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The Vancouver Canucks picked up a historic win on Saturday night, earning their first-ever shutout victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Goaltender Kevin Lankinen was excellent again, leading the Canucks to a 3-0 win and recording his fourth shutout of the season. The Toronto Maple Leafs were not good on Saturday, getting booed off the ice by their hometown fans.
The wins were particularly impressive, given the Canucks had travel issues coming from Carolina to Toronto. Head Coach Rick Tocchet was proud of the team’s heart, saying, “This is a resilient group, takes a lot of punches and gets back up.”
Elias Pettersson, who has been the subject of trade rumors of late, posted an assist in the game. He said, “I liked our effort. Followed the game plan. Everybody was chipping in. Really good solid effort from all of us.”
Quinn Hughes was his typical elite self, posting a goal and an assist. As per Thomas Drance, Hughes told us that the players on the Canucks bench, taking notice of Elias Pettersson’s defensive form tonight, were yelling “Selke”. Pettersson made several plays to disrupt the Maple Leafs’ offensive attempts. Pettersson responded, “First time I heard it this year.”
Maple Leafs Were Not At Their Best in Shut Out Loss
On the heels of recent struggles for the Canucks, this was a game the Maple Leafs should have performed better in. Some fans have suggested the team laid an egg. The Canucks only put up 18 shots, but Toronto still couldn’t produce enough offense. Head coach Craig Berube didn’t think the Leafs played with enough pace or energy. “Maybe it’s travel or whatever, we need more life and energy, you know? I didn’t think we had that tonight.” The travel comment was ironic considering the Canucks delays.
Mitch Marner didn’t agree with the fans and their assessment of the team’s effort level. He said, “I liked it. I thought we played well, I really did. The last couple of games, we’ve been giving up plays to teams that aren’t missing on them.” Chris Tanev was more of the same opinion as the fans. He said, “Not good enough. They outworked us, outcompeted us. That’s why they won.”
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Mason West is a talented prospect of the future for the Chicago Blackhawks, but it appears he may look to leave hockey for big opportunities in football. The Chicago Blackhawks landed Anton Frondell with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, but it was perhaps their second first-round pick that drew the most intrigue, as they drafted centre Mason West out of the USHL. That pick was intriguing for many reasons, with the 6-foot-6 centre having potential with his talent and his physicality, but now, the team may be in danger of losing the talented 17-year old. According to a report from The Athletic, the No. 29 overall pick has been drawing interest from several NCAA programs to join their team as a football player. Standing at 6-foot-6, the Minnesota native is a star in both hockey and football, tallying 49 points in 31 games at the high school level while also being a star Quarterback, and after putting up 9 points in 10 USHL games with the Fargo Force, the future is bright for him in both sports. Ultimately, at 17-years of age, the future is very bright whichever way West ends up going, but given that the Blackhawks used a first-round pick on him in this past seasons draft, they're clearly confident that they can not only keep him in hockey, but make a good NHLer out of him moving forward.
Report: Bengals draw hard line in Trey Hendrickson contract talks
Cincinnati Bengals star defensive end Trey Hendrickson has been holding out from training camp as he seeks a new contract, and it does not sound like the two sides are all that close to a deal. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on "SportsCenter" Monday that there has been "some progress" in negotiations between the Bengals and Hendrickson's representatives over the past week or so. The real disagreement has to do with guaranteed money, and Cincinnati's brass is not budging. "Hendrickson wants a stronger guaranteed structure, particularly later in what should be a multiyear deal. In talking to people with the Bengals they feel like, 'Hey, we've probably relented as far as we can go.' So this is a classic stare-off right now, and it's time to buckle up," Fowler said, via Andrew Peters of Bleacher Report. Hendrickson is set to earn $16M in base salary in the final year of his contract this season. He recently said he has shown a willingness to take less than market value on a new deal, but the Bengals do not want to guarantee him money beyond the 2026 season. Based on what he has said, the 30-year-old Hendrickson is not seeking to become the highest-paid defensive player in football. In order to accomplish that, he would have to top the three-year, $123M extension T.J. Watt signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Hendrickson had 35 sacks over the past two seasons, which was the most in the NFL during that span. He had 17.5 sacks each season and finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024. The Bengals took care of one major offseason issue on Sunday when they finally signed first-round pick Shemar Stewart to a rookie deal. All it will take is one side to budge in the team's ongoing stalemate with Hendrickson, but all parties seem to be dug in as training camp rolls on.
