3 biggest areas of need for the Toronto Raptors this offseason

3 biggest areas of need for the Toronto Raptors this offseason

Despite losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in six games during the first round of the NBA playoffs, the Toronto Raptors had a successful season in 2021-22. The Raptors clinched the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, Scottie Barnes won Rookie of the Year, and Fred VanVleet is an All-Star this year. Considering that this […]
3 biggest areas of need for the Toronto Raptors this offseason – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Pirasanth Gunasekaram / Raptors HQ

Pierre Engvall has catapulted himself as an invaluable option in the top-nine

During Sunday night’s game against the Islanders, Alex Kerfoot became the seventh player on the Leafs to hit the 50-point plateau.
As a result, the Leafs are now tied for second in the NHL alongside the Avalanche for teams with players recording reaching the half-century mark for scoring with only the Blues ahead with eight. It shows that not only does Toronto have one of the best offensive teams in the league this season, but it is also a balanced attack across the board. It is evident by the fact that there are 12 Leafs with at least 10 goals or more on the campaign.
For a team that has yet to find a playoff run where both the primary and secondary scoring options have found life at the same time, it’s an encouraging trend to see some balance down the stretch. So it is no surprise to see that beyond Kerfoot, the rest of the pack are fairly close together in terms of point totals.
Leading that group and sitting seventh on the team in scoring is a player who could become an x-factor if the Leafs want any chance at playoff success: Pierre Engvall.

Career highs set by Pierre Engvall this season:
•Goals: 14•Assists: 17•Points: 31•Shots: 141•Shorthanded goals: 2•Power-play goals: 1•5-on-5 …

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Author: Michael Mazzei / The Leafs Nation

Friedman: Rodion Amirov continues to skate with his next round of chemotherapy upcoming

During Saturday night’s edition of 32 Thoughts, Elliotte Friedman provided an update on how Rodion Amriov is doing after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. It’s safe to say the Russian forward is making great strides in his recuperation

Elliotte Friedman provides an update on Rodion Amirov pic.twitter.com/3D1xsWASC4
— alberto (@twistedleafs) April 3, 2022

Friedman reported that Amriov has wrapped up his six weeks of chemotherapy and has another round forthcoming in a month’s time. During that time, he has been on the ice three times a week at a rink the Leafs have rented out for him in Dusseldorf, Germany and in the gym five times a week.
This positive development comes a little over a month after the report first came out that Amirov was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Not only has his recovery gone well to this point, but he also continues to work out and skate when given the chance. It says a lot about how well run the Leafs organization is that they are spending part of their income to ensure that the 15th overall pick of the 2020 draft gets all the help and resources he needs while he recovers.
All the best to Amirove for his next round of chemotherapy! …

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Author: Michael Mazzei / The Leafs Nation

Ross Atkins’ interview with Ben Wagner featured news on Pearson + Future Moves + Getting Prospect Ready

During the fourth inning, Ross Atkins joined Ben Wagner on the Fan 590. Here are some notable points that I took away from that conversation.

Off-season efficiency:
When asked about how fast the off season was going post-lockout, Aktins mentioned that he was impressed with how ready every team was. He noted that had the Oakland A’s not been ready coming out of the lockout, the deal for Matt Chapman wouldn’t have happened. 
Unlike prior off-seasons where it would take days to get back to the Blue Jays, it took mere hours to get back to the Jays. Atkins called it more efficient as teams met deadlines and there was much less posturing.
When asked about how big the team is to orchestrate signings and trades, Atkins noted how much better the team has been connected since the pandemic started. It allowed the front office to be more creative as each person was thinking aloud. He jokes that it’s never easy to finalize the move.
Matt Chapman and getting the prospects ready:
When pressed about Matt Chapman and how much better he makes the team, Ross Atkins said “[Chapman] is fun”, but also mentioned how optimistic the team is about his bat. This segued into speaking about prospects such as Orelvis Martinez (yes I spelled his name right this time) and Jordan Groshans.
To answer Wagner’s question, Atkins said: “you never wanna rely too heavily on transitioning potentially t …

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Author: Brennan Delaney / Blue Jays Nation

Raptors’ rookie Scottie Barnes laughs off missed All-Star layups

Raptors’ rookie Scottie Barnes laughs off missed All-Star layups

The Toronto Raptors had plenty of representation during the first few days of All-Star Weekend. On top of the fact that Fred VanVleet was in the Three-Point Contest and the 1-2 punch of Precious Achiuwa and Scottie Barnes were in the Rising Stars Game, Barnes and G Leaguer Alex Antetokounmpo participated in the skills challenge. […]
Raptors’ rookie Scottie Barnes laughs off missed All-Star layups – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Rasmus Sandin is projected to only miss two to three weeks of action

During yesterdays loss to the Jets, Rasmus Sandin took an early exit after a scary collision with Neal Pionk. There were legitimate fears that Sandin’s season could be over, but Chris Johnston went on TSN Overdrive to dispel fears and reveal a positive development.

Here is what CJ had to say regarding the timeline today on OverDrivepic.twitter.com/Ihmcx1njeq
— OverDrive (@OverDrive1050) December 6, 2021

This is a relieving sight for the Leafe and their fans, especially considering Sandin had trouble getting back on his feet and returning to the bench. It could have ended much more poorly for the Swedish defensemen, but only missing less than a month of game action is better than being out for the remainder of the 2021-22 campaign.
Early in the third period, Sandin collided with Pionk via a knee-on-knee collision near the Jets crease. Sandin exited the game and did not return.

Rasmus Sandin is down.
Goes knee-on-knee with Neal Pionk pic.twitter.com/Nh1wVXSb9Y
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 6, 2021

Pionk was given a hearing from the NHLPS today and was recently handed a two game suspension for the collision.
Not long afterwards, the Leafs retaliated with a serious of infractions that has …

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Author: Michael Mazzei / The Leafs Nation

Raptors stats without OG Anunoby on offense show his importance

Raptors stats without OG Anunoby on offense show his importance

After a great start during November where they looked like a playoff team, the Toronto Raptors ended the month poorly and may be eyeing a lottery selection. One of the main reasons why they are struggling right now is the fact they are not at full strength, as OG Anunoby has been out for multiple […]
Raptors stats without OG Anunoby on offense show his importance – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Pirasanth Gunasekaram / Raptors HQ

The Leafs aren’t for sale or at least not yet

The Leafs aren’t for sale or at least not yet

Last Saturday during the 32 Thoughts segment (which enough with the 32 thoughts brand already, but I digress) Elliotte Friedman introduced us to the idea that before the Fenway Sports Group was actively engaged in negotiations to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins, they were sniffing around the opportunity to merge with Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, the parent company of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Yesterday in his 32 Thoughts column, Friedman expanded on the idea:
It’s going to be an interesting time around Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Prior to making its push for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Fenway Sports Group — through an intermediary — approached MLSE about the possibility of a merger. This was 12-18 months ago. It wasn’t the right time and didn’t go far, but that would have been one monstrous powerhouse, potentially featuring Liverpool, the Leafs, the Raptors, Toronto FC, Scotiabank Arena, the Argonauts and a baseball team. (That would have been the incredibly interesting one. FSG owns the Red Sox, while my employer, Rogers, owns the Blue Jays along with 37.5 per cent of MLSE. So, something would have to give.) There’s change at the top of our company and The Globe and Mail reported that could mean …

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Author: Jon Steitzer / The Leafs Nation

Raptors: Ranking the best moves Masai Ujiri made in the offseason

Raptors: Ranking the best moves Masai Ujiri made in the offseason

The Toronto Raptors underwent a huge transition during the offseason, as new faces like Scottie Barnes, Dalano Banton, and Precious Achiuwa came to town after Kyle Lowry’s departure. Masai Ujiri confirmed his return to the Raptors with a very busy offseason that involves changing how this roster is constructed. While Toronto has lost the last […]
Raptors: Ranking the best moves Masai Ujiri made in the offseason – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ

Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Cavaliers Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Nov. 5

Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Cavaliers Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Nov. 5

The Toronto Raptors looked rudderless during a 1-3 start to the season, but thanks to some improved scoring from their stars, Nick Nurse and the rest of the group have managed to right the ship. Do the latest Raptors odds have this squad continuing their win streak? To win their sixth consecutive game, the Raptors […]
Raptors Game Tonight: Raptors vs Cavaliers Odds, Starting Lineup, Injury Report, Predictions, TV Channel for Nov. 5 – Raptors Rapture – Raptors Rapture – A Toronto Raptors Fan Site – News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Author: Mike Luciano / Raptors HQ