Latest news with #FourNationsCup
Edmonton Journal
5 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
'Canadian mutants': Ex-NHLer rips Oilers star player and fans, gets ripped back
This in, the controversy already erupting over which players will and will not be selected for Team Canada at the coming Olympic Games, with former American NHLer Jordan Schmaltz provocatively picking a squad absent both Edmonton Oilers Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard. Article content For those who don't recall Schmaltz, after a strong college career at North Dakota, he played 42 NHL games from 2016-19, before heading to Europe and retiring in 2022-23. Article content Team Canada 2026 Olympic roster 🏒 Reinhart- McJesus- Marner Marchand-Sid-The Dogg Cirelli- Point-Hagel Bennett-Schiefle-Wilson Extras: Bob Thomas, Fellabrini (14) Toews-Makar Harley-Paryako Morrissey- Doughty Theodore Extra: Dobson (8) Binner Hill Monty (3) — Jordan Schmaltz (@J_Swish24) August 12, 2025 Article content Article content Schmaltz hit a sore spot with Oilers fan, as both Hyman and Bouchard were left off the Four Nations Cup roster last winter, despite having outstanding 2023-24 seasons and playoffs. The concern now is that both players will be left off the Olympic team as well, despite both Hyman and Bouchard again playing brilliant hockey in the 2025 playoffs. Article content Article content Oilers Nation writer Zach Laing @zjlaing has anyone actually watched the oilers play playoff hockey in the last two years? Article content Oilers fan Skinner over .900? (Knows Puck) @CampbellOver900 For a team that's played the very last game of the last 2 seasons, they are severely underwatched by the rest of the hockey world Article content Article content Dobson… Bouchard is better offensively at 5 on 5, better defensively, better on the PP and now is proving to be good on the PK. Not to mention upping his game (to historic production levels and all around best d-man in the playoff levels). Oh ya, outscores away from 92 and 29. … I think they (Team Canada) could use another material driver of outscoring at 5 on 5 – that's what Bouchard is…. Bouchard is 43-39 goals over the course of the last three years without BOTH McDavid and Drai…. One could also show the numbers for how much worse both McDavid and Drai do away from Bouchard – its substantial, their production rates go down and their goal share goes way down. Article content In response, Schmaltz fired back on his critics. Article content Jordan Schmaltz@J_Swish24 The thing you Canadian mutants don't realize (for the record that's a compliment) is the reason you go with Doughty over Bouchard is fairly simple but the average fan wouldn't understand.. when the game is on the line and into the medal rounds Makar is going to play sub 30 minutes. Paryako will give you 18-20. The other guy on the right side is going to play 10-15 minutes. They don't need Bouchard for PP1 and he's not exactly a penalty kill wizard. Helluva hockey player with the puck you can't question that but who gives team Canada a better option in that role of PK / 10-15 a night on the right side? Doughty is way better suited for that assignment. Weegar / Dobson would be as well. As much as it's an all star team you still need definitive roles and guys who understand how to play in certain scenarios. Doughty has won cups, Olympics, four nations, world juniors. And still can BALL.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'I've fallen in love': Ultimate Leafs homer praises Oilers d-man Bouchard
This in from the Toronto Sports Network, high praise for Edmonton Oilers d-man Evan Bouchard from a most astonishing source, the ultimate Leafs homer of the broadcast world, former Leafs player Jeff O'Neill. Said O'Neill on a TSN segment with host Chris Haytes and former NHL goalie Jamie McLennan on their OverDrive show: I got a bit of a crazy statement after watching last night and watching throughout the playoffs. And before the playoffs, you would have punched me as you could. I think the pecking order on D in the National Hockey League is one, Cale Makar and two Bouchard. Maybe it's recency bias, because all those other guys aren't playing, but I think he's that good man. I think he is unbelievable.' Hayes objected, saying Bouchard has been phenomenal but he'd take Quinn Hughes of Vancouver over Bouchard. Said O'Neill: 'If there was a little hut, an elite defenseman hut, and Quinn Hughes was in it, and Cale Makar and they opened up the door and said, 'Evan, come on in,' they would open the door and say, 'You're a member. Now, come and have a coffee.'' McLennan brought up a rancid turnover that Bouchard had made in a November game against Toronto. 'Bouchard comes around the net and rips it off McDavid ass. And I think after that, Toronto caught up, and Marner wanted an overtime. I think playoff Bouchard, that's different. What we're seeing is a guy who can play in all scenarios and doesn't get overwhelmed.' Said O'Neill: 'I've fallen in love with the guy, man.' My take 1. What's next Cathal Kelly proclaiming how much he loves the Oilers? Nick Kypreos and Bruce Arthur saying Connor McDavid should always be an Oiler? 2. I've been in that camp of Edmonton Oilers fans who has consistently and enthusiastically, year in, year out, good times and bad, admired what Evan Bouchard brings to the game. Before his breakout 82 point season in 2023-24, I predicted on Oilers Now he'd get 90 points. Long before others, I said he was the Oil's No. 1 d-man. In the playoffs last year, I recognized early on he'd taken his game to an entirely new level of excellence. As he struggled this year with an outbreak of rancid turnovers, I continued to argue he was a big game player and should be on Team Canada at the Four Nations Cup. 3. I'm here to tell you right now that O'Neill is right, that Bouchard has yet again taken his game to a new level, that he's improved on his 2024 playoff performance and is playing at his highest level of even strength efficiency ever, all the while running Edmonton's brilliant power play while coming on in the Los Angeles series to settle down their penalty kill, someone no one predicted or expected, save for maybe Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey, who bet on Bouchard on the PK. 4. Why have I been so bullish on Bouchard all these years, and able to call out his play for what it's been: good-to-outstanding. It's all in the numbers, specifically the Grade A shots data we've compiled at the Cult of Hockey for 15 years. We've done video review of every Grade A shot for and against the Oilers in that time to see which players are responsible for Grade A shots for and which players make mistakes on Grade A shots against. What became clear early on was that Bouchard more than any other Oil d-man we'd ever seen was able to create Grade A shots. His defence was average at best in his early years, but he was Grade A shot-producing monster. 5. What's changed since then is that Bouchard in the playoffs has take his defensive game top a new level of success, while amping up his passing game even more. He's not quite at the defensive level of excellence we saw from Kris Russell and Adam Larsson in their Oilers primes, but he's become a good-to-great positional defensive d-man, not any kind of Big Bobby Clobber cycle-buster, but a d-man who almost always makes the right reads, keeps his body between his check and the Oilers net, responsibly guards his spot in the Oilers zone defence, and gets the puck out of trouble fast when he wins it back. 6. Does Bouchard still make some bad passes? For sure. That's going to happen when you've so often got the puck on your stick. Does he make some bad reads? Yes, but not any more than other d-man and what's become a strong Oilers defensive corp. 7. O'Neill is right. Bouchard is now the second or third best d-man in the NHL after Makar and maybe Hughes. And the next person to say Bouchard shouldn't be on Team Canada in the coming Olympic games should never speak in public about hockey again.
Fox News
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Wayne Gretzky anoints Oilers star Connor McDavid the next great one: 'He's the best player in hockey'
Connor McDavid is arguably the brightest star in the NHL. The Edmonton Oilers captain is a four-time NHL All-Star. He's also a prolific scorer, winning the Art Ross Trophy five times as the player leading the NHL in regular-season points. McDavid also shares similarities with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. McDavid and Gretzky are the only two players to be named the NHL MVP by unanimous vote. While Gretzky is often referred to as "The Great One," he believes McDavid is the greatest active NHL player. "No question, he's the best player in hockey," Gretzky said during a guest appearance on ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show." "Unselfish young man. He loves playing in Edmonton, loves being the captain of the Oilers. Desperately wants a Stanley Cup, that's what he wants, cares about the most. Great for our game, great for the city of Edmonton. What a year. Scored the winning goal in the Four Nations Cup in overtime." For the second consecutive year, the Oilers and Florida Panthers meet in the Stanley Cup Final. McDavid and the Oilers took Game 1 of the series Wednesday night. The 4-3 victory was a come-from-behind win for Edmonton, which was down 3-1 at one point in the game. But the Oilers scored three unanswered goals for a statement victory on their home ice. After tying the game in the third period at three, an overtime period was needed to determine the winner of Game 1. When the Oilers held a man advantage, McDavid capitalized by making a nifty saucer pass to teammate Leon Draisaitl, who flew in front of the net to get the puck past Panthers' goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Gretzky, who works as an NHL analyst for TNT broadcasts, predicted how McDavid's assist would set up teammate Mattias Ekholm to make what ended up being the game-tying goal in the third period of Wednesday's matchup with the Panthers. "They're smothering them. They're playing really smart. They're playing the Rick Tocchet defense. They've got that forward in the middle," Gretzky said during the second intermission. "They've given them the outside. Connor's going to have to take it around the net or stop up and hit the late guy, because they're cutting everything off going to the net." Gretzky then admitted his prediction was "luck," before praising McDavid. "He's the best player in the world," Gretzky said. "He knows what he's doing. I just got lucky with that statement." Game 2 is scheduled for Friday at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The series shifts to South Florida for Games 3 and 4. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Florida Man energy meets Canadian pride as Stanley Cup final becomes a battleground beyond the rink
The Stanley Cup is on display prior to the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers (Credit: Getty Image) Florida's rise as hockey's unlikely powerhouse is now a trend, not a fluke. The Panthers are back in the Stanley Cup Final for a second straight year, making it six consecutive years that a Florida team has contested for the Cup. Oilers return to Florida with hockey's heritage on the line Edmonton's return to the Stanley Cup Final feels like more than just a hockey story. After last year's Game 7 heartbreak against Florida, the Oilers have a chance at redemption. Connor McDavid, widely seen as hockey's generational talent, is once again center stage. His international heroics earlier this year at the Four Nations Cup made a political and sporting statement. Now, he's chasing hockey's ultimate prize in enemy territory. The narrative is unavoidable. Florida, with its sun-drenched unpredictability and cultural bravado, contrasts sharply with Canada's hockey-first identity. For many north of the border, an Oilers win would feel like more than just a Cup. It would be a reclamation of what they believe is rightfully theirs. That sentiment is fueled by tensions that extend off the ice, Trump's aggressive posture toward Canada, Gretzky's political alignment, and even erratic behavior from Panthers ownership have all added fuel. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo 'The Rematch' | 2025 Stanley Cup Final Official Trailer 🎥🍿 Cultural clash puts spotlight on hockey's evolving geography Beyond goals and saves, the 2025 final is a clash of cultures. But none of that explains the consistent success. Florida teams have tapped into a survivalist mentality, built on players who were overlooked or counted out elsewhere. That underdog vibe has morphed into a winning formula. Meanwhile, Canada, still clinging to its hockey legacy, finds itself chasing. It's no longer the only heartbeat of the sport. The rink might still be frozen, but the foundations are shifting. Read more: NHL announces Stanley Cup Final referees and linesmen team after injury scare recovery This Stanley Cup Final is layered. Yes, it's Florida versus Edmonton. But it's also Florida Man versus Canada. It's political undercurrents, identity battles, and sports history all converge under one roof. It feels personal, not just for the teams, but for the fans, the countries, and the culture of hockey itself. For better or worse, the final is no longer just a game.
Vancouver Sun
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Oilers vs Panthers: Why this could be the most important hockey finals for Canadians in years
When Canadians question who they are, the answer is hockey. 'It's probably the No. 1 signifier of being Canadian,' said Jason Wilson, who teaches a course about hockey in Canadian history at the University of Guelph. 'Not just for Canadians, but for people around the world.' Last year, more than half of Canada was cheering for the Edmonton Oilers to beat the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup finals. An Ipsos-Reid poll in June of 2024 showed 57 per cent of Canadians wanted to see the Oilers win the cup, versus just nine per cent backing the Panthers. This year, with U.S. President Donald Trump's talk of turning Canada into the 51st state still burning, expect those numbers to be even further apart, said Wilson. 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. 'It could be the most important playoff series for Canadians in a very long time,' said Wilson, co-author of Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup. 'The overriding majority will feel like that it's back to Canada versus America,' said Wilson. 'For the first time in a very long time we have an adversary in the White House. Someone that is literally testing our sovereignty and our own sense of who we are.' Due to the political tensions between Canada and our closest neighbour, 'this series will take on a larger-than-life (aspect) almost as exciting, we hope, as the Connor McDavid goal in the Four Nations Cup,' he said. According to Wilson, McDavid's overtime goal to take that series this past winter 'became the most important goal since at least' Sidney Crosby's goal in 2010 at the Vancouver Olympics that secured Canada's gold medal against the United States, and 'possibly even' Paul Henderson goal against Russia to take the 1972 Summit Series for Canada. While the Four Nations Cup was 'squarely Canada versus America, we do have some of the same cast of characters,' Wilson said, pointing to the Oilers' McDavid on one side and Panthers' star forward Matthew Tkachuk on the other. And it could get chippy, said Wilson. 'Florida, for better or for worse, they're a very nasty team that way,' he said. 'It's obviously effective. This is their third time in the final in three years. That said, Edmonton has the edge in other ways – in mobility and speed. So, does Florida want to gamble that right off the top?' While Canadians like to think of hockey as our game, Wilson reminds us that, since 1926, there have been more American teams and owners in the NHL. 'They're very much a hockey nation, too. It's obviously not their No. 1 sport, and Florida might not be the most obvious market, but make no mistake, the Americans are invested in this as well. Whether that will be a regional thing for these particular playoffs (in Florida) compared to a national thing in Canada, that's open to question of course,' he said. This year I'm going to cheer for Edmonton Will Canadians go so far as to boo the Star Spangled Banner, like they did back in February at the Four Nations Cup? 'I think we've settled down in that regard,' Wilson said. Wilson, who is also a Juno-nominated reggae musician, suggested a song pick to warm up for Wednesday's first game in the series. 'Let's go with Stir it up by Bob Marley and the Wailers,' he said. 'Just the notion of stirring things up in a game. Let's start there and see how it goes.' Chris Roberts, a professor of political science at the university of Calgary, isn't so sure Canada will back the Oilers in huge numbers due to all of Trump's tariff talk. 'As an Oilers fan living in Calgary, I'm not sensing that kind of shift here, but this may be the last place to look for it, given the Flames-Oil rivalry and the weaker anti-Trump, emerging separatism sentiment in pockets in Alberta,' Roberts said. 'If Trump woke up tomorrow and imposed oil and gas tariffs on Alberta imports, however, that might change.' Retired general Rick Hillier, Canada's former top soldier, was happy to see the Panthers take home the Stanley Cup last year. 'This year I'm going to cheer for Edmonton. I'd like to see Connor win the cup. I'd like to see the Oilers win again,' Hillier said. 'But here's what I would also say: nobody's going to give them that cup. Florida's got a big, mean, strong, hugely talented superbly coached team, and they're on a mission also. So, if Edmonton wins the cup, they're going to certainly deserve it.' Aaron Ettinger, an associate professor of political science at Carleton University, isn't so sure the U.S.-Canada rivalry will be as potent as it was during the Four Nations tournament. 'For one, the 'Canadianness' and 'Americanness' of the teams are diluted by the fact the rosters are multinational, with Americans playing for Edmonton and Canadians playing for Florida,' Ettinger said in an email. 'In the Four Nations tournament, the national divide was stark: we saw 'our' players were wearing 'our' national colours.' It's not a given that Canadians will rally around the last remaining Canadian team, Ettinger said. 'Most say they will, but Canadian hockey fans are fickle about what team they'd prefer to win. Edmonton may have widespread support across Canada but not total support.' Ettinger pointed to an Angus Reid poll from late April that showed an increase in the number of Canadian hockey fans who want any Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup, not just their own. At the time, 71 per cent of those polled said they'd cheer for any Canadian team, a seven-point increase over 2024 and a 14-point jump since 2016. 'The initial emotional shock of Trump's threats have worn off since February' and the Four Nations Cup, Ettinger said. 'Back then, emotions ran high and the US-Canada games — especially the three-fight-in-nine-seconds game — was a perfect proxy for honest anger Canadians felt in that moment.' Yet signs to the contrary are popping up in unusual places, literally. A 'Go Oilers Go!' banner was spotted on Montreal's Champlain Bridge last week, and bridge officials say it will be lit up in blue and orange on most game nights to cheer on the Oilers. The first game in the series is Wednesday, June 4. 'It's a federally owned bridge, which probably explains it,' Montreal Gazette sports columnist Stu Cowan wrote in an email. 'Don't think that would have happened if the bridge was provincially owned.' Lots of Montrealers will cheer for the Oilers because they're a Canadian team, he said. 'But I imagine there's also a lot who will be cheering for the Panthers so the Canadiens will remain the last Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup.' Doug Leonard, an Ontario Provincial Police constable from Burlington, has been a Panthers fan for three decades. He has a Panthers flag flying from the pole in front of his home. He's got no qualms about cheering for Florida again in the finals. 'I would love to see them repeat. That would be incredible,' Leonard said in a telephone interview from Kenora, where he's back-filling for officers dealing with wildfire evacuations. 'Last year when they went up 3-0 and then Edmonton came back, I remember thinking if they blow this, I will never ever ever ever hear the end of this. Until the day I die I will never hear the end of this from any of my buddies (or) family. In the end, the hockey gods blessed me, and the Panthers won.' Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis.
