A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. The NHL will relocate J. Cole to the day before he (gently) dissed Kendrick Lamar.
1. The day William Nylander signed the richest contract in Toronto Maple Leafs history, the star forward was humming along at a ridiculous 47-goal, 120-point pace.
Now, with only three games left on the schedule, he is “stuck” at 96 points (still, a career best) and, with load management an option next week, may be hard-pressed to crack his desired target of 100 points.
More than two weeks ago, Nylander tied his career high of 40 tucks. But he hasn’t scored since, mired as he is in a season-worst, eight-game goal drought. (He had what looked like a goal against New Jersey this week wiped off the board after a coach’s challenge.)
“I mean, (expletive), I don’t know how many games it’s been since I scored,” Nylander smiled in that Nylander way, when questioned about his dry spell by reporters Friday.
“I’m just happy that the chances are there. Obviously frustrated that they’re not going in, but gotta look at it positively so you don’t get too mad.”
Auston Matthews’ pursuit of 70 goals has captured the imagination of the fan base — which will be hoping to catch history Saturday versus wild-card-hunting Detroit during the club’s final home date — but it has also done a fine job of overshadowing some worrisome aspects of the Leafs.
Slumping special teams, a shaky outing by the starting goalie, questionable D pairs, and a superstar chugging through an ill-timed production dip.
Nylander, who has only two assists over his past 10 games as well, was gunning hard to get on the scoresheet in Thursday’s loose, 11-goal game against the Devils. He fired five shots and, when a Grade-A went for naught, slammed his stick against the boards to vent.
“Sometimes you just gotta laugh about it. It is what it is,” Nylander smiled the day after. “It’s frustrating. Obviously, it affects you in some way.”
The 27-year-old poured in an extra solo shooting session guided by assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser on Friday, channeling his annoyance through sweat.
To be sure, the coaching staff is cognizant of Nylander’s blip here. So even though he has been the lone member of the Core Four taking rushes on the third line, Nylander has been getting double-shifted to a super second line with Mitch Marner and John Tavares in prime offensive opportunities.
The smart money is on the even-keeled cat to elevate come Game 1 next Saturday, as he has for the past four springs.
Since 2020, Nylander tops all Leafs in playoff goals (14) and has gathered 29 points in 30 post-season games.
“Playoffs are just a whole other level,” he says. “So, you’ve got to be ready for when that comes.”
2. A great get by The Cam & Strick Podcast this week as Andy Strickland conducts the first thorough interview with exiled and decorated coach Joel Quenneville about his involvement in the Chicago Blackhawks’ egregious blind eye to video coach Brad Aldrich’s alleged sexual abuse of Kyle Beach in 2010.
I recommend watching the interview in full and drawing your own conclusions:
Quenneville does takes some ownership for turning a blind eye and assuming upper management (a group of we’ll-handle-it execs he labeled “The Firm”) would deal with the situation.
“I definitely didn’t handle it properly. I definitely should’ve handled it differently. I should’ve … confront(ed) Brad from what I heard, or follow up and ask more questions to get to the seriousness of it, and then report it correctly and make sure there’s follow-up off of that, whether it was the head of HR or top management, making sure they follow through on the whole process,” Quenneville says, in part.
“[Management] told me that he was hanging around the Rockford players, he was socializing, they were going out to bars, and he might’ve sent an inappropriate text or two and that he was bugging them. That’s all I knew. I didn’t put it all together that it resembled sexual abuse or sexual assault. By not asking more questions, I take ownership on that. Had I known more, I would’ve handled it completely different.”
And yet the interview does leave this viewer with the feeling that Quenneville is still being careful to withhold some details, and it stirs more questions.
Further, it’s clear that Quenneville wants to get back into coaching. Maybe he thinks this sit-down will help after he’s been unable to land recent NHL’s head coach openings because of his part in the scandal.
“There’s some places I would’ve loved to have gone,” Quenneville says.
Again, if the topic interests you, watch the whole thing.
3. Quote of the Week.
“I thought I was going to have a good five minutes in [the penalty box]with the fellas. We were going to be cuddled up in there, getting cozy and having a good time… I had no idea that was a rule. I was like, ‘Dang it. My TOI didn’t go up that game.’” — Matt Rempe, surprised all the Rangers and Devils got kicked out after sparking a line brawl on the opening faceoff.
4. The Maple Leafs are fumbling through a 2-for-29 run on the power play that stretches over their past 10 games (6.9 per cent) and have been operating the NHL’s least-effective PP since March 24.
The unit ranked as high as second leaguewide a few weeks ago but has tumbled to eighth.
A major reason for the falloff was the 12-game absence of Mitch Marner, the top unit’s chief facilitator and a right shot who aids in zone entries.
“With the plan we have, Mitch is an integral piece of it,” coach Sheldon Keefe says. “We certainly missed him when he wasn’t there.”
Sans Marner, Toronto’s 5-on-4 squad lacks fluidity and leadership.
“He’s probably the most vocal guy that we have when it comes to the power play,” coach Sheldon Keefe reveals.
“Whether it’s pre-game off the ice or when we get a power play on the way to the faceoffs, TV timeouts, whatever it is, Mitch usually is the guy that pulls the group together and gives them some direction and getting the guys focused in. Those are the little things that you don’t necessarily see, but you definitely miss when he’s not around.”
Make no mistake, there is urgency to get the PP in sync over these final three games before the post-season.
“We’re hoping here now we can get some power plays the remainder of the way,” Keefe says. “We can get that group really going.”
5. Tampa Bay’s shrewd deadline pickup of Anthony Duclair — for the modest price of a third-rounder and defence prospect Jack Thompson — has paid off nicely.
Jolting all the way to the top line, alongside the all-world Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, Duclair has racked up 12 points through his first 14 games with the Lightning.
A seamless, speedy fit.
So, what has Jon Cooper learned about the 28-year-old that he didn’t already know coaching against him?
“Wow. That’s a good question. I never knew the guy,” Cooper replies. “He’s one hell of a guy, I’ll tell you that.
“He’s much more dynamic than I thought he was. He has an elite skill set. I see why he’s been on teams that have won. And he has that ability to play up and down the lineup and, more importantly, play with some elite players — and he fits right in. So, that was a great surprise.”
On the surface, Duclair was a pure rental. The Bolts have plenty of decisions to make on free agents, starting with their captain, but the team is 11-2-1 with Duclair in the lineup.
Just sayin’.
6. Ridly Greig triggering Morgan Rielly and turning the Maple Leafs into a band of brothers…
Brady Tkachuk snapping on Nico Hischier post-buzzer…
Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time ENG record…
Kucherov’s MVP bid getting scrutinized because he leads the NHL with a record-setting number of points scored against no goalie…
Has the empty net had a greater year than 2024?
7. Andrei Svechnikov‘s third lacrosse goal was condensed into a moral-sized gif, packaged for easy retweets and highlight packs.
But watching the entire sequence unfold — before, during and after — is worth two minutes of your time.
First, the Hurricanes’ relentless cycle game and O-zone pressure is the stuff serious playoff teams are made of.
Second, that Svechnikov pulls out the move he ushered into the show at speed and within the flow of the game is wild.
Third, the man’s stick is so swift, the goal judge didn’t even realize he’d beaten Jeremy Swayman. Play continued and the buzzer was sounded much later after review.
“My goal was to never give up a Michigan,” Swayman revealed afterward. “And that went in the toilet tonight.”
Well, if you’re gonna give one up, this might be the least embarrassing one.
8. The best part of Michael Bunting‘s fit in Pittsburgh might not be his 14 points since getting traded from Carolina a month ago, nor the fact the Penguins are suddenly relevant.
