Latest news with #DylanLarkin
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Could Aaron Ekblad Help the Detroit Blue Line?
By looking at his 2024-25 season, you wouldn't guess that Aaron Ekblad was once the NHL's first overall pick, but there it is on his résumé: 2014, Round 1, Pick 1, to the Florida Panthers. Now, one win away from his third straight Stanley Cup Final and a chance at a second straight championship, Ekblad is also on the brink of playing his way out of Florida's price range and leaving the only NHL franchise he's ever known. Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. Ekblad—now 29 years old—is just over a month away from hitting free agency, where AFP Analytics project him to command a seven-year contract worth $7.8 million annually. It's been a turbulent season, featuring two suspensions: first 20 games for PEDs, which stretched into the first round of the playoffs, then two more games once he arrived in the postseason for a round one hit on Brandon Hagel. Yet, as one of the giant of Florida's championship-caliber blue line, a vanguard of the bruising Panthers success, Ekblad is poised to reap the fruit of his labor if and when he hits the UFA marketplace in July. Can Ex-Red Wings Coach Blashill Turn it Around in Chicago? Former Coach Derek Lalonde Discusses Red Wings Exit Kasper Enjoying Star Turn as Austria Marches Through Worlds With His Days in Toronto Likely Numbered, Could Mitch Marner Be a Missing Piece to the Red Wings Puzzle? Dylan Larkin Celebrates the Birth of Baby Girl Over the weekend, Detroit captain Dylan Larkin gave Red Wings fans unequivocal cause for celebration when he and his wife Kenzy announced the birth of their baby girl, Lennyn Marie Larkin, born on the 19th of May. Ekblad won't impress you with his offensive profile. His career high in points is 57 (from the '21-22 season), and he's coming off a three-goal, 33-point season in 56 games played. It's Ekblad's work over the last three postseasons that will attract attention in free agency. Ekblad is a minute-eater: physical, imposing, and defensively reliable. Over those three playoff runs, he's averaged 23:57, 22:33, and now 22:21 for Paul Maurice's team. This year, he's already matched his regular season goal total (three) in the playoffs to go with seven assists for 10 points in a dozen playoff games. So, could he be a fit in Detroit? Ekblad brings some of the physicality and championship experience the Red Wings covet. As a right shot, he could be a great veteran partner for one of Simon Edvinsson or Albert Johansson. Ekblad also fits the physical mold of the sort of defenseman GM Steve Yzerman tends to pursue. At the same time, Ekblad isn't a signing free of risk. As we discussed with his current teammate Sam Bennett, so much of Ekblad's profile screams 'will command a free agency overpay,' and at 29, he's not a bad fit for Detroit's timeline but signing him to a long-term deal (really anything longer than three years) carries a fairly substantial risk, especially considering his rugged style of play. Ultimately, when I consider Ekblad's case, it seems more like than not he commands too great a salary to really make sense for the Red Wings. While he is a stylistic fit, I don't think he's the right candidate for a free agent splurge this summer. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites.
National Post
21-05-2025
- Business
- National Post
Canucks: Why Vancouver is now a harder sell to lure NHL free agents
Article content Signing free agents here is a challenge — with tax structure, travel, and even lack of a proper practice facility. Guentzel chose Tampa Bay and Reinhart remained in Florida with the state's no-tax advantage, while Toffoli chose San Jose. Article content While the Canucks' primary target is to land a centre through a trade — especially with the 15th overall selection in the 2025 Draft to dangle, along with a roster player and prospect — but they also need a top-six winger. Article content They struggled to score this season with a 23rd overall ranking — despite free agent Pius Suter and Kiefer Sherwood reaching new highs with 25 and 19 goals respectively — and it raises the question, 'Who is going to score?' Article content Can Pettersson rebound from 15 goals? Can Conor Garland hit 25? Will Nils Hoglander and Dakota Joshua improve dramatically from eight and seven goals respectively? Article content Landing credible support for Pettersson and Filip Chytil via a trade isn't easy. In a world of no-trade lists, no-movement clauses and franchise unrest, it's fair to ask who wants to come to Vancouver? Article content Article content You would love to hear that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, 28 — who has four-consecutive 30-goal seasons and is fed up with nine-straight no-playoff years — wants a change of scenery. If he really wants out, and doesn't have Vancouver on his 10-team, no-go list, you give the Red Wings whatever they want. Article content The Canucks would get a true No. 1 centre with an $8.7-million annual salary cap hit for the next six seasons. And with the cap ceiling rising from $88 million to $95.5 million, $104 million and $113.5 million over the next three years, his contract would age well. Larkin was also a world hockey championship teammate and roommate of Hughes and they have trained together. Article content A prime UFA target is Panthers pivot Sam Bennett, 28, but he may not check out of Florida because he tops the club's re-sign list. The Ontario product leads the Panthers in post-season scoring with 10 points (7-3) in 13 games after hitting a career high with 51 points (25-26) in 76 games. Article content Article content Bennett will get a big bump on his expiring $4.25-million cap hit because he is hard to play against and a menace on the forecheck. He's second overall in playoff hits (68). projects a six-year extension at $6.67 million per season, but it could go higher in a bidding war. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
