WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Capitals have signed forward Ethen Frank to a two-year, $4 million contract extension.
The team announced the move Wednesday. The 28-year-old Frank has provided good depth scoring this season with 11 goals and 12 assists in 52 games. He is tied for seventh in the NHL in goals among players averaging under 13:00 of ice time.
In 76 career games with the Capitals, he has 15 goals and 15 assists. Washington signed him as a free agent in March 2023.
Washington is four points behind Boston for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Capitals face the Bruins in Boston on Saturday, the day after the trade deadline.
Does defense really win championships?
A good defense is important, but in the modern NBA, where spacing, pace, and shot-making dominate — elite offense has increasingly become a prerequisite to be a true title contender.
Consider the last three champions. The 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder ranked third in offensive rating, the 2024 Boston Celtics finished first, the 2023 Denver Nuggets ranked fifth. In fact, only one of the six teams to reach the NBA Finals during that span finished outside the league’s top 10 in offensive efficiency.
As the regular season enters its final month, the Eastern Conference has largely consolidated into four legitimate contenders – the Pistons, Celtics, Knicks and Cavaliers.
Using FTN’s NBA StatsHub, we can take a deeper look at those teams through the lens of shot-making efficiency — identifying which of the East’s top seeds is best positioned to reach the NBA Finals.
Detroit Pistons
Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, deservedly well-respected for his ability to develop young talent, has engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in the league in the Motor City, guiding the Pistons toward the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference after the team won just 14 games two years ago. He had a similar impact in his time with the Cavaliers, taking them from a lottery team and transforming them into a playoff contender in short order.
The question surrounding Bickerstaff’s teams, however, has never been about regular-season success. The larger critiques have always been about whether the offensive formula that drives those regular season wins can hold up in the postseason – something that hasn’t happened to date.
Using NBA StatsHub, it’s not difficult to see those same concerns rising to the forefront of Bickerstaff’s team once again – particularly after losing to the short-handed Cavaliers Tuesday.
The Pistons have only three players posting a Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation above +3% this season, and that list doesn’t include their No. 1 or No. 3 scoring options:
Jalen Duren: +4.9% FGOE
Duncan Robinson: +4.7% FGOE
Isaiah Stewart: +3.0% FGOE
As a team, the Pistons rank just 25th in three-point percentage and rely heavily on converting shots inside the arc to generate offense.
The result is an offense that has been effective, but not elite in terms of efficiency. Detroit currently ranks 11th in offensive rating, making them the only top contender in the Eastern Conference sitting outside the league’s top five in that category — a potential warning sign with the playoffs approaching.
Boston Celtics
When it was announced that Jayson Tatum would miss significant time to begin the 2025-26 season, expectations for the Celtics were understandably tempered. After playing alongside Kyrie Irving in his first two years in the NBA, Jayson Tatum had since led the Celtics in scoring in each of his six subsequent seasons. Naturally, when it was announced that Tatum would miss significant time to begin the 2025-2026 campaign, expectations for Boston were tempered – they entered the new campaign with a preseason win total of just 43.5 wins.
Fast forward to March, and head coach Joe Mazzulla has Boston sitting at 41-20 and firmly in control of the No. 2 seed. A major reason for that success has been the Celtics’ depth of elite shot-makers.
According to StatsHub, Boston has six players posting a 3%-plus Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation this season.
Luka Garza: +6.6%
Payton Pritchard: +4.3%
Jaylen Brown: +3.7%
Sam Hauser: +3.6%
Jordan Walsh: +3.5%
Nikola Vučević: +3.0%
Unlike Detroit, Boston’s primary scorers are all on this list, absent Derrick White, who has been more valuable as the team’s top facilitator this year. Jaylen Brown has taken a step forward as a lead option, while players like Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser have provided efficient perimeter scoring in complementary roles.
The Celtics could have more help on the way, too. Reports indicate that Tatum is nearing a return from his Achillies injury, which would further strengthen the Celtics’ spacing and add another high-level shooter to an already efficient offense.
The Celtics rank second in the NBA in three-point attempts per game, leaning heavily into their perimeter shooting and trusting that their collective shot-making will consistently put them in a position to win. This is a group that is more than capable of making a deep playoff run.
New York Knicks
After winning the NBA Cup, the Knicks spent the next month looking like one of the worst teams in the league. They went 7-11 across their subsequent 18 contests, ranking 25th in net rating in that span.
New York has since found their groove, however, winning 15 of their last 19 games. They lead the NBA in net rating since Jan. 20 (+13.9). They rank seventh in offensive rating and have allowed the fewest points per 100 possessions during their recent hot streak.
Much of their success can be attributed to having an efficient superstar running the show in The Big Apple. Jalen Brunson owns a +4.2% Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation this season. He’s been even better of late, at 8.4% FGOE across the last month. New York’s other top offensive contributors, Mikal Bridges (+9.4% FGOE) and Karl-Anthony Towns (+6.4% FGOE) have also been playing excellent basketball as we approach the homestretch of the schedule.
The Knicks are peaking at the right time of year and look as capable as any team in the Eastern Conference right now.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavaliers are the biggest wild card in the Eastern Conference this season. They entered the new campaign as the odds-on favorite to win the East, but injuries and a lack of consistent availability from their core four led to a tumultuous first half of their schedule.
In early February, they abandoned their traditional core-four, trading Darius Garland to the Clippers in exchange for James Harden – a gamble that has worked brilliantly to date.
Cleveland is 8-3 since the trade, ranking seventh in the NBA in net rating during that span, despite Donovan Mitchell and other key players continuing to miss time due to various ailments.
Tuesday, the Cavaliers defeated the No. 1 seed Pistons without Mitchell and Dean Wade, the latter of whom is their best perimeter defender.
Harden has fully unlocked Jarrett Allen on the offensive end of the floor, evident from the fact that he leads the entire NBA in Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation during the last 30 days (min. 5 games played, 10 FGA/game).
This roster doesn’t have the chemistry or cohesion of other contenders in the East, but they have re-emerged as the odds-on favorites to win the conference for valid reasons. The ceiling for the Cavaliers is arguably higher than any of Detroit, Boston, or New York.
The Takeaway
Among Eastern Conference contenders, Boston’s offensive profile appears most sustainable to make a deep postseason run. They have a clear No. 1 scorer in Jaylen Brown, who is surrounded by a number of high-quality shot-makers.
If Field Goal Percentage Over Expectation is any indication, we could be seeing the Celtics back in the NBA Finals this June.
2 min: Newcastle get onto the front foot immediately. Hall bombs down the left; Trippier probes down the right. Shaw looks to have tugged Trippier back, but the referee waves play on. Not too much in the way of fume from the players, but the fans aren’t happy that’s for sure.
Manchester United get the ball rolling. They’re kicking towards the Gallowgate in this first half.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Olivia Hamlin scored 16 points, Delaney Gibb and Lara Rohkohl each had 15, and Sydney Benally added 14 as BYU beat Houston 76-66 in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday.
After winning its first Big 12 Tournament game in its third season as a conference member, ninth-seeded BYU (21-10) will play eighth-seeded Utah in the second round Thursday.
BYU outshot 16th-seeded Houston 47% to 31% but had to overcome 22 turnovers and didn't have the game in hand until the final minutes.
Shun’teria Anumele scored 17 points and TK Pitts 14 for Houston (7-23). The two combined for eight straight points as Houston cut a 12-point deficit to three to open the fourth quarter. BYU held on, leading by five with 3:20 to go before scoring the next eight points with Hamlin making it 74-61 on a bucket in the paint.
Brinley Cannon hit a 3-pointer — her first shot of the game — to open the third and give BYU the lead for good. Rohkohl scored eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and BYU led 56-44 heading into the final period.
BYU never trailed but found itself tied at 29 at halftime after committing 15 turnovers, 10 in the first quarter when it led 11-10.
Jade Jones added 11 points for Houston.
BYU had won the lone regular-season matchup 79-64 on Jan. 10 against a Houston team that was missing four players, three of whom had been suspended for the game following their ejections after a scuffle against Kansas State on Jan. 7.
Up next
BYU: The Cougars, on a four-game win streak, swept Utah in two regular-season games, each time by 12 points.
Houston: Season is over after going 1-17 in Big 12 play before losing Wednesday.
The Lakers announced Wednesday afternoon the hiring of Michael Spetner as chief strategy and growth officer, a newly created position in which "he will be responsible for leading the organization's long-term business strategy, driving value and identifying opportunities for international growth."
"As we look to redefine what's possible across the sports landscape for fans and partners, we will build on the Lakers legacy and orient toward the future to consider what's next," Rosen said in the statement. "Michael's leadership will help us optimize our business to ensure long-term value."
Spetner has been the Dodgers vice president of business strategy and analytics since 2015, where he reportedly focused heavily on engaging with international audiences. The Dodgers' footprint in Japan has skyrocketed in the last two years after the signings of superstars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, and Spetner reportedly helped the team capitalize on that by overseeing efforts to launch a fan club based in Japan and the creation of an immersive exhibit in Tokyo highlighting the team's history.
According to his bio on the Dodgers' staff directory, Spetner "developed analytical tools and frameworks to help business leaders across the organization leverage data and insights to make key decisions."
When Rosen first spoke with reporters in the days after his hiring, he mentioned that he "only dreamed of having the reach that the Lakers have" in his role with the Dodgers. Spetner was a major part of building towards that dream, and now he gets the chance to push the Lakers' growth even further as one of the earliest hires in new owner Mark Walter's ongoing front office overhaul.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — A brawl between South Alabama and Coastal Carolina in the women's Sun Belt Tournament on Wednesday left eight players ejected and knocked a referee to the ground where she required medical attention.
There were under six minutes left in the fourth quarter when South Alabama’s Cordasia Harris and Coastal Carolina’s Tracey Hueston began fighting under the basket. Harris appeared to bump Hueston slightly from behind before Hueston turned around and began pushing and swinging at Harris, who pushed back.
Two referees, multiple teammates and staff members quickly worked to separate the women and a referee was knocked to the ground in the melee. She appeared to be hit in the head or neck area by Hueston as the referee was attempting to push her away from Harris.
She remained on the ground on her back while order was restored and multiple staff members and a medical professional ran onto the court to attend to her. A sheriff’s deputy also came onto the court after the fight ended.
There was no immediate update on the referee's condition.
Hueston and Harris were both given technical fouls and ejected, along with six other players who participated in the fight.
One of the Montreal Canadiens' top objectives ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline should be to add another right-shot defenseman. Now, a very interesting one has entered the trade market who they should seriously consider pursuing.
With the Canadiens being a team on the rise, there is no question that Nemec would be an excellent young player for them to add to their roster. The 2022 second-overall pick is already a good defenseman in the NHL, but he is still plenty young enough to get better as he continues to gain experience. Because of this, the Canadiens should strongly consider making a push for him.
Nemec also recently played with Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky at the 2026 Winter Olympics, and they linked up well with each other during it. Thus, it would be fascinating to see what they could do if they played together on the Canadiens.
Overall, with Nemec being just 22 years old and having a ton of potential, he is exactly the kind of player who the Canadiens should look to bring in. In 47 games this season with the Devils, the 6-foot-1 blueliner has already set new career highs with nine goals and 21 points.
“Vamos, vamos!” (“come on, let’s go!”) screamed Rodri in his native Spanish following a 62nd-minute header that seemed to grab a precious victory for Manchester City.
But the title chasers’ 2-1 lead lasted only 14 minutes as Phil Foden allowed Elliot Anderson to run off him and the Nottingham Forest midfielder, from range, curled a sublime equaliser beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma. City’s faithful were silenced.
Wyatt Kaiser was not ready to return to the Chicago Blackhawks when the Olympics ended, so they called up both Sam Rinzel and Kevin Korchinski from the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.
Rinzel was up heading into the break, but they decided to let him play some games in the AHL while the team was on break. For Korchinski, it was another opportunity to spend time with the NHL club.
Of the four games played so far, Korchinski only dressed for two of them. The only reason he got into those games is the fact that Rinzel came down with an illness. The plan was for him to sit for all of them.
In the loss to the Colorado Avalanche, he only played a total of 8:24. He saw a slight bump in the win over the Utah Mammoth, skating for 10:27.
The interesting thing is that Connor Murphy was traded on Monday, and they still scratched Korchinski. Sam Rinzel was back in the lineup, but they actually called up Ethan Del Mastro to take Murphy's spot instead of just letting Korchinski play.
This is an interesting spot for the young former first-round pick. Sure, Del Mastro plays a style that replicates Murphy more than he does, but Rinzel was also going back into the lineup with an expected jump in ice-time with Murphy's absence.
If he's not going to play while with the NHL team, having him there instead of developing further in the AHL is a curious decision. The team clearly feels that, for now, Korchinski is benefitting from practicing with the NHL guys.
Korchinski is an offensive defenseman. His stock was high entering the 2022 NHL Draft because of his skating and offensive IQ. Since being drafted, however, Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levhsunov have been better at those things, while also showing more of a ceiling in other areas of the game. That has pushed Korchinski further down the line.
Wyatt Kaiser is going to return from his injury on Friday against the Vancouver Canucks, which blocks the path for Korchinski even further. He deserves to get a chance down the stretch, but so many players at his position on the roster make it hard to see logistically.
Even if they trade Matt Grzelcyk, they still have Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, Wyatt Kaiser, Louis Crevier, Alex Vlasic, and Ethan Del Mastro ahead of Korchinski on the depth chart.
Is a change of scenery necessary for the young defenseman? For the sake of roster space, it might be wise for the Blackhawks to consider something like that. His pedigree as a prospect still makes him worth something on the open market, but they likely want a contributing player or prospect back in a deal.
If they can't find a deal, they must think of a way to get him NHL ice time so they can see what they have in the player as the season comes to an end.
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.
The Vegas Golden Knights made a quiet but practical move to bolster their forward group, picking up winger Cole Smith from the Nashville Predators. Heading back the other way is defense prospect Christoffer Sedoff along with a 2028 third-round pick.
Smith isn’t a flashy addition, but he brings experience and reliability to Vegas’ bottom six. The 30-year-old has six goals and four assists through 42 games this season, his sixth year in Nashville. He’s playing out the final year of a two-year deal that carries a manageable $1 million cap hit — the kind of contract contenders like to add this time of year.
Smith during a recent game.
A native of Brainerd, Smith has spent his entire NHL career with the Predators, totaling 23 goals and 39 assists across 271 games in the National Hockey League. He’s also appeared in five playoff games, giving Vegas a player who understands postseason intensity, even in limited action.
Sedoff, 24, has been skating with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL, where he’s posted four assists in 38 games this season. He now joins a Predators organization that appears to be leaning further into future assets.
Vegas currently sits atop the Pacific Division with a 28-19-14 record, and this move signals they’re looking to solidify depth rather than make a headline splash.
Earlier in the day, Nashville also moved forward Michael McCarron to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick, another sign the Predators are reshaping their roster with an eye toward what’s next.
What Fans Can Expect
The Minnesota native’s most productive offensive season came in 2023–24, when Cole Smith recorded nine goals and 14 assists with the Nashville Predators. Offense, however, has never been the defining element of his game.
Smith’s value is rooted in his defensive reliability. He owns an 82-game average of 1.1 defensive point shares (per Hockey Reference), with a career-best 1.3 posted during that same 2023–24 campaign. His ability to suppress chances, win board battles, and execute clean exits makes him a dependable presence in a depth role.
In Vegas, he’ll reunite with former Predators teammate Colton Sissons, giving the Vegas Golden Knights a familiar pairing on the lower lines. The duo developed chemistry in Nashville as defensively responsible forwards capable of handling tough matchups while adding a physical edge.
Physicality is another clear part of Smith’s profile. He has delivered 119 hits this season, reinforcing his reputation as a hard, straight-line winger who finishes checks consistently. That style fits seamlessly with the Golden Knights’ identity and complements players such as Jeremy Lauzon and Keegan Kolesar, who also bring size and edge to the lineup.
Overall, Smith projects as a defensively sound, physical depth addition who strengthens Vegas’ bottom six without altering its core structure.
The NHL trade deadline arrives at 3:00 p.m. on March 6, and for the Philadelphia Flyers, it has the potential to be a referendum on direction.
The front office has said that this season is one where they hope to be out of the subtracting stages of the rebuild, and instead be in a position to start adding strengths to the roster. But trade deadline week always comes fraught with rumors, and the Flyers are certainly no exception.
The Flyers can believe in their trajectory while still recognizing that certain players carry heightened market value. What follows is an objective examination of the names most frequently mentioned in league circles—not as expendable pieces, but as assets with defined value across the NHL landscape.
Rasmus Ristolainen: A Resurgent Top-Four Defenseman With Defined Value
Rasmus Ristolainen has played some of his most efficient hockey in recent weeks. His gap control has tightened, his decision-making with the puck has become more economical, and his physical presence remains unmistakably valuable.
The Flyers are reportedly asking for a first-round pick and a prospect for the 31-year-old and are not inclined to settle for less—a reflection of both his recent form and the broader scarcity of right-shot defensemen capable of handling top-four minutes.
Pierre LeBrun: Re Rasmus Ristolainen: The current asking price from the Flyers is a first round pick and a prospect - Insider Trading (3/3)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) March 4, 2026
Two teams reportedly expressing significant interest are the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins.
Buffalo’s interest sounds particularly acute. Ristolainen was drafted eighth overall by the Sabres in 2013 and spent eight seasons there. A reunion would not simply be sentimental; Buffalo is seeking defensive stability and playoff credibility. Ristolainen’s familiarity with the market and his matured defensive profile could provide both.
The Bruins, on the other hand, prioritize defensive zone reliability and physical deterrence in playoff series. Ristolainen’s size, penalty-kill usage, and willingness to engage physically align with that identity.
The key question is valuation. If Philadelphia holds firm on their reported asking price, it highlights confidence not just in Ristolainen’s play, but in their negotiating position.
Owen Tippett: Upside, Leverage, and a Contract Clock
Owen Tippett may be the most discussed Flyer in league conversations at the moment. While he is not being aggressively shopped, every team reportedly asks about him when they give Danny Briere a ring.
The appeal is obvious. Tippett combines high-end straight-line speed with a heavy, quick-release shot. When engaged, he can tilt games with pace alone. He has the frame to play physically and the skill to finish from distance, a combination that remains attractive in today’s transition-heavy NHL.
Yet Tippett has been known to struggle with inconsistency. His impact can fluctuate from dominant to peripheral within the span of weeks. That volatility complicates valuation.
A recent Daily Faceoff report suggested that there has not been significant traction on a deal this week and that movement, if it occurs at all, may be more likely in the offseason. In Tippett's case specifically, timing matters. The 27-year-old has a no-trade clause that activates on July 1, meaning Philadelphia would need to act before then if they intend to preserve maximum flexibility.
The Bruins have reportedly “kicked the tires” multiple times, and they are not alone. Speed and shot volume are appealing across systems. Teams searching for a middle-six winger who can escalate into a top-line threat in the right environment will continue to inquire.
For the Flyers, the decision hinges on belief: Is Tippett a long-term foundational scorer, or an asset whose market may never be higher?
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (74). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
Bobby Brink: Development Curve Meets Roster Mathematics
Bobby Brink represents a different kind of asset. He's younger, cost-controlled, and still ascending.
Small in stature but creative in tight spaces, Brink has evolved from a perimeter playmaker into a more assertive competitor. He has added strength, increased his puck battle engagement, and diversified his offensive reads. His versatility allows him to move between lines and adapt to varied tactical demands.
The speculation around Brink is less about dissatisfaction and more about roster dynamics. The Flyers have plenty of winger prospects pushing for NHL roles. To create space, they may need to convert an existing young asset into a different positional need.
Anthony Di Marco: Re Flyers: I have gotten the sense that Bobby Brink may be (one of) the wingers to walk the plank to clear space for the incoming influx of prospect wingers over the coming years - Daily Faceoff (1/27)
Around the league, Brink would appeal to teams seeking secondary scoring with playmaking instincts. His hockey IQ translates across styles, whether in a puck-possession system or a structured forecheck.
He has made tangible strides over the past two seasons and still projects with a meaningful ceiling. That combination makes him valuable both internally and externally.
Garnet Hathaway: Veteran Presence With Playoff Utility
Garnet Hathaway embodies the archetype of a deadline acquisition.
At 34 (turning 35 in November), Hathaway remains physically assertive, defensively reliable, and tactically disciplined. He plays defined minutes, kills penalties, and rarely deviates from his role. In postseason environments, those traits amplify.
His value extends beyond the ice. Hathaway is widely regarded as a strong locker-room presence—vocal, accountable, and an example of a true professional that younger players can follow.
He is not a top-six scorer, nor is he expected to be. But for teams seeking fourth-line stability, playoff edge, and experience, Hathaway represents low-risk reinforcement with immediate utility.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway (19). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
Noah Juulsen: Defined Role, Predictable Execution
Noah Juulsen offers something contenders covet in depth defensemen: clarity.
He understands his role as a third-pair, physical, detail-oriented defenseman. He does not overextend offensively. He prioritizes body positioning, net-front coverage, and simple exits.
In postseason play, injuries are unfortunately inevitable. Having a defenseman who can step into limited minutes without disrupting structure is an asset. Juulsen’s physicality and willingness to handle “dirty work” situations make him appealing to teams seeking insurance on the back end.
His market may not command headline returns, but there will be teams out there looking for depth optimization, and Juulsen's predictability can carry some value in that department.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Noah Juulsen (47). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)
Carl Grundstrom: Bottom-Six Stability With Scoring Touch
Carl Grundstrom fits a mold that playoff teams routinely pursue: a bottom-six forward who can finish.
Grundstrom brings physical engagement, forecheck pressure, and enough offensive instinct to convert opportunistic chances. He does not require power-play time to produce. His value lies in five-on-five contributions and matchup flexibility.
For teams looking to solidify their third or fourth line with a player capable of elevating during tight-checking series, Grundstrom can provide cost-effective reinforcement.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Carl Grundstrom (91). (Megan DeRuchie-The Hockey News)<div data-empty="true"><br></div>
The Broader Calculation
Trade deadlines can be chaotic, especially for a team like the Flyers that may not necessarily want to subtract or make short-term solution deals, but have several players who could initiate long-term success in a trade deal.
For Philadelphia, the calculus is layered. Some players, like Ristolainen, may command peak value. Others, like Tippett, force philosophical questions about ceiling versus consistency. Depth veterans such as Hathaway and Juulsen provide immediate playoff utility for contenders, and younger pieces like Brink carry developmental upside that can be reshaped into positional balance.
What remains clear is that the Flyers are not navigating this deadline from a position of desperation. They hold assets that other teams want. That distinction grants them patience.
March 6 will reveal not only who might move, but how the organization goes about this next phase of rebuilding. This week could showcase incremental recalibration or accelerated repositioning, or it could be uneventful if other GMs don't bring the desired pieces to the Flyers' table.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 02: A detail view of the Nike basketball shoes of Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks before a game against the Boston Celtics at Fiserv Forum on March 02, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s a fair question — and one that’s becoming harder to ignore around the league.
Among qualified NHL goaltenders, the Calgary Flames netminder sits first in save percentage at .922 and sixth in goals-against average at 2.28. Dig a little deeper, and the numbers become even more compelling. His high-danger save percentage stands at .863 — placing him in the 97th percentile league-wide, well above the NHL average of roughly .813.
Yet for much of the season, Cooley’s performance has flown under the radar. Playing behind a team that has battled inconsistency and struggled to generate offence at times, his body of work hasn’t always been accompanied by highlight-reel wins or national headlines. But inside the organization, the appreciation is clear — and he’s been turning opponents heads, too.
“I think he’s starting to,” said Flames head coach Ryan Huska. “Maybe early on in the year he didn’t get as much (credit) as he probably deserved. I think now he is, because he’s been really consistent with what he’s done when he’s gone in there.”
There’s a noticeable edge to his game — a refusal to quit on plays, regardless of the scoreboard. Whether the Flames are protecting a lead or chasing one, his effort level rarely wavers. That compete has resonated with Huska, particularly in difficult nights when momentum swings heavily the other way.
“Even (against Dallas) when the game was out of reach, he competed and tried to make a save on everything that was coming at him and that’s what you love about him,” explained Huska.
That resilience matters. Goaltending can be isolating, especially when breakdowns happen in front of you or games spiral beyond control. Cooley’s response hasn’t been frustration — it’s been fight.
“And you want, hopefully, other players to recognize what he did in a situation where things weren’t going in our favour,” Huska continued. “He stayed in there and made some saves, so I was really proud of him for that.”
The numbers make a strong case. The underlying metrics strengthen it. But perhaps what separates Cooley this season isn’t simply statistical dominance — it’s mentality.
On a team searching for consistency in other areas, the goaltender has quietly provided it.
Underrated? Maybe earlier in the year.
Overlooked? Increasingly difficult to justify.
If recognition across the league hasn’t fully caught up yet, it’s only a matter of time.
WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — Wrexham will play Liverpool in a friendly match at Yankee Stadium as part of its East Coast tour this summer, and by that time the fast-rising Welsh club will know if it has reached the Premier League.
Wrexham has earned an unprecedented three straight promotions and is playing in the second-tier Championship for the first time since the 1980s.
Its surge up the English soccer pyramid, documented in the Emmy-winning “Welcome to Wrexham” TV series, began in 2022 with promotion from the non-league fifth division.
Wrexham is currently in sixth place in the Championship with 11 games remaining in the season. The top-two finishers secure automatic promotion to the Premier League and the teams that finish third to sixth will qualify for the end-of-season playoffs for the one extra promotion spot.
Wrexham's three-match tour, announced on Wednesday, begins July 25 against Leeds at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Liverpool game is July 29. The team then faces Sunderland on Aug. 2 at Subaru Park near Philadelphia.
The Colorado Avalanche have been atop the NHL all season. But as Friday’s trade deadline nears, swirling speculation suggests the club could be open to shaking things up — including potentially moving a player who might be more valuable staying put than gone.
Former Avalanche insider Adrian Dater wrote on X, "I’m hearing that Val Nichushkin might suddenly be in play as #Avs trade piece."
Let’s make one thing very clear: this would be a very poor decision by the Avalanche.
Valeri Nichushkin at training camp.
An Indispensable Piece of the Core
Nichushkin, who turns 31 this week, has been a foundational piece of Colorado’s identity for years. At his peak, he was one of the NHL’s most dangerous two-way power forwards — a force on the forecheck, a puck-possession driver, and a relentless net-front presence. During Colorado’s Stanley Cup run, he was indispensable. Nichushkin posted nine goals and six assists for 15 points in 20 games and even played through a broken foot in the Cup-clinching game.
Yes, this season’s scoring numbers — 12 goals and 24 assists in 51 games — don’t match the highs Avalanche fans are used to. And yes, his eight-year, $49 million contract has drawn scrutiny. There have been injuries and off-ice personal challenges. But focusing strictly on raw counting stats misses what Nichushkin actually provides.
Built For Playoff Hockey
Nichushkin does the things that matter most in playoff hockey — disrupting opposing breakouts, forcing turnovers, wearing down defenders, and tipping pucks in dangerous scoring areas. Those contributions rarely dominate headlines, but they frequently decide postseason games.
Nichushkin with the Stanley Cup. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas
Colorado’s record without him over recent years is also telling. The Avalanche have been significantly better with Nichushkin in the lineup than without him — a reflection of the subtle but very real impact he has on the ice.
Championship teams need skill. They also need weight, pressure, and players willing to do the punishing work between the dots. Nichushkin thrives in that environment.
The Brotherhood Factor
Beyond systems and analytics, there’s also the human element — something Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now highlighted when discussing Nichushkin’s relationship with goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.
Deen reported that Nichushkin has opened up socially since Blackwood’s arrival in Denver, with the two routinely seeing each other postgame and building a genuine bond as locker room teammates. For a player long viewed as quiet and reserved, that growth matters.
Blackwood has been open about how the relationship started early — the two “just started chatting,” Blackwood told Deen — and it evolved naturally from there. It’s more than casual camaraderie. That’s chemistry. That’s trust. That’s accountability.
Blackwood and Nichushkin embrace following a big win. Credit: John E. Sokolowski
All of those things matter.
There’s also broader context. Blackwood signed a long-term deal in December and appears fully invested — and happy — in Colorado. Stability in net has been a storyline for this franchise, and the organization finally has it.
A healthy, confident Nichushkin playing in front of him — blocking lanes, winning board battles, applying relentless forecheck pressure — directly supports that stability. Goaltenders benefit immensely from predictable, committed defensive play in front of them. Nichushkin provides exactly that.
Trading him now would not be a simple cap maneuver. It would send a message through the locker room. And for a team capable of winning another Stanley Cup this season, disrupting that chemistry carries real risk.
The deadline is approaching fast. If the Avalanche believe they need another layer to push them over the top, the focus should be on adding — not subtracting the subtle glue that helps hold a contender together.
Valeri Nichushkin may not always dominate the stat sheet. But his impact on this team, stylistically and culturally, is undeniable.
