Alex Galchenyuk stepped on the ice wearing a regular Toronto Maple Leafs practice sweater on Wednesday at basically the exact moment NHL Central Registry confirmed Jimmy Vesey had been claimed off waivers by the Vancouver Canucks.
This was the first true indication Galchenyuk would get an NHL chance in Toronto. He’d been kept at arm’s length since arriving in a Feb. 15 trade from Carolina and had even seen the first American Hockey League action of his career – scoring two goals and eight points in six games for the Marlies.
The Leafs figured the best chance to maximize Galchenyuk as an asset was to build him up slowly, so it was notable that he skated in the revolving second-line left-wing position alongside John Tavares and William Nylander .
That was where Vesey started the season before sliding down the lineup and eventually losing his roster spot altogether. Alex Kerfoot, Zach Hyman, Wayne Simmonds, Ilya Mikheyev and Joe Thornton are among the others who have taken a spin through the second line, which speaks to the vacancy general manager Kyle Dubas is most likely to address via a trade.
Until then it’s a logical place to try Galchenyuk even though he’s six years and six organizations removed from his 30-goal season in Montreal. He hasn’t forgotten how to shoot and since arriving in Toronto he’s worked with the development staff on improving his skating.
“With him and his skillset, we think it’s a guy that can produce offence,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe. “If he gets an opportunity to score, he can do that. He can also make plays.”
Like Vesey, Galchenyuk is a buy-low reclamation project that won’t place a drag on the organization’s cap situation if he’s unable to secure a full-time spot with the Leafs. His $1.05-million salary can be buried entirely on the taxi squad or in the AHL and so it’s really about figuring out if he’s able to contribute to the best version of this roster.
As an added bonus, the Hurricanes passed Galchenyuk through waivers before trading him to Toronto for minor-leaguers David Warsofsky and Egor Korshkov on Feb. 15.
That comes with much-needed flexibility since Toronto can freely move him between its AHL, taxi squad and NHL rosters – at least until he plays 10 games for the Leafs.
While Vesey was the one off-season signing that didn’t really pan out with just five goals and seven points in 30 games, the organization didn’t want to lose him for nothing. They placed him on waivers to try and gain the kind of flexibility they have with Galchenyuk but saw Vancouver put in a claim.
Once Simmonds is activated from long-term injured reserve, the Leafs will likely carry just 12 forwards on the roster. They already have one open spot that can be rotated between Galchenyuk, Alexander Barabanov, Nic Petan or Nick Robertson and could create another by passing Travis Boyd and/or Jason Spezza through waivers.
That they lacked the ability to do that while playing four games in six days last week didn’t sit well with Keefe.
“There’s a bit of a misconception that because you have the taxi squad guys you can move players in and out all the time,” he said. “You just can’t, especially with the salary cap and things like that. So your lineup is pretty much set. So you need to create some flexibility and to do that you have to expose some players.”
The reports on Galchenyuk have been overwhelmingly positive since he arrived in Toronto for what could be his final chance at re-establishing his NHL career. He welcomed the chance to play for the Marlies, saying: “It was a great opportunity for me to go there and prepare for what’s ahead of me here.”
He’s basically found money for the Leafs.
Included as a throw-in to the Feb. 13 deal that saw Ottawa and Carolina swap Cedric Paquette for Ryan Dzingel, he never even officially reported to the Hurricanes. Instead he remained in Canada until the Leafs took a chance on him mainly because he wasn’t subject to a 14-day federal quarantine.
“It was just really convenient that we could have him drive from Ottawa, test a couple times and be a part of our group,” said Dubas. “He was obviously a player that had a great stretch in his early 20s and has now bounced around for a few teams. So what we wanted to do was stabilize him, get him working with our development staff and then get him in and rolling with games with the Marlies.
“It was just really fortunate how it all worked out.”
Here are a couple other news from a newsy day at Leafs practice.
—
The Wayne Train is close to returning to Union Station.
