The Toronto Maple Leafs were forced to play their home opener without former captain John Tavares in the lineup due to illness. While it was just one game and Tavares returned to practicing with his teammates, the Maple Leafs were recently without a different key forward.
Something must be going around the locker room because superstar William Nylander missed the most recent Maple Leafs’ practice due to illness.
Maple Leafs F William Nylander will not skate this morning (illness).
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) October 15, 2024
Nylander is a huge piece of the Maple Leafs lineup and is currently the only player on the roster with multiple goals. Through the first three games, Nylander has scored twice and helped push the Maple Leafs to a 2-1 start.
In a full 82-game run in 2023-24, Nylander was the second-highest scoring player on the Maple Leafs. With 40 goals and 58 assists, he recorded 98 total points, behind only Auston Matthews (107).
The Maple Leafs had issues with illness running around their locker room last year. Multiple players missed time thanks to being sick and unable to play. They sure hope this isn’t a repeat thing as they’ll need all the help they can get to continue being one of the strongest lineups in the NHL.
Without Tavares for a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Maple Leafs ended up winning by a score of 4-2.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins may be getting closer to making a big move, as multiple reports suggest the team is actively exploring trade possibilities involving defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. NHL insider Frank Seravalli revealed that the Carolina Hurricanes have shown interest in Karlsson. His $10 million cap hit for the Penguins is a major obstacle, however. For a deal to materialize, Pittsburgh would likely need to retain a significant portion of Karlsson’s salary. On the July 15 episode of the Steve Dangle Podcast, Chris Johnston said the Penguins aren’t going to retain half of Erik Karlsson’s salary for any team. A Karlsson deal might be more feasible closer to the March trade deadline. The 35-year-old former Norris Trophy winner also holds a no-movement clause, giving him final say on any potential trade. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Hockey Now reports the Penguins have set steep asking prices for both Rust and Rakell. The front office is reportedly seeking a guaranteed first-round pick and a high-upside young player for Rust, while Rakell’s value is pegged at a B+ level prospect, a late first or early second-round pick, and a depth NHLer. Among the teams already being linked to Rust are the Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs. GM Kyle Dubas is actively working the phones, and one of these veterans could be the centerpiece of a significant trade in the coming weeks. If not this summer, something it expected closer to the deadline. It has been reported that Dubas has told other teams, while the prices are up there, Pittsburgh is open for business. They are not afraid to make a bold move, and everyone not named Sidney Crosby is available.
The Boston Celtics' priorities were already apparent before making the trades they did. Because they wanted to get under the NBA's second tax apron, the Celtics were willing to downgrade some of their players to get under it. That's why the Celtics traded Jrue Holiday for Anfernee Simons and Kristaps Porzingis for Georges Niang. It is a talent downgrade, but it helped Boston achieve their goals of getting under the second apron, even if those players aren't as good as Holiday or Porzingis. However, those trades only helped Boston get closer to being under the NBA's second tax apron, but it didn't get them under completely. Boston signed a few more players this offseason, including Luka Garza, Josh Minott, and Hugo Gonzalez. While these players are on inexpensive contracts, combined, they are enough to keep the Celtics above the NBA's second tax apron. That's why Boston isn't done making moves. Spotrac's Keith Smith revealed in an interview with a Boston Celtics executive that more trades will follow because they are still above the NBA's second tax apron. “Still figuring it all out. As you’ve noted, we’re still above the second apron. We won’t finish there," the Celtics exec told Smith. As far as how the Celtics will do that is anyone's guess. They may trade Anfernee Simons for someone who makes less than him. They may trade Niang's contract to a team that can absorb it via trade exception. They may even trade Sam Hauser or Payton Pritchard to do it. Regardless, more moves are coming for the Celtics.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have brought in a bunch of new faces, bringing a fresh sense of excitement and optimism ahead of the upcoming season. As the organization continues to make moves and finalize its roster, it seems like they’re tying up loose ends and preparing for this upcoming season. However, the changes might not be finished just yet, as a Steelers insider predicts a few potential cuts on the horizon. On a recent episode of the Chipped Ham Football podcast, Steelers insiders Brian Batko and Ray Fittipaldo talked about how the team looks heading into the rapidly approaching training camp. When the conversation shifted to potential roster cuts, Batko named four players who could be at risk, adding that he believes one or two of them are likely to be let go by cutdown day. "To me, I look at it as there's three L's here," Batko said. "[Isaiahh] Loudermilk, [Dean] Lowry, [Logan] Lee. Actually, four