Raptors draft: 3 March Madness stars who could fit Toronto

Raptors draft: 3 March Madness stars who could fit Toronto

Masai Ujiri and the rest of the Toronto Raptors front office, like the rest of us before our bracket got busted by that one crazy upset (looking at you, Purdue), were locked into the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Ujiri had to be overseeing these games with the goal of plucking out the next star that could […]
Raptors draft: 3 March Madness stars who could fit Toronto – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Woll shows off his skills, analyzing Voit’s production, Lisowsky lighting lamps: Leafs Prospect Roundup

Woll shows off his skills, analyzing Voit’s production, Lisowsky lighting lamps: Leafs Prospect Roundup

The spotlight was shining bright on Mitch Marner and the rest of the NHL All-Stars in Florida this past weekend, but the AHL also got their All-Star festivities underway with their skills competition on Sunday night.
The Marlies are well-represented at the AHL’s All-Star event, with netminder Joseph Woll, defenseman Noel Hoefenmayer, and captain Logan Shaw taking part. Hoefenmayer is having a fantastic season for the Marlies playing on an AHL contract, and he had a solid showing in the hardest shot event when he clocked in at 99.2 mph with his second attempt, but it was Joseph Woll who stole the show as he has so many times this season.
In his first appearance of the evening, Woll stopped eight of ten attempts in the rapid-fire event, tying Bruins prospect Brandon Bussi for the top score. He was just getting started, however, and didn’t allow a goal on three attempts in the Pass and Score Challenge before stopping four of five attempts in the breakaway relay.

Just look at these saves from Joseph Woll: pic.twitter.com/UaggrueMSl
— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) February 6, 2023

Woll played a big part in the Eastern Conference coming away victorious on Sunday night and was named the event’s top goaltender for his efforts. It was a continuation of what has been a spectacular season for Woll thus far, coming off a 25-save performance in a 4-1 win over Laval on Friday that brought his record to 13-1-0 to go along with a 2.36 GAA and .930 SV%.

Joseph Woll wins the Top Goaltender …

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Author: Nick Richard / The Leafs Nation

The Leafs 2023-24 Cap Situation vs. trade targets with term

The Leafs 2023-24 Cap Situation vs. trade targets with term

Looking at the Leafs cap situation for the rest of this season it is easy to determine how the trade deadline shakes out for the Leafs. If Muzzin doesn’t return the Leafs have the necessary space to add players, especially with salary retention. Trading Alex Kerfoot’s salary away (or Engvall’s or Holl’s for that matter, but Kerfoot’s is the priority for a couple of reasons) allows the Leafs to do something in addition to that Muzzin cap space or it becomes the alternative to it if Muzzin will be returning. The Leafs might not have a ton to work with, but they can be deadline players.
The biggest catch seems to be with the prices potentially being paid and the high value associated with a 2023 1st round pick, there is a desire to avoid rental players. Kyle Dubas has made it known that he prefers players with term, but the past couple of years have seen the Leafs primarily focus on expiring contracts and this year may be more of the same, especially given the Leafs cap situation going forward.
A quick look at the Leafs cap situation for 2023-24 shows that Toronto has $69.82M committed to Matthews, Marner, Nylander, Tavares, Robertson, Jarnkrok, R …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

Pre-Series Notes: New Blue Jays make home debuts, Canadian Cal Quantrill returns to face his childhood team

Coming off two days rest and riding a two game losing streak into tonight, it feels like the Blue Jays haven’t won a game in forever. That said, they still hold the top spot in the American League wild card race with a record of 60-50.
Meanwhile the Guardians have won five in a row to take the lead in the AL Central. The tightest division race in the Majors, the Central still has three teams battling for the division crown. The Minnesota Twins trail the Guardians by just 1.5 games and the Chicago White Sox are 3.5 back.
The Jays will be looking for revenge after losing two of three in Cleveland back in May.
Things Worth Mentioning…
A pair of Blue Jays will be making their home debut tonight.

Whit Merrifield (2B) and Jackie Bradley Jr. (CF) will make their #BlueJays home debut starting tonight. pic.twitter.com/NVdbg7HgdB
— Ben Wagner (@benwag247) August 12, 2022

George Springer is still on IL so Bradley Jr. will start in center and Merrifield will make his first start at second for the Jays. One of the best defensive CF’s of the last decade Bradley Jr. provides plus defence and speed with a below average bat. He did however hit two home runs in his last series against the Blue Jays while he was with the Red Sox. In 92 games this year he is slashing .210/.257/.321 with three home runs.
One of the favourites for the AL Rookie of the Year, Steven Kwan is on a tear recently.

.@CleGuardians OF Steven Kwan has now hit safely in 26 of the last 29 games
Tale of the tape:
.358 (42 hits) 9 doubles 1 triple 2 HR 8 RBI 12 multi-hit games; 5 three-hit games pic.twitter.com/wJJZW94DEx
— Jensen Lewis (@JLEWFifty) August 11, 2022

In his debut season, Kwan it batting .300 …

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Author: Scott Ony / Blue Jays Nation

How Bill Russell became first retired number in Raptors history

How Bill Russell became first retired number in Raptors history

The Toronto Raptors franchise, like the rest of the NBA world, was dealt a crushing blow this August. Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell, who is without question a Top 10 player in NBA history and an outspoken civil rights activist, passed away at the age of 88. Russell’s achievements include 11 championship rings, five MVP […]
How Bill Russell became first retired number in Raptors history – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