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Why Now Is Not The Time For The Canucks To Trade For Jesperi Kotkaniemi
The latest player to hit the rumour mill in the NHL is Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The 25-year-old has struggled over the past few seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, with the relationship hitting a point where a fresh start for both parties may be best. As expected, his name has been connected to the Vancouver Canucks, as he has been a player the organization has discussed acquiring in the past.
In a recent article on Sportsnet.ca, Elliotte Friedman wrote that Kotkaniemi was one of the players offered to Vancouver in the Hurricanes trade proposal for Quinn Hughes. His name was also tied to the Canucks in regards to center Elias Pettersson, who Carolina has had interest in for the past few years. In the end, neither trade ended up working out for the Hurricanes, as Kotkaniemi remains in the organization.
Kotkaniemi's name continually being linked to Vancouver is a sign that Canucks management has at least discussed the idea of bringing in the former third overall pick. If Vancouver hinted that they had no interest in acquiring him, it is hard to imagine that the Finnish center would still be linked to the Canucks. As for the potential interest, Kotkaniemi does make sense based on Vancouver's needs, as he is a center under the age of 26 who can win faceoffs.
The problem is that the Canucks are not in a position where they should be targeting a player like Kotkaniemi in-season. Vancouver is currently ranked 31st in the league, and unless they go on a historic run, they are projected to finish at the bottom of the standings. The Canucks also can not afford to part with draft picks and prospects as they need those assets to build for the future, rather than stay in the mushy middle of the NHL.
Bringing in a player like Kotkaniemi also carries risk. As mentioned, he has struggled over the past few seasons and currently only has six points in 25 games. Kotkaniemi also carries a cap hit of $4.82 million until 2030, which, based on his production, would cause issues to Vancouver's cap situation.
For the sake of argument, let's say this management group really wants to add Kotkaniemi to the roster. If that is the case, there is no need to rush the situation. There is a good chance that he will still be available in the summer, which means the Canucks could negotiate the deal then rather than risk losing draft position now.
In short, trading for Kotkaniemi in-season is not something Vancouver should consider. The only way an in-season trade makes sense is if the Canucks are given assets to take on his contract, like how in 2019, Carolina acquired Patrick Marleau, a conditional 2020 first-round pick and a 2020 seventh-round pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs for a 2020 sixth-round pick. Ultimately, Vancouver should be acquiring picks and prospects as they head towards the 2026 trade deadline rather than using assets to get another first-round drafted player who hasn't worked out as expected in the NHL.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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O’Sullivan also pulled out 12 months ago
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Continue reading...Warriors' offense finally functioning as designed, with 11-game span as proof
Warriors' offense finally functioning as designed, with 11-game span as proof originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – After searching for more than two months, the Warriors are showing significant progress toward curing their most remedy-resistant ailment.
Golden State’s offense, a source of great concern the first two months of the season, is now exhibiting a strong heartbeat, the brain scans are clear and it’s starting to function as designed. And it’s not a two- or three-game thing. It’s an 11-game span.
The latest example came Friday night in a 137-103 throttling of Sacramento. The Kings are in last place in the NBA Western Conference, yes, but the quality of the opponent doesn’t – and shouldn’t – matter to the Warriors, who at three games above .500 (21-18) still are trying to escape mediocrity.
What matters is that the Warriors have won eight of their last 11 games and are starting to look like the team as projected coming out of training camp. Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton, who signed the week camp opened, have overcome injuries to become healthy and productive.
“We’re in a good groove with our rotation, and helps to have the same lineups out there,” coach Steve Kerr said. “To have Melt and Al both healthy and playing well, it feels like the version of the team that we expected when we signed those guys over the summer. The depth [is great] and we’re just getting into a good groove.”
What matters is that the offense is, for the most part, weaning itself off its worst habit. The Warriors are being smarter with the ball and more intentional in their actions, resulting in them breaking down defenses and lighting up scoreboards.
“Every team has a belief in themselves until you get smacked in the face; we have been smacked in the face a couple of times this year,” Stephen Curry said. “But we bounced back.”
