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Otago Daily Times
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
‘Complete focus' on first game
Connor McDavid. Photo: Reuters Edmonton Oilers superstar captain Connor McDavid addressed the big picture of what lies ahead for his team as it prepares for a rematch with the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final. A few metres behind McDavid, however, was a big picture of Florida alternate captain Matthew Tkachuk celebrating with the Stanley Cup. That image, which was taken after the Panthers captured a seven-game series win over the Oilers last June, likely was fresh in McDavid's mind. McDavid will try to take the first step towards authoring a different ending when the teams play game 1 of the best-of-seven series today in Edmonton. "It can be draining just dealing with the emotion," McDavid said. "You feel closer, then there's a big circus. It can feel like it's larger than it is. "At the end of the day, it's another series, and we're playing another great team. And we'll have to beat them before anything else happens. "They have our complete focus. All of our energy is going into beating the Florida Panthers. There should be nothing else on anyone's mind." McDavid has excelled during this playoff run, recording nine of his 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in Edmonton's five-game series win over the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference finals. The three-time Hart Trophy recipient has totalled four assists in two meetings versus the Panthers this season, albeit the end result was a pair of one-goal losses for Edmonton. While all eyes will be on McDavid and fellow former Hart Trophy recipient Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers will need strong performances at the other end of the ice if they are to capture their first Stanley Cup title since 1990. Stuart Skinner, the Oilers' goaltender, has a tall task ahead of him as he squares off against two-time Vezina Trophy recipient Sergei Bobrovsky for the second straight final. "He's one of the best goalies in the world," Skinner said of Bobrovsky, who has notched one shutout in each round this spring. "He's impressive. He skates well. Technically, I don't think there's much wrong with him in my perspective. He's exceptional." The Panthers are making their third consecutive Stanley Cup appearance off strong play on the road. They are 8-2 away from home in the playoffs. — Field Level Media
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Canucks: The Thatcher Demko dilemma of injury versus durability, pay versus trade
How much is too much? If you're the Vancouver Canucks ' braintrust, assessing long-term competitiveness and compensation for starting goaltender Thatcher Demko is like the Rubik's Cube. Trying to properly align all sides can be tedious. At his best, Demko is among the NHL's elite stoppers, and a Vezina Trophy finalist nomination in 2024 spoke to superiority when healthy. In 51 games in 2023-24, before being sidelined by a freak popliteus knee-muscle strain, he posted career-best 2.45 goals-against average, .918 saves percentage and five shutouts. And there's the rub. 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. From career hip, groin and knee ailments — plus that mysterious popliteus predicament at back of his knee in April of 2024 — a string of setbacks have tested the resolve to endure arduous rehabilitations. Demko did the work and nothing is impeding preparation for a heightened level of readiness next season. However, it's the unknown that makes durability and contract-extension parameters a double dilemma for management. Demko, 29, has a year remaining on his expiring extension at a $5-million US salary-cap hit, and his camp can start talking contract on July 1. But it would be prudent for the Canucks to first see how Demko starts the 2025-26 season. Could that popliteus problem pop up again? Or is it something athletes can play through and manage? 'It's such a rare injury, but it could occur again if he were to have a movement or contact that causes the injury,' B.C. physician Dr. Harjas Grewal told Postmedia on Monday. 'Some of the ways it could happen are direct contact to the outer knee, or even just rotation of his knee while it's flexed. 'Most muscles in the leg work to move the knee forward and backward. The popliteus is unique and important in starting flexion of the knee. To get into a butterfly, or any other position, the initial bending of the knee is initiated by the popliteus. 'These types of plays happen a lot, and this injury is so rare that it would shock me to happen again. In terms of prevention, there's not much he could do outside of regular strengthening exercises and ensuring he has good mobility. 'Managing his workload helps to reduce risk, but that's true for essentially all muscular injuries.' Demko missed 15 games this season with an undisclosed Feb. 8 ailment, but had an encouraging run before that setback. A 3-1-1 run featured an encouraging 1.25 GAA, .952 saves percentage, and a shutout. How the Canucks' crease conundrum plays out is like that Rubik's Cube. Kevin Lankinen, 30, has a five-year extension at $4.5 million in annual average value kicking in next season. And Arturs Silovs , 24, has a year left on his deal at $850,000 before becoming a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. However, Silovs is not waiver-exempt next season, and that's where it gets interesting in the big picture. In theory, Demko and Lankinen form the tandem and Silovs gets more seasoning in Abbotsford. The Canucks could carry three stoppers, but that's awkward for practice, playing time and taking up a roster spot. The kicker is what Demko's camp believes is a fair extension. He wants to remain in Vancouver and has put up numbers than warrant a market-value raise. Salary is negotiable, but length will be an obstacle. Demko would obviously want long-term security and the Canucks could play the caution card. Linus Ullmark, 31, could be a contract comparable. He had an expiring cap hit of $5 million this season and then his four-year, $33-million extension kicks in with the Ottawa Senators. It carries an $8.25 million cap hit. Ullmark has played 297 career regular-season games with a 2.54 GAA., .917 saves percentage and 13 shutouts. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2023. Demko has logged 242 games with a 2.80 GAA., .910 percentage and nine shutouts. The Canucks could also consider a trade because Demko doesn't have movement protections, but that's a very slippery slope. Lankinen and Silovs might not measure up as a reliable duo, even if healthy. Lankinen did hit career highs this season for wins (25), GAA (2.62), and shutouts (four) in 51 games. But he had struggles in March by allowing four, five and six goals in sub-standard outings. That's where workload and another veteran to share the cage is vital. Lankinen did set an NHL record by winning his first 10 road starts, so the good far outweighs the concerns. As for Silovs, he has had a season of AHL rejuvenation — especially with five postseason shutouts to get Abbotsford to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history — but how that plays out in the NHL is the big unknown. Silovs was suspect in an NHL season opening 6-5 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames on home ice, a nervous night where the Canucks blew 3-0 and 4-1 leads. It wasn't any better in a 6-0 drubbing by the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 31 in which Silovs faced just 22 shots. It all led to a 2-6-1 record, bloated 3.65 GAA and paltry .861 saves percentage. He had to learn to calm down an aggressive and acrobatic game, control rebounds and track pucks better from a distance and through screens. To his credit, he did finish this AHL regular season with a 14-5-1 mark, 2.41 GAA, .908 saves percentage and five shutouts. bkuzma@
The Province
2 days ago
- Business
- The Province
Canucks: The Thatcher Demko dilemma of injury versus durability, pay versus trade
"To get into any position, initial bending of the knee is initiated by the popliteus. These plays happen a lot and this injury is so rare that it would shock me to happen again." — B.C. physician Dr. Harjas Grewal Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Paul Cotter of the Devils is denied by Thatcher Demko during second period of a 4-3 shootout win by the Canucks on March 24 in Newark, N.J. Photo by Elsa / Getty Images How much is too much? 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 top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, 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 top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, 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 If you're the Vancouver Canucks' braintrust, assessing long-term competitiveness and compensation for starting goaltender Thatcher Demko is like the Rubik's Cube. Trying to properly align all sides can be tedious. At his best, Demko is among the NHL's elite stoppers, and a Vezina Trophy finalist nomination in 2024 spoke to superiority when healthy. In 51 games in 2023-24, before being sidelined by a freak popliteus knee-muscle strain, he posted career-best 2.45 goals-against average, .918 saves percentage and five shutouts. And there's the rub. From career hip, groin and knee ailments — plus that mysterious popliteus predicament at back of his knee in April of 2024 — a string of setbacks have tested the resolve to endure arduous rehabilitations. Demko did the work and nothing is impeding preparation for a heightened level of readiness next season. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. 