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National Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Maple Leafs need to keep Easton Cowan and give him a legitimate shot
If Brad Treliving feels the urge to include Easton Cowan in a trade this summer, the Maple Leafs general manager should resist it. Article content Article content Strongly. The Leafs have to have some sort of hope for the future in regard to their prospects at forward, don't they? Article content The cold reality is that Cowan, fresh off being named the most valuable player in the 2025 Memorial Cup after the London Knights beat the Medicine Hat Tigers in the final in Rimouski, Que., on Sunday night, stands alone in Toronto's prospect pool. Article content The date of March 7 was pivotal for the Leafs as it related to its group of youngsters who could one day play in the National Hockey League. Article content At the trade deadline, Treliving included centre Fraser Minten in a swap with the Boston Bruins to get defenceman Brandon Carlo and, when he acquired forward Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers, winger Nikita Grebenkin was part of the package that went to Philly. Article content Article content With Minten and Grebenkin gone, there's quite a drop from Cowan to the next forwards who the Leafs might look to one day to make an impact. Article content But as for the group that includes Jacob Quillan, Miroslav Holinka, Nick Moldenhauer, Joe Miller and Roni Hirvonen, it might be a stretch to assume that any of them will one day become full-time Leafs. It's too early to say what Luke Haymes and Ryan Kirwan, both signed out of college this past year, could eventually provide. Article content Cowan easily is the best of the bunch. What kind of NHL player the 20-year-old eventually develops into is to be determined, yet how can there not be a solid foundation of optimism for someone who has been dominant in the past two Ontario Hockey League seasons? Article content Article content At his end-of-season media availability last week, Treliving made the comment that 'champions have the ability to be calm and at their very best when it matters the most.' Article content Article content It was in reference to the Florida Panthers and Treliving acknowledged that the Leafs have to find improvement in that regard (no kidding). Article content The gap between major junior hockey to the NHL undoubtedly is significant. Still, the fact that Cowan, with the Knights, fits Treliving's champion thoughts to a T has to be a source of encouragement for the organization as a whole. Article content This year, Cowan led the OHL in playoff scoring, leading London to a five-game win against the Oshawa Generals in the final, and led the Memorial Cup in scoring on the way to being named tournament MVP.
New York Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Flyers 2025-26 depth chart 1.0: Will any rookies make the opening-night roster?
It's been just over two years since Daniel Briere became the Philadelphia Flyers' full-time general manager and the rebuild officially began. That means the fruits of the unpleasant labor over the past two seasons, in which Briere has subtracted from the NHL team much more than he has added, in the name of rebuilding the system, should finally start to appear. Advertisement It's going to be gradual, though. A glance at the depth chart shows that there's no guarantee the Flyers will begin the 2025-26 season with any rookies on their roster. But, there will inevitably be at least a few NHL debuts at some point, particularly now that most of their 2022 and 2023 draft classes, the latter of which was Briere's first, are turning pro. So before the offseason gets going — and with it, the possibility of a blockbuster deal that Briere will have to execute at some point, maybe even sooner than later — let's review just what the Flyers have, position-by-position. We'll revisit the roster closer to training camp in September, likely after some changes. The Flyers' weakest position when we did this one year ago only got worse once the team traded Morgan Frost and Scott Laughton mid-season. Depending on how you view Sean Couturier, there's an argument that this group lacks both a No. 1 and a No. 2. It isn't all bad, though. Noah Cates' dramatic improvement after Thanksgiving likely puts him in line for a multi-year contract extension that could cement his role as the No. 3 center, either next season or in the future. Ryan Poehling was also one of the few bright spots down the stretch, finishing with a career-high 31 points in 68 games, a fine total for a fourth-liner. Even Couturier, whose pace of play is still a concern sometimes, seemed to get a boost after John Tortorella's firing (probably not a coincidence, considering those two did not see eye-to-eye). As far as depth goes, the Flyers recently re-signed Rodrigo Abols to a one-year extension after he played in 22 games this season, and Karsen Dorwart came in as a college free agent. But those two don't move the needle a whole lot at this point. The real wild card here is Jett Luchanko, the 2024 first-round pick who may or may not be NHL-ready. Advertisement The primary reason Luchanko made the Flyers this season as a rookie was because Tortorella valued his skating, coupled with concerns at the time about Cates' development and Couturier's diminishing foot speed. But with Rick Tocchet now in place and better play coming from the other two, perhaps the Flyers opt to be extra patient with the 18-year-old (yes, he's still just 18), and assign him back to his junior club for one more year. If Briere can bring in another center this offseason, there may not be any room for Luchanko, anyway, and, if that hypothetical add is a true top-six center, suddenly the Flyers' depth here doesn't look so awful. This is the Flyers' strongest and deepest position. Travis Konecny's eight-year extension kicks in next season, while Matvei Michkov, despite not being a finalist for the Calder Trophy, exceeded expectations during his rookie campaign and will only get better. Something to keep an eye on is whether Tocchet keeps the two of them on the same line with Konecny on the left, like how interim Brad Shaw deployed them with some measure of success late in the year. Bobby Brink took a big step forward with a 41-point season, firmly establishing himself as a top-nine contributor, while Garnet Hathaway still fulfilled his role as a physical depth guy/penalty-killer. All four are pretty much assured spots on the opening-night roster. As far as the depth players go, Zayde Wisdom stands above the rest here. He'll be someone to watch during training camp after he remarkably went from three points in 49 games with the Phantoms in 2023-24 to 13 goals and 32 points in 69 games this season and developed into one of their most complete players. A fourth-round pick in 2020, Wisdom has surpassed other prospects, including Samu Tuomaala, a 2021 second-round pick who has stalled. Devin Kaplan signed in April and played in the season finale, but his college career at Boston University was underwhelming. Barring some sort of blockbuster deal, the top two here are set with Owen Tippett signed for seven more seasons and Tyson Foerster on the cusp of cementing himself as a long-term piece. But it gets interesting after that. There is an opportunity here for a prospect or two to snag a job. Briere has already said Jakob Pelletier will at least be a restricted free agent, signaling their desire to keep him. He finished the season strong, particularly after the coaching change. Nicolas Deslauriers is signed for one more season and still fills a role on a developing team, but neither his nor Pelletier's position in the opening-night lineup is set in stone. Advertisement The Flyers already view Alex Bump as a prospect who could be ready for the NHL right away, while Nikita Grebenkin played seven games with the Maple Leafs this season before Philadelphia picked him up in March. Denver Barkey probably needs some AHL seasoning, but he's coming off another strong year with the OHL's London Knights. The possibility is there for one or two of them to leapfrog the more established guys. Travis Sanheim is the anchor here, of course, as the Flyers' top defenseman. He also impressed in international competition this season as part of Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off and the recent World Championships. Drysdale took some noticeable steps forward after January, and as long as he stays healthy, he could finally be on a steady path forward. Rasmus Ristolainen's status for the start of the season is now in doubt after the Flyers revealed he had triceps surgery in March. That could open the door for another big, right-handed shot to make the opening-night roster, with Grans in the driver's seat. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound defenseman had a good showing in six games in November, and he seems to be a player the Flyers like. The other guy to keep an eye on will be Oliver Bonk, who had a good but not eye-popping junior season with the London Knights. He didn't have a stellar training camp last year, either — Tortorella pointedly said at the time he 'plays too slow' — so it will be interesting to see in September how much he's improved. There's a fair amount of uncertainty with this group. Cam York should be in line for a healthy bridge deal, but contract negotiations broke off early last season. If the Flyers end up making a deal for a top-six center, they might consider parting with York in a trade. Seeler's spot is safe, as he's viewed as a leader on and off the ice, and he also has a no-trade clause through next season. He might even replace Scott Laughton as an alternate captain. But after that, there should be a decent competition to fill out the lineup. Egor Zamula had an uneven season, in and out of the lineup, as he never really took the next step. Andrae was fantastic in the early part of the season, but after getting reassigned in December and recalled in March, he didn't quite look the same down the stretch. Hunter McDonald is a prospect to keep an eye on here. He probably needs a bit more time in the AHL, but he steadily progressed throughout the Phantoms' season. If Ristolainen misses more time than expected, and the 6-foot-4 McDonald has a big summer, perhaps he gets a look with his combination of physicality and nastiness. We've buried the Flyers' goaltending enough in this space over the past little while, so let's start with something positive. Samuel Ersson continued to impress in international play at the World Championships, posting a 4-0-0 record, 1.16 goals-against average, .934 save percentage and two shutouts to help Sweden capture the bronze medal. He was also in net for the bronze medal game against Denmark. There's growing evidence that Ersson can thrive in pressure-packed situations, including his 32-save win over Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Advertisement The problem, as everyone knows by now, is that he's still the Flyers' only NHL-caliber option. Neither Ivan Fedotov nor Aleksei Kolosov should start the season on the opening-night roster, while Carson Bjarnason, a second-round pick in 2023, will need at least a year or two with the Phantoms to get his professional feet wet. Perhaps the easiest prediction for this offseason is that Briere will bring in at least one more goalie who already has significant NHL experience, either via trade or free agency. (Photo of Jett Luchanko: Derek Cain / Getty Images)
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Philadelphia Flyers benefit tremendously in Scott Laughton trade as Toronto Maple Leafs head for uncertain future
Toronto Maple Leafs (via Getty Images) The Philadelphia Flyers have potentially made one of the most one-sided trades of the NHL season, accepting highly touted winger Nikita Grebenkin and a first-round draft pick in 2027 from the Toronto Maple Leafs in return for Scott Laughton. With the Maple Leafs reeling from a devastating 6-1 defeat to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 and potentially facing a roster overhaul, the Flyers come out of this trade deadline as obvious long-term winners. Toronto Maple Leafs trade away valuable assets for lackluster Scott Laughton return as Philadelphia Flyers build future core Maple Leafs Media Availability | RD2 GM 7 Post game vs. Florida Panthers | May 18, 2025 The Toronto Maple Leafs were hoping to get grit and second-line scoring from Scott Laughton during their push for the playoffs. What they received was four points in 20 regular-season contests and zero goals in 13 postseason games, including a paltry two assists. The Philadelphia Flyers profited on Toronto's desperation by sending Laughton back for Russian winger Nikita Grebenkin, a promising young star who has played overseas, and a valuable 2027 first-round draft pick . That first-rounder may be paramount as the Flyers rebuild and look to get back into playoff contention after going several seasons without making the playoffs. In contrast, the Toronto Maple Leafs stand at the fork in the road. With Mitch Marner possibly leaving in free agency and questions about John Tavares and the remaining members of the "Core Four," Toronto's window might be closing sooner than expected. Laughton's limited production only serves to heighten the disappointment, especially since the Leafs could not advance past the second round. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hindley: If You Were Born Between 1940-1975 You Could Be Eligible For This Life Cover Reassured Get Quote Undo Salt in the wound, the Panthers traded for Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins for a mere second-round draft pick. Marchand had three points in Game 7 against Toronto — the same amount Laughton had in his entire playoff career. Also read: Toronto Maple Leafs confront hard truth as it's time to close chapter on Marner and Shanahan Era Though Scott Laughton can still find a niche in Toronto, the early returns on the deal strongly favor the Phillies. Having Nikita Grebenkin develop as planned and a future first-round draft choice, the Flyers are set to construct something worthwhile. The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, are left to consider whether their busy deadline approach cost them more than it gave them—not only now but in the future as well. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
CTV News
18-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Leafs, Maurice reflect on Scheifele's performance for Jets after father's death
Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele is seen in the third period of Game 6 against the Dallas Stars on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) TORONTO — Scott Laughton has crossed paths with Mark Scheifele through the years. As hockey players of the same Ontario vintage, they run in similar circles from time to time. Laughton, a Maple Leafs forward preparing for the biggest game of his life, was a huge Scheifele fan Saturday. He wasn't alone. The Jets centre suited up with Winnipeg facing elimination in their second-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars just hours after learning his father, Brad, had died suddenly overnight. Scheifele not only tied up his skates with a heavy heart for Game 6, he scored the Jets' only goal in a 2-1 overtime loss that ended a memorable season in the Manitoba capital. 'It's very heartbreaking,' Laughton said Sunday morning as Toronto prepared to play Game 7 of their series with the Florida Panthers. 'The courage and leadership that he showed … watched the game and saw him score the first goal. I was rooting for him.' Panthers head coach Paul Maurice, who was behind Winnipeg's bench from 2014 through 2021, opened his media availability with a statement, but politely asked reporters to refrain from any followup questions. 'The display of courage and focus for Mark to do what he did,' Maurice said of what stood out. 'And possibly an even greater display of the power of the family — the Scheifele family, but the Winnipeg Jets family for him to have played with his brothers.' Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly has competed at five international tournaments alongside Scheifele, including the 2013 world junior hockey championship and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey for Team North America. 'Something that I can't imagine,' Rielly said. 'All the credit in the world to him and his teammates and everyone in Winnipeg for pulling together. (Saturday) night and then moving forward here, we'll be thinking about Mark and his family.' Many of the Stars players took time to console Scheifele — including captain Jamie Benn, who punched him in the face in Game 5 — in the traditional post-series handshake line 'Everyone in our locker room and certainly in the hockey world is mourning and feeling for him,' Toronto centre John Tavares said. 'Incredibly difficult news, extremely sad … pretty incredible effort. 'I can only imagine how difficult it is for him right now.' Leafs head coach Craig Berube said he understands why it was important for Scheifele to play despite the emotions of the moment. 'It's a terrible situation,' he said. 'That's a tough day for everybody there.' Laughton experienced something similar to what Scheifele is going through earlier this season while playing for the Philadelphia Flyers when his father-in-law, Rocco Negri, died suddenly in January. 'It's devastating and doesn't feel real,' he said. 'My heart's with his family, but really impressive from him to play through that. You see how close the hockey world is in just the respect shown from both sides. 'I hope he finds some peace through it all.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 18, 2025. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
National Post
18-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
LEAF NOTES: First goal in a Game 7 will be followed closely
Article content The team that scores first in a Game 7 wins 75 per cent of the time, a stat that's held through 150 of the previous 200 deciding playoff matches before Sunday. Article content Article content But the Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers must also gird for the opposite scenario, playing catch-up with their season on the line. Should Toronto fall behind early, winger Steven Lorentz said his team was not going to panic, citing Game 6's methodical 2-0 win in Sunrise to extend the series. Article content 'That first goal is huge, but we're not thinking about it,' he insisted Sunday morning. 'We're here to play our game and as long as we stick to what's working for us then we're in good hands. Article content 'We believe in our system. It's a three-period, 60-minute game, which could be potentially longer, but if we do a good job finishing our checks, wearing the other team down, mistakes happen and we have the skill to capitalize on those.' Article content Scott Laughton, who last played a Game 7 in 2020 at Scotiabank Arena during the COVID bubble when this Philadelphia Flyers lost to the New York Islanders, said the Leafs shouldn't be nervous after winning what amounted to a Game 7 on Friday. Article content 'You can feel the energy in here this morning,' Laughton said. 'Whether we score first or not, stay patient.' Article content Other tidbits from NHL Stats on Game 7 before Sunday include the home team having a record of 118-82 and 52 per cent are one-goal results. Of the 50 Game 7's that required overtime, the home side held a 27-23 advantage. Article content Article content BUILT TO LAST Article content Down the hall from Lorentz and Laughton, Florida's Matthew Tkachuk was playing up the defending Stanely Cup champions' Game 7 credentials. They won the Cup in such a manner after nearly blowing a 3-0 lead to Edmonton and Tkachuk predicted the steady stream of hits directed at the Leafs since Game 1 would wear down the Buds by Sunday's conclusion Article content 'An amazing opportunity and our game is built for this,' Tkachuk said. 'We talk about it all year, we talk from training camp – 'what are you going to do to build yourself for Game 7?' Article content 'It's finally here and we get to show that off tonight. Who cares how we got here? Up two, down one. It's a one-game showdown.
