Pages

Thursday, June 30, 2022

{allcanada} Once again, Puljujarvi wants out, and Oilers are ready to accommodate with a trade


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

EDMONTON — Jesse Puljujarvi and the Edmonton Oilers are ready for a divorce.

As he was three seasons ago, Puljujarvi is ready to move on for a fresh start elsewhere, sources have confirmed. The Oilers are ready to oblige, and are speaking with at least four teams in an attempt to push the return as high as possible.

Puljujarvi's agent, Markus Lehto, declined to comment but did not dispute the above characterization of his 24-year-old client. Oilers GM Ken Holland, who is actively working the phones on a number of players — including Puljujarvi, Tyson Barrie, Warren Foegele and Zack Kassian — did not return a request for an interview, which is rare.

Back in 2019, Lehto told Sportsnet that his client was ready to move on.

"It's kind of hard for me to think you can hit the re-set button," Lehto mused in February of 2019, between periods of a game in Raleigh, N.C. "It's like, when the player isn't trusting anymore … 'Do these guys really want me here? Do they really trust me to become a Top 6 guy? A Top 9 guy? An offensive player?' The player is uncertain.

"Are we reaching the point that, for the team and for the player, it might be actually beneficial for going different paths, different routes?"

Puljujarvi instead went home to Finland for a season, while Holland waited for a first-round pick in trade that never emerged. So he brought Puljujarvi back to middling success, and the GM was praised for his patient handling of the asset.

Three years later, that patience has run out — on both sides.

Puljujarvi is deemed "a play killer" inside the Oilers dressing room, it is believed, where two of the best centremen in the world have not been enough to turn Puljujarvi into a legitimate Top 6 winger in the NHL. The puck dies on his stick in the offensive zone too often to continue to saddle Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl with such a winger on a regular basis.

So, what is Puljujarvi's value on the NHL market? Drafted at No. 4 overall in 2016, consensus among professional scouts we spoke with this week is that Holland would do well to find a second-round draft pick in return for Puljujarvi. Here is a sample of replies:

• "Probably more like a third (round pick) for me. I think they only way they get a second is if it's a late second or the team has multiple seconds and can get rid of one for a flyer on him."

• "Should be able to get a second."

• "Puljujarvi is the equivalent of a third-line player with some upside."

• "If you can get a second (round pick), take it."

The assumption is that Puljujarvi would be dealt for a pick, and that pick could help Edmonton acquire a player they need for the coming season. We do not expect the Oilers to use the draft pick acquired for Puljujarvi, but you never know.

The Arizona Coyotes have three second-round picks (and three first-rounders) in next week's draft. Would they swap one for the six-foot-four winger?

Carolina is definitely interested in taking on the project that is Puljujarvi, based on the fact he and Hurricanes centre Sebastien Aho worked well together as Finnish juniors. Playing together at the 2016 World Juniors, Puljujarvi led the tournament in scoring with five goals and 17 points, while Aho was second (5-9-14). Their linemate, Patrik Laine, was third in tournament scoring with 13 points, while Puljujarvi was named tournament MVP.

Carolina has a second-round pick (60th overall) and has Chicago's third-round pick (71). The latter would likely be fair compensation for Puljujarvi, or perhaps the former if Holland can create a market.

New Jersey is another target, as a team that places a high value on the analytics that are kind to Puljujarvi. Despite scoring just four goals nine assists in his final 36 games of the season — almost all spent next to Connor McDavid — analytics exist that pump up Puljujarvi's value and could entice certain teams to the asset.

Ottawa is another team of interest, a deal that could possibly see winger Kassian included. Such an inclusion would mitigate return, but make for a cap savings of at least $1.4 million on Puljujarvi, and whichever portion of Kassian's $3.2 million cap hit the Oilers are not forced to retain.

San Jose may also be a destination, though with the Sharks in the process of hiring a new GM, that could complicate a process both sides hope to wrap up prior to next Thursday's draft.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

Monday, June 27, 2022

{allcanada} Maple Leafs sign Liljegren to 2-year contract extension


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

TORONTO (AP) — The Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday signed defenseman Timothy Liljegren to a two-year contract extension with an average annual value of $1.4 million.

The 23-year-old Swede had 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 61 regular-season games with the Maple Leafs in 2021-22. He also appeared in two playoff games.

Liljegren was selected by Toronto in the first round, 17th overall, of the 2017 draft.

He has 24 points (five goals, 19 assists) in 74 career regular-season games with the Maple Leafs.

Liljegren has made 148 regular-season appearances with the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies, putting up 73 points (11 goals, 62 assists). He won a Calder Cup in 2018 with the Marlies.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

Sunday, June 12, 2022

{allcanada} Bulldogs sink teeth into Spitfires, take series lead in OHL final


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

HAMILTON — Mason McTavish's second goal of the afternoon early in the third period proved to be the winner Sunday as the Hamilton Bulldogs edged the Windsor Spitfires 3-2 in the fifth game of the Ontario Hockey League championship series.

