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Michael Amato

@snmichaelamato.bsky.social
402 followers 107 following 1.2K posts

NHL writer 🏒 Sportsnet www.sportsnet.ca/author/michael-ama… open.spotify.com/show/3kvm6m34r0xO

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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
It's taken a decade but the Maple Leafs may have finally put together three formidable lines.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
At 5-on-5 this season, Evan Bouchard has now been on the ice for 11 goals for and only 1 against. #LetsGoOilers
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Points after their first 4 career games: - Connor McDavid (1) - Leon Draisaitl (1) - Nikita Kucherov (1) - Macklin Celebrini (2) - Gavin McKenna (2) Everybody breathe. #Leafs
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Sunday Overreactions for @Sportsnet Elias Pettersson is enjoying a resurgence to start the season. Could there be a centre-needy team willing to take a chance on him via trade if he can keep it going? #Canucks www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Sunday Overreactions: Canucks' Pettersson boosting trade value
With Elias Pettersson's impressive start to the year in Vancouver, could the Canucks' forward eventually intrigue a desperate team on the trade market? Michael Amato discusses Pettersson's resurgence...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Igor Shesterkin this season through 3 games: - .935 save percentage - 5.8 goals saved above expected - stopped 72 of 77 shots - 1 goal scored, 1 assist #NYR
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Sunday Overreactions for @Sportsnet Elias Pettersson is enjoying a resurgence to start the season. Could there be a centre-needy team willing to take a chance on him via trade if he can keep it going? #Canucks www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Sunday Overreactions: Canucks' Pettersson boosting trade value
With Elias Pettersson's impressive start to the year in Vancouver, could the Canucks' forward eventually intrigue a desperate team on the trade market? Michael Amato discusses Pettersson's resurgence...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Biggest issue for the Maple Leafs this season - Finishing. 32 high-danger chances through 3 games and just six goals. If you're going to lean in on a more free-flowing skilled type of game, you have to bury your chances.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
So much talk about Morgan Rielly's defensive play but the offense really dipped last year, too. Three points in the first three games so far. It's easier to live with defensive mistakes if Rielly is a 50-55 point defenceman.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
New for @Sportsnet The longer Hellebuyck, Nikishin & Edvinsson sit at home, the risk increases that any chance at a productive season will slip away. Here's a look at a few recent cases of players who missed camp/the start of the year & how they fared. www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: How notable players have fared after missing training camps
With a handful of key players still sitting out for various reasons, it's a good time to look at how others have performed after missing training camp or the start of a season. Michael Amato examines ...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
New for @Sportsnet The longer Hellebuyck, Nikishin & Edvinsson sit at home, the risk increases that any chance at a productive season will slip away. Here's a look at a few recent cases of players who missed camp/the start of the year & how they fared. www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: How notable players have fared after missing training camps
With a handful of key players still sitting out for various reasons, it's a good time to look at how others have performed after missing training camp or the start of a season. Michael Amato examines ...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Connor McDavid’s only flaw is that he’s not a goalie
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Marchenko scored 74 points in 79 games playing with these linemates in Columbus.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Sunday Overreactions for @Sportsnet You can make an argument that no player was hurt more by Craig Berube's system than Morgan Rielly. Now with a clean slate and different role, what does Rielly have to do to bounce back? www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Sunday Overreactions: Can Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly thrive in different role?
In his latest edition of Sunday Overreactions, Michael Amato asks whether or not Morgan Rielly can thrive again for the Maple Leafs in a different role.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Sunday Overreactions for @Sportsnet You can make an argument that no player was hurt more by Craig Berube's system than Morgan Rielly. Now with a clean slate and different role, what does Rielly have to do to bounce back? www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Sunday Overreactions: Can Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly thrive in different role?
