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New York Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- New York Times
The Oilers cannot trade Connor McDavid. But what would a potential deal even look like?
Some called it the biggest trade in NHL history; others called it selling Wayne Gretzky. Since part of the return package was approximately $15 million, and the deal involved seven players and a mountain of draft picks, there's a case to be made that it was both a trade and a sale. All these decades later, it's safe to say any deal involving Connor McDavid's exit from the Edmonton Oilers would be earth-shattering. It would have to be a pure trade, and it would be the end of the general manager who makes it. Advertisement At the time of the Gretzky deal in the summer of 1988, two of the men closely involved in the proceedings offered clarity. Now, 37 years later, their words stand as both historical context and a harbinger of what may come. Glen Sather: 'What people have to realize is pro players are commodities, whether it's football, or baseball, or hockey. Wayne's situation could have been rectified if both sides had conceded points, but neither side did. Now you can't turn back the clock. It's done. We have to get on with it.' Wayne Gretzky: 'The Oilers are the best team in the NHL. But my contract only lasted four more years. I'll be 31 then. That might be too old to test the free-agent market. If I was ever going to make a move, it had to be now. I decided for the benefit of myself, my new wife and our expected child in the new year, it would be beneficial for all involved to let me play for the Los Angeles Kings.' Both quotes are from a 'The Hockey News' article from the Sept. 9, 1988, issue, via Bob McKenzie and Jim Matheson. Fast forward to 2025, and McDavid is reaching a crossroads with the Oilers. One year remains on his current deal, and free agency beckons. On the other hand, there's unfinished business for the captain in Edmonton. It's mind-boggling to imagine losing another hockey icon, one of the best ever (again) and a player who may one day hold the title of the best player in NHL history. Oilers management trading McDavid is a non-starter. It can't happen. The organization's foundation piece is not replaceable, so a contract — even a short-term extension — is the outcome this summer. If any other result comes to pass, something went badly wrong from an ownership and management point of view. McDavid's words in his exit interview with the media were, as always, measured and precise. One thing he said recalled the Gretzky 1988 media avail: 'Ultimately, I still need to do what's best for me and my family.' Advertisement That is a completely reasonable reaction from a player who has grown from a teenage phenom to a 28-year-old who is now a family man. There's also the matter of two frustrating Stanley Cup Final losses, and his legacy and bona fides for the Hockey Hall of Fame. Expect a shorter contract than hoped, and if the Oilers fall shy of Stanley over the rest of the decade, perhaps a trade request (that should be instantly granted). The timing of a trade this summer would be a disaster for ownership and management, so unless there has been a severe fracture, Edmonton's captain will sign a third contract with the team. If the Oilers are forced to make a deal that sees a McDavid exit, the gap between fan expectations and reality will be extreme. Fans might look for a package that includes impact futures along with multiple first-round selections, but in reality, potential suitors would probably be unwilling to part with more than one top-end youth. And, any team acquiring McDavid will land first-round picks around Nos. 29-32. Take the Los Angeles Kings as an example. A deal built around power forward Quinton Byfield and emerging defenceman Brandt Clarke, plus picks, would give Edmonton building blocks for the next decade. Fans might see that as reasonable. New Kings general manager Ken Holland would be unwise to trade two vital pieces to the team's Stanley Cup hopes rolling out for the next several years. Both men are young (22) and not yet in their peak value seasons. As much as McDavid could help Los Angeles, the Kings (or any acquiring team) would be adding a player who is exiting his peak seasons. A bell curve of McDavid's career points per game totals shows what should be a long and exceptional run through his 30s: All numbers via hockey-reference, including all game states McDavid has been remarkably consistent, including the early years when playing with below-average linemates, and then in later years when injuries slowed him at times. His 2024-25 season saw a fall-off in points per game, but he could easily deliver a season commensurate with 2020-24 next season and beyond. Advertisement The major point is this: McDavid has fewer peak seasons ahead of him than he has delivered for Edmonton since the fall of 2015. The Kings can't overpay with multiple elite youth, and that means the Oilers may receive less than fans expect. When the Gretzky trade/sale went down, Edmonton received first-round draft picks in 1989, 1991 and 1993. The club also acquired Jimmy Carson, who turned 20 in the summer of 1988. He was a talented but one-dimensional scorer, coming off a 55-goal season with Los Angeles. Martin Gelinas, a highly regarded winger who played for Edmonton in 1988-89 at age 18, was also included. The haul was impressive, but no one on the hockey planet argued Edmonton received 100 cents on the dollar in the deal. Carson was the lone player who had a significant role for the 1988-89 Oilers. The Oilers did not receive the Kings' top player, brilliant young winger Luc Robitaille, in the trade. He was 21 in 1987-88, scoring 53-58-111 to lead the Kings in points. Edmonton also did not receive Steve Duchesne, an impressive young defenceman for Los Angeles. Putting the deal into historical context, Edmonton received the Kings' best young scoring centre, a solid two-way winger prospect (Gelinas) and three first-round selections. The club also had to give up two NHL players (Mike Krushelnyski, Marty McSorley) who served as enforcers for Gretzky in Edmonton and Los Angeles, while also playing quality hockey. Looking back, it was a ghastly trade. The current club may do no better. In a trade with Los Angeles, the Oilers might expect to receive the Kings' second-best offensive youngster (the equivalent of Carson). That would be Clarke, a problematic solution since he's a young puck mover and the Oilers already have Evan Bouchard. Having said that, on pure talent, Clarke would be a satisfactory centrepiece to the deal. Advertisement After that, the deal would need a solid prospect (the Gelinas equivalent) who is a plug-and-play. That might be Liam Greentree or Francesco Pinelli. Scott Wheeler and Corey Pronman at The Athletic have written at length about all prospects mentioned here. The three first-rounders Edmonton acquired in 1988 were partial payment for Krushelnyski and McSorley. Plus the $15 million. If the deal were for McDavid straight up, the Oilers would get fewer picks if we're using the Gretzky trade as a template. Clarke, Pinelli and a first-round pick for McDavid is a far cry from satisfactory. It's another reason Edmonton's ownership and management must make signing another contract as attractive as possible for McDavid. Improving the roster this week represents the first step.
