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The Wraparound: Can Penguins' Sidney Crosby Break A Wayne Gretzky NHL Record?

Sidney Crosby (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

It's time for bite-sized NHL topics in The Hockey News Wraparound Show.

Can Penguins' Sidney Crosby Break A Wayne Gretzky NHL Record? by The WraparoundCan Penguins' Sidney Crosby Break A Wayne Gretzky NHL Record? by The Wraparoundundefined

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

0:00: After extending his stay with the New York Rangers, which performance bonus is Jonathan Quick most likely to achieve next season?

3:59: Should Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams be concerned about Rasmus Dahlin’s future?

7:29: How soon could Berkly Catton fill a top-six role with the Seattle Kraken?

10:43: Can Sidney Crosby beat Wayne Gretzky’s record for consecutive point-per-game seasons?

13:31: Which NHL team will regret not being active at the trade deadline?

15:25: Which winger will be more important for the Dallas Stars in the playoffs: Jason Robertson or Mikko Rantanen?

17:43: Will Tomas Hertl be the Vegas Golden Knights’ X-factor heading into the playoffs?

19:43: Could Utah Hockey Club captain Clayton Keller be a 100-point player next season?

22:02: Was it the right time for the Chicago Blackhawks to call up Artyom Levshunov?

23:58: Does Logan Stankoven have a better chance of breaking out with the Carolina Hurricanes?

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

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Mets’ Jeff McNeil to open season on injured list with oblique strain

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets All-Star infielder Jeff McNeil will open the season on the injured list because of a strained right oblique.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Thursday that the 2022 big league batting champion has a low grade strain. McNeil won’t participate in baseball activities for a week to 10 days and likely will be sidelined for three to four weeks.

“It’s low-grade, he felt it after playing a couple of days ago,” Mendoza said. “He came in sore, we gave him 24 hours and yesterday same thing so we decided to have imaging and it shows that strain.”

The 32-year-old McNeil hit .238 with 12 homers and 44 RBIs last year. His right wrist was broken on Sept. 6 when hit by a pitch from Cincinnati’s Brandon Williamson, and McNeil returned for the NL Championship Series.

McNeil played the majority of the season at second base, but also spent time in both corner outfield positions.

New York has had a series of injuries during spring training.

Catcher Francisco Alvarez broke his left hand during batting practice on Saturday and is expected to be out six to eight weeks. Left-hander Sean Manaea (oblique), right-hander Frankie Montas (lat) and infielder Nick Madrigal (fractured shoulder) also will miss the start of the season. Madrigal could be out all year.

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Tampa Bay Rays withdraw from planned $1.3 billion ballpark in St. Petersburg, citing storms, delays

Tropicana Field

CHIMCHIME, ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - 2024/10/13: (EDITORS NOTE: Image taken with drone) In this aerial view, the domed roof at Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays, is seen ripped to shreds from Hurricane Miltonís powerful winds in St. Petersburg. The storm passed through the area on October 10, 2024, making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane in Siesta Key, Florida. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

SOPA Images/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays withdrew Thursday from a $1.3 billion project to construct a new ballpark adjacent to Tropicana Field, citing a hurricane and delays that likely drove up the proposal’s cost.

The team issued a statement by principal owner Stuart Sternberg saying “a series of events” in October, which included severe damage to the the Trop and financing delays, led to what he called “this difficult decision.”

“After careful deliberation, we have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this moment,” Sternberg said.

Displaced from the Trop in St. Petersburg, the Rays are set to play their home games this season across Tampa Bay at the New York Yankees’ spring training home, 11,000-seat Steinbrenner Field. Meanwhile, repairs are envisioned to the Trop, including replacing its roof shredded by Hurricane Milton, that would have it ready for the 2026 season.

“Major League Baseball remains committed to finding a permanent home for the club in the Tampa Bay region for their fans and the local community,” MLB said in a statement. “Commissioner (Rob) Manfred understands the disappointment of the St. Petersburg community from today’s announcement, but he will continue to work with elected officials, community leaders, and Rays officials to secure the club’s future in the Tampa Bay region.”

The Trop opened in 1990 and has been the Rays’ home since they took the field in 1998. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, a driving force behind what was dubbed the “Here To Stay” initiative aimed at keeping the Rays in the city for another 30 years, said the decision was disappointing but “it is not unexpected.” It is also possible the Rays could be sold, he noted.