Thanks to a 3-2 overtime victory in Windsor on Friday, the Bulldogs winning weekend means they own a 3-2 series lead and are one win away from a berth in the June 20-29 Memorial Cup, to be held in Saint John, N.B.

Ryan Winterton scored the other goal for the Bulldogs, who connected twice on the power play. Avery Hayes chipped in with two assists.

Wyatt Johnston and Ryan Abraham scored for the Spitfires, who outshot the Bulldogs 26-24. The teams were tied 1-1 after the opening period and 2-2 entering the final frame.

Game 6 is Monday in Windsor. A seventh game, if needed, will be played Wednesday in Hamilton.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Canada to play for bronze at U18 FIBA


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

TIJUANA, Mexico — Canada's under-18 men's basketball team will play for bronze at the FIBA Americas championship after dropping a 78-77 decision to Brazil in Saturday's semifinal.

Vasean Allette led Canada with 22 points, while Michael Nwoko finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

The Canadians, who had already clinched their berth in next year's U19 FIBA World Cup with their top-four finish, face either the U.S. or Argentina in Sunday's bronze-medal game.

Canada led by as many as 23 points in the first half, but were outscored 30-13 in the pivotal third quarter and led 61-60 with one quarter to play.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Als' Stanback to have ankle sugery, on six-game IL


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

Montreal Alouettes running back William Stanback will have surgery on Monday to repair a fractured ankle, it was announced Sunday.

Head coach Khari Jones is hopeful Stanback will be able to return this season but the timeline for his recovery is undetermined. 

The team previously announced on Sunday that he was being placed on the six-game injured list Sunday.

Stanback left the team's season-opening loss to the Calgary Stampeders on Thursday in the second quarter with an apparent leg injury, taking a handoff from Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. near the goal line and emerging from under a pile of Stampeders defenders injured.

The 27-year-old had to be carted off the field and did not return to the game.

In his fourth CFL campaign out of Virginia Union, Stanback is coming off back-to-back 1,000-plus-yard seasons for the Als in 2019 and 2021.

Montreal also announced Sunday that running back Shane Simpson is being added to the roster.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

Saturday, June 11, 2022

{allcanada} Cataractes capture QMJHL title with OT win over Islanders


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

The Shawinigan Cataractes are going to the Memorial Cup.

Pierrick Dube's unassisted goal 40 seconds into overtime on Saturday capped off a spirited comeback at Eastlink Centre and eliminated the Charlottetown Islanders in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League President Cup final.

Three of the Cataractes' victories in the series came in overtime.

The Islanders had built a 3-1 second-period lead on a pair of goals by Jakub Brabenec and a single by William Trudeau. But the Cataractes battled back with goals from Mavrik Bourque, Olivier Nadeau and Dube, who tied the game 3-3 at 10:38 of the third to force overtime.

Xavier Bourgault had two assists in the win, while Luke Cormier had two assists for the Islanders. Charlottetown outshot Shawinigan 36-25.

Shawinigan will now represent the QMJHL in the 102nd Memorial Cup championship, which goes June 20-29 at TD Station in Saint John, N.B.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

Friday, June 10, 2022

{allcanada} White scores overtime winner to give Bulldogs win over Spitfires in OHL final


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

WINDSOR, Ont. — Gavin White scored the overtime winner to give the Hamilton Bulldogs a 3-2 win over the Windsor Spitfires in Game 4 of the Ontario Hockey League final on Friday night.

His goal at the 7:35 mark of the extra period tied the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.

Hamilton's Logan Morrison opened the scoring but Josh Currie and Will Cuylle tallied in the second period for the hometown Spitfires.

Nathan Staios tied the game with less than two minutes left in regulation after the Bulldogs pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.

The series will shift to Hamilton for Game 5 on Sunday.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Paredes hits winning FG to lead Stampeders to opening night win over Alouettes


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

CALGARY — Pulling wins out of tight games in the final three minutes was among coach Dave Dickenson's stated goals for the Calgary Stampeders during training camp.

The Stampeders delivered in their 30-27 victory over the Montreal Alouettes to open the CFL season on Thursday when Rene Paredes kicked a 38-yard field goal with 30 seconds remaining.

Trailing 24-14 at halftime, the Stampeders outscored the Alouettes 16-3 in the second half.

"I'm not going to say it was a clean game in any three of the three phases, special teams, offence and defence, but the guys kept battling and rallying," Dickenson said. "We were the ones that made the plays late.

"It was a good start to the year."

Stampeder running back Ka'Deem Carey scored a pair of rushing touchdowns and Malik Henry caught a touchdown pass in front of an announced crowd of 21,139 at McMahon Stadium.

Paredes was good on his three field-goal attempts, including two in the third quarter that ate into the 10-point halftime deficit.

"Rene, say what you want, the guy is money," Dickenson said.

Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell completed 21 of 34 passing attempts for 199 yards. Calgary's starter threw a touchdown pass and was intercepted once.

Mitchell limping slightly as he headed to the sidelines in the fourth quarter, backup Jake Maier drew in for Calgary's final two drives.

Maier, who went 4-for-5 for 57 passing yards, navigated the Stampeders to field-goal range for Paredes to finish the job.

Dickenson thought Mitchell suffered a muscle spasm or cramp in his leg.

"He was immobile and I'm not playing a guy that can't move, especially in Game 1," Dickenson. "I thought Bo fought hard in the second half and really made some good plays for us and brought us back.

"I'm a hundred per cent confident in Jake as well. He did get the job done."

Montreal running back William Stanback, the CFL's leading rusher last season, was carted off the field in the second quarter after his touchdown catch in the first.

"He hurt his ankle," Montreal head coach Khari Jones said. "I don't think it's broken, but we'll find out pretty soon here. It was pretty swollen.

"You'd hate to lose someone of Stanback's stature. I think he'll be sidelined for a bit."

Alouettes quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. scored a touchdown as did third-string pivot Dominique Davis on a short-yardage plunge. David Cote added a pair of field goals.

Adams Jr., completed 18 of 31 passes for 250 yards and one touchdown throw. He was intercepted twice in his first start since Oct. 11, 2021, when he sustained a season-ending arm injury in a game against Ottawa.

The Stampeders (8-6-0) finished third in the West Division last season and lost the division semifinal in overtime to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Alouettes (7-7) were similarly third in the East Division and dispatched in the semifinal by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Calgary wide receiver Richie Sindani posted a career-high, team-leading 101 receiving yards in Thursday's game.

The 26-year-old from Regina, who played for the University of Calgary Dinos, is starting his fourth season with the Stampeders.

"It took awhile to get here," Sindani said. "Someone told me it was 101 and I thought 'Geez, I cut it close.' It's really good to get over that 100-yard mark."

Carey ranked second in CFL in rushing yards behind Stanback in 2021. His second touchdown on a five-yard carry and a Paredes convert to start the fourth quarter gave the hosts a three-point lead.

Cote pulled the Alouettes even, however, with his 23-yard field goal with 4:09 remaining in the game. Paredes was good from 41 yards and 23 yards in the third quarter for Calgary to trail 24-20.

Stampeders defensive lineman Mike Rose blocked Cote's field-goal attempt in the final minute of the third.

Montreal scored 10 points in the last two minutes of the first half.

Adarius Pickett picked off Mitchell to give the Als the ball at midfield after Cote's 26-yard field goal.

Adams Jr., ran the ball in from seven yards out and vaulted over Calgary defensive back Dionte Ruffin to get to the end zone.

Stanback suffered the ankle injury taking the ball to Calgary's one-yard line midway through the second quarter. Davis finished the drive for a major.

Carey accounted for 38 yards, including a two-yard dash for a major, of Calgary's 58-yard scoring drive in the second quarter.

The teams traded converted touchdowns in the opening quarter that ended 7-7.

Stanback capped a 74-yard drive with an eight-yard touchdown catch. Calgary scored first before the five-minute mark of the game when Rose picked off Adam Jr.'s first throw of the game.

From the 49-yard line, Mitchell engineered a six-play drive finished by Henry's 10-yard touchdown catch. Henry dove and planted the ball just over the goal-line to score.

The Alouettes are in Toronto to face the Argonauts and the Stampeders travel to Hamilton to meet the Tiger-Cats in Week 2.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Stampeders QB Mitchell expected back for Week 2


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is expected to be ready for Week 2's matchup against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, according to head coach Dave Dickenson.

Mitchell, 32, left Thursday's season-opening victory over the Montreal Alouettes after rolling his ankle in the fourth quarter.

The 6-foot-2 quarterback finished the game with 199 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Quarterback Jake Maier came into the game in relief of Mitchell and threw for 57 yards with four completions.

Mitchell missed seven games in 2019 and three games in 2021.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

{allcanada} Oilers want Woodcroft to return as coach, Kane back next season


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX


EDMONTON -- The Edmonton Oilers hope to have Jay Woodcroft return as coach next season, general manager Ken Holland said Wednesday.

"I think he did a fabulous job," Holland said. "The team responded to him and I told him he and I would meet early next week, Monday or Tuesday and have a discussion. Yes, I am interested in him coming back. I want to hear what he's thinking. But I think he did a great job and was a big part of what we accomplished."

After going 7-13-3 from Dec. 3 to Feb. 9 to fall six points out of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot, the Oilers fired coach Dave Tippett and promoted Woodcroft from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League.

