists in the playoffs.
Now, he’s ready to focus on contributing again.
“I expect to be good, I don’t expect a grace period. I’ve been putting the work in so I expect to come out there and make an impact as soon as possible,” he said.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be perfect right from the get-go, but it’s about putting your best foot forward and working your way to a point of perfection.”
The six-foot-three, 206-pound Joshua signed a four-year, US$13-million contract extension at the end of June.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.
TORONTO – Reigning PWHL MVP and scoring champ Natalie Spooner will miss the start of the regular season for the Toronto Sceptres, general manager Gina Kingsbury announced Tuesday on the first day of training camp.
The 33-year-old Spooner had knee surgery on her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after she was checked into the boards by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle in Game 3 of their best-of-five semifinal series on May 13.
She had a goal and an assist in three playoff games but did not finish the series. Toronto was up 2-1 in the semifinal at that time and eventually fell 3-2 in the series.
Spooner led the PWHL with 27 points in 24 games. Her 20 goals, including five game-winners, were nine more than the closest skater.
Kingsbury said there is no timeline, as the team wants the Toronto native at 100 per cent, but added that “she is doing really well” in her recovery.
The Sceptres open the PWHL season on Nov. 30 when they host the Boston Fleet.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2024.
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.