“If in the coming months a new owner, who demonstrates a commitment to honoring their agreements and our community priorities emerges, we will consider a partnership to keep baseball in St. Pete. But we will not put our city’s progress on hold as we await a collaborative and community-focused baseball partner,” Welch said.

Under their current contract with the city of St. Petersburg, the Rays would play three more seasons at their existing ballpark after it is repaired. Beyond that, the team’s future in the Tampa Bay area is uncertain. MLB and the Rays could evaluate attendance and fan interest during the team’s season at Steinbrenner Field as they consider alternate sites.

“The opportunity to play on the Tampa side could give insights into the Tampa Bay market as a whole that could be useful for the club moving forward,” Manfred said during a Wednesday interview with The Associated Press.

For now, the Rays are set to return to the Trop after a year across the bay.

“The City of St. Petersburg is currently advancing plans to restore Tropicana Field for the 2026 season,” Sternberg said. “We are thankful for their efforts and are excited to return to our home field next spring.”

The proposed 30,000-seat stadium is a signature piece of a broader $6.5 billion revitalization project known as the Historic Gas Plant District, which refers to a predominantly Black neighborhood that was forced out by construction of the Trop and an interstate highway spur.

Supporters say the development would transform an 86-acre (34-hectare) tract in the city’s downtown, with plans for a Black history museum, affordable housing, entertainment venues, plus office and retail space — and the promise of thousands of jobs.

That broader project, counting on the Rays ballpark to be an anchor, is also in limbo with this decision.

The Rays had faced a March 31 deadline to decide whether to continue with the new ballpark project. Under the agreement previously approved by the city and Pinellas County, the governments would cover about half the cost of the $1.3 billion stadium, with the Rays and their development partner Hines covering the rest, including any cost overruns.

The Rays previously said a delayed vote in October on the final financing plan by the Pinellas County Commission was a factor increasing projected costs beyond the team’s funding ability. The city already has approved its financing.

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Ottawa Senators Head Coach Travis Green Reflects on 400 NHL Games

In the midst of an NHL playoff race, with only 18 games remaining, Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green has much larger concerns than personal milestones. However, when the Senators face off against the Boston Bruins at Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday night, it will mark Green's 400th game as an NHL head coach.

Nov 7, 2024: Ottawa Senators head coach Travis Green. Image Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

He was asked to reflect on his coaching career and what he's learned over the years.

"I think you just get better if you have an open mind to learning," Green told the media on Thursday. "I've probably changed a lot without even knowing it. And I think it's important that you can, whatever you're doing, you look yourself in the mirror and self-assess what you're doing to try to improve."

Green says, if he's honest, he doesn't remember a lot about his first game as a coach.

"Just probably nervous and excited at the same time. I still am. I love doing what I'm doing, and it's a privilege to be in the NHL, whether you're a player or coach or anyone that works for a team."

Combined with his 970 games as a player, in a career that dates back to the Senators' expansion season 33 years ago, Green can rightly be labelled now as an NHL-lifer.

If the season ended today, Green’s .570 points percentage would represent the best season of his coaching career. Before this, he spent four and a half seasons as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, posting a points percentage above .500 just once, making the playoffs in the 2019-20 season with a .565 points percentage.

Green's most successful coaching season came in the first year he was ever put in charge of a bench. Green was an interim head coach with the Portland Winterhawks, where he guided them to the 2013 Western Hockey League title.

This opportunity only came about after 'Hawks head coach Mike Johnston was suspended for recruitment violations. Johnston returned the following season, while Green moved on to Utica, where he served four years as head coach of the Comets in the AHL.

After being fired by the Canucks midway through the 2021-22 season, Green spent a year and a half away from the game before returning as an associate coach with the New Jersey Devils last season. He became the Devils’ interim head coach after Lindy Ruff was dismissed last spring.

While the Devils considered retaining Green for this season, they opted to interview other candidates. Green, in turn, also began exploring other opportunities and ultimately chose to accept the head coaching position with the Senators.

It's been a good fit so far. Green has taken on a team with a lot of good young pieces that appear to be wedging open a window of opportunity that's been nailed shut for almost eight years. Getting the Senators to the playoffs is the full focus right now. Savouring personal milestones can come later.

