Author Archives: Clarke Corsan

Tkachuk Injury Clouds U.S. Win Over Canada

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Team USA’s 3-1 victory over Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off came at a cost, as star forward Matthew Tkachuk left the game with a lower-body injury late in the third period. His availability for Monday’s final round-robin game against Sweden remains uncertain, with head coach Mike Sullivan stating, “Right now, he’s being evaluated by our doctors.”

Tkachuk, who played a key role in Team USA’s dominant 6-1 win over Finland on Thursday with two goals and an assist, downplayed concerns, saying, “I feel good. Definitely way better after a win.” However, the U.S., having already clinched a spot in the championship game, may opt to rest him as a precaution.

It remains unclear how Tkachuk sustained the injury. He cut a shift short early in the third period, skipped his next rotation, and then played only one more 40-second shift before heading to the bench for the remainder of the game. Observers noted that he seemed to favor his right leg as he skated off, though no official details have been provided.

Tkachuk has been a driving force for Team USA, bringing both offensive firepower and a physical edge. His immediate impact was felt when he set the tone against Canada by dropping the gloves with Brandon Hagel just two seconds into the game. Throughout the tournament, he has been a key part of the American attack, leading the team in high-danger scoring chances and playing a fluid role alongside Jack Eichel, Brady Tkachuk, and Auston Matthews.

If Tkachuk is sidelined, the U.S. will need to adjust its lineup heading into the final. Chris Kreider, the team’s extra forward, could step in, but his more reserved physical presence differs from Tkachuk’s aggressive, high-energy style. The absence of Tkachuk could affect Team USA’s momentum heading into the championship game, where they will face either Canada or Finland.

While the victory against Canada marked a milestone for Team USA in this renewed rivalry, all eyes are now on Tkachuk’s recovery. Given his importance to the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup aspirations, ensuring his long-term health will be paramount. As the tournament progresses, Team USA must balance competitiveness with caution, ensuring their star forward is ready for the biggest games ahead.

Makar and Theodore Absent as Canada Falls to U.S.

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Canada faced a major defensive setback in their 3-1 loss to the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off on Saturday, as both Cale Makar and Shea Theodore were unavailable. Makar, dealing with an illness, was a game-time decision but ultimately did not dress. Theodore, meanwhile, is out for the remainder of the tournament with an upper-body injury sustained against Sweden earlier in the week.

To fill Makar’s absence, Canada called up Thomas Harley from the Dallas Stars, who logged 18:17 of ice time, contributing three blocked shots, two shots, and one hit. Travis Sanheim, originally a healthy scratch, stepped into Theodore’s role, bringing a more defensive presence compared to Theodore’s offensive skillset.

Makar, who led all Canadian skaters in ice time with 28:06 in the opener against Sweden, participated in the morning skate and initially expressed optimism about playing. That feeling quickly faded though unfortunately, as head coach Jon Cooper emphasized caution, stating, “We’ll never put Cale in harm’s way.” Canada is hopeful that Makar can return for their crucial matchup against Finland on Monday.

Theodore’s injury occurred early in the second period against Sweden after a collision with Adrian Kempe, forcing Canada to play the remainder of the game with only five defensemen. His absence presents a challenge, as he was a key piece of Canada’s top power-play unit and defensive pairings.

Harley’s arrival in Montreal was met with enthusiasm from his teammates, with Connor McDavid noting the dedication required to join the team on such short notice. “If there’s any question of what this tournament means to guys, Harley is proof of that,” McDavid said. “He was a few hours away from being in Cabo, and now he’s here ready to help us win.”

Despite missing two key defensemen, Canada held their own in a physical contest that saw an early onslaught of fights. In the end, without Makar’s elite puck-moving ability and Theodore’s smooth skating, the team struggled to generate sustained offensive pressure. The Canada vs. USA game had the potential to feature the world’s two best defenceman in Makar and Quinn Hughes, but neither were available. 

With a must-win game against Finland looming, Canada will look to adjust their defensive pairings and hope for Makar’s return. As McDavid put it, “It’s like a Game 7 for us now. We need to find a way.”

USA Defeats Canada in Electrifying 4 Nations Face-Off

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The United States fought their way to a fiery 3-1 victory at the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal against Canada on Saturday, securing a spot in the final while reigniting one of hockey’s fiercest rivalries. The game exploded into chaos within the first nine seconds, featuring three separate fights that set the tone for a physically charged contest.

Canada’s Connor McDavid opened the scoring, but it was all the US after than. Dylan Larkin delivered the game-winner in the second period and added an assist, while Jake Guentzel scored twice, including an empty-netter to seal the win. American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stood tall with 25 saves, frustrating a Canadian offense led by captain McDavid, who netted the team’s only goal. Despite the effort, Canada struggled without top defenseman Cale Makar, who was sidelined due to illness, and now faces a must-win game against Finland to keep championship hopes alive.

The Bell Centre crowd unleashed a thunderous chorus of boos during the U.S. national anthem before roaring in support of the home team. The intensity carried over onto the ice as Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel dropped the gloves just two seconds into the game. A second brawl followed immediately between Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett, and another six seconds later saw J.T. Miller square off against Colton Parayko. The raw emotion on display was a byproduct of the pent-up anticipation after a decade-long absence of best-on-best international men’s hockey.

“The mayhem was organic,” said Canadian head coach Jon Cooper. “It was 10 years of no international hockey exhaled in a minute and a half.”

McDavid ignited the building with a dazzling backhand goal in the first period, but Guentzel’s response at 10:15, sneaking a shot through Jordan Binnington’s pads, shifted momentum. Larkin capitalized on a rare Sidney Crosby turnover in the second, beating Binnington on a two-on-one to give the Americans a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Canada pressed hard in the third, but Hellebuyck denied McDavid and Crosby’s late attempts before Guentzel’s empty-net goal put this one away for team blue.

With this win, Team USA remains undefeated in the tournament and heads to the final in Boston. Canada, Sweden, and Finland are now locked in a tight battle for the remaining spot. McDavid framed Monday’s clash with Finland as a do-or-die moment. “It’s like a Game 7,” he said. “We’ve got to find a way.”

Canada will need to rally quickly, but one thing is clear: the rivalry is alive and burning hotter than ever.

2020 NHL Redraft: Reassessing Picks 1-5

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Nearly five years have passed since the 2020 NHL Draft, so we’re taking a look at how the top-10 picks have shaped up over the first full four years of their careers, starting with picks 1-5

Tim Stutzle, to this point, is the only player from this class to establish himself early as an elite talent in the NHL. Others, like Lucas Raymond and Jake Sanderson, have solidified themselves as strong contributors and pieces to build around, but the top-end talent outside of Stutzle is somewhat lacking in this class.

With the benefit of hindsight, we’re redrafting this class to see where some of the players might have ended up if the scouts had done their jobs.

  1. NEW YORK RANGERS

Original Pick: Alexis Lafreniere (LW)
Redraft: Tim Stutzle (C)

Entering the draft, Stutzle was touted as one of the top prospects along with Alexis Lafreniere and Quinton Byfield. Originally taken by Ottawa, Stutzle is close to earning the ‘star’ tag if he hasn’t already through his first 341 games—putting up 198 goals and 303 points across those contests. A tier above the rest of this class, the Rangers beef up their top-six by adding Stutzle in this redraft.

  1. LOS ANGELES KINGS

Original Pick: Quinton Byfield (RW)
Redraft: Jake Sanderson (D)

Outside of Stutzle, the rest of the original top-10 went about where they should. Many of these redraft shuffles are interchangeable and come down to team needs, so I have the Kings taking Jake Sanderson over Quinton Byfield to add a cornerstone defenseman to build around. Thirty-five-year-old Drew Doughty only has so much left in the tank, so LA looks to refresh their blue line with Sanderson.

  1. OTTAWA SENATORS

Original Pick: Tim Stutzle (C)
Redraft: Lucas Raymond (LW)

The next-best available, Raymond has been a stud in Detroit thus far, and the Sens wouldn’t be too upset about getting him at three had they missed out on Stutzle. Raymond has 233 points in 293 games with the Wings, and those totals would probably look about the same in Ottawa, where he’d play in a similar top-six role. The Senators were the original bandits of this draft, having two top-five picks and nailing them both with Stutzle and Sanderson.

  1. DETROIT RED WINGS

Original Pick: Lucas Raymond (LW)
Redraft: Quinton Byfield (RW)

Byfield would drop outside the top three if this draft was done over, but that’s not to say the scouting report on the kid was wrong. It took him a couple of years to get it going, bouncing between the Kings and their AHL affiliate in Ontario, but he’s coming off career-highs in goals and points with 55 in 2023-24, on top of strong two-way play-driving. Detroit would surely add this 6’5” power forward given the chance, with what else is available.

  1. OTTAWA SENATORS

Original Pick: Jake Sanderson (D)
Redraft: Anton Lundell (C)

Without Sanderson on the board, the Senators opt for the young Finn currently representing his country at the 4 Nations in Anton Lundell. He’s put up impressive numbers so far with the Panthers after originally being taken 12th overall—148 points in 272 games—but he, like Byfield, is a very strong two-way player who does more than put points on the board. If Ottawa were able to grab both Lundell and Raymond in this draft, they’d still probably be the bandits based on those two guys.

Why the NHL Should Adopt a 10-Minute Overtime Period

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If you were lucky enough to catch Canada’s thrilling 4 Nations Face-Off opener against Sweden, you saw just how exhilarating a 10-minute 3-on-3 overtime can be. With the score tied at three after regulation, both teams battled through six minutes of end-to-end, high-skill hockey before Mitch Marner secured Canada’s victory- taking advantage of the extra time. The longer overtime period gave the game a natural conclusion- no shootout needed.

NHL fans have long called for extended overtime. While 3-on-3 hockey is an exciting format, the current five-minute window has turned into a frustrating game of keep-away. Teams focus more on possession and limiting risks rather than pushing for a decisive goal. The result? Too many games still end in shootouts, a format few players and fans truly enjoy.

“I don’t think anyone wants to go to a shootout,” said Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.

The 4 Nations tournament serves as a perfect test for a longer overtime, and the early returns are promising. Players like McDavid embrace the added time, believing it gives teams a better chance to determine the outcome on their own terms.

“I think it’s a great kind of trial run,” McDavid said. “Something I think the players liked, the fans liked it. It felt a little more like it’s in our hands.”

Not every player is fully on board. Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon admitted that while 10 minutes might be too much, a compromise could be found.

“No,” MacKinnon said with a laugh when asked if he wanted 10-minute overtimes in the NHL. “We were actually just talking about it in the room. Maybe 7 [minutes]? I usually feel better than that normally.”

MacKinnon’s concern? Fatigue. He was visibly exhausted during overtime against Sweden and even opted to take a shot instead of passing to McDavid on a two-on-one break- a rare decision for a player of his caliber.

“I can’t believe I looked off Connor on that 2-on-1, honestly, but I could barely see, I was so tired off that rush,” he admitted. “I was happy when Marner scored because I didn’t have much left to give. So 5 to 7 [minutes] would be good.”

The consensus? Players want more overtime- but within reason. A 10-minute period would reduce shootouts while still keeping the action fast-paced and intense. The NHL should take note. Longer overtime isn’t just good for the players; it’s better for the game.

Canada vs. USA: A Rivalry Renewed at 4 Nations Face-Off

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Hockey fans, we deserved this. After years of no best-on-best international competition, pandemic-era restrictions, and flat-cap challenges, the 4 Nations Face-Off has delivered through two games. A tournament-opening Connor McDavid-to-Sidney Crosby-to-Nathan MacKinnon goal? Wonderful. The Tkachuk brothers dominating in classic Tkachuk fashion? Chef’s kiss. And now, we get the marquee event: Canada versus the U.S. on Saturday night in Montreal.

Canada’s Strengths

Canada’s elite talent sets them apart. Crosby, McDavid, and MacKinnon are generational stars who elevate the game beyond its usual pace. Drew Doughty called Game 1 “the fastest game I’ve ever played in.” The States will have no choice but to give them space, creating room for Canada’s depth to thrive.

Defensively, Canada overcame the curveball of Shea Theodore’s injury in Game 1. Colton Parayko played shutdown hockey, Josh Morrissey was dynamic, and Devon Toews was rock-solid. With Cale Makar missing practice due to illness, there’s reason for concern, but having three solid defensive pairs should keep things stable.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1890435904281457023

In goal, Jordan Binnington kept Canada in it against Sweden, shaking off shaky goals and locking it down in overtime. Against the U.S., the choice is between him- who’s already felt the pressure of the tournament- or Adin Hill, who would be making his debut. Canada is likely to stick with Binnington, but Hill will be ready if needed.

USA’s Momentum

The Americans look primed for a challenge. The Tkachuk brothers dominated against Finland, bringing a mix of skill and chaos. Brady Tkachuk has called this tournament “the best hockey experience of his life,” and Matthew said he’s been waiting nearly a decade for this matchup. The brothers have only played one game together but it’s safe to assume their chemistry and physicality will be a factor against the Canadians. 

Beyond them, Team USA has a tight-knit group. Many have played together through the U.S. development program, and their off-ice camaraderie is evident. Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes displayed immediate chemistry on the top line, while Connor Hellebuyck secured a win after bouncing back from a questionable goal let up to the Fins. 

What to Expect

This game will be physical- expect the boards to rattle early. Canada is inserting Sam Bennett between Brad Marchand and Seth Jarvis, forming a nightmare line to play against. The U.S. surely won’t back down, and emotions will run high.

Goaltending could decide the game. Hellebuyck is elite but has struggled in big moments. Binnington, while less consistent, thrives under pressure. Special teams will also be key; the U.S. scored twice on the power play against Finland, while Canada cashed in 15 seconds into their only opportunity versus Sweden.

This is the game both teams have been waiting for, and if we’re lucky, it’s just a preview of an even bigger showdown five days from now in the final.

Canucks’ Kevin Lankinen to Start for Finland Against Sweden in 4 Nations

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As the 4 Nations tournament marches on, Team Finland is making a change between the pipes ahead of their Saturday morning matchup against Team Sweden. Vancouver Canucks netminder Kevin Lankinen will get the start, replacing Juuse Saros, who struggled in Finland’s opening 6-1 loss to Team USA.

Saros, typically one of the NHL’s most reliable goalies with a .916 save percentage over the past five seasons, has had a tough year. Playing behind a struggling Nashville Predators team, the 29-year-old has posted a career-low .898 save percentage through 41 starts, and his struggles carried into Finland’s tournament opener. Despite a strong start in that game, Finland couldn’t hold off the U.S. attack, forcing head coach Antti Pennanen to make a switch.

Lankinen, who joined the Canucks as a career backup, has put up standout numbers this season, including a .905 save percentage, four shutouts, and an NHL-record 10-0-0 road start. He holds a 19-8-7 record with a 2.53 goals-against average, making him a reliable alternative for Finland. At just $875,000, he has been a bargain for Vancouver, proving his value as a starter and providing stability during uncertainty in the Canucks’ goalie room with Demko dealing with a nagging knee injury. 

Lankinen will face Swedish goaltender Filip Gustavsson, who was confirmed as Sweden’s starter on Friday. Gustavsson played in Sweden’s 4-3 overtime loss to Canada, stopping 24 of 28 shots.

“We have three good goalies. It’s a good situation for us,” Pennanen said. “Juuse was really good for 40 minutes, but when you lose 6-1, you have to do something. Kevin has played well lately, so that was behind the decision.”

Lankinen has proven his ability on the international stage before. He last played for Finland in the 2019 IIHF World Championship, where he led the team to a gold medal with a 43-save performance in a 3-1 victory over Canada. Now, he gets another chance to shine as Finland looks to rebound against Sweden in the 4 Nations tournament.

