NHL
Leafs Score a Goalie
Article by Mason Askew
NHL teams continue to craft their perfect teams as the summer comes to a close, the Toronto Maple Leafs still find hidden gems to capture. With a cheaper contract of $875,000, the Leafs were able to acquire Martin Jones, a very well-seasoned veteran at the age of 33. This contract is a no-risk, one-year contract that may have saved many goals.
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Jones was one of the best veterans still left as a free agent. With 444 season games and 60 playoff games certainly provides proof of experience, but number of games is not everything. Jones is owner of a Stanley Cup ring after his team, Los Angelos Kings, won the Stanley Cup in 2014 and shortly after was able to secure a gold medal from the 2015 championship game. These accomplishments make Jones the most accomplished of the Leafs’ goalies.
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With a veteran in front of the net, things seem to be looking up for the Leafs, but is there more to Jones’ story? Jones’ accomplishments both happened around the same time and back when he was younger. Even then, Jones was only a backup when the Kings won the Stanley Cup. In addition, Jones is at a career worst save percentage of .886. These factors led to the massive pay cut that Jones is used to. However, Leafs are only acquiring Jones as a third string backup and if he gets his shot, Jones could potentially show he still has his glory days in him.
Jaromir Jagr's Return to the NHL: Fact or Fiction?
Article by Deandre Hill
The hockey community recently experienced a whirlwind of excitement with rumors suggesting a remarkable NHL return for 51-year-old legend, Jaromir Jagr, specifically with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Social media was inundated with claims that the Penguins were set to sign Jagr to a one-year, $1 million contract. The initial buzz traced back to an unconfirmed source that purportedly had insights from the Penguins' GM, Kyle Dubas. Yet, upon further examination, major sports outlets and investigators have debunked the claim, emphasizing the lack of substantial evidence supporting Jagr's alleged return.
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Jagr's impeccable skill set, even at 51, is undisputed, but his current allegiance lies with the Kladno Knights in Czechia. Not only does he play for the Knights, but he also co-owns the team. This ongoing commitment effectively dims the prospects of an NHL homecoming. The rumors likely garnered attention due to recent changes in the Penguins' management and their strategic endeavors. However, a meticulous review of the facts suggests that this exciting narrative remains an illusory tale capturing the hopes of countless fans.
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Yet, Jagr's NHL journey is not without its fair share of intriguing tales. One of the most captivating stories revolves around his early career decision-making. His admiration for Mario Lemieux, ignited during the 1985 World Championships, carved his determination to share the rink with his idol as a Penguin. Employing clever tactics, Jagr misled various NHL teams about his intentions to play in North America. This brilliant ruse ensured his place in the 1990 NHL draft, placing him precisely where he aspired to be: by the side of his hero, wearing the emblematic black and gold jersey of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Carter Verhaeghe and Casey Engleson: An Engagement to Remember
Article by Deandre Hill
NHL superstar Carter Verhaeghe, of the Florida Panthers, and Casey Engleson gave fans and followers a glimpse into their fairytale moment this week. Taking to Instagram, they unveiled a carousel of captivating images capturing the very second Verhaeghe popped the question. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect: a serene beach paired with a majestic mountainous backdrop, captured exquisitely by renowned Saint Lucia-based photographer, Alberta Henry. The series of images showcased Verhaeghe, in an olive green polo, blue skinny jeans, and white sneakers, going down on one knee, presenting a luminous wedding ring. Engleson, donning a striking sleeveless orange bodycon dress, looked both surprised and elated. Their post was simply captioned "08.04.23", indicating the memorable date, along with a heartfelt red heart emoji.
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The reactions to their announcement were overwhelmingly positive, with the comments section flooded with love and well-wishes. The Florida Panthers' official Instagram account led the congratulatory messages with a simple "Happy for you both!!". Among the plethora of praises, Katie Engleson, a relative of Casey, expressed her joy and Casey's own exclamation about the magical nature of the event echoed her sentiments.
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Another enthusiast made a playful reference to Verhaeghe's career, nudging him to secure a championship ring to complement the engagement ring. This isn't the first time fans have gotten a peek into the couple's personal life, with Engleson frequently sharing snapshots of their journey together. From black-tie events to intimate Christmas mornings featuring their dog, Henry, their shared moments have painted a picture of deep love and understanding.
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The love story of Carter and Casey is one that has fascinated their followers, not just because of their high-profile status, but because of the genuine affection and partnership they exude. Recently, the couple enjoyed a summer retreat to Muskoka, Ontario - a favorite among celebrities. Their engagement adds a new chapter to their journey, promising many more memories and moments that their supporters eagerly await.
