Norwalk High School's top 25 tight end Luke Brewer has reclassified to the 2026 recruiting class, meaning he'll be in college next season.
UCLA defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe no longer with team in wake of DeShaun Foster’s firing
Foster was fired Sunday after UCLA lost at home to New Mexico to fall to 0-3.
4 Questions for Anaheim Ducks Training Camp
The NHL season is almost here. Training camp kicks off this week around the league with preseason games to follow. With training camp comes several questions for the Ducks, five of which hold higher priority than others.
When will Mason McTavish sign?
Out of all the burning questions, this one is the biggest for the Ducks. McTavish, a restricted free agent (RFA) is still currently unsigned with training camp a day away from commencing.
With Trevor Zegras now in Philadelphia, the pathway to No. 2 center behind Leo Carlsson is McTavish’s for the taking. This summer, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek identified McTavish as a long-term piece for the organization, saying that they are fortunate to have both Carlsson and McTavish.
While that may be true, Verbeek may be in danger of repeating the same sequence from a few years ago, when contract disputes with Zegras and Jamie Drysdale dragged into training camp and both players subsequently missed time due to injuries. Both players are now no longer part of the organization, plying their trade together in Philadelphia.
Anaheim has short-term options for the second line center spot as long as McTavish remains unsigned. Free agency addition Mikael Granlund is capable of filling that role, like he did for the past couple of years in San Jose. Ryan Strome has done the same in years past, though his production is closer to that of a third line center than a true No. 2.
There’s no question though that the longer this contract dispute drags out, the more detrimental it could become. With Joel Quenneville (and almost an entirely new coaching staff) taking charge, being present for the start of camp to learn new systems and knock the rust off is essential.
How will the forward lines shake out?
McTavish is an important part of the forward corps, but with or without him, there are still plenty of moving parts that need to be settled.
The trio of Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier and Alex Killorn may get an early look to see if they can continue the production that they had during the second half of last season.
With McTavish absent for the time being, Granlund may jump up into the no. 2 center position and be flanked by Troy Terry and fellow offseason addition Chris Kreider.
Questions Facing Each Anaheim Ducks Forward Heading into the 2025-26 SeasonThe 2025-26 season is now around the corner after a long offseason. The Anaheim Ducks have lofty goals and one major piece of business left on the table to take care of: Mason McTavish's contract extension.
The non-presence of McTavish opens up an opportunity (for the time being) for one of Anaheim’s young forwards to make a good impression and push for a roster spot. 2024 third overall pick Beckett Sennecke has been the talk of the town in Ducks land, with his options this season split between returning to the OHL or playing in the NHL.
Other youngsters like Nikita Nesterenko, Sam Colangelo and Tim Washe will be competing for bottom-6 spots. Nesterenko and Colangelo could make the full-time jump to the NHL this season after splitting time between the top tier and the AHL last season.
What will the blue line look like?
Anaheim’s defense is chock-full of youth, with Radko Gudas (35) and Jacob Trouba (31) the only elder statesmen on the backend. Jackson LaCombe (24) will look to build on his breakout sophomore campaign while fellow left-handers Pavel Mintyukov (21) and Olen Zellweger (22) should benefit from playing more regularly. That leaves one spot on the right side for likely a trio of players in Drew Helleson, Tristan Luneau and Ian Moore.
Helleson, 24, took on a bigger role upon being recalled last November and solidified himself as part of the bottom pair by the end of the season. Known more for his defensive prowess than offensive ability, he signed a two-year extension this offseason.
Ducks’ Young Blue Line Could Be Their X-Factor in 2025-26The Ducks have a lot to be excited about when it comes to this season and beyond. Despite the departure of fan favorite Trevor Zegras via trade, they added a couple of veterans with plenty of playoff experience in Chris Kreider and Mikael Granlund. They also revamped their coaching staff, giving Greg Cronin, Rich Clune and Brent Thompson the boot in favor of Joel Quenneville, Jay Woodcroft, Ryan McGill and Andrew Brewer.
Luneau, 21, had a terrific season in the AHL this past year, putting up 52 points in 59 games. A knee infection cut his 2023-24 season short and the beginning of his 2024-25 season in the NHL showed that he was not yet ready to make the jump. But with another pro season under his belt, Luneau has the opportunity to make the NHL roster out of camp once again. This time, it’s possible he may stick around.
Moore, 23, joined late last season, signing his entry-level contract (ELC) following the end of his collegiate career at Harvard. He played a few games in the AHL before coming up to the Ducks, but didn’t look too out of place in the three games that he played on. Moore was on the Ducks’ rookie faceoff roster, but did not play in either of the two games, perhaps a strong endorsement that Ducks brass already know what Moore can do.
What kind of impact will the new coaching staff have?
There’s no question that Anaheim is gunning for a playoff spot this season. It’s why Verbeek bid adieu to Cronin, Brent Thompson and Rich Clune this summer and brought in Quenneville, Jay Woodcroft, Ryan McGill and Andrew Brewer.
Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on Quenneville HiringFollowing the news conference to announce Joel Quenneville being named the 12th Ducks head coach in franchise history, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek spoke to local media. Below is a full transcript of the media scrum (Questions and answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity):
Quenneville’s systems should benefit the young blueliners offensively while also helping create a much more cohesive unit defensively. A league-worst power play (11.76%) will get new life breathed into it by Woodcroft while McGill looks to repair a penalty kill that been near the bottom of the league for the past few seasons.
A team with stronger systems and better special teams should help take a load off of Lukáš Dostál and whoever his backup will be, whether it’s Petr Mrázek or Ville Husso.
