Opinion: Signing Jacob Markstrom Was Necessary
The New Jersey Devils’ decision to extend veteran goaltender Jacob Markstrom was a necessary move for the franchise.
On October 31, the Devils signed Markstrom to a two-year, $12 million contract, a crucial step in avoiding the goaltending carousel of seasons past.
Goaltenders are scarce in today’s NHL, with many teams still searching for stability in net. The Devils, however, have secured their tandem for the next few years.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman discussed the deal on his 32 Thoughts podcast, saying:
“I understand why New Jersey did this. They’re in win-now mode. It gives them a really good combination. And we’ll see if I’m right about this, but Markstrom’s history is to play better when he’s settled.”
Since signing the extension, Markstrom has recorded 43 saves and even added a primary assist.
Re-signing the 35-year-old netminder was critical. Although the Devils already extended backup goaltender Jake Allen on July 1, keeping Markstrom solidifies the position for the foreseeable future.
Why It Was Necessary
The 2023–24 season perfectly illustrated why goaltending stability was essential. That year, the Devils used five different goaltenders:
- Vitek Vanecek: 32 games
- Nico Daws: 21 games
- Akira Schmid: 19 games
- Jake Allen: 13 games
- Kaapo Kähkönen: 6 games
The constant rotation left the Devils without consistency in net.
The Devils needed more reliability in net.
Now, with Markstrom and then Allen, who was acquired midway through the 2023–24 season, New Jersey finally has the stability it was searching for.
Markstrom’s Season So Far
Markstrom began the season 2–1 before landing on injured reserve following his October 13 start.
He returned on October 28, but the comeback was rough: he allowed 17 goals over his first few games and posted a season-low .810 save percentage in an 8–4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
At that point, his record sat at 2–2–0.
Then came the extension and a bounce-back performance. In his next start, Markstrom turned aside 43 of 44 shots in a win over the Los Angeles Kings, finishing with a stellar .977 save percentage.
His season totals improved to a .875 save percentage and a 4.17 goals-against average. Through his first 144 shots faced, he even contributed offensively with an assist in the team’s November 1 win.
Looking Ahead
With their goaltending tandem locked in for the next two seasons, general manager Tom Fitzgerald can focus on strengthening the roster around them and positioning the Devils for a deep Stanley Cup run.
Devils fans aren’t the only ones happy to see Markstrom back in the net. After signing, he told NHL.com:
“This is the best place to be and the best team I’ve been on.”
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Approaching 37th birthday, Russell Westbrook displays ‘beautiful' game for Kings
Approaching 37th birthday, Russell Westbrook displays ‘beautiful' game for Kings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO – Just a few weeks ago, Russell Westbrook was jobless following the completion of his 17th NBA season.
On Wednesday night, just days before his 37th birthday, he recorded his 204th career triple-double with 23 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in 35 minutes to help lead the Kings to a thrilling 121-116 win over the Golden State Warriors.
“Honestly, it’s just a blessing,” Westbrook said postgame. “I don’t take this game [or] opportunity to be able to go out and compete for granted. So I’m just super grateful and thankful to be able to go out and still compete.”
Approaching age 37. In season 18. Through 1,244 career games.
How?
Kings guard Malik Monk, 27, wanted to know the same thing.
“I asked him [Westbrook] what he do,” Monk said Wednesday night. “I need his off-the-court [routine]. What are you doing in the summer? I need everything. How you eat. It’s crazy.
“How you that old and still doing this and dominating the game at a high level?”
Preparation is the key for Westbrook, as well as taking good care of his body, he said.
The nine-time NBA All-Star added that he takes the game “very seriously” as he continues to make the most of his opportunity with Sacramento.
To Kings coach Doug Christie, it’s less about the physical and more about Westbrook’s mental approach to the game that allows him to still play at such a high level.
“First, he’s a Hall of Fame, incredible talent,” Christie said. “But the passion and desire that he plays with is crazy. That’s really what the game is about. It’s about a kids’ game that you still play with that type of effort, energy and enthusiasm.
“It’s beautiful to watch.”
A “Vintage Russ” performance in the year 2025 had fans wondering, “How was this guy unsigned one month ago?”
Even after his recent “they didn’t want me back” comments referring to the Denver Nuggets, the team he was a part of last season, Westbrook maintains his motives in Year 18 aren’t to prove anything to another team or person, but rather to himself.
“To be honest, I don’t live up to anybody else’s expectations that they put on me,” Westbrook said. “I have my own personal goals and aspirations, things I want to do. So to be honest, I have nothing [to prove].