This was the first full practice for Wayne Simmonds since breaking his wrist on Feb. 6, and it was encouraging to see him skating alongside Jason Spezza and Pierre Engvall on the fourth line.
But the veteran winger sounded a cautious tone when asked if he might be ready to return for either Friday’s or Saturday’s games against the Calgary Flames.
“When you come back from a wrist injury, you want to be cognizant that you can make every single movement that’s required and not jump into it too quick,” said Simmonds. “Because if not, you’re going to leave the team shorthanded with a guy who is not necessarily being able to be used the way he should be. For me it’s just making sure I can handle my own area, whether that be shooting or playing with pucks on the wall with confidence and especially in front of the net. …
“If they allow me to go, maybe I’ll be able to go. For now we’re just playing it by ear.”
He was riding a hot streak with five goals in six games when he got hurt on an innocuous play. The puck struck his wrist on a clearing attempt in the third period of a game against Vancouver and required him to wear a cast.
“It sucks when you get hurt,” said Simmonds. “I felt like I was starting to get into a little bit of a groove there.”
—
Somewhat lost in the discussion about the Leafs goaltending struggles is the fact backup Jack Campbell has only been healthy enough to play three games so far this season.
It counts as a significant development that he’s currently being pencilled in to start the back half of the back-to-back with Calgary.
Campbell’s been terrific when he’s played with a 3-0 record and .951 save percentage, but he’s been listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury since delivering a 30-save shutout in Edmonton on Feb. 27. That was his first start since a Jan. 24 game in Calgary where he suffered the original injury late in regulation.
“It’s just a reaggravation of the injury that he missed a great deal of time from,” said Keefe. “And then he came back in Edmonton there and reaggravated it there and it’s been one of those things that I think they thought just a few days off might do the trick to kind of get him back, but it’s just lingered and hasn’t healed.
“He’s been good enough to be able to skate and do different things to stay sharp, but in terms of being ready to play games it’s been kind of lingering. That’s why we’ve been non-committal and unsure virtually every day.
“It’s just been kind of waiting for that to settle a bit and it seems like it has, but he’s got some days to get through here still.”
—
The scene: Tuesday afternoon, with the Maple Leafs in the midst of a five losses in six games slide, and the general manager is conducting a virtual media availability on a day otherwise off for his players.
As Dubas answers a question, there is the distinct sound of hooting, hollering and exuberance coming from somewhere in the unseen background. Turns out it was from Joe Thornton, the oldest member of the team. Just a big kid lifting spirits around the office when he doesn’t have to.
“I don’t know if you could hear Joe in the hallway, but he doesn’t really take many days off,” said Dubas. “His attitude and disposition doesn’t change day to day. He’s sort of seen it all in his time in the league and I think [he and the other veteran additions have] brought a lot of spirit to the group. …
“Unlike in previous seasons where you go through a bit of a stretch where it’s not going well and you feel the group start to sag, I haven’t felt that right now.”
This is part of the narrative being purposely constructed around this version of the Leafs, but that doesn’t mean it’s without merit. They’ve added big personalities in Thornton, Simmonds and Zach Bogosian, and the value of those signings should be most apparent when times are tough.
Consider them the lifting spirits squad.
—
Dubas has shown himself to be a decisive decision-maker. He’s not one to wait for a market to be established before pulling the trigger.
We saw it with the Kasperi Kapanen trade to Pittsburgh in late August – a move that yielded a much better return (2020 first-round pick, plus prospect Filip Hallander) than those coming after it – and we’ve seen it with his previous two trade deadline deals of consequence:
• Feb. 6, 2020 – 18 days before the deadline – he acquired Jack Campbell and Kyle Clifford from Los Angeles for Trevor Moore and two third-round picks.
• Jan. 28, 2019 – 28 days before the deadline – he acquired Jake Muzzin from Los Angeles for Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi and a 2019 first-round pick.
Today is March 17, and we’re 27 days from the deadline.
No wonder Dubas is so eager to get the trading started.
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).
—
Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