From there, Edmonton went 26-9-3, had the third-best points percentage (.724) in that span (Florida Panthers, .757; Calgary Flames, .731) and finished second in the Pacific Division.

The Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings in seven games in the Western Conference First Round and eliminated the Flames in five games in the second round before being swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Final, which ended Monday when the Oilers lost 6-5 in overtime in Game 4.

If Woodcroft is back, the Oilers are likely to look different. Holland said he didn't think he could keep the current team together, given NHL salary cap concerns.

One of Edmonton's biggest decisions ahead is what kind of offer to make forward Evander Kane, who can become an unrestricted free agent July 13. Kane signed with the Oilers on Jan. 28 after his contract had been terminated by the San Jose Sharks. He had 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists) in 43 regular-season games and scored 13 goals in the postseason, which leads the NHL.

"Am I interested in bringing him back? Yes," Holland said. "I think he had a big impact on our team, not only his ability to score goals, but he plays with an edge. There was wonderful chemistry between him and Connor [McDavid]. When he joined our team, he made our team deeper. So can I keep him? Yeah. His cap number is $2 million. I don't expect him to play for [a] $2 million cap number next year. I don't know what it is. I'd have to sit and talk to his agent, Dan Milstein."

Kane said Tuesday that although he is unsure if he will return to the Oilers, he has "nothing but good things to say" about his time in Edmonton.

Another area for the Oilers to address is goaltending.

Mike Smith, who started all 16 postseason games for Edmonton (8-6, 3.37 goals-against average, .913 save percentage), is 40 and said Tuesday he wasn't sure about his future. He has one season remaining on a two-year contract ($2.2 million average annual value).

Once he returned from a variety of injuries that limited him to five games in the first half of the season, Smith (16-9-2, 2.81 GAA, .915 save percentage in 28 games, including 27 starts) split time with Mikko Koskinen (27-12-4, 3.10 GAA, .903 save percentage in 45 games, including 43 starts).

Koskinen can become an unrestricted free agent July 13.

"Mike Smith and [Koskinen], they dug in for us all year," Holland said. "You don't make the playoffs in the NHL without getting good goaltending. But certainly, Smith, he's 40 years old. He gave us everything that he could and I got to meet with him to see what he feels he's got in his tank. … He knows his body, and we've got to gather some information, but certainly I know that I've got to make some decisions between now and when we get to camp."

Holland said he does not think the Oilers have a bona fide No. 1 goalie.

"We have two 1As, a 1A and a 1B," he said. "How do I describe 1A and 1B? The guys that can play 40-45 games. A No. 1 one goalie to me can play 55-60. What are there in the League, 10 or 12 of those? I don't know if any of them are available. I haven't worked the phone.

"Do I want a No. 1 goalie, a stud that can play [a big number of games]? Yeah. I think 32 teams want that. [But] I'm going to try to figure out a way to make our team the best that we can make it heading into September."

The Oilers don't expect they'll have any players with offseason surgeries to recover from, even though they had several players playing with injuries during the postseason.

Forward Leon Draisaitl sustained a high-ankle sprain in the series against the Kings and finished the playoffs with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in 16 games. Defenseman Darnell Nurse, who had six points (two goals, four assists) in 15 playoff games, sustained a torn hip flexor muscle April 22, missed the final four games of the regular season and played the entire playoffs with the injury. Forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who had 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 16 games, played with a shoulder injury. Forward Kailer Yamamoto, who had seven points (two goals, five assists) in 14 games, missed the final two games of the playoffs after sustaining a concussion and forward Jesse Puljujarvi, who had three points (two goals, one assist) in 16 games, had a shoulder injury that would have kept him out for the remainder of the playoffs (4-6 weeks).

After big progress this season, the Oilers future will require some good decisions and internal improvement in order to continue those strides forward.

"I said this yesterday in the room, if you're 24 and under, we need you to take a bigger piece of the pie, and whether you've been on the team or you're in the American League, we need you to push this offseason," Holland said.

He also said it's dangerous to assume the Oilers will regularly reach the conference final because they did so this season.

"We've got to make some tweaks, we've got to make some changes, but just stick with it," he said. "The margin of error, the margin is [thin]. [Colorado is] the best team in the West. They've been good for two to three years now. They've been building to be good. I don't think we're a million miles away. I think we're in the game… [but] that's all history. We can go back and we can miss the playoffs next year, because there's teams that missed the playoffs that want to get in.

"The margin of difference between so many teams is not as big as people think, whether you think we're better than most teams or whether you think we're worse than those teams. I'm just here to tell you there's lots of teams, the margin of error is very, very thin, between lots of teams."

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Oilers' Ken Holland gives multiple injury updates, says no surgeries expected


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

Injuries are common during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Edmonton Oilers were no exception.

Now that the team has been eliminated, general manager Ken Holland was able to reveal what some of those injuries were — adding that none of his players are expected to need surgery, but that some will need MRIs to confirm their conditions.

Here is a roundup of the injuries the Oilers were dealing with during the playoffs:

Leon Draisaitl

Draisaitl was mum when asked about his injury condition Tuesday but anyone watching him play could tell he was fighting through a serious lower-body injury. Holland confirmed that that injury was a high-ankle sprain, suffered during the first round against the Kings.

Despite his clear discomfort, Draisaitl powered through to record four primary assists in Monday's Game 4 loss to the Avalanche and finished with 32 points in 16 playoff games.

"It was a struggle... he was playing through a lot of pain," Holland said. "It was unbelievable the level he played at with what he was going through."


 

Darnell Nurse

Nurse told reporters after the Game 4 loss that he played the entire playoffs with a torn hip flexor, which he suffered during the final week of the season. Holland specifically named Nurse as one player who shouldn't need surgery this summer.

"Our medical staff… taped it up, gave me some anti-inflamm's and away you go," Nurse said. "There's no excuse when you get to this point in the season. You want to be on your game and play at a certain level. There's no excuse. Everyone's banged up this time of year. And myself personally, I wanted to be better in this series. It's just added motivation for summer to come back and be a difference-maker next year."

Nurse saw his average ice time drop nearly four minutes in the playoffs, from 25:03 during the regular season to just over 21 minutes in the post-season. He finished with six points and a plus-five rating in 15 games.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

The longest-serving Oiler was dealing with a shoulder injury, Holland revealed, but that didn't appear to slow him down. Nugent-Hopkins scored six goals and 14 points in 16 games, including a goal in the elimination loss to the Avalanche.

Jesse Puljujarvi

With Evander Kane suspended for Game 4 against Colorado, Puljujarvi was elevated to the top line alongside Connor McDavid and Draisaitl. But his night was cut short by an injury, which Holland has now revealed to be related to his shoulder and will require a four-to-six week timeline for recovery.

Puljujarvi's future role with the team will be under the microscope as the 24-year-old was limited to just three points in the playoffs. He will be a restricted free agent this summer and has arbitration rights.

"He scored a couple of big goals for us, one in the L.A. series and one in the Calgary series. He's a good player for us," head coach Jay Woodcroft said Wednesday, adding that Puljujarvi had other injuries to battle through during the season. "He's a good, young hockey player."

 

Kailer Yamamoto

Yamamoto had a breakout season for the Oilers, setting career-highs with 20 goals and 41 points. But he was unavailable for the team's final two games against the Avalanche, which Holland now revealed was due to concussion protocol.

Beyond all the players mentioned above, Holland said five-to-seven other Oilers were battling injuries — including veteran goaltender Mike Smith. As the team heads into the summer with a lot of roster questions, getting healthy will also be a key priority.

"This time of the year that's what NHL players do, they play banged up," Holland said.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

{allcanada} Oil Kings cruise past T-Birds in WHL playoffs, lead final series 2-1


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX


SEATTLE — The Edmonton Oil Kings found a new gear Tuesday night as they cruised past the Seattle Thunderbirds 4-0 to grab a 2-1 lead in the Western Hockey League championship series.

After two tight games in the Alberta capital, where Seattle won 2-1 in Game 1 and Edmonton responded with a 5-4 win in Game 2, the first game in Seattle finally showed some separation between the teams.

Jakub Demek, Simon Kubicek, Kaiden Guhle and Carter Souch scored for the Oil Kings, who outshot the hosts 37-21.

Sebastian Cossa recorded the shutout for the Oil Kings, who will look to win another road game on Wednesday in Game 4.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Oilers 'gave it everything they had' in Western Conference Final


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

EDMONTON -- Some of the Edmonton Oilers' best players battled through injuries and laid it all on the line in the Western Conference Final, but it still wasn't enough against the Colorado Avalanche.

Leon Draisaitl had four assists, Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists, and Darnell Nurse had one assist in 20:18 of ice time in Game 4 on Monday. However, the Oilers could not hold off the Avalanche and were swept with a 6-5 overtime loss at Rogers Place.

Draisaitl, who finished with 32 points (seven goals, 25 assists) in 16 postseason games, didn't disclose the injury he played with for the majority of the playoffs, though it was clear his skating was impaired in Game 4.

During the second period, he was barely able to skate off the ice after being checked off the puck by Avalanche forward Darren Helm.

"There's lots of guys that go through painful things like that," Draisaitl said. "I'm not going to make this about myself. Lots of guys that play through certain injuries."

Nurse, who played more than 20 minutes in 12 playoff games despite playing the entire postseason with a torn hip flexor, also brushed aside the thought that injuries changed things for the Oilers.

"Everyone's banged up this time of year," Nurse said. "Our medical staff … taped it up and gave me some [anti-inflammatory medication], and away you go. There's no excuse when you get to this point in the season.

"You want to be on your game and play at a certain level. There's no excuse. Everyone's banged up this time of year. And myself personally, I wanted to be better in this series, and it's just added motivation for summer to come back and be a difference-maker next year."

Oilers goalie Mike Smith sat dejectedly at the podium for his postgame interview, having just allowed Artturi Lehkonen's rebound goal at 1:19 of overtime moments before.

But the veteran goalie perked up when asked for his reaction on some of his teammates playing through injuries.

"Warriors. Warriors, but those are your leaders," Smith said. "Those are guys other guys look up to, and when you're seeing your top players battle through injuries and throw it all out on the ice and give it everything they have, then you want to do the same.

"There are a lot of guys that you probably don't know about that are ice bags and Advils after games. But when it comes down to it, that's usually who wins, who wants to put it all out there the most, and unfortunately, we're sitting on the outside looking back in, but it's not out of the lack of try. Guys gave it everything they had, and guys are banged up and they're still going out there and trying to win us hockey games, and it leaves a bitter taste in your mouth for sure when you're even talking about this, to be honest. It's obviously disappointing, but big lessons learned."

McDavid will exit the playoffs as the NHL's leading scorer with 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 16 games, one more than Draisaitl.

They are the fourth and fifth players to get more than 30 points and fail to make the Stanley Cup Final since the NHL expanded to 12 teams in 1967-68, joining Doug Gilmour of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1993 (35 points), and Rick Middleton (33 points) and Barry Pederson (32 points) of the Boston Bruins in 1983.

McDavid said he admired his teammates' willingness to empty the tank in the series against the Avalanche but lamented blowing a 4-2 lead in the third period of Game 4.

"I liked that there was no quit," McDavid said. "I don't think anyone quit out there, no one quit on each other. That's always a good sign, but we let it obviously get away."

McDavid said that the sting of defeat was still too fresh to say much about how far the Oilers progressed this season, having advancing the conference final for the first time since 2006, when they lost in seven games to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Cup Final.

"It feels like it's steps right?" McDavid said. "Every team kind of goes through it. They become a playoff team and then they get there most years and then they go on a little bit of a run and they learn that lesson and then it becomes their time to win.

"You look at a Colorado team that's been in that situation many, many times, and obviously they're knocking on the door right now. It's a step in the right direction, but that's all it is."

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Vancouver Canucks sign Nils Aman to entry-level deal


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX

Swedish centre Nils Åman signed an entry-level deal with the Vancouver Canucks, club GM Patrik Allvin announced Tuesday.

"Nils is a smart hockey player who plays with speed and has a strong work ethic," said Allvin in a statement. "He possesses a good two-way game, and we look forward to seeing his continued development on both sides of the ice with the Canucks organization."  

The 22-year-old native of Avesta, Sweden, nine goals and 18 assists in 110 career games with Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League. He represented Sweden at the 2022 World Hockey Championship.

Åman was originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the sixth round, 167th overall in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He became a free agent when he did not reach a deal with Colorado before his rights expired.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Canadians hire Poulin as player development consultant


--
banners Rakuten.ca - Amazon.com - Classmates - HideOut.tv - GameStop - SnoreX


MONTREAL (AP) — Hockey great Marie-Philip Poulin has joined the Montreal Canadiens' front office as a player development consultant.

The role with the NHL team will be part-time as Poulin, a four-time Olympic medalist with Canada's national women's hockey team, continues her playing career.

"Marie-Philip is one of the best players on the planet and she has won at the highest level, which will be very beneficial for our players," Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said Tuesday in a statement. "Her knowledge, leadership and vision of the game certainly make the Canadiens a better organization."

The team says the 31-year-old Poulin will join the players on the ice and in video sessions to work on their individual and collective skills.

"She is the best in her field, and her accomplishments will help us build a winning culture within the Canadiens," team owner Geoff Molson said in a statement. "Her arrival is another step towards achieving the diversity that we want to establish within our organization."

ADVERTISEMENT

Poulin has won 15 medals in international competitions, including three gold medals at the Olympics, where she became the first hockey player to score a goal in four straight finals.

She scored the gold-medal winning goals for Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Games, 2014 Sochi Games and 2022 Beijing Games. Poulin tallied two goals and an assist in Canada's 3-2 win over the United States in the Beijing final in February.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

Monday, June 6, 2022

{allcanada} Spitfires ride second period outburst to win over Bulldogs, lead OHL final 2-1

 

WINDSOR, Ont. — The Windsor Spitfires scored three goals in the second period to snap a 2-2 tie and then hung on for a 6-3 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs on Monday to take a 2-1 lead in the Ontario Hockey League championship series.

Wyatt Johnston and Alex Christopoulos each scored twice for the Spitfires, who won Game 1 of the series 4-3 in overtime in Hamilton to gain home-ice advantage.

