Kyle Dubas talks Penguins progress, what they need and what’s next

ELMONT, NEW YORK - MARCH 30: General Manager Kyle Dubas of the Pittsburgh Penguins arrive for the game against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on March 30, 2026 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager/president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas met with the media on Tuesday for his end-of-season press conference, and he discussed a wide range of significant topics.

At the top of the list: Evgeni Malkin’s future with the Penguins, where the Penguins currently stand in the NHL with the progress they made this season, and what they need to do next in order to get where they want to be.

Also, speaking of Dubas, the finalists for the NHL’s general manager of the year award were announced on Tuesday and Dubas was not among the top-three vote-getters. There are a lot of people in hockey that simply do not like him. This seems to be pretty significant confirmation of that, because that result just seems weird.

But that is another discussion for another day.

Let’s get into the big topics as it relates to the Penguins.

On the Evgeni Malkin situation

Dubas gave the best possible answer that he could have possibly given here.

He praised Malkin, understands his place in the history of the franchise and the league, said all of the right things about him, acknowledged that he is not blocking anybody if he returns, and flat out said “we would love to have him back.”

Also said he had a great exit interview with him and that he is still talking to Malkin’s agent to make the contract work.

My takeaway on this: He is either doing really good PR for himself in the event that Malkin leaves, or a new contract is inevitable.

I feel like the latter is probably the most likely.

But you can’t really rule out the former. Dubas isn’t dumb. He knows how to deal with the media and how to play the game publicly. By shifting the onus onto Malkin he positioned himself to say, “hey, we wanted him back, it just didn’t work.” He might still very well want to move on, but he also knows in doing so that would always be attached to his tenure here, and if it did not work out …. well … that is the kind of thing that can linger.

Now, having said that, I will repeat, Dubas isn’t dumb. He also has to know that playing that sort of PR game with a franchise icon probably won’t go over well with anybody.

So I am still leaning toward the “Malkin will be back next season” side of this.

On where the Penguins are right now

Dubas’ assessment of the 2025-26 Penguins is that they were a good team, and at times flirted with being a “very good” team. But he also acknowledged that while they did make some progress, they were not good enough, and are not anywhere close to being a contender. He even mentioned that while watching the second-round of the playoffs he has openly wondered if they would be able to compete with the top teams in the league.

He has repeatedly said that his goal here is not just about making the playoffs, but building a contender-worthy team that can compete for championships.

In his view, they are clearly not at that level.

That is also not an unfair take. They were good this season. But even as they won more games and got into the playoffs everybody still knew they were at least a step below the likes of Colorado and Carolina.

Dubas specifically referenced the Hurricanes being the class of the division and said at the present time the Penguins are not even close to them.

On what they need to do to get there

Dubas seemed most bothered by how much the Penguins give up defensively, and that has to be a focus before they can get back to the level they want to play at.

That was clearly the Achilles heel of the Penguins all season.

While they finished near the top of the league in pretty much every major offensive category, from goals scored, to power play, to scoring chances to expected goals, they were significantly worse when it came to what they allowed going back the other way.

During 5-on-5 play they were 22nd in goals against, 20th in expected goals against, 23rd in scoring chances against and 22nd in high-danger scoring chances against.

Clearly that is not good enough.

Dubas talks about Penguins as “destination” team for players “with some control over their situation.”

To me, this is the most significant thing that Dubas said on Tuesday, and might indicate the type of players he is going to be looking at this offseason.

He specifically referenced “players in their mid-to-late 20s.”

It does not take a lot of imagination to try and figure out the type of players he might be referencing here when he talks about that age range, and players with “some control” over their situation.

No-trade clauses.

Restricted free agents.

Players that might want out of their current situation.

It also seems to indicate he has little interest in the unrestricted free agent market.

Dubas has been extremely aggressive in roster movement since taking over the Penguins, and it does not require much overthinking to guess that we might be in for a hectic offseason.

Pistons' coach J.B. Bickerstaff calls free throw disparity in Game 4 'unacceptable'

The headlines from Game 4, where Cleveland tied its series with Detroit, were Donovan Mitchell exploding for 39 second-half points and a 22-0 run to start the second half that helped the Cavaliers pull away for the win.

To Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff, there was more to the story — Cleveland shot 34 free throws in Game 4 to 12 for Detroit. Mitchell himself had more free-throw attempts (15) than the entire Pistons team, a Detroit squad known for its physical play and for drawing fouls.

"It's unacceptable. It is," Bickerstaff said after the loss, via the Associated Press. "There is no way one guy on their team should have more free throws than our team. We're not a settling for jump shots team. We didn't do enough to help ourselves, but ever since we came to Cleveland, the whistle has changed."

Bickerstaff was going to get his money's worth with the fine that is assuredly coming, so he wasn't done, via Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com.

"We drive the ball, attack the paint. So, what was done out there tonight, it's frustrating, but we can't allow that to be the reason why, because we didn't play well enough and play to the best of our capabilities.

"But again, you look at the foul count, you look at the disparity, and that's hard to overcome, and you wonder the reason why. It's interesting since (Cavaliers coach) Kenny (Atkinson) made his comments publicly about us, the whistles changed in this series."

Atkinson complained about the balance of whistles after the first two games, when the Pistons shot a combined 55 free throws to the Cavaliers' 43.

Coaches complaining to the press about calls going against them in a playoff series is a playoff tradition that goes back further than when Phil Jackson was doing it during the Jordan era in Chicago. The hope is to plant a seed in the minds of the officials calling the next game, to get them — even subconsiously — to tweak how the game is called.