“I know what I’m capable of doing when given the opportunity, and now my job is to go out there and do it.”
Part of that job, and one of the reasons the Kings signed Westbrook, is due to his 1-of-1 rebounding ability as a point guard.
He had 16 boards on Wednesday. No other player on either team finished with double-digit rebounds. The next players closest were Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski, another guard, who had nine apiece.
“I mean, humbly speaking, I’m the best rebounding guard ever,” Westbrook said. “So when the ball comes across the rim, I’m going to get it.”
Westbrook’s 16 rebounds on Wednesday gave him a career total of 8,734 and helped him surpass Jason Kidd for the guard with the most career rebounds in NBA history. Kidd finished his career with 8,725.
That postgame exchange, from the playful banter to the meme-worthy moments, is the type of presence the Kings have needed. Westbrook’s confidence off the floor translates on the court and even rubs off on his teammates.
While Westbrook is happy to have found a home in Sacramento, he knows the Kings can also benefit from the mental edge he brings night in and night out.
“It’s needed. Every night, teams are getting better. Teams are loading up. Every night is a dogfight. Our schedule is pretty rough right now, but I do think if we knuckle up, compete at a high level, and that’s something that I want to bring as a part of my leadership and making sure that us as Kings, we come out and compete at the highest level, and we can live with the result at the end of the game.”
Before signing Westbrook, the Kings added veteran guard Dennis Schroder to the mix this offseason.
Christie has made it clear that Schroder is the starting point guard and the team’s floor general. But Schroder hasn’t quite found his rhythm with the starting unit thus far, granted it’s constantly changed due to injuries and absences, which likely has played a factor.
With Keegan Murray out as he rehabs from UCL surgery, Westbrook has started alongside Schroder. But could Westbrook’s performance on Wednesday keep him in the starting lineup even when other players return? His energy is something Monk believes the team needs in the starting unit, given the way they’ve started games in the past. Christie shared his thoughts.
“Once players come back, I think, you know, we brought Russ in to be the backup point guard, but he has so many gifts,” Christie said. “He played the four, so he’s going to play all over the floor because of his physicality, his downhill nature. He rebounds the basketball at a high level. But I think when we’re fully healthy, he even makes us better, because Russell Westbrook playing against second unit players is like, it’s a cheat code.
“But I mean, he’s going to find his way into closing games, to every aspect of what it is for us to be a winning basketball team, because he’s a winning basketball player.”
Not a yes. But also not a no …
If patience runs out for the Kings with Schroder as the lead man, they could turn to the Triple-Double King.
Why Not?
Will Richard's 30-point game serves as silver lining in Warriors' loss to Kings
Will Richard's 30-point game serves as silver lining in Warriors' loss to Kings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO – Steve Kerr tried to find a pregame silver lining to Wednesday’s game at Golden 1 Center, noting that the Warriors missing their three best players offered a chance for the coach to get an extended look at different combinations and some of Golden State’s younger players.
Will Richard was exactly what Kerr was hoping to see.
Making his first NBA start, the Warriors rookie put on the type of show that should have fans licking their lips in anticipation of what the future potentially holds for the 22-year-old from Georgia.
There was plenty to like, too.
Richard dropped a season-high 30 points on the Sacramento Kings in the Warriors’ 121-116 loss on Thursday at Golden 1 Center with five 3-pointers to move into rarefied air.
He became the first Warriors player drafted in the second round or later to score 20 or more points in his first career start since Eric Paschall in 2019. He also matched the second-most points scored by a Warriors player in his first career start with the Warriors. John Lucas also had 30, while Anthony Morrow has the record with 37 points.
All of those stats are pleasing to the eye, but it was the way Richard played that was most pleasant to watch. He played steady, albeit unspectacular, defense and had one steal – something he has done in each of his first six NBA games.
Richard shot 10 of 15 (5 of 8 on 3-pointers), snatched seven rebounds and had three assists.
This all came after being a healthy scratch due to coach’s decision in each of Golden State’s previous two games.
“Will was amazing,” Kerr said. “This guy, from the beginning of camp, has shown he’s an NBA player. The experience, the poise, he doesn’t turn it over, he makes the right play. He can handle the ball under pressure, he makes the right pass.
“This guy’s a hell of a player.”
That clearly was evident against the Kings.
After Sacramento pulled within 72-71 midway through the third quarter, Richard made a clutch 3-pointer but missed a shot at the four-point play when he shanked the free throw.
Richard made a pair of deep threes in the fourth quarter, but by then, the Kings had grabbed momentum and the Warriors spent the rest of the evening trying to catch up.
“Just trying to keep it simple but make an impact on the game,” Richard said. “I’m a big believer in controlling what you can control. Whatever role I’m in, I want to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Whether playing or not playing, I just want to see us win.”
While the Warriors failed to get the win, they head back home to the Bay with a much better vision of who Richard can be.
“Will is a great player,” Jonathan Kuminga said. “I’m always trying to talk to Will, especially as a rookie. There’s a lot of expectations, there’s a lot of eyes on you.”
Champions League roundup: Club Brugge hold Barcelona in six-goal thriller
Inter maintain perfect start with win over Kairat Almaty
Pafos beat Villarreal to earn first Champions League win
Barcelona had to settle for a share of the spoils at Club Brugge after a thrilling 3-3 draw but were fortunate the English referee Anthony Taylor ruled out Romeo Vermant’s stoppage-time effort for a foul on the Barça goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.
In a thriller at Brugge’s Jan Breydel Stadium, the home side opened the scoring through Nicolò Tresoldi in the sixth minute. But Barcelona hit back with Ferran Torres scoring from close range two minutes later only for Brugge to regainthe lead in the 17th minute through Carlos Forbs after another quick counter.
Continue reading...Pep Guardiola urges Manchester City’s Phil Foden to push for England recall
Foden scores twice in 4-1 win over Borussia Dortmund
‘No one in the world doesn’t know about his quality’
Pep Guardiola said that “no one in the world” does not appreciate Phil Foden’s quality and urged Manchester City’s playmaker to push himself to be recalled by Thomas Tuchel for England after he scored twice in the 4-1 home Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
Foden’s sumptuous strikes, on 22 and 57 minutes, were complemented by a rasping first-half finish from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki’s late goal. Waldemar Anton netted a consolation for the visitors as City moved into fourth in the 36-team league phase table with to 10 points from four matches.
Continue reading...Even in loss, Jonathan Kuminga shows he can carry load with Warriors' stars out
Even in loss, Jonathan Kuminga shows he can carry load with Warriors' stars out originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SACRAMENTO – For one night at least, Jonathan Kuminga had the type of game that Warriors fans have been expecting ever since he entered the NBA as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Kuminga put together a very respectable stat line in the Warriors’ 121-116 loss to the Kings at Golden 1 Center – 24 points and game-high-tying nine rebounds in 25 minutes – but it was the way the night went down that stood out most.
The Warriors were without their three best players and needed someone, anyone, to step up and take over.
Kuminga pretty much did just that for most of the evening. Like his Golden State teammates, though, everything went haywire in the fourth quarter.
Until then, however, Kuminga was all that and a bowl of grits.
“Jonathan attacked, he was aggressive,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “We got him the ball quite a bit. He helped us get off to a great start. Really gave a fantastic effort.”
The best part was that there was no indication beforehand that Kuminga would have this type of night.
It came 24 hours after a dreadful showing in a win over the Phoenix Suns when Kuminga had nine points in just over 24 minutes. Three nights before that, Kuminga had 17 points and five rebounds but was minus-20 in a road loss to the Indiana Pacers.
Additionally, the Warriors played without Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, who are all nursing injuries or sickness.
That put more pressure on the Warriors’ other players to pick up the slack, though Kuminga claimed nothing changed in his mind.
“My mindset is always the same no matter (with or without) Steph, Jimmy and Draymond,” Kuminga said. “Every time I play with them they want me to be aggressive. My mindset is always the same. Just come in, find a way to win.”
Kuminga did all of that except for getting the W, something Kerr said was part of a team-wide issue.
“The lesson for him and for our team is just how important every possession is,” said Kerr, whose squad committed 19 turnovers leading to 30 points for the Kings.
For Kuminga, however, the game was another important step forward in his NBA evolution.
“I think we came out with great energy,” said Kuminga after notching his third 20-point game of the season. “In the third quarter, we just started turning the ball over. That took the energy out of all of us. We just gotta find a way to execute certain plays.”
Banged-up Pacers granted hardship exception by league, use it to sign Cody Martin
Just seven games into the season, injuries have ravaged the Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton (out for season, torn Achilles), Bennedict Mathurin (foot), Andrew Nembhard (shoulder), T.J.McConnell (hamstring), Obi Toppin (foot), Johnny Furphy (ankle), and Kam Jones (back).
With all those players out, the league has granted Indiana a hardship exception, and the team has used it to sign Cody Martin to a 10-day contract, the Pacers announced on Wednesday.
We have signed forward Cody Martin to a 10-day contract.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) November 5, 2025
Learn more: https://t.co/zgJhIWwTYQpic.twitter.com/o6eeKErdPr
Martin, a 6'5 "wing, has spent six seasons in the NBA, most of them with Charlotte, but he was traded to Phoenix last season and has been a free agent all summer. He's a solid defender at multiple positions, and for his career he averaged 6.2 points a game, but injuries have limited him in recent seasons. He played in 53 games last season, but only 35 total in the two seasons preceding that.
The Pacers have already signed Jeremiah Robinson-Earl on a 10-day contract under one hardship exception, this would be a second one. Which speaks to just how hard the injury bug has hit Indiana.
The 1-6 Pacers host the winless Nets on Wednesday, then head out on a four-game road trip through the West that starts in Denver this weekend.
Championship roundup: Saints beat QPR, Small stunner inspires Preston
Scienza goal gives managerless Southampton 2-1 win
Preston defeat Swansea; Wednesday and Norwich draw
Managerless Southampton ended their losing run with a 2-1 victory at QPR in their first match since the sacking of Will Still.
Teenager Jay Robinson’s deflected strike put the visitors, who had under-21s coach Tonda Eckert in interim charge, ahead early in the second half and Léo Scienza’s brilliant goal doubled their lead. Rumarn Burrell pulled a goal back but Rangers were unable to find an equaliser, slumping to a third consecutive defeat.
Continue reading..."We Got To Bury Down": Red Wings Regroup After First Shutout Loss Under Todd McLellan
The good news for the Detroit Red Wings is that they picked up six of a possible 10 points on their five-game road trip that included three stops in the state of California.
The bad news is that their road trip finale against the Vegas Golden Knights was the first time they've been shut out since head coach Todd McLellan took over in December 2024.
Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid stopped all 24 shots that the Red Wings fired his way for just his second career shutout; his stops included six saves on Alex DeBrincat, who had his six-game point streak snapped, as well as three attempts from Dylan Larkin.
Afterward, Larkin said it was simply a matter of not converting on their chances despite playing well overall in a tough environment.
“We showed we can play on the road and in this building especially, I thought that was a winnable game," he said. "We just didn’t get the offense, the bounces or the puck going into the net that we needed."
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Larkin also pointed to the strong performance by John Gibson, who turned aside all but one of the 34 shots he faced, as well as Detroit's improved penalty kill.
"Gibby played unbelievable, which is a positive sign," he said. "The PK was good again, but it’s a good learning lesson. We got to execute better and when we get our chances, we got to bury down.”
It was one of Gibson's best performances since being acquired by the Red Wings in late June from the Anaheim Ducks, though he ultimately wasn't rewarded.
“I thought we played well, you got to credit them," he said. "They make it hard to score, block a lot of shots and play well defensively."
"That was a hard-fought game.”
The Red Wings are now set for a pair of weekend games on home ice at Little Caesars Arena, beginning on Friday evening against the New York Rangers followed by a Sunday matinee against the Chicago Blackhawks.
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Who's Hot And Cold In The NHL: Gauthier's On Fire, Bobrovsky's The Opposite
Any NHL player can pop off for a strong week, while any star can have a rough few games. It's time to take a close look at those players.
We’re beginning a new weekly series by breaking down which NHLers are on a hot streak at the moment and which stars are cold in the past week, going back to Oct. 29. Let's get to it.
Hot: Cutter Gauthier, LW, Anaheim Ducks
Gauthier came into the season looking to improve on his 20-goal, 44-point rookie campaign. Through 12 games, it's looking like he'll do it.
The 21-year-old is thriving, with 10 goals and 16 points – which includes his seven-game point streak that includes seven goals and 13 points.
In the past week, Gauthier led all NHLers in scoring with eight points in three games. His teammate, Leo Carlsson, is tied for second with Connor McDavid, both with seven points.
Gauthier stood out on Tuesday with a hat trick and assist to complete a season sweep over the Florida Panthers. We'll talk about who he scored on later.
It’s unfair to expect Gauthier to maintain this scoring pace, but he is showing people why the Philadelphia Flyers drafted him fifth overall in 2022. Gauthier engineered his way out of Philadelphia and to the Ducks, earning him the hatred of Flyers fans. But he’s playing nearly four more minutes per game than the 14:09 he averaged last season, and he’s quickly developing into one of the best young players in the league.
