Let’s be honest. The Ottawa Senators have one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL. Trading top picks in 2022 and 2023 is starting to rear its ugly head, as the cupboards are bare when it comes to high-end talent.
But Carter Yakemchuk, the 7th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, represents the slightest glimmer of hope. He has the potential to be a top-pair offensive defenseman in the NHL if he develops properly.
Consensus seems to be that the 20-year-old needs time in the American Hockey League with the club’s affiliate team, the Belleville Senators, to work on his defensive game.
But Yakemchuk, who recently returned from an injury that kept him out of the lineup for 13 games, might actually be better served developing in the NHL.
Let me make the case.
Before diving into why the Senators should get Yakemchuk to the NHL sooner rather than later, I want to make it clear that his development is critical for the future of this roster.
There isn’t much top-end help coming in the pipeline, but if he pans out and reaches his potential, the Senators could be set on the blueline for years to come with Jake Sanderson and Yakemchuk leading the way.
So the pressure is on GM Steve Staios and his front office to find the right path for Yakemchuk, who was this regime’s first official draft pick.
The easy answer is patience. The organization has predicated itself on making calculated moves during Staios’ tenure, earning him the nickname Steady Steve.
It would feel out of character for the Senators to hand the keys to Yakemchuk and let him figure things out at the NHL level, instead of being patient and letting him get reps in the AHL while adapting to playing professional hockey.
On the surface, it looks like he has struggled to start his professional career. He is a -24 on the season with 19 points in 31 games. When a player is that far in the minuses, it raises eyebrows.
But the stout defensive game that the NHL team has developed under head coach Travis Green is not quite trickling down the 416 and the 401 just yet.
Belleville is dead last in goals against in the AHL, despite having a team save percentage of .894. The BSens give up way more shots than the NHL team, which leads us back to Yakemchuk.
Is it smart for a player who has undeniable offensive talent but needs to work on his defensive game to be on a team that struggles to defend?
-24 is an ugly stat line for a rookie defenseman, but +/- needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Jake Sanderson was -14 last season, yet no Senators fan was saying he needed to work on his game defensively.
I’m not pretending I’ve seen every single shift Yakemchuk has played in Belleville. The organization is obviously monitoring him closely, given his importance to the Senators’ future.
But it’s important to remember what Yakemchuk was drafted for. He is an offensive defenseman with skills that could help the NHL team today. I look at the Senators’ quietly struggling power play, which is ranked 31st in the NHL since Christmas.
Would it be crazy to get Yakemchuk on the first power play unit right away?
Sanderson’s game has reached a new level this season, and reducing his minutes with the man advantage would allow the Senators to use him at even strength more often, and could rejuvenate that area of the Sens’ game offensively.
The power play just so happens to be where Yakemchuk has excelled in his first professional season, helping lead a top-5 power play in the AHL. Despite missing time with an injury, Yakemchuk ranks 8th in the league in power play assists, leading all rookies.
And with the way the Senators defend as a team, there might not be a better situation for a young defenseman to work on his defensive game.
His minutes could be sheltered behind Artem Zub and Jordan Spence, who have been excellent this season and would likely see more time at even strength than Yakemchuk.
He is also a 7th overall pick from two years ago. It’s fair to assume a player drafted that high can make an impact in the NHL at a young age.
It’s worth noting that during his midseason media availability in December, Staios said Yakemchuk would likely have been called up by that point had he not been injured.
So maybe we will see him in Ottawa sooner than we think.
The bottom line is the Senators probably need to make an upgrade on veteran defenseman Nick Jensen if they want to push for a playoff spot, and the solution might be right under their noses.
They need to take a look at Yakemchuk in the NHL before shipping out assets to acquire another right-shot defenseman.
Jack Richardson The Hockey News - Ottawa
This article was first published at The Hockey News. Read more from The Hockey News Ottawa:
Days after being called up from the AHL's Toronto Marlies, Marshall Rifai will make his season debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night against the Vancouver Canucks.
"(It's) obviously exciting," Rifai said after Friday's practice in Vancouver. "Just any other game, though. I've got to come in and prepare the way I always do. And that's what I plan to do."
