Amid the ubiquitous uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ducks players and their significant others sought to ease the burden on medical professionals as they pledged 200 meals a day for staff at UCI Medical Center. Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli had recently become the first North American pro sports ownership group to pledge…
Ducks players, families, pledge meals for staff at UCI Medical Center — Press Telegram
NHL official says number of cities offer to host neutral-site playoff games: report The NHL will have no shortage of possible venues if the season resumes as several cities across North America have reportedly volunteered as hosts for neutral-site playoff games, according to a report. via FOX NEWS https://ift.tt/34v1nh4
FOX NEWS: NHL official says number of cities offer to host neutral-site playoff games: report — Auto World
The NHL will have no shortage of possible venues if the season resumes as several cities across North America have reportedly volunteered as hosts for neutral-site playoff games, according to a report.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said during an interview with ESPN Friday that the league has been contacted by a number of cities offering to host 2019-2020 playoff games if the season resumes.
EDMONTON OILERS’ COLBY CAVE DEAD AT 25, FAMILY ANNOUNCES
“We do have people putting together the comprehensive laundry list of what we would need from facilities and evaluating some facilities on some level,” Daly said. “But I can’t tell you we’ve even finished creating a list [of potential sites], much less narrowed it down.”
According to the report, the locations include arenas in Grand Forks, N.D.; Manchester, N.H., and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The season was suspended March 12 with 189 regular-season games remaining. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday that finishing those games would be the “best” solution but given the current circumstances surrounding the coronavirus pandemic that “may not be possible.”
Daly told ESPN there’s no table as to when the league will decide if it’s going to play out the rest of the season or move forward with the playoffs.
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“We’re just starting to get our minds around that,” he said. “It’s kind of a combination of things, like when we can start a regular season [in 2020-2021] and how much time we need for an offseason, and then what does the playoff format look like, in terms of knowing what you need to have a regular season.”
He added: “It may not be on the calendar a real long way away, but it is on a decision tree, a real long way away.”
Auston Matthews can’t say why reality dating shows appeal to him, finds it “cool and humbling” to be in the same conversation with superstar Alex Ovechkin, and isn’t surprised that Sheldon Keefe doesn’t have a Netflix account. Read More
Leafs’ Matthews misses game, but it’s ‘irrelevant when we’re talking about human lives’ — Toronto Sun
Auston Matthews can’t say why reality dating shows appeal to him, finds it “cool and humbling” to be in the same conversation with superstar Alex Ovechkin, and isn’t surprised that Sheldon Keefe doesn’t have a Netflix account.
Matthews, who was on track for a 50-goal season with the Maple Leafs when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the National Hockey League to go on pause on March 12, joined the media on a conference call on Thursday from his home in Arizona and touched on a variety of issues.
While the conversation was light-hearted at times, the 22-year-old Matthews didn’t waver from the fact that what he is paid millions of dollars to do — put the puck in the net and help lead the Leafs to wins — diminishes greatly in the wake of what’s happening on a global scale.
“Anybody would love to be playing hockey and be able to live a normal life, but this thing is bigger than sports, bigger than a lot of things,” Matthews said. “The most important thing is being safe and trying to stay as healthy as possible.
“It’s frustrating and disappointing to have this season go on pause, but when you think about being really close to scoring 50 goals, it all becomes irrelevant when we’re talking about human lives and what kinds of things are going on around the world.”
Matthews had 47 goals, one less than NHL leaders Ovechkin and David Pastrnak, when the NHL put a halt on the 2020-21 schedule. The Leafs were in third place in the Atlantic Division with 81 points, three up on the Florida Panthers, and had 12 games remaining.
Among the topics Matthews — who has Leafs teammate Frederik Andersen as a house guest during the pause — discussed with reporters on Thursday (some questions and answers have been edited for length):
♦ Keefe was saying recently he wants his players to come back as better versions of themselves. How do you address that and what facilities do you have at home for keeping in shape?
MATTHEWS: It’s tough to have all the resources you would have if we were all training in the summer. I’ve been watching some video, watching clips, trying to stay as active as possible while respecting social distancing. I’ve been shooting pucks and stick-handling. I have free weights and I have a sport court being built. I have rollerblades. I’m trying to do everything I can to stay in shape and try to not lose that focus.
♦ Assuming the NHL finishes the regular season, how much would it mean to you to (possibly) score more goals than Ovechkin?
MATTHEWS: It’s pretty cool and humbling to be in the same conversation as a guy like him. He has been a generational player and has made a big impact beyond the game and led the way for lots of players. Hopefully, we get back to playing hockey and can compete again. There is unfinished business considering we have 12 games left to play and there is close races for spots in the playoffs. But like I said, this is bigger than sport.
♦ If the season doesn’t resume, how will you wrap this season up if we go right to 2020-21?
MATTHEWS: That’s a scenario that we would all not like to see happen. If that’s the case, there were lots of ups and downs, lots of growth and room for growth. We had our fair share of adversity. That kind of stuff builds character and leadership and all that, but hopefully, hypothetically speaking, (going right into next season) doesn’t happen.
♦ Brendan Shanahan was saying recently that on the upside you guys responded from having your backs up against the wall quite regularly, including your last game where you beat the Lightning. On the downside, he was wondering why this team had a tendency to put its back against the wall so often. Thoughts on that?
MATTHEWS: I don’t really know how to answer that. For a big part of the season, starts for us were a bit of an issue … trying to have more of a killer mentality and a killer instinct to start games no matter who we’re playing, making sure we’re all ready. That should be taken upon the leaders to set that example. I think all of that showed a bit of an immature side of us, but I think that’s all stuff that can be fixed. It’s more of a mentality than anything.
♦ It’s looking like the NHL draft will have to be done either online or remotely or at a hotel if distancing rules get relaxed. As a No. 1 pick (in 2016), do you feel for guys like Alexis Lafreniere or Quinton Byfield who won’t get to hear their names called the way that you did?
MATTHEWS: Hearing your name called and going up there, getting your jersey, it’s all extremely surreal. It’s an experience that you dream of as a kid and if that’s not the case, it’s going to be tough. In the long run, they’re going to be great players in this league, and hopefully they’ll have more memories and experiences to cherish.
♦ Have you envisioned what it might be like playing in an empty rink, because there’s a high probability of that happening if we are to squeeze in the playoffs?
MATTHEWS: It would feel kind of weird. Fans are such a huge part of the game and not only inside the arena, but when we’ve got the playoffs going on and we’ve got Maple Leaf Square and everybody out there, the atmosphere shifts to another level. It would definitely be pretty strange to be playing in an empty arena with no crowds and no noise or atmosphere.
♦ Keefe said he is binging on the Leafs and that he doesn’t have a Netflix account. Does it surprise you that he hasn’t shut his brain off? And what — other than an apparently relentless work ethic — stood out to you about his first few months on the job?
MATTHEWS: No, that’s not really too surprising. Since he has taken over, his work ethic and his commitment to the players and the team — not just on a hockey level but on a personal level — has been amazing. I think he has been great. Everybody has been really receptive to him and I think he has been extremely receptive to us. That’s all you can really ask for. The fact that he has continued to watch film and find different ways for the team to be better, areas of weaknesses and strengths, that’s just a commitment to be the best coach he can be.
♦ Has your mind wandered to idea that the end of the pause might not happen in (or before) September and we’re looking at a lot longer than the next several months?
MATTHEWS: You never know what the case is or what’s going to happen. It’s just important that everybody is really practising social distancing and staying healthy. When the time comes, we can get back on the ice again and health officials and everybody declares it’s a go. There are a lot of hypotheticals, so it’s tough to really pinpoint what the situation is going to be.
♦ On a lighter note, it has been noted that you are a great devotee to various dating shows on TV — Love is Blind, Love Island. Have you been able to turn Freddie on to those and what is the appeal of watching these shows?
MATTHEWS: The first one I watched was Love is Blind. It was just on Netflix and it was just right there so I clicked it and started watching it. I just binge-watched it. I don’t really know what the appeal is. Freddie will only watch a couple of episodes (of Love Island) before he leaves the room and goes somewhere else. It’s pretty awful but I’m in deep now so I can’t really turn back.
♦ I’m wondering if you caught any of the old NHL games that have been broadcast (during the pause), and what you thought about the goaltending equipment of the 1970s and 1980s, and the hooking and holding of the 1990s?
MATTHEWS: With all of the speed and skill and the talent, the young talent that’s in the league now, I feel like this is the most exciting hockey that has been played, but it’s pretty cool to watch old games. I’m a big equipment guy so to see the guys using their wooden sticks and the goaltending gear … Even the way they goaltended back then compared to now, it’s pretty cool to see how far it’s all come together. Where the game is at, it’s extremely exciting to be a part of and playing right now.