Philadelphia Flyers' Prolonged Pursuit of Massimo Rizzo Pays Off
Article by Deandre Hill
The anticipation and speculation that surrounded Massimo Rizzo's potential move to the Philadelphia Flyers is finally over. Initially, Rizzo was rumored to be the swap for Tony DeAngelo in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes. Unfortunately for Flyers fans, DeAngelo was bought out before that trade could take place. However, the organization's persistence prevailed. They managed to acquire the young center, not through the anticipated trade but by trading the rights to Czech forward David Kase. This switch also earned them a 2025 fifth-round pick, an added bonus to the deal.
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For those who haven’t been closely following Rizzo's career, he's a name to remember. At just 22, he has shown considerable promise during his stint at the University of Denver. He shared the ice with top Flyers prospect, Bobby Brink, during the 2021-22 season. Although Rizzo ranked seventh in scoring that year, trailing behind the leading scorer Brink, he took the spotlight in the recent season with an impressive 17 goals and 46 points in 38 games. While critiques often point out his below-average skating, Rizzo's exceptional puck skills and flashy playstyle more than compensate.
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However, Flyers' fans might have to curb their enthusiasm. As per recent updates, the team has not finalized an entry-level contract with Rizzo. The plan, as of now, is for him to return to Denver for the 2023-24 season. Bobby Brink might have to wait till 2024 to reunite with his former teammate in professional play. But with the Flyers having until August 15, 2025, to lock Rizzo into a contract, it's highly likely that an agreement will come through. The only wildcard remains: if Rizzo's Denver team doesn't qualify for postseason, he might just make his pro debut sooner than expected. Only time will tell.
Gretzky's Six Pushups and the Evolution of Athlete Training
Article by Deandre Hill
The evolution of athletic performance and training regimens in professional sports is nothing short of remarkable. It's especially evident when one listens to the tales of the sporting giants from earlier eras. One such intriguing revelation comes from the legendary ice hockey player, Wayne Gretzky. During the 1981-82 NHL season, when he netted a record 92 goals, he claims to have only done six pushups! This astonishing admission was made by Gretzky, whose playing weight was 185 pounds, during a panel discussion on TNT’s Stanley Cup Final coverage in June.
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Gretzky, fondly known as "The Great One", changed the face of hockey with his unparalleled speed, vision, and creativity. He was so ahead of his contemporaries in his early career that he often left goaltenders of that time flummoxed with his exceptional skills. As time went by and his career progressed, the nature of hockey and the training routines of athletes underwent significant transformations. The sport shifted towards a power game, with goaltenders becoming increasingly adept, larger, and their gear consuming more net space, making goal scoring ever more challenging.
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This metamorphosis of the NHL underscores the remarkable prowess of modern-day stars like Alex Ovechkin. At six-foot-three and weighing 238 pounds, Ovechkin exemplifies the archetype of the power forward in today's NHL. His consistent top-tier performance and resilience in a more physically demanding era of the sport highlight his supreme talent. As Ovechkin inches closer to Gretzky's record of 894 goals, his achievement is not just a testament to his exceptional talent but also to the changing dynamics of athletic training. While Gretzky might have scored 92 goals with just six pushups, one can only imagine the intense training routines Ovechkin undergoes to maintain his edge.
IndyCar Star Accuses NHL Player of Nightclub Assault
Article by Deandre Hill
In a surprising twist amidst the world of sports, IndyCar driver Zach Claman DeMelo has publicly accused Daniel Sprong, forward for the Detroit Red Wings, of assaulting him during an event in Detroit. According to a recent report by Detroit Hockey Now, DeMelo alleges that the assault occurred when the Detroit Grand Prix was taking place in the city. The IndyCar driver, a Montreal native, stated that there were two separate confrontations involving Sprong, originally from the Netherlands.
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Detailing the incidents on his Instagram, DeMelo posted pictures of what he claims to be injuries caused by Sprong. These images depict a chipped tooth and a bloodied mouth. In a lengthy post, DeMelo described the events, "He grabbed my neck and pinned me on a wall... Daniel came back and sucker punched me in the face when I was defenceless." He went on to lament the severity of his dental injuries and mentioned that he's been grappling with a concussion since the incident.
DeMelo further emphasized the gravity of such behavior, especially from a prominent athlete like Sprong, urging the importance of high standards in conduct.
As of now, it's unclear if any legal actions will ensue from these allegations. Sprong, who recently inked a one-year contract with Detroit after a career-best season of 21 goals for Seattle, has not publicly addressed these accusations. Furthermore, neither the Detroit Red Wings nor their representatives have commented on this developing story, as per Detroit Hockey Now.