Latest news with #Danault
New York Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Maple Leafs trade targets: 9 potential centre upgrades, from big swings to small
'Centre, it's a priority,' Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said late last month. 'It's a priority. Having said that, there (are) probably 26 other teams that are saying it's a priority.' A priority that could be addressed in a trade. We scoured rosters across the league and came up with nine candidates (listed in alphabetical order) who fit the team's needs in one way or another and could conceivably be available for trade. Short of trading Easton Cowan, the Leafs might lack the assets for the biggest swings here. Advertisement Not included in this bunch: Minnesota Wild trade candidate Marco Rossi, who at 5 feet 9 does not fit the style of Treliving or coach Craig Berube. Danault is still a good player on a good contract. In short, the Kings probably have no desire to move him. Yet they do have a new GM in Ken Holland who is 1. unafraid to shake things up and 2. almost certainly looking to do so for a team that hasn't won a single playoff round since they won it all in 2014. The primary selling point for Danault: elite defensive ability. He is usually on the fringes of Selke Trophy voting and one of the players the Kings will use against top lines. Add Danault, and the Leafs can hand him, and not Auston Matthews, the nightly top-line assignment. Other than a brief window with Ryan O'Reilly, the Leafs have lacked a guy like that. The 32-year-old would also be a helpful addition to a penalty kill that was just OK in the regular season and better in the playoffs. That said, the fit isn't perfect. Danault is best suited to be a defense-minded No. 3, and what the Leafs need most is a No. 2 to line up directly behind Matthews. Unusually shoddy shooting (6.6 percent) explains his eight goals last season. In the previous three seasons, he was good for about 21 goals and 51 points on average, the bulk of it coming at five-on-five. Danault's 101 five-on-five points in that period weren't far off from John Tavares' 111. A $5.5 million cap hit for the coming season and the one after that is mighty agreeable in this climate where even so-so centres are making $5 million per. Do the Leafs have enough (anything?) to entice the Kings and their new GM to even consider it? A couple of potentially significant complications here. 1. Kadri will be 35 in October and still has four years left on his contract, with a cap hit of $7 million. 2. Flames ownership might still have beef with Treliving from his exit in 2023. (His contract was up. The beef is hard to fathom.) Advertisement However, a reunion certainly has merit for the Leafs. For one thing, Kadri is still an effective player — he scored 35 goals and 67 points last season, playing over 19 minutes a night. But why trade for Kadri, on that contract, when the Leafs could simply re-sign a roughly equivalent/superior player in Tavares (also turning 35 in the fall) to a similar or cheaper deal? The argument would be in part about personality. For better and worse, Kadri is Tavares' opposite — feistier in a way that would move the 'DNA' of the team in a different direction. He's also been a much stronger playoff performer than Tavares, albeit with some … hiccups. In his last three postseasons, Kadri has 16 goals and 34 points in 33 games — the last one as a crucial cog in the Colorado Avalanche's 2022 Stanley Cup. In comparison, Tavares has 17 goals and 31 points in 51 playoff games as a Leaf. But of course, Kadri hasn't played in the playoffs since 2022, and his last playoff moment for the Leafs — last moment, period — was cross-checking Jake DeBrusk, which led to a trade to Colorado that summer. The Leafs aren't run by the same people (Brendan Shanahan, Kyle Dubas) as back then. However, the organization still would have to be comfortable bringing Kadri back with all that baggage in the rearview mirror, never mind his ability to remain effective on a deal that will last until he's 38. The GM who signed him to that deal? That would be Treliving, when he was still the Flames GM. Karlsson might be one of the better fits here for the Leafs. For one thing, the commitment isn't egregious: Karlsson is under contract for two more seasons, with a reasonable cap hit of $5.9 million. Add Karlsson and the Leafs would still be set up well to make a bigger splash next summer. Vegas is all about the big splash. If they seek one this summer (Mitch Marner?) maybe it's Karlsson, 32, and coming off an injury-plagued down year, whom they decide to move in the name of cap space. He's the kind of strong all-around centre the Leafs could use behind Matthews and might fit nicely with fellow Swede William Nylander. In fact, the two were linemates at the World Championship last month. Karlsson's playoff points per game (0.67) exceed his regular-season performance (0.60). Though not a huge scorer, he's had seasons of 43, 30 and 24 goals, including as recently as 2023-24. He's a definite fit — if the Golden Knights are willing to move him. Advertisement This might remain a nonstarter since all indications were that O'Reilly had no interest in a reunion at the trade deadline this season and the Predators were unwilling to deal him anywhere against his wishes. At the very least, the Leafs should inquire again to see whether the offseason brings any new feelings for O'Reilly and his family. Even at age 34, O'Reilly would be good value in the middle at $4.5 million for the next two seasons, especially in contrast to the prices guys such as Sam Bennett and Matt Duchene might draw this summer. O'Reilly performed well in his first go-around with the Leafs, has a rich history (Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe) with Berube and is aging nicely. He would be a more than adequate counterpoint to Matthews as the Leafs' No. 2. He's no 2C. Given his offensive limitations — he has never topped 43 points in a season — and defensive acumen, Pageau screams third-line centre. And what the Leafs need most is a second-line centre. But maybe they can split the difference with Pageau. Bring the 32-year-old in for the last remaining year on his contract ($5 million cap hit) and give him all the thorniest assignments, particularly in the playoffs. That would free units led by Matthews and Tavares — if he returns and returns as a centre — for more offensive opportunities, which could help them produce more when it matters. Pageau would be the right-handed centre the Leafs have lacked for a long time, and he happens to be excellent at winning draws (nearly 60 percent last season). He's also more physical than you might think for someone his size (5 feet 11, 195 pounds), with more hits last season (140) than Bobby McMann (136). If the Leafs can get him for a mild price from an Islanders front office no longer led by Lou Lamoriello, Pageau makes some sense as a stopgap solution in the middle. Advertisement Sign Bennett to a monster long-term contract (assuming he wants to play in Toronto) or spend assets to acquire Schenn for the next three seasons at $6.5 million? Like O'Reilly, Schenn has a built-in history with Berube and is well suited to his preferred style of play. But Schenn hasn't been nearly the same playoff performer as Bennett, he's a lot older (turning 34 in August) and would cost the Leafs some notable assets to bring in. A 20-goal, 50-point player at this stage in his career, Schenn is probably ideally playing in the three hole. He doesn't feel like the most natural fit to play with Nylander (though he has played a bunch with the skillful Jordan Kyrou), and as with Kadri, it's worth wondering whether it makes sense to trade away good stuff for Schenn over simply re-signing Tavares. (Could the Leafs do both?) If the Leafs can somehow bring down the ask and get the Blues to eat some money — two tall tasks to be sure — trading for Schenn feels preferable to paying through the nose for Bennett. (If it's a choice between four seasons of Kadri at $7 million or three seasons of Schenn at $6.5 million, I'd lean Kadri.) Let's make note of Wennberg only because he shouldn't cost much if the Sharks are open to moving him and he has only a year left at $5 million (which would ideally be partly retained by San Jose). Is he exciting? No. Have the Leafs pounced on opportunities to acquire him in the past? No. Could he give the Leafs more reliable no-nonsense two-way minutes than Max Domi and Pontus Holmberg as a third-line centre? Yes. The Leafs just sent quality futures (a first-round pick, Fraser Minten) to the Bruins for Brandon Carlo. Do they have anything left (not including Cowan) that would entice Boston to give up Zacha? Like Carlo's, Zacha's contract — with two years remaining at $4.75 million — would be appealing to the Leafs given rising costs at the position. Though he's spent some time at left wing in Boston, Zacha would be a decent fit as the No. 2 (or 3) in Toronto. He kills penalties, has the chops to play against tough competition, wins a good chunk of his draws and could give the Leafs 20 goals and close to 60 points. Zacha turned 28 in April, so the Leafs wouldn't be buying an older player. Advertisement His most frequent linemate with the Bruins last season: David Pastrnak. In short, he might work with Nylander. (He has only one goal in 25 career playoff games, for what that's worth.) The Bruins are kinda sorta rebuilding, but they still need players and might not be inclined to move a useful top-six forward. With J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck down the middle, would the Rangers have any interest in moving Zibanejad's contract, which has another five years remaining and a cap hit of $8.5 million? More importantly, would Zibanejad be interested in waiving his no-move clause? If so, the Leafs need to have a meeting or two about it because Zibanejad is probably the best player in this entire bunch. Like just about everyone in New York, he's coming off a rough year by his standards (62 points). Yet he brings the kind of two-way ability the Leafs would love on the second line. It was only three seasons ago that Zibanejad ripped off 39 goals and 91 points and finished 16th in Selke Trophy voting. He could handle difficult competition, maybe find a fit with Nylander and help the Leafs fill in some of the PK minutes left by Marner's likely exit. Oh, and he's performed in the playoffs, with 44 points in his last 43 games. He wouldn't bring the same fire as Kadri or jam as Schenn, but the upside is so much higher. He also happens to be 6 feet 2 and over 200 pounds (bigger than Kadri and Schenn) and younger than both (32). If he bounces back to what he produced even two seasons ago — 72 points — the price point on the contract will feel right. The five years remaining on that deal might make the Leafs squeamish, yet would still be a lesser commitment (and cap hit) than a free agent such as Bennett will likely require. (Top photo of Mika Zibanejad: Claus Andersen / Getty Images)
Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Star
NHL fans torn on unusual rendition of national anthem before playoff game
The Los Angeles Kings ' Game 1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs was preceded by an unconventional rendition of the U.S. national anthem that sparked a whirlwind of reactions. The Korea-Town Senior & Community Center's harmonica class took center ice at Arena, delivering a wordless version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" entirely on harmonicas. As the seniors played, the 20,000-strong crowd filled in the lyrics, culminating in a rousing ovation. While the in-arena audience appeared to embrace the unique performance, social media platforms buzzed with mixed reviews. Some fans expressed admiration for the heartfelt display, while others were less enthused. Read More Related Articles Rory McIlroy and wife Erica Stoll pictured returning to Florida after PGA Tour decision Read More Related Articles Donald Trump comes up with ludicrous way to look taller next to Ohio State football team One user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, "That was ------- GOD AWFUL TO WATCH!!!" Another commented, "Whoever thought this was a good idea should probably not have a job." Critics questioned the choice of harmonicas for such a significant playoff moment, with one stating, "Worst US National Anthem I have ever heard... Harmonica's... Really." Despite the polarized opinions, the Kings seemed energized by the performance, jumping to a four-goal lead before ultimately securing a 6-5 victory with a last-minute goal from Phillip Danault. The harmonica rendition, while unconventional, became a memorable prelude to an exhilarating playoff opener. The Kings established their dominance early in the game. First-period goals from Andrei Kuzmenko and Quinton Byfield gave Los Angeles a 2-0 lead. They extended their advantage in the second period with goals from Adrian Kempe and Danault, making it 4-0. However, the Oilers began their comeback with Leon Draisaitl scoring just before the end of the second period. In the third period, Mattias Janmark and Corey Perry added goals for Edmonton, narrowing the gap. Kevin Fiala's power-play goal briefly restored a two-goal cushion for the Kings, but Zach Hyman and Connor McDavid scored late in the period to tie the game at 5-5. With just 41.1 seconds remaining, Danault netted his second goal of the night, securing the win for Los Angeles. The victory gives the Kings a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Los Angeles. This marks the fourth consecutive season that the Kings and Oilers have met in the first round of the playoffs, adding another chapter to their growing rivalry. The Korea-Town Senior & Community Center had previously performed the anthem during the regular season, and their return for the playoffs added a unique cultural touch to the event. While some fans and commentators questioned the choice, others appreciated the diversity and community involvement showcased by the Kings.
India Today
22-04-2025
- Sport
- India Today
NHL: Phillip Danault lifts LA Kings to 6-5 victory over Oilers in Game 1 thriller
Phillip Danault scored his second goal with just 42 seconds left in regulation to give the Los Angeles Kings a dramatic 6-5 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their Western Conference First Round series on Monday night at blowing a four-goal lead, the LA Kings leaned on veteran center Phillip Danault, who flubbed a wrist shot that unexpectedly fluttered over Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner's shoulder, putting the Kings hockey team back in front just 46 seconds after Connor McDavid tied the game at DANAULT WINS IT FOR LA WITH 42 SECONDS LEFT IN THE THIRD #StanleyCup NHL (@NHL) April 22, 2025advertisement'I got all of it,' Danault joked postgame. McDavid had brought the Oilers level with a snipe off the left post with Skinner pulled for the extra attacker, capping a resilient third-period comeback. But Danault's late goal sealed Game 1 for Los offense fires early: Kuzmenko, Kempe, Fiala ShineThe LA Kings built a commanding 4-0 lead, starting with a power-play goal from Andrei Kuzmenko at 2:49 of the first. Quinton Byfield added another late in the opening period before Adrian Kempe and Danault extended the lead in the Fiala, who had a goal and an assist, added a crucial power-play goal early in the third to make it 5-2 after the Oilers clawed back with goals from Leon Draisaitl and Mattias MCDAVID TIES IT FOR THE OILERS!THREE UNANSWERED GOALS FOR EDMONTONAnytime Goalscorer +150(via @NHL) ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) April 22, 2025advertisementMcDavid records four points in valiant Oilers effortDespite the loss, Connor McDavid was electric, finishing with a goal and three assists. Leon Draisaitl and Corey Perry each tallied a goal and an assist, while Zach Hyman added a late goal to bring Edmonton within one before McDavid's tying strike.'From our group in here, the pushback was fantastic and expected,' said Adam Henrique, who emphasized the importance of every shift in the Kuemper made 20 saves for the Kings, while Stuart Skinner stopped 24 shots for Edmonton, but both goalies faced relentless pressure throughout the a costly turnover on Danault's first goal, Edmonton's Evan Bouchard logged three assists and a team-high 28:20 of ice time, showing flashes of brilliance despite the Jeff Skinner makes long-awaited Playoff debutAt 32 years old, Jeff Skinner finally played in his first Stanley Cup Playoff game, recording an assist in 11:12 of ice time. Skinner had previously played 1,078 regular-season games—the most in NHL history without a playoff best-of-seven series continues Wednesday at Arena, with Game 2 scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (FDSNW, MAX, TBS, SN, TVAS, CBC). The Los Angeles Kings will aim to maintain momentum, while the Edmonton Oilers seek redemption and a split on the have to learn from this,' Danault said. 'It didn't feel like a loss, but it hurt. So we have to play even better next game—and play 60 minutes.'ALSO READ: NFL Draft 2025: Date, time, rankings, predictions and all you need to know
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Kings survive Oilers' furious comeback as Phillip Danault comes to the rescue
The Los Angeles Kings drew first blood in their Western Conference First Round series against the Edmonton Oilers, securing a dramatic 6-5 victory in Game 1 at Arena on April 21. However, the win was anything but straightforward, as the Kings were forced to hold on for dear life after squandering a commanding four-goal lead. Phillip Danault emerged as the hero for the Kings, netting the game-winner with just 42 seconds left on the clock. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She lives in the Loneliest house in the World - Don't judge until you see the inside! Tips and Tricks Undo His seemingly innocent wrist shot from the high slot on a late rush somehow eluded Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. "I got all of it," Danault quipped post-game, perhaps downplaying the fortunate bounce. Danault's decisive goal came a mere 46 seconds after the Oilers' superstar Connor McDavid had completed a stunning comeback, tying the game 5-5 at 18:32 of the third period. Live Events With Skinner pulled for an extra attacker, McDavid showcased his brilliance, skating in on a rush and firing a shot off the left post and past Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper from the right circle. The Kings had looked firmly in control for much of the game, jumping out to a 4-0 lead by the late stages of the second period. Andrei Kuzmenko opened the scoring on the power play, followed by Quinton Byfield banking in a clever goal off Skinner. Adrian Kempe extended the lead with a backhand tally, and Danault's first of the night came courtesy of a costly turnover by Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard. However, the Oilers, known for their potent offense, began their relentless pushback late in the second. Leon Draisaitl finally got Edmonton on the board with a powerful one-timer, and Mattias Janmark narrowed the gap early in the third. The Kings briefly stemmed the tide with a Kevin Fiala power-play goal, making it 5-2. But the Oilers refused to quit. Corey Perry jammed in a close-range shot, and Zach Hyman followed suit with another net-front scramble goal, pulling Edmonton within one with just over two minutes remaining. Then came McDavid's electrifying equalizer, seemingly capping off an improbable comeback. But Danault's late heroics snatched the victory back for the Kings, leaving both teams and the fans breathless. "Big up and big down and up again, so that's playoff (hockey) though," Danault acknowledged. "It's hard to play a game like this mentally, but like I said, we have to learn from this. It didn't feel like a loss, but like, it hurt. It got us a little bit. So for us, we have to play even better next game, and we have to play 60 minutes', he added. Kings captain Anze Kopitar echoed this sentiment, stating, "I don't think we took the foot off the gas. That's a high offensive power team over there, and when you give them a sniff, they'll take it. And they certainly did.'
USA Today
22-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
LA Kings pull out wild win over Edmonton Oilers in 11-goal thriller
LA Kings pull out wild win over Edmonton Oilers in 11-goal thriller Show Caption Hide Caption Paul Bissonnette on Ovechkin-Crosby rivalry over last 20 years NHL on TNT's Paul Bissonnette breaks down the ongoing rivalry between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby Sports Seriously Phillip Danault scored his second goal of the game with 41.1 seconds remaining in regulation to give the host Los Angeles Kings a wild 6-5 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in their Stanley Cup playoff opener Monday night. Andrei Kuzmenko and Adrian Kempe both collected one goal and two assists while Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala both registered one goal and one assist for the Kings in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper made 20 saves for the Kings, who held a 4-0 lead late in the second period and 5-2 edge in the third before the Oilers charged back, necessitating Danault's heroics. Moments after the Oilers tied the clash, Danault joined a rush up ice and slightly fanned on a shot from the slot. However, the puck went up and over Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner for the winner. Connor McDavid scored once in a four-point game for Edmonton, while Corey Perry and Leon Draisaitl each notched one goal and one assist. Mattias Janmark and Zach Hyman added a goal apiece, Evan Bouchard collected three assists, and Skinner stopped 24 shots. Game 2 of the best-of-seven series will be Wednesday in Los Angeles. It is the fourth consecutive year the clubs have met in the first round of the playoffs. The Kings staked a four-goal edge thanks to first-period goals by Kuzmenko (on a power play) and Byfield, then late-second-period tallies by Kempe and Danault. However, the Oilers refused to go away quietly. Draisaitl put the visitors on the board with six seconds remaining in the second period, his 18th goal in 19 playoff games against the Kings, and the Janmark tallied 2:19 into the third period. Fiala's five-on-three power-play goal at 4:59 of the final frame restored Los Angeles' three-goal edge and appeared to seal the game. However, Perry chipped a shot home from in tight at 7:43, Hyman made it a one-goal game at 17:56, and McDavid tied the clash with 88 seconds remaining in regulation. NHL PLAYOFF BRACKET: Schedule, scores, results, TV for first round series Kings vs. Oilers Game 1 highlights
