In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Edmonton Oilers not only lost a close contest to the Calgary Flames on Monday night, but they got some potentially bad injury news as well. Meanwhile, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas spoke with the media on Tuesday and outlined his plan for the NHL Trade Deadline. The Montreal Canadiens could get some salary cap relief with Ben Chiarot on LTIR, but that doesn’t mean they are free and clear to spend money. Finally, could the Chicago Blackhawks be a busy team at the trade deadline and could they intentionally add some bad contracts in the process?
Oilers Lose Barrie and Khaira
It’s not clear now long each player will be out of action, but both Tyson Barrie and Jujhar Khaira are listed as day-to-day for the Oilers. Barrie left Monday’s game in the first period with an unknown ailment. He tried to return for the third period but couldn’t play. It’s not clear what’s wrong with the defenseman or how serious the injury might be but it would not be good news if it was anything long-term.
For now, the Oilers will likely slot in Evan Bouchard, which will make some Oilers fans happy.
Jujhar Khaira, Edmonton Oilers (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
Khaira tried to answer for what some are calling a dirty hit and lost a fight with Brett Ritchie. The Oilers center was tagged at the end of the bout and partially knocked out. While he was mostly able to skate off on his own (with a bit of help from the trainers), it didn’t look like Khaira was doing well.
Dubas Talks About Leafs Deadline Plans
The Maple Leafs GM met with media on Tuesday and provided more insight as to what the organization is thinking as the April 12th trade deadline approaches. He said he’s not transfixed on any one position but also said they may focus on adding a forward because they moved out some good pieces in the offseason. He’d like to try and make a trade right away and when asked if he was willing to trade a top prospect before this deadline: “Yes.”
He noted that he’s trying to find a trade partner to make a deal sooner than later but seemed to hint that finding a dance partner was harder was not necessarily easy.
He also noted that this was one of those rare years when the team might prefer to do a deal for a player that is an obvious rental. The way the salary cap is structured, anything they add that has a commitment beyond this season will affect their allotment for next season. Dubas noted that if the right deal comes along, they’ll make it work, but he seemed to be leaning towards adding someone the team could walk away from at the end of the season.
The Athletic’s Arpon Basu took a look at what the Canadiens might do now that they’ve placed Chiarot on LTIR. He points out that the team will get some salary-cap relief to pursue a player at the trade deadline but there is uncertainty over how long he’ll be sidelined.
Basu writes:
In a weird way, the Canadiens might have been better off if Chiarot’s injury meant he would absolutely not be available prior to the end of the regular season. It would open up a world of trade possibilities for them, but there’s nothing guaranteeing the Canadiens would be able to acquire a player to use that additional cap space.
source – ‘How the Canadiens’ trade deadline plans are impacted by the injury to Ben Chiarot’ – Arpon Basu – The Athletic – 03/15-2021
The speculation is that Chiarot will be back before the end of the regular season meaning the team will have to clear cap space for his return. To that end, Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin said on a media call says he’s not looking to go out and trade for a defenseman to replace Chiarot because they expect the player to be back.
Could Blackhawks Take on Bad Contracts?
Ben Pope of The Chicago Sun-Times discussed 10 players the Blackhawks could target at this year’s trade deadline. Interestingly, he noted the team could use their ample LTIR space to get a bad contract but pick up some prospects or draft picks in the process. Essentially, the team has $21 million in LTIR space for this season and still have quite a bit of space for next season too.
Pope names players like Vancouver’s Loui Eriksson, the Islanders’ Andrew Ladd, Edmonton’s James Neal or Carolina’s Jake Gardiner. He writes:
There are risks to that strategy, but it’s a possibility, especially with many teams around the NHL tight against the cap heading toward the trade deadline April 12.
source – ’10 bad contracts the Blackhawks could potentially acquire using LTIR space’ – Ben Pope – Chicago Sun Times – 03/15/2021
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.
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.