The Warriors recorded 35 assists and committed nine turnovers before Kerr summoned his bench to close the final four minutes against Sacramento. They finished with a season-high 39 dimes, which makes it easier to digest their 11 turnovers.
“I don’t mention the word,” Kerr said, referring to his pet peeve. “I just say ‘hitting singles,’ ‘be solid.’ Solid wins the game. And I’m not bringing it up anymore.”
The Warriors were, sitting at 13-15 on Dec. 18, their own worst enemy. They were on a bullet train to the outer edge of the NBA play-in tournament.
Now? They have trended from punishing themselves with turnovers to depriving opponents of lazy passes that served as charity.
“You have to walk that fine line like we always say,” Curry said. “I know [Kerr] says that he’s not talking about [turnovers] anymore. But we are very mindful of that being a key to us winning games. Because we do utilize each other more than most teams do, screening, passing, moving bodies, moving the ball. And then if you turn it over, there’s no defense for that.”
There was the one game, Dec. 28 at Toronto, when the Warriors smacked themselves with a reminder of the cost of turnovers. They fumbled away a victory by giving the Raptors 35 points off turnovers. That now feels like a relative outlier, and ball security is win preserver.
The Warriors over the 11 games since Dec. 18 are averaging 120 points, fourth in the NBA during that span. In the 28 previous games, they averaged 113.8 per game (23rd). Their offensive rating through the first 28 games was 112.8, 22nd in the NBA. In the 11 games since, their 119.3 rating ranks third.
Most stunningly, Golden State fumbled along with a 1.71 assist-to-turnover ratio (19th in the league) over its first 28 games but has bumped it up to 2.09 (eighth) over its last 11.
The difference between the Warriors of the first 28 and the last 11 is nearly as striking as the difference between the Warriors before and after Jimmy Butler III last season.
“A lot of that has to do with Melton, Al, Gui [Santos] coming in, making huge contributions, Will [Richard] finding his way into the rotation,” Curry said. “So, guys who weren’t as available, or not at all, early in the year, are coming in. And then, getting us organized with rotations and lineups.
“Our defense has been pretty solid all year, but the offense has come and gone. So those two guys in particular [Melton and Horford], the vets are helping tremendously, connecting certain lineups. And then we’re playing focused basketball.
“So, we just got to keep it going.”
That’s the hard part. And the only way for Golden State to continue its recent pattern of winning far more often than losing.
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Sharks Send Big Forward Back Down To AHL
The San Jose Sharks have made a roster move ahead of their Jan. 10 matchup against the Dallas Stars.
The Sharks have announced that forward Patrick Giles has been assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.
Giles was called up to the Sharks earlier this week but did not get into any game action during his latest brief stay on their NHL roster. Now, with today's transaction, Giles is set to return to the Barracuda's roster.
While Giles did not play for the Sharks during his latest call-up, he has made a few appearances for them this season. In three games this campaign with the Sharks, he has recorded zero goals, one assist, three hits, and a plus-1 rating.
Giles has spent the majority of this season in the AHL with the Barracuda. In 28 games with the Barracuda so dar this campaign, the 6-foot-5 forward has posted five goals, four assists, nine points, eight penalty minutes, and a minus-10 rating.
In 20 career NHL games over two seasons split between the Florida Panthers and Sharks, Giles has recorded one goal, one assist, two penalty minutes, 24 hits, and a minus-2 rating.
Blackhawks center Connor Bedard set to return from shoulder injury
CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard is back after missing 12 games with a right shoulder injury.
Bedard has been cleared to play on Friday night against Washington. The 20-year-old center participated in the team’s morning skate ahead of the matchup with the Capitals.
“It’s obviously a huge boost,” assistant coach Mike Vellucci said. “He’s a big part of our team and he was playing really well before he got injured. We’re excited to have him back.”
While Bedard is set to return, the Blackhawks could be missing a couple key players against the Capitals because of an illness going around the team. Captain Nick Foligno, forward Ilya Mikheyev, backup goaltender Arvid Soderblom and coach Jeff Blashill missed the morning skate.
Bedard got hurt on a draw with 0.8 seconds left in a 3-2 loss at St. Louis on Dec. 12. He ranked among the NHL leaders with 19 goals and 25 assists in 31 games at the time of the injury.
