It’s official, the NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone. While many anticipated the Toronto Maple Leafs try to do something big, they did most of their shopping in advance, bringing in size and a strong defensive presence in Ilya Lyubushkin and Joel Edmundson. With talk about bringing in another right shot defenseman, they went and addressed their bottom-six on deadline day, acquiring Connor Dewar from the Minnesota Wild.
While it may seem like a move that may not offer much on the surface, Dewar brings a lot more to the table for a team’s bottom-six that could use a burst of energy, consistency and steady play. Given how there has been a revolving door of players on the fourth line, not many have shown their value or worth to try and stay in the lineup.
Dewar has been able to cast himself as a key part on the Wild defensive situations. He’s young (24 years old) and has quickly become a steady depth player early on in his career. He’s a restricted free agent as he’s in the final year of his contract with an $800,000 cap hit, but if he excels in the postseason, he could be much more valuable as a player who can play in big situations.
It’s no secret that the Maple Leafs defensive play within their own end, especially on the penalty kill has been abysmal this season. They’re 20th in the league in goals against per game with 3.13 and are 22nd in penalty kill with 77.4%. Considering they’re a very lethal offensive team, the lack of defensive depth has been a major concern from game one.
They needed to add a forward who can be positionally sound and have a combination of some offensive in the defensive zone. Dewar has shown that he can be that player as the numbers can back it up. Whether it’s with his retrievals, desire to pressure and break up plays on the penalty kill or have a strong transition game, it’s one that can benefit the Maple Leafs.
Connor Dewar has been traded from the Minnesota Wild to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 4th round draft pick '26. This is actually good add for Maple Leafs. Dewar is very good defensive 4th line forward. pic.twitter.com/cUrzpOQlEE
— Andy & Rono (@ARHockeyStats) March 8, 2024
This season, most of which with the Wild, Dewar has shown to be impactful when the puck is in his own zone. Per NHL EDGE, he has seen 41.9% of starts at even strength in the defensive zone this season, showing his skillset and ability to be a defensive specialist. On the PK, you can see that’s where he thrives and is relied on heavily as he averages 2:05 when shorthanded and has four short-handed goals over the last two seasons. Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving spoke highly of his game, being able to be a responsible centre and play with “some grease”.
Coming into this season, Dewar was poised to have a breakout season and while the offense isn’t jumping off the page, he’s been known to show his impact offensively and defensively. The big thing that is noticeable with Dewar’s game is his speed and ability to anticipate plays to quickly create a counter attack in transition. He has 10 goals this season in a depth role for the Wild, which would put him above Max Domi (eight), David Kampf and Noah Gregor (five).
While it’s great to see a double-digit scorer in the bottom-six, it’s how he scores that’s impressive. All of his 10 goals this season have either come from the high danger area or the hash marks, showing his ability to get to the middle of the ice or unleash his underrated shot. How he scores his goals is impressive, as he works hard, is determined and opportunistic.
Dewar isn’t going to be a household name, but he definitely can make his mark and carve a very strong and impactful role with the Maple Leafs. He’s great at intercepting plays and pressuring players to make a mistake as he has a great takeaway/ giveaway ratio (18 to 4). He’s smart, isn’t careless and manages the puck well as a result.
When looking at Dewars’ game, he adapts to every situation well as it unfolds, be it at five-on-five or on the penalty kill, he has no problem striking fast and hard and making the opposition pay. Even in his debut with the Maple Leafs, he was great in coverage on the back check and down low in the offensive zone, showing his smarts, physical play and competitive edge. To go a little deeper, here are some plays that are noteworthy. The first clip that sticks out is this short-handed goal from last season.
As previously stated, when Dewar is in position, he can anticipate plays very well. With his speed, it can be difficult to catch up as he can create separation easily. As Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller elects to make a long and difficult cross ice pass, Dewar easily picks it off and catches everyone off guard. He unleashes a powerful slapshot as he had all the time in the world to wind up and be accurate with his placement. In this one clip, he showed his greatest strengths all at once.
DEWAR! Shorthanded goal gives the #MNwild a 2-1 lead!
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) December 4, 2022pic.twitter.com/f4M9UxYj9g
This next clip, coincidently it’s also on the penalty kill, Dewar reads the play well on the breakout as the puck is cleared. He clearly has a step and an advantage over Ryan Suter as he out skates him for the loose puck. Dewar shows great patience to wait it out in tight on the goalie and roofs it for the lead.
Connor Dewar scores his first NHL goal!
— NHL (@NHL) January 25, 2022: @Sportsnet
https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/zOx8eTIkWx
The final clip is Dewar’s first NHL goal. He generates a great burst in the neutral zone and pushes the defenders back as a soon as he enters the offensive zone, giving him the space he needs. As soon as he enters, he pulls back and has a lightning quick release of the puck that finds its way in the back of the net.
While he may not find the scoresheet often, that’s a taste of what Dewar has been known to do early in his NHL career. When he generates offense, it’s definitely on display.
Just like he did with the Wild, Dewar can easily find his footing and thrive in a depth role for the Maple Leafs. He’s got that drive, determination and work ethic that makes him successful and something that he can bring to a team that lacks that consistently.
His smarts within his own end and ability to quickly counter attack with his speed and awareness can make him a threat for other teams. Bringing him in was a depth move, but it’s one that can pay off.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to explore ways to upgrade the roster following Mitch Marner's departure in free agency. The Leafs front office has been trying to fill in the gaps along the roster, and they have been searching on the trade front. One name that has been heavily connected to the Maple Leafs in recent weeks is Calgary Flames star Nazem Kadri. Kadri could replace Marner very well in the lineup, but it seems that a deal could be complicated to complete. According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos of SportsNet, Toronto has tried to land Kadri multiple times this summer, only to be rebuffed each time. Kypreos believes that a deal involving Kadri returning to the Maple Leafs could be unlikely at this point in the summer. Last season, Kadri posted 35 goals and 32 assists for the Flames. His presence has been steady on the ice for years, and Calgary could probably get a lot on the trade market for him. The Maple Leafs will likely continue to explore ways to pry Kadri from the Flames. But Calgary likely won't trade him unless it receives an offer that it deems too good to be true. But Kadri is the leader of this team, and he was the best player for them last season. Toronto doesn't have a lot of tradable assets to work with, which could be what is holding things up between the two sides. The veteran could give Toronto a nice boost, but unless the Maple Leafs up the offer, he isn't returning to town.
The Rolling Stones knew what they were talking about while belting out "You Can't Always Get What You Want." It's very possible New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will find himself humming that tune ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline. The Yankees, like several contenders, are shopping for a power-hitting third baseman. Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star slugger Eugenio Suarez sits atop everyone's list. Running a distant second and third are Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon and Pittsburgh Pirates Gold Glover Ke'Bryan Hayes. After that, it could be slim pickings. Should Cashman find himself scrambling to make a deal, here are a couple of new names entering the conversation. "Amed Rosario would be a good fit for Yankees," the New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Monday. "Played a lot of 3B this year. .802 lifetime OPS vs. lefties (.845 this year). Suarez is top target but many would qualify as upgrades." Rosario is hitting .271 with five home runs and 18 RBIs this season for the Washington Nationals. But the nine-year veteran has big-market experience, making his MLB debut with the New York Mets in 2017. The 29-year-old is making $2 million this season and will be a free agent after the World Series, according to Spotrac. But wait, there's more. "Other possible third-base trade targets include Royals All-Star Maikel Garcia — in theory, Kansas City would have interest in one of the Yankees’ outfielders to play left field for them," The Athletic's Jim Bowden reported Monday. Garcia, who made the American League roster for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, is hitting .291 this season with eight home runs and 41 RBIs. The 25-year-old is in his fourth big-league season and is making almost $775,000 this season, according to Spotrac. Garcia still has four years of arbitration eligibility remaining, so he won't come cheap. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Linked To Red-Hot Reliever Yankees Linked to Former Outfielder in Juicy Trade Rumor Yankees Could Land Infielder With World Series MVP Comparison Will Yankees Use Red-Hot Prospect As Trade Bait? Yankees One-Stop Shopping Pirates?
The Phoenix Suns had a busy start to their offseason but since free agency began, they have been very quiet. Of course, the Suns have made multiple moves this offseason to retool their roster around Devin Booker that all started with them sending Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets for a package centered around Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the pick they used to select Khaman Maluach. Phoenix also acquired Mark Williams from the Charlotte Hornets and added Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea in the draft before moving on from Bradly Beal via a contract buyout. The Suns are expected to make more moves this offseason and one player they have recently been linked to is Golden State Warriors restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga who they could acquire via a sign-and-trade. With this in mind, Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman recently came up with a three-team mock trade that would send Kuminga to the Phoenix Suns. In the trade, the Suns would send Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neal and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to Golden State for Kuminga and Moses Moody. Phoenix would also send Nick Richards to the Atlanta Hawks who would be the third team in this mock trade. For the Suns, adding two more young players in Kuminga and Moody would be beneficial to the future of their franchise and they would also be able to move on from two veterans in O’Neal and Allen who have been in trade rumors since the offseason began. Kuminga would likely have a large role in the Suns’ rotation next season and Moody would be a solid addition to their bench behind Booker and Green. Despite this, the Warriors may be unwilling to move on from both Kuminga and Moody in the same trade without receiving more in return but this trade could be a solid one for the Suns as they try to turn their franchise around.