San Francisco Chronicle
07-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
After Larkin's challenge, some top US players commit to worlds with Milan Olympics on the horizon
Mere minutes after a crushing overtime defeat to Canada in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, U.S. veteran Dylan Larkin already had a sharp criticism and a suggestion to his fellow Americans about how to prevent similar outcomes in the future. 'We've had a tough time with USA Hockey getting guys to play in the world championships, and I think guys that are at home watching this, I'm hoping they're wanting a piece of it," Larkin said. 'They got to go to the world championships and prove themselves and play for their country.' Clayton Keller listened. So did Tage Thompson. Jeremy Swayman was on the U.S. 4 Nations roster, but with no guarantee he'll be one of the three goaltenders at the Olympics in nine months, he committed, too. It's no sure thing they'll be in Milan next February or that the U.S. will win Olympic gold for the first time since the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' team. But getting elite talent to worlds this spring is a good start with the aim of winning the tournament for the first time since 1933. 'We need to get some winning swagger back,' U.S. world championship coach Ryan Warsofsky told The Associated Press by phone before leaving for Europe. "We want to be a team and a country that has a winning pedigree, and we've got to start winning this tournament.' The fact that the U.S. won World War II more recently than the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship is something general manager Jeff Kealty brought up to everyone he signed up to play. Warsofsky called it 'the ultimate motivation,' while acknowledging also that a lot of guys on the team have a lot to play for to get on the Olympic radar. 'I don't think it's going to be the be-all, end-all as to whether or not some of these guys make the team in February, but I don't think there's any question that it can help and it can get them front and center with USA Hockey,' Kealty told The AP. It might make the difference for the final few roster spots after the likes of Thompson, Keller, Jason Robertson and Cole Caufield were left off the 4 Nations team. U.S. Olympic GM Bill Guerin is going to Denmark to watch and scout, and he said he puts 'a big emphasis' on players participating and showing what they can do on a big international stage. 'It's not necessarily how many goals you score or this or that: When are we going to win that tournament? We need to win that tournament soon,' Guerin said Tuesday. "We need our best players though. Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are going. That should say something. It is a commitment from our players to go and try to win that tournament. ... It is an Olympic year, but we need this more consistently from our players to go over and play and try to win that tournament.' Canada has won it four times over the past decade, since back-to-back Olympic titles with NHL players in 2010 and '14. Crosby and MacKinnon joining this year makes the top hockey country on earth the favorite once again. But the U.S. wants to close the gap on Canada, and even reaching the world championship final for the first time since 1956 would be a step forward. The Americans, of course, are not shooting for silver. 'The biggest thing for us to make a name and a statement is to win the tournament,' Warsofsky said. "That's what we'll be remembered for as the team that's won a tournament for the first time since 1933.' Just getting great U.S. players to take the tournament seriously would be a plus. Kealty understands with the NHL playoffs going on that the worlds are 'very much out of sight, out of mind' in North America but points out players and coaches who have gone always return raving about their experience. Goalie Charlie Lindgren is one of them, comparing the playoffs with Washington on the road at New York's Madison Square Garden to a packed arena in Prague facing host Czechia. 'We played our first round at MSG last year with the Caps against the Rangers, which that was at the time the best atmosphere I've ever played in,' said Lindgren, who has represented the U.S. twice at worlds. 'Then going over there to the Czech Republic and seeing that, it's just a totally different vibe. It's almost like you see the soccer games where the crowd's on their feet the whole game doing chants.' Lindgren remembers three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane leading the charge in 2018 to get more U.S. stars to the world championships, and the late Johnny Gaudreau was the poster boy for saying yes to USA Hockey when called. Larkin is only absent this year because of a family situation keeping him home. Perhaps those examples and Larkin's challenge will be the start of the U.S. path toward winning more gold medals, from the worlds to the Olympics, now that players are showing they do indeed want a piece of this. 'There's hopefully kind of a moment here,' Kealty said. "I do think more and more of these guys are standing up and wanting to go participate, and I think it speaks great for USA Hockey and speaks great for the future.' ___
Hamilton Spectator
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
After Larkin's challenge, some top US players commit to worlds with Milan Olympics on the horizon
Mere minutes after a crushing overtime defeat to Canada in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, U.S. veteran Dylan Larkin already had a sharp criticism and a suggestion to his fellow Americans about how to prevent similar outcomes in the future. 'We've had a tough time with USA Hockey getting guys to play in the world championships, and I think guys that are at home watching this, I'm hoping they're wanting a piece of it,' Larkin said. 'They got to go to the world championships and prove themselves and play for their country.' Clayton Keller listened. So did Tage Thompson. Jeremy Swayman was on the U.S. 4 Nations roster, but with no guarantee he'll be one of the three goaltenders at the Olympics in nine months, he committed, too. It's no sure thing they'll be in Milan next February or that the U.S. will win Olympic gold for the first time since the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' team. But getting elite talent to worlds this spring is a good start with the aim of winning the tournament for the first time since 1933. 'We need to get some winning swagger back,' U.S. world championship coach Ryan Warsofsky told The Associated Press by phone before leaving for Europe. 'We want to be a team and a country that has a winning pedigree, and we've got to start winning this tournament.' The fact that the U.S. won World War II more recently than the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship is something general manager Jeff Kealty brought up to everyone he signed up to play. Warsofsky called it 'the ultimate motivation,' while acknowledging also that a lot of guys on the team have a lot to play for to get on the Olympic radar. 'I don't think it's going to be the be-all, end-all as to whether or not some of these guys make the team in February, but I don't think there's any question that it can help and it can get them front and center with USA Hockey,' Kealty told The AP. It might make the difference for the final few roster spots after the likes of Thompson, Keller, Jason Robertson and Cole Caufield were left off the 4 Nations team . U.S. Olympic GM Bill Guerin is going to Denmark to watch and scout, and he said he puts 'a big emphasis' on players participating and showing what they can do on a big international stage. 'It's not necessarily how many goals you score or this or that: When are we going to win that tournament? We need to win that tournament soon,' Guerin said Tuesday. 'We need our best players though. Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are going. That should say something. It is a commitment from our players to go and try to win that tournament. ... It is an Olympic year, but we need this more consistently from our players to go over and play and try to win that tournament.' Canada has won it four times over the past decade, since back-to-back Olympic titles with NHL players in 2010 and '14. Crosby and MacKinnon joining this year makes the top hockey country on earth the favorite once again. But the U.S. wants to close the gap on Canada, and even reaching the world championship final for the first time since 1956 would be a step forward. The Americans, of course, are not shooting for silver. 'The biggest thing for us to make a name and a statement is to win the tournament,' Warsofsky said. 'That's what we'll be remembered for as the team that's won a tournament for the first time since 1933.' Just getting great U.S. players to take the tournament seriously would be a plus. Kealty understands with the NHL playoffs going on that the worlds are 'very much out of sight, out of mind' in North America but points out players and coaches who have gone always return raving about their experience. Goalie Charlie Lindgren is one of them, comparing the playoffs with Washington on the road at New York's Madison Square Garden to a packed arena in Prague facing host Czechia. 'We played our first round at MSG last year with the Caps against the Rangers, which that was at the time the best atmosphere I've ever played in,' said Lindgren, who has represented the U.S. twice at worlds. 'Then going over there to the Czech Republic and seeing that, it's just a totally different vibe. It's almost like you see the soccer games where the crowd's on their feet the whole game doing chants.' Lindgren remembers three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane leading the charge in 2018 to get more U.S. stars to the world championships, and the late Johnny Gaudreau was the poster boy for saying yes to USA Hockey when called. Larkin is only absent this year because of a family situation keeping him home. Perhaps those examples and Larkin's challenge will be the start of the U.S. path toward winning more gold medals, from the worlds to the Olympics, now that players are showing they do indeed want a piece of this. 'There's hopefully kind of a moment here,' Kealty said. 'I do think more and more of these guys are standing up and wanting to go participate, and I think it speaks great for USA Hockey and speaks great for the future.' ___ AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, and AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell in St. Paul, Minnesota, contributed to this report. ___ AP NHL:
Fox Sports
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
After Larkin's challenge, some top US players commit to worlds with Milan Olympics on the horizon
Associated Press Mere minutes after a crushing overtime defeat to Canada in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, U.S. veteran Dylan Larkin already had a sharp criticism and a suggestion to his fellow Americans about how to prevent similar outcomes in the future. 'We've had a tough time with USA Hockey getting guys to play in the world championships, and I think guys that are at home watching this, I'm hoping they're wanting a piece of it," Larkin said. 'They got to go to the world championships and prove themselves and play for their country.' Clayton Keller listened. So did Tage Thompson. Jeremy Swayman was on the U.S. 4 Nations roster, but with no guarantee he'll be one of the three goaltenders at the Olympics in nine months, he committed, too. It's no sure thing they'll be in Milan next February or that the U.S. will win Olympic gold for the first time since the 1980 'Miracle on Ice' team. But getting elite talent to worlds this spring is a good start with the aim of winning the tournament for the first time since 1933. 'We need to get some winning swagger back,' U.S. world championship coach Ryan Warsofsky told The Associated Press by phone before leaving for Europe. "We want to be a team and a country that has a winning pedigree, and we've got to start winning this tournament.' The fact that the U.S. won World War II more recently than the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship is something general manager Jeff Kealty brought up to everyone he signed up to play. Warsofsky called it 'the ultimate motivation,' while acknowledging also that a lot of guys on the team have a lot to play for to get on the Olympic radar. 'I don't think it's going to be the be-all, end-all as to whether or not some of these guys make the team in February, but I don't think there's any question that it can help and it can get them front and center with USA Hockey,' Kealty told The AP. It might make the difference for the final few roster spots after the likes of Thompson, Keller, Jason Robertson and Cole Caufield were left off the 4 Nations team. U.S. Olympic GM Bill Guerin is going to Denmark to watch and scout, and he said he puts 'a big emphasis' on players participating and showing what they can do on a big international stage. 'It's not necessarily how many goals you score or this or that: When are we going to win that tournament? We need to win that tournament soon,' Guerin said Tuesday. "We need our best players though. Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon are going. That should say something. It is a commitment from our players to go and try to win that tournament. ... It is an Olympic year, but we need this more consistently from our players to go over and play and try to win that tournament.' Canada has won it four times over the past decade, since back-to-back Olympic titles with NHL players in 2010 and '14. Crosby and MacKinnon joining this year makes the top hockey country on earth the favorite once again. But the U.S. wants to close the gap on Canada, and even reaching the world championship final for the first time since 1956 would be a step forward. The Americans, of course, are not shooting for silver. 'The biggest thing for us to make a name and a statement is to win the tournament,' Warsofsky said. "That's what we'll be remembered for as the team that's won a tournament for the first time since 1933.' Just getting great U.S. players to take the tournament seriously would be a plus. Kealty understands with the NHL playoffs going on that the worlds are 'very much out of sight, out of mind' in North America but points out players and coaches who have gone always return raving about their experience. Goalie Charlie Lindgren is one of them, comparing the playoffs with Washington on the road at New York's Madison Square Garden to a packed arena in Prague facing host Czechia. 'We played our first round at MSG last year with the Caps against the Rangers, which that was at the time the best atmosphere I've ever played in,' said Lindgren, who has represented the U.S. twice at worlds. 'Then going over there to the Czech Republic and seeing that, it's just a totally different vibe. It's almost like you see the soccer games where the crowd's on their feet the whole game doing chants.' Lindgren remembers three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane leading the charge in 2018 to get more U.S. stars to the world championships, and the late Johnny Gaudreau was the poster boy for saying yes to USA Hockey when called. Larkin is only absent this year because of a family situation keeping him home. Perhaps those examples and Larkin's challenge will be the start of the U.S. path toward winning more gold medals, from the worlds to the Olympics, now that players are showing they do indeed want a piece of this. 'There's hopefully kind of a moment here,' Kealty said. "I do think more and more of these guys are standing up and wanting to go participate, and I think it speaks great for USA Hockey and speaks great for the future.' ___ AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, and AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell in St. Paul, Minnesota, contributed to this report. ___ AP NHL:
