Golden Knights docked 2nd-round pick, John Tortorella fined $100K for breaking media rules
NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL docked the Vegas Golden Knights a second-round pick in next month's draft and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 on Friday for violating media access rules after their series-clinching Game 6 victory at Anaheim on Thursday night.
Tortorella refused to speak to reporters after Vegas routed the Ducks 5-1 to move on to face Colorado in the Western Conference final. The Golden Knights also did not open their locker room in accordance with league and Players' Association-negotiated regulations.
The NHL in a statement announcing the punishment said the penalties for these “flagrant violations” come after previous warnings were issued to the Golden Knights. The team has been offered the opportunity to appeal to Commissioner Gary Bettman’s office in person at the league’s New York headquarters next week.
“The Golden Knights are aware of today's announcement from the NHL regarding the postgame media availability following Game 6 in Anaheim,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “The organization will have no further comment.”
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL
Sabres Have Clear Goalie Decision To Make For Game 6 vs. Canadiens
The Buffalo Sabres suffered a 6-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of the second round. With this, the Sabres now trail the series 3-2 and are one loss away from being eliminated from the playoffs.
With the Sabres facing a must-win Game 6, it is clear that they should be rolling with Alex Lyon as their starting goalie for it.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen struggled in Game 5 against the Canadiens, as he allowed five goals on 23 shots before being pulled. With this, the 27-year-old now has a 4.20 goals-against average and an .851 save percentage in four games this post-season.
With the Canadiens figuring out Luukkonen in Game 5, it would be wise for the Sabres to go with Lyon as their Game 6 starter. While Lyon had two tough starts for the Sabres this series against the Canadiens, he showed during Buffalo's series against the Boston Bruins that he is capable of being a major difference-maker when playing at his best.
It will be interesting to see which goalie ends up getting the start for the Sabres against the Canadiens in Game 6 from here. Whether it ends up being Lyon or Luukkonen, the Sabres need to play far better in Game 6 if the hope to keep their playoff run alive.
The Hockey Show: Pair Of Coaches Fired, Vegas Postgame Shenanigans, Ducks Talk With Brad Williams
On the latest episode of The Hockey Show, discussion about the Stanley Cup Playoffs collided with a panel-wide review of a new, steamy hockey love show that started streaming this week.
Show hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork got into a pair of coach firings that went down in the past few days, as Craig Berube was shown the door in Toronto and Kris Knoblauch was ousted in what appeared to be a very sloppily-handled situation in Edmonton.
They also got into the Vegas Golden Knights eliminating the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and then afterward appearing to ignore their postgame media responsibilities.
Speaking of the Ducks, this week’s guest is an Anaheim die-hard and was at Game 6 at the Honda Center, and that’s comedian Brad Williams.
Brad divulged his thoughts on the Ducks season and his outlook for the team in the coming seasons.
This week’s wins and fails included a heroic effort by Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson to shield an opponent from injury, Jim Nill not being included among GM of the Year finalists for the first time in forever, some experts on pronouncing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s name and the Edmonton Oilers.
Also on this week's show, Rose gave the boys some homework: watching the first episode of Off Campus, the new hockey-love show on Amazon Prime.
They gave their full review, which you can check out along with this week’s full show and interview in the videos below:
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No practice. Plan for the best. That's the Ruff approach with Sabres facing elimination vs. Canadiens
May 12, 2026; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson (6) celebrates with teammates including forward Josh Doan (91) after scoring a goal against the Montreal Canadiens during the third period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The time for talking, practicing and poring over game film is over as far as Sabres coach Lindy Ruff is concerned.
With Buffalo facing elimination for the first time this postseason, Ruff told his team to avoid the rink Friday, meet at the airport and contemplated canceling the skate the next morning in Montreal with his message essentially being: Show up and play.
“I know the pressure they’re feeling. I know how much they care. I just feel a day away from the rink, not coming here, is a good thing,” Ruff said.
“We need to move on. There’s only one game that counts, and that is the game tomorrow,” he added. “We have to play on our toes. We got to play to win. Can’t be afraid.”
Game 6 at Montreal on a Saturday night
The Sabres trail 3-2 in their second-round series against the Canadiens, with Montreal hosting Game 6 on Saturday night (8 p.m. EDT, ABC) in what should be a raucous atmosphere. Aside from it being the Canadiens’ first Saturday night game of these playoffs, it also falls on Canada’s Victoria Day holiday weekend.
“We’ll see what tomorrow brings,” Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said Friday. “I feel that you just stay present where your feet are and take care of that. I think it helps sustain even keel and just focus on the process and prepare.”
The Canadiens have yet to lose two in a row this postseason, but are 1-1 in series-clinching games. In their opening series against Tampa Bay, Montreal lost 1-0 in Game 6 at home before a 2-1 win in Game 7 at Tampa Bay.
“It’s the hardest game. Any time a team’s got it’s back against the wall, that’s when they’re desperate,” defenseman Alexandre Carrier said. “We just got to stick to our game plan and really do what we do best.”
The series winner advances to play Carolina, which has swept both of its playoff series, and been off since a 3-2 overtime win against Philadelphia on May 9. The East final will start either next Tuesday or next Thursday.
Buffalo’s double troubles
The Sabres have various concerns following a 6-3 home loss on Thursday with a renewed focus on a sputtering offense and inconsistencies in net.
Leading 3-2, Buffalo allowed Montreal to score three times over the final 12 minutes of the second period.
Buffalo has combined for just nine goals in its past four games after a 4-2 win in Game 1. More worrisome is allowing 19 goals over the same span.
Regular-season leading scorer Tage Thompson, who was stopped on a breakaway early in the second period, has two goals and two assists in the series. Fellow first-line forward Alex Tuch has been blanked in all five games, and acknowledged playing poorly on defense.
“I’ve got to bear down. I’ve got to be better. I can’t play the way I’m playing right now,” Tuch said. “But I’ve got to move past it.”
Goaltending is a question mark. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was pulled Thursday after allowing five goals on 23 shots through two periods. Alex Lyon mopped up, allowing a goal on three shots in his first appearance since losing the starting job following a 6-2 loss in Game 3.
Ruff doesn’t comment on his goaltending plans. And should the team not practice Saturday morning, the Game 6 starter won’t be revealed until shortly before puck drop.
Passing up chances
Among Ruff’s other concerns is Buffalo either passing up scoring opportunities, or failing to finish when getting shots on net. This was especially the case in the first period, when Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes looked shaky after allowing three goals on four shots.
“We thought we let them off the hook,” Ruff said. “Probably there were four or five opportunities to get the puck there quicker last night that could have kept them in chaos.”
Ruff turned the attention to whatever bright sides he could find.
The Sabres are 4-1 on the road this postseason, including a series-clinching 4-1 win at Boston. There’s also the reality of Buffalo being one of five teams still in contention.
“We get to go to Montreal in Game 6 in the middle of May,” Ruff said, noting it’s a message he intends to share with his team. “I think we’ll all be evaluated on what this game looks like. Just bring your best.”
Sabres Need Star Forward To Break The Ice Before It's Too Late
The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Montreal Canadiens by a 6-3 final score in Game 5. With this, the Sabres are now down 3-2 in their series and are one loss away from their post-season being over.
If the Sabres hope to avoid being eliminated by the Canadiens, they are going to need all of their top players to be on their A-game from here. This undoubtedly includes star winger Alex Tuch, as he has been struggling immensely so far against the Canadiens.
After posting four goals and three assists in the Sabres' first-round series against the Boston Bruins, Tuch has yet to record a point in five games against the Canadiens. Tuch's lack of offensive production has certainly not been doing the Sabres any favors, and they need him to heat back up immediately with their season on the line.
When looking at how well Tuch has played over the last several years, he certainly has the potential to bounce back for the Sabres. Keep in mind, this is a forward who had 33 goals and 66 points in 79 games this season and had 36-goal seasons in 2022-23 and 2024-25. With this, the Sabres need the big winger to find his scoring touch again as they prepare for Game 6 against the Habs.
PWHL Detroit Names Manon Rhéaume As General Manager
Last week, the Professional Women's Hockey League officially announced that Detroit would become the ninth city to host a team, with games to be played at Little Caesars Arena.
This week, they've selected their new general manager, and it happens to be one of the icons of women's hockey.
Manon Rhéaume, the first woman ever to appear in an NHL game, is the new GM of the PWHL women's club.
In the best hands 🎉
— PWHL Detroit (@pwhl__detroit) May 15, 2026
We are proud to welcome Manon Rhéaume - two-time Women’s Worlds gold medalist, Olympic silver medalist, first woman to play in an NHL game AND first woman to sign a professional hockey contract - as our team’s first General Manager!
📰… pic.twitter.com/VF7pstlSEX
“Manon is a pioneer whose impact on the game extends far beyond the ice,” said Jayna Hefford, PWHL Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations. “She brings an unmatched hockey resume, a championship mindset. (She) has a lifelong commitment to growing the women’s game. Her experience at every level of hockey, combined with her leadership and vision, makes her the perfect person to lead PWHL Detroit.”
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to join the PWHL and help build something special in Detroit,” Rhéaume said. “This city has such a deep hockey tradition. The passion for hockey here is truly special. The growth of women’s hockey has been incredible to watch. I’m grateful for the opportunity to help shape the future of the sport alongside the PWHL. I can’t wait to get started and build a team that Detroit fans will be proud of.”
Major Praise for Little Caesars Arena Emerges During PWHL Detroit Expansion AnnouncementLittle Caesars Arena, which will be the new home of the PWHL's latest expansion franchise in the fall, earned high praise from League executives following the historic announcement on Wednesday. Rhéaume has spent the last four years with the Los Angeles Kings in their hockey operations department and was also a former analyst on Bally Sports Detroit. She's also spent 11 years with the Little Caesars AAA (LCAAA) Hockey Club.
A former goaltender, she made history with not one but two appearances in NHL preseason action with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992 and 1993.
The 2026 PWHL Draft will be held four blocks away from Little Ceasars Arena at the Fox Theater.
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Canadiens Named Potential Suitor For Flames Young Center
The Montreal Canadiens are currently playing their second-round series against the Buffalo Sabres. While this is the case, trade speculation over what kind of moves the Habs could make this summer are already starting to come up.
In a recent article for Daily Faceoff, Anthony Di Marco mentioned the Canadiens as a team that could target center Connor Zary this off-season if the Calgary Flames shop him this summer.
"Zary’s disappointing 27-point season could make him a trade candidate for Conroy, and Zary and would surely be an intriguing piece for a team looking to take a flyer on a young talent in need of a change of scenery," Di Marco wrote. "If he’s moved, the Montreal Canadiens seem like the type of team that would explore this option, much like they have done with Alex Newhook, Kirby Dach and Zachary Bolduc in the past."
With the Canadiens needing help at center, it would make a lot of sense if they took a chance on a former first-round pick like Zary. The 24-year-old forward is still young enough that could he hit a new level, and he has already shown promise at the NHL level in the past.
While Zary is coming off a down 2025-26 season with Calgary, he had 13 goals and 14 assists in just 54 games for Calgary in 2024-25. He also had 14 goals and 34 points in 63 games with the Flames as a rookie in 2023-24. With numbers like these, he has already shown that he can be a solid middle-six forward when playing at his best. With this, he could be a good young player for the Canadiens to take a chance on.
It will be interesting to see if the Canadiens end up making a push for Zary during this summer. He could be a nice fit on their second or third line, and this is especially so when noting that he can play down the middle and on the wing.
Orioles news: Jordan Westburg reportedly out for season
The Orioles have still not yet gotten one of the key parts of their Plan A on the infield in the 2026 season. Now, we know that they never will. The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka reported on Friday afternoon that Westburg has decided to undergo surgery to repair the partially-torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, ending his hopes of coming back this season. The news is not official as of this writing as the team has not confirmed the decision.
This was the outcome that always seemed obvious from the moment that we started hearing about elbow pain for Westburg. Lest it be forgotten, elbow pain wasn’t even his original problem: He had oblique soreness at the beginning of spring training and it was only when he was rehabbing that other injury that the severity of the ongoing elbow pain became known.
Westburg and the Orioles chose a path involving a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection, rest, and rehab, rather than going for the surgery immediately. The path does not have a high percentage chance of success in avoiding surgery for MLB players. It’s all too easy to demand major surgery on someone else’s elbow, though. I don’t hold the caution against anyone who tries that. Still, no surprise here. As Westburg’s throwing progression was ramping up, the pain returned.
Only time will tell how much this two month delay in getting the surgery affects Westburg’s readiness for the 2027 season. If his recovery is on the smoother side, it’s possible he could be back to full readiness, or darn close to that point, by Opening Day 2027. If it’s not on the smoother side, the pessimistic timetable might involve Westburg not being able to man a position in the field until around Memorial Day of next season.
It is hard to say that they should build a roster plan for the start of the season that assumes Westburg will be in it. This would have been an easier fit if he had gotten the surgery in March. Instead, this will be an unknown until probably the start of spring training next year, when the GM’s standard first day of camp injury update will indicate where Westburg is in his recovery.
Things just aren’t going well without Westburg this year. He was going to be the regular third baseman. Orioles third basemen are hitting a combined .182/.264/.259 so far this season. That sucks. Third base defense rates as their worst position in Outs Above Average, contributing to the Orioles being a bottom 5 defensive team in the league. Westburg was the answer to both of these things. He can’t play. They’ll have to find a way to do better than this without him.
Two-start pitchers: Jacob Misiorowski leads a plethora of terrific options as we pass the quarter pole
Hello and welcome to the eighth installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2026 MLB season.
I will be here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week providing my insights and recommendations on which options should be started or benched.
It’s crazy that we’re already more than a quarter of the way through the 2026 season. It seems like we just started.
We now have actual actionable data that we can use to make decisions on these pitchers, as most of them have taken the mound five or six times already. A pitcher can get lucky and post quality results despite poor underlying numbers through a couple of starts, but it’s much more difficult to sustain that over a longer stretch of time.
This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.
Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:
⚾️ Baseball is back! MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
We know that Jose Quintana will make two starts for the Rockies this week. What we don’t know, is who else may join him for a two-step (vs. Rangers, at Diamondbacks). Chase Dollander is lined up to do so, but it seems far more likely that he’ll wind up on the injured list after exiting Thursday’s start due to tightness in his arm. It’s unclear whether they’ll summon someone from Triple-A to take his place in the rotation or roll with a bullpen game in that spot. Either way, no one that they could throw out there would be worthy of streaming in this spot.
Once again, we get a six-game week from the Dodgers, which means that each of their starters will take the mound once and no one will get a two-start week. We thought that we would get one from Yoshinobu Yamamoto last week, but with Blake Snell’s return to the rotation, it ended up being Roki Sasaki that got the ball twice.
There could be a second Yankees’ starter making two starts this week (vs. Blue Jays, vs. Rays), but as of now we aren’t sure who that will be. Max Fried is tentatively lined up to do so, but he’s getting additional testing done after exiting Wednesday’s start due to soreness in his elbow. A trip to the injured list seems likely there. It’s possible that Elmer Rodriguez could return and take his place in the Yankees’ rotation, which would make him an interesting streaming option. We’ll update here if we get any additional clarification through the weekend.
Someone will also make two starts for the Phillies next week (vs. Reds, vs. Guardians), but it’s not entirely clear who that will be yet either. Andrew Painter is scheduled to take the ball on Monday and he would be lined up to do so, but there’s growing speculation that the Phillies could use Thursday’s off-day to skip the struggling right-hander in order to give him a breather. If that’s the case, it would be Jesus Luzardo winding up with the two-start week for the Phillies. It’s pretty simple for planning purposes. Painter should be avoided whether it’s one start or two, while Luzardo is an easy start regardless of how many starts he makes.
Things could change for the Mariners, but as of now it looks like they’re going to move to a six-man rotation, at least temporarily, to accommodate the return of Bryce Miller. That means that Luis Castillo will stick around instead of heading to the bullpen and makes it so none of their hurlers will get the ball twice in a six-game week. If anything changes, and Castillo is bumped or Miller suffers a setback, it would be Bryan Woo getting the two-start week as he’s lined up to pitch on Monday.
Going Twice…
Note: Probable pitchers as of May 15 and are subject to change.
American League
▶ Strong Plays
Parker Messick, Guardians, LHP (at Tigers, at Phillies)
The 25-year-old southpaw has exceeded every possible expectation through his first nine starts on the season, going 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a 58/14 K/BB ratio over 53 2/3 innings. He has been an absolute stud for fantasy purposes. Both the Tigers and Phillies struggle against southpaws, which sets him up very nicely to continue his dominant run in this two-start week. He should be locked into lineups in all formats and represents one of the stronger overall plays on the board for this week.
Will Warren, Yankees, RHP (vs. Blue Jays, vs. Rays)
Warren has really taken the next step this season and become a reliable weekly fantasy option. He sits at 5-1 with a 3.42 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and a 59/12 K/BB ratio across 47 1/3 innings on the season and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. With the Yankees’ offense backing him, he’s a threat to win every time he takes the mound and he should easily be able to eclipse double digit strikeouts in a two-start week. He should be an easy start in fantasy leagues of all sizes.
Dylan Cease, Blue Jays, RHP (at Yankees, vs. Pirates)
Cease has been outstanding through his first nine starts for the Blue Jays, checking in with a 2.41 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and a league-leading 75 strikeouts over 52 1/3 innings. What has been especially impressive from Cease this season is the reduced walk rate which has led to a much more palatable WHIP than we’re used to seeing from the right-hander. The battle against the Yankees in the Bronx is tricky for sure, but it’s not close to being enough for me to sit Cease for a two-start week, especially when he’s rolling like this.
J.T. Ginn, Athletics, RHP (at Angels, at Padres)
Ginn has been very impressive in the early going for the A’s this season, compiling a 3.12 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and a 34/16 K/BB ratio over 43 1/3 innings through his first 10 appearances (seven starts). The fact that he gets to make both of these starts on the road in pitcher’s parks instead of at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento is a major benefit as well. I know that he’s difficult to trust, but Ginn looks like a very strong option this week. I’d be starting him everywhere that I could.
▶ Decent Plays
Shane McClanahan, Rays, LHP (vs. Orioles, at Yankees)
This is a tough one for me to place this week as McClanahan has been so good through his first eight starts for the Rays, exceeding even the loftiest of expectations. I’m not convinced that he can stay healthy and continue at that level, but he’s absolutely pitching like an ace right now and should be started until further notice. My trepidation this week comes from the matchup against the Yankees in New York on Sunday. The Bombers have been punishing left-handed pitching all season and I could see that one going south for McClanahan in a hurry. It’s not enough to dissuade me from using him, but it’s the reason I have him listed as a decent play instead of a strong option for this week.
Framber Valdez, Tigers, LHP (vs. Guardians, at Orioles)
Valdez was supposed to come in and provide an elite 1-2 punch at the top of the Tigers’ rotation this season. Now with Tarik Skubal (elbow) shelved, he’s being counted on to shoulder a much bigger load for their pitching staff. The problem is that he hasn’t been as reliable as we have come to expect over the years. He holds a disappointing 4.32 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across his first 50 innings with the Tigers. The Guardians are one of the better offenses in the league against southpaws, so it’s not going to get any easier for him this week. Even if the results aren’t quite as good as you had hoped, I think you still have to continue trusting Valdez and rolling him out there each week – especially when he makes two starts.
Trevor Rogers, Orioles, LHP (at Rays, vs. Tigers)
Rogers predictably showed a bit of rust in his return from the injured list after missing time due to illness. It should be acknowledged that the start came in a difficult matchup against the Yankees though. The opposition gets a bit easier this week, getting to battle the Rays in Tampa Bay and the suddenly hapless Tigers at home. I know the overall results haven’t been great, but I have seen enough from Rogers during his time with the O’s that I’m willing to trust him against these opponents. I’ll be starting him with confidence in all leagues.
Reid Detmers, Angels, LHP (vs. Athletics, vs. Rangers)
The transition back to the Angels’ rotation for Detmers this season has gone pretty seamless so far, with the left-hander compiling a 4.38 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and a 53/17 K/BB ratio over his first 49 1/3 innings of work. The Athletics are a much less scary team away from home though and the Rangers have been the worst team in baseball against opposing left-handers this season. That makes Detmers a very attractive streaming target in all league sizes this week.
Noah Schultz, White Sox, LHP (at Mariners, at Giants)
Aside from one brutal start against the Angels in Los Angeles, Schultz has pitched very well in his first six starts at the big league level. The matchups this week are very favorable for him and the way that the White Sox’ offense has come to life, there’s actually a chance that he can earn victories when he pitches well. He needs to cut back on the walks in order to have sustained success at this level, but he’s still a strong start in this two-start week with his massive strikeout upside and the terrific matchups. I’d be comfortable starting him in all league sizes.
Walbert Ureña, Angels, RHP (vs. Athletics, vs. Rangers)
The 22-year-old rookie right-hander has performed admirably through his first seven appearances (five starts) for the Halos, registering a 3.29 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 26/17 K/BB ratio. If he can start to cut back on the free passes, the sky is the limit here. I like him much better with both of these matchups coming at home than I would if he had to go to a tough environment on the road. I think his strikeout upside makes him worth a look as a streaming play in all leagues.
Keider Montero, Tigers, RHP (vs. Guardians, at Orioles)
Montero has done a nice job stepping up and trying to stabilize a Tigers’ rotation that has been decimated by injuries this season. He holds a strong 3.65 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and a 31/10 K/BB ratio over 44 1/3 innings through his first eight starts. The elite WHIP is really what’s driving his fantasy value and is something that should continue even if the strikeouts aren’t quite where fantasy managers would like them to be. The added volume of the two-start week more than offsets that. I’d be rolling with Montero in all leagues.
Seth Lugo, Royals, RHP (vs. Red Sox, vs. Mariners)
After starting the season strong, Lugo has come crashing back to Earth over his last four starts where he has surrendered 18 runs over 21 1/3 innings. Both of his starts this week will come in Kansas City, which should help his cause, though the Royals’ offense has been struggling to provide support, leaving Lugo with just one victory to his name this season. He’s fine to use as a streaming option, just understand that the overall ceiling here is quite limited.
▶ At Your Own Risk
MacKenzie Gore, Rangers, LHP (at Rockies, at Angels)
Gore is such a frustrating player to roster for fantasy purposes due to his inconsistency. He’ll go out and throw a gem against one of the best lineups in the league only to get knocked around by subpar competition the next time out. The overall line looks alright though, which is all you’re really looking for at the end of the day. That being said, I’m not sure I want to trust him going to Coors Field this week, especially since the Angels loom as a tough matchup for a left-hander at the end of the week as well. My initial gut reaction was to start him in 15-teamers, but the more I dig in here, the more skeptical I’m becoming.
Slade Cecconi, Guardians, RHP (at Tigers, at Phillies)
Cecconi has been a major disappointment for the Guardians this season, posting an uninspiring 5.60 ERA and 1.58 WHIP over 45 innings in his first nine starts. It almost feels like his spot in the club’s rotation could be teetering on the ledge at the moment. Fortunately, he gets to battle a struggling Tigers’ squad at home to start the week which should be a get-right spot for him. The matchup against the Phillies on the road to finish the week isn’t as ideal, which leaves him in a tough spot this week. I’d consider using him in 15-teamers if I needed the volume, otherwise I’d probably leave him on the shelf.
Jacob Lopez, Athletics, LHP (at Angels, at Padres)
After a breakout 2025 season in which he gained fantasy relevance, Lopez has come crashing back to Earth in 2026 with a miserable 5.80 ERA and 1.71 WHIP over 40 1/3 innings through his first nine outings. If you’re looking for a glimmer of hope, he has pitched better of late – giving up just two runs in each of his last two starts. He also gets the benefit of both starts coming on the road as opposed to the bandbox that is Sutter Health Park. I can’t see going there in 12-teamers, but if you’re looking to make up volume in wins and strikeouts, I could see rolling the dice in 15-team formats.
Brayan Bello, Red Sox, RHP (at Royals, vs. Twins)
It seems like every time Bello takes the mound these days, he’s pitching to keep his spot in the Red Sox’ rotation. His last two times out, that has worked well for him, delivering back-to-back gems against the Tigers and Phillies – allowing just two runs over 13 1/3 innings with a 12/2 K/BB ratio. He has shown flashes like this before and gone back to being an extreme ratio destroyer, so the confidence level is low here, but the matchups against the Royals and Twins aren’t anything to shy away from. I think it comes down to whether you’re looking to attack wins and strikeouts or protect ratios. In 15-teamers I think he’s an easy start this week, in 12’s it would really depend on how badly I needed that volume.
Lance McCullers Jr., Astros, RHP (at Twins, at Cubs)
McCullers continues to look like a shell of his former self whenever he takes the mound for the Astros. He holds a horrifying 6.86 ERA and 1.53 WHIP across 39 1/3 innings on the season, though he has at least punched out 43 batters to provide some substance for fantasy managers that have streamed him. The matchups aren’t ideal this week and he’s likely to continue to inflict damage on your ratios, but if you want to throw caution to the wind to chase wins and strikeouts, go right ahead.
Patrick Corbin, Blue Jays, LHP (at Yankees, vs. Pirates)
We have all been sucked into this trap before. Corbin looks like a viable mixed league option to start the season, only to have one major blow up where he gives back any and all ratio gains that he may have provided up until that point. I’m not saying explicitly that it’s going to happen on Monday, but that matchup against the Yankees in the Bronx is screaming for a ratio correction. I’d be staying away from Corbin in all formats just due to that spot.
Simeon Woods Richardson, Twins, RHP (vs. Astros, at Red Sox)
To say that things have not gone well for Woods Richardson this season would be a massive understatement. Through his first nine starts he sits at 0-6 with a cringe-inducing 7.71 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and a 20/20 K/BB ratio while giving up a league-leading 36 earned runs in 42 innings. That’s about as bad as you can possibly get. It’s not going to get any easier this week, having to battle the Astros and then the Red Sox at Fenway. Don’t even think about getting cute here, this should be an easy avoid.
National League
▶ Strong Plays
Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers, RHP (at Cubs, vs. Dodgers)
This right here is the definition of an unstoppable force meeting an immoveable object. Misiorowski has been phenomenal this season, posting a ridiculous 2.12 ERA and 0.90 WHIP while punching out 80 batters in just 51 innings of work. He’s doing so on the strength of velocity that we have never seen before, averaging 100.6 mph on his fastball his last time out in a victory over the Padres. I’m not sure how long he can hold up pitching like this, but he absolutely needs to be started in all fantasy leagues every time that he takes the mound. The matchups are about as scary as they can get, but if anyone can navigate that gauntlet right now, it’s Misiorowski.
Nolan McLean, Mets, RHP (at Nationals, at Marlins)
McLean has been very impressive through his first nine starts on the year, checking in with a 2.92 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and a 64/15 K/BB ratio over 52 1/3 innings. He hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a start all season and has struck out six or more batters in eight of his nine outings. That’s about as consistent as you can get. He should be locked into fantasy lineups every week regardless of matchups, but this week lines up particularly well for him. McLean is easily one of the top overall options on the board for this week.
Shota Imanaga, Cubs, LHP (vs. Brewers, vs. Astros)
Imanaga has been exceptional through his first nine starts for the Cubs this season, registering a 2.32 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and a 59/13 K/BB ratio across 54 1/3 innings. The matchups aren’t ideal, but he has earned the right to be an every-week start in all formats regardless of matchups. Even if the ratios don’t wind up quite as sparkling this week, you’ll get double the strikeouts and a great shot at a victory with the added volume from the two starts. He’s a must play in all formats.
