Latest news with #NorrisTrophy
Time of India
3 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
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL trade rumor: Carolina Hurricanes eye Erik Karlsson to fuel Stanley Cup push in NHL 2025-26 season
NHL- Erik Karlsson (Credit: Getty Images) The Carolina Hurricanes are not content with just making deep playoff runs; they aspire to win the Stanley Cup. After another Eastern Conference Finals exit, the front office is reportedly exploring a major addition to finally push them over the edge. NHL insider Frank Seravalli has linked Carolina to Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, suggesting the Hurricanes may have 'spent time investigating' a deal. Top 5 Erik Karlsson Career Plays | NHL Countdown Erik Karlsson's offensive firepower remains elite despite his age At 35, Erik Karlsson may not be the all-situations defenseman he once was, but his offensive skill remains elite. The three-time Norris Trophy winner (2012, 2015, 2023) has tallied 22 goals and 109 points over the past two seasons. Even on a middling Pittsburgh Penguins team, he's shown he can still move the puck and drive offense at a high level. Erik Karlsson: Team Photo Day | Pittsburgh Penguins Adding Karlsson could reshape the defensive structure in Carolina Adding Karlsson wouldn't come without complications. His current cap hit stands at $11.5 million through 2028, a figure too large for Carolina to absorb outright. Seravalli noted that teams would only bite if the number dropped to the $7 million–$7.5 million range, meaning the Penguins would need to retain salary or involve a third party. Salary cap math is the only real obstacle for a potential blockbuster The biggest hurdle in a Karlsson trade is financial. The Hurricanes are tight on cap space and don't have any obvious expiring contracts on the blue line. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists Confirm: 60-Year-Old Sheds Fat With 4 Ingredients The Healthy Way Learn More Undo While the front office has room to maneuver, it would take creative accounting to land a player with Karlsson's salary, no matter how badly they want a Cup. Still, desperation can drive bold moves. The Florida Panthers have set the standard after back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and retaining key free agents this summer. If Carolina believes Karlsson is the difference-maker, they need to match that level, expect an aggressive push, especially if the Penguins are willing to meet halfway on salary. Karlsson may not be a perfect fit, but in the pursuit of a championship, perfection can be a negotiable goal. Also Read: Edmonton Oilers linked to $27m veteran Jonathan Marchessault, pressure mounts as Oilers eye scoring boost for NHL 2025-26 season Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
At 47, Zdeno Chára just crushed one of Europe's hardest triathlons and fans are stunned
Most athletes retire and finally take a breather. But Zdeno Chára? He's out here climbing mountains, literally. At 47, Zdeno Chára isn't chasing stats or rings anymore. He's chasing elevation, endurance, and excellence and crushing it. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For fans who watched him dominate on the ice for two decades, it's amazing to see him still thriving in a new arena. Retired NHL star Zdeno Chára takes on extreme triathlon challenge in Slovakia at age 47 Over the weekend, the 6-foot-9 former NHL defenseman completed the Oravaman Triathlon in his home country of Slovakia, and it's not your average swim-bike-run. We're talking elite-level pain: 2 km swim 86 km cycling course 19.5 km run through mountainous terrain And a jaw-dropping 3,100 meters of elevation gain Let that sink in. The guy retired from the NHL two years ago, but he's still tackling races tougher than most players would attempt in their prime. Big Z isn't just staying fit, he's rewriting the retirement playbook After 24 grueling seasons in the NHL most famously captaining the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011, you'd think Chára earned a little rest. But instead of slowing down, he's doing marathons, ultramarathons, and now triathlons in extreme terrain. And not for show. He's doing it for real. At 47. This weekend's Oravaman Triathlon is considered one of the toughest in Central Europe, held high in the Slovak mountains, where even professional triathletes struggle with the altitude and incline. But Chára, towering over the competition in a tri-suit, powered through and finished strong, smiling, no less. Zdeno Chára proves he's still a machine with savage triathlon finish in Slovakia Zdeno Chára was already a hockey icon, the tallest player in league history, a Norris Trophy winner, and one of the most respected leaders in the game. But post-retirement, he's building a new identity: as an elite endurance athlete. Whether it's pounding pavement in the Boston Marathon or climbing mountain trails in Slovakia, Chára continues to inspire by proving that greatness doesn't end when the jersey comes off. Also read -
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NHL schedule opener: Tripleheader features Panthers raising Stanley Cup banner
