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The Wraparound: What's Most Concerning About The Maple Leafs Right Now?

Auston Matthews (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

Kick off a new week with rapid-fire NHL and hockey discussions on The Hockey News Wraparound Show.

What's Most Concerning About The Maple Leafs Right Now? by The WraparoundWhat's Most Concerning About The Maple Leafs Right Now? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan and Michael Augello discussed in this episode:

0:00 What to make of Connor Bedard’s 10-minute misconducts in back-to-back games

3:41: Is Sam Bennett more likely to stay with the Florida Panthers or hit free agency?

5:41: Will the Panthers keep Brad Marchand or Aaron Ekblad this off-season?

7:42: What has been the most concerning part of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ recent slump?

10:10: Which goaltender in the 2025 free agent class will be the most sought-after?

12:48: What are the biggest changes NHL GMs will advocate for at the GM meetings?

15:41: Which NHL prospect traded at the deadline will fit best with their new organization?

18:12: How much money could Nikolaj Ehlers get on the open market this summer?

20:33: Even without Mikko Rantanen or Martin Necas, should the Carolina Hurricanes still be considered a Stanley Cup contender?

23:24: Could Jonathan Huberdeau’s resurgence signify great things to come for the Calgary Flames?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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Jesse Winker leaves Monday's game early with cramps, 'should be okay'

Mets designated hitter/outfielderJesse Winkerexited Monday's split squad game against the Rays in the bottom of the third inning after his first at-bat.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game that Winker was removed for precautionary reasons due to cramping, adding that Winker is doing "fine."

"Felt something in the calf, he's like, 'It's just a cramp,'" Mendoza said after the Mets' 2-0 loss to Miami. "But, you know, at this point in camp we don't want to take any chances."

Winker, who stayed in the dugout for a bit before heading to the clubhouse, was replaced at DH by prospect Ryan Clifford.

"He went in, trainers took a look at him and confirmed it was just a cramp," the skipper continued. "So, I just talked to him now and he should be okay."

After getting treatment on the calf, Winker said he "feels better" and is "not really too concerned about it."

"It just cramped up," he continued. "[Athletic trainer Bryan] Baca and Mendy, they were just like, 'let's go get treatment, let's just play it smart.' It was the right move."

With the Mets having Tuesday off, the DH expects to be able to return to the lineup later this week.

The expectation is that Winker will be the Mets' regular designated hitter when the regular season begins.

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Paul Blackburn solid, Luisangel Acuña has up-and-down day as Mets beat Marlins

The Mets beat the Marlins, 6-5, on Monday afternoon as their spring training slate continued.

Here are the takeaways...

- Paul Blackburn spun a perfect first inning, with a pair of strikeouts.

Overall, Blackburn allowed two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out six in 4.0 innings.

The only damage off Blackburn was a wind-blown two-run homer to right field by Dane Myers in the third inning.

Blackburn is battling with Griffin Canning and Tylor Megill for the final two spots in the starting rotation, but the expectation is that all three pitchers will make the 26-man Opening Day roster -- with two on the starting staff and one in the bullpen.

- Luisangel Acuña stroked a single to right field his first time up, but he was caught leaning and got picked off first base a few pitches later. Acuña added another single to right field in the fifth inning, but was picked off first base a second time.

He finished 2-for-3 with a walk.

In the field, Acuña made a throwing error at shortstop in the sixth inning, short-hopping a throw to first base.

- Juan Soto went 0-for-2 with a walk. He has a 1.295 OPS this spring.

- Starling Marte got the start at designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with a run scored.

- Pete Alonso delivered a sacrifice fly in the first inning and walked in the eighth.

- The Mets plated three runs in the eighth inning and two runs in the ninth, including a two-run homer off the bat of outfielder Alexander Canario.

Highlights

Upcoming schedule

The Mets are off on Tuesday.

They travel to face the Astros on Wednesday at 6:05 p.m.

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Braves’ Spencer Strider sparkles in 1st spring start as he comes back from Tommy John surgery

NORTH PORT, Fla. — Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider struck out six and didn’t allow a base runner over 2 2/3 innings in his first Grapefruit League appearance since undergoing Tommy John surgery last year.

The only two Boston Red Sox batters to avoid striking out against Strider were David Hamilton and Nick Sogard. Hamilton grounded to second to start the game. Sogard led off the third inning by hitting a foul pop to third baseman Austin Riley.