L's. Loudermilk, Lowry, [DeMarvin] Leal, Lee. I think one or two of those guys unfortunately for them, are probably going to take an L on cutdown day." Cutdown Day in the NFL is when teams have to shrink their rosters from the offseason maximum that can be around 90 players to just 53 for the regular season. It usually happens at the end of preseason and is a big moment for players fighting for a spot. Some make the team, some get released, and others might be moved to the practice squad. It’s a stressful and emotional time, as one decision can change a player’s entire career. During the podcast, Batko noted that the defensive line and linebacker groups are the most likely areas for surprise cuts. With a crowded defensive line room, it’s clear the Steelers have made a strong push to bolster that unit, which could lead to some tough roster decisions. The Steelers used their highly valued first-round pick in this year's NFL Draft to select Derrick Harmon, a talented young defensive tackle from the University of Oregon. While it's common for rookies to spend time developing before earning significant playing time, Harmon seems to be the exception. Early indications from the team suggest that he’s already in line for a starting role, highlighting both his potential and the confidence the coaching staff has in his ability to make an immediate impact. The Steelers’ defensive line has some big questions as the season starts. Veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward, who is 36, still plays well and brings experience. However, beyond him, most of the players are young draft picks or longshots who haven’t proven themselves yet. Since the team didn’t sign any big free agents, they’re relying on Harmon and other young players to quickly step up and help Heyward hold down the defense. Heyward has been a key piece of the Steelers’ defense for years, with an insider even ranking him among the top three defensive linemen in franchise history. However, now at 36, the Steelers know they need to prepare for the day when Heyward is no longer on the field. That’s why they’re focusing on developing younger players to eventually fill his role. Finding the right balance between veteran experience and promising talent is a tough thing, but it’s a strategy the Steelers have used across their entire roster this offseason. The Steelers Are Putting In The Work With offseason programs underway and training camp quickly approaching, now is the perfect time for players like Batko mentioned that are on the cusp to show why they deserve a spot on the roster. Cutdown days are always tough, but ultimately, the NFL is a business. The Steelers have to make the best decisions to ensure they have the strongest roster possible heading into the season, but fans are excited and hopeful for this team this year.
Life is great when you know you have a franchise quarterback in the NFL, and it helps when he can recruit players to your team because of how good he is. The Washington Commanders have a new norm of being a top destination in the league as Von Miller headlines the list of players who wanted to join the team for the main attraction, Jayden Daniels himself. Miller signing with Washington at the end of his career proved his belief in the team's chances to reach the Super Bowl and just how good Daniels really is. Von Miller's choice came down to one key factor: the QB Miller signed a one-year deal with Washington this week, and he didn't take the decision lightly. He had many options when it came down to where he wanted to play, but he chose to chase a ring in Washington because of the belief he has in Daniels. The future Hall of Famer told Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post that signing with a team that has a good quarterback was how he made his decision. Enters the Commanders. “It was the best team with the best quarterback. That’s usually the math for me to be able to go and do what I do.” - Von Miller to Nicki Jhabvala, The Washington Post Miller played for the Bills last season and saw firsthand what having a top quarterback in the league can do for a team. He also said that he saw similar qualities in Daniels that Josh Allen possesses, and that he can become one of the best in the league. “You can’t leave Josh Allen and just go anywhere. . . Like, Josh Allen was MVP of the league last year. I feel like Jayden Daniels has MVP potential as well.” - Von Miller to Nicki Jhabvala, The Washington Post Those are massive words coming from one of the all-time greats who has played against and sacked some of the best QBs the league will ever see. A shift in the NFL favors the Commanders Even though this is just a one-year deal for Miller joining the Commanders, the impact can be felt for years to come, with more top players in the league wanting to come chase a ring in Washington with Daniels at the helm. Having a franchise QB on a rookie contract is the biggest luxury in the NFL, and Washington has the best one in the league. Another season with Daniels leading the way gives Washington all the potential in the world to reach the Super Bowl. But then, just looking forward, how dominant can this roster become in the next two years? It'll look like an Avengers version of an NFL roster at this rate. Deebo Samuel, Laremy Tunsil, and Von Miller were the first wave of players wanting to join the Commanders. Washington isn't going anywhere, and they can continue to improve the roster with Daniels being the attraction for players to follow the new trend.
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