Latest news with #JackEichel
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
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Could Jacob Trouba Return to Winnipeg?
Anaheim's Jacob Trouba enters the final-year of his deal and could return to the team that drafted him. The 2026 NHL Free Agent class is shaping up to be one of the most significant in league history. With stars such as Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Artemi Panarin potentially hitting the open market, fans across the league are already dreaming about the possibilities. Unless this class follows a similar trend to recent years where top players re-sign with their current teams, the league could be in for a major shake-up. One name that stands out for Winnipeg fans is Jacob Trouba. The six-foot-three, right-shot defenseman was drafted ninth overall by the Jets in 2012. He is currently finishing a deal that carries an annual cap hit of $8 million. Trouba has been known for his physical presence and has shown the ability to put up 30 to 40 points in the right environment. However, he has faced growing criticism in recent seasons, posting a minus rating in each of the last three years. Some of these struggles may be linked to tension with Rangers management during his time in New York, where he served as captain from 2019 until he was traded to Anaheim last season. If he does not settle in California, a return to Winnipeg could be an appealing option for the 31-year-old. The Jets may be in the market for a playoff-tested defenseman to strengthen their depth, potentially pairing Trouba with a veteran like Luke Schenn. If Trouba is willing to sign at a reduced cap hit in the range of $5 to $6 million, Winnipeg could see value in bringing back a player they once saw as a cornerstone piece. Trouba's best NHL season came in 2018–19 when he recorded a career-high 50 points, including 42 assists. That year, he finished tied for ninth among all defensemen in assists, alongside names like Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman. He also ranked second among Jets defensemen in hits with 112 and led the team with 171 blocked shots, placing him sixth in the league in that category. A return to Winnipeg could provide Trouba with a morale boost and a familiar environment, possibly allowing him to recapture the form that once made him one of the league's most promising defensemen. Winnipeg's Best Individual Performances During their Historic 2024-25 Season Looking back at the most impressive single-game performances from the Jets historic 2024-25 season.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maple Leafs have completed their $10.5 million Mitch Marner replacement project
The Toronto Maple Leafs seemed to know from early in the offseason that Mitch Marner wouldn't be back. That created an interesting project: How do you replace a two-way star like that? As they once said in the move Moneyball, it's about "replacing him in the aggregate." Marner made $10.9 million last season. The Maple Leafs have added a quartet of players worth $10.5 million for the upcoming season. Here's the breakdown: MORE: Alex Ovechkin gives a big update on his retirement plans Maccelli, Joshua, Roy and Pezzetta give the Maple Leafs a variety of skillsets. None is Marner, but there's a mix of grit and skill among those four guys. Toronto may not have Marner, but the expectations won't lower. So the Maple Leafs will do everything they can to make some noise anyway. MORE NHL NEWS: Avalanche's failed winger leaving for KHL Blue Jackets lose 1st-round pick to Russia for at least 4 years Red Wings forward announces shock NHL retirement at age 28 Lightning legend retires after 2 Stanley Cups Jack Eichel bashes the Sabres with unnecessary stray Rangers center retires after 12 NHL seasons due to knee injuries
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Golden Knights' Intrigue: The Allure Of An Eichel-Marner Duo
Chemistry can make or break a championship run, and the prospect of pairing the Golden Knights' Jack Eichel with newest edition Mitch Marner has the hockey world buzzing. These two players have definitely crossed paths before. Both were first-round picks in the 2015 NHL Draft. Eichel went second overall to the Buffalo Sabres, while Marner was selected fourth by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since then, they've always been on opposing sides of the ice. But now, as September approaches, the looming question is: will we see Marner and Eichel playing together right off the bat? 'They both (could) be good for each other in the sense that they've left markets and now are teammates after leaving part way through their career as star players,' Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy told the Leafs Morning Take podcast. 'Jack went through it here, and Mitch is going to go through it. I think Jack could be a real good shoulder to lean on in that regard. Mark Stone did it in Ottawa. So those are some things, maybe off the ice and stuff, that Jack and Mitch will bond over. Whether they do that or not is up to them, but I'm sure that'll be discussed.' Eichel enters the 2025–26 season coming off one of his most productive campaigns yet. Having played in a total of 77 games with the Knights last season, he tallied 28 goals and 66 assists for a total of 94 points, ranking him 8th in the league in scoring. His +32 plus-minus rating highlighted his two-way impact, and he continued to be a force, recording 5 power-play goals and 29 power-play assists. The star center also maintained a solid 12.0% shooting percentage and averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game, proving his value and leadership abilities on the ice. On the international stage, he represented Team USA at the Four Nations Face-Off, contributing 4 assists during their run. Marner, meanwhile, is coming off a career-best season with the Maple Leafs. He posted 27 goals and 75 assists, racking up a personal-high of 102 points across 81 games, marking his fourth consecutive season with at least 25 goals and 85 points. Marner was a consistent offensive contributor on both the power play and penalty kill. He recorded 6 power-play goals and 27 power-play assists, totaling 33 points. Marner was also seen on the international stage playing for Team Canada at the Four Nations, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists across 4 games. His most notable moment came in the final against Team USA, where he assisted Connor McDavid's game-winning goal, helping secure Canada's victory. Looking ahead, Marner will face his former team twice early in the new year, January 15 and again on January 23. Cassidy emphasized the importance of building a strong coach-player relationship, saying, 'It's my job to get him to understand what the team needs from him, and it's my job to understand what he needs to be successful. You can't just hammer away on a guy and believe that he's just going to do it.' Despite the adjustment period that is to come, Cassidy expressed confidence in the early stages of their relationship. 'I don't think I'll have any problem communicating with Mitch,' he said. 'I think he wants to win, he's a hockey player, and that's the common goal we're going to have.' The overall consensus is clear—stats and similarities are there—but nothing will be set in stone till chemistry is built and seen both off and on the ice. Golden Knights Reveal 2025-26 Regular-Season Schedule, Open At Home Versus Kings LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights will open their regular season at home against their Pacific Division rival Los Angeles Kings on Oct. 8, before hitting the road for three straight games.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mitch Marner Reveals What He's Heard About Vegas' Jack Eichel
Mitch Marner Reveals What He's Heard About Vegas' Jack Eichel originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Mitch Marner in a sign-and-trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs just before the winger reached free agency and immediately signed him to an eight-year, $96 million contract. Advertisement As Marner revealed during his introductory press conference, he knew where he wanted to play next season. The moment Vegas renewed its interest after trying to trade for him at the deadline, Marner told his agent to make it happen. 'This was a spot that was very high on my list,' Marner said. 'We wanted to come here. I went back to my agent and said, 'I'm open to doing this if we can find a way to do it.'' One of the key reasons Marner said yes, besides liking Sin City and the winning culture of the team, was one of their players: fellow forward Jack Eichel. 'I'm really looking forward to it, he's an exceptional player,' Marner said. 'A guy that moves really well up and down the ice, you know, both ends of the ice, he's very responsible. At the same time, he's got a deadly shot with his vision and playmaking style. Advertisement "So, I'm very excited to start working with him and try to figure out the chemistry quickly and get that rolling.' Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel (9) will team up with Mitch Marner next season. Bob Frid-Imagn Images Eichel is entering the final season of his own eight-year, $80 million contract and will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. For now, the duo has one full year to make the most of their time together. 'I've talked to a couple of guys that have been his teammates and have said some unbelievable things about him as a human,' Marner said. 'So, I'm very much looking forward to being in the locker room with him, starting to learn tendencies of where he likes to be on the ice.' Eichel holds the Golden Knights' all-time points record in a single season with 94 just last year and is also in possession of the best points-per-game rate at 1.05, the only player in Vegas history scoring at more than one point-per-game pace. Advertisement Related: Mitch Marner Cites Two Key Factors in Choosing Golden Knights Over Maple Leafs Related: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Farewell Post Backfires This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jack Eichel bashes Sabres after Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner joins Golden Knights
Jack Eichel could relate. That's how the Vegas Golden Knights' incumbent star felt when he saw Mitch Marner leave the Toronto Maple Leafs in a sign-and-trade to become his teammate. Eichel related the situation to when he left the Buffalo Sabres for Vegas. Advertisement "I can relate, to a point, to some of the things he's going through," Eichel told The Hockey News. Eichel's situation in Buffalo wasn't exactly the same, of course. The Sabres weren't a playoff team, while the Maple Leafs of Marner were a Stanley Cup contender for the first time in a while. Eichel was pursuing a winning situation. Marner appeared to be in search of something else. MORE: Alex Ovechkin shares update on his future Regardless of the logic, though, the reality is this: Two of the NHL's best forwards are now teammates. Eichel, a center, and Marner, a star two-way winger, hope to combine to lead the Golden Knights back to the Cup. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Sabres still haven't made the playoffs since Eichel left (and since before him, too). MORE NHL NEWS:
