“Sticking” To It

By Mike Rifkin

The bottom of the  ninth inning of the Mets-Cubs game on Sunday was a roller coaster before it even started. Mets closer Edwin Diaz was ejected before throwing a pitch when the umpires determined his hands were too sticky. With the ejection Diaz is now suspended for 10 games barring an appeal. Diaz will now miss series against the Yankees, Astros, Nationals and a game against the Pirates. This comes at a really bad time for the Mets, who have won 15 of 21 games and now sit one game back of the third wild card spot. 

Diaz said after the game “ I think it’s the same. They always check me, they let me pitch. I will keep using the same thing because they didn’t find anything on my glove, hat and belt.” Diaz is the third Met to get ejected from a game over the last calendar year along with Drew Smith and Max Scherzer. Crew Chief Vic Carapazza said “ It definitely wasn’t rosin and sweat. We’ve checked 1,000’s of these. I know what the feeling is, it was very sticky.” 

My problem isn’t with the umpires, my problem is with MLB. There is no standard to how sticky someone’s hand is. The umpires are told to act on their own accord to figure out how sticky someone’s hand is, but there’s been a different double standard and that is when the umpires allow the pitcher to go wash their hands. Yes, Diaz can appeal this situation but he probably won’t win it and it still hurts the Mets. MLB banned the sticky substances to increase offense, well over the last year offense is down and they can’t blame the sticky stuff, so what’s the explanation? 

Here’s the thing: I don’t care what Diaz or Mendoza say, I don’t care what the umpires have to say as they’re just following what they’re told. I want to hear from the commissioner and have him address this because if the players are confused, if the umpires are confused then you know the fans are confused. Why are there different protocols, what is considered too sticky, is there a way we can have the stickiness measured? These are all valid questions for MLB and Rob Manfred to answer, but he hasn’t and what happens if this costs a team a playoff spot or worse a playoff game. Based on something arbitrary, it’s ridiculous if you’re going to have a rule in place that has a way it should be measured. At the end of the day this is a loss for the Players’ because it’s very hard for the suspension to get overturned. Hey we have a great summer of baseball ahead, but as usual we’re talking about a negative hitting MLB and they need to find a solution.

TWIW – This Week In Wrestling 6/21/2024

By Jeff Knapp

Not wrestling related but I want to say RIP to the Say Hey Kid Willie Mays, arguably the greatest baseball player of all time.

The biggest story in my opinion this week was the debut of The Wyatt Sicks. This was the most amazing thing I’ve seen in a LONG time. Not taking anything away from the cinematic experience from the first Hardy Compound match, Sting’s first AEW match when he tagged with Darby Allin or the AJ Styles vs Undertaker match at Wrestlemania, but this was pure creepy, suspenseful, dark, haunting pleasure. As of this writing, I have watched that moment about 10 times. LET THEM IN !!!

It was announced that AJ Styles will be facing Naomichi Marfuji at the NOAH Destination 2024 show on July 13 at Budokan. For those who don’t know he is a 4x GHC World Champion for Noah and is currently 1 ⁄ 2 of the GHC Tag Team Champions. He’s also held championships for NJPW and All Japan and was voted (with his partner) in 2003 and 2004 as the PWI Tag Team of the Year.

Seth Rollins returned to Raw for the 1st time since losing the World Heavyweight Championship to Drew McIntyre (who then lost it to Damian Priest) at Wrestlemania.

After their victories on Raw, Iyo Sky and Jey Uso have qualified for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

After showing complete frustration, Drew McIntyre quit Raw and walked out past Triple H in the back. On Friday’s Smackdown in Chicago McIntyre attacked CM Punk and left him a bloody mess on the entrance way. This rivalry is so good right now and they haven’t had a match yet.

Congratulations are in order for Je’Von Evans who outlasted 24 other men in a battle royal and is now the number 1 contender to Trick Williams’s NXT World Championship. 

Speaking of NXT and the battle royal, it was amazing to see Joe Hendry and Frankie Kazarian from TNA make an appearance. The crowd gave Joe Hendry an amazing reaction. Do you believe in Joe Hendry?

It appears that ROH Women’s Champion, Athena has torn some ligaments in her ankle and could be sidelined 4-6 months. She has held that championship for around 500 days. I wish her a speedy recovery. No word, as of this writing, what will happen to the title and when they will crown a new champion. 

The WWE filed to trademark the name “Talla Tonga,” which many believe is reserved for former NJPW star Hikuleo. They have also filed a trademark for the name Caesar Sikoa.

Although nothing has been confirmed, it appears that Lio Rush will be a regular with AEW going forward.

It was announced this week that NXT will debut on The CW on Tuesday October 1st.

After some wait, The Samoan Werewolf Jacob Fatu, son of Sam Fatu aka The Tonga Kid debuted on Friday on Smackdown and took out Kevin Owens, Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. 

Ahead of their match at Forbidden Door, Mercedes Mone arrived at Arena Mexico to confront NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer. 

After 8 amazing years with the WWE, KAyla Braxton has decided to leave the WWE and pursue interests outside the company. I wish her all the best and hope to see her come back to the company where millions of people loved her.

Rollcall of Current Champions from Around The Wrestling World

WWE

Undisputed WWE Champion – Cody Rhodes

World Heavyweight Champion – Damian Priest

World Tag Team Champions – The Miz & R-Truth

WWE Tag Team Champions – Grayson Waller & Austin Theory

WWE Women’s Champion – Bayley

Women’s World Champion – Liv Morgan

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions – Isla Dawn & Alba Fire

WWE US Champion – Logan Paul

WWE Intercontinental Champion – Sami Zayn

NXT

NXT Championship- Trick Williams

NXT Women’s Champion – Roxanne Perez

NXT North American Champion – Oba Femi

NXT Women’s North American Champion – Kelani Jordan

NXT Tag Team Champions – Nathan Frazer & Axiom

NXT Heritage Cup – “The Don of NXT” Tony D’Angelo

AEW

AEW World Champion – Swerve Strickland

AEW TNT Champion – VACANT

AEW Women’s Champion – Toni Storm

AEW TBS Champion – Mercedes Mone

AEW World Tag Team Champions – Young Bucks

AEW & ROH Unified Trios Champions – Bullet Club Gold (Jay White & Austin & Colton Gunn)

AEW International Champion – Will Osprey

AEW Continental Champion – Kazuchika Okada

TNA 

TNA World Champion – Moose

TNA X Division – Mustafa Ali

TNA Tag Team Champions – The System (Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers)

TNA Digital Media Champion – AJ Francis

TNA Knockouts Champion – Jordynne Grace

TNA Knockouts Tag Champions – The System (Alisha Edwards and Masha Slamovich)

ROH

ROH World Champion – Mark Briscoe

ROH TV Champion – Kyle Fletcher

ROH Pure Champion – Wheeler Yuta

ROH Tag Champions – The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)

ROH Women’s Champion – Athena

ROH Women’s TV Champion – Billie Starkz

NWA

NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion – EC3

NWA World TV Champion – Max The Impaler (unified men’s and women’s)

NWA World Jr Heavyweight Champion – Joe Alonzo

NWA National Champion – Thom Latimer

NWA Mid America Heavyweight Champion – Jeremiah Plunkett

NWA World Tag Team Champions – Blunt Force Trauma – (Carnage & Damage)

NWA US Tag Team Champions – VACANT

NWA World Women’s Champion – Kenzie Paige

NWA World Women’s Tag Team Champions – The King Bees (Charity King & Danni Bee)

NJPW

IWGP World Champion – Jon Moxley

IWGP Global Heavyweight – David Finley

IWGP Junior Heavyweight – Sho

Strong Openweight Champion – Gabe Kidd

IWGP Television Champion – Jeff Cobb

IWGP Tag Team Champions – TMDK (Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste)

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions – Bullet Club War Dogs (Drilla Moloney and Clark Connors)

Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions – TMDK (Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls)

NEVER Openweight Champion – Shingo Takagi

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champions – Los Ingobernables de Japón  (Yota Tsuji, Bushi and Hiromu Takahashi)

KOPW 2023 – Great O Khan

IWGP Women’s Champion – Maya Iwatani (Shared with Stardom)

Strong Women’s Champion – Stephanie Vaquer (Shared with Stardom)

AAA – Triple A Worldwide

AAA Mega Champion – Nic Nemeth

AAA Latin American Champion – Octagon Jr

AAA World Cruiserweight Champion – Komander

AAA World Tag Team Champions – Nueva Generacion Dinamita (Sanson & Forastero)

AAA World Trios Champions – Los Vipers (Abismo Negro Jr, Psicosis & Toxin)

AAA Reina de Reinas Champion – Flammer

CMLL – Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre

CMLL World Heavyweight Champion – Gran Guerrero

CMLL World Light Heavyweight Champion – Averno

CMLL World Middleweight Champion – Templario

CMLL World Welterweight Champion – Titan

CMLL World Lightweight Champion – Stigma

CMLL World Tag Team Champions – Los Nuevos Ingobernables (Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja)

CMLL World Trios Champions – Los Bárbaros (Dragon Rojo Jr., Bárbaro Cavernario & El Terrible)

CMLL World Women’s Champion – Stephanie Vaquer

CMLL World Women’s Tag Team Champions – Stephanie Vaquer and Zeuxis

Stardom

World of Stardom Champion (main title) – Maika

Wonder of Stardom Champion (secondary title ie IC tite) – Saori Anou

Goddess of Stardom Champions (tag) – Fukuoka Double Crazy (Hazuki and Koguma)

Artist of Stardom Champions (trios) – Empress Nexus Venus (Maika, Mina Shirakawa & Xena)

High Speed Champion (lightweight or x type of title) Saya Kamitani

Like Father, Like Son: Tij Iginla Draft Profile

BY NATE MOSER

It feels like only yesterday that Calgary Flames legendary winger Jarome Iginla was playing in the NHL. He accomplished so much while with the Flames; while also suiting up for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings as well. During his 1,554 games in the league, he accrued 625 goals and 675 assists for 1,300 points. His number 12 was retired with the Flames during the 2018-19 season and he leads the organization currently in goals with 525 and overall points with 1,095. His 570 assists with Calgary is also second only to defenseman Al MacInnis. Having Iginla was an awesome time for the Flames and their fans. Now, there is a possibility for them to get another Iginla.

Jarome’s son Tij Iginla is one of the top forwards who will be in the upcoming 2024 NHL Entry Draft later this month. He has been chosen in a few different spots during mock drafts, but one of the obvious choices of where he could go is with the ninth pick, currently held by the Flames. It would be quite the story if Calgary is able to draft Tij. There have been similar full circle moments with other NHL teams, such as Shane Doan’s son Josh being drafted by the Arizona Coyotes.

Make no mistake about it though: just because Tij has the same last name as his father, does not mean that that would be the only reason to draft him. Whether he goes to the Flames or another NHL club, he will be bringing his own skill set aboard to make a difference and make a name for himself separate from his father.

Iginla’s Time in the WHL

Like his father, Tij went to the Western Hockey League (WHL). However, unlike his father, Tij played for the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kelowna Rockets instead of the Kamloops Blazers. His first WHL season was in 2021-22 with Seattle. He only played in three games and had one assist in that span. 2022-23 was the first full season for Iginla in the WHL. In 48 games with the Thunderbirds, he had six goals and 12 assists for 18 points. He was then traded in the offseason by the Thunderbirds to the Rockets.

His real breakout season was not until this past one in 2023-24. The change of scenery played a role along with further development by Tij. In 64 games with Kelowna, Iginla tallied 47 goals and 37 assists for 84 points. That was good enough to be ranked second on the team in points. Only winger Andrew Cristall had more with 111 points (40 goals and 71 assists). Additionally, Iginla tallied nine goals and six assists for 15 points in 11 playoff games.

Iginla’s Strengths

When breaking down Iginla’s game, there are a few strengths that will be noticed. First off, he can play both center and wing if needed. He will be drafted as a center, but being able to also manage the ice on the wing is beneficial to NHL teams. There is a flexibility about where a team can put him on the ice. Not every player is able to be good at handling responsibilities as a center and capable of doing winger responsibilities too. The players who do that are more coveted as coaches can just throw out talented players and it does not matter as much where they line up or go.

Another positive to Iginla’s play is his decision-making skills. Some of the best to play in the NHL are able to make fast decisions on the ice. Hockey is a quick sport and every decision matters, especially in close games. One wrong move and the opposing team could capitalize. Some may not think decision-making is a big quality, but it means a lot to a team to have players who make solid decisions. Iginla is one of the 2024 Draft choices who is able to make smart decisions that benefit his team. This quality will help him go a long way if he is able to transition to the NHL pace.

Lastly, I want to talk about Iginla’s shot. As great as it is to get chances in games, the shot quality makes a difference in completing a play too. Having a great shot means a better chance at being a consistent goal scorer in the league. Iginla has proven how dangerous his shot can be, and that will be one of the assets he brings to the table with his offense. It was why he was able to explode in point production this past campaign. Having the right shot helps finish off plays and the better the shot, the better the finish to a play. It is a big separator between players who constantly contribute in the NHL and those who are not as successful individually.

Iginla brings more elements to his game that are crucial; but having versatility, fast decision-making skills, and a lethal shot are core values that can mold any prospect into an eventual NHL star. If Tij can get these skills transitioned over to the NHL, he is going to be a handful to stop for the opposing NHL clubs.

The Iginla Name Carries On

Jarome made the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020. He will always be remembered as one of the best Flames of all time. While the Iginla name will continue with Tij, the important thing is him writing his own story. The best example is the Tkachuk family. Keith had a storied career, and now two sons are making him proud with their own accomplishments. Matthew Tkachuk is one of the faces of the Florida Panthers while Brady Tkachuk is the captain of the Ottawa Senators. Matthew and Brady are not just Keith’s kids; they became stars in their own way. Tij has the tools to do the same thing. He is not just a 2024 Draft pick because of his dad. The hockey world better not underestimate him, because if they do, he is going to provide a rude awakening once he becomes an NHL talent. Later this month, the league will know who will have rights to his future.

SAY HEY : A Willie Mays Tribute

BY MARK HALPERN

  The entire sports world shared a moment of sadness when it was announced that Willie Mays has passed away at the age of 93. Mays was born in Westville, Alabama on May 6th, 1931. Cat Mays, his father was a good ball player for the local Iron plant, and his Mother Annie Satterwhite who was also a very gifted Athlete and played Basketball and ran track. By the time Mays was three he was out with his dad practicing at the Iron Mill field (that his father played on) attended all games and was learning to play at the young age of three. Willie Mays got to see legends such as Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Stan Musial to name a few. From a young age Willie was destined to be a ball player.  However, none of them left more of an impression on him than Jackie Robinson. He once said, “It was like watching perfection at its finest.” Mays like most great athletes was a multi-star letterman in high school and graduated in 1950.

       Willie did not attend college instead, right out of high school he was thrust into the Negro leagues for the Chattanooga Choo-Choos, he later went on to play for the Birmingham Black Barons where in 1948 he helped the team to the Negro World Series where the Barons lost 4-1. However, Mays’s season might have been over but, his vault to the MLB was imminent.

      Mays was recruited by the New York Giants in 1950 and made a huge impact in the minors that saw him vault right up the ladder to Triple AAA. In 1951 manager Leo Durocher was insistent on having Mays up in the Majors even though Mays didn’t think he was ready to face big league pitchers however, Durocher wasn’t going to wait any longer and Mays made his official debut for the Giants on May 24th, 1951 and at some point during the early part his famous nickname the “Say Hey Kid.” Playing at the Polo Grounds (Giants Ball Park) had a ton of advantages as well as disadvantages. An example of this was that the center field wall was just under 475 feet away from home plate. Mays struggled in his first 12 at bats but, found his stride on May 28th 1951 for his first of his 660 home runs. Mays was a superstar and helped lead the Giants to the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians. In game one of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians third baseman Vic Wertz hit a monster of a shot to center field and it had all the appearances of going over Mays’s head and would be an easy triple or even an inside the park home run but, Mays took off with all his speed and caught the ball from over his head about 25 feet before the center field wall. After the Catch he immediately got up and got the ball back into the infield to prevent multiple scores. I asked my mom about this and her reply was “Well, I was with your grandfather the game in the right field stands. The moment the ball was hit your grandfather told me he was going to catch it. He turned to me and explained that I (meaning my mom) just saw the best play ever in Baseball.”

     Willie Mays during his career with the Giants and Mets had 3,293 hits, amassed 660 home runs, and led the league (1955, 1962,1964, and 1965) to also go along with a lifetime batting average of .301. Mays didn’t always do things with his bat, he contributed 339 stolen bases. Willie was one of three players ever to have 660 homers or more and over 300 stolen bases along with his godson Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez. Mays is also one of four players with 600 homers and 3,000 hits along with Rodriguez, Hank Aaron and Albert Pujols. During his illustrious career, he won the honors of being selected to 24 All-Star games and won the MVP award in 1954 and 1965. One thing Mays said he wanted to win a Triple Crown (lead the league in all offensive categories) and he got close but missed by a few runs. Willie Mays Stayed with the Mets organization as the hitting instructor of the team until 1978 and in 1979 he was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1999 MLB posted its top 100 players and Mays finished second to none other than Babe Ruth. Mays was all about kids enjoying the sport and has a huge foundation that supports inner-city kids and several scholarships in many different colleges around the country. 

     There is no question that Mays made one of the biggest impacts on baseball (not saying people before him weren’t) just like the greats before him such as Robinson, Paige, Buck O’Neal, Monte Irvin, and many many more. I have seen some of the greats play during my time and I only wish I could have seen him play a game during his time and not just video clips. Saying goodbye to one of the most influential Ball Players to ever step on a field but may he walk into the Cornfield and join all his friends. Good Bye Willie Mays you will be sorely missed and were a true legend and icon of the game of baseball.

Confusion 

By Mike Rifkin

The Oilers won game six of the Stanley Cup Final 5-1 to force a game seven on Monday night. People will look at the score and say the game wasn’t competitive, but it was and there was a turning point. 

Quickly after the Oilers took a 2-0 lead early in the second period, the Panthers responded with a goal by captain Aleksander Barkov to make it 2-1, but the Oilers challenged the play for offsides and got the goal overturned. Dave Jackson, who is the ESPN NHL rules analyst said that the play was close and he didn’t know if they’d overturn it (they did). But something else he said got to me and it was that the Situation Room can blow up or enhance the photo showing if the play was indeed offside, but here’s my question if the situation room can blow it up and enhance the image how come they can’t show that to the fans? 

Now I have always hated the challenge system in the NHL for a few reasons. You can challenge for three things : A missed stoppage, Goalie Interference or Offside. Goalie Interference stinks because at this point they’re just guessing at this point and have no idea. On offside we’re talking about an inch not the fact that Sam Reinhart was three feet offside on this particular play. But here’s the thing as a fan yes we want the calls to be right and accurate, but we should get the same shots the situation room does. Now the purpose of instant replay in sports was to get calls right, but if the fans are talking about it on social media, at a bar or in the arena itself you have to help them understand. Anyway if the Oilers comeback from 3-0 in this series Panther fans will look at this play and go we had a chance in game six if it wasn’t taken away from them.

JEALOUS MUCH

By MARK HALPERN

          As an analyst, I try and see things from both sides good and bad. I wrote an article last week giving praise to Angel Reese and saying that she should get some recognition for how she steps out on the court and plays hard. Well, one thing I said is that she a LOUD MOUTH, JEALOUS, LITTLE CHILD.

    Though out sport each league gets that position of being the face of the league. The moment Clark was seen as the clear favorite not just for her talent but her charity work and camps she runs. She is liked by the entire fan base except certain players. We all know how much Angel Reese hates Clark. In multiple situations, Reese has been quoted by the media or she just makes a post on X (formally Twitter) with some negative towards Clark.

    This past weekend the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever faced each other again and 15 minutes after I posted the praise to Reese, I saw the foul and knew it should be flagrant. To me, Reese seems to be waging war against Clark and hey they all want to go the playoffs and win a championship. Reese matches up well against the Fever but they can’t seem to get a win against the Fever and that’s because of her hatred towards Clark. Clark did the right thing got up said nothing to anyone and went and shot her free throws making both and playing on to get the win. During the press conference after the game, Reese was asked about the foul and she answered “Well I guess special people get a special whistle.” It was uncalled for and made her and her team look foolish. The sky could have won that game if not for the vendetta that Reese has on Clark. Clark’s answer “It was a hard foul but those free throws you need to make so I got up and did my job and moved on.” Right, there is the difference between class and stupidity, and because if Reese isn’t the focal point of attention she cries and whines and makes statements that are harsh and uncalled for.

   Reese has talent and there is no denying that but how do we have to watch team after team foul Clark on purpose cause of what harassment Reese dishes to Clark and then tells her friends to do the same? The WNBA needs to take notice more and start levying fines for certain violations. If it’s good for the NBA then the WNBA should follow the same rules. Once a player gets hot where it hurts most (that is the wallet) maybe people will lighten up. However, expect more of the same from the Jealous little girl. The one thing that does any good by matching these teams up is the ratings skyrocket and maybe we can get the WNBA out of the red and give credit to this League where it is definitely due.

Who Needs Experience

By Mike Rifkin

On Thursday the Los Angeles Lakers coaching search ended with the hiring of JJ Redick. Redick played 15 seasons in the NBA for the Magic, Bucks, Clippers, 76ers, Pelicans, and Mavericks. Redick worked as an NBA analyst for ESPN the past couple of seasons. 

Why would a franchise like the Lakers who are championship or bust every year turn to a guy who has never coached before? They can talk about how impressive Redick was during the interview process or how they had to pivot after Danny Hurley turned them down. But they went the Redick route because of his relationship with LeBron James, the two have a podcast together. James has a few days before what to decide with his contract he can opt in or opt out, but all signs point to LeBron staying in LA. 

But in the same week they see their biggest rival win another championship, the Lakers hire a first time coach. As great as LeBron James is, he will turn 40 years old during next season. Even depending on how the Lakers are going to fix this roster, they’re not guaranteed to come out of the Western Conference next year. But this will go one of two ways : Steve Kerr to the Warriors or Steve Nash to the Nets. Either way JJ Redick is going to face a lot of pressure next season and there will be no time for him to get his feet wet, despite it being LA and always sunny.

The Don Of Columbus (Blue Jackets Statement Address)

By Mike Rifkin 

On May 28th the Columbus Blue Jackets hired Don Waddell to be their President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. Waddell takes over a Blue Jackets team that finished  with a 27-43-12 record, the fourth worst record in the league. Waddell takes over for Jarmo Kekalainen. Kekalinen, had been the GM since 2013 and the team had a record of 410-362-97 record. 

The Blue Jackets were in a difficult situation last season, prior to the season starting Mike Babcock, who was hired by the team to become the next coach was fired and replaced by Pascal Vincent. Earlier this week Waddell made his first decision as GM and fired Vincent after one season. 

Kekalainen, pushed his chips all in last offseason, with the hiring of Babcock and adding Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson to the blue line. The two combined for 14 goals and 60 points, and were a combined -21. Add that to a blue line that includes Zach Werenski, who had 57 points in 70 games last season and the Blue Jackets have a solid top three on the back end. 