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. However, it's the unknown that makes durability and contract-extension parameters a double dilemma for management. Demko, 29, has a year remaining on his expiring extension at a $5-million US salary-cap hit, and his camp can start talking contract on July 1. But it would be prudent for the Canucks to first see how Demko starts the 2025-26 season. Could that popliteus problem pop up again? Or is it something athletes can play through and manage? Forward Alex Killorn of the Ducks is denied by Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko and the post during April 5 meeting at Rogers Arena. Photo by Rich Lam / Getty Images 'It's such a rare injury, but it could occur again if he were to have a movement or contact that causes the injury,' B.C. physician Dr. Harjas Grewal told Postmedia on Monday. 'Some of the ways it could happen are direct contact to the outer knee, or even just rotation of his knee while it's flexed. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Most muscles in the leg work to move the knee forward and backward. The popliteus is unique and important in starting flexion of the knee. To get into a butterfly, or any other position, the initial bending of the knee is initiated by the popliteus. 'These types of plays happen a lot, and this injury is so rare that it would shock me to happen again. In terms of prevention, there's not much he could do outside of regular strengthening exercises and ensuring he has good mobility. 'Managing his workload helps to reduce risk, but that's true for essentially all muscular injuries.' Demko missed 15 games this season with an undisclosed Feb. 8 ailment, but had an encouraging run before that setback. A 3-1-1 run featured an encouraging 1.25 GAA, .952 saves percentage, and a shutout. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. How the Canucks' crease conundrum plays out is like that Rubik's Cube. Kevin Lankinen, 30, has a five-year extension at $4.5 million in annual average value kicking in next season. And Arturs Silovs, 24, has a year left on his deal at $850,000 before becoming a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. However, Silovs is not waiver-exempt next season, and that's where it gets interesting in the big picture. In theory, Demko and Lankinen form the tandem and Silovs gets more seasoning in Abbotsford. The Canucks could carry three stoppers, but that's awkward for practice, playing time and taking up a roster spot. The kicker is what Demko's camp believes is a fair extension. He wants to remain in Vancouver and has put up numbers than warrant a market-value raise. Salary is negotiable, but length will be an obstacle. Demko would obviously want long-term security and the Canucks could play the caution card. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Linus Ullmark, 31, could be a contract comparable. He had an expiring cap hit of $5 million this season and then his four-year, $33-million extension kicks in with the Ottawa Senators. It carries an $8.25 million cap hit. Ullmark has played 297 career regular-season games with a 2.54 GAA., .917 saves percentage and 13 shutouts. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2023. Demko has logged 242 games with a 2.80 GAA., .910 percentage and nine shutouts. The Canucks could also consider a trade because Demko doesn't have movement protections, but that's a very slippery slope. Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen blocks a shot during second period of meeting with Golden Knights on Feb. 22 in Las Vegas. Photo by John Locher (AP Photo/John Loc / AP Lankinen and Silovs might not measure up as a reliable duo, even if healthy. Lankinen did hit career highs this season for wins (25), GAA (2.62), and shutouts (four) in 51 games. But he had struggles in March by allowing four, five and six goals in sub-standard outings. That's where workload and another veteran to share the cage is vital. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Lankinen did set an NHL record by winning his first 10 road starts, so the good far outweighs the concerns. As for Silovs, he has had a season of AHL rejuvenation — especially with five postseason shutouts to get Abbotsford to the Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history — but how that plays out in the NHL is the big unknown. Silovs was suspect in an NHL season opening 6-5 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames on home ice, a nervous night where the Canucks blew 3-0 and 4-1 leads. It wasn't any better in a 6-0 drubbing by the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 31 in which Silovs faced just 22 shots. It all led to a 2-6-1 record, bloated 3.65 GAA and paltry .861 saves percentage. He had to learn to calm down an aggressive and acrobatic game, control rebounds and track pucks better from a distance and through screens. To his credit, he did finish this AHL regular season with a 14-5-1 mark, 2.41 GAA, .908 saves percentage and five shutouts. bkuzma@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Sports Vancouver Canucks News News
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Stanley Cup final spotlight: Can Stuart Skinner outperform Sergei Bobrovsky in the net?