Jacob Maillet and Will Cuylle had the other goals for Windsor. Cuylle also chipped in with two assists.

Logan Morrison, Ryan Winterton and Mason McTavish scored for the Bulldogs, who tied the series on Sunday with a 5-4 win at home. Avery Hayes had two assists for Hamilton, who outshot Windsor 38-32.

After playing three games in four days, the teams will have three days off before Game 4 at the WFCU Centre.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Oscar Otte set to face Denis Shapovalov in second round of Stuttgart Open

 

STUTTGART, Germany (AP) — Sixth-seeded Lorenzo Sonego recovered from a slow start to defeat Benoit Paire 7-5, 6-2 in the first round of the Stuttgart Open on Monday.

The Italian player dropped his serve in the first and fifth games of the match but won four in a row to clinch the first set before breaking twice in the second.

Sonego will next face German wild card Jan-Lennard Struff, who edged past American player Marcos Giron 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (8) in their first-round match.

Also, Benjamin Bonzi defeated Spain's Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-1 for an all-French second-round match against Ugo Humbert or Arthur Rinderknech.

Oscar Otte defeated German compatriot Daniel Altmaier 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4) for a second-round meeting with fourth-seeded Denis Shapovalov of Canada.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Connor of Jets wins Lady Byng Trophy for gentlemanly conduct

 

Kyle Connor of the Winnipeg Jets won the Lady Byng Trophy, which is awarded annually to the NHL player voted to best combine sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct and ability, on Monday.

The 25-year-old is the first player in Jets/Atlanta Thrashers history to win the award.

"It's such a great honor," Connor said. "I would love to thank my family and friends. They're always there whenever I need them, and you know, their unwavering support means the world to me."

Connor, who was assessed two minor penalties in 79 games, led Winnipeg and set NHL career highs in goals (47), assists (46) and points (93) this season. He also led Jets forwards in ice time per game (career-high 21:47) and was 12th in the NHL in takeaways (66).

"I think it's being smart with your feet, getting into the right positioning to be able to check with your stick," Connor said. "I just play my game, so in that aspect, is it hard not to take penalties? I don't think about it at all when I'm on the ice. It's just how I've always played the game and always will."

Connor was one of three players to have fewer than 10 penalty minutes while averaging at least 20:00 of ice time per game (minimum 50 games), joining Ryan Pulock of the New York Islanders and Mikey Anderson of the Los Angeles Kings.

"This award, the way I view it, one of my favorite players growing up, being a Detroit kid watching the Red Wings every single night is Pavel Datsyuk. He had a run, winning '06, '07, '08, '09, four in a row Lady Byng trophies," Connor said. "For me, I tried to replicate and do everything he did. I'd watch a ton of YouTube videos. He was so creative and I just loved that. I tried play like Pavel Datsyuk as much as I could. To see it come full circle and get my name as the same trophy as him, it's pretty special."

The award was presented this season by Lucie and Tanya Bossy, the wife and daughter of Mike Bossy, who died following a battle with lung cancer on April 15.

Bossy, one of the greatest goal-scorers in NHL history who helped the New York Islanders win four straight Stanley Cup championships from 1980-83, won the Lady Byng Trophy three times (1983-84, 1986).

"I came across something my father wrote in his book about his first experience winning the Lady Byng Trophy, and I thought I could share that with you," Tanya Bossy said. "He wrote, 'I won my first Lady Byng Trophy as the League's most gentlemanly player. I was happy to get the Lady Byng, but I didn't understand what I did that particular year that I hadn't done in years past.'

"So I think that captures everything about my dad. He was out one way in his everyday life, and one way on the ice, showing sportsmanship and being a gentleman was in his blood. It was just the way he was and the way he acted in his life. He definitely set up a high standard for everyone to look up to for strength, courage and growth, and as a three-time recipient of this award, it is evident that my father considered sportsmanship as being an important part of the game."

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin and Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon were the other finalists. Slavin won the award last season.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Wideman agrees to two-year contract with Canadiens

 

Chris Wideman agreed to a two-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The 32-year-old could have been an unrestricted free agent July 13. He led Canadiens defensemen with 23 assists and his 27 points were tied with Jeff Petry for first at the position.

Wideman has 72 points (20 goals, 52 assists) in 245 NHL games for the Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers and Canadiens.

The Canadiens won the NHL Draft Lottery on May 10 and will have the No. 1 pick in the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre in Montreal on July 7-8 after finishing 22-49-11, last in the NHL standings. Martin St. Louis on June 1 agreed to a three-year contract to remain coach. He replaced Dominique Ducharme on Feb. 9 after the Canadiens won eight of their first 45 games (8-30-7).

Carey Price said June 3 that he doesn't know what his future holds as Canadiens goalie while recovering from knee surgery but will get ready for next season as if he'll be playing. The 34-year-old said a platelet-rich plasma injection is among the measures he's taken since Montreal's season ended and he's waiting for the procedure to have its full effect before beginning preparations.