Five Most Intriguing NHL Odds To Make Or Miss The PlayoffsBurning questions surround five NHL teams with playoff odds that are worth a closer look.Cold: Artemi Panarin, LW, New York Rangers
For most of his 11 NHL seasons, Panarin has been one of the best point producers on his team. And since he arrived in Manhattan in 2019, Panarin has been the straw that stirs the drink for the Rangers.
But after his offensive totals took a 31-point dip last season, the 34-year-old has come out of the starting blocks ice cold, as he’s put up only two goals and seven points in 14 games. And Panarin hasn’t put up a single point in his past six games, including the three games in the past week.
The crazy part about Panarin’s season is he’s currently averaging 21:08 of ice time, more than a minute over his career average of 19:42. Panarin also has the motivation of being in a contract year, and if he wants a pay raise on the $11.6 million he’s currently earning, he’s going to have to improve in a hurry.
Hot: Dawson Mercer, C, New Jersey Devils
The Devils started strong, sitting second in the Eastern Conference, and Mercer’s offensive production is a key reason why.
The 24-year-old has points in six of his past seven games, including four goals and five points in the past week. He and Gauthier have the most goals since Oct. 29.
That hot stretch has given Mercer eight goals and 14 points in 13 games this year, putting him on pace to demolish his current career highs of 27 goals and 56 points, two totals he set in 2022-23.
Mercer is averaging 17:57 of ice time, which is slightly better than his career average of 17:05. But on a deep, talented New Jersey team, he doesn’t have to do all the heavy lifting, and that lack of pressure on him is leading him to do great things.
NHL Power Rankings: Each Team's Biggest Surprise One Month InThe Panthers are last in the East? The Rangers were shut out again? Nearly everything's going well for the Penguins? This week's NHL power rankings features no shortage of surprises as the list continues to change.Hot: Michael Bunting, LW, Nashville Predators
Bunting has bounced around the NHL since debuting in 2018-19, and the Predators are his fifth NHL team. Bunting generated nine points in 18 games after Nashville acquired him from the Pittsburgh Penguins in March last season, but the 30-year-old has four goals and nine points in 15 games this year.
In four games jam-packed into the past week, Bunting has two goals and six points. That's surprising, considering he averaged 14:19 of ice time in that span, well below his career average of 15:34.
He’s in the final season of a contract that pays him $4.5 million per year, and while it’s unlikely he’ll get a raise on his next deal, Bunting could play well enough, consistently enough, to have Nashville trade him to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Cold: Sergei Bobrovsky, G, Florida Panthers
For the last two seasons, Bobrovsky was the star goalie for the back-to-back Cup champions, so he doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone.
However, given that he’s earning $10 million per year – and because he’s in the final season of his contract – Bobrovsky has a high bar to clear. So far this year, he’s failed to clear it, posting a 6-4-0 record, a 2.82 goals-against average and a .883 save percentage in 10 appearances on an injury-affected squad.
This past week looked particularly rough for Bobrovsky, who had an .815 SP and 4.85 GAA. He allowed three goals on 22 shots in a win over Dallas (.864 SP) and then conceded seven goals on 32 shots in a loss against Gauthier and the Ducks.
Florida’s skaters in front of Bobrovsky need to step up in the absence of Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and Dmitry Kulikov, but he also has to own his role in the Panthers’ struggles. If he’s going to strike it rich on what could be his final NHL contract, the 37-year-old Bobrovsky has to show he’s still capable of being a No. 1 option on a Cup front-runner.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Giants icon Bruce Bochy reveals advice he'll give new manager Tony Vitello
Giants icon Bruce Bochy reveals advice he'll give new manager Tony Vitello originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Bruce Bochy knows what it takes to lead the Giants to greatness.
That is why, after returning to the Bay as one of Tony Vitello’s special assistants, as team chairman Greg Johnson told the San Francisco Chronicle in an interview published Tuesday, Bochy has some wisdom for the Orange and Black’s new manager.
Bochy shared what advice he’ll give Vitello — who only has coached at the collegiate level and most recently at Tennessee — once they begin working together in an exclusive interview with The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly published on Wednesday.
“You have to adapt, but that’s true even if you’ve been doing it a while in the major leagues,” Bochy said of Vitello to Baggarly. “Every year is different. You’ve got to adapt to every bullpen. Sure, there’s more games, but believe me, he’s smart enough to figure that out.
