San Diego Padres celebrating a recent victory (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With less than two weeks remaining in the 2026 Major League Baseball season, the San Diego Padres have firm control of the third and final National League Wild Card postseason position.
The magic number is nine, and with a little luck, they can clinch a playoff berth against division foe, the Arizona Diamondbacks, at Petco Park next weekend. Any combination of Friars wins and Diamondbacks losses totaling nine allows the Brown & Gold to pop some champagne and celebrate.
2026 regular season has been a grind
That’s all well and good; the path to the postseason has been a grind. The season has been a Jekyll and Hyde campaign: the bats went silent early on, and so did the team’s ability to win games.
The Friar Faithful criticized the club for failing to take advantage of lesser teams on the schedule. It seemed like the Padres were playing down to their opponents.
Once the lineup found consistency at the plate and the starting rotation came together to produce quality starts, the wins have come in bunches. All of it has helped to maintain a 2.5-game lead over the D-Backs in the Wild Card standings.
Wild Card standings wide open
The two teams will meet in the final regular-season series at Petco Park on Sept. 25-27. No need to analyze the series, as the Friars can make it meaningless by continuing to win. The magic number dwindles; the D-Backs will lose ground to make up the deficit, as games are removed from the schedule.
At worst, Arizona wants to be trailing by three games heading to San Diego.
The Padres will likely open on the road against the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card round. However, the club is narrowing the gap on the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs in the standings.
Both teams are struggling to play .500 baseball, keeping the Friars in the hunt to gain ground in the Wild Card race. Because San Diego lost the season series to the Phillies and Cubs, they don’t hold the tiebreaker and must finish ahead of both teams in the standings to advance.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, the Padres must first clinch a postseason berth.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 30: A general view of Chase Field prior to the MLB game between the Detroit Tigers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on March 30, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Arizona Diamondbacks/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today’s Lineups
MARLINS
DIAMONDBACKS
Kyle Stowers – 1B
Lars Nootbaar – LF
Heriberto Hernandez – LF
Ketel Marte – 2B
Otto Lopez – SS
Gabriel Moreno – C
Griffin Conine – DH
Geraldo Perdomo – SS
Javier Sanoja – 3B
Corbin Carroll – RF
Jakob Marsee – CF
Nolan Arenado – 3B
Xavier Edwards – 2B
Jesus Sanchez – DH
Joe Mack – C
Pavin Smith – 1B
Esteury Ruiz – RF
Tim Tawa – CF
Ryan Gusto – RHP
Merrill Kelly – RHP
Roster moves
The Arizona Diamondbacks made the following roster moves. The D-backs’ active roster is at 28 and the 40-man roster is at 40.
Reinstated from the 60-day injured list: RHP Ryne Nelson (strained right elbow; retro to June 16)v
Designated for assignment: RHP Derek Law
So, that’s now… Seven starters on the active roster for the D-backs? Kinda. Given the lack of length in his rehab outings, it looks like Nelson will instead be joining Zac Gallen in working out of the bullpen the rest of the way, which will be interesting. Nelson had made 15 appearances this year, purely as a starter, but does have experience out of the bullpen, in particular last year, when he came on in relief ten times. Small(ish) sample size, but he has actually been significantly better in that role. He has a 2.82 ERA across 44.2 IP, compared to 4.43 over his 93 starts. His starts this year were higher still, at 4.97.
I am a little surprised to see the team make room for Nelson by dumping Derek Law. In some ways, it is a case of, “easy come, easy go.” He’d not pitched in the majors since 2024 due to injury, and began the year on the Injured List. After a couple of rehab outings and another IL stint, he joined the Reno Aces in August, and was then quickly promoted to the major-league roster, making his first appearance there on August 29. He allowed a run in his first outing, but since then has tossed 7.2 scoreless frames across six outings, decent numbers. But with no minor-league options remaining and a free agent at season end, I guess the math didn’t add up.
I’m going to be taking my own advice this evening and stepping outside to touch grass. Well, not literally. It’s still summer in Arizona, so you really don’t want to step outside, and the grass died several months ago. But I’m going to put the phone away for the evening and fully commit to other pastimes! I’ll check back in around 9:30 pm, in the hopes of seeing a series win, in advance of tomorrow’s off-day.
The NHL enforcer announced Wednesday that he was retiring from hockey in a lengthy post on social media.
“Today, I retire from the sport I’ve loved since I was 5 years old,” he wrote on Instagram. “It was a hell of a ride. Thank you to everyone who supported me throughout this journey. There are too many to single out, so you’ll hear from me at some point.
“I may not be on the ice anymore, but I know I will always be close to hockey in one way or another. You can rest easy knowing the corners are a little safer today. Mic drop, gloves drop. Reavo out.”
Reaves, who turns 40 in January, played 16 seasons in the league with stints on the Wild, Blues, Penguins, Golden Knights, Rangers, Maple Leafs, and most recently, the Sharks.
Known more for his fights than his play, Reaves carved out a career as one of the NHL’s most feared enforcers.
Last October, Reaves got into an on-ice fight with Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe, who was left with a broken thumb.
After coming over in a trade with the Golden Knights in 2021, Reaves quickly became a fan favorite at Madison Square Garden.
San Jose Sharks right wing Ryan Reaves celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez
His first fight as a Ranger came that November, when Canadiens rookie Michael Pezzetta challenged him at the Garden. Reaves pummeled Pezzetta in the one-sided bout before earning a standing ovation from the home crowd.
He played 81 games with the Blueshirts, recording five goals and 13 points, and appeared in 18 playoff games during their run to the Eastern Conference Final in 2022.
New York Rangers right wing Ryan Reaves (75) skates the ice in the first period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Eastern Conference finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Saturday, June 4, 2022, in New York. AP
The Rangers traded him to Minnesota that November.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound winger finished with 66 goals and 140 points in 962 regular-season games, while piling up more than 1,100 penalty minutes.
He finished his career with three goals in 50 games for San Jose last season.
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Brian Wolfe pitches against the Rangers on Sept. 1, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
Brian Wolfe, a standout pitcher at Servite who played three seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, has died at age 45, his wife shared Tuesday on Facebook.
“I’m am sorry to write this but after a really really difficult and torturous battle Brian Wolfe passed away early this morning,” Rachell Wolfe wrote.
No other details have been provided.
Wolfe was one of Orange County’s most dominant high school pitchers during the late 1990s. After going 8-0 with an ERA of 0.27 as a sophomore in 1997, he was the Friars’ ace the next two seasons.
Honored both years as a member of The Times’ All-Orange County team, Wolfe went 11-2 with a 1.37 ERA and a county-best 139 strikeouts as a junior and was 12-0 with a 1.30 ERA and nearly 100 strikeouts as a senior.
After committing to Cal State Fullerton in the fall of 1998, Wolfe opted to sign with the Minnesota Twins organization after being drafted in the sixth round (179th overall) the following summer. He spent the next several years working his way up through the minor leagues with the Twins, Milwaukee Brewers and Blue Jays before making his major league debut with Toronto as a relief pitcher in 2007.
Wolfe appeared in 72 games over three seasons with the Blue Jays, compiling a 5-5 record and a 3.81 ERA in 82.2 innings pitched. He became a free agent after the 2009 season and spent the next nine years playing in Japan with Nippon Professional Baseball, playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (including the 2013 season as teammates with Shohei Ohtani), Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks (winning the Japan League title in 2014 and 2015) and Saitama Seibu Lions.
Former MLB outfielder Brandon Barnes posted a tribute to Wolfe on Wednesday, calling his fellow Orange County native “one of my best friends and a mentor.”
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams (15) against the Boston Celtics in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The news that Mark Williams tore his labrum during a recent scrimmage, with the possibility that he could be out until at least the All-Star break, is not how the Suns wanted to begin the season.
Every team needs health to remain competitive, and Phoenix already enters the year with limited flexibility. The Suns are carrying $23.2 million in dead cap money and currently sit $1.7 million below the second apron, where they are hard-capped. That makes replacing production even more difficult. It also accelerates the timeline for players like Khaman Maluach and forces the organization to alter the developmental path it likely envisioned for him entering the season. Instead of bringing him along gradually, Phoenix may now need meaningful production from him much sooner than expected.
We’ve already talked about what Williams’ injury means for both Khaman Maluach and third-year big Oso Ighodaro. We’ve also explored why Maluach should ultimately get the first crack at the starting role. But there’s another exercise worth exploring. Should the Suns look to the free agent market to fortify their center depth while Williams is out?
As things currently stand, the center rotation consists of Maluach and Ighodaro. Behind them, there isn’t much. Rasheer Fleming could theoretically play some small ball five if needed. Phoenix also has two-way big CJ Huntley, who can be elevated and remain available for up to 50 regular season games. If Phoenix chooses to lean on Huntley as the primary depth option behind Maluach and Oso, that 50-game threshold would carry them to roughly the All-Star break, which could line up rather conveniently with the current timeline surrounding Williams’ return. So yes, that is a viable path.
When you look at the free agent market for centers, there really isn’t a whole hell of a lot out there. You’ll see a few former Suns sitting around. Bismack Biyombo. Mason Plumlee. Drew Eubanks. And no thanks. I’m not really interested in running back old ideas simply because they’re familiar. Dwight Powell is out there too, but he’s 35. Xavier Tillman is probably the one name that gives me a little pause. He’s a quality screener, and BBall Index gave him an A- grade in rim protection. But he’s also only 6’8”, and at that point I start wondering whether you’re better off giving Rasheer Fleming some minutes at small ball five and seeing what you have there.
The free agent market at center probably brings more risk than reward, especially when you consider how tight the Suns already are financially. I don’t think this is the time to spend money simply to say you added another center.
If the Suns do decide to make a move for another center, they would most likely have to move off Jamaree Bouyea’s contract to create the room. Bouyea is owed $2.6 million this season, but that money doesn’t become guaranteed until January 10, 2027. If Phoenix waives him before then, it would create roughly $4.3 million in flexibility to go shopping for another big.
And I think that’s the important starting point in this conversation. The Suns do not need to make that decision right now. They can push it into January. By then, we’ll have seen plenty of Maluach and Ighodaro as the primary centers. We’ll have seen Rasheer Fleming get some small-ball five minutes if needed. And we’ll probably get a look at CJ Huntley in spot situations along the way, especially when foul trouble becomes an issue.
That part interests me. That’s why you have two-way players, right? That’s why you have the G League. That’s why you have a development system in the first place. To identify talent, develop it, and then allow those players to prove whether that development actually took hold.
So while some people may be beating the drum for the Suns to dig through the scrap heap that is the current free-agent center market, I don’t think they need to do that right now. The optionality is there to wait. Let the season tell you what you actually need. See what Maluach looks like. See what Oso looks like. See whether Huntley can give you anything. See how Williams’ rehabilitation progresses. Heck, if you want to try Koa Peat at the five, go for it. And then, if January rolls around and you still need help, you make the move. There’s no reason to force it today.
Williams’ injury changes the equation, but it doesn’t require Phoenix to solve it immediately. The Suns built a developmental pipeline for moments exactly like this, and now it’s time to see whether that investment pays off. Give Maluach the opportunity. Let Oso handle his role. See what Huntley can provide. January will arrive soon enough, and by then Phoenix will know whether it needs another center or whether the answer was already sitting on the roster.
MINNEAPOLIS — New York Yankees star right fielder Aaron Judge was pulled for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning Wednesday because of tightness in his lower right leg, a precautionary move after an injury he characterized as a normal occurrence soon after a long layoff.
Judge, who was on the bench Tuesday for planned rest, struck out in both of his at-bats against Minnesota starter Zebby Matthews before being replaced by Heliot Ramos. Judge had to run to the gap to track down a double in the fifth inning, his last action in the field, but he didn’t show any sign of slowness on that play. He said he felt the discomfort while playing in the field in the first inning.
The three-time AL MVP is 4 for 26 with 13 strikeouts and one extra-base hit in seven games since returning last week from a broken rib.
“We’re still trying to ramp up so there’s still going to be little things like this that come up,” Judge said after the Yankees lost 5-4 to the Twins in 13 innings. “I just thought it would be best instead of pushing through it like I normally do.”
Judge said he couldn’t pinpoint exactly what happened to trigger the injury, which he declined to specify.
“I tried to kind of play it off and see how it would go because these games are important down the stretch, but after kind of talking it over I thought it would be the right move to come out so we don’t cost the team on the field or cost the team on the basepaths,” Judge said.
Judge homered in the series opener at Minnesota on Monday, when the Yankees clinched a postseason spot. They entered Wednesday trailing AL East leader Tampa Bay by 3 1/2 games. The Yankees are off Thursday before starting a three-game series Friday at Arizona and hosting the Rays in a four-game division-race showdown beginning next Tuesday.
“I feel like you deal with this every spring training,” Judge said. “Usually at the start of the season once you start ramping up again this pops up, and that’s where we’ve been thankful this whole time coming back nothing’s really nagged us. So hopefully it’s just one little thing and we’re back out there soon.”
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 11: Mason Adams #38 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Friday, September 11, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Last night was fun.
The Colorado Rockies snapped a grueling eight-game losing streak —their longest of the season — with a commanding 9-3 win to snap the San Diego Padres eight-game winning streak. Now, the Rockies look to take a series lead with today’s third match-up!
Mason Adams (0-0, 3.38 ERA) takes the mound, looking for his first win in the big leagues. Adams looked great in his last outing on the road against the Detroit Tigers. He worked five innings with the only blemish being a Max Clark home run. He continues to pound the zone and now has 22 strikeouts in 18.2 innings of work against nine walks. The walks themselves have mostly come in bunches in an inning as he as walked at least three batters in two of his three starts.
Home runs have been a common occurrence for him thus far, as he has allowed five total home runs, at least one in each start. In his first start at Coors Field, Adams worked 4.2 innings, allowing three runs on eight hits against the St. Louis Cardinals. However, he did strike out seven while allowing just one walk in 4.2 innings. The recipe for success is that Adams has to work quickly and efficiently to put batters away. He has a pitch limit around 75 pitches, so if he can get through five and keep the Rockies in the game, it’ll be a successful start once again.
The Padres will send out veteran lefty Robbie Ray (12-8, 3.57 ERA). Ray enjoyed an excellent season in San Francisco, where he went 10-6 with a 3.08 ERA over 22 games. However, he hasn’t had as much success since being traded to the Padres. In seven starts with San Diego, Ray is 2-2 with a 5.35 ERA. The issue for Ray is that he is walking as many batters as he is striking them out. With 25 strikeouts and 24 walks in 33.2 innings, he’s dealing with a lot of traffic and has a 1.57 WHIP. He’s especially been beat up in September, allowing 10 runs on nine hits over his 7.1 innings of work across two starts.
Ray last faced the Rockies on July 10 at Coors Field. He was solid in that outing, allowing just one run on four hits over five innings with six walks and four strikeouts. He had faced the Rockies in the start before that in San Francisco on July 4, where he recorded a quality start. The Rockies have to be patient and make Ray throw strikes. This start will be his fourth against the Rockies this season. He is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 15 innings with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks and just one home run allowed.
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 14: Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres hits a two-run home run in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 14, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
San Diego Padres (82-69) at Colorado Rockies (56-95), September 16, 2026, 5:40 p.m. PST
Don’t troll in your comments; create conversation rather than destroying it
Remember Gaslamp Ball is basically a non-profanity site
Out of respect to broadcast partners who have paid to carry the game, no mentions of “alternative” (read: illegal) viewing methods are allowed in our thread
Blake Snell pitches in the first inning, which turned out to be his only innings, against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. (Dylan Buell / Getty Images)
Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell left his start against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday after one inning, with what the team identified as left groin tightness.
Snell gave up one hit, a single to Sal Stewart, which he quickly erased with a successful pick-off that caught Stewart in an inning-ending rundown.
Snell threw 19 pitches. Blake Treinen replaced him in the second inning.
The Dodgers’ 6-2 loss Wednesday marked Snell’s eighth start of the season. His 2026 debut was delayed by shoulder fatigue. And then after one start, he landed back on the injured list to undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his left elbow.
Since returning, he hasn’t given up more than one run in a start. Through Wednesday’s abbreviated outing, Snell has a 1.86 ERA.
Snell has a history of left groin and adductor strains. He spent time on the IL in 2021, 2022 and 2024 for such injuries.
After Snell left the game, the Dodgers used six relievers to get through seven innings. They combined to give up six runs and 12 hits, including a pair of home runs.
Left-hander Kris Bubic, acquired at the trade deadline while on the IL (flexor strain, shoulder impingement), made his Dodgers debut in the eighth inning. In his first major-league appearance since mid-May, he allowed an infield single and recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless inning.
The Dodgers had a chance to clinch the division with a win. If the San Diego Padres lose Wednesday night against the Colorado Rockies, the Dodgers win the NL West. If the Padres win, the Dodgers will have another shot at clinching Thursday.
The Dodgers’ rotation, however, is in flux.
Though right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and left-hander Tarik Skubal have been rounding into the best versions of themselves down the stretch, Snell’s injury is the latest to deplete the ranks.
Right-hander Roki Sasaki (right middle finger blister) has been on the IL for almost three weeks. He threw a four-inning, 48-pitch live batting practice session Wednesday, with Dermabond covering the sensitive area on his finger.
The Dodgers had planned to discuss how to deploy him when he returns from the IL, but if Snell is out for his next start, Sasaki seems to be a natural replacement.
“It’s playable,” manager Dave Roberts said of Sasaki’s blister. “And given the Dermabond, the time that he’ll have in between this next outing, the hope is that it’s dang near close to being healed.”
Right-hander Tyler Glasnow hit a rough patch in his last two starts but said his back, which sidelined him for three and a half months, “feels good.” The Dodgers sent him back to Los Angeles after the series in Miami to cut down on the number of flights he’d have to sit on before his scheduled start Friday.
“Get him home, get him acclimated to Pacific Standard Time, not have to do two legs,” Roberts said. “So Tyler feels great. He’ll be ready to go on Friday.”
The Dodgers optioned right-hander Emmet Sheehan to triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, in favor of an extra reliever. But over his last two major-league starts, he’s limited opponents to one run and five hits in 11 ⅔ innings.
Pitchers generally have to remain in Triple A for 15 days after being optioned, but the minimum does not apply if the player is recalled as the corresponding move for a player going on the IL.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 16: Blake Snell #7 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 16, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dodgers were hit by the injury bug again, as left-hander Blake Snell left Wednesday’s game against the Cincinnati Reds early due to left groin tightness.
Blake Snell left tonight's game due to left groin tightness.
Snell completed a scoreless first inning, facing the minimum after picking off first baseman Sal Stewart following his two-out single. Snell tossed just 19 pitches on Wednesday, allowing just one hit and striking out one before departing early. Blake Treinen replaced Snell for the bottom of the second inning.
If this marks the end for Snell’s 2026 regular season, he’ll finish with a 4-1 record and a 1.86 ERA, striking out 52 and walking 16, tallying 38 2/3 innings over eight starts. Snell did not allow a single home run over his eight starts.
The former Cy Young winner told reporters he went through his normal pregame routine but felt his groin grab at him on the second to last pitch of his bullpen session. He monitored it through the first inning and retired the side in just 19 pitches, after which he talked with Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and did not return to the mound for the top of the second. Blake Treinen entered the game in Snell's place.
"That's what I thought was best," Snell told reporters after the Dodgers' 6-2 loss. "I'll see where I'm at day-to-day, but I should be good."
It looks as if Snell and the Dodgers dodged a bullet, which Snell credits to learning from the four previous times in his career that he's dealt with groin injuries. On two previous times, he felt a similar pull but pushed through and ended up with a strain both times. He thought the groin injuries were behind him after his last strain with the San Francisco Giants in 2024, but Snell is confident that the work he's done with stretching and injury prevention – primarily Copenhagen planks – helped on Wednesday.
And this time around, he shut it down early and avoided a more severe injury.
"For me to stop, that's a first. Maybe I'm growing up, I don't know, but that was definitely the right move," Snell said. "Next couple days, we'll see where we're at and go from there."
Both Snell and Roberts are hopeful that he can still make his next scheduled start but acknowledged that how he feels over the next days and what comes back after imaging once the team gets back to LA will determine when he pitches again. Either way, Snell wants to get at least one more start in before the postseason.
"I don't think anyone can sit here right now and say what's going to happen in the next week to 10 days," Roberts told reporters. "So I think it's first, let's see how he comes in. But I'm glad it's not worse and we caught it early."
Blake Snell 2026 stats
Injuries have limited Snell to just seven starts this season, but the 33-year-old has made the most of a small sample size, posting a 1.91 ERA with 51 strikeouts and 1.09 WHIP through a career-low 37.2 innings. He's been effective when healthy, he's just rarely been healthy in 2026.
Snell began the season on the IL with left shoulder fatigue and didn't make his 2026 debut until May 9, but struggled as he gave up five runs – four of them earned – on six hits and two walks against the Atlanta Braves in just three innings pitched. He was put back on the IL six days later with loose bodies in his left elbow and underwent a minimally invasive "NanoNeedle" procedure to speed up his recovery. Snell was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 29 and began his throwing progression in early June.
Injuries have devastated the Dodgers' rotation all season, but Snell seemed to alleviate those concerns with his 1.01 WHIP since returning on Aug. 11.
Dodgers rotation
Roki Sasaki threw four simulated innings on Wednesday and is inching closer to a return after landing on the IL in late August with a blister on his right middle finger. While he'll likely pitch out of the bullpen in the postseason, Roberts told reporters that his next outing will be as a starter.
Tyler Glasnow told reporters on Sunday that he was "still figuring out some things physically" after a rough start in Miami in which he never really looked comfortable. Glasnow also missed a chunk of the season with a back issue and returned on Aug. 25 against the Braves but has struggled for the most part, giving up four runs in each of his last two starts. Roberts said that Glasnow threw his normal bullpen session on Wednesday and will pitch on an extra day of rest on Friday. He has no concerns about Glasnow's availability going forward.
The San Jose Sharks's 2026 Training Camp is set to start on Thursday, so let's take a look at each individual player and discuss a question surrounding each of them heading into the 2026-27 season.
Forwards:
Alex Barre-Boulet: Can he bring elite scoring to the Barracuda, or potentially even steal an NHL roster spot?
Filip Bystedt: Is it finally his time to break into the NHL?
Ethan Cardwell: Has he been passed on the depth chart by too many players to ever have a chance at cracking the NHL roster?
Macklin Celebrini: How many of his own franchise records can Celebrini break this year?
Igor Chernyshov: It's clear he belongs in the NHL at this stage, so where does he fit and whose job does he take?
Ty Dellandrea: Can he hold off some young guns pushing for a roster spot or will be be buried in the AHL?
Tye Felhaber: Can Felhaber get back to his AHL scoring pace from the 2024-25 season?
Andre Gasseau: Historically, Rookie Faceoff standouts tend to regress in training camp against stiffer competition. Can Gasseau be the exception?
Adam Gaudette: Does Gaudette's edge on goal-scoring save him from being the 13th forward or does he sit on most nights?
Patrick Giles: What does Giles need to do to move from a fringe player to legitimately competing for an NHL job?
Barclay Goodrow: If enough young players outperform Goodrow in training camp, how far can his leadership and off-ice qualities go toward keeping him in the lineup?
Collin Graf: Considering Stenberg seems set for the first line in an ideal scenario and both Marchment and Chernyshov are expected to get top-six roles which line makes sense for Graf?
Jake Gustafson: How much can Gustafson learn in his first NHL training camp and what effects does it have on his WHL performance this season?
Donavan Houle: Can Houle establish himself as a full-time AHL option or is the ECHL in his future once again?
Jimmy Huntington: Can Huntington's experience and leadership help him earn a few depth call-ups this season?
Brett Leason: After a season spent mostly in the AHL, can Leason return to his previous form and force himself into an NHL role once again?
Cam Lund: While it's clear he's a talented player, can Cam Lund stay healthy enough to earn another chance in the NHL at some point this season?
Mason Marchment: Many on social media have stated that they feel signing Marchment was unnecessary given the Sharks' logjam of forwards, can he prove them wrong?
Michael Misa: The Sharks are banking on Misa being their second-line center of the future, but after a relatively disappointing Rookie Faceoff, can he take that role right out of the gate?
Quentin Musty: Does Musty's new style of play, which embraces the grit required to play a bottom-six role, help him break into the NHL?
Zack Ostapchuk: Even though his new contract carries a relatively low cap hit, signing any bottom-six player with just over 100 games of NHL experience for four years is risky. Can Ostapchuk show that he's worth that commitment?
Kiefer Sherwood: Sherwood's goal-scoring dropped off considerably after joining the Sharks, can he return to the same pace he had with the Vancouver Canucks last season?
Will Smith: Is this the season that Smith joins Macklin Celebrini in superstardom and massive contracts?
Ivar Stenberg: How quickly can he adapt to the North American style of play and do the Sharks follow the same development plan they've used with Smith and Misa?
Tyler Toffoli: Is age starting to catch up with Toffoli or was last season just an outlier?
Anthony Vincent: Can Vincent maintain his role with the Barracuda despite the new additions?
Alexander Wennberg: How long can Wennberg hold off Misa and remain the Sharks' 2C?
Carson Wetsch: Can Wetsch use his momentum from the Rookie Faceoff to snatch away a bottom-six role at the NHL level in his first professional season?
Defensemen:
Nolan Allan: Allan hasn't played in the NHL since the 2024-25 season when he appeared in 43 games for the Chicago Blackhawks, can he take the final defensive job?
Luca Cagnoni: Are the Sharks confident enough in Cagnoni's ability to play with on his off-hand side to give him the final spot on the blue line?
Sam Dickinson: Early last season, Dickinson seemed like he wasn't quite ready for the NHL but had to be there due to a lack of options. Is he truly ready now?
Libor Hajek: North American hockey fans haven't seen Hajek in roughly four years, is he an NHLer or AHLer at this stage?
Mattias Havelid: Havelid missed some time with the Barracuda last season, appearing in just 44 games. Can he stay healthy enough to provide a boost to the blue line?
Alexander Karmanov: Karmanov's size was a huge advantage and helped overcome his skating issues in the Rookie Faceoff, will he look out of place against NHL level talent?
Michael Kesselring: Last season, Kesselring struggled to get anything going in Buffalo. Will he bounce back to being the player we saw in Utah?
Roland McKeown: Can McKeown's leadership help the Barracuda when times get tough?
Darnell Nurse: Will Nurse's change of scenery truly be beneficial?
Mack Oliphant: Will Oliphant be able to secure himself a full-time role with the Barracuda or is he Wichita bound?
Dmitry Orlov: Heading into the final season of his contract, do the Sharks look to prioritize youth and play the veteran in a lower role or do they give Orlov substantial ice time on a nightly basis?
Eric Pohlkamp: Pohlkamp looked solid at the Rookie Faceoff and his shot seems to be a game-changer on the power play, can that elevate him into the NHL right away?
Leo Sahlin-Wallenius: How quickly can Sahlin-Wallenius adapt to North American hockey, especially in a rough league like the AHL?
Phillip Sinn: Coming out of the DEL, not much is truly known about Sinn at this point in time. What does he bring to the table and at what level?
Jacob Trouba: Trouba's contract has earned the Sharks a lot of flak this summer, can he prove that he's worth his cap hit?
Goaltenders:
Yaroslav Askarov: Can Askarov truly step up and prove that he deserves to be the Sharks' long-term starting goaltender or should they start looking toward a future with Ravensbergen?
Eric Comrie: While many feel like Comrie is destined for the AHL, he's been in the NHL for quite a while at this point. Can he use his experience to unseat one of the Sharks' other goalies?
Matt Davis: Can Davis do enough to convince the Sharks to sign him to a two-way deal or will he remain on an AHL contract moving forward?
Brady Knowling: At the Rookie Faceoff, Knowling seemed to be playing well above expectations. Can he keep the momentum rolling?
Alex Nedeljkovic: Can Nedeljkovic unseat Askarov as the starting netminder, will he remain the backup, or will he be passed by Comrie?
While quite a bit of the Sharks' roster already seems set, there are a lot of questions that still need to be answered and only time will reveal the true answer.
]The Buffalo Sabres’ 2025-26 season was a huge relief to long-suffering Sabres fans, as they finished first in the ultra-competitive Atlantic Division. They also beat the Boston Bruins in their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series before falling to the Montreal Canadiens in Round 2. Things are definitely looking up for this Sabres squad.
Meanwhile, here at TheHockeyNews.com, we're analyzing the Sabres’ Eastern Conference opponents in an online series titled “Know Your Enemy”. For the second straight season, we’re breaking down how Buffalo played against each East team, as well as how they’re likely to fare against them in 2026-27. And in this particular file, we’re focused on the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils made some notable changes – first and foremost, in net. But what can we expect from New Jersey this year?.
BUFFALO SABRES VS. NEW JERSEY DEVILS
NEW DEVILS PLAYERS: Sunny Mehta (GM), David Rittich (G), Anthony Mantha (LW), Evan Rodrigues (RW), Jesper Boqvist (LW), Luke Evangelista (RW)
2025-26 SERIES: Sabres 2-1-0, Devils 1-2-0
2026-27 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: December 26, at Buffalo; January 12 at Buffalo; February 20 at New Jersey
CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? The Devils dealt veteran Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers, and to replace him, New Jersey signed journeyman Rittich, who posted a save percentage of .894 or worse in each of the past two seasons. That shouldn’t cause Devils fans to be overly optimistic about their chances of making the playoffs this year – unless, say, new GM Mehta pulls off a blockbuster trade for Winnipeg Jets superstar netminder Connor Hellebuyck. If that happens, all bets are off for the ceiling for New Jersey.
However, as it stands, the Devils are a very beatable group. The Hughes Bros., Luke and Jack Hughes, may be waiting on brother Quinn Hughes if he leaves the Minnesota Wild. And again, if that’s the caliber of player Mehta can bring in, suddenly New Jersey rockets near or at the top of the Metropolitan Division.
The Sabres will see the Devils three times in less than two months, beginning on Boxing Day and ending 55 days later. But two of the games against New Jersey will take place in Buffalo, and the Sabres need to take advantage of that. Buffalo’s home record last season was a solid 26-10-5, and that means there’s no excuse for them not to make the most of their games at KeyBank Center. And that goes double against the Devils, who were a thoroughly-mediocre 21-20-0 on the road.
New Jersey is clearly still a work-in-progress, so the Sabres can’t take their foot off the gas simply because the Devils aren’t particularly imposing at the moment. If Buffalo is to repeat as Atlantic regular-season champs, they have to make the most of games against teams they ought to beat – and right now, the Devils are most-definitely a team they ought to beat this season.
Giving up valuable standings points to non-elite teams will only hurt the Sabres, and coach Lindy Ruff must ensure his team are stone-cold killers against weaker opponents.
The Atlanta Braves face off against the Chicago Cubs today looking for their ninetieth win of the season with ten games to go. Their magic number is at five and after the Cubs series they have the Astros, then the Marlins and Reds. If the Braves win this evening, there is still a world where they could get the two seed since they hold the tie breaker over the Dodgers.
JR Ritchie was likely called up to pitch tonight to ensure Chris Sale gets the extra rest he needs for the playoffs. Ritchie struggled before he was sent back down, but over his past two starts in AAA he has twenty-four strikeouts and only three walks. If Ritchie shows his AAA starts were legit, he may just earn himself a playoff roster spot.
Follow along in the comments as the Braves attempt to clinch a playoff spot.
Former Australian international Matthew Wade has called time on his Big Bash career nearly 15 years after playing in the T20 competition’s inaugural season.
