Sr. columnist, Sportsnet.ca. Past President, Professional Hockey Writers' Association. Author of Battle of Alberta and Road to Gold. Skier of bumps.
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Proud to see my country on the right side of history.
The fourth visit of Canadian Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
I am grateful to Canada for its leadership in supporting Ukrainians throughout these difficult three years and to Justin for organizing and hosting a productive G7 leaders' meeting. Canada continues to support Ukraine by providing military equipment and strengthening our energy security.
Canada continues to support Ukraine by providing military equipment and strengthening our energy security. Today, new assistant packages were announced: armored vehicles, the first transfers from the 5 billion CAD allocated to Ukraine from proceeds on frozen Russian assets, as well as a grant to support energy security and the restoration of civilian energy infrastructure following Russia’s massive attacks.
We deeply appreciate that you stand side by side with Ukraine in these challenging times.
Thank you, Canada, for your support.
🇺🇦🇨🇦
#SupportUkraine
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This kid shouldn’t be doing this every day. Someone in the Rangers org needs to take better care of this young man.
He does not always have to say yes. It’ll be a short career if he does.
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It’s not crazy when you think of all the people who work the concessions, parking, security, and clean the building.
The folks NOT making a million or more per season.
They deserve a work free holiday, IMO.
Still crazy there isn’t even 2-3 games on either Christmas or Christmas Eve, wasted marketing opportunity.
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Trump blinks, like all bullies do when someone stands up to them.
Bravo Trudeau and the premiers who stood up to him, which would exclude my premier here in Alberta.
Proud, as always, to be Canadian.
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The replies carving Carney for supporting a local festival, like he’s supposed to be negotiating trade deals until midnite, 365 days a year.
I’ll take a PM that spends a night at a blues festival God forbid he maybe had a cold beer or two - like a real person.
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Mattias Ekholm's wife is from northern Sweden.
She skis, loves the snow, and according to her husband, can't wait to get to Edmonton with their kids to raise them in a proper winter climate.
Finding a hockey wife that loves EDM weather.
Perhaps Ken Holland's finest hour.
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To recap: The NHL strips the Sens of a 1st, because they did not disclose all the details in a transaction.
But when the NHL brokered the sale of the team to Andlauer, they did not … disclose all the details in that transaction.
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This is what leadership sounds like.
No jokes, no sarcasm, no insults. Just an intelligent, forthright game plan, to be executed at Canada’s pace, to Canada’s benefit, “from a position of strength.”
PM @MarkJCarney says when asked about his government's approach to trade talks with the Trump administration.
"The big issues around trade are going to need to be taken more comprehensively and they will be taken, from a Canadian perspective, from a position of strength," 💯
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John Klingberg, who is scheduled to play tonight for EDM, just told me that he had double hip surgery at age 18, and again at age 21.
He has never played pain free in the NHL — until now, after his latest surgery.
"I feel like a kid again."
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Gino Hard
Zach Hyman’s Toronto high school has received two bomb threats, as antisemitism rises in Canada and the U.S.
“(It’s) 2023. It’s supposed to be getting better.”
Hyman speaks out as a leader in the Jewish community.
“I’m proud of who I am.”
bitly.ws/362kg
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Hold on...
A Canadian Prime Minister who excelled in the private sector, has a @hockey_db profile as a goalie, listens to ACDC, and has pints with everyone as he travels across Canada?
What are we waitin' for?
Mark Carney has come to meet auto parts workers at Martinrea in Vaughan, ON, and he walked out to Thunderstuck by AC/DC, which Carney said was his “warm up tune” when he played minor hockey.
Martinrea apparently always plays AC/DC when they have politicians come #cdnpoli
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Not here to complain about one team or another...
But this new culture where goalies can do whatever they want - but skaters get two for breathing on the 'tendy - doesn't work for me.
They're hockey players too.
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This is what Quinn Hughes is playing through. Still Vancouver's best player, most nights.
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Connor McDavid had 20 more points (42), than Sasha Barkov, set a new assists record (34) and was +12 to Barkov’s -2.
I’ve voted on likely a dozen Conn Smythe Trophies?
This one may have been the easiest decision.
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Our premier believes in chem trails…
Wonder if there will be a lottery for Bigfoot tags this hunting season?
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As pointed out by Kris Knoblauch:
On June 24, 2024, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will play his first possible Stanley Cup clinching game for Edmonton, the team that drafted him on June 24, 2011.
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Folks, I could t care less if Soucy gets a suspension or not. Honest.
But if you’re out there comparing a slash in the shin pads to a cross check in the teeth, you should put your phone down and go for a walk.
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So Carter Verhaeghe is alone on the Oilers practice ice while the rest of his team skates on the other ice.
Oilers want to practice early, but can not.
He finished, FLA assistant tells Oilers, “Wait. They’re flooding the ice.”
Oilers: “No flood. Get the hell off the ice.”
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Corey Perry, asked if tmw will be his last game:
"Uh, no. I've got more in me. I've got lots more in me: five more years."
(Media scrum laughs).
"What's so funny? I feel like I'm 25!"
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As Bill Ranford once said to me, “Now I’m supposed to stop the shots that are going wide?!?”
Skinner forced the shooter to miss the net.
His teammate defkected it in.
You figure out whose fault that is.
I don’t think Stuart Skinner could have played this any worse if he tried. Why would he pull himself out of the crease with less than a second to go in the third period of a tied playoff game
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Oilers looking to go with 97 and 29 together tonight.
And after waiting 1,078 games for his playoff start, Jeff Skinner looks to be a healthy scratch.
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“I think players across the league — not just me, not just guys in this room — just want to see the game called (consistently). A penalty in the first is a penalty in the third. A penalty in October is a penalty in April." — Connor McDavid.
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Vitek Vanecek on his warmup routine, where he got into Stu Skinner’s face pre Game 4
“It’s just my routine.”
How long has it been his routine?
“Just this series.”
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Mega weak call on Draisaitl for that unsportsmanlike.
It's the playoffs. Hockey's intense.
And we've got a couple of refs tonight from Green Peace.
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In consecutive years from 2017-2020, the New York Rangers drafted high. They picked:
Lias Anderson (7th)
Vitali Kravtson (9th)
Kaapo Kakko (2nd)
Alex Lafreniere (1st)
Some misses there...
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Hockey Physics:
When a 5-foot-9 player (Acciari) chooses to carry the puck - and thus lower his head - through 2 zones without ever looking up, and a 6-4 Dman (Dillon) is paid to impede his progress, head contact ensues.
Acciari should change his game, not Dillon, IMO.
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For those wondering how Evan Bouchard was left off of Team Canada, that 3-2 Flyers goal is solid evidence.
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Make no mistake, @CarrieTait is the Most Valuable Journalist in Alberta right now.
Anyone who wonders re: the role of the journo, ask yourself: Is anyone else ferreting out this much corruption in our AB govt?
icymi - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's former chief of staff lived in a home owned by a sister of Sam Mraiche, a businessman whose dealings with Alberta Health Services are subject to multiple investigations
theglobeandmail.com/canada/a… w @tom_cardoso @HoserLibrarian
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Something fans might want to know:
Edmonton media requested McLeod and Desharnais for post-game interviews, 2 young players who committed key mistakes.
EDM leadership group nixed that. RNH and Kane spoke instead, along with Hyman.
That's a team protecting its young.
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You think this is tough, wait until the next time a US team plays abroad.
Or the Olympics next year.
The booing of the Star Spangled Banner continues in Ottawa #Sens
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Forget the hit from behind.
They should suspend Nick Cousins for turtling twice in the same game.
If you're going to run guys from behind, at least have the courage to face the music.
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This guy will stand up to Trump. Above all, that should be the priority.
Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, just slammed Trump “Canada never, ever will be part of America in any way, shape, or form. We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves.” Boom.
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This is wild.
A different side of Connor McDavid, we rarely get to see. #NHLPrime #LetsGoOilers
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That is like Canada beating Brazil or Italy in soccer. Or Spain.
You may not love this as a Canadian, but this is historic in a small hockey nation like Latvia.
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Epic night for Bouchard, who goes minus-3 with the primary giveaway on two Rangers goals.
He goes to a team-worst minus-9 on the season.
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My fellow Edmontonians.
Enjoy the night, support your team, and when it's over - win or lose - please respect your city.
We've won lots of Cups here, and lost a few as well.
Act like you've been here before.
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When shopping for free agents on July 1, NHL GMs should be looking for this level of bravery.
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Oilers Nation demanding accountability/consistency from the refs.
Meanwhile:
- Nugent-Hopkins: 0-2-2 (both on PP)
- Hyman: 1 assist (on the PP)
- Kane: 1-1-2 (EN goal)
- McDavid: 2-1-3, NOT AN EVEN STRENGTH POINT
You want accountability? I know where I'm starting my search...
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Look, the Cup's not in the building here. It's only Game 1.
But you wonder how a team that gathered for Captain's skates on Sept. 5, went through camp and 8 preseason games, can look like they just met each other in the parking lot before the game?
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Are we really celebrating Ovechkin scoring his 20th goal of the season in mid-March?
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Edmonton is playing its best hockey of the season in May.
With Klingberg, Kane and Frederic, they're a far more balanced and better team than they were at any point in the season.
Don't sleep on Edmonton. They're better than I thought.
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Reading lots of folks in Toronto emoting over being considered small market, compared to the Dodgers.
Feels crappy, eh? — signed Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver, Hamilton, Regina...
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Kings fans upset. Oilers fans upset.
Hockey writers watching refs call a game like it's U-14.
These are men playing playoff hockey. Get outta their way and let 'em play.
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Not sure the Oilers can play a better all-around game than that.
For Stu Skinner, the first decent game his team played in front of him this spring, and he rewards them with 24 saves in a 3-0 win.
That game beats pretty much anyone, I'd wager.
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Only in hockey does a guy deflect home a slapshot with his face, and not miss a shift.
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Knobauch says there WILL be a lineup change for Game 4.
Likely Stecher in, Klingberg out.
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Real shame for a hell of a hockey town in Edmonton. Folks there deserve a Cup one day.
But I suspect those same knowledgeable fans know what they've been watching.
The better team wins this series, there is simply no debate there.
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“He's a better player than I am. That's just the reality of the world.” — Troy Stecher on Mattias Ekholm.
This Stecher, he’s one of a kind.
Troy Stecher stepped into the Oilers lineup 10 games into the playoffs and provided everything the team could have hoped for.
But now, with Mattias Ekholm nearing a return, his spot on the blue line is in jeopardy — fairly or not. (@SportsnetSpec) sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/dep…
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"This is the best team I've ever been on." — Kasperi Kapanen, who has found some footing on the Edmonton Oilers, his fourth NHL team.
Piece up @Sportsnet soon.
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If the Federal gov't wants to convince rural, Western or cold weather Canadians re: EVs, they need someone on the podium who can tell me I'll have a PICK-UP TRUCK that can properly tow, that has range, that can keep the cabin warm - all while driving at 110 KMH in minus-30 C.
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Oilers lose at home to the Ducks, because they can't defend well enough to stop the NHL's 31st place team from scoring four times.
Darnell Nurse and Evan Bouchard were both poor in the loss. Two mainstays whose defensive games aren't close to good enough right now.
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So EDM has needed a right-shot Dman, preferably 2nd pairing, since the season started.
They get a now-healthy Klingberg, without giving up an asset, for cheap, and have seven weeks to test drive the player before the Deadline.
Can't find a negative side to this.
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Chatted with Adam Larsson, who met old friend Oscar Klefbom this summer.
Says Oscar’s mental health is well, and he’s wrapping his head around life after hockey.
Doing a lot of fishing around Karlstad. Building a house.
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Craig Button absolutely kills it with his thoughts on Mike Babcock here.
Nice to see someone who still has a strong opinion and isn't afraid to break a few eggs in making the omellete.
"With respect to Mike Babcock, good riddance, bye bye, see ya.."
@CraigJButton didn't hold back when talking about Mike Babcock resigning in Columbus.
Full interview..
tinyurl.com/ydxskfvj
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“I don't like this whole notion that we're the walking wounded here. We’re ready to roll.” — Connor McDavid.
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Everyone hates Oilers goaltending, with 12 goals against.
To my eye, an out-of-his-mind goalie may have only let in 9 or 10.
I'm starting Pickard Friday just because, but this is on the team's defensive play.
You can't win allowing this quality/quantity of chance and win games.
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Best game the Oilers have played in three months.
Could have been 7-1 if not for Kuemper.
Total domination in the toughest road building in the NHL. Very impressive.
