Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
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NHL Insider: @TheAthleticNHL, @TSNHockey, @sdpnsports.
Toronto
Joined December 2008
New, for @TheAthletic: NHL salary cap to jump from $88 million to $113.5 million over next three seasons. 🔗⬇️.
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How Joel Quenneville was allowed to step behind a NHL bench tonight is beyond me. Given what we've learned in the last 30 hours, there's no reason for him to be working while the league process plays out.
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Sources: ESPN is signing a seven-year deal with the NHL as part of the league's new U.S. media rights package.
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It's hard to quantify how much credibility the #NHLBruins organization lost in this whole Mitchell Miller fiasco, but let it be noted that Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and other players stood up in opposition to a morally bankrupt decision by management. Kudos to them.
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Here are the full remarks from Kyle Dubas on the Toronto Sun's cover featuring John Tavares:
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Condolences to Alex Ovechkin, who announced the death of his father on Instagram this morning.
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A tribute to John Tavares outside Scotiabank Arena.
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Mitch Marner, with tears in his eyes: "We're getting sick and tired of feeling like this.".
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John Tavares has been cleared of all structural damage to his head, neck and spine, according to Kyle Dubas.
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The #bruins have officially parted ways with Mitchell Miller. What a disaster that signing was for them.
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Kyle Dubas says the Toronto Sun crossed the line with its cover yesterday, calling it "disgusting.".
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Ethan Bear deserves our respect and admiration. His path from the Ochapowace Cree Nation to the NHL is a story of perseverance and determination. It's disgusting to learn that people have been sending racist remarks his way. #IStandWithEthanBear
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Wayne Simmonds says he'd like to see a neutral party put in place to handle future investigations into incidents around the NHL. He doesn't think the league or individual teams should be making disciplinary decisions on situations like what happened with Kyle Beach.
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Nikita Kucherov: "The fans in Montreal acted like they won the Stanley Cup last game. Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? Their final was last round.".
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Jason Spezza, on the #leafs decision to bus to Buffalo before flying to Tampa: "That's above my pay grade. I get on the bus when they tell me to get on the bus. I get on the plane when they tell me to get on the plane. As long as it all leads to the arena I'm pretty happy.".
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Gabriel Landeskog, asked by @emilymkaplan what he thinks other NHL teams should borrow from the #Avs journey to the top: "Find a Cale Makar somewhere.".
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Posted by Carey Price's wife Angela on IG. Credit to them for trying to help others by sharing their story. Here's hoping Carey gets the help he needs.
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Looking back, I'm not sure the #leafs have ever made a bigger mistake than letting Zach Hyman walk away. That's an all-timer the organization never recovers from.
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Carey Price posts on Instagram that he entered a residential treatment facility for substance use last month. He also asks for continued privacy. Much respect for him sharing his story.
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Kyle Beach on the 2010 #Blackhawks: "Word spread pretty quick. I do believe that everybody in that locker-room knew about it because the [homophobic] comments [towards Beach] were made in the locker-room, they were made on the ice, they were made around the arena.".
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Ryan O'Reilly is the first player to score in four straight Stanley Cup Final games since Wayne Gretzky in 1985.
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Let's get fans back in these Canadian NHL games ASAP.
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The Stanley Cup and Conn Smye Trophy are on the way back to Edmonton.
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John Tavares is "conscious and communicating well," according to Sheldon Keefe. He'll spend the night in hospital for further testing but encouraging news so far.
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I'm officially on Team Let NHL Players Wear Whatever They Want To The Rink. It's time.
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The NHL season has officially been suspended. No surprise. There is hope to resume.
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Reminder: The #VGK were given a 2nd-round pick to take Marc-Andre Fleury, Jonathan Marchessault to take Reilly Smith, Alex Tuch to take Erik Haula, Shea Theodore to take Clayton Stoner and a 1st and 2nd to take William Karlsson and David Clarkson’s contract.
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It's June 21, an optional practice, and Nathan MacKinnon is out here fine-tuning his craft. Greatness doesn't happen by accident.
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Nick Foligno is wearing his father Mike's team-issued 1993 Maple Leafs hat: "Bring a little bit of old with the new."
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Raphael Lavoie’s wild waiver week continues. Oct. 6: Placed on waivers by Edmonton.Oct. 7: Claimed on waivers by Vegas.Oct. 8: Placed on waivers by Vegas.Oct. 9: Claimed on waivers by Edmonton.Oct. 10: Placed on waivers by Edmonton.Oct. 11: Claimed on waivers by Vegas.
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Team USA assistant coach Theresa Feaster accepts her gold medal.
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The @MapleLeafs and @Raptors will require all fans, employees and event staff to provid proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to access Scotiabank Arena starting mid-September.
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Mark Giordano signs a two-year extension with the #leafs carrying an $800,000 AAV. Hometown discount.
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It appears that the Bruins-Lightning game is going ahead at Scotiabank Arena. I'm disappointed to see it. It doesn't feel right. There are more important things right now.
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Fantastic scene at Scotiabank Arena, where 19,285 fans are here for PWHL Montreal vs. PWHL Toronto. It's the largest recorded crowd ever at a women's hockey game. Just an incredible vibe.
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Mitch Marner just tossed an autographed stick to a kid in the crowd with a sign that read: "Mitch, I beat cancer.".
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Alex Ovechkin has 44 goals in 61 games at age 33. After partying with the Stanley Cup for half the summer.
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The #leafs have called an 11 a.m. press conference on Wednesday where they will officially unveil Auston Matthews as the 26th captain in franchise history.
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Jack Campbell is a NHL all star -- nearly 12 years after being drafted 11th overall. What a cool story he's authoring.
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Interesting nugget coming out of today's NHL GMs Meeting: A couple managers mentioned that the league has signed on to do a behind-the-scenes series with Amazon that will centre around 10-12 star players. It's due for a fall release.
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Kyle Beach: "I am a survivor and I know I'm not alone. I know I'm not the only one male or female -- and I buried this for 10 years, 11 years, and it's destroyed me from the inside out. I want everybody to know in the sports world and in the world that you're not alone.".
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Seventeen seasons after entering the NHL together, it's pretty wild that these two are still keeping such close company on the league's all-time points list.
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Joe Thornton will start with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
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Penny Oleksiak is our most decorated Olympian. And she's 21. 🇨🇦🇨🇦.
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This is patently, 100% false and fabricated. I've never spoken with this person or reported anything of this nature.
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What a week for John Tavares: Not only did he score the overtime winner to send the #leafs into Round 2 last night, but the @JohnTavaresFDN announced that he and his wife recently welcomed their third child.
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Connor McDavid: "That's what we've been asking for in hockey for a long time, right? Best-on-best. Look, everyone's talking about baseball and you see Ohtani vs. Trout and that's what hockey has been missing for almost a decade now.".
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Meet the Tappara Finland U15 AAA team, which will attend today's Isles-Leafs game after winning the Wayne Gretzky International. The best part? Patrik Laine covered the cost of tickets for the kids from his hometown who wouldn't otherwise have had the budget to see an NHL game.
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Pete DeBoer says he had trouble focusing on the all-star game because he's hung over: "Today's a little bit foggy for me.". Vegas, baby.
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Fraser Minten received a call from #leafs GM Brad Treliving yesterday informing him that he'd be starting the season in the NHL.
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Sam Reinhart, pending UFA: "I don't want to leave. I want to be here."
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Here's the full quote from Sheldon Keefe on the Stamkos/Matthews fight and his view that #TBLightning were "manipulating" the officials on that sequence.
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Holy shit I'm 40! That happened fast. But I've never felt better, never been more grateful for the real ones in my corner, and never been more excited for what's next. Don't let age or aging scare you. There are life-affirming rewards on the other side of every difficult day.
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Hours after his firing, Sheldon Keefe says he's "forever grateful" for the chance to be #leafs coach and says fans deserve a Stanley Cup. "I didn't get it done in the playoffs. I didn't help push our team over the line and deliver. I accept responsibility for that. No excuses.".
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Nazem Kadri: "The puck hit the back of the net. End of story. I'm not sure why [Jon Cooper] would say that.".
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Jason Spezza returns to the #leafs next season on his third straight league-minimum contract: $750,000.
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Connor McDavid was a unanimous winner of the Hart Trophy -- he received all 100 first-place votes.
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Of all the players shown the door by the #leafs in recent years, Nazem Kadri truly is the one who got away.
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NHL player flying into the hub today wasn't sure what to write under "duration of stay" on his Canadian Border Services declaration card. Went with 70 days. Because it's the Cup.
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Patrick Marleau signs a one-year deal with #SJSharks and is 45 games shy of passing Gordie Howe's NHL record of 1,767 games played.
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Jon Cooper wants Bell Centre capacity bumped for the Final: "I hope they let more fans in there. The fans of Quebec, they haven't been back since '93, they deserve to watch their team play. I hope they get in there because . this game was meant to be played in front of fans.".
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Hockey Canada announces that Scott Smith is out as CEO and says its entire board has stepped down.
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Auston Matthews spent a long while consoling Joseph Woll after that loss.
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Brad Marchand, saying it loudly for those in the back: "Sports, it’s a luxury. It’s a luxury to watch this game, to play this game. I understand people want to watch the games and I understand people want to see this, but it’s too bad.".
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Jason Spezza spoke up in the #leafs dressing room during the first intermission. Stressed the need for the group to find another level.
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So, you’re Jonathan Marchessault. You drive up to T-Mobile Arena in this Lamborghini, take the parking spot closest to the door and score 35 seconds into the game. Live your best life, kids.
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The #leafs have just announced "Oreo" as their new helmet sponsor, which seems only fitting since they already wear "Milk" on their sweaters.
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Matt Rempe is considered a repeat offender and will forfeit $80,000 in salary for his eight-game suspension.
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Kyle Beach: "I witnessed meetings right after I reported [the assault] to James Gary that were held in Joel Quenneville's office. There's absolutely no way he can deny knowing it.".
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After losing a NCAA Championship game in overtime at Amalie Arena three weeks ago, Matthew Knies was part of three overtime wins for the #leafs in the building. He was on the ice for all three OT-winninh goals, too.
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Toronto's last 10 goals:. Tavares.Marner.Marner.Matthews.Matthews.Nylander.Tavares.Nylander.Tavares.Matthews.
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John Tavares: "I don't have any comments about the refs tonight.".
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Ryan Callahan on being licked by Brad Marchand: “I don’t know what the difference is between that and spitting in someone’s face.”.
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William Nylander had food poisoning the day of Game 1. Bad sushi for lunch. He was puking before puck drop.
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Jason Spezza said he stayed close with John Tavares on the ice last night because Tavares was confused but able to pick up his voice. "I just tried to keep him calm.".
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Jason Spezza wants to play for the #leafs next season: "I feel like there's a lot of unfinished business.".
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The passion Jason Spezza continued to bring in the later stages of a career that saw him go from a NHL star to a fourth liner was admirable. The grace he displayed when scratched said a lot about him, too. May we all find something we love as much as Spezza loved playing hockey.
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Jack Campbell has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistant Program and will be away from the #redwings for an indefinite period of time. Wishing him the best.
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Patrick Marleau has now scored against all 31 NHL franchises.
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Auston Matthews has 50 goals in his last 50 games. Never thought we'd see someone accomplish that in today's NHL.
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We're guaranteed to get a truly fresh #StanleyCup champion this spring. None of the franchises that have won the trophy since 2006 (Carolina) remain in the tournament after a stunning Sunday.
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Auston Matthews has 76 goals in his last 100 games.
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