Posts

Posted on

Joel Embiid cleared, 'looks good' to play in 76ers season opener against Celtics

Joel Embiid has not stepped on an NBA court since his left knee surgery last April, after knee issues limited him to just 19 games last season.

That could change Friday night — and it seems increasingly likely to change next Wednesday, when the 76ers tip off their season. Joel Embiid has been cleared to play Friday night in the 76ers' final exhibition game against Minnesota, and while coach Nick Nurse said there was a "slim chance," Embiid would play, that seems to be growing.

Embiid playing in the season opener next Wednesday, Oct. 22, against Boston seems very likely. From ESPN's Shams Charania on NBA Today:

"The Sixers are hopeful that Joel Embiid can play in Friday's preseason finale and opening night next week in Boston."

Haynes on NBA TV said that Embiid is "looking good in practice" and "turning the corner," then added:

"It does look good for him making the season opener but, when he does return, I am told that he will be on a tight schedule. So just when he returns doesn't mean he's going to be an everyday available player. They're going to be very cautious throughout the rest of the regular season with him."

This likely means a minutes limit for him, no back-to-backs, and he will get other days off. Still, any Embiid is better than no Embiid for the Sixers. Last season, when he did get on the court, he averaged 23.8 points and 8.2 rebounds a game on 44% shooting. These numbers are well below his career averages, but his presence and domination in the paint — on both ends of the court — make the 76ers a complete team. If Philadelphia is going to be a team that can threaten Cleveland and New York at the top of the East — like it believes it could and should be — it's going to need a fully functioning Embiid by the end of the season, as well as the rest of the roster to stay healthy. This is at least a step in that direction.

When asked if Paul George — who played some 5-on-5 this week — would be ready for opening night, Nurse succinctly said, "No." However, he may not be that far behind. Also, Jared McCain remains out with a torn thumb ligament.

Philadelphia looks like it's about to get Embiid back on the court — in whatever limited minutes — and that is a huge plus.

Posted on

NHL Rumor Roundup: Will The Oilers Go Big-Game Hunting? Could The Canadiens Move A Roster Player?

The Edmonton Oilers' recent re-signing of superstar Connor McDavid to a two-year extension with the same $12.5 million annual average value as his current deal provides them with salary-cap flexibility for next season.

With their recent addition of free-agent forward Jack Roslovic and their status as a Stanley Cup contender, some observers wonder if they might make a significant addition before the March 6 NHL trade deadline.

David Staples of the Edmonton Journalobserved that some Oilers fans are wondering if their club might target struggling teams in the hope of adding another star to the roster, such as power forward Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres.

However, Staples doesn't anticipate the Oilers will make a major addition this season. He pointed out that the club is up against the $95.5 million salary cap, and they have little to trade except their 2027 first-round pick.

Staples also noted that the only Oilers with cap hits over $2 million lacking no-trade protection are defensemen Evan Bouchard and Brett Kulak, and starting goaltender Stuart Skinner.

Bouchard isn't going anywhere after signing a lucrative long-term extension this summer. There are no better options in the trade market to replace Skinner as their starter, and Kulak won't fetch much of a return.

Staples suggested that the earliest opportunity for the Oilers to make a big move is next summer. That's when they can put their cap space to work in the free-agent market.

Brendan Gallagher (Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)

Meanwhile, in Montreal, Canadiens fans are wondering what other moves their club has in store. They recently re-signed Lane Hutson to a team-friendly eight-year extension and extended the contracts of management honchos Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes.

Most of the focus is on defenseman Mike Matheson, who is UFA-eligible next summer. However, some fans wonder if a couple of other players might become trade candidates.

Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette was recently asked if the Canadiens might move veteran winger Brendan Gallagher to clear cap space and create room to promote a promising young forward. The 33-year-old right winger is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.5 million and a six-team no-trade list.

Another reader asked Cowan if the Canadiens might use defenseman Jayden Struble as a trade chip to address other roster needs and make space for an up-and-coming blueliner.

Cowan doesn't see either player moving this season. He believes Gallagher still has value to the Canadiens with his gritty play, experience and leadership. The uncertainty over Matheson's contract status and David Reinbacher's ongoing injury issues should keep Struble in Montreal for now.

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.

Posted on

Apple swoops on exclusive F1 US TV rights amid expansion into sports

Deal reportedly closed for $140m a year, on the heels of worldwide success of Apple-produced Brad Pitt film F1

Apple has landed US broadcast rights to Formula One in a five-year deal that would help the tech giant bolster its streaming service with one of the country’s fastest-growing sports, following the success of its Brad Pitt-starrer F1: The Movie.

