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The Montreal Canadiens need a point in their season finale to clinch the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and now they've got a major return to make it happen.
After a fantastic season thus far, the Montreal Canadiens come into Wednesday's game desperate for just one point, and up against a Carolina Hurricanes team that's resting players ahead of the post-season, they're highly confident.
Now, reporter Eric Engels has revealed that Emil Heineman will slot back into the lineup for the biggest game in recent years for Montreal, with Oliver Kapanen on the fourth line the most likely candidate to come out of the lineup.
The 23-year old Heineman has come into his own in 2024/25, finally getting his first chance at the NHL level, and as a result he's put up a solid 10 goals and 18 points in 61 games played, mostly finding himself on the Canadiens fourth line.
With the arrival of Ivan Demidov and the breakout of Lane Hutson, this team has taken huge strides forward, and with depth guys like Jake Evans and Heineman playing their role, this is a very, very good team who will be a major threat in the Stanley Cup Playoffs if they make it that far.
As for Heineman, he's obviously thrilled to be in the lineup for such a huge game, and with the excitement around the city, there is a buzz about these Canadiens in 2024/25.
"There's a lot of excitement. You wanna play those (games). It's a lot of excitement that we have a chance to make (the playoffs) by ourselves & really looking forward to playing."
Whether or not Montreal make it in 2024/25, the future is incredibly bright, but with the odds behind them, if they can play their game on Wednesday, they should be able to clinch their way into the post-season.
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Fans are furious over this proposed Jason Robertson trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Some NHL trade rumours make you think, and others feel like pure fantasy. A recent proposal linking the Dallas Stars and Toronto Maple Leafs falls firmly into the second category, sparking debate over the future of Jason Robertson. The Dallas Stars are fresh off another deep playoff run and remain loaded with talent heading into 2025-26. Their top line of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Mikko Rantanen is arguably the best in hockey, a group carefully built through patience, planning, and smart cap management. So when a recent article from Heavy.com floated the idea of Dallas trading Robertson to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a one-for-one swap for veteran defenseman Morgan Rielly, eyebrows shot up across the hockey world. No prospects. No picks. Just Robertson for Rielly. The Dallas Stars trading Jason Robertson for Morgan Rielly would be a massive mistake Robertson isn't just another forward. He's a franchise cornerstone, a 40-goal scorer, and a player with multiple 80-point seasons already on his résumé. His full stats are available at NHL.com. He's also only 26 and entering his prime years. Rielly, meanwhile, is 31, carries a no-move clause, and while steady, does not address a pressing need in Dallas. With Miro Heiskanen, Thomas Harley, and Lian Bichsel leading the way, the Stars already have a strong defensive core with youth and upside. Even Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos recently cautioned about the complexity of Robertson's next deal, but nothing about that analysis justifies moving him for an aging defenseman. "The Stars need to be careful with how they handle Robertson," Kypreos noted. Careful, however, does not mean giving him away. I think Dallas would be foolish to even entertain this type of move. Robertson isn't just a player, he's part of the identity of the Stars and a key piece of their Stanley Cup hopes. This isn't NHL 26, this is real life, and stars like Robertson simply don't come around often.
New Dallas Cowboys DT Kenny Clark Excitedly Posts About Joining ‘America’s Team’
The Dallas Cowboys’ stunning trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers sent shockwaves through the NFL, but the silver lining arrived Thursday afternoon in the form of three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The veteran immediately took to social media to share his excitement about joining America’s Team, posting a video of himself smiling widely on his private jet bound for Dallas. Clark’s enthusiasm was infectious as he documented his journey to Big D, clearly thrilled about the opportunity to anchor the Cowboys’ defensive line. The timing couldn’t be more crucial, with the regular season opener against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles just days away. This trade represents more than just a player swap—it’s a strategic move that could redefine Dallas’ defensive identity for years to come. Kenny Clark Lands in Dallas: A New Chapter The social media post that captured Cowboys fans’ attention showed Clark beaming with excitement as his plane approached Dallas. His genuine enthusiasm reflects a player who understands the magnitude of joining one of the NFL’s most storied franchises. The timing of his arrival creates immediate pressure, but Clark’s veteran experience suggests he’s ready for the challenge. Clark’s journey to Dallas represents a fresh start for both player and team. After eight seasons in Green Bay, he brings championship pedigree and playoff experience that the Cowboys desperately need. His presence immediately fills a void that has plagued Dallas for years—reliable interior pass rush and run defense from the nose tackle position. The defensive tackle market has been historically thin, making Clark’s acquisition even more valuable. Teams rarely trade established defensive linemen of Clark’s caliber, especially during their prime years. The fact that Dallas secured his services as part of the Parsons package deal represents exceptional value in an era where quality interior defensive linemen command premium compensation. What Kenny Clark Brings to the Dallas Cowboys Clark’s resume speaks volumes about his capabilities and potential impact in Dallas. His three Pro Bowl selections demonstrate consistent excellence at one of football’s most demanding positions. Last season alone, he recorded 37 tackles, nine run stuffs, two forced fumbles, and a sack while anchoring Green Bay’s defensive front. The 2023 campaign showcased Clark’s pass-rushing prowess with a career-high 7.5 sacks, proving his ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks from the interior. This dual-threat capability—stopping the run and rushing the passer—makes him invaluable in today’s NFL where defensive tackles must excel in multiple areas. Clark’s physical attributes perfectly suit the Cowboys’ defensive scheme. At 6-foot-3 and 314 pounds, he possesses the size and strength to command double teams while maintaining the athleticism to pursue ball carriers sideline to sideline. His quick first step and powerful hands allow him to shed blocks and make plays in both run and pass situations. Beyond statistics, Clark brings intangible qualities that often go unnoticed. His leadership experience from Green Bay’s playoff runs provides valuable mentorship for younger Cowboys defenders. His work ethic and professionalism set standards that elevate entire position groups, qualities particularly important for a franchise seeking to establish a winning culture. How Clark Fits into Dallas’ Defensive Plans The Cowboys’ defensive transformation begins with Clark’s presence in the middle of their defensive line. His ability to anchor against powerful running attacks addresses a glaring weakness that opponents have exploited for seasons. Interior defensive line play directly impacts every other defensive position, from linebacker mobility to secondary coverage effectiveness. Clark’s pass-rushing skills complement the Cowboys’ existing edge rushers perfectly. By demanding attention from interior offensive linemen, he creates favorable one-on-one matchups for Dallas’ outside pass rushers. This symbiotic relationship could unlock production from other defensive players who previously faced constant double teams. The defensive tackle’s versatility allows coordinator Mike Zimmer flexibility in game planning. Clark can line up anywhere across the defensive front, from nose tackle in base defenses to three-technique in passing situations. This positional flexibility enables Dallas to deploy varied looks that keep offensive coordinators guessing. Run defense improvement represents Clark’s most immediate impact. His ability to occupy multiple blockers frees linebackers to make plays at the second level. This improved run stopping capability forces opponents into obvious passing situations, allowing the Cowboys’ pass rushers to pin their ears back and attack. The Timing Factor Clark’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time for Dallas. With the regular season beginning in less than a week, his veteran presence provides immediate stability to a defense facing questions about its identity post-Parsons. His experience in high-pressure situations, including playoff games and divisional matchups, brings calm leadership to a potentially tumultuous transition. The Eagles matchup in Week 1 will test Clark immediately against one of the NFL’s most physical offensive lines. Philadelphia’s commitment to running the football makes Clark’s presence even more crucial, as his ability to neutralize interior running lanes could dictate the game’s outcome. Kenny Clark’s arrival in Dallas represents more than just a roster addition—it’s a statement about the Cowboys’ commitment to building a championship-caliber defense. His social media excitement reflects a player ready to embrace the challenge of playing for America’s Team, and Cowboys fans have every reason to share that enthusiasm.