Up front the Blue Jackets are led by Johnny Gaudreau. Gaudreau had a career low 12 goals in 82 games last season. Gaudreau makes 9.75 million through 2029-30 has had his name mentioned in trade rumors. If I’m Waddell I’m not moving Gaudreau, despite him not playing his best hockey in Columbus, but next season is a big season for him. The other star winger Patrick Laine and the team are looking to give Laine a fresh start. Laine, was limited to 18 games because of injury and entered the NHLPA Players Assistance program. Laine did have six goals and nine points in those 18 games. 

The Blue Jackets do have a nice young group of forwards though. Led by Adam Fantilli, the 2023 third overall pick who had 12 goals and 27 points in 49 games. Kirill Marchenko, Dimitri Voronkov, Cole Sillinger, Alexandre Texier, and Yegor Chinakhov combined for 82 goals and 167 points. 

If the Blue Jackets have a hole it’s in goal. Elvis Merzlikins for the third consecutive year had a GAA over 3 with a 3.45 GAA and a .897 save percentage. Merzlikins is under contract through 2027-28 at 5.4 million dollars. Daniil Tarasov played well in the backup role posting a 3.18 GAA and a .908 save percentage. At 25 years old is Tarasov ready to take the net over. 

The Blue Jackets will have around 22-23 million dollars in cap space so if I was Don Waddell here’s how I’d go about this offseason.

  1. Hire Jay Woodcroft to be the head coach – Woodcroft was fired after the Oilers abysmal start to the season, but let’s not forget when he took over the job he led the Oilers to the Western Conference Finals. There is a lot less pressure in Columbus than Edmonton, so Woodcroft can help the young team grow. 
  2. Trade Patrick Laine to Utah – As mentioned above Laine and the Blue Jackets want to get him a fresh start. Utah wants to make a splash their first offseason, so why not add a former second overall pick. Utah has six picks between the second and third rounds of the draft, so maybe there’s a match there.
  3. Trade Merzlikins, 2024 3rd round pick, and another pick to the Maple Leafs for the rights to Timothy Liljegren. – Liljegren is still only 25 years old. If the Maple Leafs are hesitant on re-signing him, he could fit the Columbus timeline. 
  4. Sign Elias Lindholm – Elias Lindholm will be 30 in December, but if you want to unlock the Johnny Gaudreau potential, why not reunite him with his long time center from the Flames? Lindholm is a few seasons removed from scoring 40 goals, so while that may not be attained again, he can certainly score 20 and can help one of the worst power plays in the NHL.
  5. Sign Cam Talbot/Anthony Stolarz or take a big swing ( trade for Juuse Saros) – This goes to what I was speaking to above, if they want to give Tarasov a chance in goal then sign a respectable backup. But if they don’t then take a swing and trade for Saros, who will need an extension because he becomes an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. 
  6. Re-sign RFA’S – Alex Texier, Kirill Marchenko, Cole Sillinger, and Kent Johnson are all RFA’S and unless someone gives you an offer you can’t refuse (Godfather voice) this is your present and future.

Devils Attack The Goalie Mark-et

By Nathan Moser

New Jersey Devils President and General Manager Tom Fitzgerald has brought in another goalie to try and improve results between the pipes. It has been almost like a game of musical chairs for the team, as they acquired multiple netminders in the middle of the 2023-24 season and have had a few names in the top two goalie spots. It has been a weakness that has had a significant impact on the whole team. No question, stronger goaltending would have improved how the 2023-24 Devils did. How much improvement there would have been is something up for debate. New Jersey had five goalies in the crease for them in 2023-24. It was led by Vitek Vanecek, who played in 32 games for the club. He finished with a record of 17-9-3, had a save-percentage (SV%) of .890, and posted a goals-against-average (GAA) of 3.18. Following him was a mixed bag. Nico Daws suited up for 21 games and Akira Schmid played in 19. Jake Allen was also acquired from the Montreal Canadiens, and Kaapo Kahkonen was acquired from the San Jose Sharks.