“With all the success he had, he could’ve run for mayor in Knoxville. He’s got a lot of confidence. You can see it in him when you talk to him. He’s all in on this challenge.”
Bochy would know.
The 70-year-old won three World Series rings over 13 years with San Francisco and a fourth in 2023 with the Texas Rangers.
As a seasoned veteran who has been there and done that, Bochy can help the 47-year-old Vitello transition from working with young adults in Rocky Top to seasoned big-leaguers in the Bay.
“The only advice I’d say is be yourself,” Bochy said of Vitello to Baggarly. “He’s so likable and personable. He’s worked with diverse players from all over the country at Tennessee. He’s had to work with a lot of different personalities. All that experience he’ll draw on and that’s going to work in the major leagues as well. So don’t change. Don’t try to be something you’re not.
“I think he’s going to be so good at that. He’s been in that dugout for a lot of games, so that’s not going to speed up on him. And hey, you learn on the job, too. He’ll have good people around him to help.”
Vitello doesn’t have any MLB experience; however, San Francisco’s new skipper will have tons of it in his corner in 2026 — especially from Bochy.
Easton Cowan Sent Down To Marlies, Why It Happened And What’s Next For The Maple Leafs Prospect
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Easton Cowan has been sent down to the AHL's Toronto Marlies, but for how long is the question.
The move coincides with Scott Laughton's return to the lineup after missing the first 13 games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. The Maple Leafs had already been at the roster limit, so moving Cowan to the AHL (he was the only forward who was waivers-exempt) allowed them to activate Laughton.
Cowan scored one goal, three assists, and averaged 12:33 of ice time through his first 10 NHL games. While up with the Maple Leafs, the 20-year-old bounced throughout the team's lineup, even getting on the top line and having power play minutes.
He participated in the Maple Leafs' morning skate on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Marlies begin a six-game stretch away from Coca-Cola Coliseum. They also play on Wednesday evening, with their first game of the road trip against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
It's unknown how long Cowan will remain down in the AHL, though.
Barring an injury of any sort when the Maple Leafs face the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday night, Cowan must play in one AHL game before being able to be recalled to the NHL. It's a rule that was implemented this season to limit NHL teams from making paper transactions.
Nevertheless, Cowan could benefit from some time with the Marlies. He'll face lesser competition all while getting top minutes in all situations. While there'll still be expectations for him in the AHL, it won't be as much as it would if he were still in the NHL.
Maple Leafs Practice Notes: Laughton, Lorentz Could Return Vs. Mammoth, Carlo, Stolarz Get Maintenance DayWith a few extra bodies up front, the Maple Leafs have opted for a different-looking bottom six, featuring Laughton and Lorentz.Laughton draws into the Maple Leafs lineup alongside Steven Lorentz and Max Domi on the team's fourth line. Lorentz missed the last two games with an upper-body injury after going awkwardly into the boards against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Laughton, on the morning ahead of his season debut, was excited to get back into the Maple Leafs' lineup.
"I think you put in a ton of work on yourself when things like that happen. The attention to detail from the staff here, right from day one of the injury, has been pretty incredible. So I owe a lot to those guys for getting me back here and getting me on the right track," he said.
"You train all summer, you come back, and something like that happens. So hopefully I don't have to see the gym for a while."
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Manchester City 4-1 Dortmund, Newcastle 2-0 Athletic, and more: Champions League – as it happened
Manchester City and Newcastle United eased their opponents aside, while Brugge and Barcelona shared six goals in a wild affair in Belgium
Teams are emerging from tunnels all across Europe. Zadok the Priest (Version) blaring out hither and yon. We’ll be off in a couple of minutes!
Going into the 8pm kick-offs, here’s how the league phase currently looks. When it’s all completed after eight games, the top eight will go through to the round of 16, positions nine to 16 will be seeded in the knockout stage and be drawn against positions 17 to 24, and everyone below will go home. So that’s a pretty big defeat for Villarreal in Cyprus tonight … and Chelsea now have a job on if they want to grab one of those top-eight spots, because they host Barcelona next, and still have to travel to Atalanta and Napoli.
Continue reading...Phil Foden’s double downs Borussia Dortmund as Manchester City sparkle
If Phil Foden performs so, too, do Manchester City. This was reiterated by his two-goal show that helped to sweep Pep Guardiola’s improving team to 10 points from four games at the league stage’s halfway juncture.
Factor in Erling Haaland, who decorated his captaincy for the night with a 27th goal (for club and country), and Waldemar Anton’s 72nd-minute jab home was solely an irritation.
Continue reading...