This'll be the first time Rifai dresses for an NHL game with the Maple Leafs since Feb. 21, 2024 — almost two years ago — against the Arizona Coyotes.
Yeah, it's been that long.
(He was called up several times last year but never got into Toronto's lineup.)
The 27-year-old defenseman missed a good chunk of the season after undergoing wrist surgery in September, following an injury in a preseason game. Rifai returned to the Marlies' lineup on Dec. 27 and has since played 12 games with the club.
"It's one of those things when you don't get to do what you love every day, and you have to take a step back, it just leaves room for gratitude," Rifai said of missing three months.
"And when I came back, I was fresh, which I think is a big thing in a long pro season and played a lot of pro hockey here. And I try to use that to my advantage instead of thinking it was a disadvantage.
"I get to come in fresh in the middle of the season and provide a boost for my team."
Rifai will line up alongside Troy Stecher on Toronto's third defense pairing on Saturday against the Canucks (Simon Benoit will come out of the lineup for Rifai). The two defensemen share something in common: both went undrafted, with Stecher coming out of the University of North Dakota and Rifai out of Harvard.
What makes Rifai an interesting player for Toronto is his untapped potential. With only two games played (both under former head coach Sheldon Keefe), there still isn't much known about what he could do at the NHL level.
"What I've seen since I've been here, from last year to this year is how he prepared," said head coach Craig Berube. "You notice little things with some of these guys: how early they get to the rink every day and their preparation. He's a good pro.
"He does all the right things, and a lot of times it's important that these guys do take the mental side approach. That's definitely going to help their game."
With the Marlies, Rifai is a strong skater who can move the puck and is quite the physical player. He won't always put points on the board, but he can play in most defensive situations.
"I’d just say I'm smart, make a simple play, use my feet when I can," he added. "If I have a chance to be physical, I'm going to try to hit and go from there."
What Berube appreciates about Rifai is his competitiveness. The head coach added that the trait is one of the biggest separators between being a consistent AHLer and a consistent NHLer.
"To play in the NHL, you have to be highly competitive," Berube continued. "It's just all that preparation that goes into what's needed daily to play in the NHL. I'm not sure everybody's cut out for that. It's a grind."
Rifai has over 200 games of pro experience, mostly all with the Marlies. He understands what's needed of him in every game. And just because Rifai is up in the NHL, it doesn't mean he's going to try to change how he plays.
After all, that's what got him to this point in his career.
"Everyone's got a role on a team," Rifai said, "and you've got to lean into your role at whatever level it is, and that's the mindset coming in here."
That’s because the focus of the NHL is once again on the state of Florida, so naturally the two Florida boys who host The Hockey Show, Roy Bellamy and David Dwork, are in the middle of all the fun.
This time it’s for the 2026 NHL Stadium Series which is taking place in Tampa, less than a month after the league held the 2026 Winter Classic in Miami.
Yes, you are reading that correctly. Outdoor hockey in Florida is officially a thing.
On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Lightning will host the Boston Bruins on top of a giant treasure map inside Raymond James Stadium.
If its anything like what we saw for the Winter Classic, fans are in for a major treat.
This week on The Hockey Show, Roy and Dave went on location in Tampa after being granted access to the stadium a couple days early.
Joining the show this week was Lightning beat reporter for The Hockey News Diandra Loux to provide insight into Tampa Bay’s excellent season, how they’ve found success despite dealing with a plethora of injuries and whether this will be the season Jon Cooper finally wins the Jack Adams Award.
They also chatted about Florida being the official State of Hockey and some of the pirate-related events happening around Tampa this weekend.
You can check out this week’s full show and interview in the videos below:
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MARCH 08: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on March 8, 2025 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors will play their 50th game of the season with Friday night’s home matchup against the Detroit Pistons. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM PT in San Francisco and can be watched on ESPN and NBC Sports Bay Area.
Golden State finished its recent four-game road trip on a high note after defeating the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, 140–124. After sitting out a game in Minnesota, several Warriors veterans — including Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford, and De’Anthony Melton — returned in a big way. Curry led the team with 27 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field, while Moses Moody benefitted from the extra attention paid to Curry, knocking down 5-of-9 three-pointers on his way to a 26-point night. Moody has done his part to keep the Warriors afloat recently, making over 50 percent of his threes over his last five games.
The Warriors return to the Chase Center tonight, where they are 17–7 this season. However, they’ll be tested by a tough Pistons team that currently holds the best record in the Eastern Conference at 34–12.
Detroit gets the job done defensively, ranking second in the league in defensive rating (108.9). While the Pistons are more middle of the pack offensively (11th in offensive rating), they’re led by Eastern Conference All-Star starter Cade Cunningham. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft is showing his superstar potential this season, nearly averaging a double-double with 25.3 points and 9.7 assists per game, along with 5.7 rebounds.
Although the Warriors lack elite point-of-attack defense to slow Cunningham down, they’ll look to make up for it on the weakside. Steve Kerr recently said he’s leaning toward keeping Horford in the starting lineup at center, which places another high-IQ help defender alongside Green to compensate for the loss of Jimmy Butler. Horford had a strong showing Wednesday against the Jazz — which included three blocks and one steal on defense — and will look to continue that upward trend against Detroit.
Steve Kerr said he is leaning toward keeping Al Horford as the starting center. Minutes limit is up to 24. Kerr likes him next to Draymond. He’s started last two games he’s been available. pic.twitter.com/J64N4StL5d
Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.
Oct 3, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson (30) reacts as catcher Gary Sanchez (not pictuted) is hit by a foul tip against the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins during the 2017 American League wildcard playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Earlier today, former Yankees reliever David Robertson took to his social media platforms to officially announce his retirement from baseball. At 40 years old entering what would have been his age-41 season, this news hardly comes as a surprise, especially considering how the past few years went for the former Olympian. Still though, for anyone that’s familiar with me, this news is devastating.
Robertson was first drafted by the Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB draft and worked his way through the minors before eventually making his MLB debut in 2008. In 2009 is when he truly made his mark during that playoff run when he pitched out of a bases-loaded-nobody-out jam in the 11th inning of the ALDS against the Twins. I remember telling someone then “this guy’s going to be good.” And my love affair had begun.
Since that playoff run, I was D-Rob’s #1 fan and maintain that title to this day. His best season came two years later in 2011 when he finished with a 1.08 ERA, earned his only All-Star nod, and received down ballot Cy Young and MVP votes. He was the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer ever, and he served that role well for one year before Brian Cashman ruined my life. He finished his first stint with the Yankees with a 2.81 ERA across 402 games before joining the White Sox in the South Side of Chicago in his first dalliance with free agency.
He spent two and a half seasons there before Brian Cashman made attempted to make amends with me personally and brought him back for the 2017 playoff push and run. That postseason we saw something truly remarkable out of Robertson when he came in and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings as the Yankees clawed their way back to steal victory out of Luis Severino’s hands in the one-and-done Wild Card game. His second stint in the Bronx ended after the 2018 season when Brian Cashman once again ruined my life.
His first stint with the Phillies would also be quickly forgotten as injury forced his two-year deal come down to just seven games in 2019 before he was shutdown and unable to return to the mound until 2021, missing the COVID-shortened 2020 season completely. However, he had an opportunity to suit up for Team USA at the Olympics, where he appeared in three games and helped the US Team earn the Silver Medal after losing to Japan in the finals.
His Olympics stint and overall resume was enough to earn him a flyer from the Rays to help bolster their bullpen for their own playoff push and run. Unfortunately, that Rays stint did not go great for him, but he was able to secure a free agent contract for his second stint in the city of Chicago, just this time he’d pitch for the Cubs. They eventually traded him to the Phillies for his second stint there and since then he’d bounce around to the Mets, Marlins, and Rangers until ultimately signing a midseason contract with the Phillies in 2025, which we now know would end up being his final season as a major leaguer.
The tail end of his career will likely soil some memories of him, but he really should be remembered fondly for a truly impressive career. It’s not often that someone gets drafted with the pedigree of a reliever and actually makes it to have a 15-year career. Not only that, but he’s a World Series champion, a World Baseball Classic gold medalist, and an Olympic silver medalist. He finishes his career with a 2.93 ERA, an ERA+ of 143, 179 saves, and 1176 strikeouts across 881 games. He’s not going to be a Hall of Famer (though he’d have my vote….which is only partially why I don’t have a vote), but he’s the pinnacle of what a truly good and stable relief pitcher should be.
Sure there were some bumps, but overall more good than bad and again a 15-year career as solely a relief pitcher is something truly remarkable in my books. That’s the most volatile position in the game and for him to have done that for as long as he did should be remembered fondly. I wrote his entry into PSA’s Top 100 Yankees series as well, and every year I’d show back up to plead my case to Brian Cashman to either sign him in free agency or trade for him at the deadline. This is why, even though I don’t show up often around here anymore, I jumped at the chance to write his retirement post. He helped me fall in love with the game when I was just getting into it, and he’s why relief pitchers are my favorite players and why I’ve been obsessed with them.
Thank you, D-Rob, for letting this one baseball fan fall in love with you. I’ll cherish the memories of wearing my socks high during those playoff runs you were part of, and sometimes even channeling your spirit for the ones you weren’t a part of as well. I’ll miss my annual tradition Congratulations on an amazing career and I wish you nothing but the best in retirement and on your next venture.
I knew this day would come, but I still think back to just commenting about D-Rob in the old PSA comments section before I even joined the staff year. Age comes for us all, I guess. But today we wear our socks high with pride for this Yankee that was, tomorrow, we hang them up even higher.
The Athletics took another step Friday toward securing their potential opening-day Las Vegas lineup in 2028 by reaching an agreement with All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson on a seven-year, $70 million contract.
That contract takes Wilson through the 2032 season with a club option for 2033.
By signing him now, the A’s avoid salary arbitration after the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons. Wilson also would have been eligible for free agency after the 2030 World Series.
Wilson and A’s management scheduled a news conference for Monday in Las Vegas to sign the deal.
The 22-year-old is the fourth player the A’s have signed through at least 2028 when the ballpark is scheduled to open on the Strip.
The usually economical A’s have signed some notable deals going back to last offseason. Those include a seven-year, $86 million contract for left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, a five-year, $60 million contract with designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and a seven-year, $65.5 million deal with outfielder Lawrence Butler. Soderstrom’s deal is the richest in team history.
Manager Mark Kotsay signed an extension that takes him through 2028 with a club option for 2029.
This offseason, the A’s traded with the New York Mets for veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil.
The A’s will play at least the next two seasons at a Triple-A stadium in West Sacramento, California.
Wilson hit .311 with 13 home runs and 63 RBI last season and was the first fan-elected rookie All-Star starting shortstop. He finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind teammate Nick Kurtz, who was a unanimous selection.
The A’s selected Wilson sixth in the 2023 amateur draft.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Espanyol was stunned by visiting Alaves 2-1 to extend its run of winless games to five in La Liga on Friday.
Lucas Boyé finished from close range a counterattack to complete a comeback by the visitor.
Roberto Fernandez headed in the opening goal for Espanyol and Alaves captain Antonio Blanco equalized with a deflected left-foot shot from outside the area.
Espanyol was fifth but the loss was a blow for its European hopes with Real Betis and Celta Vigo trailing by two points.
Alaves was previously just a point outside the relegation zone and has jumped to 10th in the table.
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 28: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on January 28, 2026 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Spurs’ Saturday game against the Hornets will start earlier than originally scheduled, the league announced. Due to the weather conditions in Charlotte, the league has moved up the tip-off time from 2 p.m. CT to 11 a.m. CT.
The National Weather Service has placed a winter storm warning affecting Charlotte, with heavy snow expected on Saturday. The extreme weather conditions that have been affecting the East Coast have already resulted in rescheduled games, so this is not the most surprising news.
By moving the matchup to earlier in the day, the expectation is that the Spurs should have an easier time getting out of the city in time to return to San Antonio for the second game of a back-to-back against Orlando on Sunday, according to The San Antonio Express-News’ Jeff McDonald:
In all seriousness, there was/is understandable concern about the Spurs' ability to get out of Charlotte after Saturday's game.
