This season, the CFP has tweaked kickoff times to help ensure a brighter spotlight for first-round games.
Red Wings' Sandin-Pellikka Finally Showing Long Awaited Offensive Upside
The Detroit Red Wings are riding a wave of optimism, and rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka has played a starring role in recent successes. The former 17th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft turned heads Tuesday night with his best goal of the season, a highlight-reel tally that helped the Red Wings defeat the New York Islanders.
Sandin-Pellikka fired a sharp-angle shot over the shoulder of Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin, showcasing his poise and shooting ability. The goal was the latest sign of a player hitting his stride, as he has tallied two goals and five assists for seven points over his last seven games. This surge has contributed to secondary scoring for Detroit, which is enjoying a 6-1-2 run over its last nine games.
While Sandin-Pellikka’s resurgence is a story on its own, there is a subtle subplot running throughout the season is his unofficial duel with New York rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer. The 2025 top pick in Schaefer is widely regarded as the favorite for the Calder Trophy as he leads all rookie blueliners in points.
Sandin-Pellikka trails by ten points and is still looking to make his case for being in the conversation. This matchup Tuesday added another chapter, with both young defenders showing glimpses of their high-end potential.
AXE-MAN! #LGRWpic.twitter.com/jaVzQoCh4p
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) December 17, 2025
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This season, Sandin-Pellikka has amassed 13 points in 34 games, ranking fourth among rookie defensemen. For Red Wings fans, his recent surge is particularly encouraging. Early in the season, concerns were raised that his game was trending toward that of Shayne Gostisbehere, a comparison Detroit supporters were not excited about. Sandin-Pellikka’s combination of offensive instincts and defensive reliability has begun to show the top-end upside Detroit hoped for when they drafted him.
If he can keep building on this stretch, it could be a huge boost for the team. The Red Wings have been waiting for him to show his full potential, and he is starting to do that. As the Red Wings push toward the postseason, keeping Sandin-Pellikka’s momentum is going to be key as he could be a much needed secondary source of scoring that some team's may not expected with Sandin-Pellikka hopefully establishing the young defender as one of the league’s rising stars.
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Mets claim catcher Drew Romo off waivers from Baltimore, DFA left-hander Brandon Waddell
The Mets announced a pair of roster moves on Wednesday afternoon, claiming catcher Drew Romo off waivers from Baltimore and designating left-handed pitcher Brandon Waddell for assignment.
Romo, 24, is a former first-round pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 2020 MLB Draft. He was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on December 5 but was DFA’d just five days later.
Romo has spent the majority of his pro career in the minors, though he played 16 games with 2024 and three games in 2025. He has a career .760 OPS as a minor leaguer, hitting 45 home runs and driving in 240 runs over the course of 426 games.
Waddell, 31, was a depth piece for the Mets last season, appearing in 11 big league games, including one start, while pitching to a 3.45 ERA. He allowed 29 hits and struck out 22 hitters over 31.1 innings of work.
Victor Wembanyama played in NBA Cup championship after learning of grandmother's passing
LAS VEGAS — Victor Wembanyama was tearing up before the first question of his postgame press conference after losing in the NBA Cup.
"Sorry, I just lost somebody today," Wembanyama said.
Wembanyama learned earlier on Tuesday that his grandmother had passed away in France, reports Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
He played through that in the NBA Cup championship game, scoring 18 points with six rebounds and taking over a stretch of the game, scoring 10 straight.
WEMBY REVERSE SLAM ‼️
— NBA (@NBA) December 17, 2025
Never even turned to look at the basket
SAS leads NYK in the 3Q of the @emirates NBA Cup Championship on Prime! Watch here: https://t.co/iOJEBfh901pic.twitter.com/AtCSQDzudd
Wembanyama remains on a minutes limit coming off a strained calf and, for the second consecutive game, came off the bench. Coach Mike Brown also learned from the last time Wembanyama faced New York, when he dropped 42 and 18 with Karl-Anthony Towns as his primary defender. Brown used OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson as the primary matchups with Wemby, and that is part of what kept the French superstar in relative check for the game.
Todd McLellan Praises John Leonard After Red Wings Debut
The injury to Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane, who is considered day-to-day, necessitated a call-up from the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins.
Forward John Leonard, who is playing in his first campaign with the Red Wings organization after agreeing to a one-year contract during the offseason, leads the AHL with 19 goals in 20 games and was the natural choice.
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He was summoned to the Red Wings and made his Detroit debut as part of their 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders while skating in Kane's spot on the second line with Andrew Copp and Alex DeBrincat.
Leonard helped generate a prime offensive opportunity midway through the first period when he sent a cross-ice feed to a waiting and wide open Copp, who was stoned by Sorokin.
He then had a partial breakaway opportunity in the second period after taking a heads-up pass from Copp; his initial chance was stopped by Sorokin, and he nearly scored on the rebound attempt.
In all, Leonard skated in 13:02 of ice time and registered a pair of shots on goal while dishing out one hit.
Following the contest, head coach Todd McLellan voiced his approval of Leonard's performance in his debut.
"I liked his game, you could see his speed and creativity," McLellan said afterward. "That line was a factor in the game. Patty Kane, of course we'd like to have him, but when we didn't, I thought John went in and did a really good job. The pace of the play on that line stayed up, and the chances they created were probably on the positive side of the ledger at the end of the night."
Leonard will remain in the Red Wings lineup for the second consecutive game as they host the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday evening.
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Ohio University fires coach Brian Smith over “serious professional misconduct”
Another Wednesday, another FBS head coach abruptly fired.
If he never returns, Terence Crawford’s legacy as one of boxing’s greats is secure | Bryan Armen Graham
The ring’s standout problem-solver steps away from ‘competition’ on his own terms and with an unblemished record across five divisions
Terence “Bud” Crawford has always fought like a man who wanted to leave no room for argument. Not simply to win, but to win so cleanly that dissent collapses on contact. So his retirement announcement on Tuesday didn’t feel like a sudden fade-out so much as the closing of a file: tidy, decisive, signed in his own hand. Three months after scaling two weight divisions to outclass Canelo Álvarez in Las Vegas and become the undisputed super-middleweight champion, Crawford says he is stepping away “on his own terms”. In the cruellest sport, that is rarer than a perfect record.
Boxing is purpose-built to keep you in. To lure you back with one more payday, one more belt, one more chance to settle a score that only exists because the promoters or the public insist it should. The hurt business has never been conducive to happy endings. The preferred vernacular is violent or sad or compromised: a stoppage you don’t see coming, a dubious decision, a diminished version of yourself preserved forever in high definition.
Continue reading...Rookie guard Nique Clifford trying to ‘build the ground up' for Kings
Rookie guard Nique Clifford trying to ‘build the ground up' for Kings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Kings’ tough start to the 2025-26 NBA season could be a sign of things to come for the foreseeable future.
With a team rebuild looking increasingly likely, young players like rookies Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud’s development will be crucial. The two already have seen some substantial playing time along with compliments from general manager Scott Perry.
Clifford sees himself and Raynaud as players to help Sacramento build toward contention.
“We came in together, so we want to see each other be successful and kind of help build the ground up for Sacramento Kings basketball,” Clifford told reporters Wednesday (h/t Sean Cunningham/KCRA).
Clifford, 23, has played 23 of Sacramento’s 26 games this season. With injuries knocking out their star players, the No. 24 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has started three games.
Raynaud also has seen plenty of action early into his NBA career. He has started in four games, particularly due to star center Domantas Sabonis being out for an extended period with a torn meniscus.
Clifford and Raynaud have bonded through the experience.
“I think it’s good to have a guy with you going through the same process of being a rookie and learning and trying to adjust within the flow of what we’re going through,” Clifford explained.
With the Kings likely to make many of their veteran players available in the trade market, Clifford and Raynaud could see much more playing time in the near future.
Clifford is averaging 4.1 points and 2.5 rebounds in 16.6 minutes per game. His fellow rookie, Raynaud, is averaging 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18.5 minutes per game.
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Phillies assistant GM Ani Kilambi departs for Nationals
Phillies assistant GM Ani Kilambi departs for Nationals originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies are losing a key member of their front office.
The Washington Nationals are hiring Phillies assistant general manager Ani Kilambi to serve as their next general manager, making him one of the youngest GMs in Major League Baseball.
Kilambi, 31, joined the Phillies in 2021 after spending six seasons with the Rays organization, where he served as director of decision science and assistant director of research and development. Prior to his work in baseball, he earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, double-majoring in Statistics/Operations Research and Management Science.
With the Phillies, Kilambi oversaw the research and development department, an area the organization significantly expanded under his direction. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the department nearly doubled in size during Kilambi’s first two seasons.
With the support of president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and then-general manager Sam Fuld, an organization once viewed as lagging behind analytically became one of the stronger research groups in the sport.
The move comes roughly seven weeks after Washington hired Blake Butera, 33, as its manager — another sign of the Nationals’ shift toward a younger leadership group. The club has finished last in the National League East in five of the past six seasons.
Jorge Velandia, hired in 2020, remains the Phillies’ other assistant general manager. It is not yet clear whether the club plans to fill Kilambi’s role before the season.
Sabres Get Great News Ahead Of Flyers Matchup
The Buffalo Sabres are set to face off against the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 18. The Sabres will be looking to stay hot, as they are entering the matchup against the Flyers with a three-game winning streak.
Now, the Sabres have gotten some very good news ahead of their contest against the Flyers.
According to head coach Lindy Ruff, Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring will be returning to the team's lineup for their game against the Flyers.
Hearing that Kesselring is getting back into the lineup against the Flyers is undoubtedly good news for the Sabres. Kesselring is expected to be an important part of the Sabres' blueline this season, and he should provide them with a nice boost because of it.
Kesselring's most recent appearance for the Sabres was on Nov. 15 against the Detroit Red Wings, so he has been sidelined for awhile. This was also after he missed the beginning portion of the season due to injury. Now, with Kesselring returning to the lineup, he will be aiming to stay healthy from here for the Atlantic Division.
In nine games so far this season with the Sabres, Kesselring has recorded zero points, seven hits, and nine blocks. This is after he set career highs with seven goals, 22 assists, and 29 points in 82 games for Utah this past season.
Linus Ullmark Leaves Practice Early As Senators Provide Key Injury Updates On Chabot, Pinto, And Eller
As the Ottawa Senators get set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at Canadian Tire Centre, Wednesday morning’s practice delivered a mix of interesting injury news.
On the positive side, defenseman Thomas Chabot was back on the ice with his teammates. Chabot was injured on November 11 in a game against the Dallas Stars, attempted a return 11 days later, and re-injured himself against the San Jose Sharks.
He hasn’t played since the Sharks game, but his return to full practice is an encouraging sign. Chabot was paired with Belleville call-up Dennis Gilbert during drills, suggesting the Senators are still preparing to play without him for now. But simply being back on the ice is a step toward getting the blue line back to full strength and players slotted into their natural roles.
"I mean, it's been a long road," Chabot admitted. "But no, it's good to be back practicing with the guys. Helps the mental side of things and the morale a little bit to be back on the same schedule as the team. It was a fun day, it was a great practice. I went through the pace of a normal NHL practice, the contact, and competing a little bit. So it felt nice to be out there.
While Chabot said he didn't know if he'd be playing on Thursday, head coach Travis Green confirmed that he will not.
Green provided some more details on Lars Eller, revealing that he has a broken foot from blocking a shot and is expected to be sidelined for about three weeks. So that probably means that centre Stephen Halliday will remain with the club into the new year.
There was also a brief scare in practice at the goaltender position. Linus Ullmark left practice early after speaking with the Senators’ athletic therapist, Dom Nicoletta, near the bench. Jake Sanderson also exited early, although Green (as he does) downplayed any concern, saying he isn’t worried about either Ullmark or Sanderson.
Since Chabot was injured, Green has been working Sanderson like a rented mule, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the Sens' top defenseman has carte blanche to bail on any practice if he isn't feeling it that day.
Senators Fire Their American Hockey League Head Coach On Wednesday
Senators Fire Their American Hockey League Head CoachThe slumping Belleville Senators have fired their head coach, promoting assistant Andrew Campbell to the interim role.Ullmark has started in three-quarters of the club's games so far, but hasn't been injured or overworked in a back-to-back. At the moment, he stands 41st in the NHL in goals against average (3.00) and 49th in save percentage (.879). If he's suddenly not feeling his best, that doesn't bode well for an imminent turnaround.
Finally, there has apparently been some progress on Shane Pinto’s recovery from a lower-body injury. Pinto has been out since December 4th after taking a body check from former Ottawa Senator Mika Zibanejad. Green says Pinto has now resumed skating, another encouraging development as the Senators work through their injury picture.
Following their Wednesday skate, the Senators held their annual 'Melnyk Skate for Kids' hosted by team co-owners Anna and Olivia Melnyk, carrying on a tradition started 20 years ago by their late father, former Sens owner Eugene Melnyk.
The Senators will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night at the CTC.
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News
This article was originally published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Read more:
Top Prospect Carter Yakemchuk Injured In Collision During AHL Game
Senators' First Step Toward Stanley Cup Playoff Return Is Better Goaltending
30 Games Into The Season, What Is The Ottawa Senators' Identity?
Speculating On Yakemchuk's NHL Arrival Time
Popular Former Senator Forward Attempting Comeback At Age 38
Four Ottawa Senators Make Annual List Of Most Punchable NHL Players
Mets’ Nolan McLean, Clay Holmes to join Team USA in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Mets pitchers Nolan McLean and Clay Holmes were added to Team USA's World Baseball Classic 2026 roster on Wednesday.
Both right-handers will make their WBC debuts early next year, giving Team USA three confirmed starters after Pirates ace Paul Skenes accepted an invite this summer.
Holmes is coming off an impressive first season with the Mets. After converting from a closer to a part of the rotation, he pitched to a 3.53 ERA and a 1.304 WHIP across 33 games (31 starts).
McLean is perhaps the biggest surprise addition to Team USA. The rookie right-hander made a big splash for the Mets when he was called up in August. In just eight starts, McLean became the team's most reliable starter, with a 2.06 ERA to go along with a 1.04 WHIP.
Both starters join Mark Vientos (Nicaragua) and Francisco Lindor (Puerto Rico) as participants in next year's tournament. Juan Soto, who could join the Dominican Republic team, has not been confirmed.
The 2026 WBC is set to start on March 5.
(12-17-25) Jets-Blues Gameday Lineup
ST. LOUIS – Perhaps an infusion of new blood can spur the St. Louis Blues in the right direction.
That’s what they’re hoping for when the Blues (12-15-7) entertain the Winnipeg Jets (15-15-2) on Tuesday at 7 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).
It’s because Otto Stenberg and Jonatan Berggren will each make his Blues debut in the game.
For Stenberg, it will be his first NHL game and the second of three first-round picks from the 2023 NHL Draft to play in the NHL along with Dalibor Dvorsky, who was the No. 10 pick; Stenberg was No. 25, and defenseman Theo Lindstein, who is in Springfield of the American Hockey League, was No. 29.
Stenberg was called up from Springfield on Thursday, the latest of Thunderbirds recalls with the rash of forward injuries the Blues are dealing with.
On Tuesday, he was skating on a line with Jake Neighbours and Dvorsky.
“Of course, I’m excited,” Stenberg said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s something special. Just try to act like a normal game, soak it all in and enjoy, but I’ll just try to prepare like a normal game, I guess.
“Just play my game and do what got me here in Springfield before I get here. Be myself I guess. I’ll try to do my best to give the team energy. Try to play as good as I can and help the team any way I can.”
Berggren, claimed off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, will also be in the lineup.
The 25-year-old, a second-round pick in the 2018 draft, had an inkling that something might happen, and was hopeful of it, too. He last played for the Red Wings on Dec. 11 and prior to that, Nov. 24.
“It’s a business and when you don’t play many games in a row in Detroit to kind of know (something was going to happen),” Berggren said. “Maybe it was something I was hoping for too to get a fresh start. I’m really happy that the Blues took me.
“It’s been a lot for sure. I’m just so excited to come to St. Louis and meet the guys and meet the coaches and just play hockey. It’s been a lot, but I’m also excited.”
Blues coach Jim Montgomery said the infusion of new players could be just what the team needs.
“Every time you get new blood, it’s like the first game of the year, everybody’s hopes and desires are all positive and a positive attitude usually permeates in the group so it’s going to bring us good energy,” Montgomery said.
Stenberg will have his parents, David and Cecilia and girlfriend on attendance after some scurrying of getting plane tickets from Sweden.
“My mom and dad are actually coming here. And my girlfriend is here; she came here from Springfield,” Stenberg said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. I think they got tickets yesterday.”
Berggren, who had two goals and four assists in 15 games with the Red Wings this season after 12 goals and 12 assists in 75 games last season, hopes to add some offensive prowess into the lineup for the Blues, and the fact he’s played with a couple of the guys and that there are fellow Swedes, should make for an easy transition.
“I’m a skillful forward that likes to play with the puck and likes to create offense,” he said. “I feel like this team has skillful players and like to play offensive style of hockey. That’s kind of what I want to do too. I’m excited.
“It’s a lot of Swedes and guys I played with in Detroit too and Grand Rapids. It makes it a lot easier to adapt to the team when you know people from before.”
Montgomery said the Blues took a flier on Berggren because, “the speed and skill is something we believe with our current situation that he could add to our group, and that’s what we’re expecting him to fit in. We have a lot of Swedes so the language barrier won’t be so hard.
“You have a technical package ready to show your players that this is what we want to do in all three zones with the puck and with the schedule this year, I watched the Florida-Tampa game and I don’t recognize some of the names that are on the ice and that’s happening to everybody this year.”
- - -
Tuesday’s game is the first between the Blues and Jets since that epic first-round seven-game series from last year’s playoffs.
“I think for our group it means a lot, and not because of the outcome of the series,” Montgomery said. “Obviously we felt we would have liked to win Game 7, but more importantly, I think it’s we were playing a really good brand of hockey and for a lot of players, I think that brings excitement to get back to that brand of hockey that we were playing.
“It brings back more of what a great series it was. I saw some things like they ranked the best series of the playoffs, it was ranked No. 2 behind the Final, which was epic with a lot of great comebacks in that series. It was old-school hockey. It was mean, it was hard, it was vicious and in the end, you had two teams that really I think were competed and emptied the tank so much that the handshake line was what you want in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.”
- - -
Blues Projected Lineup:
Pavel Buchnevich-Robert Thomas-Robbi Fabbri
Otto Stenberg-Dalibor Dvorsky-Jake Neighbours
Brayden Schenn-Pius Suter-Jonatan Berggren
Alexey Toropchenko-Oskar Sundqvist-Mathieu Joseph
Philip Broberg-Colton Parayko
Matthew Kessel-Justin Faulk
Cam Fowler-Logan Mailloux
Joel Hofer will start in goal; Jordan Binnington will be the backup.
Healthy scratches could include Tyler Tucker and Matt Luff. Dylan Holloway (high ankle sprain), Jordan Kyrou (lower body), Jimmy Snuggerud (wrist), Nathan Walker (upper body) and Nick Bjugstad (upper body) are all out.
- - -
Jets Projected Lineup:
Kyle Connor-Mark Scheifele-Gabriel Vilardi
Nino Niederreiter-Vladislav Namestnikov-Cole Perfetti
Morgan Barron-Adam Lowry-Alex Iafallo
Cole Koepke-Jonathan Toews-Gustav Nyquist
Josh Morrissey-Dylan DeMelo
Dylan Samberg-Neal Pionk
Logan Stanley-Luke Schenn
Connor Hellebuyck will start in goal; Eric Comrie will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Colin Miller, Tanner Pearson and Haydn Fleury. The Jets have no injuries.
What Is Doug Armstrong Thinking With The Current Blues? Would He Trade Binnington, Schenn, Faulk, Other Veterans?Blues general manager disappointed in 12-15-7 start, won't rule out any notion of how roster could be transformed in the present and future
Armstrong Disappointed In Blues' Start, Hasn't Had Issues Juggling NHL Team, Roster Choices For Team Canada In Winter OlympicsBlues GM called St. Louis' start "unexpected three months"
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Inter Miami re-signs Luis Suárez for 2026 season after winning MLS Cup
The former Liverpool and Barcelona striker, who turns 39 in January, has been productive but was benched for the tail end of Miami’s title run
Inter Miami have re-signed striker Luis Suárez through the 2026 season, the MLS Cup champions announced Wednesday.
The legendary Uruguay international had 17 goals and 17 assists in 50 appearances for the team in 2025. However, Inter Miami became a buzzsaw after Suárez was dropped to the bench by head coach Javier Mascherano. Replaced by Mateo Silvetti after Miami’s 2-1 loss at Nashville SC in Round One, Miami won their next four games and outscored opponents 16-2 in route to the MLS Cup title.
Continue reading...Giants DFA outfielder Joey Wiemer to open roster spot for pitcher Jason Foley
Giants DFA outfielder Joey Wiemer to open roster spot for pitcher Jason Foley originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
One comes in; one goes out.
The Giants designated outfielder Joey Wiemer for assignment Wednesday to make room on the roster for pitcher Jason Foley, who signed a one-year contract with the club Tuesday.
Wiemer was acquired from the Miami Marlins on Nov. 21 in exchange for cash considerations.
The outfielder posted a solid rookie season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023, hitting 13 home runs in 132 games played. Wiemer played just 48 games over the past two seasons.
Wiemer’s short time with the Giants organization might not be over yet, as a DFA’d played can be outrighted to the minor leagues if he clears waivers.
San Francisco currently has eight outfielders on its 40-man roster, including Justin Dean, who was claimed Nov. 6 off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Now one week removed from the MLB Winter Meetings, the Giants have yet to make a splash free agency signing, but there still is plenty of time in the offseason for the San Francisco front office to operate.