Zach Hyman on #Leafs right now: "I think we're in a good spot. All teams go through adversity. We want to bounce back, and we're not happy about it obviously. We have to be better, but all teams face adversity during a year and it's a good thing to go through a little."
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Page 6ix Wednesday, March 10th: The more things change…
We’re coming up on a year since the NHL shut down because of COVID, only to resume again in the summer in a strange new world. Things have only gotten stranger since, as the league has made quick shifts and evolved in unexpected ways. But the thing that has not changed about hockey is that there is always, always, drama to discuss. Hockey players might try their best to seem dull and boring in interviews, but the truth is they are anything but.
So let’s take a look at some of the drama that transpired over the past week, shall we?
Leafs Lads
As usual, we begin our weekly look by taking a peek at what the Leafs have been up to. And after 3 straight wins (2 shutouts!) against @Connor McDavid and co., the Leafs then dropped 3 straight games. Sigh. So while that’s not great, the party line from the Leafs players is that though not ideal, they feel good about where they are and know they can come through this.
Meanwhile, @Auston Matthews is still playing through wrist pain, leaving some fans frustrated that he’s in the lineup at all, rather than resting and healing:
Auston Matthews on how much pain he's in right now: "Once you get out there, it just goes away."
It’s clear on the ice that AM34 isn’t his usual dominant self, so hopefully he heals and feels back at 100% soon.
Congratulations to GM Kyle Dubas for earning his 100th win as Leafs GM this past week!
The @MapleLeafs earned their 100th regular-season win since naming Kyle Dubas general manager on May 11, 2018 (100-57-19, 219 points). #NHLStats: bit.ly/3uTgbmi
And a quick nod to Matthews’ cool new skates, which are pretty slick:
Special edition @CCMHockey skate Auston Matthews will debut tonight. Only player to wear these. Great graphics. Toronto skyline, some personal intel in small print. Matching stick likely to follow.
Safety Concerns
Hockey fans were convinced that this hit on @Brandon Carlo by @Tom Wilson would go unpunished:
Tom Wilson hits Brandon Carlo up high. Carlo needs help getting off the ice.
So many were (somewhat pleasantly) surprised when NHL Player Safety took it fairly seriously:
Washington’s Tom Wilson has been suspended for seven games for Boarding Boston’s Brandon Carlo. ow.ly/baAG30rzEUU
Carlo was unfortunately taken to the hospital following the hit, and is now out on a week-to-week basis, Wishing him a full and speedy recovery.
Meanwhile, though, despite his comments on the above hit:
"That was a bull**** hit" Brad Marchand responds to Tom Wilson's hit on Brandon Carlo.
@Brad Marchand was the perpetrator of an uncalled dangerous play only 2 days later:
The big issue with NHL Player Safety, as well as with the on-ice officiating, is how inconsistent it is. Player safety won’t actually be a priority until that is fixed.
COVID Concerns
Well, this is something:
NHL, NHLPA Join Major Pro Sports Leagues in Study of COVID-19 Cardiac Effects. media.nhl.com/public/news/14…
We have already seen some NHL players showing potential long-term health impacts of COVID, so it’s nice to see the league and players invested in learning more.
However, this is not so nice:
... three people in that picture have their masks photoshopped on
We just had to say this again... Thanks for the continued support, Penguins fans. We can't wait to see you tomorrow night.
As more and more markets open up their arenas to fans, keeping everyone safe needs to be the number one priority.
Trade-A-Palooza
We’re nearing this season’s trade deadline, and so there’s tons of trade rumours going around.
Sabres GM claims @Jack Eichel is not looking for a trade:
Sabres GM on Eichel: 'He has not asked for a trade.' VIDEO: ow.ly/oOpb50DRL4m
(this is where we insert the “Sure, Jan” meme), but fellow Sabre @Taylor Hall’s name is popping up a ton:
Taylor Hall’s trade value will never be higher
Tons of trade tidbits swirling, as they will be over the next month. Definitely something to keep an eye on!
Kraken Down
The Seattle Kraken have gotten off to a really great start as the new team in town, and their latest initiative is just one example:
As @AlbersatSU launches a new MBA program in Sport & Entertainment, founding partners #SeaKraken, @Mariners joined forces w/ other local sports & entertainment orgs to offer fellowships & jobs to graduates, focusing on diversity & inclusion. Read more → bit.ly/MBA3421
The Kraken has emerged as an organization committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity, and we’re excited to watch them take the NHL by storm.
That’s all for this week folks. See you next week for more gossip and drama!
Breaking News
- Maple Leafs’ Gavin McKenna speaks on first pitch at Blue Jays game: ‘It was a tough throw’
- Report: Zach Werenski willing to accept trade to Maple Leafs
- Maple Leafs receive A+ in Daily Faceoff’s post-draft report card
- Maple Leafs’ Alexander Bilecki excited to bring ‘winning mentality’ to Toronto
- Draft weekend and what happens next: Leaflets