Strider started just two games and went 0-0 with a 7.00 ERA last year before getting shut down for the rest of the season. That followed a 2023 season in which he went 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA and a major league-leading 281 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings.

He made the NL All-Star team and finished fourth in the Cy Young Award voting in 2023.

Strider, 26, owns a 32-10 career record and 3.47 ERA with 495 strikeouts in 329 2/3 innings. He had made just 33 major league appearances when the Braves signed him to a six-year, $75 million contract in October 2022.

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LA Kings' Kuemper Named NHL 1st Star of the Week

© Jessica Alcheh

Goalie Darcy Kuemper has been named NHL 1st Star of the Week for his outstanding play during the week of March 10-16.

The 34 year-old native of Saskatoon went 3-0, including back-to-back shutouts against the Washington Capitals and Nashville Predators.  Kuemper stopped 78 of 79 shots during the week, good for an almost invisible to the naked eye GAA of 0.33.

In addition to helping the Kings gain ground on Pacific Division rivals Edmonton and Vegas, Kuemper also etched a place in LA Kings' history. 

Kuemper now has a home point streak of 13 games dating back to December 7th, which is the longest such streak since Kelly Hrudey's 12 game run in 1991.

A Stanley Cup winner in 2022 with the Colorado Avalanche, Kuemper's consistent excellent play for Los Angeles has the Kings within striking distance of Vegas for a Pacific Division banner. 

Although not really mentioned as a serious Vezina Trophy candidate, one wonders if he should be. Kuemper currently ranks second in goals-against average at 2.16 and is third in save percentage at .919.

Given backup goalie Dave Rittich's lackluster play in his last dozen starts, LA is counting on Kuemper to maintain this stellar level of goaltending well into the playoffs. 

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Griffin Canning dominant, Francisco Lindor notches two hits as Mets fall to Rays

The Mets lost to the Rays, 2-0, on Monday afternoon as their spring training slate continued.

Here are the takeaways...

- Griffin Canning looked sharp while striking out three batters in the first inning, but also made one costly mistake -- leaving a pitch up to Josh Lowe, who cracked a solo homer to right-center field.

That was the only big mistake Canning made all day, as he mostly toyed with the Rays' hitters.

Over 4.2 innings, Canning allowed three hits and one run while walking one and striking out nine, lowering his spring training ERA to 0.90.

Canning is battling with Paul Blackburn and Tylor Megill for the final two spots in the starting rotation, but the expectation is that all three pitchers will make the 26-man Opening Day roster -- with two on the starting staff and one in the bullpen.

- Designated hitter Jesse Winkerleft the game early due to cramping in his calf.

- Brandon Nimmo started in left field -- his first time playing the outfield since Feb. 28, as he's been dealing with a knee issue.

At the plate, Nimmo went 0-for-2 with a walk.

- Brett Baty got the start at second base as he continues to get the bulk of his action there.

He made a really nice play with one out in the eighth inning, ranging far to his left on a chopper before fielding it and throwing on the run to first base for the out.

Including the above play, Baty cleanly fielded every ball that came his way on Monday.

Baty went 0-for-4 at the dish.

With Jeff McNeil out for Opening Day due to an oblique injury, Baty could have the inside track to the regular second base job to start the season.

- Francisco Lindor smoked a single to right field in his second at-bat and added a pop fly double his third time up. He finished 2-for-4.

- Dedniel Núñez made his spring training debut and was sharp, retiring the side in order in the seventh inning. He hit 98 mph with his fastball, and finished his outing by getting a swinging strikeout on an 89 mph slider.

- Jose Butto, who had been out of game action for just over a week due to a groin issue, pitched the eighth inning. Butto, whose fastball was up to 95 mph, worked around a soft one-out single to toss a scoreless frame.

Highlights

Upcoming schedule

The Mets are off on Tuesday.

They travel to face the Astros on Wednesday at 6:05 p.m.

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What Kansas coach Bill Self said about Arkansas, Calipari

Arkansas basketball continues its 2024-25 season Thursday against Kansas in the Round of 64 of the NCAA Tournament, and Jayhawks head coach Bill Self spoke to the media Sunday to preview the matchup. Kansas (21-12, 11-9 Big 12) had a relatively underwhelming year in league play, but still managed to pick up wins over North Carolina, Michigan State, Duke, Iowa State, Arizona and others. Under Self's leadership, Kansas has accumulated a 609-147 (283-83 Big 12) overall record in 22 seasons.