Latest news with #32Thoughts'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Despite a contract extension, Nicholas Robertson's Maple Leafs future remains uncertain with trade rumors heating up
NHL insider names three teams that could pursue Maple Leafs' Nicholas Robertson in potential trade scenario (Getty Images) The Toronto Maple Leafs managed to avoid arbitration with Nick Robertson earlier this month, finalizing a one-year, $1.825 million deal. While the contract secures the young forward's services for the upcoming season, it does little to eliminate the uncertainty surrounding his role in Toronto's plans. With salary cap pressures and a crowded forward group, Robertson's future with the Leafs remains anything but guaranteed. Nick Robertson's future clouded by Maple Leafs ' cap crunch NHL insider Elliotte Friedman highlighted Toronto's roster dilemma on the '32 Thoughts' podcast, noting, 'They got the (Robertson) arbitration settled on (Aug. 2) at $1.825 million. The Maple Leafs have to clear some bodies there. They've got a lot of them.' His words echo a truth the Leafs can't avoid—depth has created an uncomfortable logjam. For Robertson, the reality is that even after a season where he appeared in 69 games, scoring 15 goals and adding seven assists, he is still projected as a bottom-six option. With only 56 points in 156 career appearances, his production hasn't yet aligned with the hype that once surrounded him. Add in the fact that he requested a trade just last year, and speculation about a potential move isn't surprising. Sports Illustrated's Jacob Punturi recently floated three destinations should Toronto look to move him: Chicago, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. Each scenario paints a different opportunity for the 23-year-old winger. Why Chicago, Detroit, or Pittsburgh make sense for Nick Robertson Chicago could be the most intriguing landing spot. With Connor Bedard cemented as the face of the franchise, the Blackhawks are eager to accelerate their rebuild. Punturi explained, 'The pipeline remains strong, but a bit more immediate help could quicken up the rebuild.' Robertson's scoring ability could bridge the gap while Chicago's younger prospects mature. Detroit, meanwhile, is desperate to end a nine-year playoff drought. Under Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings are inching closer, but competing in the Atlantic Division requires firepower. Robertson's offensive upside could provide exactly that, giving Detroit another weapon as they fight for relevance in a competitive conference. Then there's Pittsburgh. With Kyle Dubas—who originally drafted Robertson in Toronto—now steering the Penguins, the connection is obvious. Punturi put it bluntly: 'This is the obvious one, the organization that makes too much sense for Robertson to end up with.' Pittsburgh's available cap space only strengthens the case. Also Read: Mark Scheifele calls Jonathan Toews' Jets arrival 'the perfect storm' as veteran sparks Winnipeg's big hopes Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'It's not just about talent': Montreal Canadiens eye stronger defense and smart forwards for Ivan Demidov
Montreal Canadiens eye stronger defense and smart forwards for Ivan Demidov (Image via Getty) The Montreal Canadiens are busy behind the scenes as the offseason begins. While fans are excited about the arrival of top prospect Ivan Demidov, there's more happening. Hockey insider Elliotte Friedman dropped some key updates on his '32 Thoughts' podcast that hint at what the Canadiens might do next. But the full story goes deeper than just Demidov's debut. Elliotte Friedman shares Montreal Canadiens want new defense and help for Ivan Demidov On the June 7 episode of the '32 Thoughts' podcast, Elliotte Friedman said there is growing talk that the Montreal Canadiens are not just focused on defense. While many believe the team needs to fix its blue line, Friedman shared they are also looking for strong forwards who can play well with 18-year-old Ivan Demidov. Demidov, who is one of the most talked-about young players from Russia, was picked by Montreal in the 2024 NHL Draft. He is expected to join the team soon, and the Canadiens want to make sure he is set up to succeed. Friedman explained, 'There's been a lot of talk that the Canadiens want to add defense, but I've also heard they are looking at forwards who could fit next to Demidov.' This means Montreal could be working on more than just one area of the team. The update came while Friedman and Jeff Marek were talking about summer trades, free agents, and how young stars will change NHL rosters soon. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Concentrated Siberian Ginseng Extract 2oz Superior Ginseng Undo Also Read: Ivan Demidov Shortlisted For KHL Rookie Of The Year Following Strong Season With SKA St. Petersburg Ivan Demidov could shape how the Montrel Canadiens build their team this summer Ivan Demidov hasn't played a single NHL game yet, but his presence is already making waves. Montreal clearly sees him as a future star and wants to surround him with players who match his style. According to Friedman, the Montrel Canadiens are looking for skilled forwards who can play fast and smart just like Demidov. 'It's not just about talent,' he said on the podcast. 'It's about chemistry. They want someone who can grow with him.' This news came shortly after Demidov posted a training photo on Instagram from Russia, showing he is preparing hard for his first NHL season. With trades and signings expected in the coming weeks, fans now know the Canadiens are thinking long-term with Demidov at the center of their plans.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NHL Insider Links Ducks With Former Joel Quenneville Star
