FLAMES RETOOL TRACKER: The state of the centre position
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Over the next five weeks, our Flames beat reporters Danny Austin and Wes Gilbertson will be going position-by-position to look at the state of the Flames' rebuild. We're kicking things off this week by looking at centre and today's big-picture look at their roster, prospects and future needs.
There's no position on the ice where the Flames need to add more depth than at centre, but where do they actually stand? Let's take a look:
The sure things
Assuming the earth doesn't tilt over from its axis over the summer, we know Nazem Kadri and Mikael Backlund are going to be playing centre for the Flames this season. Kadri will be on the first line, leading the team's offensive charge and putting up numbers, whoever is on his wings. Backlund will be in the middle of the Flames' shutdown line, likely alongside Blake Coleman, quietly captaining his team, leading the penalty kill and doing all the other quiet things his team requires of him.
There can't be any complaints about the work either guy put in last season. They were important leaders in the locker room and had generally good years. It is, however, worth pointing out that Backlund is 36 years old and entering the last year of his contract. Kadri is 34, and while he hasn't slowed down, time eventually catches up to everybody. They're important pieces of the retool, but if the focus is on the future, they may not be around when the Flames are truly trying to contend for a Stanley Cup.
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Toronto Sun
2 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
SIMMONS SAYS: At last, a Stanley Cup final that is truly worth watching
Get the latest from Steve Simmons straight to your inbox Connor McDavid middle), the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are are putting on a Stanley Cup final show unlike anything we have seen before.. Photo by Steph Chambers / Getty Images The truth about most Stanley Cup finals: They are easily forgettable. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account One series drifts into the next championship round, one year into the next, huge for the franchise that wins them, but too often the best-of-seven gets lost over time. The Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers are changing all of that in back-to-back Stanley Cup seasons. They are writing a history all their own. They are taking excitement to a new level — with two overtime games to begin this Cup final after a seven-game series a year ago that was decided by just one goal. To watch the brilliance of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl now is reminiscent of personal hockey genius of years gone by. This is Mark Messier of 1994. This is Mario Lemieux of 1991 and '92. This is Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier combining over five years as no one had before them. This is Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin with three different Pittsburgh teams. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This is magnificent individual hockey theatre. The Panthers are the ultimate in team champions. They don't have an all-time great in their lineup. They don't have a superstar for the ages. They have a style they play. They're deep down the middle, resolute and committed, mean, rough and ready. It is nine Stanley Cup games now between Florida and Edmonton, the most recent two being as sensational as any before them. This is hockey at its absolute best. This is hockey to remember forever. You don't even need a rooting interest of any kind to be captivated by this spectacle. All you have to do is watch. 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In the two seasons that Gretzky combined to score 82 playoff points, he had 64 before the final began, just one more in total than Gilmour managed in his greatest days … Not that I should be asking, but isn't it kind of odd that Draisaitl's wife would have her bachelorette party in Greece while the Stanley Cup final was going on in Edmonton and Sunrise, Fla.? She couldn't have waited two more weeks? … Time heals most wounds. A year ago or so, Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch was asking for management to trade Evander Kane. He didn't care for him as a person or player. Now Kane has become one of his most defendable playoff performers on Edmonton's team … Is it just me or is Sam Reinhart at all visible for the Panthers? On a team where you can't help but notice Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett or Brad Marchand, you can't seem to find Reinhart in prominent circumstances. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The difficulty with firing a coach such as Peter DeBoer in Dallas is finding someone better than him. Truth is, there just aren't many … Just when you thought it was time to hand Evan Bouchard a place on Canada's Olympic team, an earned spot, along comes Marchand's overtime goal in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final. Bouchard is a miraculous offensive defenceman. But he is capable of winning or losing an Olympic medal — and that's why general manager Doug Armstrong and coach Jon Cooper kept him off the Team Canada 4 Nations roster … Among those who have played themselves into Olympic contention of some kind: Goaltender Stuart Skinner, possibly ahead of Adin Hill, Samuel Montembeault or Logan Thompson; forwards Tom Wilson, Nick Suzuki and Mark Scheifele, who should be among the 14 Team Canada forwards in Milano. Question is, if there are places for Wilson, Suzuki and Scheifele, who aren't there places for from the 4 Nations roster, where the roster size grows from 22 to 25 for the Olympics? … One Atlantic Division coach was not happy that Sasha Barkov won the Selke Trophy yet again as the NHL's best defensive forward. The vote was too convenient, he said. His view: This was one of Barkov's weakest defensive seasons. In the playoffs, Barkov has been scored on 14 times at even-strength in 19 games. His fellow Florida centre, Anton Lundell, has been scored on only five times … That coach's pick for the Selke: Adam Lowry of Winnipeg, who wasn't a finalist. Soon to be ex-Leaf Mitch Marner got three first-place Selke votes. We'd like to know why … Teams that could use Brendan Shanahan in a senior management capacity: Chicago, San Jose, Carolina, Detroit, Anaheim, Nashville, Calgary. Teams willing to pay Shanahan anything close to what the Leafs did: Probably none … Wouldn't be the least bit surprised to see Shanahan wind up working for the NHL out of New York in some capacity. Commissioner Gary Bettman played a role in Shanahan being hired in Toronto … When Corey Perry wanted to play for the Leafs, then general manager Kyle Dubas had other ideas: He signed Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds for apparent veteran leadership. The 40-year-old Perry has eight goals with the Oilers this playoff season after being picked up following a troublesome ending in Chicago. It also helps a little when your centre is McDavid. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Bo Bichette's pinch-hit home run in Texas seems to have changed the Blue Jays season. The Jays are 8-1 and have moved into in a wild-card playoff spot since the Bichette home run came in the ninth inning at Arlington. In the past nine games, the Jays have hit 18 homers — five from Addison Barger. Five from George Springer. Three more from Bichette. Just one from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. … Bichette and Guerrero are tied in home runs with eight apiece and Bichette has 37 RBIs to 30 for Guerrero. Vladdy has an OPS of .806 compared to .758 by Bichette. Makes you wonder: If the offensive numbers between Guerrero and Bichette are as similar at the end of the season as they are right now, what becomes Bichette's dollar value in salary? … At a time when pitchers in baseball seem to get injured more often than ever before, it is rather remarkable that the Jays trio of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt has made 228 starts over the past three seasons, barely missing any. There are a number of dependable starting pitchers in the game, but no team has three of them the way the Jays do … Barger's family had two dogs growing up. One named Bam Bam. One named Pebbles. They were clearly a Flintstones family and some have taken to calling Addison 'Bam Bam.' … Too bad the Blue Jays didn't wind up with Pete Alonso instead of Anthony Santander. The Mets signed Alonso for $30 million a year. He has 15 homers and 57 RBIs in New York. Santander has yet to get going with the Jays on the first year of his five-year $92-million deal. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Only two NBA players averaged more than 30 points a game this season. One was MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The other was two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. Now there are rumblings that Masai Ujiri has genuine interest in acquiring his longtime buddy, Giannis, in a trade. And also there are rumblings that the Raptors have interest in ancient Kevin Durant, as well. Truth, if this were anyone other than Masai involved in this kind of talk, it would be easy to label this nonsense. But Ujiri loves the notion of involving himself in a home run-derby aspect of running a basketball team. He loves the challenge of going for it. Especially at a time when his long-term future with the Raptors, with Edward Rogers taking over the team, may not be as comfortable as it has been in the past. Masai has to be watching Pascal Siakam in the NBA Finals and thinking to himself: Why not us? … Giannis seems like he's been around forever, but he's only 30 years old. Not only did he score 30 points a game this year in Milwaukee, but he averaged 12 rebounds a game and shot 60% from the field. He remains a top-five NBA player … So explain Madison Square Garden to me: The Knicks fire coach Tom Thibodeau after he takes the team further than it has been in centuries. And at the same time, MSF re-ups Rangers general manager Chris Drury, after New York had one of its most dysfunctional seasons ever. The notion being: Do well and you get fired. Do lousy and you get an extension … At least the Rangers were smart enough to hire Mike Sullivan to coach, who then showed a wise side of himself by adding the impressive duo of David Quinn and Joe Sacco as assistant coaches. Some coaches aren't secure enough to hire assistants who could replace them. Sullivan clearly believes in team first, not protecting his job first … First impression of the Montreal Alouettes new starting quarterback, Davis Alexander: He's really fast … So I still wonder: How did the Argos win the Grey Cup with Nick Arbuckle at quarterback? … Anybody know who Auston Matthews' passengers were? Anybody? … The Canadian Open is a whole lot more fun when Rory McIlroy is on the leaderboard instead of a lot of guys whose names you just don't know … This is how Caitlin Clark has changed business in the WNBA: Before she got hurt, ticket prices for Saturday night's Indiana-Chicago game were going in the $400-plus range. Now that Clark is out, you could pick up a ticket yesterday for somewhere around $17 … Deepest condolences to the Canadian football legend Milt Stegall and his family on the passing of their son, Chase, a soccer player at DePaul University … I took in a day at the Miami Open in March and got a chance to see Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka play tennis, one after the other on Centre Court. On Saturday, they played each other in a stirring French Open final at Roland Garros Stadium, with Gauff winning 6-4 in the third set … The NHL Broadcasters' Association voted Spencer Carbery coach of the year in the NHL. But I would still like to know the names of those who chose not to vote for Dave Hodge, Ron MacLean, Don Cherry, James Duthie or Don Wittman but did vote for Daryl Reaugh for the Foster Hewitt Award, which is the broadcaster equivalent of Hall of Fame. 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CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
‘He's a battler': Veteran forward Corey Perry playing key role for Oilers
Oilers forwards Corey Perry (90) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, back right, celebrate Perry's tying goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, on Friday, June 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck EDMONTON — Mark Hunter remembers pulling Corey Perry aside for a chat. The co-owner and general manager of the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights wanted to make sure his player understood the consequences. 'Grit, hitting people and punching people,' Hunter recalled of the skinny teenager's on-ice approach. 'He was like 160 pounds … 'Seriously Corey, don't be doing that. You might get hurt by somebody.' 'But he didn't want to be pushed around. There was desire to be the best.' Not much has changed. The 40-year-old Oilers winger in his 20th NHL season is playing important minutes and making big contributions as Edmonton sits tied 1-1 with Florida in a Stanley Cup final rematch. Promoted to the team's top line alongside superstar captain Connor McDavid since Zach Hyman suffered a dislocated wrist last round, Perry forced overtime with 17.8 seconds remaining in regulation in Friday's Game 2 before the defending champion Panthers secured a 5-4 victory in double OT. The motivation remains the same as when he played for the Knights. 'To win,' said Perry, who was selected 28th overall by Anaheim at the 2003 draft and won his only Cup with the Mighty Ducks in 2007. 'I love being around the rink, I love being around the guys, I love the competitive fire that's still inside me.' The Peterborough, Ont., product joined the Oilers midway through last season following an ugly end to his brief stint with the Chicago Blackhawks. Signed to mentor an up-and-coming roster, the club terminated his deal in November 2023 after alleging he violated his standard player contract and team policies 'intended to promote professional and safe work environments.' Neither the Blackhawks nor Perry were willing to provide details. Perry apologized for his actions and said he'd started seeking help for alcohol abuse before signing with Edmonton after a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. 'The situation that happened, it happened,' Perry said earlier this week. 'I've dealt with it and I've learned from it. It was unfortunate.' McDavid said Perry's calming presence was for a team that roared back to force Game 7 in last year's final against the Panthers after falling behind 3-0 in the title series. 'Makes great, subtle, little plays,' said Edmonton's No. 97. 'His gamesmanship, understands the ebbs and flows of the games, the intricacies that not every fan sitting at home understands. He's played in every big game.' Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Perry was crucial in last year's run to the final that ended in heartbreak. 'Allowed the team to settle things down,' said the second-year head coach. 'When he spoke, guys listened because of the respect that they have for him.' Dale Hunter — Mark's brother and the Knights' head coach who had Perry in London from 2001 to 2005 — said his passion for the game hasn't wavered. 'He's a battler,' said Dale Hunter, who won the Memorial Cup with Perry in his final junior season before the Knights also climbed Canadian junior hockey's mountain in 2016 and again last month. 'He loved hockey, and it's never changed.' The Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP in 2011 with Anaheim has 448 goals and 487 assists for 935 points across 1,392 contests with six franchises over his two decades in the league. He's added 62 goals, including eight this spring alone, and 77 assists for 139 points in 233 playoff contests. Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse said he and Perry, who is in his sixth Cup final and plans to play a 21st campaign in 2025-26, have talked about their past battles. 'We've had some fun moments,' said Nurse. 'He's been so important for this group — the experience and all the big moments that he's played in.' Perry, who had 19 goals and 11 assists in 81 games in 2024-25 while averaging just under 12 minutes of ice time, said getting ready each summer — especially the short ones after long post-season runs — is an increasing challenge. 'You try to give your body some time to rest,' he said. 'But you're also like, 'Man, we've got to be back in camp in six weeks.'' These are good times for Perry. His seven-year-old son, Griffin, is a staple around the Oilers, including at NHL media day before the start of the Cup final. He's also been through some tough times. Apart from the contract termination in Chicago, he was bought out of the final two years of his long-term deal with the Ducks in June 2019 for salary-cap reasons. 'The highest of highs and some pretty low moments,' he said. 'I use that as motivation.' Mark Hunter said players — their desires and priorities — often change with age. But not Perry. 'They lose that gleam in their eye,' Hunter said. 'If you watch him, there is excitement, passion, desire, loving the moment. It's hard to find at 40. People don't usually have that, but he does. 'Makes him special.' — With file from Daniel Rainbird in Rimouski, Que. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2025. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
