With that, he shared that he already has a list of candidates of various degrees of experience, admitting that his radar is about "five to eight" names long. Though Holland's preference doesn't seem to be concrete in terms of his next coach's experience, there are plenty of veteran bench bosses out there.
Here are three veteran head coaches who should be on Holland's list going into the 2026-27 regular season.
Bruce Cassidy
For teams that are looking to be competitive and a contender for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Bruce Cassidy should be at the top of that list for all those organizations.
Cassidy has led two different teams to the Stanley Cup finals. First, it was the Boston Bruins in 2019 when they eventually lost to the St. Louis Blues. He won the Jack Adams Trophy just one season later.
Most recently, he pushed the Vegas Golden Knights to be Cup champions for the first time in franchise history in 2023.
The Golden Knights fired him on March 29, and he is currently on the market and is probably on Holland's short list of coaching candidates.
Bruce Cassidy (Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports)
Peter Laviolette
Peter Laviolette has been a head coach in the NHL for a very long time. He's coached over 1,500 games in the league, winning a Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, and also visited the Stanley Cup final on two separate occasions with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and the Nashville Predators in 2017.
He's spent this past 2025-26 campaign on the sidelines. His last stint was two years with the New York Rangers. In his first season with the Rangers, he took them to the Eastern Conference finals, followed by missing the playoffs in the next year, ultimately costing him his job.
Nonetheless, he's accomplished big achievements with whatever team he's guided in the past, even if he has a shorter shelf life than others.
Gerard Gallant is another bench boss who has seen the Stanley Cup final. He was the coach who led the Golden Knights to the final in their first year of existence in 2017. He also won the Jack Adams Trophy that season as the NHL's best head coach of the year.
Gallant has been out of the NHL for a little while now. His last stint was with the Rangers from 2021-22 to 2022-23.
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PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 24: Nick Davila #82 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the ninth inning of a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Peoria Stadium on February 24, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Mike Christy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Mariners made a surprising move to bolster their bullpen today, calling up right-handed reliever Nick Davila from Double-A Arkansas. In a corresponding move, LHP Josh Simpson – who was just summoned yesterday from Triple-A – was returned to Tacoma. The Mariners roster is now full at 40 players.
If you’re not familiar with Davila’s name, that’s understandable, although Davila is a long-tenured Mariners minor-leaguer; he’s been cropping up in our MiLB round-ups as far back as 2023, when we said the then-24-year-old Davila was “old for the level” at High-A. Davila has stuck around, though, and saw significant action this spring with the big-league club this spring with many players away at the WBC, often being used as a clean-up man after another reliever had made a mess of things.
My blurb for Davila in the NRIs article this spring said this:
The Mariners re-signed Davila, 27, to a minor-league contract this off-season with an invitation to spring training, which is why he’s here. Davila is more of a contact manager than a strikeout artist, a tough fit as a reliever; he also got a little walk-happy in Arkansas this year, which is a problem that will have to be tamped down.
So far, so good on that front. Davila has been serving as Arkansas’ closer this year, and so far over nine innings pitched he’s amassed two saves and 10 strikeouts to just one walk. Davila’s primary weapon is a sweeper that he pairs with a sinker, which doesn’t lead to a ton of strikeouts but does get hitters to put the ball on the ground.
Davila, who spent one season at USF after transferring from Hillsborough CC, was originally signed by the Tigers as an undrafted free agent back in July of 2020 and spent 2021-22 in the Detroit organization before coming to Seattle as a minor league free-agent signing in 2023. When and if he makes an appearance for the Mariners, it will mark the Mariners’ second debut of the season.
Following two consecutive Stanley Cup Final losses to the Florida Panthers, the Oilers faced a tumultuous 2025-26 season that ended in a 4-2 series loss to Anaheim where it never really felt like Edmonton had any kind of control or direction. Connor McDavid finished with six points in the series and was held without points in three of those games, whereas Leon Draisaitl had 10 points. It was confirmed after the postseason McDavid suffered a fracture in his lower leg during Game 2, but all the same, McDavid and Draisaitl didn't hold back in their postmortem evaluation of the Oilers' season.
"We were an average team all year," McDavid told reporters after the game. "An average team with high expectations, you're gonna be disappointed. Um, you know, we just never found it."
Looking forward, however, Draisaitl was more concerned about what this season means on a bigger scale for Edmonton.
"I am concerned about [moving in the wrong direction]," Draisaitl said in his season-ending interview. "And a little bit of that leads into ... we didn't do a good enough job of properly winning games. ... But I think you really have to in the regular season form these moments and get comfortable in these moments and we didn't do that this year ... But yes I am concerned because we're not trending in the right direction, we've taken big steps backwards."