NHL Insider Links Ducks With Former Joel Quenneville Star originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Anaheim Ducks are entering a crucial offseason following another year of missing the playoffs. Despite a big jump in the standings, Anaheim was still left on the outside looking in on everything. Advertisement But the team has already made some moves to rectify that, bringing in veteran head coach Joel Quenneville. Quenneville gives Anaheim an experienced leader behind the bench, and someone who understands what it takes to win at the highest level. While Quenneville is now with the team, the roster also needs a massive upgrade as well. Anaheim could be looking for both home-run hitters and sleeper, low-risk, high-reward players to help round out the team. One name that has made its way around NHL circles of late is that of former Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews. Toews is expected to make a comeback to the league after being away from the NHL for the last two seasons. And now the veteran is being linked with the Ducks, due to the connection that he has with Quenneville while in Chicago. Advertisement SportsNet's Elliotte Friedman weighed in on Friday's edition of his '32 Thoughts' podcast and named the Ducks as a potential fit. 'The reports are out now that Jonathan Toews is going to do his comeback next year,' Friedman said. 'I do wonder if Anaheim takes a shot at this. It makes a lot of sense.' Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) and right wing Patrick Kane (88) talk against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Chicago Blackhawks Guillory-Imagn Images Throughout his career, Toews has been great at winning faceoffs, putting up a 57 percent win rate. The Ducks were the worst faceoff team in the NHL last season, putting up a 44.6 percent rate. Toews could potentially help with this, while giving Anaheim a nice addition to the roster. In his last action on the ice, Toews scored 15 goals and 16 assists over 53 games. Advertisement While Toews isn't the same player that he once was, he could be a solid veteran to help show the young team the ropes. Anaheim could be a great place for him to go after his comeback, and he saw massive success under Quenneville in Chicago. Related: NHL Insider Drops Shocking Take on Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Related: Ducks Being Linked With 3-Time All-Star After Joel Quenneville Hire This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Chicago Tribune
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Are the Chicago Blackhawks closing in on a new coach? What to know about Jeff Blashill.
Former Detroit Red Wings head coach Jeff Blashill has emerged as a top contender for the Chicago Blackhawks, according to reports. The buzz since the weekend has been that Blashill's hiring looked like a certainty, but Sportsnet journalist and 'Hockey Night in Canada' analyst Elliotte Friedman pushed back on that notion. 'I heard on Friday morning that he was in as the head coach of Chicago – he was going to be the guy,' he said on his '32 Thoughts' podcast Monday. However, 'I had a couple people tell me it's too soon. That would be premature. … There was a job interview he had somewhere else, but it got canceled, that's why it began to spread like wildfire that he was going to Chicago.' Still, Friedman called Blashill a 'very serious contender.' Blashill has a wide-ranging background. He has been a head coach and assistant with the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, United States Hockey League, American Hockey League, USA Hockey and National Hockey League. He coached the Red Wings for seven seasons from 2015-2022. And for the past three seasons, he was an assistant on Jon Cooper's staff with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Another known contender for the Hawks is Anders Sörensen, the current interim head coach. But however the job search turns out, Sörensen likely will remain with the organization in some capacity. Chicago Blackhawks draw the No. 3 pick in the NHL draft lottery — but whom to select?General manager Kyle Davidson said of Sörensen after the season in April, 'We hold great value in Anders. If the coaching search doesn't go in his favor, he's going to be part of our organization. We want him as part of the organization, no matter what. … 'We love Anders. He's been part of the organization for some time, he's a great hockey mind, he's a great person and those are the type of people we want in our organization.' Sörensen was promoted from Rockford IceHogs head coach to interim coach of the Hawks when the team fired Luke Richardson on Dec. 5. The Hawks finished 25-46-11 for the NHL's second-worst record.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What a Mikko Rantanen Trade to the Ducks Could Look Like