The Canadiens aren't expecting much clarity on Price's future until July at the earliest. General manager Kent Hughes said he'd like to have an idea of where things stand with Price before the start of NHL free agency.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

Sunday, June 5, 2022

{allcanada} Oil Kings outlast T-Birds to tie WHL final series

 

EDMONTON — Luke Prokop had two goals and two assists and his Edmonton Oil Kings recovered from blowing a two-goal lead in the third period to beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-4 on Sunday and even their Western Hockey League championship series at 1-1.

The Oil Kings, who dropped the series opener 2-1 on Saturday at Rogers Place, saw a 4-2 lead evaporate at 2:50 of the final frame, but Brendan Kuny's goal at 8:46 lifted the Alberta squad to the win.

Also scoring for Edmonton were Carter Souch and Justin Sourdif.

Lukas Svejkovsky had two goals for Seattle, with singles added by Matthew Rempe and Jared Davidson. Kevin Korchinski chipped in with two assists.

The Oil Kings outshot the Thunderbirds 41-30.

The series shifts to Seattle for Games 3 and 4, with Game 3 on Tuesday.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Stampeders acquire punter Smith from Roughriders

 

The Calgary Stampeders have acquired global punter James Smith from the Saskatchewan Roughriders in exchange for a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2023 Global Draft.

TSN's Farhan Lalji reports that the Stampeders were in the market for a punter after Cody Grace recently suffered an injury in practice.

Calgary selected Grace seventh overall in the first round of the 2021 global draft.

Smith, 27, played 49 games over four seasons at the University of Cincinnati, earning All ACC honours each season, including first team in 2017-18 and second team in 2019-20. He finished as the Bearcats all-time leader in punting yards.

The Australian native signed with the NFL's Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2021.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Elks acquire DB Collins, OL Ivey from Argos for 2023 sixth-round pick

 

The Edmonton Elks acquired defensive back Jalen Collins and offensive lineman Martez Ivey from the Toronto Argonauts in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick in a trade announced on Sunday.

Ivey made his CFL debut with the Argos last season, suiting up for one regular-season game before starting at right tackle for Toronto in the Eastern Final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Ivey previously spent time in NFL training camps with the Carolina Panthers (2021) and New England Patriots (2019) and played five games with the Tampa Bay Vipers of the XFL in 2020.

The Apopka, Fla., native played four seasons for the Florida Gators, appearing in 49 games with 44 starts. He was selected to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2015 and named Second Team All-SEC both as a junior (2017) and senior (2018).

A former second-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons, Collins is entering his second year in the CFL.

The St. Louis, Mo., product played two seasons with the Falcons (2015, 2016) and was part of Atlanta's run to Super Bowl LI. He also spent time with the Indianapolis Colts in 2018 and 2019.

Collins played three seasons at Louisiana State University.

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html

{allcanada} Alouettes release wide receiver Bray

 

The Montreal Alouettes have released wide receiver Quan Bray, the team announced on Saturday.

Bray last played for the Als in 2019, where he recorded 58 receptions for 818 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. The 29-year-old previously played for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts for three seasons (2015-17) catching six passes for 75 yards in 24 games.

Bray also spent time with the Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans.

The Alouettes also released the following players:

  • Andrew Ankrah (A), DL, James Madison
  • Mark Brooks (A), OL, Western Michigan
  • Dante Brown (N), K, Fort Hays State
  • Reshard Cliett (A), DB, South Florida
  • Tyson-Otis Copeland (N), DB, Montréal
  • Dashawn Crawford (A), DL, Southern Mississippi
  • Ente Eguavoen (N), WR, Wilfrid Laurier
  • Chris Favoroso (A), DL, Duqesne
  • Vincent Forbes-Mombleau (N), WR, Laval
  • Ryth-Jean Giraud (N), RB, Montréal
  • Fabian Guerra (A), WR, Fairmont State
  • Robert Hayes Jr. (A), DB, Southern Methodist
  • Krishawn Hogan (A), WR, Marian University
  • Peter Kozushka (N), OL, Alberta
  • Anthony Luke (A), DL, San Diego State
  • Matt Mengel (A), K, UCLA
  • Debione Renfroe (A), DB, Texas A&M
  • Mathieu Robitaille (N), WR, Laval
  • Jordan Scarlett (A), RB, Florida
  • Prince Smith Jr. (A), DB, New Hampshire
  • Taylor Tappin (A), OL, Sacramento State
  • Erroll Thompson (A), LB, Mississippi State
  • Herb Waters (A), DB, Miami

Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music, Soaps
http://almosthuman99.com

Babe Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/babes/babeofthemonth.html

Hunk Of The Month - Vote Now!
http://almosthuman99.com/polls/hunks/hunkofthemonth.html