CALGARY — Old tweets exposed … to comedic effect.
Yes, Darren Raddysh has seen some of his dusty 2012 Twitter exchanges with Connor McDavid pop up on his timeline in 2026.
Such is the power of a rabid and social-media-savvy Toronto Maple Leafs fan base that keeps receipts like a CPA and isn’t afraid of digging into the archives for a good laugh.
So, both when McDavid’s former minor-hockey pal signed with their favourite boyhood team and when Raddysh helped shut down the superstar 5-on-5 Saturday in Edmonton, some of their 14-year-old exchanges resurfaced:
“Back in junior, using Twitter and Instagram when it first came out, it was pretty cool. And when I did sign, I did see those again. But, yeah, that’s always funny when people go through your old stuff like that. It's something that's part of hockey, I guess,” Raddysh smiled Sunday inside Calgary’s Saddledome ahead of Monday's game against the Flames (Sportsnet+, 8 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. MT)/
Former teammates on the OHL's Erie Otters, Raddysh and McDavid keep a friendly relationship when their paths cross in-season or over the summer, as they both still train and golf back home in Ontario.
“We’ll say hi, and we’ll catch up. And I know our parents were pretty close over the years after we moved on from each other,” Raddysh said. “If we catch each other after the game, we’ll talk for a little bit. But we kind of just do our own thing now, and everyone's got their families and everything.”
McDavid enthusiastically expressed his joy for the undrafted Raddysh’s life-altering $68-million contract with Toronto.
“Raddy’s an unbelievable guy,” McDavid told Sportsnet in September. “People don’t expect much from him — at least when we were younger — and he’s always been such an amazing player. So smart. He was always a good player, and it’s taken him a while to work up to where he is. I’m so happy for him that he’s got a great deal playing for his hometown team. He’s finally getting that recognition he deserves. Honestly, since we were kids, it’s been this way. He's kinda just been the forgotten guy, always quietly going about his business and doing his job. Really happy for him.”
The long-ago Twitter follows went head-to-head for eight minutes at 5-on-5 on Saturday at Rogers Place. Shots were a dead heat (5-5), but the Leafs outscored McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s line 2-0 in those shifts, en route to a rousing 7-2 win.
“Everyone knew the challenge we were up against, going against those two guys. They've had a great start to the season, and it was pretty much a whole team effort,” Raddysh said. “Everyone making sure they're being hard on them, and you know, trying to limit their time and space, and evidently coming out with a win.”
“I take pride in not getting scored on. I think that's something I've always lived by. If you're playing good defensively, offence will come. And the best defence is playing in the O-zone.”
Raddysh arrived in Toronto with the reputation as a power-play specialist, a booming point shot. But with Chris Tanev injured, he’s playing a shutdown role, killing some penalties, and seeing more ice than any other Leaf.
“I've tried to be good at (playing without the puck) over the years, and maybe sometimes I do get knocked a little bit for that,” Raddysh said. “But I know what I'm capable of, and just try to do my best every time out there.”
Nylander climbs the ladder
In typical Willy style, William Nylander was unaware that (a) he had scored his 300th goal and (b) had surpassed three-time 50-goal man Rick Vaive for sixth place on the Maple Leafs’ all-time goal-scoring list Saturday.
“It was nice to score 300, but I don't want to stop there,” Nylander said.
Just another number.
Thirty-three more goals and Nylander will pass Ron Ellis and move into Toronto’s top five.
“I hope he gets another 300; that’s what I'm thinking about,” coach Jim Hiller said. “He's had a great career so far, been a real popular Leaf, but I think he's got lots left. So, that's what I'm more focused on.”
Monday marks Nylander’s final trip to the Saddledome, site of the star’s first two hat tricks and the home rink of father Michael when he was born in 1996.
“It'll be a fun one. I mean, this building's got some character. I was here when I was born, watching my dad play, so it's been a long time, and I think the new one will be really nice. But fun, exciting last game,” Nylander said.
“This building's been around for a while, and I think it's fun coming into older buildings and playing there. So, it's special.”
Tanev goes for a twirl
The Maple Leafs turned Sunday’s practice into an optional skate, and the vast majority of skaters elected for an off-ice workout instead.
But Tanev, who proudly repped the Flames for four fan-favourite seasons, went for one last twirl inside the Dome.
Don’t expect the shutdown defenceman to play on this road trip, which runs through Saturday in Vancouver. He is still not cleared for contact, nor participating in full team practices.
Hiller does want the defencemen working out with Leafs staff and hanging around the team environment.
Tanev (IR, upper body) has been attending games. Morgan Rielly broke down Toronto’s win over the Rangers in the Leafs room with Tanev on Thursday before coming out to face reporters.
Bobrovsky ready to go?
In a mildly surprising but ultimately great decision, Hiller turned to backup Anthony Stolarz over No. 1 goalie Sergei Bobrovsky for Saturday’s showcase event in Edmonton.
Stolarz was stellar, no doubt, improving his record to 4-1.
Statistically, Bobrovsky (3-3-2, .895) had his worst start Thursday in a 5-4 win over the Rangers. Goalie analyst Steve Valiquette’s model suggests Bobrovsky should’ve only surrendered 1.48 goals in that outing. Instead, Bobrovsky’s save percentage was a season-low .840.
The 38-year-old did not practise with the team Friday, citing rest, and was not made available to speak Sunday.
“Save percentage, for me, that can be deceiving at times,” Hiller said. “He’s fine.”
The Maple Leafs rank a respectable eighth overall in team save percentage (.894).
“We like our goaltending tandem. I'll say that now. I'll say that all season,” Hiller asserted. “Those are two proven veteran goaltenders that I think give us a great one-two punch.”
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