Looking at this trade, Markstrom goes to the Devils, while the Calgary Flames get a 2025 first-round pick that is Top-10 protected, and defenseman Kevin Bahl. The Flames are also retaining 30% of Markstrom’s salary and he waived his no-trade clause to go to New Jersey. I like the Devils in this trade. Fitzgerald knows that he needs solid results in net for 2024-25. If things go south next season, he either gets fired as Devils general manager or his seat is scorching hot. The rest of the team New Jersey has is stacked. The offense contains some of the best to currently play the sport in Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jesper Bratt among others. The defense is strong with talents like Dougie Hamilton, Luke Hughes, and John Marino. This is a roster that should be capable of making the playoffs and going on a deep run. Their goaltending strength did not match the rest of the team positions. Now, in Markstrom, they have a netminder who should be able to take the reins and be the next guy running the show in the crease.

Looking at how Markstrom did during his time as a Flame, his stats are below:

  • 2020-21: 22 wins, 19 losses, two OT, 2.68 GAA, .904 SV%, and three shutouts in 43 games played
  • 2021-22: 37 wins, 15 losses, nine OT, 2.22 GAA, .922 SV%, and nine shutouts in 63 games played
  • 2022-23: 23 wins, 21 losses, 12 OT, 2.92 GAA, .892 SV%, and one shutout in 59 games played
  • 2023-24: 23 wins, 23 losses, two OT, 2.78 GAA, .905 SV%, and two shutouts in 48 games played

So far, in Markstrom’s entire career, he has posted a record of 215 wins, 196 losses, 57 OT, 2.73 GAA, .909 SV%, and 20 shutouts in 485 games played. He started his career with the Florida Panthers, before also suiting up for the Vancouver Canucks and then the Flames.

It is early in the offseason, but the Devils already have made some nice moves. Markstrom-Allen has the potential to be a stellar duo and the new head coach in Sheldon Keefe will orchestrate how he wants the club to play when they take the ice in 2024-25. I would imagine Fitzgerald has more planned out, but New Jersey probably could not have started their offseason on a better note. The hockey world will have to see what else Fitzgerald and his staff have in store.

WHERE SHOULD THE KNICKS GO?

BY MARK HALPERN
If the Knicks want to be successful in this NBA, upgrades are going
to be needed. After the season the New York Knicks had this question:
“Where are they most vulnerable?,” as we watched this franchise get so
close to grabbing that brass ring. Some decisions have to be made and it
isn’t in only one spot. For next season they have a great squad, but
definitely need more help on the boards. That’s where free agency
could help. We all know what the Knicks have done to get to this point
and you have to give credit to coaching and the front office. Losing
Mitchell Robinson in Game 2 of the second round really put a damper
on their ability to size up against the Pacers. The Knicks need size and
don’t have to break the bank for it.
A lot of analysts have the Knicks making a huge push for Paul
George. I like Geroge’s scorecard in 2023-24 but he won’t remain on the
market for long, if he is moved at all. OG Anunoby had a good second
half with the Knicks. His ability to match up underneath will help the
Knicks size wise. One thing is the Knicks get Julius Randle back next
season and that will help with scoring and Hartenstein in-time. Yet,
Randle plays forward and can match up at decently center. Leon Rose
also needs to keep Donte DiVincenzo. He electrified the team and the
fanbase this season in the paint and from behind the arc. The Knicks
also have Josh Hart returning, which is huge. His injury at the end of the
Indiana series was really devastating. Hart, along with Jalen Brunson &
DiVincezo, was making up for the loss of Robinson. Losing his
defensiveness and rebounding was felt all over the court. Mitchell
Robinson is no longer as effective as he once was and I think it might be
time to see if the team could sell him for the future. Robinson is a Knick
but with him missing a lot of time and being ineffective when healthy,
he no longer fits the mold of this franchise.
With that, it all depends on what the Knicks bring back to the court
next season with Tom Thibodeau still the head coach. The hope is that
the team plays even better than this last campaign to get even closer to
that championship we’ve all been craving for.