Tag: NHL

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Let the showcasing begin; On display San Jose’s Celebrini and Will Smith; Pacioretty not giving up trying to make Leafs in tryout; plus more NHL news

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Macklin Celegrini of the San Jose Sharks (71) scored against the Utah Hockey Team in the third period in the prospect tournament game at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo on Fri Sep 13, 2024 (Los Angeles Kings photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 No.1 NHL draft pick center Macklin Celebrini is expected to play a huge role in his rookie season. Celebrini will be joined by center Will Smith who was selected No.4 in the 2023 NHL draft.

#2 He’s not giving up the former Montreral Canadien superstar Max Pacioretty signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pacioretty last played for the Washington Capitals in 47 games, scored four goals, 19 assists, and 23 points. Pacioretty is 35 years old is he at the end of the line or can he help the Leafs this season?

#3 21 years old Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils injured his left shoulder during off season training. Hughes will be out from six to eight weeks. Hughes will not need surgery. Hughes is New Jersey’s lead defenseman who has 49 points, ten goals and 39 assists last season.

#4 It was the first time ever that the Utah Hockey Team took the ice in their inaugural season during the prospects tournament game in El Segundo. For Utah to land an NHL team came under the most unusual circumstances as the Arizona Coyotes just couldn’t land a permanent arena after playing at Arizona State University and the Coyotes were forced to sell the team to Utah Hockey Team owner Ryan Smith. The Utah Hockey Team lost in that first game 3-2 to the Sharks.

#5 The New York Islanders Maxim Tsyplakov is out to make a strong impression. Tysplakov signed a one year deal as a free agent on May 16. Tsyplakov 25 has stood out amongst the rookies, free agents and players trying to make the team. “It’s clear that he’s a little more physically mature than a lot of guys out there,” said Rick Kowalsky, coach of Bridgeport, New York’s American Hockey League affiliate.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcast Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NFL podcast with David Zizmor: Dolphins Hill’s agent calls for cops to be fired over detainment; Browns Watson to face another case of sexual assault lawsuit; plus more news

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill addresses the media after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Gardens on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Miami Dolphins Tyreek Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus is calling for the firing of the four Miami Dade County Police officers who handcuffed Hill and put him on the ground before Sunday’s game in Miami because of a traffic stop. Rosenhaus said the police officers involved in the Hill stop should be fired. As one officer kicked Hill. Rosenhaus added the cop who put Hill in a chokehold should be fired. Rosenhaus added that Hill was not being aggressive and was cooperative.

#2 The NFL is reviewing the civil lawsuit that was filed against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson for sexual assault and battery in 2020 when Watson was quarterback for the Houston Texans. Watson served an 11 game suspension in 2022 after more than two dozen accused Watson of sexual assault and inappropriate conduct. Watson had settled 23 of the 24 lawsuit against him. Watson quarterbacked on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys in a 33-17 loss.

#3 San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey missed the second week of practice. McCaffrey has been dealing with Achilles injuries. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that McCaffrey is being monitored on a day to day basis.

David Zizmor is an NFL podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Aiyuk reports to 49ers camp despite contract dispute

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is in a contract extension with the 49ers and had held out from appearing at training camp but has reported this week while negotiations continue. (Sports Illustrated file photo)

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 David, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that negotiations won’t cease as the 49ers are doing everything they can to get a contract extension with 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Aiyuk says he wants to be paid amongst some of the top NFL receivers.

#2 Inspite of wanting a trade from the 49ers Aiyuk has report. Many NFL analysts were surprised that Aiyuk would show up during a contract dispute with the team. Aiyuk wants to stay with the 49ers but wants a huge payday. Does his reporting mean he’s honoring the last year of contract or he wants to be season ready and negotiate through training camp and pre season if necessary.

#3 Former legendary New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was offered a job as an assistant to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Belichick declined the offer and is used to being the one in charge and could be looking for another offer but as a head coach. Belichick could have been considered as a defensive coordinator to replace Steve Wilks after he was fired but the Niners replaced him with Nick Sorenson. Belichick has been helping his son who is Steve who is a defensive coordinator at the Washington Huskies. In the off season Belichick has been making appearances on the Pat McAfee show and Inside the NFL.

Join David Zizmor for the San Francisco 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

First overall pick Macklin Celebrini officially signs with San Jose Sharks

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Sharks.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

The Sharks made some big news today by announcing that they have officially signed first overall pick Macklin Celebrini to an entry-level contract.

With the signing the Sharks have made the decision for Celebrini to join the Sharks right away rather than having him spend another year playing at Boston University.

Before the signing there was some thought that he may return to college but after impressing Mike Grier and others he has decided to go pro.

“Macklin is not only a special player on the ice, but he is a poised, confident and intelligent young man off it,” said Grier (From San Jose Sharks).

Celebrini’s season at Boston University before he was drafted was extremely impressive as he put up 64 points in 38 games played. For his impressive play he was awarded the Hobey Baker Trophy as the best NCAA men’s hockey player.

