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Vancouver Sun
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Senators' playoff series was defenceman Tyler Kleven's proving ground
The Stanley Cup playoffs have consistently served as a proving ground for players who fly under the radar during the National Hockey League regular season. One who couldn't be missed (literally) in this year's first round was Tyler Kleven, the Ottawa Senators' towering defenceman. The Senators' playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs was Kleven's coming-out party, as the University of North Dakota product took the NHL by surprise with his physically imposing play, in a bottom-pairing role with Nikolas Matinpalo no less. When the Senators made Kleven the 44th-overall pick in the 2020 draft, it was a divisive selection. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The Senators saw a 6-5 blueliner blessed with size that he used to punish opponents, a hard shot and excellent mobility. They even traded up with the Toronto Maple Leafs to get that 44th pick, exchanging the 59th and 64th overall selections. Meanwhile, critics saw a defenceman lacking skill and puck-moving instinct to succeed at the NHL level. What both sides could agree on was that Kleven was a long-term project. Nearly five years later, as Kleven set up Jake Sanderson's Game 4 overtime winner against the Maple Leafs, it was safe to declare that the Senators' second-round gamble had paid off (and their 2020 draft crop, for that matter). Kleven has become the mean, bruising defenceman they envisioned and more. After three years at North Dakota, a season in the American Hockey League with the Belleville Senators and a handful of NHL games, Kleven earned his spot on Ottawa's blueline to start this past season. From there, there were growing pains, inevitably, as there are for any rookie NHL defenceman, teammate Thomas Chabot said. 'It's tough to play that many games in a year against the best players in the world every night,' Chabot said. 'But the more this season went on, the more you saw (Kleven) getting comfortable.' Senators head coach Travis Green admitted during the playoffs that he gave Kleven some 'tough love' this season, demanding more focus from the young defenceman in team meetings and more accountability on the ice. Kleven was a player that, Green said, he 'probably treated differently' than a longtime stalwart like Chabot as he acclimated to his first full NHL season. 'They give you a leash at times,' Kleven said. 'Sometimes, being a younger player, your leash can be shortened at times. I go out there and try to make the right plays. But at times I don't always make the right play, and (Green) has to get on me for that.' By the time the playoffs came around, Kleven was in his element, though. 'It's almost easier because it's so simple,' Kleven said of post-season hockey. 'In the regular season, there's 82 games. You've gotta maintain your body a little bit, you can't go all out every single game. But in the playoffs it's a little bit shorter and you can express yourself on the ice a little bit more at times.' The hulking 23-year-old expressed himself against Toronto to the tune of 16 hits, eight blocked shots and a bevy of intelligent plays with the puck while averaging 15 minutes 47 seconds of ice time per game as the Senators' No. 5 defender. The highlight of his physical prowess was a massive reverse hit on the Leafs' Steven Lorentz in Game 3. 'For him to bring (consistency) in his first Stanley Cup playoff series, and play the role that he did, I was so impressed,' said Senators centre Shane Pinto, also a former North Dakota teammate. 'I think he was one of our best players.' Kleven also formed a formidable pair with Matinpalo, a natural adjustment considering the chemistry they built in Belleville last season. Although they were sheltered from Toronto's top offensive weapons, they fared well in their minutes. Kleven credited veteran defenceman Travis Hamonic, who was a healthy scratch for the playoffs, for working on small details with him between games, including how to pick up pucks off of rim shots around the boards and timing his hits. 'It's stuff like that that not many people can really teach because they haven't played 900 games in the NHL,' Kleven said. 'It was awesome to have him around.' Hamonic said that, similar to Sanderson's rise to notoriety in the NHL, Kleven is another long-term rearguard for the Senators who can 'impact the game in like four different manners.' Already, Hamonic said, there's a limit to how much wisdom he can impart on a player who has come into the NHL 'dialled in' after a rigorous and detail-oriented college career. 'I don't know what they're doing at the University of North Dakota, pumping out D-men, if someone had a phone line into that program with our team, but Kleven is a heck of a player,' he said. 'You talk about raw talent or scratching the surface, I think that's what you're seeing with him.' Part of that unsurfaced potential, Hamonic said, is in Kleven's offensive game. His booming shot has become well-known among teammates, and there's a reason he scored more goals than assists over his three seasons with North Dakota. There's certainly room to improve upon his 10 points this past season, but against the Leafs Kleven teased yet another layer to his play in displaying poise with the puck, not forcing plays or getting caught sleeping, either. As surprising to see as it was for many, Kleven has always possessed the skill; it was just a matter of unlocking his confidence. It seemingly happened in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and part of that was simply the result of accumulating a critical mass of puck touches throughout the regular season. With nearly a full NHL season to his name, it's easier to slow the game down now. 'I can see how some players play, and I can understand my teammates a little bit more, so my confidence has grown over the course of the season,' Kleven said. 'You can see my different styles come out.' It's something that has caught the eye of Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark, who admitted his early-season struggles were due in part to not knowing his defenders' tendencies. By the end of the season, Kleven became someone Ullmark could trust. In Game 4 against Toronto, Kleven batted the puck out of midair to bail out his goaltender on a Max Pacioretty rebound, helping that game reach overtime. 'He looked a lot more comfortable,' Ullmark said of Kleven's growth in the playoffs. 'He had a lot more poise out there, which I feel, and it's something that I strive to be part of. 'I just wish he would hit as hard as he does more times,' he added, smiling. 'It's so fun seeing it from where I'm standing, seeing how the forwards line up for him to go out there and hit.' The potential to be a blueliner who can skate, hit, score and make poised plays with the puck will surely factor into contract negotiations between the Senators and Kleven this summer, when his entry-level deal expires. After his standout post-season, there's reason to believe the rangy defender has a top-four role in his future. With Nick Jensen's health and future effectiveness in question, as well as Hamonic's possible retirement, the Senators will need other defenders to continue pushing for minutes. A hopeful comparable for Kleven might be the Tampa Bay Lightning's Erik Cernak, a 6-4 giant who has settled in as their No. 3 defenceman. Cernak posted better underlying numbers in his rookie season on a Stanley Cup contender, but his physical makeup and shutdown ability are things Kleven can mirror. Also in his favour is the league-wide trend of locking up key defenders to long-term deals. After his breakout playoff performance, Kleven finds himself in line for a solid raise — not only did he validate the Senators' long-term bet on his development, but he also seemingly reached a turning point in his confidence and potential — setting the stage, as Pinto put it, for what comes next: 'This playoff series was always going to be a big stepping stone for his confidence,' Kleven said. 'I'm excited to see what he's going to do next year.'
Ottawa Citizen
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Senators' playoff series was defenceman Tyler Kleven's proving ground
Article content The Stanley Cup playoffs have consistently served as a proving ground for players who fly under the radar during the National Hockey League regular season. One who couldn't be missed (literally) in this year's first round was Tyler Kleven, the Ottawa Senators' towering defenceman. Article content Article content The Senators' playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs was Kleven's coming-out party, as the University of North Dakota product took the NHL by surprise with his physically imposing play, in a bottom-pairing role with Nikolas Matinpalo no less. Article content Article content When the Senators made Kleven the 44th-overall pick in the 2020 draft, it was a divisive selection. Article content Article content The Senators saw a 6-5 blueliner blessed with size that he used to punish opponents, a hard shot and excellent mobility. They even traded up with the Toronto Maple Leafs to get that 44th pick, exchanging the 59th and 64th overall selections. Article content Meanwhile, critics saw a defenceman lacking skill and puck-moving instinct to succeed at the NHL level. Article content What both sides could agree on was that Kleven was a long-term project. Article content Nearly five years later, as Kleven set up Jake Sanderson's Game 4 overtime winner against the Maple Leafs, it was safe to declare that the Senators' second-round gamble had paid off (and their 2020 draft crop, for that matter). Kleven has become the mean, bruising defenceman they envisioned and more. Article content After three years at North Dakota, a season in the American Hockey League with the Belleville Senators and a handful of NHL games, Kleven earned his spot on Ottawa's blueline to start this past season. From there, there were growing pains, inevitably, as there are for any rookie NHL defenceman, teammate Thomas Chabot said. Article content Article content 'It's tough to play that many games in a year against the best players in the world every night,' Chabot said. 'But the more this season went on, the more you saw (Kleven) getting comfortable.' Article content Senators head coach Travis Green admitted during the playoffs that he gave Kleven some 'tough love' this season, demanding more focus from the young defenceman in team meetings and more accountability on the ice. Kleven was a player that, Green said, he 'probably treated differently' than a longtime stalwart like Chabot as he acclimated to his first full NHL season. Article content 'They give you a leash at times,' Kleven said. 'Sometimes, being a younger player, your leash can be shortened at times. I go out there and try to make the right plays. But at times I don't always make the right play, and (Green) has to get on me for that.' Article content By the time the playoffs came around, Kleven was in his element, though. Article content 'It's almost easier because it's so simple,' Kleven said of post-season hockey. 'In the regular season, there's 82 games. You've gotta maintain your body a little bit, you can't go all out every single game. But in the playoffs it's a little bit shorter and you can express yourself on the ice a little bit more at times.'
Calgary Herald
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Senators' playoff series was defenceman Tyler Kleven's proving ground
The Stanley Cup playoffs have consistently served as a proving ground for players who fly under the radar during the National Hockey League regular season. One who couldn't be missed (literally) in this year's first round was Tyler Kleven, the Ottawa Senators' towering defenceman. Article content Article content The Senators' playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs was Kleven's coming-out party, as the University of North Dakota product took the NHL by surprise with his physically imposing play, in a bottom-pairing role with Nikolas Matinpalo no less. Article content Article content When the Senators made Kleven the 44th-overall pick in the 2020 draft, it was a divisive selection. Article content Article content The Senators saw a 6-5 blueliner blessed with size that he used to punish opponents, a hard shot and excellent mobility. They even traded up with the Toronto Maple Leafs to get that 44th pick, exchanging the 59th and 64th overall selections. Article content Meanwhile, critics saw a defenceman lacking skill and puck-moving instinct to succeed at the NHL level. Article content What both sides could agree on was that Kleven was a long-term project. Nearly five years later, as Kleven set up Jake Sanderson's Game 4 overtime winner against the Maple Leafs, it was safe to declare that the Senators' second-round gamble had paid off (and their 2020 draft crop, for that matter). Kleven has become the mean, bruising defenceman they envisioned and more. Article content After three years at North Dakota, a season in the American Hockey League with the Belleville Senators and a handful of NHL games, Kleven earned his spot on Ottawa's blueline to start this past season. From there, there were growing pains, inevitably, as there are for any rookie NHL defenceman, teammate Thomas Chabot said. Article content Article content 'It's tough to play that many games in a year against the best players in the world every night,' Chabot said. 'But the more this season went on, the more you saw (Kleven) getting comfortable.' Article content Senators head coach Travis Green admitted during the playoffs that he gave Kleven some 'tough love' this season, demanding more focus from the young defenceman in team meetings and more accountability on the ice. Kleven was a player that, Green said, he 'probably treated differently' than a longtime stalwart like Chabot as he acclimated to his first full NHL season. Article content 'They give you a leash at times,' Kleven said. 'Sometimes, being a younger player, your leash can be shortened at times. I go out there and try to make the right plays. But at times I don't always make the right play, and (Green) has to get on me for that.' Article content By the time the playoffs came around, Kleven was in his element, though. Article content 'It's almost easier because it's so simple,' Kleven said of post-season hockey. 'In the regular season, there's 82 games. You've gotta maintain your body a little bit, you can't go all out every single game. But in the playoffs it's a little bit shorter and you can express yourself on the ice a little bit more at times.'
Vancouver Sun
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Takeaways: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk devasted after Battle of Ontario loss
Article content Brady Tkachuk fought back tears and struggled to find words. Article content The Ottawa Senators' captain wanted badly to force Game 7 in the Battle of Ontario, but the club came up short with a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 of the series on Thursday night. Article content As Tkachuk left the ice after shaking hands with the Leafs, the fans chanted his name and hoped for better days ahead. Article content Article content 'It's devastating,' Tkachuk said, his voice cracking. 'I believed. It's a tough pill to swallow right now.' Article content Article content Nobody can accuse the Senators of having any quit in them, they tried in every way, shape and form to send this series the distance. Article content 'I'm proud of this team and every single guy,' Tkachuk said. 'Everybody, even those who weren't playing, staff, trainers, everybody in this organization. It takes will, and it takes guts. Article content 'We didn't get the job done. We're going to take these lessons and be better because of it. It's tough to realize right now because everything happens for a reason, but we'll be better because of it.' Article content Tkachuk struggled to find words. Article content 'The character we have in this room, I knew we had it all along, but to battle back in this game, it's tough,' Tkachuk said. Article content Article content This was the first trip to the playoffs for the club's core, including Thomas Chabot, Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Drake Batherson, Ridly Greig, Shane Pinto, and Tkachuk. Article content Chabot was thrilled to get the opportunity to gain some experience. Article content 'As much as it stings right now, and it sucks, it's a hell of a year by everybody,' Chabot said. 'Right from training camp, every single guy in this room bought into the plan and the process. Article content 'We never stopped. We kept going all season. There were some tough times, but we found ways to get out of them and get stronger as a team. No one ever doubted us in this room.' Article content What was important for the Senators was their improvement as the series went on. They could have thrown in the towel at 3-0, but they refused to go quietly into the night. Article content 'I'm much like our players, I'm disappointed,' said coach Travis Green. 'This was much like the whole series; it was a good game that could have gone either way. It could have gone either way. Article content 'They're going to take away a lot: What playoff hockey is like, how razor-thin the margin is. Every shift and every battle matters, and attention to detail. But I'm proud of our group. They played hard. That's about as close of a series that you're going to see.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Takeaways: Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk devasted after Battle of Ontario loss
