
HOT TOPICS MAILBAG: Draft targets, trading up and who will the backup goalie be?
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No disrespect to the 16 teams busy in the Stanley Cup playoffs (and there has been some incredible drama already), but Calgary Flames fans are ready to fast-forward to late June.
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Specifically to June 27, an evening earmarked for the opening round of the 2025 NHL draft.
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It's well-documented that the Flames will surrender their own first-rounder to the Montreal Canadiens — that is, unless they get lucky in the lottery and move into the Top-10 — but Craig Conroy & Co. will still select a pair of prospects that night.
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Your favourite players for the upcoming draft that could realistically fall to the Flames at either pick in the 1st round? Kindel, Aitcheson, Cootes, etc
— Rich Hilton (@richhilton27) April 22, 2025
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GILBERTSON: I haven't done enough digging just yet to declare a favourite from this draft class, but I did catch some Calgary Hitmen playoff action and was very impressed with the speedy, shifty and creative Ben Kindel. I'm not sure that NHL scouts will see Kindel as a centre, although that makes him a right-shot winger and that is another area of need for the Flames. Listed at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, Kindel finished seventh in the WHL scoring race — and tops among draft-eligibles — with 99 points. The Hitmen were eliminated in Wednesday's Game 7 against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, but Kindel potted a pair of overtime winners in that series. With Matt Coronato and Adam Klapka as the only righty forwards in the long-term plans, could Kindel be a target, especially if he's available with their second first-round pick?

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Winnipeg Free Press
25 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
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Ottawa Citizen
37 minutes ago
- Ottawa Citizen
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40 minutes ago
Defence targets E.M.'s credibility, judge questions 'consent videos' shown at world juniors sex assault trial
Headlines Latest News Podcasts (new window) Composite image shows five former NHL players accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a London, Ont., hotel in 2018 when they were on Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team. Each is shown entering the courthouse Monday: Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod, left to right. (Carlos Osorio/Reuters) Photo: (Nicole Osborne/CP, Nicole Osborne/CP, Nicole Osborne/CP, Brett Gundlock/Reuters, Nicole Osborne/CP) Defence teams have begun closing arguments at London, Ont., trial. The sexual assault trial that began in late April for five former Hockey Canada world junior players continues today in Ontario Superior Court. Each of the five defence teams and the Crown will have a chance to present their closing arguments. Defence lawyer David Humphrey is targeting the complainant E.M.'s reliability as a witness. He argued E.M. 'chose to abandon restraint' and has refused to take any personal responsibility for her own actions on the night of June 18-19, 2018. Four of the five accused men — Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Alex Formenton and Cal Foote — chose not to testify in their own defence. Carter Hart testified earlier in the trial. All five men have pleaded not guilty to the alleged assaults in a London hotel room. McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to being a party to the offence. WARNING: Court proceedings include graphic details of alleged sexual assault and might affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone who's been affected. Lucas Powers (new window) Throughout the weeks-long trial, demonstrators have regularly appeared outside the London courthouse as the defendants, lawyers and observers arrive for proceedings. Many voice support for the complainant, carrying signs with messages like, I believe you E.M. and We believe survivors. But they've also been confronted by some people who say the lives and reputations of five men have been irrevocably damaged by allegations of sexual assault. The polarization on the courthouse steps echoes a broader debate on social media and in discussions across Canada as this high-profile trial plays out under tremendous public scrutiny. My colleague, Karen Paul, took a closer look into how the trial has become a flashpoint for both the #MeToo and #HimToo movements, and what research indicates. You can read her feature reporting here (new window) . 'Scared young men' in group chat Kate Dubinski (new window) The Crown has taken the position that the group chats between the then world junior hockey teammates, on June 16, 2018, were a sort of collusion to advance a false narrative, Humphrey reminds the court. But he argues the players told each other they need to tell the same story not because they were trying to make up lies, but because they were typing these messages as scared young men, not thinking that their every word is going to be interpreted in a court of law and may be held against them. The men are living the hockey players' dream … heading to the NHL, and were trying to figure out what was going on with the Hockey Canada investigation. The men were simply trying to figure out what was going on and wanted to tell the truth, Humphrey maintains. One proof of that is McLeod told the men in the group chat that he'd had sex with E.M. before everyone else showed up. He wants people to tell the story truthfully, Humphrey says. As of Monday, citizens of 12 countries can't enter the United States. Government to focus on reducing non-permanent residents in Montreal, Laval. Israel's Foreign Ministry called charity boat 'selfie yacht' of 'celebrities'. PM to announce purchase of more drones, armoured vehicles, aircraft and underwater sensors. Doctors urge vaccination following death of Ontario infant infected with measles in the womb.