CBS News
05-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
What to know about Marco Sturm, the 30th head coach in Bruins history
The Boston Bruins finally named a new head coach on Thursday, hiring Marco Sturm as the 30th bench leader in franchise history. He's a familiar face in Boston, having spent five seasons in a Bruins sweater as a player, but this will be his first go as an NHL head coach. But the 46-year-old Sturm has led teams on both the international level and in the AHL, and had success in each venture. The Bruins are confident he'll do the same in the NHL in Boston. Here's what you need to know about the new head coach of the Boston Bruins. Marco Sturm is Boston's first European head coach A native of Dingolfing, Germany, Sturm is the first European head coach in Bruins history. He's just the fifth European coach in NHL history, and the first-ever German head coach. Sturm was a superstar player in Germany, and leads all German players in NHL games played. He was the NHL's leading German-born scorer with 242 goals and 245 assists until 2021, when Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl broke his record. Sturm also played for Germany in three Olympic Games (1998, 2002, 2010), four IIHF Men's World Championships (1997, 2001, 2004, 2008) and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. Marco Sturm played five seasons with Bruins A talented winger as a player, Sturm spent five of his 14 NHL seasons with the Bruins after he was acquired in the controversial blockbuster trade that sent Joe Thornton to San Jose during the 2005-06 season. He played 305 games for Boston and tallied 106 goals to go with 87 assists, usually playing on the left wing of Patrice Bergeron's line. While the Thornton trade really upset fans, Sturm had 23 goals in his first 51 games with the Bruins. His best season in Boston was 2007-08, when Sturm had 27 goals and 28 assists for 56 points -- three off his career-high of 59 points, which he set in 05-06 split between San Jose and Boston. His most famous highlight with the Bruins was his game-winning, overtime goal in the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park. He also scored the winning goal in Game 6 of Boston's first-round showdown against the Montreal Canadiens in the 2008 playoffs. Overall, Sturm had two goals and two assists over 14 postseason games with the Bruins. Marco Sturm's career as an NHL player Sturm was drafted 21st overall by San Jose in 1996 and played 938 games over his 14-year career for the Sharks, Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, and Florida Panthers. He made one All-Star team in 1998-99 with the Sharks -- his second season in the NHL. Sturm retired after the 2011-12 season with a plus-59 rating for his career. He also had nine goals and 13 assists over 68 playoff games, but the furthest his teams made it was the Conference Semifinals. Marco Sturm started his head-coaching career for Germany Sturm's coaching career began with the German Men's National Team in 2015, when he served as the team's head coach and general manager. He won a Deutschland Cup title in 2018, and then led Germany to a silver medal in the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. It marked the first time a German team appeared in the gold medal game. Germany also went to back-to-back quarterfinals in the IIHF Men's World Championship in 2016 and 2017. Marco Sturm had success as a head coach in the AHL After his run with Germany, Sturm became an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings. He held that job until 2022, when he was promoted to head coach of L.A.'s AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. He led the Reign to a 119-80-11-6 and three consecutive playoff appearances from 2022-25. The Kings are a defensive-minded franchise, and Bruins GM Don Sweeney believes Sturm will bring that to Boston -- along with a fresh approach offensively. "Throughout this process, our goal was to identify a coach who could uphold our strong defensive foundation while helping us evolve offensively," Sweeney said in a statement announcing the Sturm hiring. "We were also looking for a communicator and leader – someone who connects with players, develops young talent, and earns the respect of the room. Marco impressed us at every step with his preparation, clarity, and passion."
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fans React to Ducks Controversial Hire of Joel Quenneville
The Anaheim Ducks have found a new head coach. After a long search, Anaheim has landed on former Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville. NHL insider Pierre LeBrun reported the news on social media. Advertisement Quenneville is one of the best coaches in NHL history, having won three Stanley Cup titles. However, he also has a dark history due to being part of the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks scandal. It has been reported that Quenneville was part of a group that kept a former sexual assault hidden until after the 2010 Stanley Cup Final was over. A former player accused a former Chicago video coach of assaulting him, but the Blackhawks didn't act on it right away. Quenneville has been out of the league since 2021, but was reinstated last summer. Multiple teams have inquired about his services, but now the Ducks are the ones to take a chance on him. Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville watches from behind the bench during the first period between the Florida Panthers and the Boston Bruins at FLA Live Arena. Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images Naturally, this has caused a lot of Ducks fans to take to social media. Many were angry that the team was even discussing the hiring of Quenneville in the first place. Advertisement One fan wrote, "Thank you @AnaheimDucks. Scores of fans said, please, absolutely not do not hire this man and associate the organization with the blackest stain on the history books of the NHL, and the team's answer was a simple "f*** you". Another admitted their betrayal, "Ngl I have never felt this betrayed by a franchise that I love. Don't really know how to process." One shared the sentiment of many people, "This is f***ing disgusting. Q should never be allowed to work in/with the league in any capacity ever again." Another was very open in their opinion, "you are an absolute disgrace." Advertisement One admitted that they didn't know how to feel, "I honestly don't know how to feel" All in all, it does seem that the response has been more negative than anything. Anaheim will have to deal with a lot of unnecessary noise going forward, and with a young team, that could be a massive distraction. Related: Ducks Fans Slam Team Over Possible Next Head Coach
