Another week, another influx of drama happening in and around the hockey world. It might just be me, but this shortened COVID season seems to be bringing more drama than usual. And now that the NWHL bubble season in Lake Placid is underway, the drama is not limited to the NHL. That’s right, women’s hockey drama has entered the chat.
Let’s take a look, and as always, we’ll start with our Toronto teams.
Leafs Lads
The Leafs season is actually off to a solid start, with a current record of 6-2 and a winning streak of 3 games. However, the season is not without drama. The Leafs are already being plagued by the injury bug, with Nick Robertson and Joe Thornton out, Auston Matthews missing a game due to “upper body soreness”, and now *sob* Jack Campbell is week to week with a leg injury.
In fact, let’s talk a bit about Jack Campbell. Though not the cause of the leg concern, there was quite a bit of drama that he was at the centre of in the 2 game series against the Calgary Flames.
So, there’s a scuffle around the net, see. And Matthew Tkachuk falls on Campbell:
GET THE FUCK OFF HIM pic.twitter.com/9MwYl7jvgX
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 24, 2021
Which Zach Bogosian takes issue with. Tkachuk brushes off any question as to whether this was intentional:
Matthew Tkachuk calls accusations that he tried to hurt Jack Campbell “classic.”
MORE @ https://t.co/dl8XI8aSoz pic.twitter.com/GgafUxX7Ww
— BarDown (@BarDown) January 26, 2021
Nevertheless, Jake Muzzin decided to show Tkachuk what he thought of that at the end of the next game:
Jake Muzzin flipped the puck at Matthew Tkachuk after the whistle pic.twitter.com/1uWwjRm5qd
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 27, 2021
And Tkachuk was not pleased about it:
Aww look. Matthew is upset. 4/4 points. pic.twitter.com/p657ieg67W
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 27, 2021
So that was all pretty fun…other than the part where Jack Campbell is injured.
And oh yeah, Wayne Simmonds scored his first 2 goals as a Leaf.
The Six Situation
The Toronto Six debuted this weekend in Lake Placid! We’ve been covering the season closely thus far, so you probably know that despite strong showings they lost their first two games.
Well, yesterday that changed! The Six defeated the Boston Pride for their first ever franchise win!
FIRST WIN EVER VIBE CHECKKKKKKKKKK pic.twitter.com/Jnw9qDKMnT
— Toronto Six (@TheTorontoSix) January 27, 2021
They are thrilled, and we’re thrilled for them.
While exciting, there is also some serious drama happening with the NWHL right now. This situation deserves a longer look, and we will hopefully dive into it more in depth soon. But for now, a brief look at what is going on.
Barstool CEO Erika Nardini made a video calling out NWHL reporters/fans (by name.) Saroya Tinker, among others, was not impressed.
WE, as a league do not want support from ANY openly racist platform. Point blank,PERIOD. If you,as the CEO cannot recognize that your platform promotes that of white supremacy & only further divides the athletic community, perhaps we need have a conversation. Pls keep your money. https://t.co/p2hNYs5RpX
— Saroya Tinker (@saroyatinker71) January 26, 2021
This is why:
Barstool’s problematic history is not just long, but foundational to their way of operating. It is toxic, it is dangerous and it has to stop. https://t.co/2kZDBONaHt
— Hemal Jhaveri (@hemjhaveri) January 26, 2021
The NWHL commissioner made a statement:
This statement from @NWHL commissioner Tyler Tumminia is in addition to the numerous reports that there are serious, in depth discussions happening within the bubble about this, as well as work being done to make sure Saroya Tinker feels safe and supported. pic.twitter.com/CiN55kwDBm
— Mer (@MerOutLoud) January 26, 2021
And the drama continues this morning:
Tinker is a Black Riveters rookie in the NWHL who called Barstool out for being a toxic, bigoted website. Her teammate, Babstock, who is non-Black & has appeared on Barstool podcasts, is liking tweets under a video by Dave Portnoy calling for Tinker to be jailed. https://t.co/At8ZibxqUX
— Britni de la Cretaz (@britnidlc) January 27, 2021
This is an unfolding situation that we will keep an eye on and discuss as it develops. We support the NWHL and its players, the media covering it, and the fans who are committed to growing the game in an inclusive, welcoming environment.
Around the League
Let’s take a quick gander at what else is happening around the NHL, eh?
The Caps have a conundrum on their hands:
NHL announces it has fined the Washington Capitals $100,000 for violating covid protocols.
League says the team violated protocols which involved social interactions among team members who were in close contact and who were not wearing face coverings.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 20, 2021
Alex Ovechkin’s wife had something to say about this situation:
Alex Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya, posted this on Instagram just now. She says Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov have covid-19 antibodies. pic.twitter.com/ZzxaisAFvW
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 21, 2021
Meanwhile, while the Canes are in quarantine, they are working out from home with Jake Gardiner’s wife Lucy:
The @Canes facilities remain closed for the time being, so the team gathered on Zoom today for a barre3 class led by Lucy Gardiner, who owns a studio in Edina, MN.
IG: https://t.co/wjokhKyrVO
💻📸 credit/blame: @BillBurniston pic.twitter.com/h4qekE5qUt
— Michael Smith (@MSmithCanes) January 23, 2021
Also over in Carolina, Jeremy Bracco seems to have not settled in well:
The Canes intend to terminate Bracco’s contract. https://t.co/GmKEqisTPw
— Sara Civ (@SaraCivian) January 26, 2021
A big trade between the Winnipeg Jets and Columbus Blue Jackets made waves this week. Apparently, there’s more to it than meets the eye:
🚨🚨🚨Breaking News: In a Finnish publication Iltalehti, they say “inside sources” claim the #CBJ Patrik Laine wanted out of #GoJetsGo because of mistreatment by Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and Paul Maurice. Full statement below 👀 pic.twitter.com/IzdKxiYn6V
— Hockey Hound (@HockeyHoundShow) January 25, 2021
And finally, the Vegas Golden Knights played a coach-less game last night:
Out of “an abundance of caution,” the Vegas Golden Knights will be isolating their coaches. GM Kelly McCrimmon will take over, likely with the team’s AHL staff. The Golden Knights host St. Louis tonight.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 26, 2021
Whew. Well, that’s all for this week, friends. Tune in next time for more hockey drama.