Image Via Twitter The Stanley Cup Final is not just about power forward matchups or blue line strategies this year, as all the spotlight is on goaltending. While the Oilers and Panthers prepare for their second consecutive championship face-off, goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky and Stuart Skinner are at the heart of this bitter battle. With glories, reputations, redemption, and the Cup at stake, this goaltending matchup has the potential to become the deciding factor in this year's NHL showdown. Sergei Bobrovsky's legacy vs Stuart Skinner's potential: A clash of two paths With a series to his name, Bobrovsky has a mountain of accomplishments and a legacy that speaks volumes in support of him. A two-time Vezina Trophy winner, Stanley Cup champion, and multiple-time All-Star, Bob's career has been built on consistent excellence and clutch playoff performances. Long-standing .914 save percentage in the NHL for him reflects not just talent but longevity at the highest level. He is not just a seasoned vet; he is a performer whose performance counts at crucial moments. Stuart Skinner is perhaps still carving his path. The young goaltender showed much potential in his rookie year and had a brief, strong push for the Calder Trophy. Yet, since the road has been rocky, the most interesting aspect about his trajectory has been the change. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cruceros todo incluido casi gratis (Ver ofertas) Ofertas de Cruceros | Anuncios Publicitarios Undo His save percentage has sloped downwards to its current state of .896. It has, however, been through these valleys that Skinner would shine on occasion with a backbone forged likened unto the character needed in a team whose path to finally breaking the championship drought seems quite far away. In terms of postseason pedigree, Bobrovsky has the advantage. He has posted a 0.911 save percentage in the playoffs since 2023 while leading all active goaltenders in shutouts in the same span, establishing himself as the goaltender who performs well in the big games. The young netminder Skinner, on the other hand, having dealt with benchings and inconsistencies throughout his postseason journey, also managed to grow deeper into the playoffs in ways that only made his presence indispensable in Edmonton's push. The recent form from both sides has made this an intriguing battle. As Bobrovsky had been dominant through the Eastern Conference Final, Skinner bounced back in a huge way in the Western series. Both goalies enter the Final with momentum, which will certainly be one of the most exciting subplots of the series. Also Read: "Never leave Stu': Stuart Skinner wins fans over with emotional post-game moment after Oilers' Game 4 victory While Stuart Skinner's emergence makes for some intrigue, Sergei Bobrovsky's elite experience and postseason credentials tilt the scales in his favor. In a championship where outcomes are decided on inches, Bobrovsky's poise could very well be the difference-maker.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NHL Awards Show To Air On June 12 Starring Old Spice, 'Cross' Actor Isaiah Mustafa
A view of the trophies on stage at the 2023 NHL Awards in Nashville. (Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images) This year's NHL Awards show will be a one-hour special before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup final. The NHL said the show will highlight all award winners this season. Most of them are expected to be announced before the program airs on June 12 at 6 p.m. ET on TNT in the United States and Sportsnet in Canada. Advertisement Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was already announced as this year's winner of the Selke Trophy and King Clancy Trophy. He received both awards in a team meeting when patients of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital made a surprise visit. Those surprise video announcements will continue leading up to the show. The program itself is expected to announce the winners of the Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy. Isaiah Mustafa will host the NHL Awards show. The actor and former professional football player starred in Old Spice commercials such as "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like," which included surprise twists, including him going from a washroom setting to a beach riding a horse in one shot. Mustafa, a Los Angeles Kings fan, currently stars in Prime Video's crime thriller series Cross. Advertisement After Mustafa wraps up the awards show, there will be an hour until the 8 p.m. ET start time for Game 4 of the Cup final between the Edmonton Oilers and Panthers. Oilers center Leon Draisaitl is one of the three finalists for the Hart Trophy, which goes to the NHL's most valuable player. Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Tampa Bay Lightning right winger Nikita Kucherov are the other finalists. No goalies on the Oilers or Panthers are finalists for the Vezina Trophy, which goes to the goaltender of the year. Hellebuyck is up for that award as well as Kings netminder Darcy Kuemper and the Lightning's Andrei Vasilevskiy. 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