Brady Tkachuk fought back tears and struggled to find words. The Ottawa Senators' captain wanted badly to force Game 7 in the Battle of Ontario, but the club came up short with a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 6 of the series on Thursday night. As Tkachuk left the ice after shaking hands with the Leafs, the fans chanted his name and hoped for better days ahead. 'It's devastating,' Tkachuk said, his voice cracking. 'I believed. It's a tough pill to swallow right now.' The Senators battled back from a 3-0 deficit to close within 3-2, but Max Pacioretty's winner in the third turned out to be the difference after veteran David Perron tied it up late. Nobody can accuse the Senators of having any quit in them, they tried in every way, shape and form to send this series the distance. 'I'm proud of this team and every single guy,' Tkachuk said. 'Everybody, even those who weren't playing, staff, trainers, everybody in this organization. It takes will, and it takes guts. 'We didn't get the job done. We're going to take these lessons and be better because of it. It's tough to realize right now because everything happens for a reason, but we'll be better because of it.' Tkachuk struggled to find words. 'The character we have in this room, I knew we had it all along, but to battle back in this game, it's tough,' Tkachuk said. This was the first trip to the playoffs for the club's core, including Thomas Chabot, Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson, Drake Batherson, Ridly Greig, Shane Pinto, and Tkachuk. Chabot was thrilled to get the opportunity to gain some experience. 'As much as it stings right now, and it sucks, it's a hell of a year by everybody,' Chabot said. 'Right from training camp, every single guy in this room bought into the plan and the process. 'We never stopped. We kept going all season. There were some tough times, but we found ways to get out of them and get stronger as a team. No one ever doubted us in this room.' What was important for the Senators was their improvement as the series went on. They could have thrown in the towel at 3-0, but they refused to go quietly into the night. 'I'm much like our players, I'm disappointed,' said coach Travis Green. 'This was much like the whole series; it was a good game that could have gone either way. It could have gone either way. 'They're going to take away a lot: What playoff hockey is like, how razor-thin the margin is. Every shift and every battle matters, and attention to detail. But I'm proud of our group. They played hard. That's about as close of a series that you're going to see. 'Most people would agree that the series could have gone either way.' The fans tried to will the Senators to tie it up in the third. The 19,007 at the Canadian Tire Centre never gave up hope until William Nylander put it away into an empty net. The city rallied around the Senators, and the excitement for the playoffs for the first time since 2017 was genuine. 'You just feel the support. It's been a long eight years for them to experience it,' Tkachuk said. 'They don't realize the impact that it has made on me and this team. I just really wanted to do it for them. 'They were absolutely amazing. I know it sucks right now, but I really can't wait for what the future holds.' There was a large crowd outside before the game, and the threatening crowds couldn't dampen the spirit because hope remains eternal. 'It was fu–ing unbeliever to be honest,' Chabot said. 'The fans, the city, everyone. We get off the plane (after Game 5), and 30 or 40 people are waiting on a Tuesday at 1 a.m. You don't get that anywhere else. 'We have said it all along, even in the tough years, that we have the best fans in the league. They've been there for all eight years that I've been here. They love the team, the players, and I think that's what hurts the most right now. 'We thought for sure, coming back home, we were going to pull it off for them. They brought the energy all night. It hurts. You saw the support we had at the end, they gave us even though we lost, it means the world to me and every single one of my teammates.' The Senators' dressing room was quiet and empty by the time the media entered. Green's final message to the players was that he was proud of the way they played and the effort they made to get back in the series. They weren't expected to be here after being pushed to the brink, and the Leafs are viewed as a Cup contender. Toronto was feeling the heat from every corner of the centre of the universe. So much had been made of Toronto's checkered playoff past, with a 1-13 record in elimination games coming into this, but the Leafs took their game to another level. 'There is a lot of sadness,' said goaltender Linus Ullmark. 'There is not a lot of anger or anything, it's just sadness and emptiness in a way. When you put everything on the line and you don't come out successful, it's just gut-wrenching.' bgarrioch@
