Latest news with #Wild
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Top teams gear up for ice war
SkyCity Stampede's Connor Harrison helps Mako's Markus MacDonald get some air time during the teams' game in Queenstown last Saturday. PHOTO: SUPPLIED There was a risk Friday night's game between the SkyCity Stampede and Auckland Mako development ice hockey teams was going to end up with a cricket score. At the final whistle it was 11-2, to the home side, the Stampede having piled on 6 goals in the first 20 minutes, courtesy of Jack Robbie, Jett McCullum, Taylor Clark and two apiece from Axel Ruski-Jones and Colin McIntosh. Ruski-Jones found the net twice more in the second period while Max Macharg restarted the scoring in the third, McIntosh got his trifecta and Connor Harrison slotted one in, too, with the Mako's second goal coming in the last minute. Additionally, McIntosh led the assists with four, followed by Dylan Devlin (3), Connor Harrison, Callum Burns and Jordan Challis (2 each), and Ben Harford, Taylor Clark, Jessie Hutchins, Blake Campbell and Jack Robbie (1 each). While Stampede still enjoyed a comfortable 6-1 win on Saturday (Harrison, 2, Nolan Ross, 2, Ollie Ruski-Jones and Axel Ruski-Jones, 1 each), Mako, primarily comprising emerging players from the Stampede, Phoenix Thunder and Canterbury Red Devils, managed to save 57 of the shots on goal. Points from that round don't count in the NZ Ice Hockey League, in which the Stampede and West Auckland Admirals are in joint first place — the titans will play each other, in Auckland, next weekend. In the New Zealand Women's Ice Hockey League, the Wakatipu Wild had a hard-fought 4-2 win over the Phoenix Thunder in Dunedin last Saturday, and a reverse of fortunes last Sunday. In the first game, Caitlin 'Judy' Heale got the Wild on the board, assisted by Kelli Burstein and Kellye Nelson, before the Thunder answered back. Nelson put the Wild back in front in the second period, assisted by Heale and Caitlyn Hollyer, but the Thunder equalised again at the beginning of the third. But two unanswered goals from the Wild — from Inge Kemp and Burstein, assisted by Nelson and Heale — got the job done. On Sunday the Wild lost 3-1 — their only goal coming from Kemp, assisted by Bobbie Weeks and Gabby Mills, in the second period. The Wild, in second on the table behind Auckland, have two weekends off before playing Canterbury, in Queenstown, on June 13 and 14.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Minnesota Wild Youngster Is Going To Be Well-Paid This Summer -- But It Shouldn't Be By The Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres have their own collection of restricted free agent players to deal with this summer -- most notably, defenseman Bowen Byram and left winger J.J. Peterka -- and although the Sabres have more than enough salary cap space to make a splash ($23.2 million, as per Puck Pedia), one looming RFA who is getting a lot of attention of late is one they should absolutely steer clear of. We're talking about Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old Austrian had a solid season for Minnesota this year, setting new personal bests in goals (24), assists (36) and points (60), but there's a reason why his name has cropped up in media speculation: when the Wild had to put their best lineup together for their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Rossi was relegated to the fourth line, averaging only 11:08 of ice time. Rossi did post two goals and three points in six playoff games, but the prevailing sentiment is that he's going to be parting ways with the Wild either via trade, offer-sheet, or both. Given that Rossi made a relatively-modest $863,334 this season, he's bound to get a considerable raise on his next deal. But why should the Sabres -- not exactly the most physically-imposing team in the NHL -- want to add a 5-foot-9 forward to the mix? Besides, Buffalo has its share of youngsters, and giving up the type of assets the Wild would want (a first-round draft pick and a decent prospect) does not seem to be a wise move for the Sabres. No one is saying Rossi isn't talented. He's not close to his prime yet, and a 30-goal year certainly isn't out of the question for him in the future. But considering where the Sabres are in their competitve development, adding a youngster who couldn't be a meaningful part of an up-and-coming Wild team isn't a move that many legitimate playoff teams would make, at least in the short-term. The Sabres need someone with more experience than Rossi can offer right now. They don't need to surrender picks and prospects when they've got youngsters in-house who should get a longer look at the NHL level. Let some other team take a chance on Rossi, as Buffalo doesn't need to take that risk at the moment. Here's Why Oilers' Clutch Player Needs To Be A Free-Agent Target For Sabres In their current playoff push, the Edmonton Oilers have received contributions from throughout the lineup. But one player -- albeit a currently-injured player -- is someone the Buffalo Sabres ought to be targeting when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. The Sabres did have success with another Austrian native -- former star winger Thomas Vanek -- but in this case, they should be leaving well enough alone and focusing their efforts on acquiring a more proven commodity than Rossi. He's going to be well-compensated by one team or another this summer, but Rossi almost assuredly won't be coming to Buffalo. The risk/reward of adding someone who, for all we know, could take a backward or lateral step this coming season just doesn't make sense for the Sabres. So put away those Buffalo jerseys with 'Rossi' on the nameplate. He's not going to be a Sabre, and that's not a bad thing for where Buffalo is in its development.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Wild offseason needs: How Minnesota measures up to NHL conference finalists
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The path seems arduous. Think about the Central Division — from the Dallas Stars, who are in another conference final, to the Avalanche, who usually reload, and top-seed Winnipeg. The Utah Mammoth have an impressive young core and the Nashville Predators aren't likely to belly flop again. Advertisement So, where do the Minnesota Wild fit among the Western Conference contenders? They went from the best record in the league in mid-December to just sneaking into the playoffs after a dramatic win in the season finale. But the oh-so-close loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round did feel different than the others in the last decade. 'I don't think there's any question this is a team on the rise,' said former NHL GM Craig Button. On the rise, sure, but how close to actually making a run? This pivotal summer will have a lot to do with it. GM and president of hockey operations Bill Guerin is armed with $16.4 million and a potentially valuable trade chip in Marco Rossi to bolster his roster. There are needs, for sure, and to figure out where, we used Dom Luszczyszyn's Net Rating model to compare the state of the Wild roster to the average roster of the NHL's four conference finalists. This snapshot of the Wild roster is a bit incomplete, considering Rossi's possible departure, plus some rookies slated to make the lineup in Zeev Buium, Danila Yurov and Liam Ohgren. The ratings here are based on what they contributed during the 2024-25 season. For Buium, it was his college numbers at the University of Denver; for Yurov, we used replacement-level stats as he's coming from the KHL. But it provides a picture of how the Wild compare to the average roster from the four teams that won two playoff rounds: the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers. The Net Rating model has a long track record of demonstrating predictive value, and even though it's imperfect, there's some reliability in how it can put into perspective what individual players are contributing to the team's success from an offensive and defensive standpoint. We based this on the idea that the Wild would not re-sign pending unrestricted free agents Gustav Nyquist, Justin Brazeau, Marcus Johansson and Jon Merrill. Declan Chisholm is a restricted free agent, though if he's re-signed, he could end up a seventh defenseman with Buium jumping into the lineup. Advertisement What stands out right away is how well the Wild match up to the top teams in terms of how they defend. Their overall rating of 18.9 tops the average of the four conference finalists, with a stick tap to the forward group of stout two-way players like Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek and Marcus Foligno. The defensive rating for the Wild's blue line, despite a minus-4.3 rating for Zach Bogosian and a minus-1.7 rating for Jake Middleton, is 6.4, above the 4.4 for the conference finalists. The defense, as Guerin has put it, is pretty much set. What does need some work, and perhaps some significant help, is the offensive support in the forward group beyond Kaprizov and Boldy. The average conference finalist has two forwards in the elite category, meaning above the 11 in net rating. The Wild pretty much have that in Kaprizov (19.3), arguably one of the top 10 players in the world, and Boldy (10.2). Joel Eriksson Ek (9.1) matches up pretty well as the supporting top-line forward to the conference finalist (9.8). But there are only two other Wild forwards with a positive net rating: Mats Zuccarello (5.5) and Rossi (4.2), who could be on the move. The conference finalists have at least three other top six forwards with a rating of three or above. Foligno, for what it's worth, was at a minus-0.3 net rating even though he had arguably one of his best seasons. The Wild's blue line is solid overall, especially the top four with Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin, and Jared Spurgeon is tops in terms of the net rating at 5.2. The conference finalists' average has a No. 1 defenseman at 10.3, a top-pair defenseman at 8.0 and another top-four D at 4.3. Brodin is the Wild's next highest at 3.7, though we can see Faber's 1.2 net rating as lower than what he produces as a franchise-caliber defenseman. If Jake Middleton bounces back with a better year from an analytical perspective and Buium grows into the star many people believe he'll be, then this group will be much closer. Advertisement In net, Filip Gustavsson showed he's a solid No. 1, though his net rating is 2.7, below that of the conference finalist (7.9). But we think most wouldn't mind having Gustavsson over Stuart Skinner (Oilers) and Frederik Andersen (Hurricanes). Meanwhile, Jake Oettinger (Stars) and Sergei Bobrovsky (Panthers) do have an edge. So, what do the Wild need this summer? Guerin made it clear at his exit interview press conference what he's focused on this summer. He'd like to upgrade his center position, supporting their No. 1 in Joel Eriksson Ek, who is also their top shutdown pivot. 