Jerry Jones again proves he shouldn't be making decisions for Cowboys
When it comes to major decisions for the Dallas Cowboys it is always going to be Jerry Jones' way or the highway. The problem with that philosophy, however, is that the Jerry Jones way has proven to be a failure for more than 30 years. It's long past time for him to give up control of the team and hire a real general manager to fix the mess he keeps creating. All of that is back on the front-burner again following Thursday's conclusion of the Micah Parsons saga, with the All-Pro superstar getting traded to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. In a vacuum, it's not a terrible return. Clark is a legitimate starter on the defensive line -- and a very good player -- and two first-round picks are always going to have some value. But professional sports does not exist in a vacuum. There is always more context at play, and the context here is that an in-his-prime superstar (Parsons), that is one of the biggest game-changers in the league, and a player that was trying to make it work in Dallas, is now playing for somebody else because Jones could not get out of his own way. From the very beginning Jones bungled this contract negotiation, doing the one thing he does best — making himself and Cowboys drama the focal point, and what is best for the team a secondary matter. It's the Jerry Jones way. And it's a losing way. This situation did not have to end up the way it did. There was a perfectly reasonable outcome that would have seen Parsons remain in Dallas throughout the prime of his career and continue to be a focal point of its defense. All it would have taken was a common sense approach and an owner whose concern for the organization outweighed their ego. Every major negotiation with the Cowboys ends up getting drawn out into chaos. It's all part of Jerry's desire to keep him and his team at the top of the headlines. It usually results in him having to pay a player more money than he otherwise would have. And even that may not be a problem for Jerry because he gets to talk about how he negotiated and paid out this huge contract. This time, however, the plan finally burned him. If you want to reach, or if you want to carry Jones' water for him, you might be able to put together a somewhat coherent argument as to how this can work out. Maybe those two first-round picks will pan out in the future. Maybe Clark is a great fit in the middle of Dallas' defensive line. Maybe. Maybe, maybe, maybe. The more maybe's you throw in, the more likely it is they are not going to all pan out. Clark is good, but he's not Parsons. He is not as disruptive, he is not as good and he is going to be 30 years old this season while Parsons is still only 26. Two first-round picks looks good on paper, but the Packers are a pretty good team — and will be even better with Parsons — and those picks will likely be in the back half of the first-round. You hope to find a good player with at least one of them, if not both. The odds that either one is as good as Parsons are long. Since winning their last Super Bowl during the 1995 season the Cowboys have consistently been one of the NFL's most mediocre franchises. Never truly awful, but never good. They will make the playoffs semi-regularly, but never go anywhere. They have the longest NFC Championship game drought in the conference. They never get close to the Super Bowl and have not been bonafide contenders in literal decades. A sane owner would look at those results and would have fired multiple general managers for that run. Jones has no one to fire because he is the general manager. And he likes the way he is doing things. The problem is it doesn't work. It hasn't worked. And it won't work. History has proven that.
Jelena Ostapenko responds to racism allegations after post-match confrontation with Taylor Townsend
NFL analyst just exposed what could instantly change Commanders' destiny
Terry McLaurin finally agreeing to a lucrative contract extension with the Washington Commanders came with jubilant scenes across the organization and beyond. However, that doesn't change the importance of another dynamic playmaker in 2025. This was highlighted by an up-and-coming NFL analyst, who named Deebo Samuel Sr. as an X-factor who could make or break the Commanders' chances in 2025. The Commanders believe Samuel still has a lot more football left in the tank. Adam Peters knows him well as a player and a person. He was also more than happy to part ways with a fifth-round pick to acquire him from the San Francisco 49ers. Deebo Samuel tipped to make or break Commanders' offense by ESPN analyst All signs have pointed up for Samuel this summer. He's in great shape and is ready to make a significant impression. Ben Solak from ESPN agrees, but the analyst warned that if he cannot meet expectations, Washington's wide receiver depth might not be good enough to cope. [Deebo] Samuel was already an intriguing player when the Commanders traded for him. As things have developed further -- the recently resolved training camp holdout from Terry McLaurin and the lack of wide receiver depth -- Samuel has become even more important. They need him to be dynamic, and while he wasn't the same player last season as he was prior to that, he still is above average. If Samuel doesn't bring the juice, the Commanders' options to replace his unique role are understandably thin.Ben Solak, ESPN This is a fair assessment, especially considering the struggles of others during the preseason. Most of those are no longer around. Combine this with McLaurin and Noah Brown being back on the practice field, and this unit should be humming by the time Week 1 against the New York Giants arrives. Samuel will be a big part of Kliff Kingsbury's game plan. He fits the schematic concepts perfectly — someone who can take quick slants or screen passes and make things happen with the football in his hands. The second-round pick out of South Carolina looks healthy and focused, ready to silence those who unfairly criticized him once the trade was confirmed. There are elements in play that ensure Samuel won't be lacking in motivation this season. He's heard everyone write him off. He's got Peters' faith to repay. And there's also the possibility of another contract in Washington or elsewhere next spring if everything goes well. The ball is in Samuel's court. If he delivers, the Commanders' offense will be incredibly difficult to stop. More Commanders news and analysis
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