Related articles:
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How Much the Ducks are Projected to Improve in 2025-26 Standings
Who Are The Golden Knights Top 10 Prospects
This prospect list was originally published in the The Hockey News' annual yearbook
With rookie camp in the books and the big boys set to take the ice for training camp on Thursday, here is a look at the Vegas Golden Knights' top prospects.
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Trevor Connelly
Pos LW Age 19
2024-25 Providence (HE)
Makes quick reads, distributes well and dashes around the ice. Will benefit from reps at AHL level.
Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28
2. Matyas Sapovaliv
Pos C Age 21
2024-25 Henderson (AHL)
Meager point total masks great work done defensively. He’s adept at matchup game.
Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28
3. Raphael Lavoie
Pos C Age 25
2024-25 Henderson (AHL)
No doubting his offense, but he needs to develop reliability away from puck to reach next level.
Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27
4. Jakob Ihs Wozniak
Pos C Age 18
2024-25 Lulea Jr. (Swe.)
Broke scoring record for 17-year-old in Swedish junior. Consistency key to him reaching potential.
Expected NHL Arrival ’29-30
5. Lukas Cormier
Pos D Age 23
2024-25 Henderson (AHL)
Skilled puck-mover and potential power-play quarterback missed majority of 2024-25 with injury.
Expected NHL Arrival ’26-27
6. Pavel Moysevich
Pos G Age 21
2024-25 St. Petersburg (KHL)
Fought for starts with SKA last season. Regular playing time will help big, athletic keeper develop.
Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29
7. Arttu Karki
Pos D Age 20
2024-25 Assat (Fin.)
Returned to Finland to play pro. Does everything well but nothing spectacularly. A project prospect.
Expected NHL Arrival ’28-29
8. Mathieu Cataford
Pos C Age 20
2024-25 Rimouski (QMJHL)
CHL’s scholastic player of the year showcases on-ice smarts with his knack for reading play.
Expected NHL Arrival ’27-28
9. Akira Schmid
Pos G Age 25
2024-25 Henderson (AHL)
Consistency in the AHL was a challenge, but his performance behind an NHL defense was great.
Expected NHL Arrival ’25-26
10. Mateo Nobert
Pos C Age 18
2024-25 Blainville-Bois. (QMJHL)
Pass-first playmaker with good vision drives play. He will have to adjust to pace at next level.
Expected NHL Arrival ’30-31
Be sure to visit The Hockey News store for up-to-date news around the league.
Five Burning Questions Heading Into NHL Training Camps
As NHL training camps open across the NHL, there are unfinished contract business, lineup projections, rookies looking to earn a spot and pending signings and trades.
In other words, there’s some front-page drama and other burning questions this week.
Here are five key storylines to watch as teams prepare for the 2025–26 season.
1. Who Fills Mitch Marner’s Wing in Toronto?
The Toronto Maple Leafs face one of the most intriguing positional questions early in camp: who will take over Marner’s right-wing spot alongside Auston Matthews?
One of the game’s top stars was moved this off-season in a sign-and-trade with the Vegas Golden Knights. That leaves a hole in the Leafs' roster that they’ve arguably not filled. Toronto added several depth pieces, but there are questions as to how effective they’ll be.
Trade acquisitions Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua could try to earn that spot. Other options include moving William Nylander away from John Tavares to play with Matthews and Matthew Knies, or they could promote Max Domi, Nick Robertson and Bobby McMann.
NHL Rumor Roundup: Kaprizov's Contract Talks Spark Trade Rumors While Zacha Chatter ContinuesLast week's report of Kirill Kaprizov
rejecting an eight-year, $128-million contract offer from the
Minnesota Wild garnered plenty of headlines.
2. Will Connor McDavid Or Kirill Kaprizov Be Signed?
Few assumed that just weeks before the season, two of the NHL’s biggest stars haven’t signed contract extensions.
The Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild likely figured getting extensions done for their top superstars wouldn’t be overly complicated. Things have taken an odd turn in both negotiations.
Connor McDavid is taking his time in Edmonton, which is making Oilers fans nervous. He said he wants to win in Edmonton, but he’s talking with those close to him and keeping all options open, including the term and teams.
While the original expectation was that this wouldn’t drag into camp or the start of the season, it’s looking more and more like that’s exactly what will happen.
Meanwhile, things between the Minnesota Wild and Kirill Kaprizov took a turn last week when he reportedly turned down $128 million on an eight-year extension. Several insiders have weighed in. Among them, Frank Seravalli of Bleacher Report cautioned fans not to pump the brakes.
“I have zero indication at all that Kirill Kaprizov has even thought about playing anywhere other than the Minnesota Wild,” Seravalli said.
3. Positional Battles And Rookies To Watch
Camp is always a proving ground for young talent. Expect intense competition for roster spots, especially among rookies and players pushing for full-time roles.
Michael Misa, the No. 2 overall pick by the San Jose Sharks, is one to watch as he tries to add more talent to an already young and hungry roster. Instead of going the NCAA route, he signed an entry-level contract, which means he’ll either be in the NHL or OHL, where he had 134 points in 65 games last season.
The Boston Bruins acquired Fraser Minten last season, and he’s ready for a bigger and more consistent role in the NHL. He could contribute on the penalty kill, power play and bottom six while trying to increase his offense.
Montreal Canadiens right winger Ivan Demidov looks to be the NHL’s rising star this season. He will confuse opponents with his game-breaking ability.
In Edmonton, the Oilers need rookies Matt Savoie and Ike Howard to excel in the NHL right away this season. One of them should earn a role in the Oilers’ top six as well. If they can’t produce and grab an important role, Edmonton’s chances of getting back to the Stanley Cup final go down.
4. Will Mason McTavish And Luke Hughes Sign?
Two big-name NHL RFAs still haven’t signed with their respective teams: Mason McTavish and Luke Hughes.
The story in Anaheim is that McTavish and the Ducks can’t get on the same page about cap hit and term. There’s been trade speculation, although the Ducks don’t want to entertain that idea. If another team signs McTavish to an offer sheet, the Ducks have enough cap space to match it.
Meanwhile, Luke Hughes is reportedly trying to time his contract to end when Jack Hughes’ does, which would be a five-year deal. The Devils reportedly want either a longer term or a bridge deal.
Both players are expected to play major roles in their respective organizations once deals are finalized, but this can’t keep dragging on. The idea that either can or should miss time to begin the season feels like a non-starter.
NHL Confirms It Will Reinstate Players Acquitted In Hockey Canada Sexual Assault TrialThe five players from Hockey Canada's 2018 world junior team who were found not guilty of sexual assault this summer will eventually be allowed to return to the NHL.
5. Will Any Players Acquitted In The Hockey Canada Trial Sign Contracts?
The five players found not guilty of sexual assault in July – Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote – have been cleared to return to the NHL in December. Each can sign contracts as early as Oct. 15. But the NHL said while the players were acquitted, the events that transpired were “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”
The question becomes: who gets the first look by NHL franchises?
There will be tough decisions coming from NHL clubs that must weigh the pros and cons of signing one of those players.
Hart, who was a starting goaltender with the Philadelphia Flyers before taking a leave of absence for the trial, has already told the team he won’t be returning. The Oilers don’t plan on signing him, either.
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.
"I Understand The Frustration": Steve Yzerman Preaches Patience in Red Wings’ Path Back to Contention
It may be hard to believe, but the Detroit Red Wings are not only in the midst of the second longest Stanley Cup Playoff drought in the National Hockey League today, but in their team history.
The Red Wings are celebrating their centennial season in 2025-26, marking a century of history. Yet in that time, they had never endured a playoff drought as long as their current one.
Overseeing the team through this process is beloved former team captain Steve Yzerman, one of the three greatest players in franchise history, who once helped lift the Red Wings out of the infamous “Dead Wings” era during his playing career and redefine what excellence in the NHL meant.
Because of his track record in the same role with the Tampa Bay Lightning, many fans expected Detroit’s rebuilding process to be further along by now.
As one of the most calculated executives in professional sports, Yzerman is well aware of the growing frustration among the playoff-hungry Red Wings fan base.
"Well, we're trying to improve every year. Ultimately, the goal here is to build a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup," Yzerman explained Wednesday in a virtual press conference on the eve of Training Camp. "You can't compete for the Stanley Cup, obviously, until you makethe playoffs, but our goal, again, is to be a team that can compete for the Stanley Cup. So again, these rebuilds take time. How much time? I can't really predict, everyone's is different."
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Yzerman referenced the Draft Lottery, a source of bitter frustration for the Red Wings organization as a whole, as no other team has dropped more spots in the Lottery than they have over the last several seasons. In fact, the Red Wings haven’t held a top-three pick since 1990, which came just after Yzerman’s seventh season as a player.
"Where you finish, what happens in the lottery, who's available in the draft in a particular year, those things are somewhat out of our control," he said. "We'll try to run and we're going to continue to try and run a good program. We're going to continue to try and improve each season, with the goal of becoming a playoff team and a team that eventually competes for a Stanley Cup."
"So I understand the frustration, or maybe the lack of or I don't want to say patience, because I think everybody's been pretty patient, but the sense of urgency within the fan base and in our local media, I understand it, but ultimately, you know, you guys heard it when Kenny Holland was here."
"Like you want to go into a rebuild. It takes time."
There's no question that Yzerman inherited an extremely challenging situation from former GM Ken Holland when he returned to take over the GM duties in April 2019. Since then, Yzerman has built one of the more intriguing prospect pools in all of the NHL.
One of the most positive elements of Yzerman's drafting has been the selections of both Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond, both of whom are now considered foundational cornerstones to build around.
Other Yzerman selections like Simon Edvinsson and Marco Kasper have now become regulars in the lineup.
The Red Wings have also been on the cusp of the postseason in each of the last two seasons, but a lull in the month of March in both years ultimately spelled doom for their chances of playoff hockey.
Yzerman knows full well that patience is beginning to wear thing with passing season of not advancing to the postseason is growing, but he's clearly sticking firm to his plan of drafting and developing talent, and is steering clear of hasty and spontaneous style moves of shedding future assets for a quick fix solution.
Red Wings’ Latest Top Prospect Turning Heads with Immediate ImpactDetroit's most recent second round pick in Eddie Genborg is making an immidate mark on the SHL just two games into the season.
"I'm trying to build a team that competes for a Stanley Cup and can win a Stanley Cup," he said. "So, you know, again, I'm going to do what I what I think is right in, you know, with each Draft, with each free agency period, with each trade deadline, with the goal of trying to improve our team."
He also made it clear that Red Wings ownership, led by Chris Ilitch - the son of the late Mike Ilitch, who drafted Yzerman in 1983 - has endorsed his patient approach of drafting and developing.
"Chris and I have spoken and going back to when he hired me, that is going to take a long time, and we're going to be patient and and we're going to be, you know, allow our young players to develop," he said. "We're going to rely heavily on the draft that, and hopefully, over time, these young players that we draft turn into NHL players. So how many years it's supposed to take? I don't know. Is it four? Is it five? Is it 10? Ultimately, it's ownership's decision when they feel that they're not happy with the direction of the club or the plan, that that's their decision."
"But Chris and I have spoken about it, and he's understood the process and where we're at."
The Red Wings are scheduled to begin Training Camp on Thursday, Sept. 18.
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Texas A&M says safety Bryce Anderson avoided ‘catastrophic injury’ in Notre Dame game
Anderson was stretchered off the field in the second half after he was injured attempting to make a tackle.
Fantasy Basketball 2025-26: Beginner’s guide, draft tips and winning strategies
If you saw the title of this article and clicked, first and foremost, thanks for doing that. And in doing so, you're likely in a position where you're looking for tips on how to approach your first fantasy basketball experience. Whether you're playing amongst friends for bragging rights or competing for cash prizes, fantasy basketball can make the season more exciting and enjoyable if played properly.
The goal of this article and the fantasy basketball content we'll be releasing over the next month is to put you in a position to have a successful season, whether you're an expert juggling multiple teams or a novice looking to have a fun first experience.
The NBA regular season begins on October 22 with a fun doubleheader that can be seen on NBA and Peacock. Without further ado, here are some tips that could prove valuable as you jump into fantasy basketball.
Getting the top pick in your draft is a great advantage, but how should you build the rest of your team?
1. Read the rules before entering the league
Last year's intro article strongly suggested that the rules should be read before the draft. While that is true, the rules should be discussed by all involved parties when creating the league, with newcomers then deciding whether or not they want in. How many teams will be in the league? How many IL (or IL+, which is preferred for flexibility reasons) will you have to work with? While missing a rule in a casual league that doesn't have money on the line can be frustrating, the leagues in which you are playing for money are where feelings can get hurt because someone did not pay attention. Save yourself the headache and read the rules early. If anything needs to be addressed, that can be done before someone joins a league they ultimately decide they don't want to participate in.
2. Determine what kind of draft setup you prefer
We'll get into the specifics regarding league types a little later, but the first step is to decide how you prefer to go through the draft process. The simplest way to select your team would be through a snake draft. For example, in a 12-team league, the picks will be 1 through 12 in the odd-numbered rounds, and 12 through 1 in the even-numbered rounds. So, if you're on the front or back end of the draft order, your chances of landing the players you're targeting may be better than if you were stuck with a mid-round pick.
Also, it should be noted that some leagues include a reversal every two rounds. That would flip the draft order every two rounds; the manager with the 12th pick would move to the top of the order in the third round, and the order would return to its original setup in the fifth, and so on. For snake drafts, you can either knock it all out in one sitting or go with an online slow draft, which gives managers more time and can run over multiple days. In this case, set up your email alerts so the site hosting the draft will inform you when you're on the clock.
Try not to be the person who complains about the pace of a slow draft. You know what you signed up for.
Don't want to deal with a snake draft? Well, there's also the salary draft option. Managers are given a salary cap in this setup, with the default number being $200. An order to nominate players will be crafted, and each manager can nominate a player for bid. Two things about the salary draft option. First, they tend to go longer than snake drafts, so if you have patience issues, this may not be your best choice. Two, if you're doing an in-person draft, you must pay attention. And it may not be a bad idea to devise a penalty for those who commit the offense of nominating a player who is already off the board.
3. Determine what kind of league you prefer to play in
Beyond the draft process, do you want to compete in a category league (head-to-head or rotisserie) or a points league? For the latter, point values are assigned to each category. In Yahoo! points leagues, the default scoring is as follows:
Points: 1
Rebounds: 1.2
Assists: 1.5
Steals: 3
Blocks: 3
Turnovers: -1
For those with some experience in daily fantasy, you'll find that the scoring system is similar. While this note is third on the list, your answer to the question is just as important as the draft type, if not more. In category leagues, some may find it more challenging to bounce back from a slow start in rotisserie than in head-to-head.
4. Do your research before draft day
The type of league you're competing in will impact how you approach draft day. There's no shortage of preseason draft information on the internet, whether you're looking for the written word or an audio (or video) podcast. While there is the danger of loading up on too much information while preparing for a draft, the positives outweigh the negatives. And that surplus of available information is why the next point is vital to fantasy success.
5. Participate in some mock drafts, especially if competing in a salary league
Whether you're participating in mock drafts with people you're likely to compete with or strangers, this practice is invaluable, regardless of the league you'll be competing in. Not only is this a good way to see how other managers perceive players, but it's also helping in dealing with the variables of a draft. Someone used a first-round pick on oft-injured Joel Embiid or LaMelo Ball? That may force you to change your approach, and it's good to have prior experience to fall back upon, even if it's only a mock draft.
Mock drafts are highly valuable for those competing in salary leagues. How much are managers willing to spend on a Nikola Jokić or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander? And how do you feel most comfortable spending your money? Do you go with a "stars and scrubs" roster build or spread your money out more evenly? While what we see in mock drafts doesn't always align with the "real thing," it's good to have some experience before the big day.
Rotoworld fantasy basketball writer Raphielle Johnson recently participated in a 16-team mock draft. What should you do after drafting Luka?
Raphielle Johnson6. Set aside time to set your lineups once the season begins
OK, you've picked your team for the upcoming season. Next, do your best to set aside time each day to craft your active rosters for that night's games if your league allows for daily adjustments. Not missing that deadline is critical for managers in leagues that lock lineups for the week before Monday's games. In this instance, you'll want to pay close attention to the number of games a player is scheduled to play that week. Unless they're a superstar, most players will be of limited value if their team only plays twice. A good approach to setting your lineups is to do it early in the morning, then reevaluate late afternoon to account for any potential absences due to injury or suspension.
7. Don’t hesitate to make a change in strategy in-season
Turning over your entire roster after a slow start will be difficult. However, one should not be afraid to shift if things aren't working. Maybe you need a major trade to shake things up. If so, assess the free agent market and players your opponents may have listed as available. When putting together a trade offer, aim to create a deal that benefits both sides. The last thing you want is to earn a reputation for attempting to fleece the other managers. And that late-round pick who may not be panning out? Don't hesitate to drop them for other options, as those players tend to be low-risk, high-reward.
8. Don’t try to sabotage the league, especially if there’s money involved
Remember, fantasy basketball is supposed to be fun. Don't be the person who violates league rules or gets mad and dumps their best players onto the waiver wire once their team is no longer in contention for a playoff spot, especially if money is involved. Relationships don't need to become strained or severed over fantasy sports. And if losing money is something you can't handle, either compete in a league with a lower entry fee or no fee at all. There's nothing wrong with taking that approach.
Utah Mammoth And Connor Ingram Reportedly Parting Ways
Utah Mammoth goaltender Connor Ingram will reportedly not attend the team’s training camp this week.
Ingram and the Mammoth are working together to find a new home for the goaltender, KSL Sports' Cole Bagley reported on Wednesday. This is a mutual agreement.
Bagley further reported that Utah GM Bill Armstrong said the plan is to eventually place Ingram on waivers, allowing any team to claim the 28-year-old.
Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanacek will be Utah’s goaltending tandem for the 2025-26 campaign.
The last time Ingram went through waivers was during the 2022-23 season, when the Arizona Coyotes picked him up from the Nashville Predators. He became an NHL regular with the Coyotes, even earning starter duties in 2023-24 while recording a 2.91 goals-against average and .907 save percentage.
Ingram is coming off his fourth NHL season. Last year, he played 22 games for Utah, registering a 3.27 GAA, .882 SP and 9-8-4 record.
In March, Ingram entered the NHL and NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program for the second time in his career. The Saskatoon, Sask., native shared at the time that he had lost his mother to breast cancer, and that affected him as a person and a player.
In 2023-24, Ingram received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for being the NHL player who best exemplified the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. He had also sought care from the Player Assistance Program in January 2021 while dealing with obsessive compulsive disorder and lingering depression.
Ingram’s last NHL appearance was on Feb. 22 in a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. He made 21 saves on 25 shots.
In August, the program cleared Ingram to get back to playing NHL hockey in time for the upcoming season. But he'll likely be playing the final season of his three-year contract with a $1.95-million cap hit elsewhere.
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.
Canadiens Goalie Is Player To Watch
Training camp is officially here for the Montreal Canadiens. With this, the 2025-26 regular-season is rapidly approaching.
Now that the regular-season is getting closer for the Canadiens, there are certainly some players who need to be watched. Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes is undoubtedly one of them.
Dobes was a nice surprise for the Canadiens this past season, as the 24-year-old took a notable step forward in his development and proved that he can handle playing in the NHL when called upon. In 16 regular-season games with the Canadiens in 2024-25, he posted a 7-4-3 record, a 2.74 goals-against average, and a .909 save percentage. He also played in three playoff games for the Habs, where he had a 1-2 record, a 2.91 goals-against average, and a .881 save percentage.
Overall, Dobes had a solid start to his NHL career this past season but now will be looking to once again earn the Canadiens' backup role for this campaign. He has some competition for the backup spot, however, as the Canadiens signed veteran goalie Kaapo Kahkonen to a one-year, $1.15 million contract in free agency. Thus, Dobes will be looking to impress at training camp from here.
It will be fascinating to see how Dobes performs during the pre-season, but there is no question that he has a bright future.
Fantasy Baseball Streaming Starting Pitchers: Roll with Joey Cantillo and Luis Morales
We’re now into the final two weeks of the fantasy baseball season. While many managers have phoned it in for the season, a few of us are still grinding away for head-to-head titles or trying to earn a few final roto points. Streaming starting pitching properly over these final weeks is a huge component of the week-to-week mindset that is so crucial for this time of year.
To help you do that, I’m going to rank and break down my favorite streaming matchups each week from here until the end of the year. Below you’ll find multiple tables that rank streaming starting pitchers based on those I have a strong preference for, those I’m fairly confident in, those I'm hesitant about, and those I like but have questions about their usage. Within the tiers, you can make some changes based on your own needs. If you need strikeouts more than ratios, you can bump up the two-start pitchers over the pitchers with one good matchup, etc.
Two HUGE Rookie Debuts from Monday
Starting Pitcher Strategy
At this point in the season, you also need to be adjusting your strategy for rostering and using your starting pitchers. For example, if I have two starters really close for this upcoming week, but one of them gets an elite matchup the following week and the other is in a matchup I want to avoid, then I’d prefer to add the pitcher I’ll use for two straight weeks because that makes my team better in the long run. This is the time of year when we need to be ruthless. If you’re not going to start a pitcher for two weeks, move on. If a pitcher has been great for you but now has bad matchups, move on.
Your decisions will change based on your league type and settings, but I’ll do my best here to give you the information that will help in your formats. As is usual with my articles, a streaming starter pitcher is rostered in less than 40% of Yahoo formats, so just keep that in mind as we’re going through.
Offenses to Attack
Before we get into our rankings, just a quick note about the offenses we want to attack. I used FanGraphs team stats over the last month, searching for metrics like wRC+, strikeout rate, OPS, etc., and narrowed down the list of offenses to ones that have struggled in those areas.
To stream starting pitching, we want to target pitchers going against the Guardians, Rays, Nationals, Cardinals, and Rockies/Reds on the road only. Think of these as HIGHWAY OFFENSES - not stopping at all.
I also am more than comfortable using pitchers against the Orioles, Tigers, Angels, Marlins, Giants, Rangers, Red Sox, White Sox, Pirates, Athletics on the road, and Mariners in Seattle. Think of these as GREEN LIGHT OFFENSES - you can’t open it up like you can on a highway, but you’re good to go.
IMPORTANT RANKINGS NOTE: Pitchers within the same tier can be treated almost interchangeably. If a pitcher is under 40% rostered on YAHOO and does not appear below, then I have no interest in starting him this week.
Streaming Starting Pitcher Rankings: Wednesday, September 17th to Sunday, September 21st
We had Bubba Chandler in the lead spot last week, and he delivered, so we're more than happy to go back to the well here. Same for Eury Perez, who handled the Rockies in Coors on Tuesday and now gets a banged-up Rangers offense at home. Brandon Sproat has also delivered for the Mets in two starts and gets a great matchup with the Nationals, while Joey Cantillo has been a really underrated arm all season and gets a Twins offense that is littered with left-handed hitters. Lastly, Luis Morales was about 60-70% rostered a few weeks ago, and I know the last two starts haven't been great, but those have also been two starts at home in perhaps the most hitter-friendly park in baseball. He now gets the Pirates in Pittsburgh, so I'm more than happy to ride the talented rookie there.
These are all pitchers that I'd roll out this week with some level of confidence. Martin Perez, Jeffrey Springs, Andre Pallante, Luis Severino, and Tyler Wells are all about the matchups here. Parker Messick is to a certain extent as well, since the Twins are so left-handed-heavy that I think he should put together a strong outing there.
Justin Verlander has been electric over his last four starts, allowing three earned runs on 17 hits in 24 innings with 25 strikeouts and 10 walks. His four-seamer hasn't been great, so some of that is a mirage, but he also gets Arizona and St. Louis next, so we love this end-of-season run from him.
Ryan Weathers is technically in a bad spot in Coors Field, but he looked good in his return from the IL, and we just saw Eury Perez pitch well in Coors, so I'm OK using Weathers here. Same for Jameson Taillon, who gets the Reds at home, which is not an ideal pitching environment, but I don't love this Reds offense, and I think Taillon is a good pitcher who gives you a good chance at a win.
Trey Yesavage was electric in his MLB debut, striking out nine and walking two while allowing one run on three hits in five innings. He also did it in a tough pitching environment in the minor league park in Tampa Bay. His splitter is a filthy pitch that works really well off of his four-seamer, given his super over-the-top delivery. However, splitters are notoriously inconsistent pitches, and Yesavage's slider is just OK, and his fastball doesn't miss many bats. This makes me a little nervous that he will live or die with that splitter, but the debut was good enough that I'll take the gamble against the Royals.
Connelly Early also just had another really good start for Boston, and while I'm not sure he can keep up this level of production, I think he's a solid arm. I don't love the fact that he has to pitch his next game in a minor league park, but it's hard to bench him after his first two MLB outings.
These are all guys who give me a bit of pause, but I would consider them in deeper formats or if I really needed a starter.
Jason Alexander, Taijuan Walker, Adrian Houser, Patrick Corbin, Simeon Woods-Richardson, JT Ginn, and Randy Vasquez are all here strictly due to their matchup. Joey Wentz kind of is too since the Tigers are an average lineup but perform better against righties than lefties.
I like Ian Seymour and Johan Oviedo, but they both get bad matchups, so they fall from the fairly confident tier into this one. I don't think they'll crush you, but I don't see tons of upside. Same for Cade Cavalli, who has strikeout upside but a bad matchup against the Mets.
Cristian Javier has been super inconsistent since coming off the IL, but we had to expect that after missing so much time following Tommy John surgery. This Texas lineup isn't toothless, but it's not the same without Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, so I could see Javier putting together a solid outing. I just can't say he'll do it with any confidence.
I like Tyler Mahle, but this feels like a situation where he is going to split this game with Jacob Latz since Mahle hasn't built up a huge pitch count while on the IL. That makes it tough for wins and tough to use him. Similar for Payton Tolle, who may start but also may just pitch 3-4 innings of relief, so it's hard to narrow down his true value.
The others are likely guys I wouldn't consider unless I really needed to hunt for wins or strikeouts.
Kraken Prospect Oscar Fisker Molgaard Is Looking To Bring Previous Experience Into AHL Rookie Season
Oscar Fisker Molgaard is gearing up for his first Seattle Kraken training camp and season in the AHL, and he'll be looking to use past experiences to help him.
Those past experiences include 129 games in the SHL, Sweden's top professional league, where he has scored 18 goals and 47 points. Including his time in the SHL, Fisker Molgaard has already racked up 23 games of experience at the World Championship and played seven games last year with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
“I’ve always been wanting to go to Coachella Valley after getting drafted by the Kraken,” said Fisker Molgaard. “You’re always nervous at first, but I think it went well. I kind of adapted to North American hockey pretty quick. That also helped me getting back home as I knew how to play against the North American players in the world championships. It’s a big help. Especially for the upcoming [AHL] season. I know the trainers, I know the coaches, I know some of the guys. It helps me a lot, coming in here with some confidence and calm.”
Known for his strong skating and two-way prowess, the 20-year-old has several translatable skills that could help him find success in the AHL and the NHL down the road. Currently standing six-foot, 168 pounds, Fisker Molgaard still has plenty to do to get his body NHL-ready, but the Kraken think very highly of their 2023 second-round pick (52nd overall).
“I think this training camp is going to be huge for him,” said Firebirds coach Derek Laxdal, who penciled Fisker Molgaard in for both games of this past weekend’s NHL Prospects series. “He wasn't here for last year's training camp, already playing in the SHL. I expect to see him take a great step forward. He is just going to grow. You think about his projection, his last three years playing in the SHL, he's mature beyond his years. His game is beyond a 20-year-old. He's got a very bright future for the Kraken organization ... I think he's one of those top pieces going forward.”
The adjustment period for Fisker Molgaard will be something to keep an eye on. Although he has professional experience, playing in North America is different. With that being said, the Danish center claims to have had a great summer and is ready to compete and work.
“I finally had a good, long summer,” said Fisker Molgaard. “It felt good to work out to be stronger and get better at my game.”
