Eric Francis

Sr columnist/analyst w Sportsnet. Formerly w HNIC, JACK FM & Post Media. Dad, husband, author, KidSport’s OG Ambassador, Pizza Pigout founder.

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

No one has scored more this spring than the 13 goals Brett Howden has piled up through 18 games.

Not the superstars. Not the usual suspects. Him. (@EricFrancis) https://t.co/SUQgYFa1aB

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

Sad day, as the architect of the Flames' only Stanley Cup team, Cliff Fletcher, has passed away at age 90. A man of immense class and integrity, he was also unafraid to make the big moves necessary to try finding the final pieces to a championship puzzle.
He was the first GM to bring a player from the Soviet Union (Sergei Priakin in 1988), and was later on the right side of the biggest trade in NHL history - a 10-player swap reuniting him with Doug Gilmour in Toronto for a deal involving Gary Leeman.
The city own Calgary owes him a debt of gratitude for building the expansion (Atlanta) Flames into champs.
Condolences to his family.

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

How the captain got ol’ Torts off the hook, and how the ill-advised coach’s challenge will continue to be a talking point despite the fact it didn’t cost his team as dearly as it should have. ⤵️

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

As much ink as there will be spilled over John Tortorella's failed challenge, it wasn't the reason the Golden Knights now find themselves tied 1-1 in the Stanley Cup Final.

@EricFrancis explains why ⤵️ https://t.co/zupqLzKcMo

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

Tortorella on what he saw that made him challenge: "I saw a loose puck in front of Freddy, our player stabbed it, didn't move the goalie, and it goes through and went to the other side. I'd challenge it 10 out of 10 times."

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

Tortorella: “I’d challenge it 10 out of 10 times.”

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

No Brayden McNabb to start the second, after taking that shot to the face.

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

Through three rounds and one Cup Finals game, Mitch Marner has done "anything he can" to help his team win, and it's paid dividends.

@EricFrancis and @lukefoxjukebox dive into that and much more ahead of Game 2. https://t.co/8gc8hsB7QJ

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

This…is the best.

[Autism Capital 🧩 @AutismCapital]

Remember the bird autist? His name is Samuel. He’s 11. And good news! Everyone loves him, respects him, he’s won the acknowledgement of his peers, and everything wonderful is going for him. An actual feel good story with no twists. Just winning. 👏🏼❤️

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

After making a mistake mere seconds into Game 1 that would have crushed the younger version of himself, Shea Theodore didn't just settle down. He took over.

@EricFrancis explains why Theodore's evolution has been vital to the Golden Knights. https://t.co/G7WrAJAHWq

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

Tomas Hertl didn’t just win Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final — he rescued it, rewrote it, and stamped his name all over it in a way that will only continue strengthening the belief his Golden Knights already have. (@EricFrancis)
https://t.co/U7HPWBcYyD

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

The legend lives on.

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

I asked Bill Daly for an update on the construction of Scotia Place, and Daly said, “I think we heard it's actually ahead of schedule… and what we saw was spectacular.”

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

Commissioner Bettman and NHLPA head Marty Walsh announce allstar game plans for 2027 at UBS Arena where the skill competition will involve 10 players all age 25 or under. The 3 on 3 game competition will be US, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Rest of the World. Fans vote on players

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

“This is the biggest stage in our game." Carolina and Vegas have proven they're built for pressure, but the pressure doesn't get higher than Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals

@lukefoxjukebox and @EricFrancis tee up the action. https://t.co/c7Ogqe47MH

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

Let’s do this.

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

“One of the first things he told me was, ‘the sky’s the limit for you.’” - Rasmus Andersson, who will open tonight’s Stanley Cup final with a heavy heart, following the loss of his agent and friend, Claude Lemieux.

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

Rasmus Andersson is battling difficult emotions as he enters his first Stanley Cup Final following the loss of his long-time agent, Claude Lemieux. (@EricFrancis) https://t.co/RfnLZXncRX

[Sportsnet @Sportsnet]

Rasmus Andersson is battling difficult emotions as he enters his first Stanley Cup Final following the loss of his long-time agent, Claude Lemieux. (@EricFrancis) https://t.co/RfnLZXncRX

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

This week’s EF Hour:

[Sportsnet 960 @Sportsnet960]

🔥 Still keeping an eye on Calgary.

@EricFrancis joined @Fan960Steinberg on #Flames Talk to discuss Rasmus Andersson and his continued connection to the city as he heads into the Stanley Cup Final.

LISTEN: https://t.co/w6GE7N7SBZ

[Eric Francis @EricFrancis]

I took this video from the press box last night at T-Mobile Arena to show how the water in my water bottle vibrates with the music as it reverberates through the building. There is no louder sound system in the NHL, and the crowd noise rivals any place too.