In his latest edition of Sunday Overreactions, Michael Amato asks whether or not Morgan Rielly can thrive again for the Maple Leafs in a different role.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
New for @Sportsnet One flaw that could derail every division favourite www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: One flaw that could derail every division favourite
It's that time of the year where it's easy to pencil in a handful of teams that should cruise to a playoff spot or division title, but nothing is guaranteed. Michael Amato looks at the biggest potenti...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
New for @Sportsnet One flaw that could derail every division favourite www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: One flaw that could derail every division favourite
It's that time of the year where it's easy to pencil in a handful of teams that should cruise to a playoff spot or division title, but nothing is guaranteed. Michael Amato looks at the biggest potenti...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Not sure if it's just a coincidence but if the NHL does eventually expand to Austin or Houston, the last three expansion teams will be from no-tax states.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Re: Roslovic on the Maple Leafs top line 15 of his 21 goals last season came before Jan 31 17 of his 22 goals the year prior came before Dec 31 Maybe you can catch lightning in a bottle but Roslovic is essentially like a pitcher who can only go through the batting order twice
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Sunday Overreactions is back for another season at @Sportsnet Auston Matthews and Gavin McKenna will inevitably be united on the same line, but how soon should that happen? #LeafsForever www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Sunday Overreactions: Should Maple Leafs just play McKenna with Matthews right away?
Does it make sense for Gavin McKenna and Auston Matthews to play together immediately? Should Viggo Bjorck start the season with the Jets? Michael Amato explores both questions and more in the return ...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Sunday Overreactions is back for another season at @Sportsnet Auston Matthews and Gavin McKenna will inevitably be united on the same line, but how soon should that happen? #LeafsForever www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Sunday Overreactions: Should Maple Leafs just play McKenna with Matthews right away?
Does it make sense for Gavin McKenna and Auston Matthews to play together immediately? Should Viggo Bjorck start the season with the Jets? Michael Amato explores both questions and more in the return ...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New for @Sportsnet Which recent eye-popping long-term contract will age the best? www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: Which recent long-term deal will age best?
Sept. 15 is normally a quiet day on the NHL calendar, but this year it was all business. Michael Amato sifts through all the new long-term deals that were signed and breaks down which ones could age ...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Think another area where Gavin McKenna can help the Maple Leafs is drawing penalties with his shiftiness and elusiveness. Leafs ranked 29th in penalties drawn last season.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
New for @Sportsnet Which recent eye-popping long-term contract will age the best? www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: Which recent long-term deal will age best?
Sept. 15 is normally a quiet day on the NHL calendar, but this year it was all business. Michael Amato sifts through all the new long-term deals that were signed and breaks down which ones could age ...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Hellebuyck is one of the best at his craft, but he’s also 33, played 310 games over the past 5 seasons and making $8.5M for the next 5 years. Reality is more teams are looking for a Brandon Bussi or Scott Wedgewood than a Connor Hellebuyck. The view of the position has changed.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
New for @Sportsnet Biggest burning questions ahead of training camps. - Will Hellebuyck show up? - Do Sens and Batherson reach an extension? - Can Michkov regain his form? - Will Red Wings hire a GM? www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: Biggest burning questions heading into training camps
After a long summer of speculation, debate and pondering, the time for talk is over. Michael Amato offers up four burning questions being asked as NHL training camps get underway.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
New for @Sportsnet Biggest burning questions ahead of training camps. - Will Hellebuyck show up? - Do Sens and Batherson reach an extension? - Can Michkov regain his form? - Will Red Wings hire a GM? www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: Biggest burning questions heading into training camps
After a long summer of speculation, debate and pondering, the time for talk is over. Michael Amato offers up four burning questions being asked as NHL training camps get underway.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
The last time the Blue Jays were over .500? April 3rd. When they were 4-3.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
New for @Sportsnet What should the Wild do with Quinn Hughes? #mnwild www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: What should Wild do with Quinn Hughes?
Things rarely end well when you let a superstar enter the final year of his deal without an extension, but the Wild have some options to get creative where Quinn Hughes is concerned. Michael Amato bre...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
New for @Sportsnet What should the Wild do with Quinn Hughes? #mnwild www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Friday Four: What should Wild do with Quinn Hughes?
Things rarely end well when you let a superstar enter the final year of his deal without an extension, but the Wild have some options to get creative where Quinn Hughes is concerned. Michael Amato bre...
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Backs against the wall Blue Jays refuse to go away #BlueJays50
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Nice to see you again Vladimir Guerrero
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Blue Jays move to 68-70. Closest they’ve been to .500 since June 24th. #BlueJays50
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Given the state of the Blue Jays rotation and the fact they have four off days remaining in the season, Dylan Cease should be pitching every 5th day. Not every 5th game. Same with Soriano for that matter.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Cale Makar now making more than twice as much as: - Miro Heiskanen - Moritz Seider - Lane Hutson - Zach Werenski - Adam Fox - Jake Sanderson And almost twice as much as: - Rasmus Dahlin - Evan Bouchard It’s a new world.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Leo Carlsson had the league’s highest AAV for 26 days. ($18M) Then Macklin Celebrini took it for 30 days. ($18.8M) How long will Cale Makar hold it and who will take it from him? ($20.4M)
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Of course. I just meant Blackwood would have to be part of the return to make the money work. It would be additional pieces
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Sneaky team I wonder about for Connor Hellebuyck - Colorado. Would have to send Blackwood back and move some other things out/around, but think it’s possible if there’s mutual interest.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Worth noting that Quinn Hughes has no trade protection. Not saying the Wild won't get him extended or would move him, but theoretically they could trade him anywhere if things go sideways. Obviously whoever is hoping to acquire him would most likely want an extension, though.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
New for @Sportsnet Why Nikita Kucherov’s upcoming contract extension could get complicated for the Lightning. www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Why Nikita Kucherov's upcoming extension is complicated
Nikita Kucherov couldn’t have picked a more perfect time to deliver a dominant season and collect his second Hart Trophy. Michael Amato explains why in this edition of the Friday Four.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
New for @Sportsnet Why Nikita Kucherov’s upcoming contract extension could get complicated for the Lightning. www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/...
sportsnet.ca
Why Nikita Kucherov's upcoming extension is complicated
Nikita Kucherov couldn’t have picked a more perfect time to deliver a dominant season and collect his second Hart Trophy. Michael Amato explains why in this edition of the Friday Four.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Blue Jays move to 10-0 in their past 10 games following a loss. #BlueJays50
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Will be fascinating to see what Nikita Kucherov’s extension comes in at. The market has exploded and he just won the Hart Trophy but Kucherov is also 33 and Tampa is notorious for locking up players on team friendly deals.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Red Sox have only lost 15 of their past 50 games. Seven of those have come against the Blue Jays.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Blue Jays slowly becoming likeable again.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Just give Dylan Cease the Cy Young now.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
I get the cap is going up but I'm not sure the Blackhawks spending more than $20M this offseason on Bowen Byram and Patrick Kane is the best use of resources to try and aid Connor Bedard.
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Steve Yzerman as a player for the Red Wings: - 20 playoff appearances in 22 seasons Steve Yzerman as the GM of the Red Wings: - 0 playoff appearances in 7 seasons
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Brandon Bussi: - Never drafted - Played 111 AHL games - Claimed off waivers just prior to the 2025-26 season - Played his first career NHL game in October - Went 53 days without playing a game - Wins Game 4 and 5 of Cup Final Quite a story. #SoundtheSiren
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Brandon Bussi: - Never drafted - Played 111 AHL games - Claimed off waivers just prior to the 2025-26 season - Played his first career NHL game in October - Went 53 days without playing a game - Wins Game 4 and 5 of Cup Final Quite a story. #SoundtheSiren
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Michael Amato @snmichaelamato.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
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