The day before the Sharks officially announced Celebrini signing his ELC the Sharks held their annual prospect scrimmage. The event was held at Tech CU Arena and was the first time Sharks fans had the opportunity in person to watch Celebrini in action.

Not only is Celebrini making his debut next season, but so is Will Smith who went fourth overall in last year’s draft.

This offseason has certainly brought plenty of hope back to San Jose who now arguably has one of the best prospect pools in the NHL.

Sharks fans will have to wait till October 10th to see Celebrini play regular season hockey when the Sharks open their season against the St. Louis Blues.

Sharks Load Up on Defense in Rounds 2-7 of 2024 NHL Draft

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Igor Chernyshov, Dynamo Moscow (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks used nine picks in the 2024 NHL Draft at the Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28-29. After selecting center Macklin Celebrini and defenseman Sam Dickinson on Friday, the Sharks used seven more picks on Saturday. Among the prospects they selected were three defenseman, two goaltenders and two wingers.

With the first pick of the second round, the Sharks selected LW Igor Chernyshov. The 6’3” 204 lb 18 year old winger was born in Penza, Russia. He played for Dynamo Moscow of the KHL last season. In 34 games he had three goals and an assist.

With their second pick of the second round, the 53rd overall, the Sharks selected defensemen Leo Sahlin Wallenius. Born in Skövde, Sweden, Sahlin Wallenius played for the Växjö Lakers HC J20 last season. In 43 games, he scored 11 goals and 31 assists.

The Sharks had one pick in the third round, the 82nd overall. The Sharks traded with the New Jersey Devils to get this pick, moving up three spots. They used the pick to get RW Carson Wetsch. 17 year old from North Vancouver. Wetsch played for the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL last season, scoring 25 goals and 25 assists. He is also a cousin of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, though Wetsch’s style of play has not been compared to RNH.

The Sharks had one fourth round pick, 116 overall, and they used that on Swiss goaltender Christian Kirsch. Kirsch is listed as somewhere between 6’2” and 6’4”, depending on which prospect list you look at. On the NHL’s prospect rankings, he was 17th among international goaltenders.

In the fifth round, the Sharks had two picks. They used both for defensemen. At 131 overall, they chose Colton Roberts from the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. Listed at 6’4” and 204 lbs, one of his most notable skills is his skating., Roberts was ranked 36th among North American skaters in the NHL Prospect rankings, and some expected him to go in the second or third round.

At 143, the Sharks chose Nate Misskey from the Victoria Royals of the WHL. Passed over last season, Misskey is 19 years old. NHL.com said: “Misskey (6-3, 210) plays a physical style, offers great compete and knows how to find an open man with good passes. The 19-year-old right-handed shot is No. 89 on Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters.” (2024 Draft: Prospects Passed Over in 2023)

The Sharks had one final pick, in the seventh round. At 194 overall, the Sharks selected Russian goaltender Yaroslav Korostelyov. Korostelyov was not listed in the NHL’s prospect rankings. He played for SKA St. Petersburg’s Junior team and is listed at 6’1”, 161 lbs.

NHL Draft/San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: A huge celebration for Celebrini No.1 NHL draft pick joins Sharks

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Macklin Celebrini addresses the press at the Stanley Cup Finals at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise FL on Mon Jun 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Draft/San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 What a way to kick off the off season with the San Jose Sharks selecting the No.1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft out of Boston University Macklin Celebrini.

#2 The big question is will Celebrini finish at Boston College or will he turn pro in this upcoming 2024-25 season and skate with the Sharks.

#3 Mary, if you look at the job that last season’s No.1 pick Connor Bedard and what he did for the Chicago Blackhawks this is something that the Sharks would hope for do you see that as a strong possibility?

#4 After the Sharks dealt Erik Karlsson and Thomas Hertl, Celebrini is a player they look forward to build around.

#5 Mary, talk about the anticipation, the anxiousness, the announcement once it was made that Macklin Celebrini long anticipated No.1 draft pick and now the moment had arrived. What was that like for Celebrini to what it actually happened that he would be joining the Sharks for this 2024-25 season?

Mary Lisa is an NHL analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Select Celebrini 1st Overall in 2024 NHL Draft

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Macklin Celebrini, second from left, poses after being selected by San Jose Sharks during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)

By Mary Walsh

For the first time in their 33-year history, the San Jose Sharks held the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. On Friday, they used that pick to select Macklin Celebrini, 18 year old center from Boston University. That he would be selected first this year was widely expected. Joe Thornton announced the selection for the Sharks.

Celebrini is just the fourth freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award, and led the Canadian team in scoring in the World Junior Championships this year. The 6’, 197 lb center is reputed to be highly skilled at both ends of the rink.

After being selected, Celebrini said, of having his name called by Joe Thornton: “It’s super exciting he made the pick. Sharks legend and NHL legend, so that was real exciting.”

Celebrini played with the Junior Sharks, but was born in Vancouver, BC. His family came to the Bay Area after his father, Rick Celebrini, became the Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Golden State Warriors.

The Sharks also had the eleventh overall pick, acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the 14th and 42nd overall picks. The Sharks used this second first rounder to select defenseman Sam Dickinson from the OHL’s London Knights. The 18 year old, 6’3” defenseman had 18 goals and 52 assists in 68 games this season.