"I didn't know that it was 400, to be honest," Green said. "But hopefully, there's another 400 still to go."

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News Ottawa

Be sure to bookmark The Hockey News Ottawa for great Sens coverage all year around.

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Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito to open season on injured list with strained left hamstring

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — The Boston Red Sox will open the season with three starting pitchers on the injured list after right-hander Lucas Giolito strained his left hamstring.

Giolito left his first spring training start against Philadelphia on Tuesday after one inning when his hamstring tightened. Giolito told reporters the strain was low-grade.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said the right-hander will start the season on the injured list.

Giolito will join fellow starters Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Kutter Crawford (knee) on the injured list ahead of Boston’s March 27 opener at Texas.

The 30-year-old Giolito signed a $38.5 million. two-year contract with Boston before last season, but didn’t pitch all year after a partial tear in his right ulnar collateral ligament. He was 8-15 with a 4.88 ERA in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Guardians.

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Europa League roundup: Athletic stun Roma after Nico Williams double

  • Athletic Club earn 4-3 aggregate win over 10-man Roma
  • Lazio and Bodø/Glimt progress as Frankfurt rout Ajax

Nico Williams scored twice as Athletic Club advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals with a 3-1 second-leg win over 10-man Roma on Thursday and Lazio progressed after a 1-1 home draw with Viktoria Plzen. Lazio will face Bodø/Glimt in the last eight after the Norwegian club continued their impressive European adventure despite losing 2-1 at Olympiakos, while Eintracht Frankfurt had little trouble finishing off Ajax with a 4-1 win.

Roma, 2-1 up from the first leg, were down to 10 men in the 11th minute after Mats Hummels saw red for taking down Maroan Sannadi who had intercepted his sloppy pass and Williams levelled the tie on aggregate in added time before the break. His shot took a deflection off Roma’s Angeliño before finding the net and Athletic went ahead on aggregate with 22 minutes left when Yuri Berchiche headed in from a corner.

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Connor Zary Suspended For Elbowing Canucks Defender Elias Pettersson

Mar 11, 2025; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Elias Pettersson (25) checks Montreal Canadiens forward Nick Suzuki (14) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The Vancouver Canucks took two points last night against the Calgary Flames, but along with Tyler Myers missing the game, they may be out another defenseman. Elias Pettersson (D) missed the majority of the game after being on the receiving end of an elbow by Flames forward Connor Zary. After having a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety today, Zary was assessed a two-game suspension.

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“On this play Zary sees a teammate take a hard but legal check and responds intentionally in retribution by delivering a hit with an extended elbow, which makes significant head contact,” the NHL DOPS said of the suspension after the hearing. 

Pettersson did not come out for the second or third periods, and it was later confirmed by the Canucks that he would not be returning to the game. The 21-year-old, who was selected 80th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, made his NHL debut this year on January 25 against the Washington Capitals. He has played in 15 games and recorded two assists. His development throughout this season was ultimately the catalyst that let Vancouver move on from defender Carson Soucy. 

Pettersson’s absence comes at a time when the Canucks have only just welcomed back their captain, Quinn Hughes. As the team makes a push for the playoffs, they'll need as many healthy bodies as possible to help them compete. 

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, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

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Seattle’s 2024 Draft Class: Catching Up With The Kraken Prospects

Berkly Catton, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft, is coming on strong, and he’s not the only Seattle prospect who’s turning heads this season.

By Krishna Bhagnathsingh

While the Seattle Kraken traded away seasoned veterans Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde ahead of the NHL deadline, there’s help on the way in the franchise’s prospect pipeline. Here’s a look at how Seattle’s 2024 draft class is faring this season.

Berkly Catton, C, Spokane (WHL)

Berkly Catton photo by Caroline Anne | WHL

2024 NHL draft: 8th overall

Catton is tearing it up for the Spokane Chiefs, averaging more than two points per game. He’s already surpassed 100 points on the season and ranks third overall in WHL scoring – although he’s just second on the Chiefs, behind Washington Capitals prospect Andrew Cristall. Catton’s ability to dangle a defender and his lightning-fast shot will one day provide the Kraken with a much-needed sniper. Look for Catton to make a push for full-time NHL duty by the 2026-27 season, at which time he could claim a spot in the top six.