“I feel good,” Bedard said. “Obviously it’s no fun kind of waiting and not being able to play. So it’s exciting.”
Bedard and fellow center Frank Nazar were shelved during a stretch of 10 losses in 12 games for Chicago. But the Blackhawks have flourished of late, winning a season-high four in a row going into the Washington game.
“It’s an exciting time and for us just to keep that rolling and obviously keep stacking wins because every game’s so important,” Bedard said.
Nazar, who turns 22 on Wednesday, is skating again, but there has been no word on when he might return to the lineup. He was hit in the face by a puck during a 6-4 loss at Ottawa on Dec. 20.
Bedard was selected by Chicago with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft. He missed part of his rookie season with a broken jaw, but he played in all 82 games last year.
“No one wants to have anything happen, but it’s part of the game,” Bedard said. “You just got to try to take that time to get better.”
Bedard’s fast start moved him into contention for a spot on Team Canada for the Winter Olympics. But he was left off the roster when it was announced last week.
Bedard still could make the trip to Italy if he is needed as an injury replacement.
Free agent outfielder Max Kepler suspended 80 games by MLB following positive drug test
NEW YORK — Free agent outfielder Max Kepler was suspended for 80 games on Friday following a positive test for a banned performance-enhancing substance in violation of Major League Baseball’s drug program.
Kepler tested positive for Epitrenbolone, a substance that led to a suspension in 2018 for boxer Manuel Charr. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency announced the following year that a positive test for the substance caused it to disqualify 90-year-old cyclist Carl Grove from a world record he had set at the 2018 Masters Track National Championship.
Epitrenbolone is a metabolite of Trenbolone, which is contained in some products used in body-building stores and had been used in products to promote cattle growth. Kepler is the first player suspended by MLB for the substance since public announcements of the penalty details began in 2005.
There was no immediate comment from the players’ association or his agency.
Kepler accepted the suspension without contesting the discipline in a grievance, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because that detail was not announced.
Kepler, who turns 33 next month, is an 11-year major league veteran who spent last season with the Philadelphia Phillies after playing his first 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He became a free agent after the World Series.
Fourteen players were suspended last year for positive tests, including two under the major league program. Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar was banned for 80 games on March 31 and Philadelphia Phillies closer José Alvarado for 80 games on May 25.
Even if Kepler doesn’t have a contract by opening day in March, MLB and the union usually allow a suspended free agent to serve his penalty as long as he is attempting to reach a deal with teams.
Kepler hit .216 with 18 homers and 52 RBIs last year after agreeing to a one-year, $10 million contract. He was slowed in 2024 by left patellar tendinitis and had core surgery after the season to repair a sports hernia.
Kepler grew up in Germany and signed with the Twins at age 16 in 2009. He has a .235 average with 179 homers and 560 RBIs in his big league career.
This Canadiens Smart Move Is Paying Off Big Time
The Montreal Canadiens picked up a big 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Jan. 8. With this victory, the Canadiens improved to a 25-13-6 record and are currently in first place in the Atlantic Division standings.
Alexandre Texier was undoubtedly a massive reason for the Canadiens' win, as he put together a monster game. The 26-year-old forward recorded a hat trick for the Habs in their win. With this, there is no question that he stepped up in a major way for the Canadiens against the reigning two-time Stanley Cup champs.
This hat trick performance against the Panthers came after Texier recorded one goal and two assists in the Canadiens' Jan. 7 contest against the Calgary Flames. With this, Texier now has six points over his last two games alone.
With the way Texier is playing right now, it is absolutely clear that the Canadiens made the right move signing him. Texier has also found a great fit with the Canadiens after mutually terminating his previous contract with the St. Louis Blues earlier this season. With this, both the Habs and Texier are benefiting big time since Montreal signed him to a one-year, $1 million deal back in November.
With his big hot streak, Texier now has seven goals, seven assists, 14 points, and a plus-6 rating in 22 games since joining the Canadiens. This is after he had one assist in eight games for the Blues before having his contract terminated.
It will now be intriguing to see how Texier builds on his strong play with the Canadiens from here.