After being selected, Dickinson said that he did not really start out as a defenseman. “I started my career I guess as a goalie. I was cut from the same team three years in a row and they needed a back up goalie so I was there for that.” The general view of his skills as a defenseman have improved considerably since that time.

The Sharks and General Manager Mike Grier released the following statement after the first round:

“It’s a big weekend for the organization,” said Grier. “We’re really excited. Not only with Macklin (Celebrini), but with Sam (Dickinson) too. The potential to add a top pairing (defenseman) and a first-line center doesn’t come along too often in one draft. It’s a big moment for us and we’re really excited.”

The Sharks have seven more picks to use on Saturday.

Mary Walsh is covering the NHL Draft at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup podcast with Len Shapiro: Oilers loss means Canada will have to wait a 32nd year for a Stanley Cup

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The Edmonton Oilers bench feels the pain as they came close but a goal short in their game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise FL on Mon Jun 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The loss in game 7 to the Florida Panthers by the Edmonton Oilers means Canada will have to wait another year to have a shot at winning the Lord Stanley Cup. The Panthers defeated the Oilers in game 7 eliminating Edmonton after coming back down 0-3 to tie the series at 3-3.

#2 Len, it was a close game but the Oilers just couldn’t tie it up while being down most of the game 2-1. After beating the Panthers by seven goals 8-1 in game 4 it would seem like the Oilers wouldn’t run out of bullets.

#3 It was after that game 4 that the Oilers went on a run that shocked the Panthers and for Florida it seemed like the series was getting away from them especially when the Oilers tied it up after game six with a four goal 5-1 win.

#4 Len talk about the 31 year drought that Canada has had not seeing a Stanley Cup winner since the 1993 Montreal Canadiens. The Oilers last won a Stanley Cup in 1990 during the sixth year as a franchise that was when Wayne Gretzkey was on the team.

#5 Len, things to look forward to in the off season, the NHL Draft is coming on the 28th and 29th and the San Jose Sharks are favored to get first draft pick in Macklin Celebrini. If that happens do you see Celebrini being a player the Sharks will build around and what needs to be taken care of first.

Len Shapiro is an NHL analyst and podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Mary Lisa: Oilers close the gap, stave off elimination, forcing a game 7 Monday against Panthers

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Florida Panther goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) has an eye on the puck as the Panthers Brandon Montour (62) puts a check on the Oilers Mattias Janmark (13) in game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Rogers Place in Edmonton (Canadian Press via AP photo)

On the Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 There is very little doubt that the Edmonton Oilers not only didn’t want to be eliminated in four straight games but they wanted to get back into these finals with a vengeance and managed to do it coming back from 0-3 to tying the series 3-3.

#2 The Oilers down 3-2 in game six needed the win to stay alive and avoid elimination and tie the series up they pulled it off by scoring three unanswered goals to jump ahead of the Florida Panthers 3-0 at 18:20 of the third period.

#3 The Oilers getting scoring help with their first three goals from Warren Foegele (3), Adam Henrique (4), and Zach Hyman (16).

#4 The Panthers would have been shutout if it had not been for Aleksander Barkov’s third period goal at 1:28 but it wasn’t enough as the Oilers picked a four goal win over the Panthers 5-1 at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

#5 The Oilers force a game 7 as the Finals moves back to Florida. The Panthers will have to use every inch of the Amerant Bank Arena as their home ice advantage. The Oilers could be the first team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to come back down 0-3 and to win four straight games. Can they do it? We’ll find out Monday night Jun 24 in game 7 at Sunrise FL.

Mary Lisa is an NHL analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: McDavid’s two goals lead Oilers in game 5 win; Edmonton closes the gap on Panthers by one game

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The Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid takes a shot at the net as the Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk tries reach out and stop the puck in third period action of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals in game 5 on Tue Jun 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len:

#1 The Florida Panthers got into trouble from the start in game 5 surrendering two power play goals and a short handed goal and tried rallying later in the game but fell short to the Edmonton Oilers in a 5-3 loss. The Series is now 3-2 with the Panthers up by one game.

#2 The Panthers after taking the first three games of the series were stunned when they lost game 4 on Saturday in a 8-1 seven goal loss. Is it possible that game had an effect on the Panthers going into game 5?

#3 Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said after Tuesday night’s game that the club is not feeling deflated that they’re not pumping tires, and they just have to go out prepare for game 6 in Edmonton on Friday night.

#4 Len, do you feel this series has just had a new breath of life after the Oilers who were down 0-3 are now a game away from tying this series and there is no doubt both teams battling in game 6. For the Oilers they have home ice and will battle to stay in it. For the Panthers their angry they lost their last two games in a row.

#5 Len lastly Connor McDavid came through for the Oilers scoring twice with two assists and McDavid becomes the first player in NHL Stanley Cup Finals history to have four points in back to back games. He’s going to be crucial for the Oilers in game 6 Friday.

Len Shapiro is an NHL analyst at http://www.sportsradioservice.com