A quick mix of the things we gleaned from the week of hockey, serious and less so, and rolling four lines deep. Mama always said, “If you wear a Habs sweater to a Leafs-Islanders game, keep your head up.”
1. The reporter’s question thrusts Morgan Rielly into a tricky spot.
Was the longest-serving Toronto Maple Leaf bothered that Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk went on his podcast and called out his provincial rivals for their non-response to Radko Gudas’s illegal and injurious kneeing of Auston Matthews?
“No,” Rielly replied, trying to sound unbothered.
“People are allowed to share their opinions.”
But usually the opinion-sharers are talking TV heads, radio guests or fans with wifi. Active hockey players, generally, steer clear from weighing in on controversies that don’t involve their team.
Things have changed, though. The Tkachuk brothers are riding the high of Team USA’s first Olympic gold medal in 46 years, a victory under Matthews’ national captaincy. They are also outspoken fellas who are having a hoot with their new toy, the successful Wingmen podcast.
“Your captain gets taken out like that, you gotta have a way better response,” Tkachuk said, just days before the Leafs would roll into Ottawa. “I know how I’d feel if I got hit like that and nobody really jumped in there. I’d be pretty pissed.”
Put yourself in the skates of Rielly, who once cross-checked Senator Ridley Greig in the face for clapping an empty-netter with gusto. Or Max Domi, who describes his feelings over the Gudas-Matthews collision as simple “anger.” Or any other Leaf wanting to spoil the Senators’ coin-flip playoff push. (The Sens have a 45.5 per cent chance of going back to the dance, according to MoneyPuck.com.)
If the captain of a bitter playoff rival publicly called you out for being soft? Well, I’d be pretty ticked.
Is it a coincidence that Toronto recalled AHL scrapper Michael Pezzetta up this weekend?
In this lost season, the 29-win Maple Leafs don’t have many dates left that matter.
The Gudas get-back on March 30 for sure. Maybe the tank-off with the Panthers on April 11.
But these two final trips to Canadian Tire Centre — Saturday and the finale on April 15 — have the potential for passion.
The Senators need the two points, no question. And Toronto could use a win.
2. The flak the Maple Leafs are taking for their soft response to Gudas strikes a familiar chord with the Buffalo Sabres, who got roasted for letting Stefan Noesen get away with a helmet-popping headshot on star centre Tage Thompson last season.
Compare that quiet retaliation to the brouhaha we saw from the Sabres when the Lightning rolled into town recently, or this week when Brayden McNabb levelled Zach Benson, cutting through the high slot.
Now, the Sabres behave like 20 musketeers. One for all, all for one.
Owen Power laments that their lack of togetherness in 2024-25 was “unacceptable.” Coach Lindy Ruff says the Thompson incident was a “hard lesson” that spurred difficult conversations behind the scenes.
“You learn from it. You move on. You grow as a team. You talk about, ‘It starts with me,’” Ruff explains. “You talk about what true teammates are like and what they’ll do for each other.”
Captain Rasmus Dahlin describes the embarrassment as “a wake-up call” in the dressing room.
“We told each other: ‘This is never going to happen again.’ And this year, we really worked on the team chemistry and the brotherhood,” Dahlin says. “Now it just comes naturally. If someone does anything to one of the guys in here, I’ll protect him. So, that’s the culture we’ve created here.”
Wait a sec. How do you work on brotherhood?
“Drink beer,” Dahlin says, smiling.
But he’s not kidding. Ask any beer-leaguer.
“You really have to find ways to get the group together and really get to know each other on a deep level. That’s different from just being a teammate. That comes with going to dinners. Like I said, drink some beers. Talk. Get to know each other. I think that’s the most important.”
Dahlin’s draught of choice?
“Hmmm… something local. Labatt Blue.”
3. Around this time last season, the Sabres’ 14th consecutive that ended in 82 or less, we walked out of KeyBank Center after a conversation with Dahlin thinking: This guy is a Norris contender and he might be done with this city, this never-ending rebuild.
Did Dahlin, now in Year 8, ever worry the Sabres might never make the playoffs during his tenure?
“Honestly, no,” Dahlin replies. “I’ve always believed one time it will turn around. It’s a lot of years and a lot of hard work.”
The captain is savouring the fruits of the Sabres’ labour, at the rink and in a city forced to be patient.
“It’s a big difference. It’s no joke. Like, we are real brothers. Now I really care deeply about all the guys in here. You know, we’ve gone through a lot together. They’ve been with me on my journey, and they’ve really been there for me. So, I have a lot of love for each guy in this room,” Dahlin says.
“I’m in the car, driving to the rink. Usually, you only see Bills stuff. But now it’s kind of changing to Sabres stuff. I know a bunch of people around town, and they’ve just been telling me how crazy it’s been, how much love they’re getting. It’s crazy.”
How’s this stat for crazy? The Sabres are 32-6-2 over their past 40, the winningest 40-game stretch in the NHL since the ’95 Detroit Red Wings (33).
