Thursday LNN: Amirov and Baun Passings, Petry to Detroit, 2024 Offseason, and more!
Links, news, and notes on the passings of Rodion Amirov and Bobby Baun, the Jeff Petry trade, how the 2024 offseason could look, and more
- We're beginning with some incredibly sad news from Monday, as Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov passed away at the young age of 21 due to a brain tumor. The 2020 1st rounder was diagnosed with the tumor two years ago, and according to his agent Dan Milstein who shared the news, he did nothing but fight and kept a positive attitude the entire way. Amirov was only able to play in 13 games since 2021, and he was a promising prospect with a bright future ahead of him. It's tragic to see his life being taken away early, much like it was with Alexei Cherepanov back in 2009. This video from the Maple Leafs from last November just shows how much Amirov was loved. Rest in peace, Rodion:
We’re all behind you, Rodion 💜 #HockeyFightsCancer pic.twitter.com/jz3at9BcZu
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 5, 2022
- Unfortunately, another former Toronto Maple Leaf, Bobby Baun, also passed away at the age of 86. The defenseman played 964 games total between Toronto, Oakland, and Detroit, and won the Stanley Cup in 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967. He even scored the overtime game-winner in Game 6 of the 1964 Finals, which helped the Leafs get to a Game 7 that they would win. In the link above, the Canadian Press gives an excellent backstory to that overtime goal and Baun's legacy. Rest in peace, Bobby.
- For the second time in a year, the Montreal Canadiens traded Jeff Petry, this time to his hometown team, the Detroit Red Wings. The Canadiens once again received a 4th round pick in return, as well as Gustav Lindstrom. I'm not quite sure what the "Yzerplan" is here, but acquiring a soon-to-be 36-year-old for two more seasons is interesting. What's also interesting is that Petry's father, Dan, played 13 seasons in MLB, including 11 in Detroit and I somehow never knew that. The more you know!
- The 2024 offseason could be much different than the last several ones for every team, as the salary cap is finally expected to go up by as much as $4M. The free agent class is headlined by Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele, and others, and there could be lots of movement. Allan Mitchell of The Athletic takes a look at what teams are the best poised to make a splash in free agency and trades. With the Senators already having money tied up to their core, they're in a good position but there's not a lot of flexibility to go hunting after a star free agent.
- Sonny Sachdeva of Sportsnet takes a look at one change in each division that could alter the balance of power for the upcoming season. It's no surprise that the Boston Bruins losing Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci (as well as Tyler Bertuzzi and Taylor Hall) is the biggest story in the Atlantic.
- It's a slow news week, but this counts as something: the Carolina Hurricanes signed a 20-year lease extension at PNC Arena, keeping them in Raleigh until t least 2043-44. Considering we hadn't heard much about them potentially having to move arenas, this was probably more of a formality, but it's good to see that the Hurricanes are thriving in a market that was once viewed as untenable.
- For the video game fanatics out there, Greg Wyshynski of ESPN goes through all of the features that will be in NHL24, featuring cover athlete Cale Makar. Like most years, I don't know if it will be drastically different than other versions, although I do like that they're supposedly making it easier to control the goalie because that is always the hardest thing to do.
- DJ Smith said that Drake Batherson and Claude Giroux have offered to play left wing if need be due to their acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko. Whether it'd work or not, having that flexibility is important.
- Lastly, these Fanatics hats are uh...something else:
Fanatics simply NAILED it! I mean, you can feel the https://t.co/8CVhjQCGD6 quality. From the microscopic logo to the different color on the stitched background. (Opinion is mine) @NHL @LateArrivalsPod pic.twitter.com/BqBVEJ0mm3
— Shawn Kraft (@HardcoreLucha) August 16, 2023
