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Friday 3 February 2023

All-Star festivities showcase next generation of NHL stars

By STEPHEN WHYNO if Buffalo can finish strong
AP Hockey Writer and knock either Crosby’s
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Penguins or
New Jersey Devils players Ovechkin’s Washington
watch from the bench of- Capitals out of a wild-card
ten and marvel at some of spot. The Sabres have by
the things Jack Hughes can far the league’s longest
do on the ice. playoff drought at 11 sea-
“Every game, at least a sons, and if they snap it,
couple times, I’ll be like, ‘Oh Thompson will be a big part
my God, that guy’s amaz- of it, even before starting a
ing,’” forward Michael $51 million, seven-year con-
McLeod said. “He just gets tract he was rewarded with
it done every night.” last summer.
The same goes in Buffalo, Messier credited Thompson
where Rasmus Dahlin de- for getting stronger in the
scribed Sabres teammate offseason, augmenting the
Tage Thompson’s devel- hands that made the now-
opment as “a ticking time 25-year-old a 38-goal scor-
bomb.” And in Dallas, er in 2021-22 and putting
where coach Peter DeBoer him on track for more than
lay awake dreaming of 50 this season. Norris Trophy-
coaching Jason Robertson winning defenseman P.K.
with the Stars. Dallas Stars’ Jason Robertson celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL Subban, who experienced
While being an All-Star is hockey game against the New York Islanders on Jan. 10, 2023, in Elmont, N.Y. Thompson’s growth first-
old hat for the NHL’s old Associated Press hand from playing against
guard of Sidney Crosby, him several times the past
Alex Ovechkin and even out how to try to win,” said out an All-Star after rookie become so meaningful this five years before retiring
unquestioned best player Hall of Famer, two-time Matty Beniers was injured, season. and joining Messier as an
in the world Connor McDa- MVP and six-time Stanley but they’ll need him more “He’s scoring in big mo- ESPN analyst, sees him as a
vid, the festivities this week- Cup champion Mark Mess- down the stretch to make ments,” said Rupp, an NHL taller version of Hughes with
end in South Florida are a ier. “It’s been fascinating it in their second season of Network analyst who will the same level of skill.
showcase for the league’s to me to see these players existence. see Hughes up close this “What separates him from a
next generation of stars, led going through that process The Devils are on pace to weekend in Sunrise. “It’s lot of players in the league,
by Hughes and Robertson of becoming not only NHL play playoff hockey for the way he’s doing it. He’s and is going to separate
now that Thompson is out players but bona fide su- the first time since 2018 carrying his team at certain him from a lot of players in
with injury and replaced by perstars, but more impor- and just the second in 11 times. the league going forward,
Dahlin. Hughes is an All-Star tantly how they’re trying to years thanks in large part He’s pushing his team is his ability at that size to
for the second consecu- figure out how to win in this to Hughes, who trails only along, Jack and Tage, do everything at top speed
tive season and Robertson league.” McDavid, Boston’s David (too). And I think that is the (with) his range, his skill with
for the first time, and their With Thompson, Robertson Pastrnak, Colorado’s Mikko incredible part is they’re the puck, his skating abil-
emergence could upend and Hughes all in the top 10 Rantanen and Thompson in not just great talents: ity,” Subban said. “He has
the way the standings and in goals and points, it’s no the goal-scoring race. Mike They’re great talents, and all the tools to be a domi-
leaderboards look for years coincidence each player’s Rupp, who won the Cup they seem like they’ve got nant player in this league
to come. respective team is in the with New Jersey in 2003, ex- nerves of steel.” for a long time.”
“Once you establish your- playoff race at the break. pected Hughes to produce Thompson’s nerves and So does Dahlin, who prob-
self as an NHL player, the So are the surprising Seattle at a 100-point pace but did playmaking ability could ably should have been an
next step is how you figure Kraken, the only team with- not anticipate his scoring to be on display in the playoffs All-Star in the first place. q

FIA opens application process for

new F1 teams

PARIS (AP) — Formula One team would dilute their in- edented levels,” FIA presi-
took a step closer to ex- come. dent Mohammed Ben Su-
panding the grid when The FIA said on Thursday layem said in a statement.
governing body the FIA there was a “high level “The FIA believes the con-
launched its application of interest from a number ditions are right for interest-
process for prospective of potential candidates” ed parties, which meet the
new teams on Thursday. but didn’t name any. Pro- selection criteria, to express
That could favor Andretti spective candidates will a formal interest in entering
Global, for which Michael be asked about their envi- the championship.”
Andretti is partnering with ronmental credentials and The FIA didn’t say when
General Motors’ Cadillac how they would make a applications would close,
brand. The American alli- “positive societal impact” when it might decide on Drivers start the British Formula One Grand Prix, at the Silverstone
ance has been lobbying by joining F1. new teams or when they circuit, in Silverstone, England, on July 18, 2021.
the FIA to join F1 but face “The growth and appeal of could start racing, though Associated Press
opposition from current the FIA Formula One world Ben Sulayem referred to the 2026 as a factor attracting teams.q
teams worried that an 11th championship is at unprec- new engine rules coming in interest from potential new