Why Panthers coach Paul Maurice skipped the handshake line with the Carolina Hurricanes
Florida Panthers Coach Paul Maurice and Carolina Hurricanes Coach Rod Brind'Amour appeared to have words with each other after the Panthers ended the Hurricanes' season with a 5-3 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals, and neither coaching staff took part in the handshake line that traditionally caps the final game of a Stanley Cup playoff series.
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Globe and Mail
4 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Excitement, nervousness and a sense of déjà vu as Edmonton prepares for the Stanley Cup Finals this week
Kennedy Forberg stood in the sun in downtown Edmonton on Monday afternoon, a gigantic image of the Stanley Cup glimmering tantalizingly on the screens above. Her son's stroller was piled high with new shirts from the Oilers store. Around her, the outdoor fan park known to locals as 'the Moss Pit' was already coming to life, with barricades and porta-potties and first-aid booths being set up. City buses flashed words of support as they passed. 'I'm excited, but a little bit nervous,' Ms. Forberg admitted. 'I don't want a repeat of last year. It's fresh. It hurts. I don't want to do that again.' It is, as Yogi Berra once said, déjà vu all over again: the Edmonton Oilers facing down the same team in this year's final series of the Stanley Cup playoffs. The first game takes place Wednesday. But, standing in the exact same spot where legions of fans mourned – and, in some cases, openly wept – after a one-goal loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 last year, Ms. Forberg and her mother, Alison, noted the team – and the signs – seemed to be aligning differently this time around. Healthy and with home ice, the Oilers look strong heading into Stanley Cup Final Alison Forberg said she believes the team is stronger and more unified than last year. And when team captain Connor McDavid audaciously touched the Western Conference cup the other day – intentionally breaking a long-standing superstition against doing exactly that – well, it seemed like something else was happening, too. 'When McDavid put his hands on that other trophy, I'm like, yeah, he's got it this year. He knows it,' Alison said. 'He knows it.' Mother and daughter each sported sparkly Oilers earrings, and Alison wore a set of matching Oilers bracelets Kennedy had made for the whole family. Like the earrings, Alison put the bracelets on before the playoffs and hasn't taken them off since. Her nails were painted orange and blue. 'We're just excited,' Alison said. 'I feel really confident.' In her arms, 1½-year-old Hudson followed the prompt 'He shoots' with a gleeful 'He scores!,' and pumped his tiny fist in the air. In the blocks around Rogers Place, the downtown Edmonton arena, billboards and stores repeated the city's mantras, which have become far closer to incantations now than simple slogans: 'LET'S GO OILERS' and 'THIS IS OUR GAME' and 'PLAY LA BAMBA.' At a nearby office tower, Maulina Saroya wore an Oilers T-shirt to work, which her company allows on game days and during playoff season. She said she puts serious consideration into her Oilers wardrobe during the playoffs. At one point, she retired one of her jerseys because the Oilers always lost when she wore it. But she's saving a new monogrammed jersey for next season because she bought it mid-season, 'so it didn't contribute to the playoff run.' Opinion: The secret to NHL playoff success is that the regular season doesn't matter She said it was nice to see people downtown, and exciting to see the TV trucks arriving, and the infrastructure coming together. 'It's very exciting, and as the week goes, you're going to see more and more. It's a community, right?' she said. 'My parents have been in Canada for over 50 years. They used to cheer for Gretzky, and now we cheer for McDavid.' She said she, too, felt as if Mr. McDavid touching the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl foreshadowed something significant. 'I really feel like we do have a great chance, but I don't want to jinx anything,' she said. 'Just by McDavid touching the Western Conference trophy, I feel like it broke all stigma. And I feel like they look determined. So I feel determined.' Her colleague Pawan Soora had been busy helping organize the large watch parties at their office, which last year involved hundreds of people gathering to watch on big screens set up inside the tower's hallways and boardrooms. As the Oilers head to the Stanley Cup final, some Canadians change teams to go 'Elbows Up' for Edmonton 'I'm so excited,' Ms. Soora said. She said she doesn't have any lucky shirts or traditions to help cheer on the team, except to 'be positive all the time.' Emily Butt is a relatively new fan, having moved from the Maritimes to Edmonton in November and gotten hooked. Ms. Butt said she used to cheer for the Montreal Canadiens, like her father, and hadn't broken the news to him that her team allegiance has changed – and changed so dramatically. 'Oh, I'm invested,' she said with a laugh. 'Tickets are like three grand, and I'd be willing to pay it to go see a game.' On Monday, Ms. Butt went to Rogers Place to buy her first piece of Oilers merchandise: a grey and pink T-shirt for her first playoffs as a fan. 'I'm 50-50,' she said. 'One part is nervous, and the other part is, like, 'We've got it.''
The Province
4 hours ago
- The Province
Will the Edmonton Oilers bring the Stanley Cup back to Canada?
Florida Panthers centre Aleksander Barkov (16) talks to Edmonton Oilers centre Connor McDavid (97) at the end of Game 7 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. Photo by Rebecca Blackwell / AP Photo WATCH BELOW: On the latest episode of Off The Post, Toronto SUN Sports Columnist Steve Simmons, Postmedia Hockey Columnist Bruce Garrioch, The Province and Vancouver Sun Canucks reporter Patrick Johnston and Postmedia's Rob Wong discuss the Florida Panthers impressive run during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, if they are perfectly built for playoff-style hockey and if the Oilers or Stars have a chance to beat them. 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. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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 Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks News Local News
Winnipeg Free Press
7 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg a perfect landing spot for Jonathan Toews' next chapter
The Winnipeg Jets remain in the market to upgrade the centre-ice position and one of the most intriguing players that is available will be Jonathan Toews. The pride of St. Vital recently made it clear through agent Pat Brisson that his healing journey has brought him to a place where an NHL comeback is something he plans to pursue this fall. There's no doubt whatsoever that the Jets will be among the teams interested in Toews' services and given where they are in their competitive window, they absolutely should be. Winnipeg Jets' GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said in January that he had been in touch with Jonathan Toews' representatives. (Jeffrey T. Barnes / The Associated Press Files) Provided Toews can remain healthy after his excruciating battle with long COVID, he checks a lot of boxes for what the organization would be looking for. Wherever Toews lands as an unrestricted free agent, his resumé speaks for itself. For those who need a refresher, Toews is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and has appeared in more than 1,200 games when you include the regular season and the playoffs. He's been a highly-productive player since entering the NHL during the 2007-08 season with the Chicago Blackhawks and his leadership skills are legendary. Toews is a winner who hates to lose and he's someone who isn't afraid of the bright lights or the big stage. These are all qualities that would come in handy for an organziation looking to take the next steps in pursuit of the first Stanley Cup in franchise history. With Luke Schenn the only player on the current roster who has been part of a Stanley Cup champion team, adding someone with three rings to go with an abundance of gold medals looks like a natural fit. Back in January, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff held court with several reporters on a road trip, including colleague Mike McIntyre, and mentioned he had been in touch with Toews' representatives. 'Knowing Jonathan and knowing what standard he holds himself to as an athlete, and what impact he wants to have in games when he plays, I think it will be an interesting journey to watch how things unfold with him.'– Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff 'He's going to want to play to win. These guys don't want to just say they want to play. He knows the standard he would have to be at, and we would certainly hope to be in that mix,' said Cheveldayoff. 'Knowing Jonathan and knowing what standard he holds himself to as an athlete, and what impact he wants to have in games when he plays, I think it will be an interesting journey to watch how things unfold with him. 'Certainly if he's progressing to that point in time, it would be a real welcome conversation to see if there's a fit both ways. I think it would be a great story for his career, too. Not that he needs another story to his career. But I think he's proud of his roots and would be an interesting fit.' One of the most important factors for Toews in making his decision will be having the ability to play for a winner and the Jets would appear to fit that criteria. Clearly, steps forward were taken by the Jets this past year, when they put together the best regular season since returning to the NHL in 2011 and captured the Presidents' Trophy. That the Jets were among the last eight teams standing reinforced that they were a legitimate contender, but by losing in six games to the Dallas Stars, it was clear the Jets still needed to upgrade the roster slightly to get over the hump. Winning six playoff games was something the Jets hadn't done since 2018 when they advanced to the Western Conference final and racked up nine of the 16 wins required to get your name etched on Lord Stanley's silver chalice. That progress is to be acknowledged and it will also serve as motivation moving forward. Motivation is something Toews is never lacking and by having the game he loves taken away from him, there's no way he would put himself through the physical and mental toll required if he didn't think he could be an effective player. Now, there's no playbook when it comes to what Toews has battled through medically since taking his last shift during the 2022-23 season, when he was limited to 53 games. 