Raptors news: Norman Powell says Raptors got “lucky”, Christian Koloko’s status

The Toronto Raptors would not have been able to take down the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals way back in 2019 without the contributions of expert 3-point marksman Norman Powell. He’s shown after leaving Toronto that he is still an elite shooter. After being traded to the Portland Trail Blazers for Gary Trent […]
Raptors news: Norman Powell says Raptors got “lucky”, Christian Koloko’s status – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Raptors news: Nick Nurse says OG Anunoby should be DPOY, Jakob Poeltl speaks

The Toronto Raptors have been begging OG Anunoby to get back on track after a very rough stretch on both ends and nonstop trade rumors, and he has responded by playing like an All-NBA defender that is trying to finish the season with a trophy he can put up in his mantle piece. While Nikola […]
Raptors news: Nick Nurse says OG Anunoby should be DPOY, Jakob Poeltl speaks – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Anunoby been begging have Raptors Toronto

Knies comes up clutch, Niemelä nets a pair, Abramov out: Leafs Prospect Roundup

A lot of the focus that has been placed on the Leafs’ prospect pool in recent weeks has centered around the trade market and what the Leafs might have to give up in order to improve their current roster. Well, Kyle Dubas took his swing on Friday night when he acquired Ryan O’Reilly and Noel Acciari in a three-team deal with St. Louis and Minnesota, but it was primarily draft picks and not prospects that he used to get it done.
The Leafs did include 2019 fourth-rounder Mikhail Abramov in the trade, along with Adam Gaudette, but the top of their prospect pool remained untouched as they shipped out a first, second, third, and fourth-round pick scattered across the next three drafts. Abramov began his pro career with some promise, but the adjustment to the AHL has been a difficult one for the diminutive forward, and he landed in the 19th spot on my midseason ranking of the top prospects in the Leafs’ system.
Moving that much draft capital only makes the progress and development of the players the Leafs already have in their system more crucial. As Dubas alluded to following the acquisition of O’Reilly and Acciari, moving picks rather than the club’s top prospects was the obvious move given where the Leafs are currently at in their competitive cycle. The players chosen with those picks are still mu …

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Author: Nick Richard / The Leafs Nation

been focus Leafs’ placed prospect That

Raptors’ Pascal Siakam finally earns deserved All-Star berth in career year

It’s been a turbulent week for Toronto Raptors fans after the front office didn’t make any franchise-altering moves before Thursday’s trade deadline. Though all of Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, and OG Anunoby were floated as potential chips in blockbuster deals, Masai Ujiri sat on his hands. The one silver lining is the general manager bolstered […]
Raptors’ Pascal Siakam finally earns deserved All-Star berth in career year – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Jerry Trotta / Raptors HQ

been It's Raptors Toronto turbulent Week

Raptors trade rumors: 3 Fred VanVleet suitors after Kyrie Irving trade

The Toronto Raptors trade rumors have been flying all over the place in recent weeks, with point guard Fred VanVleet standing out as one of the most desirable assets at the trade deadline. For just one afternoon, however, Kyrie Irving decided to snatch the spotlight away from him. Irving demanded a trade, with his eyes […]
Raptors trade rumors: 3 Fred VanVleet suitors after Kyrie Irving trade – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

been have Raptors rumors Toronto trade

Blue Jays Nation’s 2023 Preseason Top 50: Ultimate edition

Just because the 30 prospect articles have been released, doesn’t mean Blue Jays Nation’s Prospect Season is over.

In this article, we’ll be looking at each of the Top 50 prospects’ scouting reports. If you want to see a more in-detail look at their 2022 season (as well as past seasons) or where they may start in 2023, click on the player names!
Furthermore, since Chavez Young (who ranked 48th overall) was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this month, I’ve added an additional prospect at the end of the article to fill to #50 spot. So check that out.
Without further ado, here is each of Blue Jays Nation’s Top 50 prospects’ scouting reports!
#1 LHP Ricky Tiedemann:

Before even getting the game on my monitor, Tiedemann is K’ing pros like it’s little league. pic.twitter.com/mzaQUHNrhK
— Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) June 25, 2022

Tall, with long legs and torso, with broad shoulders and room for projection. Tiedemann pitches a low 3/4 arm slot which makes his already difficult-to-hit stuff harder to hit. His fastball has plenty of run, which makes batting left-handed against him an utter nightmare. His changeup is used against both right-handed and left-handed batters and has late downward movement. His slider has high spin rates with sweep, and is a plus pitch. His control and command are good, especially for his experience level. Tiedemann also has the dawg in him, much like fellow Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah.
Blue Jays Nation’s Grades:
Fastball: 65
Changeup: 65
Slider: 60
Control: 50
Overall: 60
#2 SS/3B Addison Barger:

uhhhhhh, I’m pretty sure @AddisonBarger (Addison Barger) just left the stadium.
That… I’m in shock.#BlueJays #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/opZPDIL7EM
— Brennan Delaney (@Bren …

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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation

articles because been have just prospect

Did Raptors’ Chris Boucher just ball out in front of potential trade suitor?

The Toronto Raptors have likely been taking trade calls centered around big-name starters like Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanVleet, but that doesn’t mean Masai Ujiri won’t deal away a role player if he finds an offer he likes. After signing a three-year contract in the offseason, Chris Boucher might find himself with a new […]
Did Raptors’ Chris Boucher just ball out in front of potential trade suitor? – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

been have likely Raptors taking Toronto

Blue Jays Nation’s 2023 Preseason Top 50: #15 Josh Kasevich

It’s been a while since a 2022 draftee was ranked on Blue Jays Nation’s Top 50, but that changes with this article.

Josh Kasevich is an intriguing prospect, as he has a great hit tool and will be able to stick at shortstop as he’s a great defender.
However, we’ll look at the criteria before taking a deep dive.
Brennan’s criteria:
Instead of writing this out every time I did for the mid-season Top 60, I’ll copy and paste my criteria for how I rank and scout these players.
There are many factors that determine a top prospect. The eye test is the biggest driver in determining a top prospect, but proximity to the majors, ceiling, and floor is also important. Moreover, statistics are another key ingredient, as everything works together to give you numbers.
As for the grades, it’s important to remember that they are relative to the league in which they play. A kid from Dunedin is not going to have a 50-grade hit tool if he were placed in the big leagues. But relative to the league in which he plays, a .300 hitter is eligible for that grade.
For these prospects, I’ll review their background, numbers in the minors, pitch mix (if they’re a pitcher), and give a scouting report (if feasible, rookie league guys are difficult).
Let’s jump in!
Josh Kasevich’s career so far:
The 21-year-old (who’ll turn 22 a day after this article is published) was drafted in the second round of the 2022 dr …

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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation

2022 been draftee It's since While

Nylander rises to the challenge as the Leafs avoid getting goalie’d by the Predators

The Predators had been riding a hot streak, largely due to the impressive goaltending of Juuse Saros, but as good as Saros was, the Matthews-less Leafs managed to inch their way to victory courtesy of a late 3rd period powerplay.

The Leafs were dominant over the Predators throughout the game, out-chancing them consistently from the onset of the game. Though while the chances heavily favoured the Leafs, the Predators made up for it when it came to quality, and the Preds enjoyed 85% HDCF% in the second period at 5v5 and Murray limited Nashville to just one goal in that frame. While the Leafs were the more aggressive team and had the xGF% advantage in the first and overall throughout the game 5v5, the Preds did push back with greater xGF in both the second and third periods.

Most of Nashville’s chances came while they were sitting right on top of Matt Murray, and it’s a credit to Murray’s performance that he limited Nashville to just one goal.
At the other end the Leafs also had a presence down low, but had a spike compared to recent games where they were using the point shot a bit more. I think the variety of shooting locales can somewhat be attributed to the absence of Auston Matthews and the usual “pass it to Auston” mentality.
The Nylander at center experiment
I am somewhat delighted to announce that Toronto didn’t sink into the earth as a result of Nylander taking on more responsibility. He led the Leafs forwards in 5v5 ice time at 15:01, and 69.70 CF%, 69.93 xG%, both unquestionably nice numbers. He didn’t do as well when it came to faceoffs as he won just one of the six draws he took, but that seems like something that could be fixed by having him spend half an hour of practice hanging out at the faceoff dot with Manny Malhotra.
Nylander walking away from the game with two assists, playing the second most ice time out of forwards (penalty kill brought Marner up ahead of Willy) is very encouraging and if Auston isn’t good to go for Thursday night we’ll see if Nylander can show that he can be a potential top six cent …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

been impressive largely Predators riding streak

Appreciating William Nylander’s hot start to the 2022–23 season with the Maple Leafs

William Nylander has been on fire in the early season for the Leafs.

For a player that was subject to a high degree of criticism for a significant time, let’s appreciate what he has done thus far.
His overtime winner against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday secured the win and gave him 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points in just 35 games. These marks are good for first on the team in goals and tied for second in points.

WILLIAM NYLANDER 🚨
OVERTIME WINNER pic.twitter.com/wI32M3gXYC
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 28, 2022

This play, to me, displays the best aspects of Nylander’s game. Obviously, his offensive abilities are outstanding — skating, hands, and finishing ability. However, an underrated aspect of Nylander’s game is his ability to generate turnovers in both the offensive and defensive zones. He is currently listed as being third on the team in takeaways, behind only Matthews and Marner. Here, he reads Tarasenko perfectly, stripping him of the puck and immediately generating an offensive opportunity.
It’s not as if this is some unpredictable breakout – Nylander has finished just below a point per game in each of the past three seasons. However, the valuable development this season has been his jump in goal scoring. Currently, Nylander is on pace for 48 goals over 82 games. This mark would be good for a 14-goal career high.
Goal scoring is obviously an incredibly important element of any team. For the Leafs this season, however, Nylander’s increased production in this area has been of particular importan …

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Author: Colin Hunter / The Leafs Nation

been early fire Nylander season William