♦ You said you’ve been working on your shot. Is Freddie in net for those practice sessions and is there a bit of a competitive rivalry going on?
MATTHEWS: No, he’s not going in the net. I wouldn’t do that to him. He’s not a street hockey goalie. He likes to play out.
twitter.com/koshtorontosun
The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has scheduled an emergency drive-up food distribution event at PPG Paints Arena.
Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: Emergency Drive-Up Food Distribution Event Scheduled At PPG Paints Arena This Friday — CBS Pittsburgh
It’s been one day since news broke of Colby Cave’s brain bleed, and the Edmonton Oilers center is receiving lots of support from both current and former teammates. The Boston Bruins are among those sending their best wishes to Cave and his family. Several members of the Bruins have recorded messages for Cave, who remains…
How Bruins Are Supporting Ex-Teammate Colby Cave During Brain Bleed — NESN.com
MAPLE LEAFS SIGN ALEXANDER BARABANOV
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed forward Alexander Barabanov to a one-year entry level contract for the 2020-21 season.
Barabanov, 25, spent the 2019-20 season with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In 43 games during the 2020-21 season, Barabanov recorded 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) while adding three points (one goal, two assists) in four playoff games. The Saint Petersburg, Russia native appeared in 262 career KHL games, all with SKA, registering 137 points (62 goals, 75 assists). In 68 career playoff games, Barabanov recorded 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) while winning the KHL Garagin Cup in both 2015 and 2017.
Internationally, Barabanov skated for Russia at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, winning the gold medal in a 4-3 win over Germany. Barabanov has represented Russia three times at the World Championships, recording 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 28 games.
The chances of the Maple Leafs landing Russian sniper Alexander Barabanov are back to 50-50 with only one other NHL team in the hunt. After the field was opened to more clubs last week via an interview process with agent Daniel Milstein, the choices for the KHL free-agent right winger are back to the original […]
KHL star to choose between Leafs, Coyotes — Toronto Sun
By Lance Hornby
The chances of the Maple Leafs landing Russian sniper Alexander Barabanov are back to 50-50 with only one other NHL team in the hunt.
After the field was opened to more clubs last week via an interview process with agent Daniel Milstein, the choices for the KHL free-agent right winger are back to the original front-runners, Toronto and the Arizona Coyotes. The term would be the same one-year, entry-level deal as Milstein client Ilya Mikheyev agreed to with the Leafs last summer.
“Alexander has had video meetings with those two teams, the head coaches, ownership, things like that,” Milstein said Sunday. “There are two options for he and his wife.”
Milstein said discussions and one-on-one interviews with his client and the Leafs and Coyotes actually go back more than two years.
“They both visited him in Russia,” Milstein said, adding that former Toronto coach Mike Babcock had made one of the first trips overseas, followed by general manager Kyle Dubas. “(Current coach) Sheldon Keefe has had conversations with him, too.”
Dubas sized up Barabanov on a conference call with Toronto media last week.
“Alex is strong, not tall (5-foot-10, 191 pounds), but he has tremendous playmaking ability, great skill level in tight. One of the other things we like most about him is his ability to make plays under pressure and his ability to win pucks, protect pucks when people come after him,” said Dubas.
The undrafted 25-year-old has played in his native Saint Petersburg since he was 16, moving up to its KHL club in 2014-15. A career-best 20 goals and 51 points in 73 games two years ago (regular season and playoffs) caught everyone’s attention on this side of the pond and he had 21 points in 47 games before COVID-19 halted the 2019 KHL playoffs.
At the spring 2019 world championship, he was on a line with Alex Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov, adding to his comfort zone wherever he lands in the NHL.
“I expect his decision in a short time,” Milstein said. “Of course he and his wife are interested in what the two cities have (to offer as a home). But he’s here for the whole package; the hockey, how the coach sees him fitting in, the fan base, the traditions.”
Score one for the Leafs on that last point, but Arizona GM John Chayka is building a strong program. And if the Barabanovs are sick of snow, they certainly won’t need winter boots in Glendale.
“Alex is just a very nice guy, very humble, from a hockey family with two brothers,” Milstein said. “He’s very accomplished with a Gagarin Cup (in 2016-17 with Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk as teammates) and Olympic gold (2018).”
MIK IN THE MIX
Milstein remains hopeful the Leafs and the NHL will come out of the COVID crisis and any salary cap changes with enough money to retain Mikheyev beyond his current deal.