The NHL trade deadline is just under one week away, set for noon PST on Friday, March 7. The biggest story heading into this pivotal week of the season is the circumstances surrounding Mikko Rantanen and the Carolina Hurricanes. Trevor Zegras Suspension May Have Been Costlier Than Anticipated The Canes acquired the 6-foot-4, 215-pound winger from the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 24 along with winger Taylor Hall in exchange for Martin Necas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Reports of the two sides working on an extension have surfaced, but have yet to come to terms. The growing sentiment is if the Canes don't feel with complete certainty they can get a deal done with Rantanen, that they'd be open to trading him ahead of Friday's deadline. In his recent '32 Thoughts' column and again on his '32 Thoughts' podcast, premier NHL insider Elliotte Friedman speculated if the Anaheim Ducks could be a team that could surprise and become involved in trade talks surrounding Rantanen. This was his blurb from his column last night: — Patrick Present (@PatrickCPresent) February 28, 2025 'So let's just say this was a team I looked at: Anaheim,' Friedman said on his podcast. 'Last summer, swing at Marchessault, don't get him. Swing at Stamkos, don't get him. What if they have a chance?' Friedman made very clear he was simply speculating, but a few of his previous speculations surrounding the Ducks have come true. In Sept., he speculated the Blues could be interested in acquiring Cam Fowler at some point during the season after they had engaged in talks earlier in the Summer. He also speculated the Ducks could target Greg Cronin while they were in the midst of their coaching search a month before he was hired in June, 2023. Rantanen is a superstar, detail-oriented NHL winger coming off of back-to-back 100-point seasons after winning his first Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2021-22. He's in the final year of a six-year contract that carries an AAV of $9.25 million. The Chicago Blackhawks retained half of Rantanen's salary for this season in the deal that sent him to Carolina. Nothing official, but I continue to believe that Carolina will roll the dice on Mikko Rantanen without an extension. A team would have to *really* step up and pay through the nose for an extension-less Rantanen to get it done. Seems unlikely we'll see that. — Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) March 2, 2025 Every team in the NHL could use a Mikko Rantanen. The Ducks are at the point in their rebuild where they have most of their young talent in the NHL and are taking a significant stride in the standings, even pushing for a playoff spot in early March. They have only so many spots on their depth chart to fit more young players pushing for NHL jobs in the coming years. If their goal is to eventually add a superstar talent, the time seems to be now to get them over the hump and to where they want to go. Rantanen's contract comes with a nine-team no-trade clause he submits before the start of each season. Given where the Ducks were expected to be this season, there's a good chance they're on his 'no' list. It may require a waive of his NTC if Anaheim indeed intends to acquire him this season. The driving reason behind the Canes even considering trading Rantanen revolves around their uncertainty he'd re-sign with the organization. The Ducks would likely want a guarantee of some sort of his intention to sign a long-term contract with the club. The benefit of trading for Rantanen versus attempting to sign him as an unrestricted free agent in the summer would be exclusive negotiating rights until July 1, and that the team that acquires him can offer him an eight-year deal instead of a seven-year deal, providing extra security should the player value it. The Ducks will enter the offseason with a roughly projected $30 million in cap space, so they are among the teams who could afford any asking price from Rantanen's camp. Assuming the Canes intend to trade Rantanen, the fact that he would come with an extension in place, and the pool of teams vying for his services could be up to 22 NHL clubs, the price of acquisition could be the largest NHL trade in recent memory. The Hurricanes are firmly in their Stanley Cup contending window while also having a large pipeline of talented prospects on the way. The Ducks have several remarkably talented players just beginning their NHL careers or soon will be who are cost-controlled and could be appealing to Carolina. Deciphering Rantanen's actual value in a deal like this is nearly impossible, but some comparable deals could be the trade that sent Jack Eichel to Vegas in 2021 or Matthew Tkachuk to Florida in 2022. If the Ducks enter trade talks with the Canes to bring Rantanen to Anaheim, they'll likely have to part with multiple talented, young players along with a high draft pick or two. It would hurt in the short term, but players like Mikko Rantanen aren't made available very often. Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images Takeaways from the Ducks 6-3 Loss to the Blackhawks Penalty Issues have Reappeared for Ducks Since Return from Break
