Ryan Dixon

Toronto

Senior Writer at Sportsnet Canada

Senior writer for Sportsnet.ca

Articles

From L.A. to New York, top landing spots for Mitch Marner in free agency

2 weeks ago | bvmsports.com | Ryan Dixon

In the aftermath of another hollow spring, all kinds of talk - and no small amount of shouting - has been focused on the future of pending free agent Mitch Marner. And despite what angry Toronto sweater-tossers would tell you, all 32 clubs - including the only one that's ever provided Marner a paycheque so far - will have some level of interest until the moment he puts pen to paper on a new deal.
From L.A. to New York, top landing spots for Mitch Marner in free agency

2 weeks ago | sportsnet.ca | Ryan Dixon

In the aftermath of another hollow spring, all kinds of talk — and no small amount of shouting — has been focused on the future of pending free agent Mitch Marner. And despite what angry Toronto sweater-tossers would tell you, all 32 clubs — including the only one that’s ever provided Marner a paycheque so far — will have some level of interest until the moment he puts pen to paper on a new deal.
Conn Smythe rankings: Is Oilers' McDavid on pace to repeat?

2 weeks ago | sportsnet.ca | Ryan Dixon

Connor McDavid is already on one Conn Smythe Trophy short list; could he jump on a second this spring? Last season, McDavid became the sixth member of an exclusive club you must go through something excruciating to join — win playoff MVP without also winning the Stanley Cup.
Western Conference Final Preview: Oilers vs. Stars

2 weeks ago | sportsnet.ca | Ryan Dixon

Welcome to our first Western Conference Final rematch since 2014. Like the Chicago Blackhawks and Los Angeles Kings 11 years ago, the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars will meet for the second straight spring in 2025. This is Dallas’ third straight trip to the West final and fourth in six years dating back to the “bubble playoffs” in 2020.
Ranking the top trade deadline pickups still playing in Stanley Cup Playoffs

3 weeks ago | sportsnet.ca | Ryan Dixon

In extremely rare cases, trade deadline pickups can alter a team’s fortunes — not just for a single spring — but for years to come. And, given the way he’s played in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it’s easy to believe Mikko Rantanen will be the next name to join the short list of players who’ve done it. After beginning the playoffs with a single assist in four games, Rantanen has been a beast for the Dallas Stars, notching 18 points in his past seven outings.
Takeaways: Wilson's grit, goals key as Capitals even series with Hurricanes

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Ryan Dixon

Tom Wilson wasn’t going to let the Washington Capitals fall into a bigger hole. The Caps were, basically, already in must-win territory after losing Game 1 of their second-round series with the Carolina Hurricanes in overtime on home ice. With the pressure on in Game 2, Wilson made a beautiful play to set up the game-winning goal from John Carlson, then deposited the empty-net dagger to give Washington a 3-1 victory on Thursday night.
Who are the leading Conn Smythe Trophy candidates after Round 1?

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Ryan Dixon

Last year’s Conn Smythe Trophy winner is at it again. Despite how incredible the performance was, it might require an extra second to recall who was named MVP of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. That’s because, for just the second time in 21 years, the Conn Smythe recipient played for a squad that did not claim the championship.
Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Preview: Jets vs. Stars

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Ryan Dixon

Welcome to a second-round series where both teams likely feel like they’ve already spent the amount of emotional capital required to win the Stanley Cup. Two series went the full seven games in Round 1 and, as it happens, they were both Central Division matchups. On Saturday night, the Dallas Stars became the first club in NHL history to overcome a multiple-goal deficit in the third period of a Game 7 and win in 60 minutes.
NHL Draft Lottery power rankings: Which team is most deserving of No. 1 pick?

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Ryan Dixon

Monday night’s NHL Draft Lottery is going to have Stanley Cup-level stakes for the teams that did not make the playoffs. This is the 30-year anniversary of the league conducting a lottery for the first pick and the format has changed numerous times in that span. If you need a refresher on the current procedure, you’re surely not alone. The lottery is actually comprised of two draws; one to determine the top pick and a second to determine who picks No. 2.
Takeaways: Stars' Mikko Rantanen sends Avalanche packing

1 month ago | sportsnet.ca | Ryan Dixon

It was an all-time revenge game from Mikko Rantanen. There was no greater subplot in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs than Rantanen suiting up for the Dallas Stars to play the Colorado Avalanche squad he won the 2022 title with. On Saturday night in Texas, Rantanen scored the first third-period, Game 7 hat trick in NHL history to help Dallas erase a 2-0 final-frame deficit and earn a stunning 4-2 victory over the Avs.