Has anything else happened in the ice hockey world this week other than Tone DeAngelo being given up and the following rumors and reports of the behind-the-scenes drama with the Rangers?
I mean, I think so, but who can remember when Tony is loose from it all?
I’ll do my best to remind you what else happens, but don’t we all just want to know who really beat Tony D?
Leafs Lads
As always, we will initially concentrate on our boys in blue who had a really good start to the season. They went on a 4-game winning streak and 5-game point streak, and Frederik Andersen looks much more solid on the net. Of course we’re still dealing with some injuries, but Joe Thornton and Nicholas Robertson are back on the ice skating, which is a good sign!
# Leaves Ice chips from @markhmasters: With the team not playing for a few days, Joe Thornton and Nick Robertson are ice skating and making progress in their recovery – https://t.co/qyLbP14xOO#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/EgXj4MW1vE
– TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) February 1, 2021
Of course, it’s NOT great that Alexander Kerfoot did not take part in the practice:
Alex Kerfoot is missing in #leafs Practice but skate early with Joe Thornton. Nic Petan was called to the practice group.
– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 2, 2021
Also – no trace of Jack Campbell still.
In the meantime, rumors continue to swirl Matthew Tkachuk‘s meltdown after Jake Muzzin threw a puck at him.
Should I believe Matthew Tkachuk was having a hissing fit that no one stood up for him and called a team meeting? Did i just hear that?
– Justin Fisher (@thejustinfisher) January 31, 2021
And finally, Justin Holl celebrated a birthday last week. Take a look at Holl’s many faces to help him celebrate:
justin holl’s many faces and hairstyles pic.twitter.com/ndBfL7oZih
– 🐞🌈 (@oliveandmain) February 2, 2021
The six situations
I have to see how our ladies are doing in Toronto in the Lake Placid NWHL Bubble. Oh, what’s this? Are you the first seed now?
I can’t get over it @ TheTorontoSix.
Brand new team. 7 exercises with the entire roster. Lost their first 2 games.
And what happened after that?
4 wins in a row, first seed goes to semi-finals.
If you don’t see this team, why not?
– Mer (@MerOutLoud) February 1, 2021
That’s right they are! Despite the strong season of the six so far, there is still a drama in the “bubble” – as two teams have now left / moved out:
The Metropolitan Riveters have pulled out of the 2021 NWHL season after several members of the organization tested positive for COVID-19.
Press release: https://t.co/D8b0kxYz5q
– NWHL (@NWHL) January 28, 2021
The NWHL has accepted the Connecticut Whale’s decision to lose their game against Minnesota scheduled for tonight and to withdraw from the tournament.
– NWHL (@NWHL) February 2, 2021
It remains unclear why the whale decided to withdraw from the tournament, as it appears that a lack of clarity regarding taxi commands and quarantine rules could have led to dissatisfaction in the league.
Still, the semi-finals are a breeze and start tomorrow!
The @ NWHL #IsobelCup Semis are set for Thursday on NBCSN:@ thebostonpride vs. @ WhitecapsHockey @ BuffaloBeauts vs. @ TheTorontoSix
From @onherturf: https://t.co/hNRJczOpd6
– NHL at NBC Sports (@NHLonNBCSports) February 2, 2021
We can’t wait to cheer for The Toronto Six!
Sabers Serious dissatisfaction with devils
Oh oh.
Today’s game of the Sabers is postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.
But the real story is what happened over the weekend.
“Buffalo is angry.” https://t.co/OwOxrGVoSI
– John Vogl (@BuffaloVogl) February 2, 2021
According to The athleteThe Sabers are seriously angry that their games are being postponed due to the COVID protocol. It is reported that the team believes they have not received all of the information and found themselves in a dangerous situation when they played against the Devils.
This COVID-hit season is complicated in many ways, and keeping everyone safe and healthy is proving to be a challenge.
Panic in Pittsburgh?
Jim Rutherford got up unexpectedly this week and resigned. Yes, he stepped back out of nowhere, citing personal reasons, although some believe the “personal reasons” is a strong disagreement with responsibility for the direction of the team.
Jim Rutherford has resigned as General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins for personal reasons.
Patrik Allvin, the team’s assistant general manager, has been promoted to provisional GM and the search for a new GM will begin immediately.
Details: https://t.co/VMYNzYkXcX pic.twitter.com/d846dWrpIC
– Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) January 27, 2021
Ta Ta, Tony
And finally, the biiiiig story of the week. Tony DeAngelo was put on waiver and not claimed. This is a story in itself, but there is MORE. Rumors stir up GALORE, but it seems to keep being reported that Tony had an argument with a teammate (both) Alexandar Georgiev and Chris Kreider were suggested as teammates) and that was seen as the “last straw” by the Rangers who definitely said he won’t play for the team anymore.
Nothing confirmed
(I am actually trying to have journalistic integrity. If you follow me you will know that I am a dummy.)
But the leading rumors about Tony are from across the league
– Tony started an argument after the game
– A “bigger” player returned the favor
– NYR had enough
– Ryan Mead (@OhRyanMead) January 31, 2021
There are also rumors of Tony’s relationship with rookie K’Andre Miller, and while some of the stories have been officially dismissed, the bottom line is:
K’Andre Miller never needed to be in a locker room with Tony DeAngelo, but the Rangers indicated from day one that Miller’s comfort or safety was not a priority.
– Jashvina Shah (@icehockeystick) February 1, 2021
And now Darren Dreger reports “interest” in Tony in the league:
Per @ DarrenDreger There is suddenly a league-wide interest in Tony DeAngelo and a deal could come in a few days. Color me surprised. #NYR
– Rick Carpiniello (@RickCarpiniello) February 2, 2021
Which seems suspicious, but I think you never know …
And just as a quick reminder, Tony struggled before he even made it to the NHL and was suspended more than once for his behavior, including naming a teammate as a bow.
So we’ll be watching closely what happens next.
That’s all for this week folks. Stay tuned for the NWHL playoffs starting tomorrow on NBCSN in the US and Twitch in Canada and elsewhere!
