Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning was ranked first by seven of 13 voters as the best defensemen among the 24 teams that are part of the Return to Play Plan.
Hedman was ranked No. 2 by the other six voters, which gave him enough points to finish at the top of the Super 16, eight points ahead of Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, who was ranked No. 1 by five voters. John Carlson of the Washington Capitals received the other No. 1 vote.
To create the Super 16, each of the 13 participating staff members put together his or her version of what they think it should look like. Those were submitted and a point total assigned to each.
The defenseman that was selected first was given 16 points, the second got 15, third 14 and so on down to No. 16, who got one point.
Season stats: 55 points (11 goals, 44 assists) in 66 games
Career playoff stats: 48 points (seven goals, 41 assists) in 84 games
Hedman won the Norris Trophy in 2017-18 and finished third in the voting last season, when Mark Giordano of the Calgary Flames won it and Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks was second. Hedman also was third in the Norris Trophy voting in 2016-17, behind Burns and Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators. Hedman has helped the Lightning reach the Eastern Conference Final four times (2011, 2015, 2016, 2018). They reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2015, losing to the Chicago Blackhawks. He is third among defensemen since the 2016-17 season with 244 points (56 goals, 188 assists) in 292 games, behind Burns (271) and Carlson (250). Hedman also is third among all skaters in plus/minus (plus-86) since 2016-17, behind New York Rangers forward Artemi Panarin (plus-91) and Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (plus-88).
2. Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
Total points: 194
Season stats: 65 points (16 goals, 49 assists) in 69 games
Career playoff stats: 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 71 games
Josi was first on the Predators and second among NHL defensemen (Carlson, 75 points) in scoring this season. He set NHL career-highs in goals, assists and points despite the Predators’ season being cut short by 13 games when it was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. He’s third among defensemen in scoring in the past three seasons with 174 points (45 goals, 129 assists) in 226 games, behind Carlson (213) and Burns (195). Josi had a 53.3 percent even-strength shot-attempts percentage (SAT), even though he started 49.5 percent of his even-strength shifts in the offensive zone. He also averaged 25:47 of ice time per game, the most among returning defensemen.
Season stats: 75 points (15 goals, 60 assists) in 69 games
Career playoff stats: 60 points (18 goals, 42 assists) in 107 games
Carlson led NHL defensemen in scoring for the second time in three seasons, after leading them with 68 points (15 goals, 53 assists) in 2017-18. He’s scored 213 points (43 goals, 170 assists) in 231 games the past three seasons, 18 more than any defenseman. Carlson helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup in 2018, when he scored 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in 24 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
4. Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues
Total points:142
Season stats: 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 70 games
Career playoff stats: 45 points (seven goals, 38 assists) in 83 games
Pietrangelo was sixth among defensemen in scoring this season and averaged 24:11 of ice time per game. He’s seventh among NHL defensemen with 447 points (108 goals, 339 assists) in 741 games the past 10 seasons. He helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup last season, when he led defensemen with 19 points (three goals, 16 assists) in 26 games, including six points (one goal, five assists) in Games 4-7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Bruins. He scored the game-winning goal and had an assist in St. Louis’ 4-1 win in Game 7 at Boston. He could be among the most sought after unrestricted free agents this offseason if the Blues don’t re-sign him.
5. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
Total points: 140
Season stats: 44 points (15 goals, 29 assists) in 61 games
Career playoff stats: 80 points (21 goals, 59 assists) in 132 games
Letang is a three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017), even though he missed the 2017 playoffs because of an injury. He is fifth in scoring among NHL defensemen in the past 10 seasons with 458 points (106 goals, 352 assists) in 591 games. Among defensemen to play at least 100 games during that span, Letang’s 0.77 points per game is second behind Karlsson (0.85). Letang averaged 25:44 of ice time per game this season, second behind Josi among returning defensemen.
6. Seth Jones, Columbus Blue Jackets
Total points: 124
Season stats: 30 points (six goals, 24 assists) in 56 games
Career playoff stats: 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 27 games
Jones was on pace for a fourth straight season of at least 40 points before fracturing his ankle Feb. 8. He is expected to be healthy when the Blue Jackets reconvene for training camp, which will put his 25:17 of ice time per game back in their lineup. Jones scored nine points (three goals, six assists) in 10 playoff games last season.
7. Mark Giordano, Calgary Flames
Total points:88
Season stats: 31 points (five goals, 26 assists) in 60 games
Career playoff stats: Four points (one goal, three assists) in 13 games
Giordano didn’t have the same type of season he did in 2018-19, when he won the Norris Trophy, scored 74 points (17 goals, 57 assists), and was plus-39 in 78 games. He’s still one of the most utilized defensemen in the NHL, averaging 23:53 of ice time per game this season. He also led Flames defensemen with a 52.9 percent SAT (minimum 10 games), showing he was able to turn good defense into offensive chances. He missed more than three weeks with a hamstring injury sustained Feb. 4 but returned Feb. 27 and played six games before the season was paused.
