A 12-year member of the Angel City Brigade was banned indefinitely by the Galaxy for using a press credential to put up an unauthorized banner on July 4.
Former Devils Goalie Signs With New Team
A former New Jersey Devils goalie is taking his talents overseas.
Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) has announced that they have signed former Devils goalie Louis Domingue to a one-year contract for the 2025-26 season.
Domingue made one NHL appearance this past season with the New York Rangers, where he stopped 25 out of 27 shots in a win. The 33-year-old spent the rest of the season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Hartford Wolf Pack, posting a 7-20-1 record, a .896 save percentage, and a 3.32 goals-against average in 28 games.
Domingue played in 16 games for the Devils during the 2019-20 season, recording a 3-8-2 record, a .882 save percentage, and a 3.79 goals-against average. He also had a 4-2-1 record, a .912 save percentage, and a 2.45 goals-against average in seven AHL games with the Binghamton Devils that season.
Domingue's time with the Devils ended when he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in February of the 2019-20 campaign in exchange for goalie Zane McIntyre.
In 144 career NHL games over 10 seasons split between the Arizona Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Devils, Canucks, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Rangers, Domingue had a 61-60-10 record, a .906 save percentage, and a 3.01 goals-against average.
Devils Star Named Among NHL's Best Young PlayersNew Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes is one of the NHL's brightest young stars, and he has now been recognized for it.
Photo Credit: © Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
Ducks Sign Drew Helleson to Two-Year Extension
The Ducks have now signed both of their arbitration-eligible restricted free agents.
On Friday, the Ducks announced that they signed defenseman Drew Helleson to a two-year extension with a $1.1 million AAV. This comes a day after Lukáš Dostál signed a five-year extension.
Helleson established himself as an NHL-caliber defensemen this past season, receiving a recall in November and never returning to the AHL after that. The then 23-year-old solidified a bottom pair spot alongside fellow Boston College alum Brian Dumoulin and, after a brief stint as a healthy scratch after Jacob Trouba was acquired from the New York Rangers in December, re-entered the lineup and continued to hold down that spot. Pavel Mintyukov became his most common defensive partner after Dumoulin was dealt to the New Jersey Devils at the trade deadline. Helleson also received a Calder vote this offseason.
It’s possible that Helleson filed for arbitration to seek out long-term security after he had nailed down a spot in the Ducks’ lineup. There will be plenty of competition for the right-side bottom pair spot again with Tristan Luneau expected to make the full-time jump to the NHL next season. With Helleson signed, the Ducks now presumably have their blue line set for the 2025-26 season.
Mason McTavish, Sam Colangelo and Tim Washe are now the three restricted free agents left for the Ducks to sign after completing extensions with Dostál and Helleson.
Featured image caption: Apr 3, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson (43) against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Devils First-Round Pick is Officially Headed to the KHL
It’s official, Canadian defenseman and former New Jersey Devils first-round pick Ty Smith has signed a one-year contract with Belarus-based KHL club Dinamo Minsk.
Rumors circulated earlier this week that the 2018 first-rounder would be leaving the NHL after five seasons in the league.
Smith initially made a strong impression in his rookie season (2020–21). After being selected 17th overall, he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team, tallying 23 points in 48 games. The following season, he recorded 20 points in 66 games.
However, his rookie year ultimately marked the peak of his NHL career. After 2020, his production began to decline. He saw a reduction in playing time and was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins after one more season with the Devils. Smith played just nine games for the Penguins, spending most of the season in the AHL, before being traded again, this time to the Carolina Hurricanes.
In total, Smith played 131 NHL games across five seasons and three teams, never matching the numbers from his debut campaign. Now, at 25, he’s officially headed to the KHL.
He turned 25 on July 1, qualifying him as an AHL veteran under league rules.
Smith spent most of last season with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, where he posted 28 points in 36 games and appeared in eight NHL games with the Hurricanes.
In free agency, the Hurricanes left him unprotected. He became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) and has now opted to continue his career overseas.
According to Belarushockey.com, Smith signed a one-year deal worth $500,000 with Dinamo Minsk.
Russian sports site Championat.com confirmed the signing on Thursday, as did the team via Telegram.
His future beyond next season remains uncertain. While there’s a chance Smith could return to the NHL, there’s currently no indication of a comeback.
Seven years ago, he was a top prospect, a first-round pick expected to be a cornerstone of the Devils' blue line.
Had he sustained his rookie-level performance, Smith might be skating alongside Hughes, Hamilton, and Nemec today.
Instead, at just 25, he departs the NHL in search of a fresh start internationally.
Photo Credit: © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
NHL Prospect Pool Overview ’25-26: Los Angeles Kings Are Loaded In Net, But The Pipeline’s Weakened
The Los Angeles Kings are the latest focus of our NHL prospect pool overview series.
Tony Ferrari digs into the Kings’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.
Initial Thoughts
The Kings' once-admired prospect pool has taken a few hits in recent years.
They are an example of just how fickle prospect development can be. They’ve become a bit of a cautionary tale for people who rely on the promise of tomorrow because sometimes, tomorrow never materializes.
Whether it’s players who never make it to the next level or guys who settle into roles lower in the lineup than expected, development isn’t linear, and a plethora of prospects doesn’t guarantee future success.
That said, the Kings have had success with past prospects. Quinton Byfield is just 22, and he’s becoming one of the most entertaining players in the game. Brandt Clarke is just scratching the surface of what he can be in the NHL. Alex Laferriere and Samuel Helenius have become legitimate NHL options. Alex Turcotte and Akil Thomas may not be the players the team once hoped, but they are good NHLers. Turcotte still might even have another level.
When it comes to their current pipeline, right winger Liam Greentree is the prize prospect. There aren’t many players in junior hockey who can make plays with defenders on their back or play through contact.
Greentree is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound power forward with incredible vision and the softest hands as a passer. Whether there is pressure on him or not, Greentree can fire bullets through traffic or feather a saucer pass over a defender's stick. His skating is improving, but he will never be a burner. Greentree is a tactician who generates offense at a high level.
The Kings have waited for Francesco Pinelli to pop off for a couple of years now, but he’s struggled in the AHL, with 29 points in 70 games this past season. Pinelli’s game is built around his intelligence and play-reading ability. He’s a step ahead of defenders and possesses the dual-threat scoring ability to take advantage of that, regardless of what is put in front of him. He must take a step and become an effective AHL player if he wants to remain a player worth tracking for Kings fans.
Martin Chromiak sits in a similar boat, but he’s had a bit more success in the AHL, with 39 points in 69 games this past season. He plays a very steady game, constantly looking to complement and play off his linemates. He doesn’t need to be the main guy on his line. He can settle into whatever role he needs to play, whether he’s the triggerman or the set-up guy. Chromiak can likely play some NHL games this year, but whether he can adapt and play a bottom-six role will affect his chances of sticking in The Show.
While he doesn’t have high-end upside on offense, Koehn Ziemmer is a right winger with a heavy shot who loves to throw heavy hits as well. Whether he’s inviting contact and throwing reverse hits or battling in the corners to come out with the puck, Ziemmer has “bottom-six nuisance” all over him. He has a good enough shot that there is a chance he scores 20 goals at the NHL level as well. His first full AHL season will be fun to watch.
On the blueline, the Kings have drafted, developed and traded quite a few of their prospects, and that’s left them a little barren on the back end.
Jakub Dvorak is a big, physical defender who played his rookie season in the AHL this past year and looked better than his four points and minus-8 rating would imply. He isn’t much of a puck-mover, but he kills play, uses his full 6-foot-5 frame to shut things down with his stick and with his body. He is simple, but he can be very effective.
This will be Kirill Kirsanov’s first season in North America, so it will be interesting to see how his game translates. He’s got some size and physical presence. He’s a good skater as well. He knows how to get the puck up ice, and he gets involved in the rush at times. When Kirsanov is in his own end, he tries to close out and engage as much as he can, but he can get a bit too eager. Playing within a more structured system in the AHL could really help his game.
U-23 Players Likely to Play NHL Games This Season
Brandt Clarke (D), Samuel Helenius (C/W), Martin Chromiak (LW/RW), Quinton Byfield (C/LW)
2025 NHL Draft Class
Round 1, 31st overall - Henry Brzustewicz, D, London (OHL)
Round 2, 59th overall - Vojtech Cihar, LW, Karlovy Vary (Cze.)
Round 3, 88th overall - Kristian Epperson, LW, Saginaw (OHL)
Round 4, 120th overall - Caeden Herrington, D, Lincoln (USHL)
Round 4, 125th overall - Jimmy Lombardi, C, Flint (OHL)
Round 5, 152nd overall - Petteri Rimpinen, G, Kiekko-Espoo (Fin.)
Round 6, 184th overall - Jan Chovan, C, Tappara Jr. (Fin.)
Round 7, 196th overall - Brendan McMorrow, C, Waterloo (USHL)
Round 7, 216th overall - Will Sharpe, D, Kelowna (WHL)
The Kings had a big draft class, with nine total picks. This allowed them to add solid players to their pipeline right at a time when Los Angeles’ prospect pool needed them.
At the tail end of the first round, the Kings added one of the more intriguing prospects in the class, Henry Brzustewicz. He has some fascinating offensive tools as a playmaker. He moves fairly well, especially when on the attack. Brzustewicz also has some really nice creativity, which allowed him to make an impact as a draft eligible on a loaded London Knights squad. His defensive game is a bit of a concern, especially when the puck is in the tough areas along the boards or down low. In space, he can be exposed a bit by quicker forwards who like to go east-west. There’s some nice upside, but he needs work.
Vojtech Cihar is a raw prospect with some nice mobility. He’s been fairly noticeable when playing for Czechia at international tournaments. He’s a depth player at the pro level who can outwork opponents on the forecheck and on the backcheck. Cihar is a safe pick, and he could be a solid third-liner one day.
The Kings took overage left winger Kristian Epperson, who played with San Jose's second overall pick, Michael Misa. He was consistently the “Robin” to Misa’s “Batman,” and just like the comic book sidekick, Epperson found ways to provide value. His lone OHL season was quite impressive, as he demonstrated some slick skills and passing ability. He’s committed to the University of Denver, where he can get stronger and faster, which should help address some of his pace issues. Epperson will be a solid complementary offensive player as a pro if he can increase his pace.
Another overage draft pick, Caeden Herrington has some physical tools and joins the play. But he isn’t the most fluid skater, which holds him back. He is an incomplete picture at the moment, but after a couple of years at the University of Vermont, he could become an interesting two-way defender.
Jimmy Lombardi is a ball of clay waiting for the right organization to mold him. He has some really enticing skills with the puck, some really creative passing and a very good shot. When Lombardi can dictate play at times, but he seemed tentative occasionally. He’s very intelligent on the defensive side and is the rare prospect who projects as a potential center later in the draft. Lombardi is a really nice upside pick for the Kings.
In the fifth round, the Kings nabbed goalie Petteri Rimpinen, who was arguably the most valuable player to his team at the World Junior Championship. He carried a lackluster roster to the final before losing to the powerhouse Americans. Rimpinen’s standout performances weren’t isolated to international play, though, as he was stellar in the Liiga against the top competition in Finland. He’s an overage prospect, but he was one of the top goalies in the draft regardless of age.
There was some hype about Jan Chovan coming into his draft year, but it died down after he didn’t blow anyone away at the Finnish junior level. Chovan showed some solid defensive ability, but his offensive tools were simple and even ineffective at times. He didn’t seem to find a way to bridge his power and skill, which left him trying to figure out what he was. He’s going to the OHL next season, so hopefully he can find some offensive touch in the more structured North American game.
Brendan McMorrow showed some nice speed and energy this past season with the United States League’s Waterloo Black Hawks. He found ways to score 24 goals, but he faded in and out. He could be a solid energy line guy who crashes the net and creates havoc. Taking this kind of swing late makes a ton of sense for the Kings.
Will Sharpe’s tools on defense are certainly worth the bet. Quite honestly, I was expecting him to go a little earlier in the draft. When he’s on his game, Sharpe will make plays at both ends of the ice, throwing some big hits and firing crisp passes. His defensive consistency and engagement were issues at times, but he still showed enough in his own end to believe they could improve. In the offensive zone, he moves the puck and shows some creative thinking.
Strengths
The Kings' pipeline in net is pretty impressive, and that's on top of 24-year-old Erik Portillo being AHL Ontario's backup for a couple of years now and playing his first NHL game this past season.
Carter George is one of the most interesting goalie prospects in hockey, putting up outstanding numbers wherever he goes.
He was Canada’s best player at the world juniors and posted a .936 save percentage despite being an 18-year-old playing behind one of the most uninspiring U-20 Canadian rosters we’ve seen in quite some time.
George had a two-game stint in the AHL to finish his season, allowing just one goal.
Rimpinen was maybe the only netminder better than George at the world juniors, leading Finland to a silver medal.
The veteran of the group is Hampton Slukynsky, and he might just be the sneakiest great goalie prospect in hockey. We’ll get into that in the Hidden Gem portion below, though.
Weaknesses
For a team that once had one of the best prospect pools in hockey, not that long ago, the holes all over the Kings' pipeline are concerning.
They have a couple of decent forwards, and they have managed to build up a solid goalie pipeline, but the defense group is low upside at best.
Dvorak, Kirsanov and Salin are fine prospects, but they don’t have much upside. The one defender with a bit more upside is a recent draftee, Brzustewicz, who is an offensively gifted player, but he has holes elsewhere. They must add to the back end because some of their NHL defenders are getting a little older and losing their A-game.
Hidden Gem: Hampton Slukynsky, G
Slukynsky has been on an impressive run since being drafted 118th overall in 2023.
Slukynsky was dominant for the Fargo Force in his draft-plus-one season, helping them win the Clark Cup as USHL champions.
As a freshman at the University of Western Michigan in 2024-25, he put up excellent numbers to help lead the nation’s most under-the-radar team to the Frozen Four. Once there, Slukynsky was a wall for the Mustangs as they took down two juggernauts, the defending-champion University of Denver and heavily favored Boston University, to capture the NCAA title.
All Slukynsky has done since being drafted is win. As the backup at the World Junior Championship this past year, he played in just two round-robin games and came away with a gold medal. Even as the third goalie at the World Championship, where he didn‘t get into a game, Slukynsky came home with a gold medal. Slukynsky might not be the hottest name in the Kings system, but he’s undoubtedly one of their top prospects.
Next Man Up: Martin Chromiak, RW/LW
The Kings don’t have an obvious “Next Man Up.” There’s a chance Greentree ends up getting a chance in the NHL as he’s racked up over 200 points over the past two seasons in the OHL, and playing there another season might not help that much. Having signed his entry-level contract already, the NCAA route isn’t an option for the 19-year-old.
Martin Chromiak might be a call-up option after a decent couple of seasons in the AHL. Chromiak is an excellent complementary player who reads off linemates quite well and fills the gaps. He can function as a playmaker or finisher, help in transition or even use his reads to help on the forecheck. He could be a bottom-six depth scorer. He’s not the fun option or the obvious “Next Man Up,” but he could be the more realistic.
Prospect Depth Chart Notables
LW: Vojtech Cihar, Kristian Epperson, Brendan McMorrow
C: Francesco Pinelli, Jan Chovan, Jimmy Lombardi, Jack Hughes, Kenny Connors
RW: Liam Greentree, Koehn Ziemmer, James Reeder, Martin Chromiak, Jared Wright
LD: Jakub Dvorak, Kirill Kirsanov, Angus Booth, Will Sharpe, Jared Woolley
RD: Henry Brzustewicz, Otto Salin, Jack Sparkes
G: Erik Portillo, Carter George, Petteri Rimpinen, Hampton Slukynsky
For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.
Panthers Prospect Pool Receives Solid Grade From Draft Expert
The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari is currently putting together his 2025-26 prospect pool overview for each NHL team, and recently, he covered the Florida Panthers, who received a fair bit of praise.
When teams are winning Stanley Cups, their prospect pool is usually on the weaker side, as they often trade many of their draft picks and prospects for NHL-caliber players to bolster their roster. While that has been true for the Panthers, they've done an adamant job of keeping some pieces who could carve out roles in the future, even if they don't project to be future star players.
Jack Devine headlined Ferrari's overview, who he believes is the next man up after Mackie Samoskevich graduated to a full-time NHL player last season. Devine is a 6-foot right-winger who doesn't play a very flashy game, but is aggressive on the forecheck and forces his way into high-danger scoring areas.
After four standout seasons at the University of Denver, which included two National Championship wins, Devine is expected to play the 2025-26 season in the AHL with the Charlotte Checkers, where he has already garnered some experience.
Sandis Vilmanis and Linus Eriksson were the next two Panther prospects to get rave reviews from Ferrari. Vilmanis completed his first professional season in North America, scoring nine goals and 27 points in 61 AHL games. The 6-foot-2 Latvian winger has a very strong shot and great hands in tight, which gives the 21-year-old projectable NHL skills.
Eriksson had a strong season defensively in Sweden, but the offensive part of his game didn't really translate. The 19-year-old appears to have the game of a solid bottom-six NHL center, but the Panthers will likely hope Eriksson can push for more.
Gracyn Sawchyn continued to put up staggering offensive numbers in the WHL, notching 30 goals and 78 points this past season, leading the Edmonton Oil Kings in both statistics. His jump from the WHL to the AHL next season should tell more about how he projects, but there is a firm belief that his game can continue to improve.
Ferrari believes Simon Zether is the Panthers' hidden gem. The 19-year-old is a two-way center who had a strong season with Vasteras in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second league. He put up four goals and 12 points in 25 games, while continuing to be a physical presence and winning a majority of his puck battles. Listed at 6-foot-3, 194 pounds, the right-handed faceoff man could carve out a future NHL role as a bottom-six center if he continues his development path.
Because the Panthers have been all in on winning Stanley Cups for the past three seasons, the draft picks they've expended finally caught up to them. At the 2025 NHL Draft, the Panthers did not make a selection until the fourth round. Each player they selected seemed to fit the mold of being very raw, which tends to happen when selecting in the middle rounds.
NHL Prospect Pool Overview ’25-26: Florida Panthers’ Pipeline Isn’t Completely BarrenThe Florida Panthers are next up in our NHL prospect pool overview series.
Ferrari's Panthers' Prospect Pool Strengths:
"The Panthers’ one area of strength in their pipeline is on the wing. Even the players listed down the middle are more likely to find success at the pro level on the wing."
"Sawchyn is a highly skilled, pace-pushing forward who could be a fun winger. Vilmanis is getting closer to being an impact player in the pros. Devine very well could play NHL games this upcoming season. Drott is a raw, speedy forward with a great shot, but must refine things as he develops. They don’t have a star prospect in general, but they have a few wingers who could be effective depth pieces."
Ferrari's Panthers' Prospect Pool Weaknesses:
"The Panthers’ prospect pool as a whole is weaker than most, but it’s not nearly as barren as some would expect. With that said, the defense group is lacking in a major way."
"Michael Benning is an unsigned RFA. Shuravin took a nice step last year, proving himself to be at least a capable puck-mover, but he played primarily at the Russian junior level. Vladislav Lukashevich transferred from Michigan State to Miami-Ohio this off-season as he couldn’t really secure a role with MSU. Evan Nause has struggled to break out of the ECHL over the last two seasons. There just doesn’t seem to be much in the way of NHL-caliber defenders in the system."
NBA power rankings 2025-26: Where do teams stand after NBA offseason? Rockets, Nuggets chase Thunder at top
While there is still some offseason business to get done — where does Jonathan Kuminga land? Will Luka Doncic sign an extension with the Lakers? — the majority of rosters are now settled. We have seen the rookies at NBA Summer League. Which means, it's time for a summer edition of our NBA Power Rankings.
TRUE TITLE CONTENDERS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
(Last season 68-14)
The defending champions are the team everyone else is chasing — they locked up their core three (Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren) with extensions and are running it back pretty much the same roster that just won 68 games and a ring. At Summer League, Ajay Mitchell looked ready for more minutes and Nikola Topic looked ready for some. This team just gets deeper and better.
2. Houston Rockets
(Last season 52-30)
It's obvious to say Kevin Durant fills in the missing piece of the puzzle in the half court that Houston lacked, that doesn't make it any less correct. That, plus the growth of their young players, makes the Rockets title contenders. Adding Dorian Finney-Smith to the rotation was one of the sneaky best pickups of the offseason, which makes the Rockets' defense and depth that much better.
3. Denver Nuggets
(Last season 50-32)
With days left in the last season, the Nuggets fired coach Michael Malone, then this offseason went out and did what he had been begging the franchise to do for years — acquire quality veterans. Jonas Valanciunas is the best backup big of the Jokic era and it's not close. Cam Johnson will be an upgrade over Michael Porter Jr. (especially defensively), and Tim Hardaway Jr. and the return of Bruce Brown are exactly what this team needed. Denver took OKC 7 in the last playoffs and improved this offseason.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers
(Last season 64-18)
I'm higher on the Cavaliers next season than a lot of people, partially because I don't put as much stock in their playoff exit as most. Darius Garland is critical to this team's success, and his trying to play through turf toe changed everything. If healthy, and with Evan Mobley taking another step forward, this team is a legit contender with Donovan Mitchell as the go-to star.
SECOND CIRCLE CONTENDERS
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
(Last season 49-33)
They have been to back-to-back Western Conference Finals and Anthony Edwards is still improving — do not sleep on this team. The Timberwolves locked up Julius Randle and Naz Reid, but losing Nickeil Alexander-Walker is going to sting. A lot.
6. New York Knicks
(Last season 51-31)
The question isn't, "Is Mike Brown a better coach than Tom Thibodeau?" The question is, "Does having a different voice in Mike Brown and going deeper into the bench during the regular season make a difference?" We shall see. Brown takes over a job with more pressure than any other coach in the league.
PLAYOFFS OR BUST
7. Los Angeles Clippers
(Last season 50-32)
The Clippers have a stacked regular-season lineup. They locked up James Harden coming off an All-NBA season, and they added quality size up front in Brook Lopez and John Collins. Bradley Beal steps right into the Norman Powell role (and the team may not miss a beat). This is a big and deep roster that can rest Kawhi Leonard a fair amount during the regular season and still win a lot of games (trust Harden in the playoffs at your own peril).
8. Orlando Magic
(Last season 41-41)
Orlando had as good an offseason as any team in the league — Desmond Bane is a perfect fit for this roster. Tyus Jones is exactly what this team needs behind Jalen Suggs at the point. Keep Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner healthy, and this team is a threat in the East. I have them as the No. 3 seed at the moment.
9. Los Angeles Lakers
(Last season 50-32)
There is always drama swirling around LeBron James and the Lakers, but don't buy into the trade talk — LeBron will be with the team when training camp opens. So will skinny Luka Doncic, and if that duo can prod Deandre Ayton to care and play hard the majority of the time, this Lakers team is a playoff threat. They are going to miss Dorian Finney-Smith and his shooting (and perimeter defense).
10. Golden State Warriors
(Last season 48-34)
If the Stephen Curry/Jimmy Butler/Draymond Green core can stay healthy and everything breaks their way, the Warriors could make a nice postseason run. Not to state the obvious, but the health of the Curry/Butler/Green core is a legit concern. The Golden State Warriors receive an incomplete grade for their offseason until the Jonathan Kuminga situation is resolved (they currently only have nine players on the roster for next season; there is work to be done here).
11. Milwaukee Bucks
(Last season 48-34)
Giannis Antetokounmpo said he would "probably" return to the Bucks, which feels like an understatement (he added, "I love Milwaukee"). It doesn't matter how many teams are monitoring the situation if he doesn't force his way out, and it doesn't appear he will this summer. Myles Turner is an upgrade over Brook Lopez at this point in their careers. However, the Bucks need another ball handler and shot creator at the two/three slot, or there is a serious ceiling on this team.
12. Atlanta Hawks
(Last season 40-42)
No team had a better offseason than Atlanta, which is why they jump in these rankings to what would be the fifth seed in the East. Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a fantastic fit at guard, bringing needed shooting and defense, while Luke Kennard adds more shooting. If he's healthy, Kristaps Porzingis brings the shot-blocking presence this team needs, plus he will be a great pick-and-pop partner with Trae Young. The biggest Atlanta addition: Getting Jalen Johnson healthy. Throw in the expected growth from Zaccharie Risacher and Atlanta looks like a team that could make some noise in the East.
13. Detroit Pistons
(Last season 44-38)
This ranking almost feels too low for a team that announced its arrival last season, but did they do enough to move up? Despite rumors, there were no big, bold moves by the Pistons this offseason — the team has no Robin to Cade Cunningham's Batman — but Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson will fit in well as role players.
14. Philadelphia 76ers
(Last season 24-58)
This ranking is either way too low or way too high. If Joel Embiid and Paul George are healthy next season, the 76ers are title contenders; if it's another season of them looking older and injured, the lottery is in their future. VJ Edgecombe showcased his athleticism at Summer League, and he, Tyrese Maxey, and Jared McCain form an impressive young trio that could be the future in Philly. But first, the present needs to play out.
15. San Antonio Spurs
(Last season 34-48)
Victor Wembanyama is healthy and cleared following the resolution of the blood clot issue in his shoulder. If the Spurs' "problem" is figuring out how to fit De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle together in the same backcourt, that's a good problem to have. We'll get a feel for what the Spurs think of their future direction next month when it's time for Fox to receive a contract extension.
16. Memphis Grizzlies
(Last season 48-34)
The Grizzlies will miss Desmond Bane, but if Kentavious Caldwell-Pope finds his rhythm again in Memphis he can help mitigate a lot of that. Memphis locked up Jaren Jackson Jr. and they made a quality pickup in Ty Jerome. If Ja Morant can stay healthy and find a little more efficiency, this ranking may prove too low.
17. Boston Celtics
(Last season 61-21).
Jayson Tatum may be sidelined for most (if not all) of next season, and Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis are gone, but there is still talent on this roster. Jaylen Brown is poised for a big season with a larger shot creation role, Derrick White is still out there knocking down clutch shots, plus Anfernee Simons is going to get them some buckets. This team is not a contender, but it's also not a pushover this season.
18. Dallas Mavericks
(Last season 39-43)
Cooper Flagg lived up to the hype at Summer League, and what impressed most is that it wasn't just his scoring — that was up and down in terms of efficiency, which is to be expected in his first year — but it was his defense and playmaking that stood out. With D'Angelo Russell at the point, and if Anthony Davis can stay healthy, this is a solid team that should improve as the year goes on.
Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg with the monster help side block, transition push and assist for go-ahead jumper in final minute vs. Lakers pic.twitter.com/rBXktQp0HH
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 11, 2025
Play-In Hopefuls
19. Miami Heat
(Last season 37-45)
Trading for Norman Powell from the Clippers was a steal, he is exactly what Miami needs as a secondary shot creator next to Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. That said, this was a middle-of-the-pack Heat team last season that made no bold moves, no massive upgrades, leaving them in the same spot they were a year ago.
20. Toronto Raptors
(Last season 30-52)
This team certainly has talent — Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, Immanuel Quickly, RJ Barrett — but that talent overlaps more than fits together. This just feels like an oddly constructed team. And among all that good talent, is there a true No. 1 option on a playoff team? The Jakob Poeltl re-signing makes sense on the court, but it felt like an overpay.
21. Portland Trail Blazers
(Last season 36-46)
Damian Lillard's return home is heartwarming, but it doesn't help the team on the court this season. However, that team is interesting, potentially good, and may make this ranking look too low. Their starting five opening night could be Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant and Donovan Clingan, with Scoot Henderson, Toumani Camara and maybe some Yang Hansen off the bench (his passing is infectious for a team's offense, but his defense and strength need work to get serious NBA rotation minutes). We'll see if the post All-Star Game run from last season can extend into this one.
22. Chicago Bulls
(Last season 39-43)
What exactly is the plan in Chicago? Still trying to figure that out. Turning Lonzo Ball into Isaac Okoro isn't exactly an upgrade. At least the Bulls are negotiating with Josh Giddey and not just handing him the bag (ala Patrick Williams). The Bulls and Giddey remain about $6-$10 million a season apart on reaching a new deal (Giddey is seeking $30 million a season, the Bulls are thinking low $20 millions). No. 12 pick Noa Essengue had a rough first game at the Las Vegas Summer League but looked better getting to his shot as he played more games. Despite all those questions, this ranking might be too low for a team that should more likely hover around .500.
23. Sacramento Kings
(Last season 40-42)
It's just a matter of fit. Bringing in veteran Dennis Schroder to run the point is a solid move on one level — he's a quality NBA rotation one — but he's not a feared shooter. Play him with DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, and teams can just pack the paint and dare the Kings to beat them from 3. This is another team where the long-term plan is unclear, despite having some talent on the roster. What's the vision? On the bright side, rookies Maxime Raynaud and Nique Clifford have looked pretty good at Summer League.
24. Indiana Pacers
(Last season 50-32)
This will be the Andrew Nembhard team for a season (while Tyrese Haliburton recovers from his torn Achilles, the ball will be in his hands). Pascal Siakam will also be asked to do more shot creation, and with that, he should see a bump in his stats. Jay Huff is a solid signing at center, but this team lacks a defensive presence in the paint. It's going to be a rough year in Indy after such a magical run a year ago.
25. Charlotte Hornets
(Last season 19-63)
Charlotte had a good offseason, that doesn't mean they are a good team yet — although they could well be a play-in or maybe playoff team if LaMelo Ball can stay healthy for 65+ games. At least there seems to be a plan under new ownership and a new front office. Collin Sexton was a solid pickup for next to nothing. No. 4 pick Kon Knueppel's shooting is needed and he can slot next to Ball and Brandon Miller. I like just drafted center Ryan Kalkbrenner, he impressed me at Summer League with his defense.
Dreaming of Lottery Luck (already)
26. Washington Wizards
(Last season 18-64)
There are some interesting young players on this roster: Bub Carrington, Alex Sarr, Bilal Coulibaly, Cam Whitmore, Keyshawn George, and the just-drafted Tre Johnson (who is fun to watch because he has yet to meet a shot he doesn't like). The concern: At one point at the Las Vegas Summer League, the Wizards rolled out a five-man lineup of guys who will get minutes on the team this fall, and they got run out of the building by the summer Suns (not exactly a powerhouse squad). It's concerning. Still, this is a team with a plan and making better decisions than it did a couple of years ago.
27. New Orleans Pelicans
(Last season 21-61)
There are so many inconsistent players on this roster, but if everything clicks this ranking will be WAY too low. That starts with Zion Williamson staying healthy, which remains the pivot point with this team. Then there's the need for a good Jordan Poole season, both Trey Murphy II and Herb Jones staying healthy and playing well on the wings, and rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen contributing. That's a lot of "if" that have to come together this season, and don't get started on the long term.
28. Phoenix Suns
(Last season 36-46)
Phoenix had a relatively good offseason considering they reset the roster and started to retool around Devin Booker. That doesn't mean they got better. Kevin Durant is in Houston, Bradley Beal will be an anchor on their books for five years but is in Los Angeles, and Booker is now locked up for another two years. Jalen Green is going to get a lot of shots. Rookie Khaman Maluach showed promise at Summer League, but also reminded everyone that he is a bit of a project that will take some time to live up to his potential.
29. Brooklyn Nets
(Last season 26-56)
This is what rebuilding should look like, but it's going to be a rough season on the court. The trade to acquire Michael Porter Jr. was a good one — he is going to put up points (inconsistently, but points nonetheless) this season, and that 2032 Denver first-round pick is gold. Egor Demin and especially Nolan Traore impressed with their potential at Summer League, but they are rookies learning the game. Whatever the over is on Cam Thomas' shots, bet it (the sides will work out the restricted free agency before the season begins).
30. Utah Jazz
(Last season 17-65)
This is what a rebuilding team should be doing, but it will likely result in a rough season on the court. Trading away John Collins and Collin Sexton is the latest sign the team will turn the keys over to young players (Lauri Markkanen remains, unless they get blown away by a trade offer). Ace Bailey is a project but immensely talented, while Walter Clayton showed some potential at the Las Vegas Summer League. Kyle Filipowski might have been the best player in Las Vegas and looks ready for a bigger role and minutes this season.
Blackhawks' Connor Bedard Receives Massive Praise
Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard just completed his second NHL season, and it is hard not to be optimistic about his future with the Original Six club. In 82 games on the year, the 5-foot-10 forward set new career highs with 23 goals, 44 assists, and 67 points. When noting that he was only 19 years old throughout the entire 2024-25 campaign, this kind of production is quite impressive.
In two NHL seasons, Bedard has recorded 45 goals, 83 assists, and 128 points in 150 games. The 2023 first-overall pick is already a star, and he has now gotten some serious praise for his excellent play because of it.
Nine writers at NHL.com voted for the 25 best players under 23 years old, and Bedard had the most voting points with 236. With this, he ranked ahead of fellow exciting young NHL stars like Macklin Celebrini (232 voting points), Lane Hutson (229 voting points), and Wyatt Johnston (217 voting points).
Given how incredible a talent he is, it is understandable that Bedard ended up with the most voting points with this list. The potential for Bedard to become a legitimate superstar is certainly there, and it will be a blast to see what kind of season he puts together in 2025-26. The possibility of him producing over a point per game cannot be ruled out.
Connor Bedard Had Very Impressive Pre-20s NHL ShowingConnor Bedard just turned 20 years old, so that means he can't tack on anymore points as a teenager. But given what he did on a bad Chicago Blackhawks team for his first two seasons in the NHL, it was very impressive.
Photo Credit: © Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Penguins Made Good Move Trading For Former Canucks Goalie
The Pittsburgh Penguins have had a busy off-season, as they have brought in multiple new players. One of them is goaltender Arturs Silovs, as the Penguins acquired him from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick earlier this month.
With the Penguins needing help between the pipes, bringing in a young goalie like Silovs was undoubtedly a smart move by the Metropolitan Division club. This is especially so when noting that they did not need to give up much at all to get him.
As a young goalie, Silovs is naturally still adjusting to the NHL level. In 19 career regular-season games over three seasons, he has recorded an 8-8-2 record, a .880 save percentage, and a 3.13 goals-against average.
While Silovs has had some struggles in the NHL early on, he also notably had a solid post-season with Vancouver in 2024. During it, he helped lead the Canucks past the Nashville Predators in the first round and memorably had a 28-save shutout in Vancouver's series-clinching win. He also won three games during the Canucks' second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers that year.
Silovs' outstanding post-season play this year in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks was also very encouraging. In 24 games, he had a 16-7 record, a 2.01 goals-against, and a .931 save percentage. Due to his remarkable play, he helped Abbotsford win the Calder Cup, and he was the recipient of the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the AHL's playoff MVP.
Given what Silovs has shown, especially during the playoffs, it is hard not to feel some optimism about his future. Bringing him in is an incredibly low-risk move for the Penguins, and the possibility of him emerging as a true NHL goalie is certainly there. If Silovs can build off his excellent 2025 AHL post-season, he could be a strong pickup for the Penguins.
It will be fascinating to see what kind of season Silovs has in his first year with the Penguins organization from here.
Exciting Penguins Prospect Named Among Top Young GoaliesThe Pittsburgh Penguins are hopeful that goaltender Joel Blomqvist will become a long-term answer for them between the pipes. It is understandable, as the 23-year-old has shown promise at the American Hockey League (AHL) level with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins early on in his career.
Photo Credit: © Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Four major questions the Dodgers face in the second half of the season
They have the most wins in the National League. They have an almost 95% chance of winning their division, according to Fangraphs’ computer models. And, in the eyes of Vegas bookmakers, are still the overwhelming favorites to repeat as World Series champions.
Yet, after an up-and-down opening half that saw the Dodgers fall short of their all-time (and, admittedly, somewhat unrealistic) expectations, the team kicks off the second half of its season on Friday night facing plenty of problems, and grappling with important unknowns, as it embarks on the second half of the schedule.
“Good first half,” manager Dave Roberts said before the All-Star break. “But yeah, we should want to get better.”
As the second half gets underway, here are four big questions in the Dodgers’ quest to improve down the stretch and try to defend their 2024 title.
Read more:Hernández: Secret to Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 2025 success? His hero-like effort in NLDS Game 5
Will the pitching get/stay healthy?
It’s an age-old question when it comes to the Dodgers, cast upon a new-look roster battling familiar injury-related headaches.
In a best-case scenario, the Dodgers could end the season with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani (in some capacity) headlining their rotation.
In the bullpen, they could have Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol bolstering more heavily-used arms like Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Kirby Yates — plus wild-card options in Ben Casparius, Emmet Sheehan and Jack Dreyer to serve in more versatile roles on the mound.
But best-case pitching scenarios, of course, have often been unrealized fantasies with the franchise in recent years.
Read more:Hernández: 'Time heals everything.' Freddie Freeman, Braves fans find peace at All-Star Game
Thus, down the stretch this season, the Dodgers’ top priority (after winning the division and securing a first-round bye) will be keeping their arms as healthy as possible.
That will be most important with Glasnow (who just returned from a shoulder injury) and Snell (who should be back from his own shoulder problem in the next couple of weeks). To this point, the Dodgers have signaled a reluctance to urgently pursue a starter at the trade deadline. And even if they did, the lack of available front-line options means it’d be difficult to insure against either (or, in a nightmare world) both going down again.
The Dodgers have been interested in adding to the bullpen, and might set their sights on a legitimate closer given Scott’s season-long struggles. But still, much of their depth will depend on Treinen (who is also nearing a return from a forearm injury), Kopech (who went on the 60-day IL after a knee surgery, but is still expected back this season) and Graterol (who is also still expected to return after missing the first half recovering from offseason shoulder surgery).
The Dodgers also have their fingers crossed on Roki Sasaki (hoping he can return in late August from his own shoulder issue) and haven’t yet ruled out Tony Gonsolin (though he has remained shut down since suffering an elbow injury). But for now, their primary hope is to keep Glasnow and Snell upright, and replenish an overworked bullpen with late-season reinforcements.
What’s next in Shohei Ohtani’s two-way plans?
After pitching three innings for the first time this season in his final outing before the All-Star break, Ohtani appears to be getting closer to full-length starts in his return to pitching.
But the question remains, how long (if ever) it will take him and the Dodgers to get there.
After five abbreviated appearances over the last month-plus, it’s clear Ohtani’s stuff on the mound hasn’t been diminished by a second career Tommy John surgery. He is routinely hitting 100 mph. He has 10 strikeouts in nine total innings. He has given up just one run overall.
However, Ohtani’s bat has cooled since resuming his two-way role. And the full extent of the physical toll being imposed on the 31-year-old superstar is still not yet entirely clear, prompting the Dodgers to be very deliberate in slowly, methodically increasing his workload.
It’s difficult to imagine, barring any unforeseen setbacks, Ohtani not being part of the pitching plan in October given how electric he has looked thus far. But will it be as a glorified three- or four-inning opener? Or in a traditional starting role in which he is asked to work into the sixth or the seventh?
That could depend on the state of the rest of the Dodgers' staff, how Ohtani performs at the plate over the season’s second half, and how his body holds up to a challenge he has never before attempted with a team competing for a playoff spot.
Will Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts snap slumps?
The Dodgers might have Ohtani and a better supporting cast now. But, as they learned in 2022 and 2023, life can be difficult when Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts aren’t hitting; especially in the heat of a playoff environment.
And for all their other firepower this season, the Dodgers still need the two ex-MVPs to provide a spark.
For as good as Betts has been defensively this year — still ranking top-10 among MLB shortstops in fielding percentage, outs above average and defensive runs saved — he was 122nd out of 155 qualified hitters in OPS during the first half, with a .696 mark that is more than 100 points worse than his previous career low.
Freeman, meanwhile, went from a National League-leading .374 batting average at the end of May to a .203 mark over June and July, 163rd best out of 184 qualified hitters in that time.
That kind of production will put a drag even on a Dodgers offense with so many other star-level players. If the team is going to be anywhere near its potential offensively, it will need both sluggers to quickly pick things up. Otherwise, their margin for error at the plate come October could be worryingly slim.
What’s real (and not) from rest of the lineup?
There are myriad questions for the rest of the Dodgers’ lineup, too, where first-half performances ranged from unexpectedly spectacular to unimaginably difficult.
The Dodgers leaned heavily on Will Smith and his NL-best .323 batting average to provide consistent production. Can he replicate that in the second half of the season? Or will he fall victim to the late-summer slides that have plagued him throughout his career?
For large stretches of the opening half, Andy Pages looked like an All-Star and one of the most trustworthy run-producers in the middle of the order (an important role for a Dodgers team that always generates ample opportunities, but can struggle to capitalize upon them). But he also entered the All-Star break in a two-week slump. If he can revert back to being a near .300 hitter, it could significantly help lengthen a sometimes top-heavy lineup.
Read more:Shaikin: How to revitalize baseball's All-Star Game? Bat flips
Conversely, Teoscar Hernández has looked out of sync ever since returning from a groin injury in May, batting just .209 since then. As one of the most clutch performers during last year’s World Series run, there are real questions about whether he can regain enough health and consistency to replicate such heroics this fall.
Tommy Edman, meanwhile, has been valuable defensively, and was a surprise early-season slugger with eight home runs in March and April. Since then, though, he has posted below-league-average numbers, and entered the break in a two-for-32 rut.
One X-factor could be Hyeseong Kim, who turned heads in limited early-season playing time (.339 average, .842 OPS and 11-for-11 on steals in 48 games) and figures to get more everyday opportunities in Max Muncy’s absence in the coming weeks.
Muncy himself poses another big unknown. Roberts said the early reports on his recovery from a bone bruise in his knee have been encouraging. But, the Dodgers have not looked the same since losing him from the lineup. And though he is expected to return, just how limiting the lingering effects of his injury will be could have important implications on the state of the Dodgers’ offense.
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
‘Two fights left’: Usyk closes in on history and retirement with Dubois test
Ukrainian seeks to unify the heavyweight division again at Wembley on Saturday before putting family time first
Boxing, as Oleksandr Usyk knows, gets everyone in the end. It is a harsh and pitiless business and earlier this week, at the end of a long afternoon answering the same old questions in front of a line of television cameras, Usyk sat down with a small group of familiar faces who have written about him for years. During his last assignment for the day he opened up a little more as he spoke about the sacrifices boxing demands.
He told us how much he wanted to see his wife, Yekaterina, as she had just flown into London and they would be reunited that evening. Three months had passed, in a gruelling training camp, since they had been together and Usyk spoke about missing her and their four children.
Continue reading...Opinion: Why the Flyers Should Kick the Tires on Mason McTavish
There’s a running joke in Philadelphia Flyers circles these days that GM Danny Brière is building a rehab clinic for Anaheim Ducks alumni.
From Jamie Drysdale to Trevor Zegras to now the mere whisper of interest in Mason McTavish, it’s starting to feel like Brière might be scouring Orange County for his next reclamation project like he’s shopping at a vintage store: looking for something young, well-made, slightly scuffed, but with timeless value.
But in McTavish’s case, the joke only goes so far. This isn’t a player who needs “fixing” so much as one who could thrive in a different system, under different expectations, with a more defined role—and in Philadelphia, that opportunity could be staring both sides in the face.
The Fit: A Natural Center for a Roster in Transition
First, the obvious: the Flyers need help down the middle. Sean Couturier is still a steady, solid option, but he's not getting any younger. Noah Cates and Christian Dvorak offer responsible two-way play, but that still leaves the depth chart somewhere in wading pool territory. And while there’s hope in young prospects like Jett Luchanko, there’s no denying that a long-term, high-upside, NHL-ready center is still a missing piece in Philadelphia’s rebuild.
Enter McTavish.
At 6-foot-1 and 219 pounds, McTavish brings an appealing blend of physicality, play-driving skill, and natural scoring ability. He’s a classic power center in the making—capable of bullying his way through defenders but also possessing the finesse to finish plays and quarterback a line. His hockey sense, especially in the offensive zone, pops off the screen. He’s hard on pucks, he hunts space, and he makes life miserable for defenders in the slot.
Mason McTavish is so casual with it 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/NxYipyrmRe
— NHL (@NHL) April 8, 2025
More than anything, he competes. That’s the hallmark of McTavish’s game. The Flyers, under new head coach Rick Tocchet, are preaching a system built on pace, structure, and relentless pressure. McTavish would slot into that identity seamlessly. He’s still just 22, but he already plays like someone with postseason scars and something to prove.
The Numbers: Room to Grow, But a Solid Foundation
Last season, McTavish quietly put up 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 76 games on a Ducks team that was—let’s be honest—often unwatchable.
Yet McTavish still managed to put together respectable numbers, particularly in stretches when he was asked to drive play on his own. He logged just about 17 minutes a night, saw usage on both the power play and penalty kill, and finished with respectable underlying metrics given the team context.
With better linemates and more offensive structure, his ceiling could climb significantly.
A Trade That Makes Sense for Both Sides
The Ducks, reportedly, are listening—not shopping, but listening. That’s telling. It could mean they’re recalibrating their own vision of the rebuild. Or maybe they just see a chance to cash in before committing to a long-term extension.
Frank Seravalli: Re Mason McTavish: I think a change of scenery would be good for him, I think there's a lot of teams that are interested; some teams have tried to work on...an offer sheet - Bleacher Report (Jul 15)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) July 18, 2025
For the Flyers, the risk is worth exploring. Would a package built around someone like Egor Zamula, a first-round pick, and a secondary piece be enough to pry McTavish loose? Maybe not. (Although you have to consider that the Flyers clearly have a good working relationship with Anaheim, and Brière has proven that he can acquire a lot without having to give up too much in return. Case and point, getting Trevor Zegras for Ryan Poehling and a 2026 fourth-round pick—come on.) But that’s why you check in. That’s why you push. Because players like McTavish don’t become available very often.
Why It Works for McTavish, Too
There’s also a strong case to be made that a change of scenery could benefit McTavish just as much as it would help the Flyers.
Anaheim hasn't exactly been lauded for proper development of its talented young players (see: Zegras and Drysdale), and the entire team identity remains in flux under new head coach Joel Quenneville. It’s not hard to imagine McTavish being miscast in a role that doesn’t maximize his gifts, or simply yearning for a team with more ambition, structure, and more promise of postseason success. It might not be immediate gratification with the Flyers, but if we're making comparisons, the projections do, indeed, make it look more sunny in Philadelphia.
On the East Coast, McTavish could grow into a clear-cut top-six center. He’d get powerplay time, he’d be leaned on defensively, and he’d have a head coach in Tocchet who values grit and hockey IQ in equal measure. And the Flyers’ emerging forward group—players like Zegras, Matvei Michkov, Tyson Foerster, even a Porter Martone or Denver Barkey in the near future—could complement McTavish beautifully, creating a dynamic offensive core for the coming years.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t about collecting Ducks memorabilia. This is about vision—and acceleration. Brière has been clear that this rebuild won’t take a decade, nor will it be rushed. But sometimes, opportunity knocks at just the right time.
Mason McTavish is still scratching the surface of what he can be. If the Flyers believe in his trajectory—and if Anaheim is truly open to a deal—they owe it to themselves to be at the front of the line.
In the right context, McTavish could be the kind of player that strengthens your offense and lends you the invaluable advantage of having all lines be dangerous ones. He's relentless, talented, and on the cusp of becoming something special.
And if that next step happens to be in a slightly different shade of orange and black?
Even better.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Luke Keaschall, Dylan Lee and Jordan Lawlar
FANTASY BASEBALL WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS
Luke Keaschall (2B Twins): Rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues
After nearly three months off due to a fractured forearm suffered on a HBP, Keaschall is back playing baseball again and will resume partaking in official games as he kicks off a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday. Most likely, he’ll stay there at least a week. If it doesn’t look like he’s missed a beat, he could rejoin the Twins afterwards. If he’s slow out of the gate, then maybe he’ll be optioned to the minors for a spell. Still, we’re going to hope here for the former scenario.
It wasn’t perfectly clear that Keachall was ready for the majors when he got the call just three weeks into the season, but he certainly looked the part, opening up on a six-game hitting streak before getting hurt in his seventh game. Most impressive was that he walked five times and struck out just twice in 26 plate appearances. He was 5-for-5 stealing bases. He went without a homer, but he had two barrels and five other hard-hit balls among his 17 balls in play. Just those seven games still place him seventh in WAR among the Twins’ 18 position players with at least 20 plate appearances this season.
And that’s why he really ought to get another chance quickly. Give him the spot of Brooks Lee or Ty France or Trevor Larnach and let him go. He’s not going to be a big power hitter just yet, but he can certainly help a team currently ranked 21st in the majors in OBP and 26th in steals. It’ll be some time before it pays off, but he should be stashed now.
Dylan Lee (RP Braves): Rostered in 8% of Yahoo leagues
Which reliever not currently closing has the best chance of sliding into the closer’s role because of a trade deadline move? Let’s throw out some names:
Angels: Reid Detmers
Athletics: Elvis Alvarado?
Guardians: Cade Smith
Orioles: Yennier Cano (assuming Seranthony Domínguez is gone)
Rays: Edwin Uceta, Kevin Kelly, eventually Drew Ramsussen?
Red Sox: Jordan Hicks
Royals: Lucas Erceg
Twins: Griffin Jax
Braves: Dylan Lee
Cardinals: JoJo Romero, Riley O’Brien (Phil Maton goes, too, if Ryan Helsley goes)
D-backs: Shelby Miller or Ryan Thompson if they eventually come back healthy
Marlins: Calvin Faucher (if Ronny Henríquez and Anthony Bender are both traded)
Nationals: Brad Lord
Pirates: Carmen Mlodzinksi, Braxton Ashcraft (Dennis Santana is a goner)
Reds: Tony Santillan, Scott Barlow (also both trade candidates)
Of everyone here, I’d say Lee is the best bet. Raisel Iglesias seems much more likely to be traded than Aroldis Chapman, Emmanuel Clase or Ryan Helsley, and unlike some other guys here, Lee is a clear No. 2 on the depth chart. Lord is also rather interesting, since Kyle Finnegan is very likely to be dealt, but I think he’s a breakdown candidate after a heavy first-half workload in his first stint as a reliever. Jax, along with Smith, probably has the most upside of the group, but I don’t think the Twins will wind up selling. Erceg is also intriguing, but the Royals will probably keep Carlos Estévez and try to hang in the race unless these next 10 days go badly.
Jordan Lawlar (SS Diamondbacks): Rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues
That Lawlar hasn’t already been picked up in more leagues is an obvious reaction to his latest injury, a Grade 1 hamstring strain that has had him on the shelf for Triple-A Reno since June 26. There haven’t really been any updates on his status since, but players typically return from Grade 1 strains within a month, meaning Lawlar should be about ready to join the Diamondbacks infield right around the trade deadline, when the team is nearly certain to ship out free agent-to-be Eugenio Suárez.
Lawlar’s first major league stint this season saw him go hitless in 19 at-bats, but that was in a bit role. He’ll play regularly next time around, and he’ll show off the power-speed combination that has allowed him to amass 17 homers and 22 steals to go along with a .334/.420/.590 line in 81 career Triple-A games. The durability concerns are real and might need to be factored into his long-term dynasty value, but if he’s up on Aug. 1 as hoped, he could be good for around eight homers and a dozen steals over the final third of the season.
Waiver Wire Quick Hits
- The Rockies’ Ezequiel Tovar is only 46% rostered in Yahoo leagues as he returns from his second IL stint of the year. That’s above my threshold for being featured in this column, but he needs to be picked up in leagues in which he’s available. He’s been somewhat disappointing in his 32 games while healthy, but he was plenty useful last year and he really should be better now; his strikeout rate is just 22%, compared to 29% last year, and his hard-hit rate has jumped from 40% to 44%. Statcast gives him an xBA of .303 and an xSLG of .500.
- I featured Shane Bieberseven weeks ago before his setback in his return from Tommy John, so I won’t do it again now. However, he’s back on a rehab assignment, having thrown two scoreless innings Tuesday, and he’s currently available in 64% of Yahoo leagues. He could turn out to be pretty helpful during the final two months.
Could Chibrikov, Lambert Take Over Ehlers Role For Winnipeg?
Exploring options for top-six winger with high-end prospects Nikita Chibrikov and Brad Lambert being potential options.
The Winnipeg Jets suffered big causalities in the lineup when losing forwards Nikolaj Ehlers and Mason Appleton to free agency. In response, Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff made a few moves that seemingly improved the team's top six with a new second line centre in Jonathan Toews, effectively pushing centre Vladislav Namestnikov to the third line where he appears to be a better fit for his talents.
To replace Ehlers, they added Nashville's Gustav Nyquist, who has proven to be a consistent 40-50 point producer with upside as high as 75 points, which he recorded in the 2023-24 season. The hope is that he would replicate this success however, Nyquist is coming off a tough year in which he recorded career-worst numbers across the board with 28 points through 79 games. The 35-year-old winger may be starting to see his production decline with age and if the Jets want to remain competitive, they should have a backup plan.
Projecting Jets' Forward Lines For The 2025-26 SeasonAs the Winnipeg Jets prepare for the next NHL season, the buzz around their projected lineup has started to commence with fans wondering what they can expect to see from the 2025-26 team.
More Jets: Winnipeg Jets' All-Time Lineup
Many contending teams are utilizing some of their young talent to prop up the rest of their lineup by giving a prospect an opportunity to play in the top six. This can be seen in Edmonton, where high-end prospect Isaac Howard is expected to play with Connor McDavid on the top line as well as in St. Louis with Jimmy Snuggerud, who is expected to play top line minutes with Robert Thomas.
The Jets could do something similar with their high-end prospects looking to make the jump to the NHL with one of them being Brad Lambert. The 2022 first round pick had a down year last season, along with the rest of the Manitoba Moose, as he recorded just 35 points through 61 games. Lambert has shown bursts of offence like in the 2023-24 season, when he put up 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points through 64 games with the Moose and forced his way into five games with the Jets.
The 21-year-old Finnish winger has a 0.67 point-per-game average at the AHL level and will be looking to challenge for a roster spot this upcoming training camp and preseason. Competition for the fourth line right wing position will likely be between Lambert, newcomer from the Bruins in Cole Koepke, and another young prospect from the Moose in Nikita Chibrikov.
With a slightly worse 0.65 point-per-game average, Chibrikov offers the Jets another high-end prospect option at right wing and is slightly more matured at 22 years old. The position battle will be a fierce one as the former 2021 second round pick has played five NHL games and has excelled when given an opportunity with three goals and an assist for four points compared to Lambert's two through six NHL games.
Both prospects will be battling for an everyday spot and could challenge bench boss Scott Arniel to make some adjustments to the lineup. If Nyquist has another down year and sees his production drop to roughly 30-35 points once again, it could persuade Arniel to move him down the lineup and onto the third line, where it's typical to put up that many points. This would then allow Arniel to test drive a young player in Lambert or Chibrikov with a chance to play alongside quality forwards like Toews and Perfetti.
Winnipeg Jets Announce 2025-26 Schedule with Matchups Against the Panthers, Oilers and StarsThe Winnipeg Jets announced their 82-game schedule for the 2025-26 season on Wednesday with some notable games that fans will have to keep an eye on. The Jets open the season on home ice in a postseason rematch against the Dallas Stars on Thursday Oct. 9th, in what will be a thrilling start to the new campaign.
With his point-per-game production, it's worth exploring the option with Chibrikov as it could provide the Jets with another top end talent. If things don't go the way they hope they can always make adjustments and move Chibrikov back to the bottom of the lineup.
The developing talent of these young Moose players will provide an intriguing storyline heading into training camp and could lead to roster moves that could move the Jets towards another Stanley Cup contending roster.
Two-start pitchers: Brandon Woodruff headlines the dazzling options for the first week of the second half
Hello and welcome to the 16th installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.
I'll be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week, as well as some streaming options to keep in mind.
Thinking ahead with your weekly strategy can give you an advantage on the waiver wire and hopefully be a difference-maker in the standings at the end of the season.
This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.
Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:
We’re still in a holding pattern right now with many teams waiting until the last minute to set their rotations for the second half of the season. That includes (as of Friday afternoon), the Royals, Angels and Yankees. We have no info yet on how any of those rotations will line up. We know that the Giants plan to start Justin Verlander on Friday, but after that we don’t have any clarity on how it’ll line up and who may start twice next week. Similarly, we know that the Mariners plan to use Luis Castillo and Logan Evans in their first two games, but how the rest of the rotation falls in line remains a mystery.
We know that Jacob Lopez is going to double for the Athletics, but we don’t know for sure who their fifth starter is going to be coming out of the break. That person would also line up for two starts. My early lean is they bring back Mitch Spence from Triple-A, but there are a lot of different directions that they could go here.
We also don’t have clarity on the Braves’ full rotation yet. The expectation is that Davis Daniel or Hurston Waldrep will start in Monday against the Giants, in which case they would line up for two starts. It’s also possible that the recently acquired Dane Dunning could slot in there. We’ll update as more information becomes available.
We are still waiting on confirmation on the Red Sox’ rotation as well. It seems likely that Richard Fitts and Walker Buehler will start on Monday and Tuesday in some order, with whoever goes first drawing a two-start week (@ Phillies, vs. Dodgers). Based on those matchups, we aren’t really interested in regardless of which one it eventually is. It’s also possible that Fitts could get bumped in favor of Tanner Houck who is ready to return to the Red Sox in some form. Stay tuned.
The Cubs haven’t given us anything to go off of yet other than Colin Rea and Shota Imanaga starting the first two games out of the break. Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, and Chris Flexen are likely to follow in some order, but nothing has been finalized. It’s whoever pitches the fourth game on Monday that will draw two starts – vs. Royals and @ White Sox. Whoever it is will be an attractive target based on those matchups. We just need clarity on who it will be.
It’s a similar story on the south side of Chicago. The White Sox have announced their first three starters coming out of the break, leaving Shane Smith and Sean Burke to fill in the next two days. Whichever one goes first on Monday will draw a two-start week (@ Rays, vs. Cubs). It’s also possible that Davis Martin is ready to return and takes the place of Burke, or slots in someplace with someone else eventually getting bumped. Or the White Sox could go with a six-man rotation this turn through in which case no one would double. We’ll update when we have more information.
While we aren’t looking to use them for fantasy purposes anyways, we don’t have any lean yet on who will get two starts for the Rockies next week. Austin Gomber doesn’t pitch during their first series out of the break, so he’ll go on either Monday or Tuesday. They could bring back Chase Dollander from Triple-A to pitch one of those games as well, or Bradley Blalock could draw the assignment. Either way, the matchups are vs. Cardinals and at Orioles and we don’t want any part of this one regardless of who it is.
The Tigers are another team that hasn’t unveiled their full rotation plan for the second half just yet. All we know is that Reese Olson will start on Friday and Tarik Skubal will start on Sunday. That leaves Jack Flaherty, Casey Mize and Keider Montero to fill in the other three days. Whichever doesn’t pitch on Saturday will line up for two starts next week – assuming that they don’t use a bullpen day or slide Dietrich Enns back in there for another spot start. Those two matchups -- @ Pirates, vs. Blue Jays – are very intriguing and that would make Montero a strong streaming option if he is indeed the one taking the ball on one of those days. My best guess has Mize going on Saturday with Flaherty and Montero getting the two-start weeks.
We don’t know what the Dodgers are going to do yet either, aside from the fact that Tyler Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan and Clayton Kershaw will start the first three games out of the break. That leaves Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin May and Shohei Ohtani to fill in afterwards in some order. If the Dodgers go with a six-man rotation to accommodate, then no one will draw two starts next week. If Yamamoto goes on Monday, he could potentially start twice – vs. Twins, @ Red Sox.
Beyond Chris Paddack starting for the Twins on Friday and some hints that Zebby Matthews could start on Saturday, we still aren’t sure how the Twins plan to structure their rotation coming out of the break. Someone will get two starts -- @ Dodgers, vs. Nationals – and it could be Joe Ryan, Simeon Woods Richardson or David Festa, but for now all we can do is speculate.
For the Pirates, we know that Mitch Keller and Paul Skenes will start on Monday and Tuesday in some order and whichever one goes first will draw a two-start week (vs. Tigers, vs. Diamondbacks). Skenes should be started in all leagues regardless of whether or not he pitches twice, Keller should be used in all leagues if he does get the two-step, though I’d hesitate to use him for a single start against the Tigers.
Someone on the Rangers is going to start twice next week (vs. Athletics, vs. Braves), we just aren’t sure yet whether it’ll be Jacob deGrom or Jack Leiter. We do know that deGrom should be in fantasy lineups regardless while Leiter would only be an appealing option if he does indeed start Monday and wind up taking the ball twice.
This is going to be an ongoing battle throughout the weekend, so expect many updates each day as we try to keep up and make sure that you get the best possible advice and up-to-date information on each projected double starter as we kick off the second half of the season.
Without further ado, let's dig into the options for the week of July 21.
Going Twice…
Note: Probable pitchers as of Friday, July 18, and are subject to change.
American League
Strong Plays
Hunter Brown, Astros, RHP (@ Diamondbacks, vs. Athletics)
After an absolutely brilliant first half of the season, Brown finished things up on a sour note as he was unexpectedly clobbered in his final two starts heading into the break. Let’s hope that the time off and extended rest are all that he needs to get back on track. The matchup against the Diamondbacks in Arizona is a tough one, but Brown has been a fantasy ace this season and he should be started in 100 percent of all leagues every week without hesitation.
Tanner Bibee, Guardians, RHP (vs. Orioles, @ Royals)
We don’t know yet whether it will be Monday or Tuesday that Bibee will pitch, but either way the right-hander will line up for two starts. He disappointed relative to expectations in the first half, posting a 4.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and a 95/33 K/BB ratio across 109 innings, though his 3.63 xERA hints that he may have been a bit unfortunate in the luck department. He gets to kick off his second half with a two-start week against a pair of middling offenses, which should be a recipe for success. He should be started in all leagues with full confidence this week.
Shane Baz, Rays, RHP (vs. White Sox, @ Reds)
I know it may be a stretch trusting Baz as a strong option for the upcoming week, but with a matchup against the White Sox to kick things off, that pushes him over the top for me. Baz has looked especially sharp since revamping his arsenal a few weeks back, striking out six or more batters in four of his last five starts. He should be easily able to eclipse double-digit punchouts on the week while giving fantasy managers a decent shot at a victory. In the end, that’s more than enough to make him a worthwhile play in all leagues.
Max Scherzer, Blue Jays, RHP (vs. Yankees, @ Tigers)
It took nearly half of a season, but we’re finally seeing what Max Scherzer can do when healthy in a Blue Jays’ uniform. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of his first five starts, has punched out seven or more batters twice in his last three outings and is coming off of his first victory of the year his last time out. The matchups are definitely on the challenging side this week, but for fantasy managers that have been waiting on Scherzer all season, are you really going to sit him for a two-start week? I didn’t think so.
Decent Plays
Jacob Lopez, Athletics, LHP (@ Rangers, @ Astros)
After a disastrous start to the season, Lopez locked in for a two-month stretch where he showed the world what he’s capable of, only to fall back a bit in his final three starts heading into the All-Star break. The matchups aren’t great – especially having to battle the Astros in Houston – but even if Lopez struggles the strikeouts should still be there. That’s more than enough for me to use him in 15-teamers and I’d probably be fine rolling the dice in most 12-team formats as well unless I had a plethora of better options.
Colton Gordon, Astros, LHP (@ Diamondbacks, vs. Athletics)
The Astros’ rookie southpaw has been highly inconsistent through his first 11 appearances (10 starts) in the big leagues, registering a 4.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 44/9 K/BB ratio across 52 innings of work. Taking on the Diamondbacks in Arizona coming out of the break is a very difficult assignment and will carry some ratio risk before he finishes his week off with a softer matchup at home against the A’s. The strikeouts should be there and his chances of earning a victory will be elevated in that second start, but there is certainly risk involved with this two-step. I’d be fine using it in 15-team leagues, it would depend on my other options whether or not I’d roll with it in shallower formats.
Zach Eflin, Orioles, RHP (@ Guardians, vs. Rockies)
We’re working under the impression that Eflin is going to get the ball for the Orioles on Tuesday rather than going back to Brandon Young for another start after he has been knocked around his last few starts. Eflin isn’t completely built back up yet, so he may have a limited pitch count in that first start, but with a juicy matchup against the Rockies in that second start he still seems like a viable option in most mixed leagues – presuming he actually does get tabbed for a return this week. It’s also possible that he makes one final rehab start, in which case he could still slot into the rotation over the weekend against the Rockies, which still makes him an attractive streaming target.
Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays, RHP (vs. Yankees, @ Tigers)
I continue to be impressed by this lower WHIP, lower strikeout rate version of Gausman that we have seen this season. The only reason that he’s not a strong play for me this week is because the matchups are so difficult, having to battle two of the top offenses in all of baseball with his win equity lowered in the process. I’d still be rolling him out there in leagues of all sizes, just with lowered expectations than I would normally have from a two-start week from Gausman.
At Your Own Risk
Tomoyuki Sugano, Orioles, RHP (@ Guardians, vs. Rockies)
After a strong start to his big league career, Sugano has fallen on tough times in recent weeks due to his inability to keep the baseball in the yard. Overall he now sports a 4.44 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and an uninspiring 59/22 K/BB ratio across 99 1/3 innings through his first 18 starts. Most weeks I would tend to shy away from him here, but it’s hard to ignore that matchup against the Rockies to finish out the week. Understand that there’s ratio risk involved here and even over two starts he isn’t likely to contribute more than a handful of strikeouts. The chances for a victory will be elevated though based on the matchups and that could make him worth a look if you're desperate for volume.
National League
Strong Plays
Eury Pérez, Marlins, RHP (vs. Padres, @ Brewers)
Pérez has been extremely impressive in his first seven starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, registering a 3.18 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and a 35/11 K/BB ratio over 34 innings. The 22-year-old right-hander has been nothing but elite whenever he has taken the big league mound and as long as he’s healthy there’s no reason to expect anything otherwise at the moment. He should be started in every single league with complete confidence this week – and every week going forward.
Brandon Woodruff, Brewers, RHP (@ Mariners, vs. Marlins)
Speaking of pitchers who have looked incredibly sharp in their returns from major surgery, Brandon Woodruff has defied all expectations and absolutely dominated through his first two starts for the Brewers this season – posting a 2.61 ERA, 0.68 WHIP and a jaw-dropping 18/0 K/BB ratio over 10 1/3 innings. He’s unlikely to continue at that ridiculous pace, but we have seen Woodruff function as an upper-echelon fantasy asset in the past so there’s reason for excitement here. The matchups fall in his favor this week as well, getting to battle the Mariners in Seattle before finishing up with a stellar draw against the Marlins at home. There’s no reason not to trust him this week, fire away and enjoy the rewards.
Zack Wheeler, Phillies, RHP (vs. Red Sox, @ Yankees)
Wheeler is a true fantasy ace and should be started each and every week without question. He has been dominant again this season, compiling a 9-3 record, 2.36 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and a 154/26 K/BB ratio over 122 innings in what has been another spectacular campaign. The matchups are tough on the surface, but that’s no reason to avoid using one of the best pitchers in all of baseball for a two-start week.
Kodai Senga, Mets, RHP (vs. Angels, @ Giants)
Senga didn’t show any signs of rust in his return from the injured list, firing four scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the Royals in his first start back. He shouldn’t be facing any sort of pitch count limitations this time around and makes for a terrific option with matchups against the Angels and Giants. He should be started in all leagues.
Decent Plays
Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Astros, @ Pirates)
One of the players that I’m most intrigued about heading into the second half of the season is Zac Gallen. While he has been a complete trainwreck for fantasy purposes for the majority of the season, Gallen seemed to have figured things out heading into the All-Star break, with a pair of gems against the Giants and Padres where he struck out a combined 19 batters and allowed just one earned run in 15 innings. Of course he then finished it up with an absolute clunker against the Angels in Los Angeles. I’m still inclined to bet on the track record here and trust the veteran right-hander for his two-start week, especially when it includes a matchup against the Pirates. I’d be using him in all 15 and 12-team formats.
Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (@ Nationals, vs. Rays)
Singer performed about to expectation in the first half of the season, going 7-7 with a middling 4.32 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 92 punchouts over 100 innings. He’s a player who usually represents a viable streaming option for his two-start weeks and this week shouldn’t be any different. Matchups against the Nationals and Rays are nothing to shy away from and his equity in wins and strikeouts will be elevated with the extra start. He makes for a fine option in both 12 and 15-team formats.
Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals, LHP (@ Rockies, vs. Padres)
Overall, Liberatore did a decent job for the Cardinals in the first half of the season, registering a 4.13 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and an 80/22 K/BB ratio across 100 1/3 innings of work. The matchups are particularly difficult this week though, having to battle the suddenly competent Rockies’ offense at Coors Field before a clash against the Padres to finish the week. I understand that in most 15-team formats you probably have to use him and hope for the best, but I’d be looking to get away from this one in 12-team leagues if I could find alternative options.
At Your Own Risk
Randy Vasquez, Padres, RHP (@ Marlins, @ Cardinals)
Every time that Vasquez pops up for a two-start week, I try to highlight how all of his underlying metrics point to impending doom and that he should be avoided in all formats, then most weeks he continues to defy logic and dance through the raindrops to post useable lines for fantasy purposes. If you want to keep rolling him out there, be my guest, I just know that it’s all going to come crashing down soon and I don’t want to be there when it happens.
Erick Fedde, Cardinals, RHP (@ Rockies, vs. Padres)
The Cardinals want to continue to give Fedde chances to bolster his trade value before the deadline, but this doesn’t seem like a wise time to do so. He’s only going to damage his ratios further by pitching at Coors Field and then battling a dangerous Padres’ offense at home, and what little trade value he may still have will be wiped away. He most certainly shouldn’t be trusted for fantasy purposes right now.
Jake Irvin, Nationals, RHP (vs. Reds, @ Twins)
I’m having a tough time trying to find reasons to justify streaming Irvin this week. The matchups are on the tougher side, he doesn’t generate many strikeouts and his chances of earning a victory are hurt by the strong opponents and the fact that he pitches for the Nationals. At best you’re hoping for six or seven strikeouts and an outside shot at a victory while on the rough end of expectations you could wind up with a ratio disaster. It depends on your risk tolerance, but I’d probably stay away.