Prior to the team's first practice of training camp on Wednesday, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell spoke to the media for a second straight day. Whereas Tuesday's session with KOC and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah focused more on J.J. McCarthy and the big picture, this one saw O'Connell asked about more specific topics, including a variety of different players. Let's take a look at some of the quick-hitting areas he touched on. Year 2 Dallas Turner The hype around Turner's second season has been building for quite some time. Back in minicamp, he made an incredible play in coverage 20 yards downfield, showcasing some of the versatility he brings to the table. He showed up to the offseason program looking bigger. He drew praise from teammates and from defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who said he views it as three starters in the outside linebacker room with Turner alongside stars Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. O'Connell echoed that idea on Wednesday and said he's expecting big things from last year's 17th overall pick. "He came back from the jump, in the offseason program, just his body, the shape he was in, just looks so strong," O'Connell said. "I think he's gained a lot of strength, I think he's gained a lot of understanding of the role. With two Pro Bowlers at the position, to say that we feel like we've got three starters, we really feel like that. That's a testament to the work Dallas has put in. He's gonna get a lot of opportunities, different personnel groupings. ... Dallas has had a great offseason. I'm expecting a huge jump for him, starting today." Contract year Jalen Nailor Nailor, a sixth-round pick in 2022, broke out with 414 yards and six touchdowns last season. It was a strong year as the Vikings' No. 3 receiver, albeit with a few too many drops. This year, heading into the final season of his rookie contract, Nailor showed up to the offseason program in great shape and ready to go. "He had a great year last year," O'Connell said. "There's always gonna be some plays here and there that you want back, but I thought just the ability for him to step in early after Jordan (Addison) gets the ankle (injury) against the Giants, to have the training camp that Speedy did to be able to handle what we asked of him, not only in the weeks that followed but in that game against the Giants, to basically assume multiple roles, I thought that was really a precursor to what was a great year for Speedy, showing such versatility." Sporting a new number (he changed from 83 to 1), Nailor is in line to reprise his role as the Vikings WR3 in 2025. And if Addison ends up being suspended by the league for 1-3 games to start the season, Nailor would find himself in more of an every-down role again. "We'll see how these first few weeks look, what type of personnel we're gonna have for those games when we get all the information on our group back," O'Connell said. "Speedy could be a huge, huge contributor early and often, all season long, and that's my expectation. He's primed and ready to play a huge role in our offense." Backfield deployment One interesting question surrounding the Vikings' offense is how they'll utilize their two main running backs. Aaron Jones set a career high with 306 touches last year during the regular season, but the Vikings don't want him seeing that much usage this year at age 30. That's why they went out and acquired Jordan Mason from the 49ers via trade. The safe assumption is that it'll be a 1A/1B situation in Jones' favor, at least to start the year. "I think you can look at it a lot of ways with looking at Aaron and Jordan, but how I just said it is how I see it, it's Aaron and Jordan," O'Connell said. "We feel like we've got, truly, a combination that will cause a lot of problems, between having two great backs that are different body types, maybe different skill sets, but they're complete backs. "Aaron Jones can run in between the tackles, he can catch the ball, he can block in protection, he can line up anywhere in the formation. Jordan Mason has proven already to be well ahead of new players in this system from a protection standpoint, and clearly, he's got the body type to be a physical presence. So I really see those guys playing off of each other where we can keep them both fresh, keep them both in attack mode when they're in there." O'Connell also mentioned Ty Chandler, who is third on the depth chart but did some good things in the second half of the 2023 season. And there's fullback C.J. Ham, who is in his tenth season and will continue to have some sort of role in the offense in addition to his special teams duties. He even floated the idea of using Jones and Mason simultaneously. "Maybe we activate some two-back groupings where we've got Jordan and Aaron in the game at the same time," O'Connell said. "There's a lot of things, schematically, that we're gonna try." O-line configuration On Tuesday, O'Connell talked about Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries, the Vikings' two starting offensive linemen who are coming off of major season-ending injuries. Both players did enough in the offseason to avoid needing to start training camp on the PUP list, which is encouraging. Still, they're working their way back and won't quite be ready for team drills right away. Thus, with camp beginning, the Vikings' first-team O-line will look the same as it did during the offseason program: Justin Skule in for Darrisaw at LT, Donovan Jackson at LG, Ryan Kelly at C, Blake Brandel in for Fries at RG, and Brian O'Neill at RT. The interesting thing to follow is what happens when Fries is ready to step back into full participation at right guard. Will Brandel be given a real chance to compete with the rookie Jackson at left guard, or will he be used more as a versatile backup? O'Connell seemed to hint at the latter, even mentioning that Brandel could see time at a non-guard spot (presumably left tackle). "Blake is ultra-versatile," O'Connell said. "So however the reps work for Will, for CD, I see Blake seeing as many as three spots this camp and taking reps in every way possible. Because we want to have the best five out there, but we want to have the most versatile, impactful eight or nine guys that we know we can go to bat with that first game and feel great about however it goes."