Coachella Valley Firebirds To Have Heavy Rookie InfluenceThe Seattle Kraken's AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, will have a heavy rookie influence in 2025-26, with several 2023 NHL Draft picks set to embark on their rookie seasons.
Top 10 NHL Players On PTOs To Watch In Training Camp
Training camps around the NHL are set to begin, which means hockey season is finally almost here.
With NHL clubs getting ready to start their training camps, let's discuss 10 notable players currently on professional tryouts (PTOs) who are looking to earn contracts for the 2025-26 season.
Matt Grzelcyk, D, Chicago Blackhawks
Even after setting career highs with 39 assists and 40 points last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Matt Grzelcyk had to settle for a PTO with the Chicago Blackhawks.
If Chicago wants a veteran blueliner to help mentor its young defense group, which currently has only one blueliner older than 24, Grzelcyk could certainly land a deal for the season. Yet, the Blackhawks also have several defensemen eyeing NHL jobs, so Grzelcyk will have a lot of competition.
Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Pittsburgh Penguins
Legendary goalie Marc-Andre Fleury signed a PTO with the Penguins last week. This will give him the opportunity to play one final game for the team he will forever be most remembered playing for before officially hanging up the skates.
Fleury is set to make his final NHL appearance on Sep. 27 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. And no, he's not looking to sign a one-year contract.
Ticket Prices For Fleury's Final Game Keep RisingWhen the Pittsburgh Penguins signed goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury to a paid tryout (PTO) contract on Friday, along with that came the announcement that he'd be appearing in one final pre-season game in Pittsburgh on Sept. 27 against the Columbus Blue Jackets before officially retiring from the NHL.
Milan Lucic, LW, St. Louis Blues
After completing the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program, Milan Lucic signed a PTO with the St. Louis Blues. The 37-year-old last played during the 2023-24 season with the Boston Bruins, posting two assists and 12 hits in four games.
Given the Blues' solid forward depth, Lucic will need to impress big time if he hopes to earn a contract for the season.
Jack Johnson, D, Minnesota Wild
Jack Johnson signed a PTO with the Minnesota Wild last month. The 38-year-old blueliner is aiming to earn a contract and play his 20th season in the NHL.
The veteran defenseman has an uphill battle, however, as the Wild have solid defensive depth. In 41 games last season with the Blue Jackets, he recorded six assists, 21 hits, 35 blocked shots and a minus-13 rating.
Brett Leason, RW, Minnesota Wild
Brett Leason, a 6-foot-5 right winger, played in 62 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks, recording five goals and 17 points.
When looking at Minnesota's forward group, Leason should compete for a spot on their fourth line. Right now, the wingers in the bottom six are Liam Ohgren, Ryan Hartman, Marcus Foligno and Yakov Trenin. The 26-year-old could earn a contract with a strong showing in camp, even if he ends up being the 13th forward.
Kevin Labanc, LW, Carolina Hurricanes
After posting two goals and 12 points in 34 games last season with the Blue Jackets, Kevin Labanc had to settle for a PTO with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 29-year-old will need to stand out during training camp to earn a deal for the season, as the Hurricanes have a ton of forward depth.
That said, Labanc has dealt with injury issues in recent years. When he's healthy, he can produce at least 30 points, with a career-high 56 in 2018-19. He could work well as an extra forward for Carolina if signed.
All You Need To Know About The Three Players The Hurricanes Signed To PTOsThe Carolina Hurricanes signed three players to PTOs heading into training camp, as they will compete to make the Hurricanes’ opening night roster.
Oliver Kylington, D, Carolina Hurricanes
Oliver Kylington, a 28-year-old blueliner, appeared in 19 games last season, split between the Colorado Avalanche and the Ducks, recording one goal, five points and a minus-2 rating.
Kylington could serve as an extra offensive defenseman, since the Hurricanes already have Shayne Gostisbehere filling that role. Or if Alexander Nikishin needs seasoning in the AHL, Kylington could fill in his spot in the NHL in the meantime.
Luke Glendening, C/RW, New Jersey Devils
Luke Glendening will be aiming to earn a contract with the New Jersey Devils through his PTO. The Devils currently have Dawson Mercer, Arseny Gritsyuk, Connor Brown, Evgenii Dadonov, Paul Cotter and Cody Glass as projected bottom-six players, so Glendening has lots of competition for a spot in the lineup.
The 36-year-old is a very effective faceoff-winner, with a career win percentage of 55.8. Last year, he won 57 percent of his faceoffs. Glass, meanwhile, has a 47.7 career faceoff win percentage.
The Michigan native does not offer much offense, with seven points in 77 games last year, but his defensive play and skill at the faceoff dot could help his chances of earning a deal.
Conor Sheary, LW/RW, New York Rangers
After mutually terminating his contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Conor Sheary signed a PTO with the New York Rangers earlier this off-season.
This comes after the 33-year-old spent most of last season in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch, recording 61 points in 59 games. In the NHL, he had no points in five games, and in 2023-24, he had 15 points in 57 games.
The Winchester, Mass., native will now look to prove that he can still be an NHL player, but the Rangers also have a lot of forward depth on the wing. He'd have to outplay Jonny Brodzinski, Adam Edstrom, Taylor Raddysh and Matt Rempe, but if Gabe Perreault isn't ready for the NHL yet, Sheary could fill that role temporarily.
Brendan Smith, D, Columbus Blue Jackets
Brendan Smith is an under-the-radar candidate to secure a contract with the Blue Jackets for the season. That said, he works well as an extra defender.
In 32 games last season with the Dallas Stars, he recorded one goal, six points, 41 hits, 23 blocked shots and 33 penalty minutes.