What a Brock Boeser Extension Looks Like for the Canucks

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Brock Boeser’s future with the Vancouver Canucks is a hot topic as he approaches free agency in the final year of his contract. Coming off a career-best 40-goal season a year ago, Boeser’s next deal will be a big decision for both the player and the franchise.

Boeser, 27, has been consistent in the offensive zone scoring 175 goals over the past seven seasons and really rounding out his game over the last three. His career-high 40-goal, 73-point campaign in 2023-24 solidified his reputation as a top-tier winger and premier scorer in the league. 

A key comparison for Boeser is Philadelphia’s Travis Konecny, who signed an eight-year, $70 million extension ($8.75M AAV). While Konecny’s deal may be out of reach for Vancouver, it sets a benchmark for Boeser’s next contract.

Historically, 40-goal scorers earn significant raises. Players like Zach Hyman, Elias Lindholm, and Carter Verhaeghe were underpaid at the time of their breakout seasons. Boeser, already making $6.65 million per year, is unlikely to accept a pay cut. The rising NHL salary cap also plays in his favor, making a $7 million-plus AAV reasonable.

The Canucks will have to weigh Boeser’s contract length carefully. At 28, this will likely be his last major deal, so the Minnesota native will be looking to cash in long-term. The longer the term, the lower the cap hit, and vice versa. Boeser’s footspeed has been an issue throughout his career so on the one hand, he’s adapted his game to be effective without top-tier skating speed, but on the other hand, he’s probably only going to get slower as he gets older. 

The team also has to consider its overall salary structure. Elias Pettersson’s $11.6 million cap hit sets the ceiling, but the Canucks are projected to have over $22 million in cap space heading into 2025-26. A couple recent trades involving J.T. Miller and Vincent Desharnais cleared over $10 million in cap space, and the Canucks inked defenceman Marcus Pettersson to a six-year-deal shortly after acquiring him. 

While Boeser becomes eligible for an extension on July 1, 2024, negotiations may not be immediate. I’d expect his next contract to be in the range of five to seven years, with an AAV between $7 and $8 million as the NHL’s salary cap continues to rise. The Canucks have to try and balance financial flexibility with retaining a key offensive weapon, making this extension a pivotal decision for Vancouver’s future with their window to win lying in the duration of Quinn Hughes’ contract.

2018 NHL Redraft: Reassessing Picks 6-10

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Nearly seven years have passed since the 2018 NHL Draft, held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Of the 31 first-round picks, all but three have reached the NHL, with many playing over 100 games. Some have blossomed into stars, while others have struggled to meet expectations.

With the benefit of hindsight, we’re taking a look at the top 10 picks from 2018 and seeing where some players might have ended up if the scouts had done their jobs, picking up where we left off after picks 1-5 with picks 6-10 

6. Detroit Red Wings

Original Pick: Filip Zadina
 Redraft: Evan Bouchard

Initially picked 10th, Bouchard has grown into an offensive powerhouse on Edmonton’s blue line. Known for his booming slap shot and overall pretty elite offensive abilities (for a defenceman), he’d help to solidify Detroit’s blue line with Moritz Seider coming in a year after which would be one of the better defensive pairings in the league. 

7. Vancouver Canucks

Original Pick: Quinn Hughes
 Redraft: K’Andre Miller

Originally a second-round pick in 2018, Miller’s defensive reliability and size make him an appealing choice for Vancouver with Hughes off the board. The 6’5 defender has the potential to be one of the best blue liners in the league with his size and offensive upside, with 118 points across 343 games with the Rangers. 

8. Chicago Blackhawks

Original Pick: Adam Boqvist
 Redraft: Yegor Sharangovich

Originally a fifth-round selection, Sharangovich has emerged as a skilled and versatile forward, proving to be a steal in hindsight. Chicago moves on from Boqvist, who is a serviceable defenseman but does not provide the same value as Sharangovich.

9. New York Rangers

Original Pick: Vitali Kravtsov
 Redraft: Joel Farabee

A strong two-way winger, Farabee has shown flashes of scoring ability and would be a solid addition to the Rangers’ roster. Traded to the Flames midway through the 2024-25 season, the 24-year-old figures to be a centrepiece of Calgaries rebuild. Kravtsov never established himself in the NHL and currently plays in the KHL, so it’s an easy choice for the Rangers to move off him. 

10. Edmonton Oilers

Original Pick: Evan Bouchard
 Redraft: Philipp Kurashev

Initially a fourth-round selection, Kurashev has steadily improved and is proving to be a valuable contributor in Chicago. With Bouchard off the board, the Oilers pivot and add to their forward depth to support McDavid and Draisaitl. Anyone fortunate enough to play with McDavid is going to have inflated numbers, but Kurashev is a solid forward with playmaking upside.

2019 NHL Redraft: Reassessing Picks 6-10

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Nearly eight years have passed since the 2019 NHL Draft, held at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Some players have blossomed into stars, while others have struggled to meet expectations.

Jack Hughes, to this point, is the only player from this class to establish himself early as an elite talent in the NHL. Others, like Dylan Cozens and Moritz Seider, have solidified themselves as strong contributors and talented players, but the top-end talent outside of Hughes is somewhat lacking in this class.

With the benefit of hindsight, we’re redrafting this class to see where some of the players might have ended up if the scouts had done their jobs. This edition covers picks 6-10. You can check out picks 1-5 here

6. Detroit Red Wings

Original Pick: Moritz Seider
 Redraft: Thomas Harley

Harley took some time to establish himself on a deep Dallas roster after being selected 18th overall, but he has since proven to be an extremely reliable defenseman with surprising offensive ability. Originally drafted as more of a stay-at-home player, he has blossomed into a proficient scorer, recording 76 points over his last 132 games- a strong clip for a second-pairing defenseman.

7. Buffalo Sabres

Original Pick: Dylan Cozens
 Redraft: Dylan Cozens

Cozens remains with the Sabres, as no better top-end players are available. With 193 points in 334 games, he’s not the flashiest scorer but provides reliable two-way play- something every team needs for a deep playoff run, though the Sabres haven’t actually been a relevant playoff team.

8. Edmonton Oilers

Original Pick: Philip Broberg
 Redraft: Matias Maccelli

Originally snagged by the Coyotes- now the Utah Hockey Club- with the 98th overall pick, Maccelli moves up to be taken by the Oilers. I’d like to think he’d be on a line with McJesus because why the hell not. With 130 points in 221 games on a struggling Utah team, he’d probably be over 200 points by now if he played alongside McDavid and Draisaitl.

Honorable Mention – Dustin Wolf:
 I’m not sure Wolf gets taken inside the top 10 simply because of how goalies are valued and the fact that he’s only now playing his first full season (Calder front-runner, perhaps?). However, based on talent alone, Wolf could easily make this list. I’d place him with the Oilers, considering their goaltending situation is dire with Jeff Skinner.

9. Anaheim Ducks

Original Pick: Trevor Zegras
 Redraft: Trevor Zegras

Zegras is an exciting but polarizing player. He burst onto the scene with a 61-point rookie campaign, followed by a 65-point season. Since then, injuries have become an issue, and while he doesn’t do a lot of things exceptionally well beyond scoring, his production has dipped in recent seasons. There’s still plenty of story left to be written for Zegras, but it’s now on him to break out of his senior-year slump and help get Anaheim back on track.

10. Vancouver Canucks

Original Pick: Vasili Podkolzin
 Redraft: Kaapo Kakko

Kakko has been labeled a bust by many after being taken second overall by the Rangers. While he’s certainly not a world-class player, “bust” isn’t quite the right term. I’m not sure he’ll ever be more than a very solid bottom-six center, but that’s still a respectable career in today’s NHL- just not what you’d expect from a second overall pick. He could be a valuable piece for a team looking to win now, providing stability down the middle- something Vancouver could use.