Jon Gruden Praises New Detroit Lions OC John Morton In Surprise Training Camp Visit
Jon Gruden, a coach synonymous with intense playbooks and fiery passion, made an unexpected appearance at the Detroit Lions’ training camp this week. His visit wasn’t just a casual stop; it was personal. Gruden came to observe and encourage John Morton, the Lions’ newly instated offensive coordinator, a man who once learned under Gruden’s wing. This moment underscores Morton’s rise to prominence as he steps into a critical role left vacant by the highly regarded Ben Johnson. Gruden’s comments during his visit illuminated not only Morton’s capabilities but also the potential of the Lions’ offense as they prepare for a new season. Here’s a closer look at what the veteran coach had to say and why Morton’s story resonates so deeply in Detroit. The Gruden-Morton Connection John Morton and Jon Gruden’s relationship stretches back decades to their days with the Green Bay Packers. Back then, Gruden was a receivers coach, and Morton, a wide-eyed young receiver, was working to make his own mark. Their connection deepened in Oakland in 1998 when Gruden gave Morton his first coaching job in the NFL. Gruden took Morton under his wing, throwing him challenging assignments and immersing him in the philosophies of the West Coast offense—a foundation of today’s pro playbooks. John Morton has often credited Gruden for his coaching pedigree. “I thought I knew football, but I didn’t until I was in a room with Jon,” Morton remarked during camp. Those early lessons became the building blocks of Morton’s coaching style, shaping how he views schemes, player utilization, and game strategy. Gruden, watching from the sidelines in Allen Park, didn’t shy away from showering Morton with praise. “This guy is nuts,” Gruden exclaimed, grinning. “He loves the grind. People used to call me crazy, but John? He’s on another level. He’s relentless, creative, and a true competitor. Detroit’s offense is in good hands.” Stepping Into Ben Johnson’s Shoes Morton faces a significant challenge ahead. Replacing Ben Johnson, who left the Lions in the offseason after transforming them into an offensive powerhouse, is no small feat. Under Johnson’s play-calling, Detroit’s offense was both explosive and efficient, with quarterback Jared Goff finding stability and the team achieving playoff contention for the first time in years. Now Morton is tasked with not only maintaining that momentum but putting his personal stamp on the offensive system. While much of last year’s blueprint will remain intact, Morton will introduce his influences—many of which come directly from his time under Gruden. Detroit Lions fans can expect “a lot of compressed formations and pre-snap movement,” according to Gruden himself. Morton’s approach appears to be rooted in the fundamentals of Recognize, Communicate, and Execute, or “RCE,” a philosophy Gruden instilled in him during their time together. “It’s all about getting the quarterback and the offense on the same page before the snap,” Morton explained. “If you do that right, the odds swing in your favor. It’s about the little details adding up to something big.” Gruden’s Thoughts on Jared Goff Beyond his clear admiration for Morton, Gruden took time to share his thoughts on the Lions’ trigger man, Jared Goff—a quarterback who has enjoyed a career renaissance in Detroit after his time with the Rams ended on a sour note. Jon Gruden was effusive in his praise, even daring to compare Goff to Hall of Famer Joe Montana. “I know it’s a big name to throw out there, but his composure, efficiency, and footwork under pressure remind me of Montana when I was with the 49ers,” said Gruden. He also lauded Goff’s ability to stay calm in the pocket, referring to him as “one tough cat.” Morton’s task of sustaining Goff’s upward trajectory will be a key storyline in the upcoming season. With Goff as his quarterback and an arsenal of playmakers such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie sensation Jahmyr Gibbs at his disposal, Morton has the tools to keep the offense humming. Building a Foundation for Success Detroit is hungry for more than just incremental improvement; they’re chasing sustained success. Gruden’s visit served as both a personal reunion and a reminder of the kind of accountability and innovation Morton is expected to bring to an already promising situation. Morton’s offensive philosophy, infused with Gruden’s fingerprints, appears tailor-made for a Lions roster that has embraced creativity and adaptability under