The team is slated for a 3 p.m. tipoff Sunday against Orlando at the Frost Bank Center.
Early starts can often have unpredictable results, and the Hornets have been playing well lately, so it could be a tough game for the Silver and Black. Fortunately, they landed in Charlotte on Friday with enough time to have a workout and will be well rested since they last played on Wednesday against the Rockets.
The game will be televised by KENS 5 and Prime Video.
A trio of Red Sox fans has filed a class-action lawsuit against the team for alleged “junk fees” and “drip pricing” on ticket purchases.
A suit filed in Massachusetts earlier this month accuses the franchise of false advertising to “bait-and-switch” ticket buyers for games and events at Fenway Park from 2022 to at least 2024.
“Specifically, the Red Sox would advertise illusorily low prices for their tickets,” the lawsuit alleges. “When purchasers attempted to buy those tickets, however, the Red Sox would add mandatory fees at the last minute, such as ‘Per-Ticket Fees’ and ‘Order Fees,’ that could increase the cost of a purchase by as much as 150 percent.
“In other words, the Red Sox’s advertised tickets were not actually available for purchase at the advertised prices.”
A general view during the game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. MLB Photos via Getty Images
The plaintiffs allege the practice has cost purchasers millions of dollars.
“The Red Sox’s use of drip pricing and junk fees was both unfair and deceptive,” the lawsuit states. “It was also illegal under the consumer protection laws of Massachusetts and other states.”
The Red Sox gave a short statement to WCVB Channel 5 in Boston, stating, “While we don’t comment on pending litigation, we have always complied with applicable state and federal laws.”
Boston is one of three Major League Baseball teams to be dealt a similar lawsuit in the past few months.
In September, the Nationals were accused in federal court of cheating “customers out of millions of dollars” through junk fees.
The Red Sox celebrate a win over the Yankees at Fenway Park in 2025. Jason Szenes / New York Post
“Rather than disclosing the full cost of purchasing tickets upfront, the Giants tacked on last-minute “Service” fees, “Convenience” fees, “Handling and Convenience” fees, and “Order” processing fees that increased the cost of the purchase, exceeding the price initially advertised to the consumer, often by more than $50 per transaction,” the lawsuit against the San Francisco franchise read.
Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Last Friday was a tough one for Jalen Green. After returning the game before against the Philadelphia 76ers, he suited up in Atlanta for the Suns’ final stop on that road trip. It lasted 4:14. Then came the exit. Hamstring tightness. Precautionary, we were told. The contrast was immediate. Back on the floor one night, back in street clothes the next. And we have not seen him since.
That appears ready to change tonight as the Suns take on the Cleveland Cavaliers on the second night of a back-to-back.
Jalen Green is not on the injury report for tonight's Suns game against the Cavaliers.
Devin Booker (right ankle sprain) remains out.
No Darius Garland (right toe sprain), Evan Mobley (lefet calf strain) or Max Strus (left foot surgery) for Cleveland.
That is real news. The good kind. For Green, and for the organization. We do not know the minutes. We do not know the workload. We do not know how much stress that hamstring will see. But suiting up a week later matters. It signals optimism. It signals confidence.
Because hamstrings carry ghosts. A tweak, a return, another tweak, weeks lost, then doubt creeping in. That cycle can linger. It can mess with rhythm and trust.
This does not feel like that. This feels measured. It feels controlled. And if he is available tonight, it suggests the Suns believe it is stable. Calm after concern. Availability after uncertainty. And for a team that needs continuity, seeing Jalen Green back on the floor is a step in the right direction.
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 30: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards play the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. tonight at Capital One Arena. Watch the game on Monumental Sports Network.
ROME (AP) — Danilo Cataldi converted from the spot 10 minutes into stoppage time to lift Lazio 3-2 over Genoa in Serie A on Friday.
Lazio was cruising after taking a 2-0 lead early in the second half. Pedro converted a penalty for the opener and Kenneth Taylor doubled the advantage.
Although Lazio is one of three teams in Serie A with the most clean sheets — 11 — Genoa was unbeaten in its previous five games and came back to tie the score. Ruslan Malinovskyi scored from the spot and Vitinha leveled 15 minutes before the end.
Lazio moved up one place in the standings to eighth.
Genoa, despite having one of the worst defenses in Serie A, was 13th and tied on points with Cremonese, Parma and Torino.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Cotie McMahon scored 27 points, Christeen Iwuala had 18 points and 14 rebounds, and No. 17 Mississippi beat No. 5 Vanderbilt 83-75 on Friday at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
The game was originally scheduled for Thursday night on the Ole Miss campus before moving due to icy conditions outside.
Ole Miss built a 44-25 lead at halftime behind 25 combined points from McMahon and Iwuala. Vanderbilt scored just 10 points in the second quarter on 3-of-12 shooting from the floor. The Commodores had 12 turnovers and just 10 field goals in the first half.
Vanderbilt rallied in the third quarter after making 11 of 17 shots and turning it over just twice. Mikayla Blakes scored 11 points in the third to get the Commodores within 60-51.
Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda converted a three-point play with 5:56 left in the fourth to give Vanderbilt its first lead, 67-64, since it was 11-9. But Ole Miss responded by scoring the next seven points to begin an 11-3 run for a 75-70 lead with 1:57 left.
McMahon and Debreasha Powe combined to make four straight free throws in the final minute to secure Mississippi's sixth straight victory in the series.
Latasha Lattimore added 12 points and Kaitlin Peterson had 11 off the bench for Ole Miss (18-4, 5-2 Southeastern Conference).
Blakes led Vanderbilt (20-2, 6-2) with 29 points. Aubrey Galvan added 18 and Mwenentanda finished with 11. The Commodores were off to their best start through 21 games since the 1992-93 Final Four team.
Up next
Vanderbilt: Scheduled to host Florida on Sunday.
Ole Miss: Remains in Birmingham to play Auburn on Monday.
The Detroit Red Wings’ centennial season has given the historic franchise a chance not only to usher in a new era of Motor City hockey but also to reflect with fond nostalgia on the countless memories forged by the winningest U.S.-based NHL franchise.
Throughout their history, the Red Wings have featured some of the most iconic groups of players that eventually became known by instantly recognizable nicknames.
The famed "Production Line" consisting of Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, and Sid Abel helped to bring multiple championships to Detroit in the mid-20th century.
Later eras saw the legendary combination of Bob Probert and Joey Kocur, known affectionately as "The Bruise Brothers", followed by the iconic "Russian Five" of Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, Slava Fetisov, and Igor Larionov.
It was during that latter era that another legendary line combination was born: the Grind Line, a term coined by longtime team trainer John Wharton. Head coach Scotty Bowman, who drew inspiration from New Jersey’s “Crash Line,” built a grinding unit of Kris Draper with wingers Kirk Maltby and Kocur (and later, Darren McCarty).
Maltby, who was a 1992 third-round (65th overall) pick of the Edmonton Oilers, was traded to the Red Wings in March 1996 for defenseman Dan McGillis.
He explained that he initially wasn’t thrilled about the trade from the Oilers, who would go on to finish 10th in the Western Conference that season, because it meant leaving behind several teammates he had broken into the league with in a place he enjoyed playing.
"At that time when I got traded, we (the Oilers) weren't very good, we were a young and rebuilding team, but I was happy there," he said. "A bunch of us were young and were good friends and came into the League together, played together in the minors, just looking to build."
However, being traded to an established Stanley Cup contender like the Red Wings quickly eased any uneasiness he felt about the move. Having faced them multiple times with the Oilers, Maltby had already seen firsthand the star power that Detroit possessed
"My first year in the NHL was 1993-94, and obviously, the Red Wings were really good Cup contenders," he said. "So every time we played them over my first three years in the League before I was traded, we knew we'd have to bring our 'A' game just to keep it close."
"They had a great team, starting with Stevie (Yzerman), Sergei (Fedorov), Nick Lidstrom...they just had a great team," he continued. "When I got traded, I was upset initially because I loved where I was, and I wasn't sure what my role would be in Detroit. But once I got in and got settled, everything was fine, and the rest became history."
As Maltby explained, team balance is everything.
"Hockey, and I guess most team sports, you need to have different elements in different players," he said. "In hockey, there's obviously only one puck, and you have five guys that can jump over the boards at one time. Everyone wants to score, but not everyone can score. You need a good balance of offensive skilled guys, grinders, and physical guys, and a general mix of both."
"That was like Marty Lapointe, and then a high-end guy like (Brendan) Shanahan who could do both ends of it."
The Grind Line helped to power Detroit through the 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs, gaining series victories over the St. Louis Blues, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and then the hated rival Colorado Avalanche in a rematch of the previous season's Western Conference Final.
Maltby would eventually grace the cover of "Sports Illustrated" after a two-goal performance in Game 4 of the series.
He emphasized just how unforeseen it was that things came together as they did, but how much they embraced it, as did the fans.
“It meant a lot—it’s obviously nothing we had foreseen or thought would come along,” he said of playing with Draper, Kocur and McCarty. “Drapes was already here, but he was traded here for $1, and then I was traded here; Joey went and got back in shape playing in the beer leagues.
“And the next thing you know, we start Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Philly. We had T-shirts with ‘The Grind Line’ on them, and we just kind of ran with it.”
It was Bowman who started the Grind Line in Game 1 of the 1997 Stanley Cup Final against the Philadelphia Flyers, and just minutes into the contest, Draper and Maltby broke in on a two-on-none rush, resulting in Maltby scoring over helpless Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall; Kocur later added a goal in the period.
Maltby then scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the following game, beating goaltender Garth Snow with a slapshot from just inside the blue line. He would later add an assist on Lidstrom's goal in the final minute of the first period of Game 4 in Detroit, and later skated the Stanley Cup for the first of what would be four times in his career.
"We all kind of complemented each other, and brought something different to the table; it just kind of worked out," he said. "To be on a line like that with those three guys, they're great guys. We all live in Michigan, and two of us work with the organization. It was a special bond when you went as far as we did."
Unfortunately, the collective euphoria of the Stanley Cup win was shattered just six days later when the news of the tragic limousine accident, which nearly claimed the lives of Konstantinov and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov, broke.
Fetisov, who was also in the limousine, suffered minor injuries and was able to play one more season, but such a comeback was impossible for Konstantinov.
"We just couldn't believe it happened just a week after we won," Maltby said of the accident. "We did the right thing with our extracurricular stuff, going golfing and knowing that we'd be drinking and having rides arranged by car services. For that to happen, it was beyond words."
One of the heaviest-hitting defensemen in the NHL, Konstantinov was feared by opponents for his brute force on the blue line and was a finalist for the Norris Trophy that fateful season.
"Not to get into detail, but I don't think that had it been any one of us in that accident with the injuries that Vladdy sustained, I don't know if we'd have pulled through it," Maltby said, which was a sheer testament to Konstantinov's fortitude. "Vladdy was so strong will-wise. Not just physically, but will-wise."
Konstantinov, who is wheelchair-bound, was one of the special guests on Jan. 12 for Fedorov's banner-raising ceremony and drew a massive ovation from the crowd filled with generations of Red Wings fans.
"Saw him at Sergei's banner raising, and he looks great," Maltby, who was also on the ice with several former Red Wings alumni for the ceremony, explained. "Obviously, he's not where he was before the accident, but to be able to say hi and to see him, it was great to take advantage of that."
Ultimately, the Red Wings would repeat as Stanley Cup champions the following season, which culminated in an emotional celebration with Konstantinov in his wheelchair on the M.C.I. Center Ice after they swept the Washington Capitals.
After accepting the Stanley Cup from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Yzerman placed the trophy on Konstantinov's lap
"The following year, we kept it within ourselves. We kept his stall, and we had the stone that said, "Believe", we had the patches. It was a year we played for him. Obviously, it's hard to win the Stanley Cup in general, let alone in back-to-back years."
"But for the team to be able to go out there and see Vladdy a couple times a year and to win it and bring him literally on the ice in his wheelchair and have the Stanley Cup on his lap and in the room - it was awesome."
Maltby echoed a sentiment expressed by Lidstrom in Detroit’s 1998 championship documentary, that in the aftermath of the devastating accident, the collective feeling around the team was wanting to give the Stanley Cup back if it meant that both Konstantinov and Mnatsakanov could be healthy."