The biggest question for Edmonton now is what its window looks like. McDavid is still the NHL's premier player, having led the league in points in 2025-26. But as McDavid talks about his desire to win, there is a clock.
Connor McDavid contract details
McDavid inked a two-year extension in October 2025 worth $12.5 million AAV to cap off an eight-year, $100 million contract he signed in 2017. The extension kicks in during 2026-27 and will put him as a free agent in 2028 at age 31.
Draisaitl made no bones about it: The Oilers' window closes if McDavid leaves.
"He's signed for two more years and God knows where that goes, but we have two years here right now," Draisaitl said of McDavid's future. "We have to get significantly better."
Oilers GM Stan Bowman also spoke to reporters on McDavid calling the team average.
"We were average for a lot of the year," Bowman said. "The way I took that comment was in previous years we've had stretches where we've been able to get our game going and dominate and win five-six-eight, 10 in a row. And also have some losing streaks."
Though Bowman focused on the "average" comment and sidestepped the McDavid aspect, he did say the time for the Oilers is now.
"I know how bad Connor wants to win," he said. "And I certainly feel the same way. That's why we all do this. So we're pushing hard. Not every year does it work in the decisions you make. But it's not like we're building for five years from now ... We're pushing every year ... Now is the time when we want our team to win, we're not looking down the road."
While McDavid did concur in his news conference that the "organization as a whole has taken a step back, and that starts with me," the subtext of what he and Draisatil are saying is clear: If the organization doesn't build a team that can win with them, they'll go win without them.
Draisaitl, of course, is under contract until 2033, so he's locked in as a franchise staple. But with McDavid putting up 138 points this year, it seems disingenuous to say he's taken a "step back."
McDavid and the Oilers now go into the offseason licking their wounds, but the wounds are different than the festering gashes of two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals losses. Perhaps two deep runs caught up to them, and this season can be a reset. Either way, the Oilers have two years to figure it out with both of their franchise staples. How they come out in 2026 will be a good litmus test for where they're at.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 01: Kazuma Okamoto #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a two run home run against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning at Target Field on May 1, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Blue Jays 11 Twins 4
Jays did everything they needed to do in the top of the eighth:
Ernie Clement started the inning with a singled.
Vladimir Guerrero took a six pitch walk.
Kazuma Okamoto singled in one.
Lenyn Sosa got an infield single bringing home the second run.
Daulton Varsho ground one softy that went right between the pitchers legs. E1 loads the bases.
Myles Straw walked on four pitches. Third run in.
Davis Schneider doubled in the fourth and fifth run.
Brandon Valenzuela homered in six, seven and eight.
But there was also bad news, George Springer took a pitch off the, already broken, toe and had to come out of the game. I’d imagine he’ll be back on the IL.
I was wrong the Jays said ‘no further damage’ (tough to believe). He was getting tomorrow off anyway, apparently. So we’ll see Monday.
Dylan Cease wasn’t great, giving up four runs three earned. But he went seven inning. I thought he would be out after six, when he was at 98 pitches, but he stayed in and got to 106 pitches (and a win). He gave up seven hits, one walk and seven strikeouts.
Mason Fluharty and Spencer Miles pitched a clean inning each.
Before the seventh, the Jays scored:
Two in the second: Sosa and Straw homered.
One in the sixth: Okamoto hit his eighth homer of the season. Crushed it. 453 feet to center.
Jays had 9 hits and 5 walks. Okamoto and Sosa had two each. Jesus Sanchez (who went in for Springer) and Vlad (with the walk) had 0 fors.
Vlad also had an error. In the second inning, with runners on second and third and the infield in, Vlad got a ground ball hit softly at him. He thought he might have a play at home, but the runner was off with contact, so he tried to throw to Cease covering first but missed him and a second runner scored.
But, other than that, it was the Twins that had the poor defense.
Jays of the Day: Okomoto (.34 WPA), Sosa (.14) and Straw (.13).
Other Award: Sanchez (-.15) and Cease (-.12) had the number too.
Tomorrow we have an early start, 12:45 Eastern. Trey Yesavage vs. Joe Ryan. A win and the Jays are back to .500.
So a month of baseball has been played. We have a decent sample size now to justify overreactions to underachievers and whether overachievers are for real.
So checking in on the San Francisco Giants with their first-time manager Tony Vitello and they're sitting at the bottom of the NL West division at 13-19, following their 3-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on May 1.
The Giants' woes aren't a product of the relationship their first-year skipper has with his team. But San Francisco's issues derive from their on-field play, or lack thereof. Offensively, there are a myriad of glaring issues. Overall, hitting needs improvement. This team has had trouble producing runs and their bullpen could use a boost as well.
