Welcome back to Screen Shots, a regular THN.com file in which we tackle a few different hockey topics, and analyze them with some brief paragraphs. Let’s get right to it.
The 4 Nations Face-Off is a platform certain NHL stars can use to ratchet up their bargaining power on their next contract.
One of the biggest stars – Toronto Maple Leafs powerhouse and Team Canada right winger Mitch Marner – has a golden opportunity to use the 4 Nations Face-Off to increase his value when he becomes a UFA this summer.
To be sure, Marner must have a terrific Stanley Cup playoff to bump up his salary from the current $10.9 million. Playing in a best-on-best competition against the USA, Sweden, and Finland, where one loss could cost a team a place in the final, is a great way for him to prove he can excel in a high-stakes environment.
Marner’s 71 points in 54 games gives him a 1.31 points-per-game average, which is the second-highest of his nine-year NHL career. That’s second only to his 1.35 points-per-game average in 72 games in 2021-22.
Marner is on pace for an 82-assist, 104-point season, which would be the best of his career, beating his 69-assist, 99-point season in 2022-23.
The good news for Marner is that he’s on a line with Oilers superstar Connor McDavid at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Marner has the chance to be an assist machine in this tournament, but it would shock no one if McDavid gave Marner every chance to finish scoring plays.
Related: NHL 4 Nations Face-Off: Who Has The Most To Lose?
The devastating California fires have affected scores of people. The massive destruction in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas have deeply moved the hockey world.
The hockey community is often at its best when times call on them to help address unfortunate situations. The Los Angeles Kings are admirably doing what they can to raise money for those who have been affected by the fires by staging a fundraiser at Crypto.com Arena.
On Wednesday, they announced the players and appearances for the Feb. 23 game.
Kings alumni Jeff Carter and Dion Phaneuf are expected to participate, as well as GM Rob Blake, Kings executive Luc Robitaille and Hockey Hall of Famers Teemu Selanne and Mark Messier,
The “Skate For L.A. Strong” event will also feature celebrity hockey fans, such as Will Ferrell, Vince Vaughan, Danny DeVito, Steve Carell and Elisha Cuthbert.
If you’re in the area and you can attend – or even if you’re far from L.A. and you want to do what you can to help – you can visit the website and find a way to contribute to a worthy cause.
Finally, it was great to see New York Islanders winger Anthony Duclair cutting the ribbon on a new synthetic ice rink in South Florida, where he played for the Florida Panthers from 2020 to 2023.
Anthony Duclair & his foundation officially opened the synthetic ice surface at Boyd Anderson High School.
A new avenue in creating generations of hockey fans has begun with the first outdoor synthetic rink in SFL.
Story here, @TheHockeyNews.#NHLhttps://t.co/qND5Pf3zH7
— Armando Velez (@Mandoman12) February 12, 2025
Duclair’s initiative to bring the game to underserved communities is a terrific one that could lead to more elite players in the future.
“This is more than just a rink – it’s about creating opportunities,” Duclair said in an announcement. “Hockey has given me so much, and my goal is to ensure that more kids, regardless of background, have the chance to experience and fall in love with the game. The recognition from the City of Lauderdale Lakes is truly an honor, and I hope this rink is just the beginning of something bigger.”
Duclair told the assembled crowd Tuesday that despite moving on from the Panthers, he’s chosen to make South Florida his home. And the new rink coincides with the city of Lauderdale Lakes proclaiming Feb. 12, 2025, as “Anthony Duclair Day.”
Of course, Duclair isn’t doing this for the publicity. He recognizes there’s a need to develop the game among markets that don’t grow up with the sport, and he’s put his time and money into welcoming fans of all types into the game. Here’s hoping this is the first of many positive developments on that front.
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