Latest news with #Leafs-Panthers
Vancouver Sun
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Todd: Auston Matthews-Jean Béliveau comparison a bridge (way) too far
Anyone who talks for a living — a TV sports host, say — is going to say foolish things from time to time. Anyone who writes for a living — a newspaper sports columnist, say — is going to write foolish things from time to time. The best you can do is to keep the imbecilic comments to a minimum. Unless, that is, you're Ron MacLean. By now, we're accustomed to MacLean's Postcards from the Land of the Gormless. Most vanish into the ether like an inert gas, unnoticed and unseen. But when Auston Matthews actually scored a goal in Game 6 of the Leafs-Panthers series (wow!) MacLean reached deep into that vat of tapioca pudding that passes for a brain … And compared Captain Peaheart with Jean Béliveau. 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. Yes, that Jean Béliveau. The man who won 10 Stanley Cups as a player and seven as an executive. Who won 24 playoff series in an era when teams played at most two or three series a year. Whose goals-per-game production actually went up in the playoffs, where the Leafs captain's goal production falls off a cliff this time of year. Béliveau was a prince among men. A man who lived most of his adult life in the same modest home in Longueuil, who answered every fan letter he ever received and signed every autograph he was asked to sign. Béliveau was, and is, the most respected individual in the history of the game. As an alleged student of hockey, MacLean ought to know that much. Matthews? He's an outstanding regular-season goal-scorer. That's it, that's all. When his team fell apart in Game 7 against Florida, Matthews demonstrated his 'leadership' by throwing his teammates into the bus. 'We had too many passengers,' Matthews told the world. Yes, Auston, you did. Starting with the captain, No. 34. Imagine Le Gros Bill pulling a stunt like that? You can't, because it wouldn't happen. Look, MacLean babbles. He can't help himself. His prattle — by turns vapid, disconnected, nonsensical, spineless, harebrained and often downright daft — is the broadcasting equivalent of tinnitus. After a while, you get used to that empty ringing in your ears. This time, he managed to insult the game, the Canadiens and the province of Quebec with one featherbrained comment. Here, for Ron's sake, are the Matthews numbers that matter: Nine seasons. Two series wins. Zero Stanley Cups. Zero Stanley Cup finals. Zero conference finals. Zero, period. Whoa, un 'ti-minute! To all those who were ready to trade Samuel Montembeault and hand his job to Jacob Fowler right out of Boston College, you might want to hold your horses. Fowler struggled in the series against the Rochester Americans, giving up four goals on 14 shots in Game 4 before he was replaced by Cayden Primeau. On Sunday evening, Primeau closed out the series in style with a 5-0 victory, an exclamation point on a stint in Laval that has reset his career. Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent was lavish with the praise he heaped on his goalie, with reason. Fowler will be fine. Unless your name is Ken Dryden or Patrick Roy, it's unlikely you're going to star in your first playoff appearance in the pros. It takes time. Primeau, meanwhile, is an interesting case. He posted a 1.96 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 26 games with Laval after being sent down, and his playoff numbers are almost identical: a 2.03 GAA, a .924 save percentage. Primeau is eligible to become a restricted free agent. He turns 26 in August. Some NHL team will have a place for him and the percentage move is to let him go. But to Primeau's credit, he has turned a slam-dunk move into a tough decision. And thanks in part to Primeau, the Rocket will be playing into June. Lies, rumours &&&& vicious innuendo: I would have paid to be on the plane with the Canadian and Danish hockey teams after Denmark eliminated Canada from the worlds. Had to be some world-class chirping going on. That's a Hunter S. Thompson piece, writing itself. … Did Matthew Tkachuk absolutely have to assault Sebastian Aho with the Panthers grinding the Canes to dust in the conference final? Does this garbage have to be part of every NHL postseason? … More than 50 games into the season and US$500 million for the Blue Jays to sign him, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has numbers you'd expect of a utility infielder — a .276 batting average, seven home runs, 23 RBIs. … They should play O Canada before every NBA playoff game. All-defence first-teamer Lu Dort of Montreal and Hamilton MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anchor Oklahoma City. SGA's cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, is battling the Thunder for the Timberwolves, while Montreal's Bennedict Mathurin and Aurora, Ont., native Andrew Nembhard check in with the Pacers. Heroes: Cayden Primeau, Pascal Vincent, David Reinbacher, Joshua Roy, Florian Xhekaj, Sidney Crosby, Marc-André Fleury, Rafa Nadal, Luguentz Dort, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard &&&& last but not least, Shaivonte Aician Gilgeous-Alexander, NBA MVP. Zeros: Ron MacLean, Auston Matthews, Brendan Shanahan, Kyle Dubas, Matt Tkachuk, Doug Cifu, Vincent Viola, Tom Dundon, Evangelos Marinakis, Wayne Gretzky, Bud Selig Jr., Claude Brochu, David Samson &&&& last but not least, Jeffrey Loria. Now and forever. @
Montreal Gazette
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Montreal Gazette
Todd: Auston Matthews-Jean Béliveau comparison a bridge (way) too far
Montreal Canadiens Anyone who talks for a living — a TV sports host, say — is going to say foolish things from time to time. Anyone who writes for a living — a newspaper sports columnist, say — is going to write foolish things from time to time. The best you can do is to keep the imbecilic comments to a minimum. Unless, that is, you're Ron MacLean. By now, we're accustomed to MacLean's Postcards from the Land of the Gormless. Most vanish into the ether like an inert gas, unnoticed and unseen. But when Auston Matthews actually scored a goal in Game 6 of the Leafs-Panthers series (wow!) MacLean reached deep into that vat of tapioca pudding that passes for a brain ... And compared Captain Peaheart with Jean Béliveau. Yes, that Jean Béliveau. The man who won 10 Stanley Cups as a player and seven as an executive. Who won 24 playoff series in an era when teams played at most two or three series a year. Whose goals-per-game production actually went up in the playoffs, where the Leafs captain's goal production falls off a cliff this time of year. Béliveau was a prince among men. A man who lived most of his adult life in the same modest home in Longueuil, who answered every fan letter he ever received and signed every autograph he was asked to sign. Béliveau was, and is, the most respected individual in the history of the game. As an alleged student of hockey, MacLean ought to know that much. Matthews? He's an outstanding regular-season goal-scorer. That's it, that's all. When his team fell apart in Game 7 against Florida, Matthews demonstrated his 'leadership' by throwing his teammates into the bus. 'We had too many passengers,' Matthews told the world. Yes, Auston, you did. Starting with the captain, No. 34. Imagine Le Gros Bill pulling a stunt like that? You can't, because it wouldn't happen. Look, MacLean babbles. He can't help himself. His prattle — by turns vapid, disconnected, nonsensical, spineless, harebrained and often downright daft — is the broadcasting equivalent of tinnitus. After a while, you get used to that empty ringing in your ears. This time, he managed to insult the game, the Canadiens and the province of Quebec with one featherbrained comment. Here, for Ron's sake, are the Matthews numbers that matter: Nine seasons. Two series wins. Zero Stanley Cups. Zero Stanley Cup finals. Zero conference finals. Zero, period. Whoa, un 'ti-minute! To all those who were ready to trade Samuel Montembeault and hand his job to Jacob Fowler right out of Boston College, you might want to hold your horses. Fowler struggled in the series against the Rochester Americans, giving up four goals on 14 shots in Game 4 before he was replaced by Cayden Primeau. On Sunday evening, Primeau closed out the series in style with a 5-0 victory, an exclamation point on a stint in Laval that has reset his career. Rocket head coach Pascal Vincent was lavish with the praise he heaped on his goalie, with reason. Fowler will be fine. Unless your name is Ken Dryden or Patrick Roy, it's unlikely you're going to star in your first playoff appearance in the pros. It takes time. Primeau, meanwhile, is an interesting case. He posted a 1.96 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 26 games with Laval after being sent down, and his playoff numbers are almost identical: a 2.03 GAA, a .924 save percentage. Primeau is eligible to become a restricted free agent. He turns 26 in August. Some NHL team will have a place for him and the percentage move is to let him go. But to Primeau's credit, he has turned a slam-dunk move into a tough decision. And thanks in part to Primeau, the Rocket will be playing into June. Lies, rumours &&&& vicious innuendo: I would have paid to be on the plane with the Canadian and Danish hockey teams after Denmark eliminated Canada from the worlds. Had to be some world-class chirping going on. That's a Hunter S. Thompson piece, writing itself. … Did Matthew Tkachuk absolutely have to assault Sebastian Aho with the Panthers grinding the Canes to dust in the conference final? Does this garbage have to be part of every NHL postseason? … More than 50 games into the season and US$500 million for the Blue Jays to sign him, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has numbers you'd expect of a utility infielder — a .276 batting average, seven home runs, 23 RBIs. … They should play O Canada before every NBA playoff game. All-defence first-teamer Lu Dort of Montreal and Hamilton MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander anchor Oklahoma City. SGA's cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, is battling the Thunder for the Timberwolves, while Montreal's Bennedict Mathurin and Aurora, Ont., native Andrew Nembhard check in with the Pacers. Heroes: Cayden Primeau, Pascal Vincent, David Reinbacher, Joshua Roy, Florian Xhekaj, Sidney Crosby, Marc-André Fleury, Rafa Nadal, Luguentz Dort, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard &&&& last but not least, Shaivonte Aician Gilgeous-Alexander, NBA MVP. Zeros: Ron MacLean, Auston Matthews, Brendan Shanahan, Kyle Dubas, Matt Tkachuk, Doug Cifu, Vincent Viola, Tom Dundon, Evangelos Marinakis, Wayne Gretzky, Bud Selig Jr., Claude Brochu, David Samson &&&& last but not least, Jeffrey Loria. Now and forever.
Edmonton Journal
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Todd: Auston Matthews-Jean Béliveau comparison a bridge (way) too far
Article content But when Auston Matthews actually scored a goal in Game 6 of the Leafs-Panthers series (wow!) MacLean reached deep into that vat of tapioca pudding that passes for a brain … And compared Captain Peaheart with Jean Béliveau. Yes, that Jean Béliveau. The man who won 10 Stanley Cups as a player and seven as an executive. Who won 24 playoff series in an era when teams played at most two or three series a year. Whose goals-per-game production actually went up in the playoffs, where the Leafs captain's goal production falls off a cliff this time of year. Béliveau was a prince among men. A man who lived most of his adult life in the same modest home in Longueuil, who answered every fan letter he ever received and signed every autograph he was asked to sign. Béliveau was, and is, the most respected individual in the history of the game. As an alleged student of hockey, MacLean ought to know that much.
Ottawa Citizen
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Todd: Auston Matthews-Jean Béliveau comparison a bridge (way) too far
Article content Anyone who talks for a living — a TV sports host, say — is going to say foolish things from time to time. Article content Article content Anyone who writes for a living — a newspaper sports columnist, say — is going to write foolish things from time to time. The best you can do is to keep the imbecilic comments to a minimum. Article content Unless, that is, you're Ron MacLean. By now, we're accustomed to MacLean's Postcards from the Land of the Gormless. Most vanish into the ether like an inert gas, unnoticed and unseen. Article content Article content But when Auston Matthews actually scored a goal in Game 6 of the Leafs-Panthers series (wow!) MacLean reached deep into that vat of tapioca pudding that passes for a brain … And compared Captain Peaheart with Jean Béliveau. Article content Article content Yes, that Jean Béliveau. The man who won 10 Stanley Cups as a player and seven as an executive. Who won 24 playoff series in an era when teams played at most two or three series a year. Whose goals-per-game production actually went up in the playoffs, where the Leafs captain's goal production falls off a cliff this time of year. Article content Béliveau was a prince among men. A man who lived most of his adult life in the same modest home in Longueuil, who answered every fan letter he ever received and signed every autograph he was asked to sign. Article content Béliveau was, and is, the most respected individual in the history of the game. As an alleged student of hockey, MacLean ought to know that much. Article content Article content Matthews? He's an outstanding regular-season goal-scorer. That's it, that's all. When his team fell apart in Game 7 against Florida, Matthews demonstrated his 'leadership' by throwing his teammates into the bus. 'We had too many passengers,' Matthews told the world. Yes, Auston, you did. Starting with the captain, No. 34. Article content Imagine Le Gros Bill pulling a stunt like that? You can't, because it wouldn't happen. Article content Look, MacLean babbles. He can't help himself. His prattle — by turns vapid, disconnected, nonsensical, spineless, harebrained and often downright daft — is the broadcasting equivalent of tinnitus. After a while, you get used to that empty ringing in your ears.
Edmonton Journal
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
'Terrible decision': Oilers fans rage against Sportsnet changing out Michaels/Debrusk for Western final
This in from Sportsnet, news that the regular Edmonton Oilers broadcast crew of play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels and game analyst Louie Debrusk will not call the Dallas-Edmonton series, with the network instead going with Chris Cuthbert and Craig Simpson, who did the Leafs-Panthers series. The reaction online in Edmonton was immediate and angry: Oilers fan alicia ^^^ 😆 @leashadawg don't forget to pray to the hockey gods for jack michaels and louie debrusk to call round 3 🙏 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by David Staples, Keith Gerein and others, Oilers news from Cult of Hockey, Ask EJ Anything features, the Noon News Roundup and Under the Dome newsletters. Unlimited online access to Edmonton Journal and 15 news sites with one account. Edmonton Journal ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Edmonton sports writer Terry Jones @byterryjones Edmonton fans main interest in tonight's Toronto Maple Leafs Game 7? Whether they get ex-CBC Edmonton. Sportscaster Chris Cuthbert and Oiler Stanley Cup era Craig Simpson or current crew of Jack Michaels, Lou Debrusk and. Gene Principe calling games. Hockey fan Adam Williams @AdamScottWilly Not to take anything away from these broadcasters, but Jack Michaels and Debrusk are the voice of the Oilers. It's really unfortunate and disappointing the fans won't get to hear their call and passion! Disappointed fan here! Oilers play-by-play announcer Jack Michaels @EdmontonJack Appreciate the kind words from everyone watching on Sportsnet all year—and please continue as Gene nPrincipe has the West Final alongside CC & Simmer. Pleased to be rejoining Bob Stauffer on CHEDn880 after superb work from Cam Moon all season. Tune in & sync!' Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Oilers fan DougieDman @OilDoug So you take away the Oilers play by play team for the Leafs play by play team? Really? You don't care what Oiler fans want. Hockey fan Jim Roy @GutshotJimmy SportsNet, DeBrusk and Michaels are obviously the favourites of Oilers fans. The only reason you get to cover this game is due to bribes basically. Pander to Toronto as usual and continue to be awful. Edmonton hockey blogger Jackie Bondurant x-JB 🇨🇦 @JackieBee_16 BOOOOOOOO!!! … You really screwed the pooch on this one Sportsnet Hockey fan Sunny 🏴 @Takhar77 Oilers fans get Jack Michaels pouring his heart out every single shift. Leafs fans get Craig Simpson lobbying for suspensions. Hockey commentator Nathan 'Grav' Murdock @NathanGraviteh Jack Michaels is becoming my GOAT of hockey commentators as the years go by. Dude has me locked onto the screen for every shot attempt. The passion is intoxicating. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Leafs fan Darcy Armstrong @DArm91 Oilers whining. Consider yourselves lucky you even got Jack Michael's your homer commentator for 2 rounds let alone even 1 this year. Kamloops hockey radio host Jon Keen @JonKeenNLSports The National audience finally got a significant taste of Jack Michaels in the playoffs and he did this thing. Hopefully it leads to more down the road. Oilers/Stars will get the #1 booth team of Cuthbert/Simpson. Oilers fan TheOilersHankHill @HankOilers Was hoping you would continue on TV. We are spoiled here in Oil country with you calling our games, it was nice to see you get the attention from around the league. I'll definitely sync with you and Bob. Go Oil Oilers fan Joe Bart @bartman4444 That is brutal news, wanted you guys the whole way to the cup. You guys deserve it! Best in the business! Oilers fan Wayne Nelson 🏒 🇨🇦 @nelsonaw78 I am saddened that you won't be calling round 3. To be able to bring extra energy into a playoff game that is already bubbling over with it is a talent very few play by play people have. Keep up the phenomenal work, I know 880 ched will be blaring loudly across Alberta. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Oilers fan Trent Wilhauk @TheMrWilhauk Thanks Sportsnet …. You blew it again….. In case you have not noticed, nobody wants these two…. Oilers fans want Jack & Louie….. not the Toronto homers …. Terrible decision Hockey commentator Tough Call Podcast🎙️ 🇨🇦 @ToughCallPod How can anyone have heard Jack and Louie through two Oilers playoff rounds and still think it would be a good idea to shut them down? Oilers fan Sbb @Stevenbradleyb You've been great Jack! Look forward to tuning in to ched to listen ! Oilers fan Justin Sinkevich @Gphumanbeing I will be using Sportsnet to see Gene then but will have every other second MUTED and synced to CHED. Oilers fan Mike D. @boarderman8 Worst decision they could've made. If the leafs didn't suck so damn much then we could have good broadcasters for the playoffs. Now we're stuck with two old guys who haven't watched any Oilers hockey all year. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ace @ashwetz Sportsnet doesn't care about Edmonton subscribers. I hate this monopoly Oilers fan Z @ZZibby07 Jack and Louie are the voice of the Oilers Sportsnet. With all due respect, Chris and Craig should stay in their lane and step aside. Every year when their team gets knocked out they take over for someone else's team. Can you see how people perceive this decision? Oilers fan Breakin' Boomsie! 🇨🇦⚡️🚘🚁 🛫🏍️🏒 @BreakinBoomsie You guys are terrible at reading the PR room. Oilers fan ForgotAboutDrai™ @ShawnMichaud Can't get more out of touch with the community, shame on you sportsnet. Oilers fan Scott Kaufmann @ScottKaufmann7 Booooooo! We want Lou and Jack!!!!! Oilers fan Trent Ferguson 🍎 @tfer68 This is bullsh*t. We get punished, because the Leafs suck. Oilers fan kris hall @krishall03 Can we please have Jack and Louie continue with the Oilers. This needs to be looked at moving forward Oilers fan Ryan @ryankellytv Cuthbert and Simpson are boring. Jack and Lou are what is needed. Quit holding onto dinosaur broadcasters. Give what the people want. Not what Toronto wants. One Dad @OneDadsFinance I can't believe we are getting the Toronto broadcast. Sucks Oilers fan Justin Sinkevich @Gphumanbeing F*ck you Sportsnet. More to come… Politics Cult of Hockey Cult of Hockey Sports Politics