The NHL's 2025-26 season will open on Tuesday, Oct. 7, with a tripleheader on ESPN. The Florida Panthers will get the first time slot at 5 p.m. ET when they host the Chicago Blackhawks at Amerant Bank Arena. The Panthers will raise their Stanley Cup banner after winning a second consecutive championship. General manager Bill Zito managed to bring back the big three free agents, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad, in an attempt to win three in row. This will be the third consecutive year that the Blackhawks and Connor Bedard will play on opening night. Chicago has been on the road all three times. The Blackhawks will have a new coach in Jeff Blashill. The second game will be Pittsburgh Penguins at the New York Rangers (8 p.m. ET), with new Rangers coach Mike Sullivan going against the team he had led to Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. Sullivan replaced Peter Laviolette, who was fired when the Rangers missed the playoffs one year after finishing with the league's best record. The Penguins are rebuilding but are a draw because of Sidney Crosby, plus Evgeni Malkin, who's in the final year of his contract. Dan Muse is their new coach. The final game will be the Colorado Avalanche at the Los Angeles Kings (10:30 p.m. ET), a couple perennial playoff teams who were knocked off in the first round last season. The Avalanche feature reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar and former MVP Nathan MacKinnon. The Kings are led by Lady Byng Trophy winner Anze Kopitar. The full NHL schedule will be announced at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 16. NHL schedule opening night tripleheader Chicago Blackhawks at Florida Panthers, 5 Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Rangers, 8 Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings, 10:30 How to watch, stream 2025-26 NHL schedule opening night TV: ESPN Streaming: Fubo
Miami Herald
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Can Off-Season Changes Help These NHL Star Players Have Bounce-Back Seasons?
There are a handful of NHL stars who had a down year last season. However, given their talent and the moves their respective teams made in this off-season, the circumstances are different, and that could lead to a bounce-back season. The off-season has been in full effect for multiple weeks now, leaving plenty of time for GMs to make changes and improve their squads. These roster changes could be a key component to getting a star player back to playing the way everyone knows they can. Here are three star players who could be eyeing a bounce-back season for the 2025-26 campaign. Auston Matthews was not the same goal-scoring threat last season as he usually is. In all nine seasons Matthews has played in the NHL, last year was his worst in terms of putting the puck in the back of the net. The three-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner scored a franchise-record 69 goals in the 2023-24 campaign, but dropped down to just 33 goals last season. Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has made a couple of solid moves in the acquisitions of left winger Matias Maccelli and center Nicolas Roy. However, the off-season itself is really what Toronto's captain needed. Upon elimination from the playoffs, Matthews revealed he was playing through an injury, practically throughout the entire season. Some stretches of the season were better than others, he added. "Definitely a tough year physically," Matthews told reporters. "I'm confident with some time off and just going through my own process and treatment and everything, I'm really confident I'll be back 100 percent next season, and it's nothing for me to worry about." It was a long and tough season for the Vancouver Canucks, but no one had it worse than Elias Pettersson. From the locker-room rift with J.T. Miller to underperforming and media attention, it was a year to forget for Pettersson. In 64 games last season, the Canucks center scored 15 goals and 45 points, despite being just two years removed from a 102-point season. Aside from the 2020-21 campaign, where he played just 26 games, last season was the worst of his career. Although it was a disappointing season in Vancouver, the front office and players are betting on themselves to get back to the post-season. GM Patrik Allvin signed Thatcher Demko, Conor Garland and Brock Boeser to new contracts. Bringing back those crucial players could be a sign of encouragement for the team and Pettersson. While Matthews and Pettersson could bounce back because of off-season moves around them, Noah Dobson's chance to reset comes at the hands of being traded by the New York Islanders to the Montreal Canadiens. Dobson was traded for Emil Heineman and two first-round picks in the 2025 draft. He also signed an eight-year, $9.5-million contract as part of this sign-and-trade. After recording 70 points and finishing eighth in Norris Trophy voting two seasons ago, Dobson's production dropped off in his final campaign with the Islanders, scoring 39 points. However, the 25-year-old D-man has an excellent opportunity at hand to get back to his scoring ways. With that, he could be paired up with Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson, putting Dobson in a great position to succeed under his new team. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on Copyright The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd.