Both Bickerstaff and Pistons star Cade Cunningham said that the referees were not why they lost Game 4 — that was the inability to slow Mitchell and a poor start to the second half. Now it's all about Game 5 on Wednesday, and Bickerstaff will gladly pay the fine if it helps his team in that critical showdown at home.

Who Changed The Kings The Most? Revisiting Recent Acquisitions

The Los Angeles Kings have made the playoffs for 5 straight seasons, and over the last 2 years, the Kings have made major roster changes that, at the time, were made to help the team not only make the playoffs but also to help get them further both within the playoffs and in future seasons to come. But during the time those trades and signings were made, the players, fans, and Kings organization couldn't see just how impactful they were, so looking back 2 years to see the most recent acquisitions and who has changed the Kings the most.

2025-26 Season Acquisitions

During the 2025-26 season, the Kings made multiple trades, bringing in some players and sending others to other teams. The Kings' trades this season both showcased the team's future building while also providing star and depth talent for the short term. 

The biggest trade the Kings made this season was for the biggest player on the trade market. The trade was the Kings trading for Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers in exchange for Liam Greentree and a conditional 2026 3rd round pick. While the Kings lost one of their top prospects, they gained a player who has been a point per game over the last 9 consecutive seasons. 

Artemi Panarin, after being traded to the Kings, signed a 2-year, $11 million AAV deal with the team. Panarin, since joining the Kings, has played in 26 games, scoring 9 goals, tallying 18 assists for 27 points. In the 4 playoff games he played, he had 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points. 

During the 2026 trade deadline, the Kings traded players to different contenders around the NHL, but they also acquired 2 players. The first was signing forward Mathieu Joseph to a 1 year $900K contract. Joseph played in 12 games for the Kings and did not register any points. 

The second acquisition at the deadline for the Kings was Scott Laughton, who was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a conditional 2026 3rd-round pick. Laughton with the Kings played in 21 games, scoring 5 goals and recording 3 assists for 8 points. The Kings were able to use Laughton as a depth piece and have interest in signing Laughton during the offseason. 

2024-25 Players Acquired 

The Kings during the 2024-25 season made a few moves, and at the trade deadline, they acquired forward Andrei Kuzmenko from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a 2027 3rd-round pick. In the 2024-25 season, Kuzmenko played in 22 games, registering 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points, and was playing some of his best hockey.

But the 2025-26 season was a setback, as Kuzmenko played only 52 games due to injuries and scratches. In those 52 games, he registered 13 goals, 12 assists for 25 points. While Kuzmenko's points improved, he often found himself a healthy scratch and lacked a set spot in the lineup. Currently, Kuzmenko is set to become a free agent in this upcoming offseason.

The offseason after the 2024-25 season was a busy one for the Kings, as they signed 4 players when free agency opened on July 1st. Those players are Anton Forsberg, Joel Armia, Brian Dumoulin, and Cody Ceci. 

Anton Forsberg signed a 2-year, $2.2 million AAV deal with the Kings and was set to be the Kings' backup goaltender. But fast-forward to the end of the 2025-26 season, and Forsberg was the Kings' starting goalie in the playoffs and has proved to be a strong option in goal heading into next season. 

Joel Armia signed a 2-year, $2.5 million AAV deal, and in his first season with the Kings, he played in 67 games, registering 13 goals and 12 assists for 25 points. Armia also represented Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he led the team with 8 points. While being a depth player for the Kings, Armia made a strong impact this season and looks to do the same heading into the next. 

The last 2 players to sign with the Kings were Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci, who, throughout the 2025-26 season, would form the 3rd defensive pairing for the Kings. Brian Dumoulin signed a 3-year $4 million AAV deal and played in all 82 games, scoring 2 goals, tallying 15 assists for 17 points. Ceci would sign a 4-year, $4.5 million deal and also play in all 82 games, scoring 1 goal and tallying 8 assists for 9 points. 

2023-24 Players Acquired 

The 2023-24 season for the Kings, in terms of trades and signings, featured players who have solidified themselves as Kings starting players today. The first player the Kings acquired in the 203-24 offseason was goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who was traded to the Kings from the Washington Capitals in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois. Kuemper would have a Vezina-nominated season the following year, and while in the 2025-26 season, he would take a step back. The Kings now have him and Forsberg to be a strong tandem heading into next season. 

Not long after the Kuemper trade, the Kings traded Carl Grundstrom to the San Jose Sharks for Kyle Burroughs. Burroughs would not play in the 2025-26 season, due to injuries and being the 7th defenseman on the roster. The Kings made 2 signings on July 1st, 2024, signing Jeff Malott and Joel Edmundson. 

Jeff Malott signed a 2-year $775K deal with the Kings. In the 60 combined games Malott has played with the Kings over the last 2 seasons, he has scored 3 goals and has tallied 10 points. Malott is set to become a free agent during the 2026 offseason. 

The last signing for the Kings was Joel Edmundson, who signed a 4-year, $3.8 million AAV deal with the Kings. In the past 2 seasons, Edmundson has proven himself a reliable defenseman for the Kings, playing in 155 games, scoring 8 goals, and recording 43 points. 

Impact on the Kings 

The Kings' recent acquisitions have had a significant impact on their roster. The biggest impacts for the Kings are Kuemper, Panarin, and Edmundson. Darcy Kuemper has proven himself a starter for the Kings, and with the addition of Forsberg, the Kings have a reliable tandem moving forward. The addition of Joel Edmundson to the Kings has given them a reliable defenseman who can play anywhere in the lineup. 