Global News
18 hours ago
- Global News
‘He's a battler': Veteran Corey Perry playing key role for Oilers in Stanley Cup final
Mark Hunter remembers pulling Corey Perry aside for a chat. The co-owner and general manager of the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights wanted to make sure his player understood the consequences. 'Grit, hitting people and punching people,' Hunter recalled of the skinny teenager's on-ice approach. 'He was like 160 pounds … 'Seriously Corey, don't be doing that. You might get hurt by somebody.' 'But he didn't want to be pushed around. There was desire to be the best.' Story continues below advertisement Not much has changed. The 40-year-old Oilers winger in his 20th NHL season is playing important minutes and making big contributions as Edmonton sits tied 1-1 with Florida in a Stanley Cup final rematch. Promoted to the team's top line alongside superstar captain Connor McDavid since Zach Hyman suffered a dislocated wrist last round, Perry forced overtime with 17.8 seconds remaining in regulation in Friday's Game 2 before the defending champion Panthers secured a 5-4 victory in double OT. The motivation remains the same as when he played for the Knights. 'To win,' said Perry, who was selected 28th overall by Anaheim at the 2003 draft and won his only Cup with the Mighty Ducks in 2007. 'I love being around the rink, I love being around the guys, I love the competitive fire that's still inside me.' The Peterborough, Ont., product joined the Oilers midway through last season following an ugly end to his brief stint with the Chicago Blackhawks. 1:36 Edmonton Oilers sign veteran forward Corey Perry Signed to mentor an up-and-coming roster, the club terminated his deal in November 2023 after alleging he violated his standard player contract and team policies 'intended to promote professional and safe work environments.' Neither the Blackhawks nor Perry were willing to provide details. Story continues below advertisement Perry apologized for his actions and said he'd started seeking help for alcohol abuse before signing with Edmonton after a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'The situation that happened, it happened,' Perry said earlier this week. 'I've dealt with it and I've learned from it. It was unfortunate.' McDavid said Perry's calming presence was for a team that roared back to force Game 7 in last year's final against the Panthers after falling behind 3-0 in the title series. View image in full screen Oilers forwards Corey Perry (90) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, back right, celebrate Perry's tying goal against the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup final in Edmonton, on Friday, June 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck 'Makes great, subtle, little plays,' said Edmonton's No. 97. 'His gamesmanship, understands the ebbs and flows of the games, the intricacies that not every fan sitting at home understands. He's played in every big game.' Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch said Perry was crucial in last year's run to the final that ended in heartbreak. Story continues below advertisement 'Allowed the team to settle things down,' said the second-year head coach. 'When he spoke, guys listened because of the respect that they have for him.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "When he spoke, guys listened because of the respect that they have for him." Dale Hunter — Mark's brother and the Knights' head coach who had Perry in London from 2001 to 2005 — said his passion for the game hasn't wavered. 'He's a battler,' said Dale Hunter, who won the Memorial Cup with Perry in his final junior season before the Knights also climbed Canadian junior hockey's mountain in 2016 and again last month. 'He loved hockey, and it's never changed.' The Hart Trophy winner as NHL MVP in 2011 with Anaheim has 448 goals and 487 assists for 935 points across 1,392 contests with six franchises over his two decades in the league. He's added 62 goals, including eight this spring alone, and 77 assists for 139 points in 233 playoff contests. Oilers defenceman Darnell Nurse said he and Perry, who is in his sixth Cup final and plans to play a 21st campaign in 2025-26, have talked about their past battles. 'We've had some fun moments,' said Nurse. 'He's been so important for this group – the experience and all the big moments that he's played in.' Perry, who had 19 goals and 11 assists in 81 games in 2024-25 while averaging just under 12 minutes of ice time, said getting ready each summer — especially the short ones after long post-season runs — is an increasing challenge. Story continues below advertisement 'You try to give your body some time to rest,' he said. 'But you're also like, 'Man, we've got to be back in camp in six weeks.'' These are good times for Perry. His seven-year-old son, Griffin, is a staple around the Oilers, including at NHL media day before the start of the Cup final. He's also been through some tough times. Apart from the contract termination in Chicago, he was bought out of the final two years of his long-term deal with the Ducks in June 2019 for salary-cap reasons. 'The highest of highs and some pretty low moments,' he said. 'I use that as motivation.' Mark Hunter said players — their desires and priorities — often change with age. Story continues below advertisement But not Perry. 'They lose that gleam in their eye,' Hunter said. 'If you watch him, there is excitement, passion, desire, loving the moment. It's hard to find at 40. People don't usually have that, but he does. 'Makes him special.' –with files from The Canadian Press' Daniel Rainbird