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Kevin Durant says he'll play in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics at age 39 'If I'm still me'
Kevin Durant is the greatest US Olympic men's basketball player ever, the Olympic GOAT. He has scored more points (518) than any American playing in the Olympics, and after Paris in 2024, he has four Olympic gold medals, the most of any men's hooper in our nation's history.
How about making it five gold medals?
Asked about playing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Durant said he'd be up for it — but only if he's still the player he is now, who could make an impact. Via the must-follow Swish Cultures:
KD On playing in the 2028 Olympics “If I’m still me I’ll play I don’t want that veteran sit on the end of the bench and get your 5th”via @ashtenjewellpic.twitter.com/WjdgJFEHqy
— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) September 17, 2025
The 2028 USA team will be a transition from the Durant, LeBron James, and in Paris Stephen Curry era to the next generation of American players. That likely includes Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Devin Booker (all of whom picked up a gold in Paris) as well as a younger crop of players such as Cooper Flagg and Paolo Banchero, among others.
Los Angeles is also shaping up to be the USA's toughest test to continue its Olympic dominance (five straight golds for the men). France won silver in Paris when Victor Wembanyama was too young to drink, the prime version of him in 2028 is likely the best player in the world, leading a deep team that could include Alex Sarr, Tidjane Salaun, and some of the country's young guards and wings coming up such as Bilal Coulibaly. Serbia and Nikola Jokic will still be in the mix, as will a German team that is the most recent EuroBasket and World Cup champion.
We'll see if Durant returns as the bridge to a younger generation to help them win gold.
2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Schedule Breakdown
By Joel Bartilotta, RotoWire
A frequently overlooked yet critical component of fantasy basketball strategy is the NBA schedule. While player rest, particularly on back-to-back sets, is a common point of discussion, the full extent of the season's physical demands is often underestimated. The grueling nature of an 82-game season has a significant impact on player availability and performance.
[Join or create a fantasy basketball league for the 2025-26 NBA season]
This analysis will examine key scheduling quirks and variables to provide fantasy managers with a strategic advantage during their drafts and throughout the 2025-26 season.
Platform-Specific Scheduling: Yahoo
Fantasy managers should note that platform-specific schedules can vary. On Yahoo, the fantasy playoffs are slated for Weeks 21, 22 and 23, running from March 16 to April 5. This schedule is advantageous as it concludes before the final week of the NBA regular season, a period often characterized by unpredictable player rotations and teams resting key assets.
Another important aspect of the Yahoo schedule is the extended Week 17, which spans from February 9 to February 22 to accommodate the All-Star break. This creates a 14-day matchup period that managers must plan for.
The NBA Cup
The NBA Cup (formerly the In-Season Tournament) has become a fixture in the league calendar. From a fantasy perspective, the primary concern is how these games are scored and integrated into the weekly schedule. The key dates for the upcoming tournament are as follows:
Group Play:
Friday, Oct. 31
Friday, Nov. 7
Friday, Nov. 14
Friday, Nov. 21
Tuesday, Nov. 25
Wednesday, Nov. 26
Friday, Nov. 28
Quarterfinals: Tuesday, Dec. 9 & Wednesday, Dec. 10
Semifinals: Saturday, Dec. 13
Championship: Tuesday, Dec. 16
Unlike last season, when weeks were been combined at points during the tournament, that is not the case this year.
Back-to-Back Sets (B2Bs)
Player management during back-to-back sets is a major variable in fantasy performance. The NBA has continued its efforts to reduce these, with the league average dropping from 14.9 per team last season to 14.4 this season. However, the distribution is not even.
Below is a breakdown of the number of B2B sets for each team:
16 Back-to-Backs: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards
15 Back-to-Backs: Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans, Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz
14 Back-to-Backs: Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic
13 Back-to-Backs: Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder
Strategic Implications: This data is crucial for risk assessment. Players with extensive injury histories are prime candidates for rest during one leg of a B2B set. For instance, a player like Joel Embiid, on a team with 16 B2Bs, presents a higher risk of missed games compared to a younger, more durable player on a team with 13. While not a definitive predictor — as exemplified by Kawhi Leonard playing in a B2B last season — this metric should serve as a valuable tiebreaker when evaluating similarly ranked players during a draft.
Fantasy Playoff Schedule Analysis
Analyzing the weekly distribution of games provides a more targeted level of strategy. While overhauling a draft strategy based solely on the schedule is not recommended, understanding the volume of games during the fantasy playoffs is critical for success.
The Yahoo fantasy playoffs run from March 16 to April 5.
Quarterfinals (March 16-22):
5 Games: Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards
A five-game week for players on these rosters provides a significant advantage. However, managers must consider the potential for these teams to be in "tanking" mode, which could affect rotations.
Semifinals (March 23-29):
2 Games: Minnesota Timberwolves, Phoenix Suns
A two-game week for star players on these teams can be detrimental to a fantasy team's chances, making it difficult to win a head-to-head matchup. This should be a major consideration for managers drafting players from the Timberwolves and Suns.
Championship (March 30-April 5):
2 Games: Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers
Reaching the championship with key players like Nikola Jokić or Jalen Brunson only playing two games would present a significant challenge.
Total Games During the Fantasy Playoffs
To provide a broader perspective, the following list aggregates the total number of games each team plays during the three-week Yahoo fantasy playoff period (Weeks 21-23).
12 Games: Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards
11 Games: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz
10 Games: Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings
9 Games: Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks
Teams with 10 or 11 games fall near the average. However, the outliers are significant. The nine-game schedules for the Nuggets and Knicks represent a notable disadvantage for fantasy managers rostering their players. Conversely, the 12-game schedules for the Rockets, Grizzlies, Magic, and Wizards offer a considerable boost. This information should be utilized as a key tie-breaking factor when making draft-day decisions.