Lastly, while Panarin joined the Kings during March of the 2025-26 season his offensive presence was impactful for the Kings to clinch a playoff birth and heading into next season Panarin will be looked upon to help the Kings offense and with the Kings possibly adding more players during the upcoming offseason the Kings could be a new team come time for the start of the 2026-27 NHL season. 

Timberwolves vs Spurs Computer Picks: Our Best Player Prop Projections for Game 5

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A pivotal Game 5 takes place at Frost Bank Center tonight between the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs tonight.

Our NBA player prop projections have you covered for all the action, with two five-star plays!

If you're looking for more NBA picks, look no further than our Timberwolves vs. Spurs predictions for May 12.

Timberwolves vs Spurs computer picks for Game 5

Timberwolves TimberwolvesSpurs Spurs
Gobert o7.5 points
-120
Champagnie o8.5 points
+100
Dosunmu o12.5 points
-112
Fox o17.5 points
-112
Reid o11.5 points
+100
Castle o4.5 rebounds
-155

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Timberwolves Game 5 computer picks

Rudy Gobert Over 7.5 points (-120)

Projection: 9.75 points

This is one of two five-star plays our model found for this game, showing an EV edge of 23.91%. Rudy Gobert has scored 10+ points in back-to-back outings, playing 30+ minutes in each.

He should see a similar workload tonight with Wemby back after his ejection.

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Ayo Dosunmu Over 12.5 points (-112)

Projection: 14.78 points

Ayo Dosunmu has become a pivotal part of the Minnesota Timberwolves' rotation, even drawing the start in Game 4. Our projections see him turning up the heat after three underwhelming performances.

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Naz Reid Over 11.5 points (+100)

Projection: 13.51 points

Naz Reid provides a perfect scoring punch for the Wolves off the bench. He's eclipsed this total in six of his last seven games, finishing with exactly 11 in the other outing.

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Spurs Game 5 computer picks

Julian Champagnie Over 8.5 points (+100)

Projection: 10.54 points

This is the second five-star play for tonight's game, sitting with an EV edge of 24.32%.

Before two mediocre outings, Julian Champagnie was going to work. With Wembanyama expected to play the full game, it'll open up more catch-and-shoot opportunities for Champagnie — who is hitting threes at a 49% clip in the playoffs.

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De'Aaron Fox Over 17.5 points (-112)

Projection: 19.73 points

De'Aaron Fox plays a pivotal part in the San Antonio Spurs' success, and they'll need him to be at his best tonight. He just scored 24 points in Game 4, and he's on track to play after going through the afternoon shootaround.

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Stephon Castle Over 4.5 rebounds (-155)

Projection: 6.17 rebounds

Stephon Castle puts his 6-foot-6 frame to good use, averaging 4.3 rebounds per game in the playoffs. He's eclipsed this line in two of four games against Minnesota, finishing with exactly four in the other two.

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How to watch Timberwolves vs Spurs Game 5

LocationFrost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX
DateTuesday, May 12, 2026
Tip-off8 p.m. ET
TVNBC/Peacock

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Andy Murray returning to tennis on Draper’s coaching team for Wimbledon tilt

  • Two-time champion to help Draper in grass-court season

  • Sinner equals Djokovic record following win in Rome

Andy Murray will make his return to tennis as part of Jack Draper’s coaching team during the grass-court season, following Draper’s decision to part ways with his coach Jamie Delgado.

“I am very grateful for everything Jamie Delgado has done for me over these past six months, said Draper in a statement. “He is a world-class coach and a great man. In the interim, I will continue to be supported by the excellent team at the LTA, with the addition of Andy Murray, who will be supporting me throughout the grass-court season.”

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Red Wings’ NHL EDGE Numbers Reveal Major Problems Behind Playoff Collapse

It was a tough season for the Detroit Red Wings as they aimed to finally snap their playoff drought, but by the time the postseason arrived, they were left watching from home once again. 

After briefly leading the Atlantic Division earlier in the year, Detroit’s season unraveled slowly and painfully, with inconsistency, defensive struggles and a lack of finishing ability ultimately costing them a playoff spot in heartbreaking fashion.

For frustrated Red Wings fans searching for answers, NHL EDGE data provides a clearer picture of what went right and what went disastrously wrong over the course of the regular season.

Offensively, Detroit actually produced at a level that should have translated into far more success. The Red Wings generated 2,316 shots on goal, ranking 11th in the NHL, while their 685 high-danger scoring chances also placed them 11th league-wide. Their underlying possession metrics were respectable as well, posting a plus-0.5 shot-attempt differential that ranked 14th and a plus-0.1 shots-on-goal differential that ranked seventh overall.

Those numbers suggest Detroit frequently controlled play at even strength and created quality opportunities on a nightly basis. The problem was turning those opportunities into goals.

Despite generating offense consistently, the Red Wings scored just 239 goals this season, ranking 22nd in the NHL. Their shooting percentage of 10.3 percent ranked 26th, revealing a team that simply struggled to finish chances when it mattered most. Too often, Detroit outplayed opponents for stretches only to fail to capitalize offensively.

The deeper puck-possession numbers tell an even more concerning story with Detroit spending 42.5 percent of its total ice time in the defensive zone, meanwhile, they spent only 40 percent of their time in the offensive zone, ranking 26th, while their neutral-zone possession time of 17.4 percent ranked 29th.

For a club attempting to establish a controlled, possession-driven identity under its current core, those numbers expose a major weakness. Detroit frequently found itself hemmed into its own zone and struggled to sustain pressure offensively for long stretches.

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Red Wings Lose Out On Charlie Coyle As Center Re-Signs With Blue JacketsRed Wings Lose Out On Charlie Coyle As Center Re-Signs With Blue JacketsColumbus secures a reliable two-way veteran with a long-term extension, forcing Detroit to pivot their offseason strategy after missing out on a premier middle-six depth solution.

The Red Wings also weren't the slowest team in the league by any means by lacked top end speed as they recorded a maximum skating speed of just 22.84 MPH this season, ranking dead last among all 32 teams.

Their total number of 22+ MPH speed bursts, just 45, ranked third-worst in the league. In an NHL increasingly dominated by transition offense and explosive skating, Detroit lacked the high-end pace necessary to keep up with other teams. 

Detroit ranked 32nd in total miles skated on the penalty kill at 159.32 miles, while their average of 7.15 miles skated per 60 minutes while shorthanded ranked second-worst in the NHL. Their total movement during penalty-kill situations in individual periods also ranked last league-wide.

Combined with Detroit’s bottom-10 penalty kill ranking this season, the data reinforces what fans often saw with the eye test, a passive unit that struggled to pressure puck carriers or disrupt offensive setups.

On the bright side, Detroit’s power play emerged as one of the team’s strengths, finishing seventh in the NHL in most miles skated during a game on the power play and second in most miles skated during a single period with the man advantage. This was largely because they tied with the Dallas Stars for the seventh-most power play opportunities in the NHL with 248 this season. 

At even strength, the Red Wings also posted respectable skating numbers, ranking ninth in total miles skated and 10th in average miles skated per 60 minutes. While their top-end explosiveness lagged behind the league’s elite teams, their overall work rate remained competitive.

The Red Wings showed they can generate chances, compete territorially at times and create an active power play. But their inability to finish scoring opportunities, sustain offensive-zone possession and match the league’s speed ultimately doomed them when the playoff race tightened.

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Victor Wembanyama Picks, Predictions & Best Bets for Timberwolves vs Spurs on May 12

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In some alternate NBA timeline, Victor Wembanyama was suspended for his katana-like elbow on Naz Reid. In that dimension, the Western Conference semifinals look very different.

But in our universe, the league isn't holding out one of its biggest superstars for Game 5 between the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves. San Antonio remains a massive favorite at home tonight with the inside track to the conference finals.

Wembanyama will be on the floor tonight, impacting the game as only he can, and these are my best NBA picks surrounding Victor Wembanyama props for May 12. Be sure to also read our Timberwolves vs. Spurs predictions.

Victor Wembanyama prop pick

Victor Wembanyama best bet: Victor Wembanyama Under 27.5 points (-112 at bet365)

Prior to his Game 4 ejection, Victor Wembanyama was coming off a 39-point explosion in Game 3.

That boosted his scoring total to 26.5 O/U heading into Game 4 and has tonight’s points prop trending up to 27.5 O/U. 

Wembanyama’s absence after getting the hook on Sunday was definitely felt on the defensive end, but the San Antonio Spurs managed well without him on offense.

Guards De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper picked up the scoring slack, and that takes pressure off Wemby to shoulder the load as he returns to the lineup.

If there wasn’t already a target on the 7-footer, there’s a glowing red laser dot on him in Game 5. The Minnesota Timberwolves are pissed the NBA didn’t suspend him for an obviously calculated elbow to the neck of beloved forward Naz Reid

Just how Minnesota treats Wembanyama tonight remains to be seen, but it won’t pull any punches. If this were the NHL playoffs, we’d see the gloves come off the instant the puck dropped.

Wembanyama started Game 4 shooting 2-for-5 from the field, scoring off the dribble and on an alley-oop toss. Outside of Game 3, the T-Wolves have done a solid job on Wembanyama. 

Taking out that 13-for-18 outing, he’s shooting just 37.8% in the other four showings, with outputs of 11 and 19 points in the first two games of the series.

Player projections for Game 5 range from 25.1 to 29.2 points from the lanky Frenchman, but most models come in shy of his current scoring total of 27.5 points. My number flirts with 26 points, giving the nod to the Under.

Another thing to consider: Given the sizable spread, San Antonio may pull away in the second half. If the score gets out of hand, it could get chippy.

If I’m Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson, I’m not playing my franchise player any more than I have to and protecting him from garbage time shenanigans.

Victor Wembanyama same-game parlay

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Spurs moneyline

Victor Wembanyama Under 27.5 points

Victor Wembanyama Over 12.5 rebounds

+310 at bet365

San Antonio returns to Texas as 10.5-point home chalk. The Spurs are 12-3 straight up as double-digit home faves this season, as well as 18-5 SU when coming off a loss.

The T-Wolves aren’t going to play nice with Wembanyama after his elbow on Reid, and you can expect the veteran team to needle the youngster in an effort to frustrate and throw him off his game. The bulk of scoring projections come in short of 27.5 points

Wemby will still battle on the boards and with his interior presence pushing Minnesota to the outside — where it’s shot poorly — there will be plenty of rebounding chances for the 7-footer to snap up.

He grabbed 15 boards in each of the first three games and is forecasted for as many as 15+ rebounds tonight.

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Winners and Losers of Day 1 of the NBA Combine

Day one of the NBA Draft Combine is in the books, and the measuring tape doesn’t lie,  but apparently, college sports information departments do. Seventy-three prospects were invited to  Chicago to put their bodies under the microscope. By the end of the measurement session, a handful of guys walked out with their stock firmly on the rise, while others are quietly hoping teams don’t look too hard at the numbers. Here’s who won the day, and who didn’t.

Biggest Winners

Morez Johnson – Michigan, PF 

The measurements didn’t break the internet, but they didn’t need to. Johnson checked in right at his listed 6’9″, 250 lbs, and backed it up with a 6.5-inch wingspan advantage and a 39-inch vertical. Then he went out and posted the group’s best Pro Lane Agility time. Johnson is already a highly-regarded prospect, and these numbers give teams every reason to keep moving him up their boards over the next six weeks. Don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the top 10 by draft night.

Darius Acuff – Arkansas, PG

This was the best-case outcome for Acuff.  The knock on him all season has been size and well… defense. Coming in at 6’2 with a 5-inch-plus wingspan goes a long way toward answering the size question. Acuff’s combination of elite playmaking and now-verified length makes a legitimate case for him going as high as fifth overall. The question is whether he can use these tools to be a net natural defender at the next level. 

Aday Mara – Michigan, C

Seven-foot-three barefoot. Second-highest standing reach in combine history. That’s it. That’s the tweet. Mara has been one of the fastest-rising names in draft circles all season, and he just gave every front office another reason to love him. A top-ten landing feels less like a projection now and more like a floor.

Chris Cenac – Houston, C

In a draft class starved for legitimate big men, Cenac may have just put himself into the lottery conversation. The size is real, the length is real, and a 41.5-inch vertical is the kind of number that makes scouts forget about everything else on the page. Teams looking for a high-upside center have their answer. Cenac is going to be a name everyone knows by draft night.

Biggest Losers

Kingston Flemings – Houston, PG

It’s been a wild ride for Flemings — from afterthought to can’t-miss top 5 pick, all in one season. The combine didn’t kill his stock, but it put a dent in it. A 6’2 point guard with a 6’3 wingspan gives teams pause, especially the ones that prioritize positional length. He’ll still land in the lottery, but the teams that had him climbing toward the top five are going to take a harder look. One bad measurement session doesn’t erase what he did on the court,  but it complicates the conversation.

Christian Anderson – Texas Tech, PG

Coming in under 6’1″ when you’re listed at 6’3″ is never a good look. Anderson’s physical profile is now a problem, and it’s going to cost him on draft night. The good news: a 6-inch-plus wingspan and a 40.5-inch vertical tell a story that pure height can’t. There’s a team that’s going to fall in love with that athleticism and take a shot on him, but the mid-first-round buzz might be fading.

Amari Allen – Alabama, SF

This is the one that stings. Allen was already slotted comfortably in the mid-to-late first round, and a clean combine week could have pushed him higher. Instead, his official measurements came in well short of Alabama’s listed 6’8″, 205 lbs., the kind of discrepancy that sets off alarm bells in front offices building around specific positional fits. The path forward isn’t obvious. He could go back to school, bet on himself, and enter a 2026 class with far less top-end talent. Or see if a team falls in love with his workout and gets the promise he needs to stay in the draft.

Giro d’Italia: Narváez powers to stage four victory as Ciccone takes pink

  • Home rider take lead after first shakeup in 2026 race

  • Narváez surges through to deny Aular on the line

Ecuador’s Jhonatan Narváez (UAE Team Emirates XRG) powered to the line, claiming victory on stage four of the Giro d’Italia, outpacing Orluis Aular, with the home rider Giulio Ciccone taking over the leader’s pink jersey after crossing the line in third.

The first shakeup in this year’s race coincided with its arrival home in Italy following the opening three stages in Bulgaria, and after Aular hit the front ahead of Ciccone, Narváez came from behind and left the Venezuelan behind.

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What Bringing Back Charlie Coyle Means To The Columbus Blue Jackets

With the announcement that the Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed Charlie Coyle to a six-year contract, what does than mean for a Jackets team desperate to make Stanley Cup Playoffs?

Well, for one, they're bringing back a 14-year NHL vet with 1032 NHL games under his belt. Coyle, who spent was brought to the Cannon City via a trade with the Colorado Avalanche in the summer of 2025, put up 58 points last season, and played some of the best hockey of his career. The guy oozed leadership from the minute he got here. 

He's also never missed the NHL playoffs in his career until this past season, and if he was clearly upset with that during his exit interview with the media. Coyle also made it perfectly clear he wanted to come back to Columbus, and guide them to their first playoff berth since 2020. 

So, Coyle has his long term, and possibly last contract of his career, so what now?

Coyle needs to keep up the pace in which he played last season. When Coyle, Mathieu Olivier, and Cole Sillinger scored, or were making plays, this team won. If those three players can play like they did in 2025-26, watch out. 

But what else does Coyle coming mean to the CBJ?

It also means that the long-time Captain Boone Jenner might be on the move. 

Jenner has played every game of his NHL career in Columbus, and is the definition of the city itself. He works hard, and does what he needs to do. It's often said that a plyers best attribute is his availability. In this case, as sad as it may be, that may be Jenner's downfall.  

Boone Jenner has only played 82 games in his career once, back in 2016-17. The closest he's come to that since was 18-19 when he played 77. Since that season, he's played 70 once, 68, and then 67 this past season. Out of 1028 games he could've played, Jenner has only played in 808. 

If Boone Jenner isn't brought back, might they give Charlie Coyle the C? If I had to make a guess, I'd say yes. As I said above, Charlie has leader written all over him. From what he brings on the ice, to what he brings off of it, Coyle is what you want in a professional hockey player. He's also from Massachusetts, so you know he has no issue's with speaking his mind. 

This is a huge deal for Columbus going forward. Young guys love him, and the older players respect him, and value his experience.

Many will point to the term and get scared, but in my opinion, this deal is perfect for this franchise right now. 

Next Up For Columbus: The NHL Draft is on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo, where the CBJ will own pick #14.  

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Former Blues First Round Pick Is Stepping Up For The Canadiens In The NHL Playoffs

After defeating a Stanley Cup favorite in the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the NHL playoffs, the Montreal Canadiens have now taken a 2-1 series lead over the Buffalo Sabres, and former St. Louis Blues first-round pick Zachary Bolduc has done his fair share of heavy lifting to do so.

Bolduc’s first season in Montreal was a bit of a letdown. Coming off a 19-goal, 36-point rookie season with the Blues, St. Louis decided to trade the 23-year-old to the Habs in exchange for right-handed defenseman Logan Mailloux.

Bolduc started the season on fire, finding minutes on the top line and top power play unit, but he then hit a cold streak that extended for far too long.

He finished the regular season with just 12 goals and 30 points in 78 games, averaging 13:38 of ice time. But the playoffs have changed things for the former 17th overall pick of the 2021 NHL draft. 

In 10 games, Bolduc has notched two goals and six points despite his minutes shrinking to 11:30. He’s also fired 12 shots on goal, thrown 24 hits, and is a plus-6 in 10 post-season games. The Habs have outscored their opponents 8-2 at 5-on-5 with Bolduc on the ice, and he’s finding ways to be impactful, while also producing as a third liner.

On Sunday, with the Canadiens leading 2-1 in the second period, Bolduc came through with a crucial goal, which proved to be the game-winning goal as the Canadiens defeated the Sabres 6-2 to take a 2-1 series lead. Later in the game, Bolduc was assessed a 10-minute misconduct after receiving a double minor for roughing in the first period and a minor for roughing in the second. 

Revisiting The Logan Mailloux For Zachary Bolduc TradeRevisiting The Logan Mailloux For Zachary Bolduc TradeOne of the surprise off-season trades saw the St. Louis Blues acquire Logan Mailloux from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Zachary Bolduc. Nearing the 50-game mark of the season, we revisit the trade to see who the real winner of the deal was.

There’s been plenty of debate about the Bolduc and Mailloux swap, but as of now, it appears both sides are pleased with the results. Bolduc’s production comes in waves, but he’s carving out a third-line role.

As for Mailloux, he stepped up late in the season, looking far more comfortable at the NHL level. He could be in store for a true breakout season in 2026-27. 

The Canadiens are back in action tonight as they host the Sabres for a critical Game 4. 


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Canadiens’ Dach Has Flipped The Script

After Game 2 of the Montreal Canadiens’ first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kirby Dach was the talk of the town, and not for the right reason. It was his icing that led to the defensive-zone faceoff on which the Bolts scored the game-winning goal in that second duel. Fans and media alike, including THN, were clamoring for him to be scratched in Game 3, but Martin St-Louis stuck to his guns and not only kept him in, but moved him to center. The message to Dach couldn’t be clearer: the coach had his back, and he was not going to give up on him.

At that stage, the big Albertan had no points and had a minus-one rating. The following game was one of the best Dach had ever played wearing the Sainte-Flanelle. He registered a goal and an assist and was everywhere on the ice alongside Zach Bolduc and Alexandre Texier. That line ended up being the Habs’ best in the first round. The Frenchman is no longer on their line these days against the Buffalo Sabres; it’s Joe Veleno who completes it, but the unit is still effective.

Xhekaj And Malenstyn Fined, Expect More Bad Blood
Canadiens’ Bolduc Is A Pain For Sabres
Canadiens Must Brace For Pushback In Game 4

Dach might not have been dominant offensively in all the games so far, but the truth of the matter is that right now, he has five points, four goals, and an assist, exactly like Juraj Slafkovsky. However, the centerman has a plus-six rating while the power forward sports a minus-six rating. Of course, Dach’s line, which gets fourth-line minutes, is not on the ice as often and doesn’t get the toughest match-up. Still, their contribution has been essential, and their ability to contribute offensively despite limited ice time has been key to the Canadiens’ success.

With his contract being up this summer, Dach’s bounce-back performance will put Kent Hughes in a tricky position. The big center is often injured and has been largely inconsistent during his four-year tenure with the Canadiens. The GM will have to weigh the risks and rewards of keeping the big forward around. If the Habs opt to keep him, they will have to make him a qualifying offer of $4 million. That’s a much more digestible number if the playoff version of Dach starts showing up in the regular season, but that’s not a guarantee.

Needless to say, the longer the Canadiens’ spring goes on and the more consistent the big center becomes, the better his chances of getting a qualifying offer from the team. This summer will be the last time he is an RFA. At the end of his next contract, he will be a UFA and free to go wherever he pleases.

It seems highly unlikely that Hughes will want to sign him to a long-term contract as things stand; he’s still too much of a gamble, but he may be willing to give him another bridge deal, another chance to show the Canadiens what he can do. Something that seemed inconceivable to many, including this writer, after Game 2 of the first-round series. Dach has flipped the script and can be proud of what he has accomplished so far in these playoffs, but he can hopefully keep building on it.


Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

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Rory McIlroy claims he knew LIV was in trouble and breakaway tour was always a ‘risk’

  • LIV in race against time to survive without PIF funding

  • McIlroy: ‘I was hearing about this in March, April time’

Rory McIlroy has revealed he heard rumblings of impending trouble for LIV Golf weeks before Saudi ­Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) ­confirmed it would withdraw funding for the circuit. The Masters champion believes the PIF approach highlights the danger of sport ­becoming reliant on anything that can be affected by world affairs.

LIV is engaged in a race against time to survive with PIF, which has bestowed more than $5bn (£3.7bn) on the tour, to exit at the end of 2026. News of that, which emerged in the immediate aftermath of ­McIlroy’s successful defence at Augusta National last month, shocked those within LIV but not the Northern Irishman.

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LeBron James unsure of what future holds for him after a 23rd season unlike any other

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James has said it consistently all season long: He doesn't know what's next for him.

He doesn't know if he will play another season, and if so, whether it will be with the Lakers or another team. He — and the people around him — have consistently said he had not come close to making that decision.

Minutes after his 23rd season ended, that hadn't changed.

"I don't know what the future holds for me, honestly, as it stands right now tonight," LeBron said after his Lakers were swept out of the playoffs by the Thunder. "I've got a lot of time now. I think I said it last year after we lost to Minnesota: I'll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them and spend some time with them, and then when the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decide to do."

LeBron is now a free agent and faces two major questions: Whether to return to the NBA, and if the answer to that is yes (as many around the league expect), will it be with the Lakers or another team?

The question is not can he still help a team — he answered that emphatically this season. LeBron, at age 41 and in his unprecedented 23rd NBA season, showed he is still one of the top players in the game and an All-Star. For the season, he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists a night, shooting 51.5% from the floor.

"It's amazing what he's doing out there at this age," Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. "It's very impressive. It's hard to put into words. He's not very old in the grand scheme of life, but for the NBA, he's pretty old, and he doesn't seem like it out there. He was a force. He was the top of the scouting report all series. His size gave us issues at times. He was impressive out there. I'm not sure we'll see anything like that again, his longevity and his greatness."
This season was unlike any other for LeBron: He battled more injuries, missing the first 14 games with sciatica and only playing in 60 total (ending his record streak of making 21 All-NBA teams), and for much of that season playing as the Lakers' third option behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. LeBron also got to share the court again with his son Bronny, including playing in the playoffs together.

With Doncic (hamstring) out for the playoffs and Reaves (oblique strain) missing most of it, LeBron stepped back into the role of primary shot creator and led the Lakers in an upset of the Houston Rockets and into the second round. In the playoffs, he averaged 23.2 points a game with 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game.

"I was put into some positions that I never played in my career before. Actually, in my life," LeBron said of this season. "I've never been a third option in my life. So to be able to thrive in that role, for that period of time, and then have to step back into the role that I've been accustomed with over my career or my life playing the sport, and be able to thrive under that, and just my teammates allowing me to lead them under extreme circumstances, that was pretty cool for me at this stage of my career."

On the podium after the emotional loss, LeBron sounded like many great, aging athletes before him, including Lakers' legend Kobe Bryant: His love of the game is still there, but his decision whether to retire or continue is more about his whether he remains willing to put in the incredible and increasing amount of work it takes to get his aging body ready to play at this level for another season.

"I think for me, it's about the process," LeBron said. "If I can commit to still being in love with the process of showing up to the arena five-and-a-half hours before a game and start preparing for a game. Give everything I got, diving for loose balls, doing everything that you know that it takes to go out and play. Showing up to 11 o'clock practice, I'm here at eight o'clock, preparing my body, preparing my mind, preparing to practice, to put the work in.

"So I think for me, I've always been in love with the process and not the aftermath. Okay, we won that game, or won a championship, like I've always enjoyed the process more than the outcome. So that will be a big factor.

"And also, have a conversation with my 12-year-old daughter, that's a big factor; my 19-year-old son entering his second year at Arizona and my wife as well. So they're a huge factor in any decision I've made, so they'll be a big part of it as well."

LeBron isn't going to be rushed into a decision, but it's also one he essentially needs to make in the next couple of months, while teams are still shaping and forming their rosters for next season. By the middle of July, that process is largely finished for teams.

He just doesn't know what that decision is yet.

Knicks Bulletin: ‘I swear to you, he got this as a middle finger to me’

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 10: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers wrestle for a loose ball during the second quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 10, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images

You can feel it in the air.

It’s the rest-and-wait scent.

Here’s the latest from across Knicks nation.

Mike Brown

On closing out series with composure and preparation:

“Closeout games are the hardest games to play, because of the level of desperation from the other team, especially when you’re on the road and you factor in your opponent’s home crowd — so, I give our guys a lot of credit. I give my staff a ton of credit. My staff has been unbelievable from top to bottom. They’ve been really, really, really good in our preparation and making sure guys understand what we need to do so that they can stay focused on the details at hand.”

Karl-Anthony Towns

On the team’s mentality entering the Eastern Conference Finals:

“I think it’s really great to see our team in this mindset. The feeling that we’ve got a lot more work to do. To see us not really relaxing, looking at these next days as days to realign ourselves and get ready for the next challenge, I think it speaks volumes about this team where we’re at mentally, we understand collectively that the job’s not done and we have to get our bodies freshened up so we can get ready for the next series.”

On how this year’s mood differs from last season’s:

“To beat a great team like Boston last year, obviously we were very excited. This year we just have another year with each other. We — I don’t know. It’s just us being very locked into the moment and understanding there’s a lot more work to do. And as soon as you start relaxing is when you lose in the playoffs. It’s great to see our guys kind of hungry for the next challenge.”

On using the layoff to reset physically and mentally:

“We’ll take these days. We’ll take [Monday] to heal our bodies, heal our minds — especially me, myself, especially the mind part, mentally, and get back to work on us, on our game plan, our offensive execution, our defensive execution. Continue to find ways that we can get better so we start that next series and we’re at our best version of the year.”

Miles McBride

On why reaching the conference finals isn’t enough for this Knicks team:

“That’s what we expect to do. I feel like this group is special. We can’t take it for granted. It’s something special to do. Obviously this fan base has been wanting this, but we have to stay locked in. Getting to the Eastern Conference finals isn’t the final goal.”

On his growth after feeling his fit in the NBA was uncertain earlier in his career:

“I just felt like my back was against the wall. The only way I could get out of it was to fight and just trust myself.”

On admitting the real reason behind his “Golden Child” tattoo:

“Yeah, but a lot of other people have called me that so it worked out. Shoutout to my sister.”

Trey McBride (Deuce’s Brother)

On feeling like Miles got away with things growing up:

“I would do something. I’d get in trouble for it. … Miles does something — he could do the exact same thing, and no one bats an eye. And I was just like, ‘Yo. He’s doing the same thing! I’m calling it out.’ And he would just look at me and kind of chuckle, because he knew he got away with it.”

On his reaction to the “Golden Child” tattoo:

“I swear to you, he got this as a middle finger to me.”

On Miles’ refusal to admit the real reason for the tattoo:

“He would never admit he was doing it to piss me off. He would say he’s doing it because my grandma calls me this or my brother gave me that nickname. Like, ‘It just feels right.’ Some Miles bull—- answer.”

On believing there was some truth behind the rivalry:

“It’s probably a little true, to be honest with you. Like, he probably does like the nickname that I gave to him, because things have gone pretty well for him. But I swear to you, there is a small piece of him that is like, ‘Yeah, Trey, take that. I’m the golden child.’”

Josh Hart

On how this postseason run feels compared to last year’s:

“I think the way we beat Boston last year, the comebacks and all that, it was very — I don’t want to say celebratory, but it was — it hit a little bit different than here. It’s just, we’re approaching the business as normal and we gotta make sure we’re locked in and focused on the next team.”

On the team’s current flow and continued hunger:

“It just didn’t happen overnight. It was a process of trial and error and figuring things out, figuring out where everyone wants the ball, new system, new coaches, stuff like that. So I think we’re in a good little flow state right now, but we’ve got to make sure we continue to get better and not be complacent.”

On using the extended break to recover:

“It’s good. I think we’re all a little banged up, so you know — get some treatment, some rest and recovery. Watch the other games and be ready.”

Mikal Bridges

On playing with urgency even while holding a 3-0 series lead:

“Being able to play desperate even being up 3-0. Shoutouts to everybody: Shoutouts to the coaches and everybody who played tonight.”

On staying afloat while OG Anunoby recovers:

“We’re gonna hold it down for OG and do whatever it takes and hopefully give him some more time to heal up, but next man up. We’ve got a lot of talent on this team, a lot of smart IQ guys and we’re gonna hold it down for OG and anybody else who gets hurt.”

Landry Shamet

On the impact of shooting coach Peter Patton on the Knicks’ performances:

“He’s the man. There’s some guys that get it, understand the nuances of shooting. The reality is it’s very nuanced. It’s not as cookie cutter as a lot of people might think like, ‘Have your elbow in a certain position’ and ‘You need more arch,’ and those kind of cliché things that you hear a lot. But Peter is very good at picking up on subtleties and nuances from person to person. My stuff is different from Mikal [Bridges’], and his stuff is different from Jose [Alvarado’s]. He understands that. And he’s good at not being overbearing and doing too much. Just finding ways to give you a couple things to hang onto to think about, to pay attention to. Cause the reality is a lot of guys in here were really good shooters. How can you marginally kind of move the needle? And he’s been really helpful. He’s been great.”

Kenny Smith

On the level of difficulty increasing in the Eastern Conference Finals:

“It gets real again in the next round for the Knicks. Cleveland and the Pistons have caused problems for the Knicks this year.”

Charles Barkley

On how he views the Knicks’ path to the conference finals:

“Whoever they play next is a very difficult series.”

Shaquille O’Neal

On whether anyone in the East can slow the Knicks right now:

“They’ve shown me they are ready. And I have to disagree with both guys, I think they’ll breeze through whoever the next opponent is if they play like this.”

On his ultimate prediction for New York:

“Knicks going to the finals.”

Stephen A. Smith

On his belief that the Knicks can finish the job:

“Philadelphia 76ers, my condolences. We’ll talk about them later. New York Knicks going to the finals. I think they can win the championship. Yes, I do.”

Jay Williams

On the Knicks’ chances if they reach the NBA Finals:

“1,000 percent. I’ll say, once you get to the finals, anything can happen. I still think OKC would be favoured. But still, they could put up a fighter’s chance. By the way, I know that we’ll talk about this later, but you have Cleveland, then you have Detroit. If I’m the Knicks, I want Detroit. I’ll say it.”

On wanting a shot at the Pistons and Cade Cunningham:

“I know because Cade Cunningham is a Knicks killer. And J.B. Bickerstaff, we want all the smoke with that team all the time. You haven’t seen this version of us. OK, I want that back. I want a chance to redeem myself. I’ll take Cleveland or Detroit, doesn’t really matter.”