The two sides did not disclose the financial details of the deal on Friday. CNBC reported it was for $140m a year, much higher than the $90m the Walt Disney-owned ESPN was paying each season for F1, which it has broadcast since 2018.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Red Wings Aim To Keep Streak Alive Against Bolts in Early Divisional Test

The Detroit Red Wings look to string together their first four-game winning streak since February, when they won seven straight just before the Four Nations Face-Off break. They faced a tough test Wednesday as they faced off against the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers and were still able to edge out a 4-1 victory. They'll be tasked with another difficult opponent on Friday in taking on another Florida-based team in the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Detroit's homestand to start the season has helped them get out to an early 3-1-0 record on the season as they currently sit second in the Atlantic Division. For the Bolts, their start to the campaign has been more troubling with a 1-2-1 record that will motivate them to bounce back. 

On offense, Detroit will look to kick things off with the always lethal Alex DeBrincat, who is normally known for being a deadly goal scorer. However, he's not found the back of the net this season. The Michigan native is still averaging over a point-per-game with six assists through the first four games. Tampa Bay's offense will be led by familiar faces in forwards Brayden Point and Jake Guentzel, who both have five points to start the season despite their team's lackluster start. 

With both offenses looking to leave their mark, it should culminate in a divisional showdown of the ages with both teams looking for a big win that would go a long way in nabbing a potential playoff spot.  

NHL Insider Reports Red Wings Exploring Trade Options At CenterNHL Insider Reports Red Wings Exploring Trade Options At CenterThe Red Wings are actively seeking a center upgrade, targeting impact players to bolster their playoff push and address face-off struggles.

Lineup Storylines

While DeBrincat searches for his first goal, a handful of others are also looking for their first tally of the season as the Red Wings' notable trio of rookies have all still not scored their first NHL goals. The veteran J.T. Compher has also failed to find the scoresheet through four games and finds himself at the bottom of the team with the rookies (excluding Emmitt Finnie) and defenseman around him in terms of point production. He would love to turn things around and could be looked at for a breakout game versus the Bolts.

A surprising start to the season for the Red Wings has been free agent add Mason Appleton, who scored a pair of goals in Detroit's win over the Panthers on Wednesday and now leads the team with three on the season. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman brought in Appleton as a veteran presence to bolster the team’s scoring depth. After making his mark as part of one of the league’s most effective lines with the Jets, Appleton has continued to deliver a similar impact early in his time with Detroit. 

The Red Wings' battle for the crease has been predominantly owned by veteran goaltender Cam Talbot to start the season but former all-star John Gibson will seemingly get a chance to redeem himself against Tampa Bay. After being acquired through a draft day trade, Gibson was expected to be Detroit's leading netminder but his debut didn't go according to plan. With five goals allowed through the first two periods, Gibson was pulled in the season opener despite most of the goals arguably not being his fault and more a cause of defensive lapses. 

Gibson Takes the Heat, But Detroit’s Defensive Lapses Deserve the Blame in Montreal RoutGibson Takes the Heat, But Detroit’s Defensive Lapses Deserve the Blame in Montreal RoutA closer look at Montreal’s five goals in Thursday’s victory over <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit </a>and an assessment of how many can truly be pinned on John Gibson.&nbsp;

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Following the loss, Talbot caught fire with three impressive starts including a stunning 38-save performance to help edge out a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs this past Monday. Gibson will look to catch a similar flame on Friday or he may start to lose more playing time than he expected due to Talbot's hot start. 

On Tampa's end, their storylines run through their backend as they currently sit with a -3 goal differential, spearheaded by 16 goals allowed over their first four games. Their 4.00 goals against per game average is bottom five in the league, which is surprising for a team that made three straight Stanley Cup finals off the strength of their backend with physical, elite defending complemented by exceptional play out of starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Unfortunately for the Bolts, their future Hall-of-Fame netminder has seen a brutal start to the season with a 0-2-1 record with a 4.08 goals against average. If the Red Wings are going to take advantage of the Lightning’s slump, now’s the moment to do it. 

Player & Betting Trends (Presented By BetMGM)

DET ML (+125) | TBL ML (-149)

DET +1.5 (-189) | TBL -1.5 (+154)

O/U 6.0 Goals

The matchup presents a solid opportunity for the aforementioned Compher to finally find the scoresheet. We mentioned the Lightning have been struggling with their defensive side of the game and Compher could take advantage. Historically, the 30-year-old winger has done well versus the Bolts with a goal and five assists for six points over his last seven games against Tampa Bay. Vasilevskiy will be tough to beat as his numbers against Detroit are superb but maybe the Red Wings offense can catch him off guard and continue his skid. 

Detroit has gotten the better of Tampa Bay as of late with wins in five of their last seven matchups with most of the games being won with their offense rather than their defense. This should work well for a Red Wings team that is within the top ten in offense to start the season with a 3.50 goals per game average. This should help them repeat with three or more goals for the fourth time in their last seven matchups versus the Lightning. 

On the defensive side, the Red Wings will need to do their best to prevent the eventual breakout game for Bolts superstar Nikita Kucherov. The former 144-point player has just three points through four games so far and it's only a matter of time before his first game-breaking performance of the season. With 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points in 40 career games against the Red Wings, they've struggled to limit the Russian winger in the past but will need to try their best once again if they want to emerge with their fourth straight win. 

"He Hasn't Relinquished Anything": Todd McLellan Firmly In John Gibson's Corner "He Hasn't Relinquished Anything": Todd McLellan Firmly In John Gibson's Corner Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan believes that John Gibson still has every right to the crease, and he'll make his second start of the campaign on Friday evening against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Goalie Matchup

Detroit: John Gibson (VS TBL: 4-5-1 record, 2.13 GAA, .932 SV% in 10 Games)

Tampa Bay: Andrei Vasilevskiy (VS DET: 16-5-1 record, 2.16 GAA, .929 SV% in 22 Games) 

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

Posted on

Blue Jays at Mariners – ALCS Game 5 prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, trends, and stats

Max Scherzer was exceptional and the Blue Jays' offense exploded for the second straight game as Toronto won 8-3 last night and evened the Best of 7 American League Championship series against the Seattle Mariners at two games apiece.

The veteran Scherzer allowed two runs over 5.2 innings in his first appearance in almost a month. The Jays' bats hit Luis Castillo and the Mariners' bullpen hard, racking up 11 hits. After driving in a couple runs in Game 3, Andres Gimenez drove in four more last night to pace the Toronto attack that has now accounted for 29 hits and 21 runs the last two games.

Seattle turns to Bryce Miller today to try and turn the series back around while the Jays counter with Kevin Gausman.

Lets dive into the numbers and try to find an advantage or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch the first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Blue Jays at Mariners - ALCS Game 5

  • Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
  • Time: 6:08PM EST
  • Site: T-Mobile Park
  • City: Seattle, WA
  • Network/Streaming: FS1

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Blue Jays at the Mariners - ALCS Game 5

The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Toronto Blue Jays (-115), Seattle Mariners (-105)
  • Spread: Blue Jays -1.5 (+152)
  • Total: 7.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Blue Jays at Mariners - ALCS Game 5

  • Pitching matchup for October 17, 2025: Kevin Gausman vs. Bryce Miller
    • Blue Jays: Kevin Gausman (10-11, 3.59 ERA)
      Last outing: 10/12 vs. Seattle - 5.2IP, 2ER, 3H, 1 BB, 5Ks
      Gausman has struck out 5 or more in 8 of his last 9 starts
    • Mariners: Bryce Miller (4-6, 5.68 ERA)
      Last outing: 10/12 at Toronto - 6IP, 1ER, 2H, 3BB, 3Ks
      Miller has not struck out more than 4 in any of his last 5 starts

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Blue Jays at Mariners

  • Cal Raleigh is 8-17 (.471) with 4 HRs against Kevin Gausman in his career
  • Eugenio Suarez has struck out 8 times in 24 career ABs against Gausman
  • Toronto as a team is hitting .204 against Bryce Miller
  • George Springer is 2-9 (.222) with both hits being HRs in his career against Miller

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s Game 5 between the Blue Jays and the Mariners

Rotoworld Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday’s game between the Blue Jays and the Mariners:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Seattle Mariners at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 7.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC Sports.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
Posted on

Mazzulla shares (mostly) encouraging update on Jaylen's hamstring injury

Mazzulla shares (mostly) encouraging update on Jaylen's hamstring injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Boston Celtics fans held their collective breath Wednesday night when Jaylen Brown hobbled off the TD Garden floor grabbing his left hamstring.

But it appears Brown avoided serious injury.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters Friday that Brown is considered “day-to-day” with his left hamstring injury, adding that All-Star wing was able to participate in everything but the live portion of Friday’s practice.

“I expect him to be at his best every single day, and then we’ll take it from there,” Mazzulla said of Brown. “But just one day at a time.”

Whether Brown will suit up for Boston’s regular-season opener next Wednesday remains to be seen — Mazzulla said they haven’t discussed his availability for that game yet — but it’s a good sign that Brown at least was on the court Friday going through basketball activities.

Brown, who underwent minor knee surgery in June to address his partially torn meniscus, enjoyed a strong preseason, racking up 21 points in 20 minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies and stuffing the stat sheet with eight points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In the first quarter of Wednesday’s preseason finale vs. the Toronto Raptors, however, Brown was seen clutching his left hamstring as he ran up the court and exited the game shortly after.

Brown is expected to shoulder the Celtics’ scoring load this season in the absence of Jayson Tatum, who had surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles in May. And while Brown is fully embracing that opportunity, the Celtics likely will be cautious with their All-Star wing to ensure he doesn’t re-aggravate this injury.

Even if the C’s take a conservative approach, however, Mazzulla’s update Friday suggests this hopefully won’t be a long-term issue for Brown going forward.

The Celtics’ opening night clash with the Philadelphia 76ers is set for Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.

Posted on

A peek in Sixers locker room shows Brotherly Love is back after dismal season

A peek in Sixers locker room shows Brotherly Love is back after dismal season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

To point out the obvious, the Sixers clearly have work to do after going 24-58 in one of the most painful, dreadful seasons ever. But things are looking up.

Smiles and laughs are back behind the scenes as Sixers’ Andre Drummond posted a chaotic and entertaining TikTok Thursday about some friendly team banter.

Drummond decided to document one final round of rookie hazing as the 2025-26 season nears. The target was center Adem Bona, who filled in for Joel Embiid and Drummond in last year’s injury-riddled season. He was a highlight in the paint with his statement dunks and extensive blocks.

Drummond made sure to note in his caption that Bona is still considered a rookie until his sophomore season begins on October 22. Therefore, it was time to fill his SUV entirely with popcorn and remove a wheel from the car to leave at his locker.

Now, you’re probably thinking exactly what some of the comments are saying.

“Spend less time joking around and more time in practice.”

“This is why we only had 24 wins.”

And you know what? Fair.

But camaraderie is more important than ever amidst adversity. And last year just didn’t feel like there was any of it after a certain point. When’s the last time you saw Joel Embiid belly laugh? Just take a step back. Aren’t fun and games exactly what you need sometimes?

With all the negativity surrounding a disappointing season, there comes a point where you have to turn the page. Drummond shouldn’t be ashamed or hesitant to post fun moments like these. Especially not at the risk of getting resentful comments echoing the failures of seasons past.

With Embiid and George out with knee injuries most of last season, Tyrese Maxey was sprung into a leadership role (perhaps a little earlier in his career than expected). He mentioned on Sixers Media Day in September why bonding is so important to him and what he’s done this offseason to bring the squad together.

“Just building the camaraderie and the brotherhood off the court, I think that’s one of the biggest things that I’ve tried to do this summer,” he said. “Justin [Edwards] was in Dallas a little bit, came to my house. VJ [Edgecombe], a couple guys would come to my house out here too. That’s the kind of thing I’m trying to build. If you have that friendship and relationship off the court … I think that’s gonna help us a lot.”

No one is saying we should forget about last year. But if there’s a chance — a minuscule chance — that they learned from the things they could control, shouldn’t we humor them?

We’ll have our first taste of it tonight during the Sixers’ preseason finale when Joel Embiid takes the court for the first time in 237 days.

Posted on

Ohtani, Dodgers’ $700M Man, Takes the Mound to Clinch Amid Hit Slump

LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani showed a bit of pulse at the plate when he led off Game 3 of the National League Championship Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers by lining a triple into the right field corner. He scored moments later on a Mookie Betts double.

Ohtani—the Dodgers’ 10-year, $700 million man—came into the game with one hit in the best-of-seven series against the listless Milwaukee Brewers, who now trail 3-0 after losing, 3-1, at Dodger Stadium Thursday night. Manager Dave Roberts was so concerned about Ohtani’s hitting that he moved him to the back of the NLCS pitching rotation.

Now he has Ohtani in place to close out the series with a mound start in Game 4 on Friday. After a 1-for-4 late afternoon ballgame with two strikeouts at the plate, he’s 2-for-11 in the series with no homers, five whiffs and a .641 OPS. But according to Roberts, he’s working his butt off trying to snap out of the slump.

At the same time, Ohtani’s preparing for a chance to clinch the team’s second consecutive NL pennant, the precursor of repeating as World Series champions.

How does Ohtani manage it? Well, he has 700 million reasons.

“He’s a unicorn,” Roberts said about the two-way Japanese player. “I don’t know how he manages it. Every minute of the day is accounted for.”

Before the series began, Roberts even went as far as saying the Dodgers can’t repeat as World Series champs unless Ohtani snaps out of his offensive funk. But here they are, one win away from putting themselves in position to compete against either Toronto or Seattle.

“He’s a big part of what we’re doing,” Roberts said. “We’re pitching very well. We’re playing great defense. Obviously Shohei is not in the form that we expect. But we have a long way to go.”

The supposition is that the workload for the 31-year-old Ohtani has caught up with him, even though he has made only one pitching start in the playoffs. In Game 1 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies, Ohtani threw six innings of three-run, three-hit ball with nine strikeouts in a 5-3 win.

Ohtani’s offensive numbers began to slip after he returned to pitching on June 16 after undergoing Sept. 2023 elbow surgery. His batting average dipped 18 points and his OPS slightly declined as the regular season ended. Still, he finished with 55 home runs, third among all players in the regular season.

The playoff drop off his been more severe. He opened just fine with two homers in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds. In the two-game sweep, he hit .333 (3-for-9) with the two homers and four RBIs.

But between a four-game victory over the Phillies in the NLDS   and this NLCS, he’s fallen off the map. He’s gone 3-for-29(.103) with no homers, a pair of RBIs, 14 strikeouts and five walks, three of them intentional.

Ohtani, though, doesn’t believe pitching has anything to do with his extended slump at the plate.

“I don’t necessarily think that the pitching has affected my hitting performance,” he said through his interpreter. ”Just on the pitching side, as long as I control what I can control, I feel pretty good about putting up results. On the hitting side, just the stance, the mechanics, that’s something that I do—it’s a constant work in progress.”

A left-handed hitter and a right-handed pitcher, Ohtani has seen a steady diet of left-handed pitching thrown at him. When the Brewers started left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby Thursday, Ohtani surprisingly fell behind in the count before launching the triple, which had an exit velocity of 82 mph off Ohtani’s bat.

“He’s one of the best hitters in the game,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “He [has not been] hitting the way he can. We’re not doing anything very special except we’re pitching him very carefully. Any time we can bring in a lefty to face him, that’s what we’ll do. He’s not barreling the ball like he does, but to us he’s still a dangerous, dangerous hitter.”

To Murphy’s point, Ohtani is a .264 lifetime hitter against left-handed pitching, .282 overall. But while his strategy is working well negating Ohtani, the Brewers have their own problems. They’ve scored three runs and amassed just nine hits in three games against Dodgers pitching.

If Ohtani continues that trend on the mound Friday, it won’t matter how he hits. The Brewers will be finished, and the Dodgers will be on to the World Series.

Sign up for Sportico's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Posted on

U20 Nationell: Players Impressing Ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft

The Swedish junior league is loaded with intriguing prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft. In this piece, Jacob Smeds highlights five players who have stood out in the early weeks of the U20 Nationell season. Enjoy!

Oscar Holmertz (C), 2026 NHL Draft

Holmertz is a center with strong playmaking ability. His game relies more on hockey sense than on speed or physicality. He is confident with the puck and often finds solutions others don’t see. His vision stands out, allowing him to dictate the pace of play and bring both tempo and control to his team’s game.

Holmertz has opened the season with promising play in the U20 Nationell, earning him a spot on Linköping’s SHL roster for Thursday’s game against Örebro. He didn’t get any ice time, but just being on the bench is a sign that his SHL debut is getting closer. With his high hockey IQ and ability to process the game, it’s easy to project his skills to the professional level.

Bosse Meijer (C), 2027 NHL Draft

Bosse Meijer opened the season with a promising performance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup for Sweden. Though one of the youngest players on the roster, he played a key role on a line with 2026 top prospects Oscar Holmertz and Elton Hermansson. Meijer stood out with his relentless work ethic and constant motor, and he showed confidence in taking shots whenever the opportunity arose.

Meijer entered the season with just a single U20 game to his name, but he’s made the transition from U18 look seamless. Along with his trademark work ethic, he has displayed strong hockey sense and a knack for threading passes behind opposing defenders. With his late-2008 birth date, Meijer emerges as one of the more intriguing Swedish prospects to keep an eye on for the 2027 NHL Draft.

Marcus Nordmark (RW), 2026 NHL Draft

Marcus Nordmark is another player who started the season with an impressive showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He showed the different sides of his game there, mixing playmaking with scoring and proving he can rise to the occasion in big moments.

After a slow start in U20 Nationell, both Marcus Nordmark and Djurgården’s junior team are starting to find their stride. Nordmark has impressed with his improved vision, producing 13 points in 8 games without often needing to play at full speed. To his credit, the U20 league doesn’t ask for much more from a player projected to go in the first round. The real test will be how his game carries over if he gets a chance at the professional level.

Theodor Knights (D), 2026 NHL Draft

Theodor Knights is a big, team-first defenseman who takes pride in his play in the defensive zone. He leans on his physical style to shut down opponents and is often tasked with handling the other team’s top line. Over the past year, he’s also taken steps forward with the puck, showing more confidence in moving play out of his own end.

Knights earned a chance with MoDo’s senior team during the preseason but has yet to make his league debut. Even against tougher competition, he showed his defensive upside with aggressive play in his own zone. His mix of skating ability and size could push him high in the draft.

Alexander Command (C), 2026 NHL Draft

Alexander Command took major steps forward last season and was rewarded with a debut for the Swedish national team in the final tournament of the year. In the tough competition for spots, he was left off the roster for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. I’d bet on him getting another chance with Sweden at the Five Nations in November. With his reliable two-way game, he could be an asset as a third-line center or even higher up the lineup.

Command currently sits fourth in league scoring with an impressive seven goals and 15 points in nine games. He’s a joy to watch in transition, using his smooth stride and ability to glide through the neutral zone. Command also isn’t afraid to drive to the dirty areas or throw a hit in the corners when the game calls for it. He remains one of the most intriguing players still flying under the radar for the wider audience.

Part 4: Draft-Eligible Prospects to Watch in SwedenPart 4: Draft-Eligible Prospects to Watch in SwedenThe Hockey News International wraps up its series spotlighting draft-eligible players to watch in Sweden. The series profiles 40 intriguing prospects, with Parts 1–3 available below.
Posted on

Canadiens: St-Louis’ Big Dilemma

On Thursday morning, when Montreal Canadiens’ coach Martin St-Louis told reporters that Jayden Struble would be suiting up for the game against the Nashville Predators, he added that he was looking forward to giving Joe Veleno a game.

In the midst of a four-game winning streak, it’s not easy to change your lineup, and you’ve got to be careful about who you pull out. On Thursday morning, Oliver Kapanen seemed to be the likeliest candidate. But against the Nashville Predators, not only did he score a goal, but he was much more involved and visible. Early in the first frame, his timely stick lift prevented Steven Stamkos from taking a shot from in close.

Canadiens: Caufield And Hutson's Heroics Net Two Points
Canadiens' Hutson Added To U.S. Preliminary Roster
Canadiens: Big Weekend For Fans At The Habs Summit

He might have only played 11:59, but those were quality minutes, and he’s also part of the penalty kill, which is an important role. He won his role on the team out of training camp before St-Louis thought he had an NHL-level computer. He plays a sound game, and he’s also predictable for his linemates on the ice. The way he performed on Thursday night, it’s almost as if he was telling the coach that while he was looking forward to playing Veleno, it shouldn’t be at his expense.

Meanwhile, Patrik Laine is trying his best on the fourth line, but playing a two-way game does not necessarily come naturally to him. It’s a work in process, and last night, he was on the ice when Nick Perbix scored the Predators’ second goal. He did backcheck, but he let his man go too early, when Noah Dobson wasn’t close enough to cover him adequately, as Laine skated towards the other side to cover Ozzy Wiesblatt.

Yes, he’s part of the power play, but things haven’t yet clicked for him on the man-advantage, and his presence on the fourth line is posing a challenge for Jake Evans and Josh Anderson. They are used to playing with Brendan Gallagher, who plays a simple, efficient, and predictable game, and Laine doesn’t do that, even though he’s working on it.

When the Canadiens needed an equalizer against Nashville and they deployed six skaters, Laine wasn’t on the ice; he was on the bench. I liked what I’ve seen from Laine since the start of the season. The effort is there, but right now, for me, he’s the one who should come out if St-Louis wants to give Veleno a game.

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

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.