Julius Miettinen, C, Everett (WHL)

Julius Miettinen photo by Caroline Anne | Everett Silvertips

2024 NHL draft: 40th overall

The 6-foot-3, 207-pound Miettinen uses his frame to drive to the net, whether it’s with the puck on his stick or fishing for a rebound, and he’s an effective net-front presence. Miettinen applies great forechecking pressure, and he’s adept at forcing turnovers in the opponent’s zone. Plus, his ability to play deep both in the defensive end and the offensive end of the ice shouldn’t be overlooked. Overall, the Kraken can expect a reliable two-way center in the coming years.

Nathan Villeneuve, C, Sudbury (OHL)

2024 NHL draft: 63rd overall

Villeneuve is having a career offensive year in Sudbury, ranking in the top five in goals, assists and points for the Wolves. What stands out about Villeneuve is his performances on both the power play and the penalty kill. He’s second on the Wolves in power-play goals with 10 while also leading the team with four shorthanded goals. Villeneuve also brings speed to the table. Whether it’s along the boards or cutting through the neutral zone, he’s a speedster who can easily get to the net. He brings something valuable to the Kraken’s future by being a speedy playmaker and scorer.

Alexis Bernier, D, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL)

Alexis Bernier photo by Caroline Anne | The Hockey News

2024 NHL draft: 73rd overall

Bernier sits in the top 10 in points among QMJHL defensemen, and in January he tied the Drakkar franchise record for most goals in a month by a defender (five). Bernier isn’t afraid to grip it and rip it in the slot when he gets a chance. He also doesn't shy away from physicality, as a push and shove could benefit both him and the team. The 18-year-old has much more development ahead of him, whether it’s with Baie-Comeau next season or perhaps with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds if the Kraken sign him to an entry-level deal.

Kim Saarinen, G, HPK (Fin.)

Kim Saarinen photo by Caroline Anne | The Hockey News

2024 NHL draft: 88th overall

Saarinen’s .911 save percentage and three shutouts rank among the league leaders in Finland’s top hockey circuit. He’s active in the blue paint and can easily maneuver from post to post. Still, goalies take a while to crack the NHL and Saarinen has a long way to go. He could remain with HPK for a few more seasons before the Kraken decide to bring him over. Seattle still has Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord under contract for the next few years, so there’s time for Saarinen to continue his development.

Oliver Josephson, C, Red Deer (WHL)

Oliver Josephson (white jersey) photo by Caroline Anne | The Hockey News

2024 NHL draft: 105th overall

Josephson has 28 points in 41 games, which is good enough for third-most on a struggling Rebels team this season. Beyond scoring, he leads Red Deer in faceoffs won (485) and faceoff percentage (57.6). Josephson has shown the ability to get into the scoring areas and put the puck in the net. He also shines when it comes to puck control and playmaking, as he’s tied for second on Red Deer in assists (18). Given that he’s only 18 years old, another season or two in junior would serve him well in terms of further development before he moves on to the next level.

Clarke Caswell, LW, Swift Current (WHL)

Clark Caswell Photo by Caroline Anne | The Hockey News

2024 NHL draft: 141st overall

Caswell’s 81 points are second-most on Swift Current and put him in the top 20 in the WHL. His sweet spot on the ice seems to be the slot area or right next to the blue paint, where he can whack in a rebound, bury a one-timer or attempt a deflection. Caswell also has a knack for helping out on special teams as he ranks in the top 10 in the WHL in power-play assists. Overall, the Kraken have a player who has a note for the net, whether it’s battling for rebounds or fighting for space in the slot.

Jakub Fibigr, D, Brampton (OHL)

Jakub Fibigr (left) photo by Bob Frid-Imagn Images.

2024 NHL draft: 202nd overall

Compared to last season, Fibigr is having a bit of a down year. In 2023-24, he ranked second in points among Steelheads defensemen with 43 in 61 games. This year, he has 27 points in 51 games. He was tied for the most points on Czechia at the 2025 world juniors with five points in seven games. Fibigr can track the puck well, but he has some issues with puck control at times, both in his own zone and the neutral zone. On the plus side, he’s a strong skater. Overall, Fibigr will no doubt need more development to make the NHL, but he has upside as a depth defenseman.

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