Mitch Marner responds to Nazem Kadri’s chirps with six assists in NHL all-star victory

SUNRISE, Fla.—Nazem Kadri never stops reminding Mitch Marner that he won the Stanley Cup.

It’s not quite the same, but Marner was a winner in Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game.

“It was a lot of fun,” said the Maple Leafs winger. “It was great to be a part of it. It’s fun … Couple guys were even giving it their all.”

Marner set a record in the three-on-three format with six assists over two games: three in a 7-4 win by the Atlantic Division for the championship over the Central, and three more assists in the Atlantic’s 10-6 win over the Metropolitan.

“My role was to play defence, get the puck and try to find (Dylan) Larkin and (Nikita) Kucherov out there on the rush. It was pretty easy playing with those two guys. Obviously they have a lot of skill and can do a lot of things with the puck.”

Kadri, the Calgary Flames centre whose Pacific Division team was eliminated early, spent some time catching up with his former Leafs teammate over the weekend.

“It’s not really so much about hockey when we talk,” said Kadri. “Mitch is like a little brother to me. I’ve known him for a long time. I just respect his maturity. But when he’s hanging out with the boys, he always lets his immaturity show a little bit because he’s a sparkplug. He’s so much fun to be around. I always love catching up on Mitch.”

Marner and Kadri were teammates from 2016 until 2019, when Kadri was traded to Colorado. He won the 2022 Cup with the Avalanche before leaving in free agency.

“(Marner) was a great teammate to me and he’s an awesome dude, and someone that I really appreciate.”

As for Kadri’s Stanley Cup? “He’s not afraid to tell you about that,” said Marner.

“Hey, I earned it … I always like to give him a hard time about it,” said Kadri.

They are the champions

The players on the winning Atlantic team shared $1 million (U.S.). Red Wings centre Larkin scored a hat trick, but local favourite Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers was named MVP. He had five points, including three goals in the first game, plus a goal and an assist in the final while playing with brother Brady of the Ottawa Senators and Panthers teammate Aleksander Barkov.

“Unreal experience, but I think that the week finally caught up to us in the second half of the second game,” said Matthew Tkachuk. “We didn’t have our chemistry, our legs. But to have the whole family and friends here, them being shown on the Jumbotron, just the whole experience, unreal.”

Dynamic duo

Longtime rivals Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin played together on the Metropolitan team that lost to the Atlantic.

“We had a couple more chances but didn’t execute. It’s on us. Obviously, goalie could play better, but — goalies,” said Ovechkin, teasing fellow Russian Igor Shesterkin of the New York Rangers.

Ovechkin scored once with an assist from Crosby; Crosby scored twice with Ovechkin assisting on both.

“I didn’t expect to get it back a couple of those times,” said Crosby. “I was thinking I just did my job, gave it to him. I thought he was going to finish it, but he was kind enough to send me a couple back.”

Marner bolts

Marner couldn’t pack his gear fast enough to go wherever he’s going for what is left of the Leafs’s bye week. They don’t have an official practice until Thursday. Marner will be in an undisclosed location until then: “You can see maybe on Instagram. I’m not telling anyone. I’m going to go enjoy some time with people that I cherish and have a good time.”

Keon’s day

Dave Keon was named man of the year by the NHL Alumni Association, but the Leafs legend couldn’t make the beachside brunch gala held in his honour because he tested positive for COVID.

A recorded message from Keon was played before the assembled crowd, including Bobby Orr, Gerry Cheevers, Pete Mahovlich, Eddie Johnston, Ron Francis and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. He thanked the league and alumni association — run by Glenn Healy — for helping retired players adjust to life after hockey, including with health care: “I would hope that any player or family that is struggling would take an opportunity to inquire about the services the alumni has to offer.”

Keon had a much publicized falling-out with the Leafs when Harold Ballard was owner, but the wounds were healed by current team president Brendan Shanahan. Keon’s No. 14 was retired, and he was named the greatest all-time Leaf. The four-time Stanley Cup winner didn’t mention the Leafs by name in his speech, but acknowledged his time with them.

“Teams that I was a part of had some success. Winning a Cup is hard and you have to have everybody buy in. We had that.”

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