San Francisco has been one of the worst-hitting teams in all of Major League Baseball, a strange occurrence for a team stacked with the likes of Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Luis Arraez, Casey Schmitt, and Heliot Ramos, to name a few capable weapons.
The Giants rank last in MLB offensive categories as a team, including offensive runs scored, home runs, stolen bases, and walks. Through 32 games, the Giants have only registered 66 walks and 19 home runs.
The team bats .246 and has produced the fewest RBIs, at 99.
Although it's early, San Francisco has begun to dig themselves into a shallow hole to start 2026. The Giants need to find a rhythm and turn their season around before things get out of hand.
Giants can't formulate runs
Another glaring issue is that the Giants are having trouble putting runs on the board. They can't formulate scoring in crucial moments and it's causing them to lose games.
They were embarrassed in their season-home opener against the New York Yankees after being shutout twice: 7-0 on March 25 and 3-0 on March 27. Maybe one could say it was simply jitters from all the excitement of a new baseball season, but it seems the tension has carried on for a little over one month into the season.
The Giants were shut out for an MLB-leading seventh time this season after their 3-0 loss to the Rays on May 1. It's the most the team’s been shutout in the first 32 games since 1976. When they're not being shutout, they are only producing one- or two-run contests. It's occurred on eight different instances or 25% of games played.
The team ranks last in MLB with 104 runs. But their issues aren't just a matter of hitting, but also decision-making from the shot callers.
Is coaching holding back Giants?
On multiple occasions, in previous games, there have been lapses in judgment when leading and instructing players on when or when not to round bases. Not capitalizing during momentous periods of the game has been a pivotal decision that has been the difference maker in wins versus losses.
Third base coach Hector Borg in back-to-back games has made seemingly questionable calls instructing his players to round a base or stay safe. During San Francisco's May 1 contest with the Rays, the Giants trailed 1-0 at the top of the fourth inning with Arraez at bat who knocked one just past first base. It was clearly enough for a double, but Borg allegedly instructed him to advance to third where Arraez was tagged out.
This was on Giants third base coach Hector Borg. Luis Arraez looks at him as he rounds second base to see if he can go to third
In the previous game, Giants outfielder Drew Gilbert had a chance to beat the Philadelphia Phillies in a doubleheader that went to extra innings. It was the top of 10th inning, Ramos was at bat and hit it towards second base, off the glove of Phillies' Bryson Stott as it landed in a gap towards the outfielders.
Gilbert started at second, rounded third, and looked to make his way home to give the Giants a one-run lead, but was seemingly waved off by Borg. Gilbert stayed at third and the Giants didn't score in the inning. Instead, the Phillies took over at bat and won the game on a walk-off RBI.
If things already look grim, you don't want to know about their pitching. The Giants' pitching ranks are all over the place. San Francisco ranks 20th with 262 strikeouts. They are 10th in MLB in earned run average with 3.94 and are tied at 8th in total earned runs with the Miami Marlins at 124.
They are in the middle of the pack with home runs allowed. The Giants, tied at 16th, have had 32 homers hit on them, same as the Chicago White Sox and Seattle Mariners.
San Francisco has allowed 121 walks, tied for 10th most in MLB with the Marlins and Minnesota Twins.
They have competitive starting pitchers in Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle and Adrian Houser. But questions lie in their relievers and closers. The Giants need those guys to step up their play.
While the opening round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is not over, the NHL is kicking off the second round on Saturday night. Seven of the eight teams have already been decided, with the final slot being filled on Sunday. Here is a look at the seven former Canucks players who have advanced to the second round.
Western Conference:
Quinn Hughes- Minnesota Wild
Quinn Hughes was a difference maker for the Minnesota Wildin the first round. Vancouver's former captain recorded eight points in six games while averaging 31:40. Hughes also finished the series with a plus/minus of +9, which ranks third in the NHL
Nic Dowd & Ben Hutton- Vegas Golden Knights
Nic Dowd, Ben Hutton and the Vegas Golden Knightsare once again off to the second round. While Hutton has yet to make his 2026 playoff debut, Dowd played in all six first-round games, where he recorded two goals. Vegas also features John Tortorella, who spent one year as head coach of the Canucks.
Eastern Conference:
Jalen Chatfield- Carolina Hurricanes
The only former player on this list to sweep the first round was Jalen Chatfield. The Carolina Hurricanes defenceman has become a key part of the Hurricanes' roster, averaging 23:15 of ice time per night in the first round. Chatfield also recorded an assist while finishing the series with three hits.
Apr 13, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield (5) in action against the Philadelphia Flyers in the third period at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Noah Juulsen- Philadelphia Flyers
Another former defenceman heading to the second round is Noah Juulsen. While he did not play every game for the Philadelphia Flyers, he was still productive with two assists in four games. The Flyers also have Rick Tocchet behind the bench, who coached Vancouver to their last post-season appearance in 2024.
Tanner Pearson & Luke Schenn- Buffalo Sabres
The final two members of this list are Luke Schenn and Tanner Pearson. Neither has appeared for the Buffalo Sabres in the playoffs so far. Both Schenn and Pearson have plenty of post-season experience, as each has lifted the Stanley Cup.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
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Oct 6, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos watches a workout before the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Considering how the 2025 campaign began, the start of the 2026 Braves season has been a breath of fresh air for everyone who is invested.
That must be particularly true for Braves general manager and president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos.
A streak of seven straight postseason appearances which began in his second season with the organization came to a screeching halt in Atlanta’s 76-86 season.
“I would say the same thing if we had gotten off to a slow start: it is so early. We’ve been that team that has chased teams down, we’ve been eight games back, we’ve been under .500 in August,” Anthopoulos said. “I would prefer this than starting out slowly, no doubt about it. You get to bank wins. And more importantly, we’re actually playing well. Defensively, the bullpen, the rotation, all of it.”
Anthopoulos talked candidly about a number of topics during the interview, which lasted nearly 20 minutes. Notably, he discussed the lessons learned from how the 2025 team was built which didn’t help matters when the injuries piled up.
He says it changed not just the roster building but the chemistry building approach he took on with his staff this offseason, something he saw pay dividends well before the regular season began.
“This group, I felt it in spring training. I think we got away from it a little bit last year just because of maybe short on talent and so on. But I think we really put an emphasis on the mix, the group, clubhouse. Not that it was bad, but we actually put more of a premium on it back this winter to have the right guys in the room and the right team rather than collection of players,” Anthopoulos said. “I know that’s a nuanced way to say it, but it’s good vibes. And that was even in the spring, even with everything that was going wrong going into the season. The pieces fit, they complement each other. It’s a very tight-knit group. It’s a great start.”
As the pitching injuries Anthopoulos alluded to piled up this spring with Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep, Joey Wentz and Spencer Strider going down, there was plenty of talk about which of the remaining free-agent pitchers the Braves should go after.
It never materialized, though. And Anthopoulos said Friday it was never especially close to happening.
“I know I was criticized for (not adding a pitcher). We weren’t close. We checked in, we checked prices,” Anthopoulos said. “We ultimately felt like where things were going, it wasn’t because we didn’t have the money. We just didn’t believe in the deals.”
Through 31 games, that decision has paid off. Even a depleted Braves rotation ranks third in ERA (3.15) through 33 games. Targeting a Zack Littell, Lucas Giolito or one of the other starters who remained unsigned into spring training could have blocked JR Ritchie’s impressive introduction to the major league rotation or Bryce Elder’s resurgence, which are the type of things Anthopoulos always values when evaluating such decisions.
“We like the talent we have. We like the young guys we have. We need to continue to give them opportunities as our other players are getting more expensive to be able to sustain this thing,” Anthopoulos said. “I’m in my ninth year here, hopefully we get to the playoffs again. I would be very proud of that if we could pull off eight out of nine years. You only have players for six years contractually. A lot of times, you’re thinking you have to churn this entire thing and start over and rebuild. We’re trying to keep it going for a long time.”
Speaking of Elder, he was one of three players Anthopoulos highlighted when asked about players he’s been pleasantly surprised with early this season, along with Dominic Smith and Mauricio Dubon. This team isn’t lacking in pleasant surprise options, but Elder carrying over his strong 2025 finish into a great first month this season is exactly what the Braves GM envisioned for him.
“I called him many times in the winter just to check in on him and talk about how good he was the last six weeks or so,” Anthopoulos said. “Normally you don’t pay attention to spring training and you don’t pay attention to September, but his velocity was up in September and he was beating really good teams. Even at the end of August, he beat the Phillies, the Tigers, the Cubs. He was going six, seven innings. Those guys were competing for the postseason, and he was throwing the ball really well and he was out of options.
“ … Did I think he would have 1.70 or 2.00 ERA or whatever it is right now? Of course not. But did we think he had a chance to be a really good starter for us? Yes. … I’m thrilled for him because I know the work he’s put in. He just kept his nose to the grindstone and continues to post. The fact that he can do it getting four days rest each time and allowing us to get rest for other players has been huge as well.”
One of the few players who hasn’t clicked early this season is Austin Riley at third base. Riley followed three straight 30-homer seasons with back-to-back campaigns below 20 the last two seasons. After Friday’s two-hit performance at Colorado, he’s hitting .202 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 33 games.
Considering he’s in the fourth season of a 10-year, $212 million contract, it’s a situation the Braves are somewhat stuck with.
But like with Ozzie Albies and Michael Harris II, two of the Braves’ hottest hitters this season who were struggling mightily a season ago, Anthopoulos is confident Riley will come out of this extended slump to start the season.
“I’m not saying this is going to be the same thing, but Harris and Albies at the All-Star break (last year), so you’re talking middle of July, a long time, they were top-10 worst in MLB in OPS. You wouldn’t imagine it because they’re so talented, they’re so good, especially Albies, the home runs, Silver Sluggers, All-Star games,” Anthopoulos said. “Riley as well, the work ethic, the person, the defense, the athleticism. He’s going to get it going. I don’t know when. We’re working, he’s working. We’re looking at stuff, he is too.
“You saw it with that road series in Philadelphia, he’s going to get going again. I think the big part about this is we have other guys performing, stepping up. We’re scoring runs, so he’s got time to work through this. But obviously, when he gets going and some other guys get going, we should be that much stronger. I have no doubt he’ll come out of it. I just don’t know when. I said the same thing about Harris last year, same thing about Albies.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: José Caballero #72 of the New York Yankees drops the ball attempting to tag Gunnar Henderson #2 of the Baltimore Orioles who is safe at second during their game at Yankee Stadium on May 02, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On paper, Kyle Bradish is Baltimore’s top starter with Trevor Rogers on the IL. Unfortunately, the lefty failed to pitch like it today. Bradish couldn’t play stopper for the struggling Orioles, and the Yankees ran away with a decisive 9-4 win in the second of a four-games series.
Bradish continued a disappointing string of starts by Orioles pitchers. The lefty used a double play ball to erase a leadoff walk in the first, but the Yankees broke through in the second. Cody Bellinger snuck a pop fly over the short porch in right field to give New York an early 1-0 advantage. It was the type of homer that elicited eye rolls from opposing fans and pitchers alike, but Bradish ran into more serious trouble as the game continued.
José Caballero worked a five pitch walk with one out in the third, and Trent Grisham poked a double to left field. Bradish bounced back by striking out Ben Rice, but he crossed up catcher Adley Rutschman on a high fastball. The passed ball allowed New York to double its lead, and Bellinger drove in the third run of the game on an 0-2 breaking ball.
Bellinger’s knock represented a troubling trend of Baltimore pitchers failing to put away hitters. Bradish came within one strike of a zero in the fourth inning before grooving a 3-2 fastball to Grisham. The Yankee leadoff hitter smacked the ball 412 feet to left field, and New York took a commanding 5-1 lead in the fourth.
Grisham’s blast killed some fleeting momentum for the Orioles. Pete Alonso got the O’s on the board in the top of the fourth with his second homer in as many days. The solo shot briefly trimmed the deficit to two, but Bradish failed to deliver a shutdown inning.
Keegan Akin replaced Bradish in the fifth, and Bellinger greeted him with another homer. The Yankees led 6-1 before Baltimore managed to chip away in the sixth inning.
The Orioles loaded the bases with nobody out for Alonso, but the slugger grounded into a double play. Tyler O’Neill took a walk, and a pinch-hitting Samuel Basallo delivered a double down the right field line to make it 6-3. Jeremiah Jackson stepped in with a chance to make it a one-run game with a base hit, but he bounced a harmless ground ball to short that ended the inning.
Dylan Beavers pinch hit for Weston Wilson to start the seventh. The rookie worked a walk, stole second and third, and eventually scored on a ground ball by Taylor Ward. The manufactured run inched Baltimore to within two, but any chance at a comeback faded in the bottom half of the inning,
Anthony Nunez walked Rice and Aaron Judge before allowing a run-scoring single to Bellinger. Jazz Chisholm plated two more with a base hit to right that O’Neill briefly failed to handle. Judge walked twice, but finished 0-for-3 with three strikeouts. The Yankees still managed to score nine runs. That simply can’t happen.
The Orioles needed a strong start from Bradish after Cade Povich completed only four innings in Game 1. Baltimore will send out pitching prospect Trey Gibson for his MLB debut tomorrow against Max Fried (4-1, 2.09 ERA). Maybe the rookie can help flip the script.
Craig Albernaz sent out a lineup of seven righties, one switch hitter, and Gunnar Henderson to face left-handed starter Ryan Weathers. O’Neill, Coby Mayo, Jeremiah Jackson, Weston Wilson and Blaze Alexander combined to go 0-for-13 from spots five-to-nine in the batting order. It’s unclear how much input Albernaz has on the lineup in this modern era, but the Orioles’ obsession with matchups failed to produce positive results today.
This series feels like a benchmark for the Orioles. So far, the team looks completely outclassed by the first-place Yankees. Baltimore is clearly struggling to overcome some short and long term injuries, and the panic button could be on ice by the end of the weekend.
The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Utah Mammoth by a 5-1 final score in Game 6. With this, Vegas is moving on to the second round of the playoffs.
A former Buffalo Sabres star forward is a big reason for the Golden Knights making it to the second round. This is because Jack Eichel has been on fire so far this post-season.
In six games against Utah this series, Eichel had nine points. This included him having three games with at least two points for the Golden Knights. His best game was in Game 4, though, as he recorded three assists in the Golden Knights' 5-4 overtime win against the Mammoth.
Seeing Eichel have such a hot start to the playoffs is not surprising in the slightest. There is no question that the former Sabres forward can make a serious impact when playing at his best, and he is showing that right now with the Golden Knights.
It will now be interesting to see what Eichel does for the Golden Knights in the second round from here.
Eichel was selected by the Sabres with the second-overall pick of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. In 375 games over six seasons with Buffalo, he had 139 goals, 216 assists, and 355 points.
DETROIT, MI - APRIL 22: Detroit Tigers pitcher Will Vest (19) pitches during the game between the Detroit Tigers versus the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday April 22, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI. (Photo by Steven King/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
On Saturday, the Detroit Tigers placed right-handed reliever Will Vest on the 15-day injured list with right forearm inflammation. The Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens top reliever in April, right-hander Ricky Vanasco, has been added to the 40-man roster and called up to Detroit. To open a spot, RHP Yoniel Curet has been designated for assignment.
Oh boy, this was not what the Tigers’ bullpen needed right now. Vest, the Tigers best reliever and one of the best in baseball in 2025, hasn’t pitched since last Sunday, and it was becoming clear that something was wrong. The Tigers were very quick to place RHP Troy Melton on the 60-day injured list this spring when he dealt with forearm inflammation, and that aggressive approach to giving Melton all the time needed to get right appears to have paid off as he avoided surgery and is now due to start rehab work this weekend. Hopefully, Vest will also avoid any longer term complications, but we’ll have to wait for further testing and until he can start ramping up again to really be sure.
In addition, the Tigers also announced on Saturday that Kenley Jansen is currently day-to-day with a groin/abdominal issue. That may explain some of the wild swings in velo and command, but that is also not good right now.
RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long was scratched from his start in Toledo on Friday night, leading some to wonder if he would be called up in Casey Mize’s spot, but instead he too suffered an injury and is day-to-day as well. Gipson-Long missed most of spring camp with a left abdominal strain, but whether this is a setback with that or another injury is unknown.
The 27-year-old Vanasco has been outstanding in the early going. A journeyman reliever with an excellent power curveball, made a brief major league debut with both the Dodgers and Tigers in 2024, but has never been able to refine his command enough to become a dependable relief option. So far this spring, he’s figured it out in Toledo.
In 10 appearances totalling 15 innings of work, Vanasco has a spotless 0.00 ERA. He’s struck out 28 hitters and walked just four. That’s a 47.5 percent strikeout rate, with an opponent’s batting average of just .148 against him and a 0.80 WHIP.
Vanasco sits around 95 mph with plus extension on his fourseam fastball, but the movement on the pitch is pretty pedestrian. He does have to command it around the edges of the strike zone to avoid it getting hit hard. The fastball typically has 16 degrees of induced vertical break, a mediocre mark, and doesn’t run armside too much either. Vanasco’s extension and quick arm do help it play up a bit, however. It also helps that he mixes fourseamers and sinkers in equal amounts, and has located both really well so far this year. That’s made him less predictable, and the fourseamer is actually getting plenty of whiffs as a result of it not being a primary offering.
Vanasco uses fourseamers, sinkers, curveballs, and changeups in basically equal amounts. Against right-handers, the power curve is the big weapon, and it’s overall his best pitch. He throws it really hard, generally 83-84 mph, and it’s relatively low spin rate, generally around 2350 rpms, is reminiscent of former Alex Lange’s power slider that was really a curveball. The pitch has drawn a 41.4 percent whiff rate so far this season, and that’s pretty typical for it. We won’t be surprised if the Tigers’ pitching coaches have him use the curveball even more and thrown it maybe close to half the time against right-handed hitters.
Vanasco’s changeup is average, but he’s been in much better command of it the past two seasons and it’s been an effective pitch for him. It sits 85 mph with pretty good armside run but average depth. He has gotten a 38.6 percent whiff rate on it going back to the beginning of 2025, and as Vanasco will generally be facing as many right-handed hitters as possible, it’s not as though he needs that pitch to be more than a serviceable weapon.
As for Yoniel Curet, the 23-year-old right-hander has a good fastball-slider combination but hasn’t conquered the control issues that plagued him as a Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect the last two years. He’s stalled out at the Triple-A level as a result. Curet used to throw his fourseamer from 95-99 mph, but hasn’t quite had that upper band as often. He’s an interesting, still young project who sits 95-96 mph with good movement and an above average slider, but he was unlikely to help the Tigers much this season. They claimed him back in mid-April, and while no one will lose sleep over it if he doesn’t get through waivers, no doubt the Tigers would like to keep him and have more time to try and develop his command. At very least he could become a pretty good relief option if he can just learn to spot his fourseamer more often.
May 2, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kyle Bradish (38) during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
New York didn’t do much in the offseason, with much consternation given to the “run it back” attitude towards the roster. Part of that was a lot of debate about whether or not the Yankees should commit to Cody Bellinger long term. For at least one day, that signing turned out to be a great decision, as Bellinger took charge in today’s Yankee win, driving in four in the team’s 9-4 victory over the Orioles.
The Yankees did manage to get their first batter of the game aboard, with Trent Grisham working a blue-collar walk to start the top of the first. Nothing came of that chance, but no matter, because Cody Bellinger led off the second with a porch job:
(This was supposed to be a reel but MLB Film Room is being stupid today, I beg your forgiveness.)
I’m not going to ding Ryan Weathers for giving up a solo shot to Pete Alonso, that is exactly what Pete Alonso is paid to do. The other two runs he was ultimately charged with came off a misplay, where José Caballero failed to cover second base, then with the bases loaded and no out, Jake Bird came in and pitched more like I expect Jake Bird to pitch. The end results you can’t really put on Weathers, except for actually how he pitched.
In my opinion, Ryan Weathers is at his best when he reduces his fastball usage. His breaking and offspeed stuff is better, the fastball is really used to keep hitters honest. The problem with pitching backwards like that is hitters have to have a healthy fear that your breaking or offspeed pitch will come into the zone, or at least the shadow zone. Otherwise, the moment that you can pick up on the rotation of a pitch or the position in the hand, you can immediately spit on it: there’s such a low chance it’ll end up in the strike zone that you can take your chances on a better pitch coming next.
Weathers didn’t have good enough to make that happen. He only walked two, but got himself deep into counts pretty consistently, not by nibbling but by not hitting the zone. That leads to a rise in pitch counts and a more confident approach by hitters in the box. It’s only one earned run, but the journey it took to get through those five-plus innings was a rocky one.
I was getting worried for about an inning there, as the Orioles pushed another run across by taking advantage of Camilo Doval’s inability to hold runners. Fortunately, the Yankees broke out a bit in the seventh, with of course Cody Bellinger at the center of it all — his seeing-eye single scored Ben Rice before Jazz Chisholm Jr. brought Aaron Judge and Cody around with a single of his own.
With the now-five run lead, it was Paul Blackburn’s turn to take over, and he was able to close out the game without issue. That’s seven straight wins at the Stadium for the Yankees, and they’re a win away (be it Sunday or Monday) from clinching their fifth-straight series victory. However, against both the Astros and Rangers, New York took the first two games and failed to complete the sweep, and sweeps feel a whole lot better than two of three.
Max Fried represents a pretty good chance to lead you closer to that sweep though, and he’s scheduled to start tomorrow. First pitch is once again at 1:35pm Eastern.
The Yankees racked up 11 hits, including three home runs and four doubles, to take down the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, 9-4.
Here are the takeaways...
-- Cody Bellinger launched a hanging slider from Kyle Bradish over the right field wall in the bottom of the second inning, giving the Yanks a 1-0 lead. It was his fourth home run of the season and his first homer since April 18, when he blasted two against the Kansas City Royals.
After Aaron Judge was intentionally walked (on a 3-1 count) in the third inning, Bellinger's big day continued with an RBI double, pushing the lead to 3-0. And for his third act in the fifth inning? Bellinger smacked a solo home run off lefty Keegan Akin, making it a 6-1 game.
Staying hot, Bellinger picked up his fourth hit of the day with an RBI single in the seventh inning, pushing the Yanks' lead to 7-4.
-- José Caballero walked with one out in the third inning and advanced to third base on Trent Grisham's double off the wall in left field. Caballero used his speed and scored on a passed ball by Adley Rutschman, just beating the tag by Bradish (while taking a knee to the face on the slide).
Grisham kept the fun going in the bottom of the fourth inning, hitting a two-run HR off Bradish to right-center field to make it a 5-1 game. It's Grisham's fifth homer of the year.
-- Ryan Weathers cruised through the first three innings, issuing just two walks and getting up four strikeouts. He lost the no-hit bid in the fourth, letting up a one-out solo homer to Pete Alonso as the Orioles trailed, 3-1. Weathers settled back in to get the next two outs of the frame and then tossed a 1-2-3 fifth inning.
The left-hander ran into some trouble in the sixth inning, allowing back-to-back singles with no one out. Rutschman then reached first safely to load the bases on a fielder's choice and an error by Ben Rice. That ended Weathers' day on the mound, finishing after five-plus innings and allowing one earned run (three total) on three hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
-- Jake Bird came in for relief in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and got Alonso to ground into a double play. He then walked Tyler O'Neill to put runners at the corners and surrendered an RBI double to Samuel Basallo that cut the Yanks' lead to 6-3. Camilo Doval pitched the seventh inning and let up one run on a groundout after Dylan Beavers walked and stole his way to third base.
-- After Bellinger's RBI single in the seventh, Jazz Chisholm Jr. drove in two more runs on a single and advanced to second on a throwing error, extending the lead to 9-4. Although Chisholm got picked off trying to steal third and was caught in a rundown.
-- Back in the lineup after getting hit by a pitch and exiting Wednesday's game early, Jasson Dominguez went 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout. He had a big opportunity in the third inning with the bases loaded, but grounded out to the second baseman. His single came from the right side of the plate in the fifth inning, hitting a ball off the left-hander Akin to center field.
Game MVP: Cody Bellinger
After doubling twice on Friday night, the 2019 NL MVP stayed hot and finished 4-for-4 for four RBI and three runs scored.
The first Game 7 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs is set for Sunday, May 3, when the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning clash in a winner-take-all contest.
My Canadiens vs. Lightning predictions and NHL picks focus on Habs defenseman Lane Hutson, who has been an offensive catalyst throughout the series.
Canadiens vs Lightning Game 7 prediction
Canadiens vs Lightning best bet: Lane Hutson Over 0.5 assists (-125)
Lane Hutson’s five points are tied for the team lead so far this postseason, and the Montreal Canadiens blueliner will add to his assist totals in Game 7.
The Habs have controlled nearly 53% of expected goals at 5-on-5 with Hutson on the ice — the sixth-best mark among all Montreal skaters — while his 5.01 on-ice expected goals are tops on the team. In short, Hutson has arguably been the Canadiens’ best player at generating scoring chances.
Hutson has found the score sheet in allthree road games against the Tampa Bay Lightning inthis series, including a helper in two of those contests.
Canadiens vs Lightning Game 7 same-game parlay
The Lightning and Canadiens have combined for Under 5.5 goals in every meeting this series outside of Game 1. It’ll be another tight, low-scoring battle in Game 7.
Brandon Hagel has found the scoresheet in five of six contests and co-leads all skaters in the series with eight points. He also ranks second on Tampa Bay in ice time per game (25:21).
Montreal is 8-2 SU in its last 10 road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Lightning.
How to watch Canadiens vs Lightning Game 7
Location
Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Date
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Puck drop
6:00 p.m. ET
TV
TNT
Canadiens vs Lightning latest injuries
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DENVER, CO - May 1: Atlanta Braves Michael Harris II (23) celebrates after his ninth inning two-run home run during a game between the Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 1, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
As the Braves go for yet another series win, they turn to Chris Sale at Coors Field, expecting to see the Rockies’ young star Chase Dollander, with Brennan Bernardino as the opener.
Michael Harris returns to the starting lineup at DH after his epic game-winning home run Friday night, as he continues to nurse his quad injury. Mauricio Dubon mans centerfield instead of Eli White, as Jorge Mateo takes over at shortstop. Austin Riley continues to bat behind Dubon, as he has struggled to start the season.
The Rockies shuffled their lineup a bit, facing the lefty Sale, as the lefty Mickey Moniak takes a seat and Tyler Freeman sits out after having been hit by a Didier Fuentes fastball in the wrist.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics meet in a winner-take-all Game 7 to see who advances to the second round of the NBA playoffs. The 76ers forced the decisive game by winning Game 6. Celtics star Jayson Tatum is questionable for the game with a sore left knee. Boston began the day as 7.5-point favorites.
How to watch Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics
Report: Kings' D.J. Smith Named Team Canada Assistant Coach For 2026 World ChampionshipAccording to reports, Los Angeles Kings' interim coach for the 2025-26 season, D.J. Smith, has been named to Team Canada's coaching staff for the 2026 World Championship.
