Mcdavid, Matthews warm up to idea of extended rivalry
Young superstars could go head to head early and often in a Canadian division
If the Canadian division is a go next year in a realigned NHL, who's up for Connor Mcdavid going head to head against Auston Matthews six to eight times?
While hockey is on hiatus in Canada, two of the country's prominent stars have been whetting appetites in the Arizona heat. Mcdavid, captain of the Edmonton Oilers, and Toronto Maple Leafs scoring leader Matthews were on the same rink with a couple of other Nhlers in what we hope is socially distanced skating and what they hope is a precursor to December training camps.
Mcdavid accepted Matthews' invitation to come south earlier this month, the two having struck a friendship during the 2016 World Cup of Hockey while playing for the Young Guns
North American team. The unfortunate goalie on their 2-on0 drills was recent NHLER Peter Budaj.
“I'm always trying to add layers to my game and remain as versatile as possible,” Matthews told Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet by email when word of their workouts got out. “Just trying to improve in all aspects.
“The respect (for Mcdavid) goes back for so long. Connor's hockey IQ, speed and edges are so impressive, to say the least, and his vision at the speed he moves obviously stands out. It really is the whole package with him.”
Mcdavid expressed similar sentiments and said the time during the best-on-best test also allowed him “to try and add upper body strength. Using ELDOA (a form of yoga) to increase flexibility, posture and muscle tone for injury prevention. (I) also worked on faceoffs as well as defensive zone stuff.”
Mcdavid has 10 points in eight games against Toronto since Matthews was picked first overall a year after him, while Matthews has five points in nine outings.
The start date of next season remains up in the air, with the NHL Players' Association balking at the league's request for players to take less salary as the COVID-19 crisis continues. The goal is an early December deal to salvage a 60-game schedule, likely with the league split into divisions on either side of a closed Canada-u.s. border.
LISTEN TO THE DOC
Hayley Wickenheiser, who received her medical degree from the University of Calgary earlier this year, tweeted on Monday that she has spent an eye-opening week in a rural Alberta hospital, alongside an experienced doctor.
“My biggest fear (is not) COVID,” she said of the prevalent pandemic, “it's the patient who comes in and has waited too long out of fear (the) hospital (is) not safe ( gets worse) and we can't get them to help in time. Come in if sick.”
FATHERS AND SONS
Dave Lowry has been named an assistant coach of the Winnipeg Jets, the same team son Adam has played for the past six years.
The many roots of the Dineen family tree was the first such arrangement in the NHL.
In the KHL, meanwhile, Danis Zaripov, the 39-year-old captain of Ak Bars, returned from injury to score his first goal of the year, the same week 17-year-old son Artur debuted for Ak Bars' junior team.
DRIVE- IN HOCKEY
Russian teams are taking a page from NHL clubs, inviting Covid-conscious fans to park their cars at the rink and watch games on a big screen. Avtomobilist in Yekaterinburg did so last week, providing commentary over a stereo system that could be accessed in vehicles. Fans arrived clad in team colours and came out in the cold to sing the Russian anthem before the game.
But the Maple Leafs, who hosted playoff viewing parties at the large lot at Ontario Place in early August, don't plan to do it for regular-season games. They're hoping some spectators eventually will get in to Scotiabank Arena.
DEBRUSK SIGNS, CHARA NEXT?
The Boston Bruins announced Monday night that RFA forward Jake Debrusk is coming back on a two-year deal with an average annual value of US$3.675 million. Reports from Boston estimate that leaves about $3 million to get 43-year-old Zdeno Chara under contract for 2020-21, if he's willing and doesn't mind playing a compacted schedule.