The agent described those talks with Dubas as cordial, very encouraged the Leafs called him Jan. 1 at the first opportunity to offer a new deal, less than a week after Mikheyev’s frightening injury, a skate blade slicing his wrist that required major surgery.
“The Leafs lived up to their promise and we’ve talked a bit since,” Milstein said. “If not for the work stoppage, he could’ve played after March 19. He’s very interested in re-signing there.”
MORE BEEF ON THE FARM
The idled Marlies have not stopped signing players.
The Leafs’ American Hockey League farm team inked four newcomers the past few days, including Toronto native Noel Hoefenmayer to a two-year contract. The 21-year-old defenceman played 58 games with the Ottawa 67s as an over-ager with a career-high 56 assists and 82 points to lead all OHL defencemen. In his 298 games with Ottawa, the 6-foot-1, 196-pounder had 222 points. He was a fourth-round pick of Arizona in 2017.
Prince Edward Islander Jeremy McKenna also agreed to a two-year AHL contract, the 20-year-old also getting 82 points (40 goals, 42 assists) in 57 games last year with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec league.
Earlier in the week, forwards Gordie Green (Miami-Ohio) and Bobby McMann (Colgate) left the NCAA for two-year deals with the Marlies. The 5-foot-8 Green, from Ann Arbor, Mich., was team captain and had 36 points in 34 games and 115 career points at his school.
McMann, a centre, led Colgate with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 34 games while also serving as captain. The 6-foot-1 Wainwright, Alta., native was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award in 2019-20.
VIRTUE AND RIELLY ‘TRYING TO KEEP EACH OTHER SANE’ Read More
Leafs’ Rielly hopes comeback wasn’t for just one game — Toronto Sun
It took eight weeks of hard slogging in the gym and on the ice before Morgan Rielly finally made it back from a broken foot — to play just one game.
Now it could be much longer down time than that before putting on his Maple Leafs sweater again.
But holed up in his North Vancouver house, Rielly does not consider the recovery period or the unplanned hiatus that’s followed as wasted energy.
“Yes, it was terribly long trying to heal, to keep yourself in shape,” he said Thursday on a conference call with Toronto media. “Eight weeks goes by and to come back and play one (game) is certainly not ideal. When you’re training at the gym and trying to get back to play, you’re picturing 12, 13 games and playoffs, not taking a pause again.
“But in that same breath, if I hadn’t came back and still hadn’t played since Jan. 12, I think it would’ve made things worse.
“You have to take the positives. I came back, played and we won (2-1 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, just before COVID-19 put the NHL on hold). Look at the big picture, you have to be happy you got one game in. I’d be going crazy if I hadn’t played since early January.”
The 26-year-old defenceman, the rest of the players and team management have slowly de-escalated, respecting that what’s going on around them is far more serious than sports, yet totally out of their element at home this time of year.
more….
Leafs’ Rielly hopes comeback wasn’t for just one game — Toronto Sun
MAPLE LEAFS SIGN FILIP KRAL AND KRISTIANS RUBINS
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed defenceman Filip Kral to a three-year entry level contract and defenceman Kristians Rubins to a two-year entry level contract.
Kral, 20, appeared in 54 games with the Spokane Chiefs (WHL) during the 2019-20 season and registered 49 points (12 goals, 37 assists), which ranked second among Spokane defenceman and tied for 10th among WHL defenders. In 154 career WHL regular season games, Kral has recorded 120 points (31 goals, 89 assists), while adding a pair of assists in 17 career WHL playoff games. He represented the Czech Republic at both the 2018 and 2019 IIHF World Junior Championships.
Kral was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Rubins, 22, appeared in 47 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) during the 2019-20 season and registered 14 points (two goals, 12 assists). In 2018-19, he split his season between the Marlies and the Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL). The Riga, Latvia native recorded three assists in 15 games with the Marlies in 2018-19, while recording two goals and 16 assists in 56 games with the Growlers. Rubins skated in 17 playoff games with Newfoundland and recorded a goal and two assists, capturing the Kelly Cup in the franchise’s inaugural season.
Rubins originally joined the Maple Leafs organization on August 3, 2018 after signing an ECHL contract with the Newfoundland Growlers. He signed his first AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies on October 31, 2018 and was re-signed by the club on July 3, 2019.
Cooking, barbecuing, working out. Read More
Leafs’ Tavares enjoying time with son during pandemic, mindful of those ‘on the front line’ — Toronto Sun
By Terry Koshan
Cooking, barbecuing, working out.