'I think it would be a great story for his career, too. Not that he needs another story to his career. But I think he's proud of his roots and would be an interesting fit.'– Kevin Cheveldayoff The last time Toews appeared in the post-season was 2020, when he orchestrated an unlikely upset and the Blackhawks bounced the Edmonton Oilers in four games during the qualifying round. Toews was the most effective player in all three zones in that series — which included two of the best players in the world in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Not only has Toews proven to be a clutch performer, both in the NHL and while suiting up for Canada on the international stage, he's got a level of defensive awareness and competitive spirit that all teams are looking for. Toews won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2010 when the Blackhawks captured the first of three Cups in five years (2013, 2015) and he also won a Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward in the NHL in 2013. It's true that Father Time remains undefeated and that Toews turned 37 on April 29. It's also true that Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers is 37 and has been a driver on a highly-effective third line as he prepares to suit up in the Stanley Cup this week, while Corey Perry of the Edmonton Oilers turned 40 last month and has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring while flourishing in the role of a complementary scorer and shift disturber. So, while the examples of players making an impact in their late 30s and early 40s remains rare, bet against Toews at your own peril. Toews doesn't need to suit up for his hometown team to enhance his legacy, but for someone who helped the Blackhawks win a championship for the first time since 1961, it's easy to see the appeal of joining a Jets' team that could be knocking on the door. It might just be the perfect landing spot for Toews to write the next chapter in his storied career and to eventually go out on his own terms. On top of winning three Stanley Cups, Jonathan Toews has won two Olympic golds at the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Games. (Grigory Dukor / Reuters files) For the Jets, bringing in someone with the pedigree of Toews makes a ton of sense, especially when you consider that captain Adam Lowry is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing successful hip surgery last week. Lowry's absence means the Jets will have plenty of important minutes to distribute in the early stages of 2025-26, which should provide ample runway for Toews to show what type of role he'll be able to handle. Once Lowry is back to full speed, having him on a depth chart that features Mark Scheifele, Toews and/or Vladislav Namestnikov, Morgan Barron, Rasmus Kupari or David Gustafsson would provide an upgrade — with prospects Brayden Yager and Brad Lambert knocking on the door and looking for inclusion, provided they're not playing on the wing instead. The Jets already have a number of versatile guys that can either be used down the middle or on the wing, including Namestnikov, who has handled the bulk of the second-line centre responsibilities during the past two seasons when Sean Monahan wasn't on the roster. Signing Toews isn't the only option the Jets are going to consider and it's not a make-or-break situation if Captain Serious chooses to go in another direction, but signing him to a one or two year deal is something that could help provide a boost for what will be one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history for Cheveldayoff and his staff. X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Ken WiebeReporter Ken Wiebe is a sports reporter for the Free Press, with an emphasis on the Winnipeg Jets. He has covered hockey and provided analysis in this market since 2000 for the Winnipeg Sun, The Athletic, and TSN. Ken was a summer intern at the Free Press in 1999 and returned to the Free Press in a full-time capacity in September of 2023. Read more about Ken. Every piece of reporting Ken produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
