Craig Conroy has had a front row seat for Johnny Gaudreau’s ascension from college hotshot to NHL all-star to Century Man.
Who better to chat with about Gaudreau’s milestone than the Flames assistant GM, who openly discussed the playoff advice he shared with Gaudreau, and why he thinks the face of the franchise is better positioned for springtime success this time around.
In a wide-ranging discussion on The Eric Francis Show, Conroy stated his Selke case for Elias Lindholm, identified what has surprised him most about this team, projected how Matt Coronato should fit as an NHLer, and insisted that nothing about the current group reminds him of the 2004 team he starred on.
He also shared one of his favourite Darryl Sutter stories, involving a loaded offer from the coach to snag an autograph or two from the opposition.
Sportsnet: Can you speak to the significance of Johnny Gaudreau eclipsing the 100-point mark?
Craig Conroy: It’s not just a number.
It’s like when we say, “It doesn’t matter when we play our old team.” Let’s be honest, we want to beat them more than any other team. That’s what we have to say as players.
To get 100 points, wow. It’s amazing.
We talked about when he had 99 (in 2018-19), how special it would have been to get the 100.
Even when Jarome (Iginla) was leading the league in scoring, (he never got to 100). Obviously, the game has changed and scoring has gone back up since then, but for me, that’s a special, special number.
Why is Gaudreau better positioned to have success in the playoffs than he was, say, two or three years ago?
I think back to when I was in St. Louis, they said, ‘Brett Hull can never win.’
Well, you know what, that’s not true.
The way I look at it now is that everyone wants Johnny to do it. It’s so hard to win in the playoffs, and you put so much pressure on one player.
I do think the game changes a little bit in those playoffs.
A lot of times Monny (linemate Sean Monahan) was hurt. He had different linemates and was getting the hard matchups.
And you need to get some breaks early in those series. It’s so hard to score in the playoffs that everyone wants him to continue with that pace. He did create chances and he does make plays. He doesn’t get as many calls.
After the last one what I talked to him about it and said, “Hey, the last game you played, the way you drove through the middle and didn’t shake your hand, that’s how you’re going to have to play because they’re not going to call those little ticky-tack penalties they do in the regular season. And by you doing that it kind of shows the ref up. So you just have to play your game.”
For sure with Darryl he’s going to help that situation. That’s what we’ve always believed bringing Darryl in would do. I got to live it first-hand and to see what he does, how he handles things and what he expects out of everybody.
I think the line he’s on is built for the playoffs.
I’ve seen Matthew Tkachuk win a Memorial Cup. I’ve seen Johnny win a Frozen Four, a national championship, world juniors. All these things these guys have won.
I think we’re a little bit hard because we’re like, ‘They didn’t win the Stanley Cup.’
Well, they’ve won a lot of other things.
Does this team remind you of the 2004 Cup final team in any way?
No. The ’04 team was blood and guts and “gonna get by with Jarome and Kipper,” two stars. The rest of us knew, because Darryl told us, “we don’t have enough skill. We need to win 1-0.”
That means Kipper and Jarome do their thing and the rest of you guys make it hard to play against. I thought we were a little better than Darryl might have told us but that was his mindset going in.
But with this team I see scoring all over.
I know the guys haven’t scored maybe at the clip we’d want recently, but I’m not even worried.
I’d rather be a little cold now and then heat up in the playoffs.
Given where this team was last fall and where it is now, what has surprised you most about this group?
How well the top line has played.
Our third pairing has been amazing. Really amazing. I don’t give (Noah) Hanifin and (Rasmus) Andersson enough credit.
Our whole d-core, as a unit, has been outstanding.
You’re hoping this is how it was going to go. Did I see it going this way? No. You’re waiting to watch the games to see how it’s going to work, but I can’t say enough good things about what that group has done.
That might be even more surprising than the first line.
Mangy (Andrew Mangiapane) having 31 goals already is pretty amazing.
Then the other guys coming in. The leadership from the Lewises and the Colemans, who have won before and just go about their business, brings that to the table.
What Darryl’s doing is what we brought Darryl in for, to win games and to get us in a position to make the playoffs and from there to move forward.
This was a team we believed in, and with all his experience, I know he said he didn’t think that coming in, but I don’t think Darryl takes a job unless he thinks he can take a team to where it can contend for a Stanley Cup at some point.
State the case for Elias Lindholm to win the Selke this year as the NHL’s best defensive forward?
He does everything defensively that I want. The way he kills penalties, faceoffs, his little attention to detail and the way he supports his defence.
The plus-minus alone… (+53).
When (Mikael) Backlund was going that year (2018-19) for the Selke, and he was up against (Patrice) Bergeron, Bergeron was better. He just was. I want to be honest, even though Backs had an unbelievable year.
This year I truly think he’s the best defensive forward out there.
I know it’s a little tough, I was out east for a couple games and our games start at 10:30 p.m., 11 o’clock, so you can see why maybe people don’t see him.
But if they just do watch him, I don’t even think it’s close this year, to be totally honest.
You saw lots of Flames first-round pick Matthew Coronato while he played as a freshman at Harvard this year. Where does he project as an NHLer?
I see top-six to start.
You never want to put pressure on kids where you have to be a first-line guy. Time will tell, but his vision, the way he plays away from the puck, the way he just makes plays like Johnny, one step ahead, that’s what I love to see.
He played wing this year. I personally loved him at centre last year, but whether he’s going to be centre or wing we’ll see where he is next year.
I like him at centre because he sees the ice so well, he steals pucks, he’s strong on pucks. His little attention to detail plays that he can make, kind of the way I watch Lindholm away from the puck and when he gets the puck.
Wherever it is, he’s going to be a top-six forward, power play, penalty kill. He’s just an all-around good player who can play anywhere.
I understand Sutter gave you guys a unique opportunity in 2004 to get autographs of anyone you wanted on the Red Wings that spring?
We won the first game of that series in overtime and it gave us some confidence.
They do have pretty much a Hall of Fame power play and in Game 2 they were rolling, and it was a beating.
We come into the locker room and Darryl is upset.
He said, “Okay, let’s get it out of the way boys. Brett Hull, Nick Lidstrom, Brendan Shanahan, Steve Yzerman…I’ll get you guys autographs now, because you guys are like, Wow, the Detroit Red Wings. They’re the greatest thing ever.”
He was being sarcastic, and all of a sudden out of nowhere, Rhett Warrener says, “well if you’re getting autographs, I’ll take a Nick Lidstrom jersey.”
We were all trying not to laugh, but the way he said it and the timing, was classic.
Darryl gave a few last words and left, and we all burst into laughter. Given the beating we took it really lightened the mood.
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).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.
