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About time, Tyler Bertuzzi.
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We might argue that the most important objective within the Maple Leafs’ 9-2 crushing of the Anaheim Geese on Saturday was scored by Tyler Bertuzzi within the second interval.
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Together with his first objective in 20 video games and seventh of the season, we are able to cease asking questions on his lack of manufacturing.
And Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe can cease speaking about all the little issues Bertuzzi has been doing properly.
The longer Bertuzzi went with out scoring, the more serious it regarded for Bertuzzi, no matter anything he may need getting accomplished.
The check now for Bertuzzi: Flip it into one thing that resembles consistency.
DEADLINE THOUGHTS
Adam Henrique is a uncommon breed.
The Geese centre isn’t turning his again on hypothesis fuelled by the upcoming Nationwide Hockey League commerce deadline, absolutely conscious that his identify is within the thick of hypothesis as March 8 approaches.
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Not like others within the NHL who refuse to take a peek at social media or watch sports activities newscasts as commerce speak intensifies, Henrique has a special view.
“For probably the most half, it’s an thrilling time of yr for the league,” Henrique stated on Saturday. “Now, I simply occur to be in that point.
“You see every little thing. You guys (within the media) speak quite a bit about what may very well be. I’ve performed lengthy sufficient the place yearly you attempt to see who’s on the market and who’s going to go the place.
“We’re curious too as gamers about what’s going to occur, who’s going to make what strikes.
“You’ll like to be a fly on the wall with the GMs and listen to what they’re speaking about. I attempt to deal with the sport. I believe that helps as a part of a distraction, if you’ll, on the in-between days whenever you see (the hypothesis).”
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We all know it’s getting nearer to the deadline with the quantity of NHL scouts in attendance at every recreation. At least 15 groups had been on the press-box record Saturday evening, and 5 of these groups — Vegas, Los Angeles, Edmonton, Dallas and Carolina — had two scouts with reserved seats at Scotiabank Area.
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The 34-year-old Henrique is within the last season of a five-year contract that carries a mean annual worth of $5.825 million. It’s not that he essentially needs to go away Anaheim, the place he has performed since 2017-18, when he was acquired from the New Jersey Devils. He is aware of, although, that he’s the form of participant groups covet, and that his worth elevated with the sooner trades of centres Elias Lindholm (to Vancouver from Calgary) and Sean Monahan (to Winnipeg from Montreal).
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If the Leafs take a protracted have a look at including a centre for depth — although the principle objective of common supervisor Brad Treliving is (and needs to be) to amass a defenceman or two — a participant reminiscent of Henrique, who has a 10-team no-trade record, may gain advantage Toronto. He has 35 factors in 53 video games and is revered throughout the NHL for his savvy and smarts.
Treliving has a shallow pool of belongings, which might impede him from making multiple commerce.
“It looks as if there may very well be a variety of touchdown spots,” Henrique stated when he was requested particularly in regards to the Leafs. “Individuals are all the time saying ‘I hear this group is reaching out’ so it’s arduous to — until you’re the GM — actually know the way a lot reality is behind sure issues. I attempt to not deal with any sure group.
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“Not understanding when one thing could occur might be probably the most tough factor.”
Any method it performs out, Geese GM Pat Verbeek’s telephone can be buzzing consistently within the coming weeks.
GAME ON
Of the exceptional components in Auston Matthews’ six hat methods this season: Going into Saturday, no different NHL group had greater than 5 … Boo Radko Gudas all you need. If the Geese defenceman was with the Leafs, who wouldn’t need that nastiness on the Toronto blueline? … Sure, we all know his identify: It’s Lukas Dostal, and he allowed 4 objectives on 18 photographs within the first interval earlier than he was pulled in favour of John Gibson to start out the second. When contemplating the 55 saves Dostal made in a 2-1 time beyond regulation loss to the Leafs on Jan. 3, he was the identical on Saturday in identify solely … Matthews had 14 four-point video games in his NHL profession earlier than recording 5 factors for the primary time … The wave made its method across the rink a number of occasions within the third interval. Good occasions … The Leafs scored 4 power-play objectives in a recreation for the primary time this season. They did it as soon as in 2022-23 … After the Leafs within the first interval misplaced defenceman William Lagesson to an upper-body damage, Mitch Marner had a number of shifts on defence as soon as the rating obtained out of hand.
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LOOSE LEAFS
The Leafs are preserving teammate Mark Giordano of their ideas after the sudden passing of the veteran defenceman’s father, Paul. “The man has accomplished every little thing he can for our group and he’s the spine of this group again there and we’re going to provide him his privateness,” Marner stated. “It’s heartbreaking to listen to the information.” … Marner on the PWHL recreation between Toronto and Montreal on Friday at Scotiabank Area, which drew a file 19,285 followers. “I sadly was unable to attend it, however watched all of it on TV and the gang, the environment, the sport, every little thing about it was wonderful. They deserve it. It’s cool to see the entire metropolis of Toronto actually embrace that.” … Joseph Blandisi and Dylan Gambrell scored within the Toronto Marlies’ 3-2 time beyond regulation loss at residence in opposition to the Hershey Bears.
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