Category: Maple Leafs

No matter where Lehtonen eventually lines up with Leafs, he should be impactful — Toronto Sun

Memo to those pockets of Leafs Nation wringing their hands because the Maple Leafs have signed a defenceman who just happens to shoot left. Read More

No matter where Lehtonen eventually lines up with Leafs, he should be impactful — Toronto Sun

Memo to those pockets of Leafs Nation wringing their hands because the Maple Leafs have signed a defenceman who just happens to shoot left.

It comes from Mikko Lehtonen himself.

“Doesn’t matter, right or left side, I am OK with both,” Lehtonen said during a conference call with reporters on Monday. “Actually, sometimes I like more (the) right side.”

Fact is, the Leafs have brought aboard a player who should make an impact no matter where he eventually lines up on the blue line. Thanks to determination from Jim Paliafito, the Leafs’ senior director of player evaluation who has helped the club sign several players out of Europe, including most recently Alexander Barabanov and Ilya Mikheyev, Toronto was able to beat the NHL competition to sign Lehtonen to a one-year, $925,000 US entry-level contract for the 2020-21 season.

Lehtonen led Jokerit of the KHL in scoring this past season (as well as the league’s defencemen), putting up 49 points (17 goals and 32 assists) in 60 games. Regarded as one of the top defencemen in Europe, Lehtonen has the ability to run the power play, but more immediately, fits into the mould the Leafs have in mind for their blueliners. He’s a heads-up skater who reads the play well.

“I’m a two-way defenceman who can skate and move the puck,” Lehtonen said. “My game should fit pretty well with Toronto because they want to skate well and those are my strengths.”

Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, who went to scout Lehtonen at the Karjala Cup in Helsinki last year following Paliafito’s positive reports, joined Lehtonen on the call.

“I agree with Mikko 100% why it’s a fit for us and for him,” Dubas said. “It’s the way he plays and the way we want to play.

“With regard to whether he will play the left or right side, it’s such a hard thing to answer right now. It would be easier if our season was over and we knew where we were at. We want to hopefully get back and finish our season and evaluate things from there and determine whether we want to try him on both sides, but I think the versatility certainly helps.”

Lehtonen and Jokerit mutually agreed late last week to terminate his contract so he could get a crack at the NHL. A native of Turku, Finland, Lehtonen never was drafted by an NHL club.

Lehtonen played in the 2020 KHL all-star game and was named the league’s defenceman of the month in November, December and January.

At the international level, Lehtonen has represented Finland several times, including at the 2018 Winter Olympics, the world championship in 2017 and 2019 and the 2014 world junior championship. He won gold at the ’19 worlds, making the tournament all-star team.

It’s going to be intriguing to see where the six-foot, 196-pound Lehtonen finds his stride with the Leafs. Once what remains of the 2019-20 season is done — whether it’s the regular season and playoffs, just the playoffs, or cancellation in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic — Tyson Barrie and Cody Ceci will be unrestricted free agents. Travis Dermott is going to be a restricted free agent.

For 2020-21, the lone right-handed shot under contract in the defence corps is Justin Holl, though Timothy Liljegren could be in the mix as well.

What does Dubas think of his defence group as a whole now?

“It’s always a big topic of conversation,” Dubas said. “We know we’re going to have Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, Holl, we’re going to be able to bring back Dermott, who will be a restricted free agent, and you have our younger guys in Rasmus Sandin and Liljegren and Teemu Kivihalme and Calle Rosen and so on, and then you have the decisions on Ceci and Barrie.

“We like our options, but it’s certainly an area we need to see progress in, whether it’s the development of Dermott, development of Sandin and Liljegren, or the acquisition of players like Mikko. We like the group and we’re looking forward to seeing it play healthy.”

tkoshan@postmedia.com

twitter.com/koshtorontosun0 

“They are unbelievable,” says Flames GM of Giordano family’s good deeds during COVID-19 — Calgary Sun

The word started circulating of Mark and Lauren Giordano’s latest acts of kindness. Read More

“They are unbelievable,” says Flames GM of Giordano family’s good deeds during COVID-19 — Calgary Sun

Already known in this city for their exemplary charity contributions, the Calgary Flames captain and his wife have been reaching out to various families and meeting some of their needs during the  COVID-19 pandemic.

The word started circulating of Mark and Lauren Giordano’s latest acts of kindness.

Already known in this city for their exemplary charity contributions, the Calgary Flames captain and his wife have been reaching out to various families and meeting some of their needs during the  COVID-19 pandemic.

A Calgary woman posted on Facebook of her interaction with someone who worked for Giordano, indicating that he’d like to buy her groceries at Walmart; something he and his wife had been doing to help out the community.

In her post, the woman said her grocery bill came to $430.

“I am in still (sic) shock what just happened,” she wrote on Facebook.

Flames general manager Brad Treliving confirmed the Giordanos gesture, which exemplifies the captain’s leadership and his better half’s selfless nature.

“They are unbelievable,” Treliving said. “The last thing he’s going to do is publicize that. Paying for groceries is just one of the things he’s done in the last six weeks to help this community. He’s not going to blow his own horn — I’ll blow it for him. They’ve been active in finding out — and Lauren’s been unbelievable — the needs people have. Someone was looking for a computer so they went out and got them one and delivered it. They’ve done unbelievable work. And he’s never going to tell you about it.

“But he just gets it.”

Bruins Sign Backup Goalie Jaroslav Halak To One-Year Contract Extension — NESN.com

Jaroslav Halak will be back for a third season in Boston. The Bruins’ backup goalie was a pending unrestricted free agent this offseason, but the team on Friday announced they signed him to an extension for the 2020-21 season. He’ll make $2.25 million next season, a slight bump down from the $2.75 million per year…

Bruins Sign Backup Goalie Jaroslav Halak To One-Year Contract Extension — NESN.com

Swedish NHL players raise concerns by reportedly skating during quarantine — Newslanes

While the rest of the world took serious steps to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Sweden stood firm. The Scandinavian country has broken the trend of nearly every other European and North American country by allowing schools, restaurants, bars and other businesses to stay open despite the pandemic. The results are still open to debate, but, at […]

Swedish NHL players raise concerns by reportedly skating during quarantine — Newslanes

Maple Leafs’ Muzzin buzzin’ for return — Toronto Sun

His broken hand is healed, his infant daughter now knows his face and it has been two months since Jake Muzzin has fired a puck or popped an opponent. So if the NHL moves to a few hub cities to finish the regular season, an idea that might see players on the road and isolated […]

Maple Leafs’ Muzzin buzzin’ for return — Toronto Sun

Flyers’ Lindblom making progress as he nears end of cancer treatments — ProHockeyTalk | NBC Sports

Flyers assistant GM Brett Flahr said that Lindblom “looks terrific” and “as he gets his last treatments, the worst is over for him.”

Flyers’ Lindblom making progress as he nears end of cancer treatments — ProHockeyTalk | NBC Sports

Oskar Lindblom is coming to the end of his treatments for Ewing’s sarcoma, though it’s still unknown if he’ll be able to play for the Flyers next season.

Flyers assistant GM Brett Flahr told The Philadelphia Inquirer this week that the forward, who was diagnosed with the form of bone cancer in December, “looks terrific” and “as he gets his last treatments, the worst is over for him.”

“Oskar’s going through his last treatments coming up here, but everything I’ve been told from [team trainer] Jimmy [McCrossin] has been very positive,” Flahr told Sam Carchidi. “He feels great, considering the condition he’s in. He’s such a great kid and he’s determined. His focus is to play as soon as possible.”

While many players have returned home since the NHL suspended the season on March 12, Lindblom, who hails from Gavle, Sweden, stayed in Philadelphia to undergo treatments at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Since his diagnosis, he’s visited his teammates a few times, and even dropped by during team photo day.wayne fish@waynefish1

Maple Leafs’ Andersen eager to play in any NHL restart plan — Toronto Sun

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1253045291873382400 Read More

Maple Leafs’ Andersen eager to play in any NHL restart plan — Toronto Sun

After a month in quarantine at Auston Matthews’ home in Arizona, Frederik Andersen isn’t going to quibble where, when or how the NHL re-starts its season.

Not that the Maple Leafs goaltender is complaining about his teammate’s extended hospitality, but he’d like to get back on ice instead of solely facing Matthews in  the small condominium sports court.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said one of the ideas being discussed after more than six weeks on hold from COVID-19 concerns is wrapping up regular season play with a concentration of games in designated league cities, perhaps one in each division.

“I’ve heard a lot of different ideas and scenarios, but I’m pretty much open to anything that can be done to salvage the season,” Andersen told the Toronto media on a Thursday afternoon conference call.

Even if it means a couple of weeks in strict isolation-type conditions again in one place and possibly without spectators for the games?

“I’m not against that. Everyone wants sports back on. I think if there’s a chance we can go back to play, we owe it to ourselves to play the game we’re so passionate about and  owe it to the fans who’ve been waiting. It will give them something to watch. Fans are starving for something other than a re-run of old shows. It will be a big part of returning to normal.”

Andersen would like to see those missing March and April regular season games completed as a prelude to normal playoffs at some point in the summer.

“There are 31 teams who’ve put a lot of time and effort in. I’d definitely like to see something done to finalize the season, move on and not lose out on all the hard work.”

Andersen chose not to return to his native Denmark when the NHL shuttered on March 12, with that country ahead of North America in closing its borders. But rather than stay in Toronto, he elected to hang out with fellow bachelor Matthews in Scottsdale. He brought his gear with him and when there’s space open on then court, there’s 1-on-1 shooting.Toronto Maple Leafs✔@MapleLeafs

KOSHAN: Passion, optimism drive Leafs’ Spezza during pause brought on by COVID-19 — Toronto Sun

A memory of Jason Spezza stands out — one of many, we can assure you — from his formative days in the Ontario Hockey League. Read More

KOSHAN: Passion, optimism drive Leafs’ Spezza during pause brought on by COVID-19 — Toronto Sun

A memory of Jason Spezza stands out — one of many, we can assure you — from his formative days in the Ontario Hockey League.

We once tracked down Spezza, who would have been 16, in the Mississauga IceDogs’ workout room after practice, riding a stationary bike when the majority of his teammates had left the rink for the day.

That kind of desire never waned in the 20 years since, and it’s part of what’s keeping Spezza encouraged for the return of his beloved sport as the global COVID-19 pandemic continues.

“I’m not sure when it’s going to be, but I’m optimistic that we’re going to get a chance to finish the season,” the Maple Leafs forward said during a conference call with media on Tuesday. “I’m an eternal optimist, so I’m hoping there is going to be a chance to play.”

Yes, Spezza would like to play with the Leafs beyond the National Hockey League’s 2019-20 season, but knows there is no guarantee considering he will be heading for unrestricted free agency.

“It’s not the focus right now by any means, but definitely I feel like I have game left and there is nowhere else I would rather be than to play another year here in Toronto,” Spezza said. “I feel like we are building things with this club and I want to be a part of it.”

Spezza, who will be 37 in June, found a niche under coach Sheldon Keefe long before the NHL paused on March 12. Scratched 10 times with Mike Babcock in charge — including the unnecessary move on the part of Babcock to put Spezza in the press box for the season opener — Spezza was scratched twice in 47 games on Keefe’s watch following the firing of Babcock in November. Spezza became a resourceful bottom-six forward, working his way on to the power play every so often and becoming a veteran that others in the room sought out for advice.

“I just tried to have the mentality that I was going to stay in the fight,” Spezza said. “I didn’t give myself much of an option. I didn’t want to feel sorry for myself.”

From a team standpoint, there were inconsistencies, but the Leafs under Keefe had improved and were sitting in third place in the Atlantic Division with a playoff spot in hand when play halted.

“You don’t want to cruise through the regular season because you need that experience to get you into the playoffs, and we certainly didn’t cruise,” Spezza said. “I think it’s to the benefit of our group. We have a much more mature locker room than we did at the start of the season. There was a lot more ownership. Our young stars are able to have conversations with each other, with other guys on the team that maybe they weren’t comfortable with having early on in the season.

“Now, to have a chance to have a break and look back on things, it will only help us pinpoint what we can do differently and move forward.”

With four young daughters, Spezza and his wife Jennifer have been busy during self-isolation, concentrating on home-schooling during the morning before giving way to family activities later in the day. A lifelong fan of Michael Jordan — Spezza said there are “hundreds” of photos from his youth of him in a Chicago Bulls Jordan jersey, bought during a family trip to Florida — Spezza has been enthralled with The Last Dance, the documentary focusing on the 1997-98 Bulls.

Staying fit also is part of the daily regimen. When hockey resumes, and if it includes Spezza on the ice for the Leafs, you can bet the passion will be a driving force.

“My love for the game has probably allowed me to play as long as I have,” Spezza said. “Hockey is not work to me. As you go through different phases of your career, there are different challenges.

“I love the day-to-day grind and I love the coming to the rink and figuring out what to do that day. The chance to win a Stanley Cup … I’m in it for as long as I can be.

“It’s something I dreamed of as a kid and I would love nothing more than to do it here in Toronto.”

SPEZZA KEEPING EYE TO THE GROUND

Considering that Jason Spezza is regarded by his National Hockey League peers as one of the most dedicated students of the game, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Maple Leafs forward is consuming as much as he can in regard to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have kept a pretty close tab on things,” Spezza said. “It’s the nature of how I operate. I like to have a full understanding of what’s going on and I have spent a few hours a day doing some reading and listening to what other leagues are thinking of doing.”

At best, the thinking is sports leagues will return eventually with no fans in the stands, at least to start.

“It also keeps you sharp and hungry,” Spezza said of his interest. “We all know there are bigger things at play right now and the health of everybody is first and foremost, but at some point we will get a chance to play and when we do, it will be exciting. It is important to be aware of some of the things that are being talked about.”

Fehr and Bettman riding out NHL storm together — Toronto Sun

In Yann Martel’s philosophical novel, Life of Pi, the main character finds himself stranded at sea for almost a year with a 450-pound tiger that may or may not be an actual tiger. It’s terrifying, at first. The tiger is hungry. It wants to eat. It’s always threatening to attack. But in the end, they…

Fehr and Bettman riding out NHL storm together — Toronto Sun

An enigma to the end, Byfuglien will always be loved in Winnipeg — Winnipeg Sun

The rhythm was often off-beat. Read More

An enigma to the end, Byfuglien will always be loved in Winnipeg — Winnipeg Sun

The rhythm was often off-beat.

The marching was far from an organized stride.

Dustin Byfuglien did his own thing.

Always.

It was his beat. His march. It only needed to make sense to him.

And just as his career began in an eccentric way — getting a phone call about rookie camp in Chicago and then going AWOL until someone from the Blackhawks organization tracked him down to get him there — it ended on a similar note.

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone willing to walk away from $14 million. Even professional athletes, who’ve amassed vast amounts of wealth over their respective careers, often want to maximize those earnings before their body won’t allow them to any longer.

But one of hockey’s most entertaining and enigmatic figures seemingly didn’t care about all of that in the end.

Money, reputation, legacy — these things simply failed to compute in a logical way for a player shrouded in as much curiosity as Byfuglien is (or was, at this point).

Byfuglien did Byfuglien. 24/7. 365 days a year, and he didn’t let his guard down on a leap year, either.

That mystique is a big reason fans embraced him so dearly, and why we media types were always searching for more.

Surely, he knew that.

Fans learned much about the man in the way he carried himself on the ice. That’s how he communicated with them. He was merciless to his opponents — just ask Mark Stone or Roberto Luongo — and fiercely competitive.

But he was also a consummate teammate — just ask anyone not named Evander Kane. And it’s not just his most recent teammates that speak his praises, but also his former colleagues in Chicago.

The story about Byfuglien’s first rookie camp came from long-time Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith a few months ago. Keith’s memories of Byfuglien as a teammate were glowing.

On the homefront, he took Josh Morrissey under his wing.

Byfuglien was the family protector, a job he did admirably, and a job his teammates admired.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff spoke Friday of an emotional ending that began back in early September on the eve of training camp. The months-long saga came to an end 219 days later as the NHL, the NHLPA and the Jets announced the termination of Byfuglien’s contract.

That Byfuglien was emotional back then is certainly believable, and one wonders if the finality of today wouldn’t have elicited similar sentiments.

While there are parts of the game — the media, particularly — that Byfuglien never seemed to enjoy, he most certainly relished playing the game, playing in big games, and being a part of the team. And those around him enjoyed it, too. He had that infectious trait about him.

That seeped into the fan base here in Winnipeg. Supporters would have loved for Byfuglien to play forever. That just comes with the territory when you have a player as popular, and as effective, as the 35-year-old was for the Jets.

If Byfuglien’s career is truly over, he leaves the game having hoisted the game’s holy grail. He completed the goal most prominent among every player that’s stepped onto the ice in the National Hockey League.

He also wasn’t a flash in the pan. He played nearly 900 games. He played on the biggest stages the game can offer. He thrived in those moments, too, much to the chagrin of Vancouver Canucks fans, and others throughout his career.

Perhaps most importantly, he did so in front of a legion of fans he earned through playing the game the way he wanted to play.

And if there’s a lesson to take for any player, young, old, and in between, it’s just that: you can be yourself, and true to yourself, while at the same time being good at whatever it is you do in life.

Byfuglien went out on his own terms, and not everyone gets to say that.

And judging by the reaction to the comments from Cheveldayoff on Friday, it sounds like many, if not all, fans accept Byfuglien’s terms.

We don’t have the full story. We may never hear Byfuglien’s side in this whole ordeal.

But unless Cheveldayoff was fibbing, Byfuglien remained loyal to the Jets until his final day as a member of the organization. He didn’t want to be traded, even when asked multiple times. It appeared that it was Winnipeg or bust.

In the end, Byfuglien chose both.

While pain once again ripples through the city, this is the Byfuglien the fans know and love.

And love, they always will.

Governor Confirms New Hampshire’s Talks With NHL Regarding Coronavirus Return — NESN.com

Whether the NHL returns this year is still very much up in the air, and it seems almost certain it won’t happen in Boston. However, pro hockey in New England, it seems, is still on the table. The NHL season has been paused for more than a month due to the coronavirus outbreak, and it’s…

Governor Confirms New Hampshire’s Talks With NHL Regarding Coronavirus Return — NESN.com