'I think Ekky needs a little help,' Guerin said. 'He's in a battle every single night. And there's no easy nights for him. So I think we could create some help there.' There will be some internal help in the form of top prospect Yurov, a skilled playmaker who has won a title in the KHL. Guerin admitted there would be some 'growing pains' as Yurov tries to prove his 200-foot game, so let's not just guarantee he'll be a 2C right away. And if the Wild do trade Rossi, who has been a top-six center most of the season, that leaves another hole. That's why you're hearing about the Wild being interested in veteran UFA Brock Nelson. He's 33 and the money would have to be right, but he'd bring a stabilizing presence up the middle to take some defensive pressure off of Eriksson Ek. The UFA market for centers isn't extremely deep, and while Sam Bennett seems like a great fit, his price is only going up during these playoffs, and there's no guarantee he gets to July 1. John Tavares is out there, if he doesn't re-sign in Toronto, and Matt Duchene played for John Hynes before in Nashville and would likely come cheaper. Guerin also said he 'wouldn't be opposed to a scoring winger.' Balanced scoring is something of a need for the Wild, who dropped off quite a bit when Eriksson Ek and Kaprizov missed several months with injuries. Zuccarello didn't produce as much when not on a line with Kaprizov. They're probably going to lose UFA Marcus Johansson, who was a mainstay as a second-line winger all year. Advertisement This is where the Wild being connected to the likes of Brock Boeser comes in; for what it's worth, Boeser's net rating of 4.4 last season was the same as Rossi's. Prospect Ohgren could get a shot if he's ready. Ryan Hartman's impressive playoffs performance was reminiscent of his 34-goal season a few years back, so he could be an option in the top six. The Wild could also address this hole in a Rossi trade. Whether it's targeting the likes of JJ Peterka from Buffalo or another scoring winger, Minnesota could use a boost here. Patrick Kane is also a free agent, as is clutch performer and agitator Brad Marchand. Does Nikolaj Ehlers re-sign with the Jets? If you look at the sizable difference between the Wild's forward net rating and that of the conference finalists, the eye-watering negative numbers in Minnesota's projected bottom six play a large role. The lowest-rated five forwards on Minnesota combined for minus-29.6, compared to minus-16 for the conference finalists. Yakov Trenin underwhelmed in the first season of a four-year, $14 million deal, which is why his net rating was minus-6.7. He looked like a much different player in the postseason, a forechecking force who created both of Marco Rossi's goals. If Trenin plays like that, his number will look a lot different, and so will his role. And if the Wild do add in free agency, perhaps Vinnie Hinostroza (minus-4.9) is more of a 13th forward. The combined minus-15.5 for Ohgren and Yurov is partly due to Ohgren's small sample size in the NHL and Yurov being put at replacement level for this exercise as an unknown. So the 20-point gap between Minnesota and the contenders can be bridged in some portion. But the Wild could use some attention in the bottom six. They looked like they missed Brandon Duhaime, who was a beloved 'dawg' in his first year with the Capitals. In hindsight, Nico Sturm would have been a great addition at the trade deadline. The Wild need a fourth-line center who can win draws and kill penalties while driving that line. If Minnesota adds and it pushes Gaudreau down there, that's one thing. But as for wingers, why not give a look to Corey Perry? The 40-year-old former MVP still plays at a high level and can be useful on any line from first to fourth. He brings an edge and swagger to the room, too, much like a Pat Maroon. Advertisement The elephant in the room is whether Rossi is here playing for the Wild next season, vs. being on this chart. But if Rossi isn't, the 2020 No. 9 pick leaves a hole in the middle. That's still 24 goals and 60 points on a team that struggled with secondary scoring. The emergence of Hartman late in the season offers the belief he can step into a top-six center role again. But there still needs to be some more depth added here. We'll explore in future articles what a return for Rossi might be, but it would make sense for the Wild to ask for an impact forward in return, vs. futures like a first- and third-round pick, similar to what the compensation might be if they lost Rossi in an offer-sheet situation. (Top photo of Kirill Kaprizov and Gustav Forsling: Sam Navarro / Imagn Images)
Elle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
A Short Layered Bob Is Summer's Freshest Haircut, Here's How To Style It
A short layered bob has a timeless appeal; it's effortless to style, feels light for summer, and it looks flattering across multiple face shapes and hair textures. Some styles will veer more choppy (think Winona Ryder in the '90s), while other cuts offer a softer edge which emphasises natural texture - the key is finding the right layer placement and finish for you. 'There are different types of bobs: blunt, textured, and layered. A bob with layers creates a messy, textured look that suits all hair types and textures,' says Kamila Pruszek, Co-Owner of Blue Tit Portobello. Here, expert stylists give us the rundown on getting a short layered bob for summer 2025, including how to style it and exactly what to ask you hairdresser for. A short layered bob is as simple as the name suggestions; it's a cropped (typically near chin-length) cut with a snippy finish and layers throughout. It can appear differently depending on your hair texture, but is best suited to strands with some natural movement. 'A short, layered bob is a haircut, usually cut at chin length or slightly above the chin, with soft face framing layers around the hairline,' says Andreas Wild, John Frieda's Creative Stylist Ambassador. 'What's great about a short, layered bob is that you can cut and style in many different ways to suit many different face shapes. Although, if you already have a rounder face shape or a sharper jawline, I recommend keeping the layers longer to compliment your features.' We would never recommend cutting a layered bob yourself, however knowing specifically what to ask your hairdresser for is imperative. 'To cut a short, layered bob, I would recommend keeping the baseline length strong, weaving in a few face framing layers around the hairline,' says Wild. 'It's best to not layer too much at the base of the hair to avoid feathering, and if cut too short, the hair can look imbalanced. When it comes to styling your short layered bob, an effortless approach is to lean into your hair's natural texture. 'I like low-maintenance hairstyles, so I would go for a look that you can mostly let air-dry naturally, or use a minimal blow-dry while using your fingers to gently shape and tousle the hair,' says Pruszek. If you were born with fine or pin-straight natural tresses, a little more handiwork will be required. 'A short layered bob can be styled in various ways. I personally love to use a diffuser to work with the natural volume and texture of the hair. Alternatively, the hair can either be blow dried and styled with straighteners (using the S wave technique) or a hair tong to add extra texture and volume,' says Wild. 'As a final step, I love to use the John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Agent Touch-Up Crème to run through the hair's lengths. It's best not to style the root of the hair as this can often make the hair cut look old fashioned and rounder. ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE. Katie Withington (she/her) is the Beauty Writer, at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar. Working alongside the ELLE UK Beauty Team, she covers all things beauty for both print and digital, from finding backstage make-up trends at London Fashion Week and investigating buzzy skincare ingredients, to unzipping the beauty bags of Hailey Bieber and Margot Robbie. Prior to joining ELLE UK in 2022, Katie studied (BA) Fashion Journalism at London College of Fashion and has previously contributed to Red, Good Housekeeping and Prima.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Stampede win two from two over Makos
Photo: file The Southern Stampede are back at their best. The Stampede recorded two big wins against the Auckland Mako for the defending champions to remain at the top of the national men's ice hockey league table. Playing at home in Queenstown, the Stampede thumped the Mako 11-2 on Friday. It was a red-hot start where Colin McIntosh and Axel Ruski-Jones each had a double in the first period to add to team-mates Jack Robbie and Jett McCullum's goals. Thomas Clark scored for the Makos to trail 6-1. Ruski-Jones added another two in the second period and Maxwell Macharg, Connor Harrison and McIntosh added another to round out the big win. The Stampeded followed up with a 6-1 victory on Saturday. Harrison and Nolan Ross scored a brace and Ruski-Jones and Ollie Ruski-Jones added the others. The Dunedin Thunder had a 6-3 loss to the West Auckland Admirals. They played again yesterday and the Admirals won again, 4-3. In the national women's league, the Wakatipu Wild had a 4-2 win against the Thunder. Former Thunder player and Ice Fern Caitlin-Judith Heale got the Wild under way 17 minutes in with the opening goal. But Ice Fern team-mate Sammy Heyward struck back for the Thunder to be 1-1 at the end of the first period. Kellye Nelson added another for the Wild in the only points in the second period. French import Lea Mullender levelled the score for the Thunder early in the final period. But the Wild hit back with late goals to Inge Kemp and Kelli Burstein to seal the victory. The Wild and the Thunder played again yesterday. The Thunder won 3-1.
