Latest news with #ColoradoAvalanche
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL shockers: 7 Superstar players who've never worn the 'C' despite leading like captains
Nathan Mackinnon of Canada (Credit: Getty Images) In the fast-paced world of the NHL, not all leaders wear the 'C' on their jerseys. Whether it's their on-ice dominance, locker room presence, or playoff heroics, each of these superstars embodies what it means to lead. Despite never being officially handed the captaincy, they are the heartbeat of their teams and the kind of players teammates rally behind. Nathan MacKinnon's TOP GOALS of 2024-25 Nathan MacKinnon runs the Colorado Avalanche without the letter Nathan MacKinnon is the fire behind the Colorado Avalanche's success, a Hart Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion. MacKinnon sets the tone every game, though Gabriel Landeskog wears the 'C,'. MacKinnon's competitive edge, intense leadership, and relentless drive make him the spiritual leader of the team. Even when Landeskog was sidelined, MacKinnon didn't get the title, just the respect. Evgeni Malkin has led the Pittsburgh Penguins through every battle Evgeni Malkin's loyalty to the Pittsburgh Penguins has never wavered. Playing in Sidney Crosby's shadow hasn't stopped him from becoming one of the franchise's cornerstones. His emotional play, playoff dominance, and three Stanley Cups say it all. While Crosby officially leads the team, Malkin has always shared the leadership responsibilities in the locker room and on the ice. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Drew Doughty powers the Los Angeles Kings with passion Drew Doughty has been the soul of the Los Angeles Kings' defense for over a decade. With two Stanley Cups and a Norris Trophy, Doughty plays with intensity, honesty, and a never-back-down mentality. While Anze Kopitar wears the 'C,' it's Doughty's voice and energy that often spark the Kings, especially in high-pressure moments. Drew Doughty's Journey Back to the Ice | Black & White presented by Spectrum Leon Draisaitl quietly leads behind Connor McDavid's spotlight Leon Draisaitl is one of the NHL's most consistent offensive forces. In any other market, he'd likely be a captain already, but in Edmonton, he plays second fiddle to Connor McDavid; still, Draisaitl's elite talent and playoff performances. And a composed demeanor speaks volumes; he's the kind of leader who doesn't need the 'C' to command attention or respect. Bonus shoutouts: Kucherov, Kane, and Pastrnak deserve captaincy credit Nikita Kucherov has helped build the Tampa Bay Lightning's dynasty with his brilliance. With Steven Stamkos now gone, many see Kucherov as Tampa's true heartbeat. Patrick Kane, who led the Chicago Blackhawks' Cup runs, has carried that presence to the Detroit Red Wings. David Pastrnak has long been Boston's most dynamic player; his joy and passion lift the entire room, and with Brad Marchand out, his captaincy moment might soon arrive. Nikita Kucherov's Sickest Plays Of The 2023-24 NHL Season The captaincy in the National Hockey League may be stitched onto jerseys, but leadership runs deeper. For Nathan MacKinnon, Evgeni Malkin, Drew Doughty, Leon Draisaitl, Nikita Kucherov, Patrick Kane, and David Pastrnak, the absence of a letter has never meant a lack of influence. They are the leaders their teammates look to, even without the official title. Also Read: Five big NHL stars' names headline potential shakeups in the upcoming trade as teams look ahead to major roster decisions Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
The Colorado Avalanche traded Mikko Rantanen for Martin Nečas—now Chris MacFarland's projected $10M gamble faces the test
When the Colorado Avalanche sent Mikko Rantanen to the Carolina Hurricanes in a high-stakes July trade, it sparked immediate backlash. The star winger, who reportedly wanted to stay, was moved for Martin Nečas, Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It was a calculated gamble by general manager Chris MacFarland, who clearly had his eyes on long-term roster control and a better financial balance. Now, as contract talks with Nečas approach a critical stage, the Avalanche find themselves at a defining crossroads. What Nečas signs for—and how he performs—will determine whether MacFarland's gamble pays off or backfires. Colorado bet on Martin Nečas as a younger, cost-controlled option after trading Mikko Rantanen to Carolina. With contract talks looming, the Avalanche face a pivotal moment. With Mikko Rantanen gone, the pressure is on Martin Nečas to prove he's worth the bet—and the $10 million payday looming in Colorado The trade wasn't just bold—it was personal for Avalanche fans. Mikko Rantanen, a proven playoff performer and elite winger, had made it clear he wanted to stay in Denver. But with his contract set to expire and salary demands climbing, Chris MacFarland made a controversial move, sending Rantanen to Carolina in exchange for younger assets—headlined by Martin Nečas. The justification? Nečas carried an extra year of team control and looked like a natural fit beside superstar center Nathan MacKinnon. MacFarland, weighing future cap space and roster flexibility, likely saw the move as a way to extend Colorado's competitive window without locking into another massive contract. The risk, however, remains enormous. Nečas showed promising chemistry after arriving in Colorado, scoring 11 goals and tallying 28 points across 30 games to close out the 2025 season. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now His final totals stood at 27 goals and 83 points in 79 games—strong numbers that hinted at his ability to shoulder top-line responsibilities. But the Avalanche now face a contract puzzle that mirrors the one they just tried to escape. Speaking on Sportsnet's Real Kyper and Bourne in late June, NHL analyst Nick Kypreos said, 'The feeling is Martin Nečas could get $10 million or more.' That projected number has stirred a new round of debate: if Nečas is going to command $10 million per year, why didn't Colorado just pay Rantanen the $12 million the Dallas Stars handed him? It's a question that looms over the front office. For MacFarland, the decision to swap proven production for a younger alternative only makes sense if Nečas can match that output—and do so at a more manageable cost. , who won't turn 27 until January, brings speed, skill, and a profile that complements MacKinnon's relentless pace. His potential to evolve into a long-term cornerstone, behind MacKinnon and Cale Makar, is exactly what Colorado is banking on. Martin Nečas's deal will define the Colorado Avalanche's future without Mikko Rantanen The next contract Martin Nečas signs won't just impact his career—it could redefine Chris MacFarland's tenure as general manager. The Avalanche made their choice, parting ways with Mikko Rantanen for a player they believe fits the future. But the moment Nečas inks his new deal, comparisons will begin—and likely never stop. Fair or not, these contract talks now carry the weight of a franchise-altering trade and the future direction of the Colorado Avalanche. Also Read:
Al Arabiya
7 days ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Sabres Avoid Arbitration With Bowen Byram By Signing Him To A 2-Year, $12.5M Contract
The Buffalo Sabres avoided arbitration with Bowen Byram late Monday night by re-signing the restricted free agent defenseman to a two-year contract worth 12.5 million. Byram will count 6.25 million against the salary cap through the 2026-27 NHL season. He was considered a candidate for a trade or an offer sheet from another team before the Sabres elected salary arbitration with him earlier this month. The 24-year-old is coming off setting career highs with 31 assists, 38 points, and 116 blocked shots while playing all 82 games in his first full season with Buffalo. The team acquired him from Colorado in exchange for center Casey Mittelstadt at the 2024 trade deadline. Byram had nine points on the Avalanches' 2022 Stanley Cup run. He has 33 goals and 89 assists in 273 regular-season and playoff games since debuting in the league in 2021.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabres avoid arbitration with Bowen Byram, sign defenceman to 2-year, $12.5M contract
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres avoided arbitration with Bowen Byram late Monday night by re-signing the restricted free-agent defenceman to a two-year contract worth $12.5 million. Byram will count $6.25 million against the salary cap through the 2026-27 NHL season. He was considered a candidate for a trade or an offer sheet from another team before the Sabres elected salary arbitration with him earlier this month. Advertisement The 24-year-old is coming off setting career highs with 31 assists, 38 points and 116 blocked shots while playing all 82 games in his first full season with Buffalo. The team acquired him from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for centre Casey Mittelstadt at the 2024 trade deadline. Byram had nine points on the Avalanche's 2022 Stanley Cup run. He has 33 goals and 89 assists in 273 regular-season and playoff games since debuting in the league in 2021. ___ AP NHL: The Associated Press
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Nathan MacKinnon stuns Cole Harbour hockey camp with surprise visit, igniting big-league dreams
When NHL superstar showed up at Cole Harbour Place on Friday, the energy in the rink was electric. The 29-year-old Colorado Avalanche forward returned to his roots in the Halifax suburb to meet kids at the Cole Harbour Hockey School—a moment that instantly turned an ordinary summer camp into an unforgettable experience. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For 160 young players aged 5 to 12, it wasn't just a chance to see their hero up close but a powerful lesson that greatness can grow from familiar ice. MacKinnon's visit wasn't promised, making the surprise all the more special and memorable. How Nathan MacKinnon's surprise visits fuel Cole Harbour's NHL dreams Cole Harbour, a suburban community in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has earned a reputation as a breeding ground for hockey talent, producing none other than Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. On Friday, that legacy felt tangible as MacKinnon walked back into the rink where his own journey began. For Jon Greenwood, camp director and lead instructor, the visit brought back memories of coaching MacKinnon at the peewee level. Speaking at Cole Harbour Place on Friday, Greenwood shared: "It's hard to say at that age, 'Oh this is going to be an NHL superstar,' but we certainly knew the tools were there, and most importantly … the drive and competitiveness were there to continue." 's determination was clear early on, and Greenwood reflected on how it still surprises them today. The camp itself has grown quickly since its launch in 2021 with just 94 players, now filling 160 spots each year as families eagerly sign up. It's more than just drills and games. Kids work on dryland training, shooting skills, and building lasting friendships on and off the ice. For 10-year-old Rosie Tanner, who plays defence for the Metro East Inferno during the school year, the week was packed with learning and fun. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "It was fun and exciting," Tanner said at Cole Harbour Place on Friday after meeting MacKinnon. "He told us about hockey and how he played for the Colorado Avalanche." Her favorite parts of camp? "Learning new things about hockey and making new friends," she said. She especially loved "stopping people from scoring or going on breakaways." But the camp also sets high expectations. As her mother, Hanneke Tanner-van Gelderen, recalled with a laugh: "When she went the very first time, the week after she had Mitch's Soccer Camp, and she goes … 'Do you think Messi is going to be there?'" Nathan MacKinnon's visit creates lasting impact at Cole Harbour hockey camp Nathan MacKinnon's visits aren't guaranteed every summer, but when he's in town, Greenwood said he often tries to stop by. This year, his appearance ended the week on a high note, with kids leaving proudly clutching group photos and autographed pictures. "Everybody left with a nice group picture and an autographed picture of him," Greenwood said at Cole Harbour Place. "It's a pretty exciting finish for the week." For the young players, seeing a hometown hero who once trained on the same ice is more than a thrill—it's a promise that their biggest dreams might just start right here at home. Also Read:
