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Why Maple Leafs’ Dubas is ready to go all-in and make a trade soon – Sportsnet.ca

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4 years ago

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TORONTO — It is not really a question of how badly Kyle Dubas wants to make a trade right now because it’s abundantly clear the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager is prepared to push a stack of chips to the centre of the table.

What remains to be seen is how much of a limit he’ll impose on spending future assets in order to strengthen the odds of a run towards the Stanley Cup.

The unique dynamics at play during a Covid season have created a headwind for someone in his situation. He may well have to overpay in order to get something done. Prices on the available players have been set high and aren’t likely to retract on a timetable that fits a Canadian-based buyer.

Put yourselves in the shoes of a seller like Nashville or Buffalo or New Jersey: You might as well try and leverage the Canadian teams anxious to get an early start on trading season because of federal quarantine rules since you know that their U.S.-based counterparts are likely to continue shopping right up until 3 p.m. ET on April 12 if you don’t get something done.

The unofficial trade deadline in Toronto passes earlier than that. Dubas is anxious to make his move immediately and with each day that passes, it affects the internal calculation because he’s largely focused on adding players on expiring contracts.

“I think given the quarantine that’s in place right now and the 14 days where the player’s going to come in and sit for 14 days in their hotel and then join the club, we’re going to be in a tougher spot to certainly get as much out of it as we can,” Dubas told reporters Tuesday. “And if you look at the schedule where it goes, where April 12 is the deadline and then if you go the two weeks beyond that you’re April 27 or 28 before they get out of their hotel, and then they’re only with the team for I think it’s like six games or 10 days or something like that [before playoffs].

“So it certainly provides an incentive to try to make the moves earlier. It takes two to make that happen, though.”

The odds of Dubas finding a fit are greatly increased by his willingness to deal from the organization’s prospect pool. Nick Robertson or Rasmus Sandin or Rodion Amirov are arguably more appealing to a trading partner than a 2021 first-round pick likely to land 20th overall or later.

It also speaks to the stage the Leafs have reached in their development.

While trying to sustain a period where they contend as long as possible, each season with this core represents a priceless opportunity. The stakes are arguably even a notch higher with Toronto sitting atop the North Division at 19-9-2 and looking at a clear path to the conference finals if it can outlast Winnipeg, Montreal, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

In the two previous trade deadlines since Dubas took control of the Leafs, he prioritized trade targets with extra years of team control — acquiring defenceman Jake Muzzin in 2019 and goaltender Jack Campbell last winter.

But that was before the pandemic and a collective bargaining extension that will see the NHL’s $81.5-million salary cap ceiling essentially remain fixed for years to come. The circumstances have changed and so have his preferences.

“Usually you’d put a premium on getting a player that has future years,” said Dubas. “It’s a little bit more complex this year knowing that very likely it’s going to be at $81.5[-million] again, the cap.

“So it’s a rare time where probably a rental is the better fit.”

Were he to trade for Filip Forsberg, for example, that would significantly limit what he could do this summer because of a $6-million cap hit that carries through next season. And while the Leafs would obviously love to have a player as good as Forsberg through 2022 and beyond, they would also have to use a valuable protection spot on him in July’s Seattle expansion draft if they emptied the cupboard to make that kind of blockbuster deal.

That’s why a rental player makes more sense and the list of forwards currently in that position includes Taylor Hall, Eric Staal, Mikael Granlund, Erik Haula, Alex Iafallo, Nick Foligno, Kyle Palmieri and others.

Speaking an hour before Montreal Canadiens counterpart Marc Bergevin downplayed the likelihood of a significant acquisition in his own meeting with reporters, Dubas left the door wide open to a big move in Toronto.

He expressed hope that he and assistant GM Brandon Pridham could find “creative” solutions to their tight cap squeeze. And he said the team’s play would signal it’s the right time to boldly sacrifice future assets for short-term help.

Dubas sounded incredibly bullish on his Leafs despite the recent stumble that saw them lose five of six games, saying their No. 1 placing in the division is “probably a very fair indication of our overall quality in the first half of the season.”

So step back and survey where the methodical manager found himself on Tuesday afternoon: Running a first-place team he believes in; seeking to fill a specific forward need in a marketplace with options; possessing prospects and draft picks he’s willing to part with; and recognizing that each passing day lessens the value of his return because the federal quarantine squeezes the amount of time a player has to get comfortable and contributing in Toronto

It’s safe to say that the next time Dubas holds a virtual media availability it will be to discuss a trade he’s just made.

Keep your calendars clear because it could be tomorrow.

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Champions Trophy host Pakistan says it’s not been told India wants to play cricket games elsewhere

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November 8, 2024

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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.”

Pakistan hosted last year’s Asia Cup but all India games were played in Sri Lanka under a hybrid model for the tournament. Only months later Pakistan did travel to India for the 50-over World Cup.

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.

___

AP cricket:

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Dabrowski, Routlife into WTA doubles final with win over Melichar-Martinez, Perez

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November 8, 2024

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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.

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Winger Tajon Buchanan back with Canada after recovering from broken leg

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November 8, 2024

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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.

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