"I think if we were able to give that Cup back and not have that accident, maybe the majority, if not all of us, would do it," he said. "Having a healthy Vladdy for the next 10, 12, 15 years, maybe we win more Cups than we ended up winning."
"We wanted to do right by him as best as we could....there's only so much you can do, and winning the Cup, basically in his honor, was the best we could do."
Serving as a special guest at Fedorov’s jersey retirement ceremony, Maltby said he not only enjoyed playing alongside him for nearly eight years but also marveled at his sheer skill.
"Sergei is a good person, first and foremost, regardless of the hockey aspect," he said. "I enjoyed my time with him, and I enjoyed watching him. He was a world-class player, and the types of players that Sergei was don't come around often."
Upon Fedorov’s departure from the team in 2003, Maltby said that while the Red Wings remained a contending squad, as they not only won the President’s Trophy three times in the next four seasons but also claimed the 2008 Stanley Cup, there was simply no replacing him.
"We were going to do the best we could to fill the void and replace him, but there's just no replacing a Sergei Fedorov," he said. "As much as we would have loved for him to stay, we know it's a business, especially moreso nowadays with the dollars that are thrown around."
"Sergei did his thing and kept playing and whatnot, but to see the reception that he got at the banner raising, I'm sure he was extremely happy, and I was super happy for him," he said. "Watching his wife and two kids see him speak and see the reaction from the crowd - I don't know how well the kids speak English, but I kind of got the sense that they were like, 'My Gosh, my Dad really is a big deal over here!'"
"We had the (team) dinner the night before, we had the banner raising, and got to spend a lot of time with Sergei over the course of two days. Hopefully we'll get to see him again soon, but I was so happy for him and his family that his number is in the rafters where it belongs."
Maltby, who was coached by Bowman for the first six and a half years of his tenure in Detroit, joked that he could talk for hours about not only the effect Bowman had on the entire team as a whole, but on his own career in particular.
"I loved my time with Scotty, I owe a lot of my career to Scotty," he said. "In saying that, I didn't talk to Scotty much - he didn't even really talk to a lot of the guys during our playing days. It would be a different story now, but without saying it, you know you had to play the way he wanted you to play and how your role was, and play your role, and do your job.
“I’m not saying we’re rocket scientists, but we’re not dumb either. You know when you’re playing well, and you know when you’re playing bad," he continued. "Scotty was one of those guys who, just because you had a bad game or shift, which everyone does, you didn’t suspect that you’d be out of the lineup.
“But if you had two or three bad games in a row, the next game, you might not be in the lineup. Scotty did a lot without saying anything per se; a lot of his conversations were aimed at the team, the general atmosphere in the dressing room. It was delivered to everyone."
Maltby continued by saying that while there were moments when the team didn't fully understand Bowman's reasoning, his track record at having already won the Stanley Cup as a head coach six times earlier in his career meant that he knew what he was doing.
“He did a lot of stuff that we kind of shook our heads at, yet he had a pretty good track record," Maltby said. "There wasn’t a need for too many questions, and whether you liked it or didn’t, you couldn’t argue.
“For all of us who were in this game, the ultimate goal as a kid was to win the Stanley Cup. To do it multiple times with him as head coach was special. Obviously, he had his share before that as well."
Maltby, who won the Stanley Cup three times under Bowman, was grateful for the opportunity to play for one of hockey’s most legendary figures, knowing he would continue to see the ice as long as he played the right way.
"He played me a lot," he said. "I got a lot of games under him year after year, and I felt that as long as I kept doing what I was doing, it was good for Scotty and was what he wanted."
Following Detroit's 2008 Stanley Cup win, Maltby played another two seasons, during which he and the Red Wings came within a victory of repeating as champions yet again in 2009.
He ended his playing career in 2010 after appearing in 908 games with the Red Wings, recording 107 goals and 115 assists. In 169 postseason games, Maltby added 16 goals and 15 assists.
There have now been 100 years of Motor City hockey, and Maltby carved out a pivotal role in some of their greatest triumphs.
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