Maple Leafs captain John Tavares has been trying to keep himself occupied at his Toronto home with the National Hockey League season on pause in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but there’s one part of his life that takes precedence.
“I’m just really enjoying spending time with my son,” Tavares said on Monday during a video conference call organized by the NHL. “When you’re travelling through the season, you’re in and out so quickly, you don’t get to experience that consistency.
“Just having that time to be around on a daily basis and be able to help out and spend time with them has been fantastic.”
Tavares and his wife, Aryne, became parents last September with the birth of their son Jace.
During the call — which included fellow Atlantic Division players Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins, Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings and Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators — Tavares made it clear he’s not taking the time off from the game for granted.
“With the uncertainty, it’s a good time to disconnect and relax and slowly build yourself back up, as hopefully some positivity comes around the corner,” Tavares said. “The first couple of days I just tried to get an understanding of where things are at and what has hit us. Since then, (you) try to develop some type of structure to create some normalcy.”
No one has a true idea of when we’re going to see professional athletes back on the job, never mind those in the NHL, but that wasn’t at the forefront for the players on the call.
For Tavares, it was about recognizing those he knows in New York from his days as an Islander, as well as Leafs fans.
That the Leafs were inching their way toward clinching a playoff berth when the NHL went on pause doesn’t matter a heck of a lot now.
“I know a few people who are right in the fire of it, and seeing how it’s spreading and really making the impact that it is in New York, I really hope everyone there is staying safe and following the health recommendations,” Tavares said. “Whether it’s former teammates, staff and people I know very well, the fans down there, people I interacted with there, I wish all the best to them and hope it can get better.
“In Toronto, we certainly miss playing in front of our fans and going to Scotiabank Arena and competing to play in the playoffs and the opportunity that we had in front of us.
“It’s a really special thing to be a Maple Leaf, and we never take that for granted and miss it. People have been really good in my area understanding (to follow the advice of local authorities and health professionals), we’re all here supporting each other, helping each other to do the best we can to get this back to normal as quickly as possible and (to) help everyone on the front line who are making a lot of sacrifices to keep everyone safe.”
There was some levity during the call. Chara got a laugh when he said that Tuukka Rask would be the teammate he would least want to be quarantined with because of Rask’s flatulence issues.
If he had to pick a teammate to be in quarantine with, Tavares said it would be Mitch Marner or Justin Holl.
“The type of energy they bring around the locker room, how much fun they have every day is something anyone would enjoy,” Tavares said. “Two guys who are a lot of fun to be around.”
Who among teammates is Tavares glad he is not in quarantine with?
“Good question … can’t think of anyone right off the top of my head,” Tavares said.
Among the way the Leafs are keeping in touch with each other is via group chat.
“We can’t leave each other too long without giving it to one another,” Tavares said. “You miss being around the guys.”
Unlike many, Tavares hasn’t been glued to Netflix to watch the documentary Tiger King, though his wife has been watching it and the small bits Tavares has seen are “pretty mind-boggling.”
If Tavares could have one album to listen to during the time at home?
“I like a lot of 90s stuff, so whether it would be Dave Matthews Band or Goo Goo Dolls or U2, something like that,” Tavares said.
As it turned out, that the Maple Leafs didn’t have a first-round pick in the National Hockey League draft last year didn’t matter much. Read More
Led by Robertson, reasons for optimism emanNickate from Leafs’ draft class of 2019 — Toronto Sun.
A message of support and encouragement in the wake of the coronavirus came from John Tavares via social media on Wednesday night. Read More
Leafs captain Tavares posts message of support in wake of coronavirus — Toronto Sun.
By Terry Koshan
A message of support and encouragement in the wake of the coronavirus came from John Tavares via social media on Wednesday night.
“To all hockey fans in Toronto & beyond,” the note on Twitter from the Maple Leafs captain started, “let’s all play inside & play for each other.
“With this challenge comes great opportunity to enjoy quality time with family and loved ones. Let’s take care of each other by washing our hands frequently and practicing social distancing.
“To all the healthcare & frontline workers, thank you! Thank you for your courage, determination and hard work to fight this crisis. We are all extremely grateful.
“To Leafs nation, my teammates and I can’t wait until we get the opportunity again to put on our skates, and wear the Maple Leaf on our chest.
“Until then, let’s do everything we can to help each other by staying safe and healthy!”
Tavares’ message was accompanied by a photo of him holding son Jace, who was born last September.
The view from left field 