“You go to the grocery store, pick up food or whatever, and people are stopping and thanking us for what we’re doing,” Owen Power says. “To have the city rally around us has been fun.”
Thompson describes a swelling anticipation for springtime hockey in Western New York. Something special is brewing.
“It’s been the most fun hockey I’ve played here. Obviously, there’s nothing better than winning,” says Thompson, hot off a gold medal. “The process, what our group’s been through and where we’re at now, makes it feel that much better. Just because of all the adversity we faced and having to overcome some challenges.
“You can hear the buzz around town and see it here in the building. Obviously, it’s been long overdue. So, there’s just suspense and excitement in the air around the city of Buffalo.”
Once tight and frustrated, Dahlin smiles easier these days: “It’s one of the best families in the world to be here, to be a part of the change. It’s indescribable, honestly.”
5. The night smoking-hot, Hart-contending Nikita Kucherov registered his 100th point, making that six triple-digit campaigns, he didn’t even come out to speak to reporters.
The spotlight-shunning superstar just goes about his business on the ice and doesn’t seem to care much about the credit and conversation he should be getting after the buzzer sounds. Even after a resounding win and a four-point effort.
Ho hum. My teammates and head coach can sing my praises.
“Poetry on ice, watching him play,” Jon Cooper says. “He sees things other guys don’t. I’ve been fortunate to have a front-row seat to it for almost a decade. And just his ability to create and his vision is unparalleled.
“There are world-class players in this league. You know, I just had a couple over in Milan. But they play a different style than Nikita. He plays a fast game, but he has the ability to slow the whole thing down, so that even people that are probably novices at hockey can watch and say, ‘Oh, I see what he’s doing.’ It’s almost like he’s teaching a class when he’s doing it.”
It’s the details — takes off the wall, deception with the eye, snap decisions to shoot or pass — that have turned Kucherov into your favourite hockey player’s favourite hockey player.
“The other night, he had an entry on a power-play breakout that I’d never seen before,” Cooper says. “I thought I’d seen it all. I haven’t seen it all.”
New-again Lightning Corey Perry says he made a point to watch Tampa games when he was out in the Western Conference before his own puck drop in part because he enjoys seeing what Kucherov is stirring up.
Over his past 45 games, the winger has piled 95 points and a plus-44 rating. Over that time, he has more four-point efforts than blank sheets. Since Dec. 20, Kucherov has outscored Connor McDavid by nine goals and 15 points. He’s outscored Nathan MacKinnon by eight goals and 20 points. (Quick aside: Did the Russian’s rest during the Olympics help? Discuss amongst yourselves.)
“If he played here (in Toronto), it would probably be a lot more attention. But this guy’s generational. I haven’t seen many players like this in my entire life. It’s impressive. I don’t even know what to say,” says teammate Brandon Hagel, who played with McDavid, MacKinnon and Macklin Celebrini in Milan.
“He is, in my opinion, the best player in the world. He shows it by his work ethic. He shows it in his play. And he shows it for — what? — six years in a row, he’s got 100 points. So, I mean, the tale tells it all. Two Cups, you name it, he’s got it.”
What elevates Kucherov, Hagel believes, are his twin abilities to control tempo and make the other four skaters wearing his logo look better.
“It’s tough to make everyone around you a better player, and that’s what he does every single night. It’s a privilege to play with him,” Hagel continues. “Because every time he steps out there, something could happen.”
The Hart vote is getting interesting, along with the Art Ross race, folks.
Kucherov (114 points) and McDavid (115) go head-to-head Saturday.
6. Head coach Patrick Roy was asked where his New York Islanders might be without super rookie Matthew Schaefer.
“I don’t want to think about that,” Roy replied.
Schaefer piles the astounding on top of the amazing, and this week he became the youngest defenceman in NHL history to reach 50 points.
What’s remarkable is that the 18-year-old’s offence is (a) boosting a franchise not known for having a ton of it and (b) not arriving at the expense of defence.
Hence, Schaefer’s 24:20 ice time and plus-16 rating.
One observer will rave about the teenager’s offensive instincts. Another might point out his poise under pressure. A third will mention his skating. And a fourth will gush over his hockey sense.
“When the rush comes against us, he’s gapping so well. He’s got great stick,” Roy says. “Honestly, he’s been doing a really nice job in every area of the game.
“We knew he had the offensive skills, but the way he’s been defending, it’s been impressive.”
7. Schaefer’s homecoming game in Toronto Tuesday was juiced by the blueliner’s estimation that his support group inside Scotiabank Arena might reach four digits.
Did fellow Isles freshman and Oakville, Ont., native Calum Ritchie feel like his homecoming game was getting overshadowed?
“By Schaefer’s 1,000 people coming?” Ritchie replied at morning skate, with a sly grin. “I’m just glad to have all my family here, all my friends. It’s going to be a blast.”
Though Ritchie admitted he didn’t have as many supporters as Schaefer, he said he was “playing for free.” Then he made the Maple Leafs pay.
“It’s crazy,” the 21-year-old said. “I was at dinner with my parents yesterday, my sister, and we were talking about just how crazy it is I’m playing in this building. It will be pretty cool to be on that ice tonight.”
No stranger to SBA — the family bought a whack of 2016 World Cup tickets so he got to see the comet that was Team North America live — Ritchie was the most noticeable player on the ice Tuesday.
An assist, a season-high four shots, plus the game-winner.
Looking back a year later, the Brock Nelson deadline deal appears to have served both trade partners well.
8. Jack Hughes, to ESPN, on his Olympic golden goal puck: “I’m trying to get it. Like, that’s bull—- that the Hockey Hall of Fame has it, in my opinion. Why would they have that puck?”
Sidney Crosby, to The Athletic, on his Olympic golden goal puck: “I didn’t even think about it that way, to be honest with you. I was just happy that I scored the goal. I was happy that the puck was going to the Hall of Fame.”
Christians strive to abide by a lofty standard: What would Jesus do?
Hockey players would serve themselves well by aspiring to similar heights: What would Sidney do?
9. The Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions each boast five teams with a positive goal differential. The Central has four of them, the worst of those being Utah at plus-24.
The Pacific barely has two, Vegas (plus-5) and Edmonton (plus-4). The Golden Knights and Oilers trail the Ducks (minus-11) for the Pacific’s regular-season title.
Which begs some questions: Should the NHL revisit its playoff format? (Absolutely, but Gary Bettman is having none of it.) Are the Mammoth low-key outsmarting the Wild by charting a post-season path through the Pacific? (Hmmm…) And has a team ever given up more goals than it has scored and still won top seed in its division?
Yes. A whopping eight times, in fact. But only once in the cap era.
The 1967-68 Flyers (minus-6 in the West), 1975-76 Blackhawks (minus-7 in the Smythe), 1976-77 Blues (minus-37 in the Smythe), 1978-79 Blackhawks (minus-33 in the Smythe), 1979-80 Blackhawks (minus-9 in the Smythe), 1986-87 Blues (minus-12 in the Norris), 1988-89 Red Wings (minus-3 in the Norris), and 2011-12 Panthers (minus-24 in the Southeast) all have the dubious distinction.
Anaheim is on track to join the club.
10. Walk into a post-game dressing room of a team has just won in any fashion, and the reporter knows what he or she is in for.
Victory music has just been blasted. A player-of-the-game token has been gifted from one sweaty dude to another. High fives have been exchanged.
The players are generally in good spirits, their answers fleshed out and positive. Our goalie was awesome and how about that superstar’s finish! We needed the two points.
Maybe a milestone has been achieved, perhaps an unlikely hero has emerged. The possibility of a juicy story exists.
Walk in post-game following a regulation loss, and the reporter knows the drill.
Voices are lowered, and the air feels heavy. The players may lament a poor effort or remind them of how close they came. Answers are shorter. Smiles are not allowed.
But there is also potential for vocal frustration or blame — of the refs, of a goalie, of a missed assignment, or (gasp) a coach. We needed the two points — and missed ’em.
Maybe a golden opportunity has been squandered, or a disturbing trend has emerged.
Covering a regular-season OT or shootout loss, however, is the journalistic equivalent of the indecisive Larry David meme.
The players and coach are seldom happy nor too disappointed. Hey, at least they got a point. And shootouts and 3-on-3 don’t exist when it matters anyway. One coach memorably dismissed a shootout loss, saying: “They won a skills contest.”
Try painting a room beige but make it pop. Write a poem about a shrug.
The thrill of victory! The agony of defeat! The gripping indifference of an OTL!
Ah, well. On to Cincinnati.
11. You can keep your Trevor Zegras highlights.
Former Maple Leafs prospect and future Ken Reid interview candidate Semyon Der-Arguchintsev scored the Shootout Goal of the Year.
The behind-both-legs roof job the skillful Moscow Dynamo forward executes on Spartak goaltender Artyom Zagidulin is so swift, it demands repeat viewings:
The affable 25-year-old Peterborough Petes product known as SDA appeared in just one game for the 2022-23 Leafs before continuing his career in the KHL. He has set a career high of 36 points this season — and set the Internet ablaze with his shootout wizardry.
Was his coach, Vyacheslav Kozlov, kidding when he told Der-Arguchintsev that was his final shootout attempt? Must be.
12. Big shout out to road pal David Alter.
The Toronto beat reporter set the gold standard for attendance, taking in 440 consecutive Maple Leafs games — an ironman streak that, without aid of a seat on the team charter, will never be beat. (Nor should it be attempted.)
When it comes to travel hacks and hotel scouring, the man is an animal. A run that long and unique takes some dedication. What’s wild is that, even after Alter’s streak ended Sunday due to a Minneapolis snowstorm, he immediately began a new streak.
So, tip of the cap to hockey reporting’s Phil Kessel. Our one of one.
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