head coach Dan Campbell. Early reports from camp indicate that Morton is blending the old with the new, keeping key elements of Johnson’s schemes while adding wrinkles of his own. His ability to evolve the offense without overhauling it will likely determine how far the team can go in 2025. Gruden summed it up best when he said, “This is the coach’s time now. More than anything, I just wanted to see John work. He’s got the tools, the passion, and the roster to make it work. The grind, the details, the relationships—it’s all on him now, and I’m here to support him.” The Road Ahead John Morton isn’t just stepping into a new job; he’s inheriting expectations, pressure, and the hopes of a fanbase long starved for greatness. His first few months on the job will be pivotal as he fine-tunes his offense, earns the trust of his players, and navigates the shadow left by Ben Johnson. But Detroit isn’t starting from scratch. With a playoff-ready roster and a leadership team committed to fostering growth, Morton has a strong foundation to build upon. And with mentors like Gruden in his corner, he has a wealth of wisdom to draw from. For Detroit Lions fans, Gruden’s visit was more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane—it was an endorsement of the new era brewing in Detroit. With Morton at the helm and the support of a team that believes in him, the Lions are poised to take another step closer to fulfilling their long-awaited potential.
Russell Westbrook Signing On Hold As Kings Aim To Finalize Key Trades
Recent league rumblings suggested that the Sacramento Kings will be signing Russell Westbrook to bolster their backcourt depth. While signing the nine-time All-Star would certainly be in their interest, the Kings appear to have other priorities in mind. Sacramento has been particularly active in trade talks this offseason. From being involved in negotiations for Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga to supposedly facilitating a trade for DeMar DeRozan, the Kings will be making some changes. Westbrook's arrival is imminent, as his agent, Jeff Schwarz, has been in constant communication with the Kings' front office. However, the organization is reportedly aiming to complete trades involving Malik Monk and Devin Carter before moving forward with Westbrook, per ABC10's Matt George. The trade market for Monk and Carter hasn’t been promising. Carter has been mentioned as the central figure in Sacramento's trade package for Kuminga. The Warriors haven't viewed this favorably, as they have shown an interest in Keon Ellis instead. Meanwhile, the Kings' decision to trade Monk is an intriguing one, especially in light of the season he had. Primarily acting as a bench player, the guard put up 17.2 points and 5.6 assists per night, while shooting 43.9% from the field and 32.5% from beyond the arc. At only 26 years old, Monk has proven himself a valuable contributor with his athleticism and shot-making ability. This move seems driven by roster imbalance and cap constraints. With a crowded backcourt and limited cap space, the Kings have been forced to make tough choices. Facilitating a trade for the guard has proven to be a challenge. Even though trade efforts for Monk began earlier this month, Sacramento hasn’t made much progress. While this could complicate matters under normal circumstances, it likely won’t derail Westbrook’s eventual signing. Apart from a few teams, the 36-year-old hadn't garnered much interest for his talents. When considering that the market for Westbrook was held up by Ben Simmons' pending decision to sign with a team, it is evident that Sacramento took a more proactive approach. This could have positive results in light of the season the veteran guard had. Coming off a solid season with the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook showcased that he could be perceived as a reliable floor general even at this stage in his career. For the 2024-25 season, he put up an average of 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, while shooting 44.9% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range. He also showed that he could shine in a more prominent role, drawing on the task of being a starter in Jamal Murray's absence. That stretch led to a modest boost in production, reinforcing his value on a playoff-caliber team. Sacramento hasn’t made its direction for the upcoming season entirely clear. But given the current roster construction, a top-10 finish in the West seems unlikely.
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