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“Why aren’t we protecting the superstars? Every other league does it - Mahomes, Lebron… They protect their superstars." - Corey Perry, on McDavid protecting himself.
Connor McDavid, it seems, has had enough of waiting for the on-ice officials to give him the room he requires to be the best player on earth.
@sportsnetspec explains why. sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/why…
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I’m agnostic re: Greig’s shot or Reilly’s suspension.
Whatever, man.
But when I hear him referred to as an “unsuspecting Ridly Greig” we enter a fantasy world.
Do what you want - again, no dog in the fight here.
But he is not “unsuspecting” after that clapper. No chance.
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Eight games, eight cities, the trip starts and ends in the Pacific but touches every time zone, and in the seventh game the Edmonton Oilers erase a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3 at Colorado.
They're 6-1 on this journey. Wow.
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Kris Knoblauch has gone where all Oilers coaches go, eventually.
Playing 97 and 29 all night, while everyone else sits and watches.
I hasn’t worked. It won’t work. It isn’t working.
sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/mcd…
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Klim Kostin (8 NHL goals) for Dmitri Samorukov (0 NHL games).
Folks out there carving up Ken Holland can start here.
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I see we’ve moved from “We’ve got to change the playoff format!” when the Leafs get a tough Rd. 1 opponent, to, “Change the cap rules!” when they mismanage their roster.
Nice to see the game evolve.
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Sportsnet
Connor Bedard had some words for the official after this Josh Manson whack went uncalled. #Blackhawks
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Coyotes GM Bill Armstrong flying into Edmonton for a pregame meeting with his team.
Will tell them what’s going on and is expected to take questions from the players.
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Best group of forwards. Best team down the middle. And likely time for a 2nd PP unit that gets some meaningful minutes.
This is the best Oilers team since the ‘80s.
Jeff Skinner signed a one-year deal for $3 million. Viktor Arvidsson inked a two-year deal with a $4 million AAV. Adam Henrique signed for two years at $3 million per. All three will make less than they earned last season.
@sportsnetspec has the story. sprtsnt.ca/4eLfG4O
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"I think anyone can play in the NHL from the 500 level. It's the easiest place in the world to watch. You're thinking, 'Oh my God, why did you make that pass?'" — Mattias Ekholm on watching from the press box.
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That's a Gordie Howe hat trick for Kane, whose finger prints have been all over this game.
When we talk about him being a playoff player, this pretty much defines it.
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“With this run, we’ve roped a lot of people into believing in us. I hope we have all of Canada’s support.” - Zach Hyman.
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It says a lot about a team, losing the way the Blue Jays did not 24 hours ago, then a confident, dominant win in Game 4.
This team really has game.
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Oilers embarrassing themselves here.
Lose? Sure.
But it's 8-1 and their stars are taking penalties of frustration.
This is a melt down. They should be past this.
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Every referee left in the NHL playoffs would have had this clip on his laptop this a.m.
Will be interesting to see how it plays out, if at all.
@ScoutingTheRefs
What an acting job by Adin Hill 💯 has ben watching the NBA Playoffs. #LetsGoOilers
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Say this about Mattias Janmark, biggest game of the year and he's playing his best game of the year.
He's a gamer.
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Even one game means a few hundred minimum wage workers miss their Christmas so the billionaire leagues can take profits.
It’s not right. Even one game, IMO.
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Brandon Sutter called a meeting Sunday in Seattle with Oilers GM Ken Holland, head coach Jay Woodcroft and trainer TD Forss, to tell them he could not go on with his PTO.
Holland: "He had some health concerns and he just felt that he was going to end his career."
Long Covid...
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Of all the Glory Years pictures around Rogers Place, I’m not sure this isn’t the best one.
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Kane looking better and better.
I didn't think a guy who missed 10 months could possibly help, but Kane proves me wrong.
The longer EDM plays, the bigger factor he becomes.
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Not saying Eichel aimed to hurt Ekholm, but a cross check in the back that sends a guy into the boards like that?
It's two minutes every day of the week, no?
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So long Troy Stecher, as competitive a battler as ever I've covered.
He's small, gets less than 15 points a season, and somehow has carved out a 566-game NHL career.
Seven teams later, someone still wants him. And the Leafs will be better for the pick-up.
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