It might be the effect his net-driving, penalty-drawing style of attack has had on Evgeni Malkin, whose own production has spiked since Bunting joined his line.
“He’s kind of dragged Geno into the fight, so to speak, down low in the grind game,” says coach Mike Sullivan. “Geno’s getting inside with some of the goals Geno’s scored lately.”
With both teams enjoying a day off Sunday, Bunting met up with some of his ex-teammates on the Leafs, joking that he was “cutting deals” with Matthews to keep him off the scoreboard.
Nylander assured that Bunting wouldn’t be able to throw him off his game.
“I’ll get under his skin,” Nylander smirked.
“He was joking around with me, saying that he’s ready to fight me any time I want,” Bunting retorted. “That would be quite the fight.”
Of course, Bunting doesn’t really fight. He just antagonizes. And complements elite talent.
Sidney Crosby says that because Bunting “can play with anyone,” the winger has made the transition look easier than it is — switching cities, systems, and team cultures on the fly.
“I’ve never been through a trade like that. They’ve been very welcoming, and I’m feeling really comfortable,” Bunting says of the Penguins, for whom he’s averaging two more minutes a night and getting PP1 reps.
“I wouldn’t say Carolina wasn’t a good fit. I mean, I had a lot of fun out there, and I made some really good friends. But, yeah, I kind of came here and got the opportunity to play bigger minutes, and I just I’ve gelled with my line really well.
“I had confidence in my game, and I just wanted to prove that I still belong and I’m still an impactful player.”
9. Regardless of the New York Islanders‘ potential to polish off this late rally and secure a playoff berth, the club must hink about getting younger. The only older rosters by average age (29.5) are the Capitals and Penguins, and we see how they’re trending.
Two teams in the Isles’ conference are loaded with youth and in need of increase veteran presence. Both are desperate to take a step toward playoff contention in 2024-25.
Could Lou Lamoriello make hockey trades with the Ottawa Senators and/or Buffalo Sabres this summer?
I think it’s worth exploring.
10. Lamoriello stands as the only two-time winner of the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year award (2020, 2021).
That should change in June. Because Dallas Stars exec Jim Nill deserves to go back-to-back.
Not only are the Stars a legitimate Stanley Cup contender (totally sticking with my pre-season championship prediction), but Nill’s coaching hire, Peter DeBoer, deserves some Jack Adams consideration.
The Stars are fierce defensively and ridiculously balanced offensively, dressing a league-high eight 20-plus goal-scorers and nine 50-plus point-getters.
Nill scooped up Matt Duchene for a song, transitioned expertly from what once appeared to be troublesome decline from the Jamie Benn–Tyler Seguin heyday, and has kept the prospect pool flush while still adding useful help for the present.
Just an incredible job that doesn’t get enough shine.
11. Let’s ignore the trainwreck in Columbus for a second and simply soak in the creativity of Kirill Marchenko…
“We just play and try to enjoy it,” says Marchenko.
The 23-year-old is enjoying a career-best 23-goal, 41-point season.
12. Pouring one out for the Arizona Coyotes this week. The market deserved better ownership, a better rink.
While Utah entrepreneur Ryan Smith had preferred an expansion team, we’re betting he’ll be pleasantly surprised with the team he’s buying (paperwork pending, of course).
Yes, the clean cap sheet of an expansion squad and a draft all to yourself is exciting. (Worked out OK for George McPhee.)
But the Coyotes’ spreadsheet might be even better.
Not one active defenceman is signed beyond June 30. They have a decent goaltending tandem under contract for $4.675 million. And the only forward making more than $5.9 million is an all-star in his prime: Clayton Keller at $7.15 million.
Moreover, Arizona/Utah has a mind-blowing 20 picks within the top three rounds of the next three drafts.
This team is set up beautifully to improve on the ice. And while that doesn’t guarantee the next set of decisions will work out, the new ownership will be invested and willing to spend.
Smith might have purchased something even better than an expansion team.