Season stats: 50 points (12 goals, 38 assists) in 57 games
Career playoff stats: Six points (one goal, five assists) in 10 games
Makar was seventh among defensemen and second among NHL rookies in scoring this season (Quinn Hughes, 53 points). His 0.88 points per game was third among defensemen (minimum 20 games), behind Carlson (1.09) and Josi (0.94). Makar is a favorite to win the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year. Makar won the Hobey Baker Award last season as the top NCAA men’s hockey player and three days later made his NHL debut in Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round against the Flames, scoring on his first shot on goal.
9. Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
Total points:85
Season stats: 36 points (six goals, 30 assists) in 68 games
Career playoff stats: 11 points (zero goals, 11 assists) in 15 games
Slavin had a 55.4 percent SAT this season and 107 blocked shots (4.03 per 60 minutes), meaning he was creating opportunities on the offensive end and shutting them down on the defensive end. He averaged 3:06 of shorthanded ice time per game for the Hurricanes’ fourth-ranked penalty kill (84.0 percent). His reputation grew during the playoffs last season, when he averaged 26:10 of ice time per game to help Carolina reach the Eastern Conference Final, which it lost to Boston.
10. Shea Weber, Montreal Canadiens
Total points:81
Season stats: 36 points (15 goals, 21 assists) in 65 games
Career playoff stats: 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) in 65 games
Weber is one of the most accomplished defensemen never to win the Norris Trophy or the Stanley Cup. He is seventh among active defensemen with 570 points (218 goals, 352 assists) in 990 games. He missed six games because of injury, and had he stayed healthy and the season not been paused, he would have become the 11th active defenseman to reach the 1,000-game milestone.
11. Ryan Suter, Minnesota Wild
Total points:68
Season stats: 48 points (eight goals, 40 assists) in 69 games
Career playoff stats: 29 points (six goals, 23 assists) in 78 games
Suter has been among the most reliable and durable defensemen since he entered the NHL with the Predators in 2005-06. He is fourth in games (1,142), third in total ice time (28,751:12) and ice time per game (25:11), and fifth in points (588) among active defensemen. Suter also never has won the Norris Trophy or the Stanley Cup.
12. Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
Total points:56
Season stats: 53 points (eight goals, 45 assists) in 68 games
Career playoff stats: N/A
The 20-year-old led NHL rookies and was tied for fourth among defensemen with Tony DeAngelo of the New York Rangers in scoring this season. His style appears to mirror that of Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, a Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP and three-time Stanley Cup champion. Hughes scored 25 points (three goals, 22 assists) on the power play, tied with Neal Pionk of the Winnipeg Jets for third at the position behind Torey Krug of the Bruins (28) and Carlson (26).
Season stats: 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 64 games
Career playoff stats: 24 points (six goals, 18 assists) in 57 games
Parayko has become one of the fiercest defensemen in the NHL, particularly because of his size (6-foot-6, 230 pounds) and how well he moves around the ice. He scored the same number of goals, assists and points this season that he did last season, but in 16 fewer games. He led the Blues with 106 blocked shots and St. Louis defensemen with 87 hits averaging 23:00 of ice time per game. Parayko helped the Blues win the Stanley Cup last season by scoring 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) and averaging 25:07 of ice time in 26 games during the playoffs.
14. Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
Total points:41
Season stats: 32 points (five goals, 27 assists) in 67 games
Career playoff stats: 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 41 games
McAvoy, in his third NHL season, led the Bruins in total time on ice (1,551:56) and time on ice per game (23:10). He was Boston’s first option among defensemen in overtime, playing 23:46, or almost six minutes more than their next defenseman, Krug (17:38), and scored an overtime goal. He’s scored 92 points (19 goals, 73 assists) in 184 NHL games.
15. Dougie Hamilton, Carolina Hurricanes
Total points: 35
Season stats: 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists) in 47 games
Career playoff stats: 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 38 games
Hamilton was on the way to his best NHL season when he fractured his left leg in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Jan. 16. He hasn’t played since but should be healthy when the Hurricanes reconvene for training camp. Hamilton was first in shots on goal (170), tied for second in goals, second in plus/minus (plus-30), fourth in points and fifth in points per game (0.85) among NHL defensemen when he was injured.
16. John Klingberg, Dallas Stars
Total points: 33
Season stats: 32 points (six goals, 26 assists) in 58 games
Career playoff stats: 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 26 games
Klingberg scored 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his first 28 games and 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) in his final 30. Since debuting in the NHL in 2014-15, he is 10th among defensemen with 291 points (58 goals, 233 assists) in 425 games.
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.