Max Meyer, Marlins, RHP (vs. Braves, vs. Mets)
Meyer has looked electric through his first nine starts on the 2026 campaign, posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and a 54/17 K/BB ratio across 47 2/3 innings. He has been remarkably consistent as well, allowing four runs or fewer every time out and recording at least four strikeouts in every start this season. The Braves are a tough lineup to navigate, but that’s offset by a softer matchup against the Mets to finish the week – and he gets to make both starts at home. He’s an excellent all-around option this week.
Michael King, Padres, RHP (vs. Dodgers, vs. Athletics)
King never seems to get the respect that he deserves from the fantasy community at large despite the fact that he absolutely shoves every time he’s healthy enough to take the mound. In nine starts this season he holds a scintillating 2.63 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and a 50/22 K/BB ratio in 51 1/3 innings of work. Sure, a matchup against the Dodgers can seem scary, but he gets to make both starts this week at Petco Park which helps to mitigate that risk. He should be an easy start in all leagues this week, and every week as long as he isn’t on the injured list.
Mitch Keller, Pirates, RHP (at Cardinals, at Blue Jays)
Is everything finally coming together for Keller in his age-30 season? He has been terrific thus far, compiling a 3.59 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a 38/15 K/BB ratio over 52 2/3 innings for the surprisingly competent Pirates this season. The Blue Jays and Cardinals both rank in the bottom half of the league against opposing right-handers, setting Keller up for continued success this week. He’s probably already being utilized on a weekly basis in most mixed leagues, so simply sit back and enjoy the added production from the extra start this time around.
Robbie Ray, Giants, LHP (at Diamondbacks, vs. White Sox)
So far, so good for the 34-year-old southpaw through his first nine starts, registering a 3.04 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and a 49/20 K/BB ratio over his 50 1/3 innings. The Diamondbacks and White Sox have both hit opposing left-handers very well this season, adding some ratio risk to that would otherwise set up as a strong two-start week for Ray. He should still be started in both 15 and 12-team formats, just understand that there’s a greater risk of a blowup here than we normally see from Ray.
▶ Decent Plays
Ryne Nelson, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Giants, vs. Rockies)
While he has an inflated ERA (5.40), Nelson hasn’t actually pitched that poorly this season, as evidenced by his 1.16 WHIP and 43/14 K/BB ratio across 45 innings. He now gets the benefit of two premium matchups at home this week, which should be just the prescription that he needs to get his ratios back in order. I’d expect double digit strikeouts this week and a good shot at earning a victory, making him an easy start for me in leagues of all sizes.
Christian Scott, Mets, RHP (at Nationals, at Marlins)
After struggling through his first start for the Mets this season, we have seen a much better version of Scott his last three times out. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all four starts and has struck out 20 batters over his first 15 2/3 innings. The only problem is that he’s having a hard time making it through five innings. Getting to battle the Nationals and Marlins this week sets him up well to earn his first victory of the season, provided he can get through 15 outs. The 26-year-old hurler looks like a very nice play in all formats this week.
Martin Perez, Braves, LHP (at Marlins, vs. Nationals)
It sounds like the Braves are shifting back to a six-man rotation with Grant Holmes slotting in on Sunday and Perez scheduled to take the ball on Monday. It seems like he’ll stick around and make two starts but it’s also possible that he could go back to the bullpen after Monday’s start and either JR Ritchie or Chris Sale could wind up with the juicy two-start week. Ritchie and Sale should be started regardless, so there’s no actionable takeaway there. If it does seem like Perez is going to start twice, then he makes for a very strong streaming option in all league sizes. Even if he only does get the one, a single against the Marlins in Miami isn’t a bad spot either.
Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Giants, vs. Rockies)
Gallen has not pitched well this season. He has been even worse as of late, giving up 17 runs over 14 1/3 innings over his last three starts. So why would he still be considered a decent play for his upcoming two start week? Matchups. It literally doesn’t get any better than taking on the Giants and Rockies with both starts coming at home. If you can’t find a way to use Gallen this week, then you should never use him. I’m not saying it will be an enjoyable watch and there’s still a possibility that he gives you more ratio damage at some point during these two starts. I just think there’s enough meat on the bone here to use him in both 15 and 12-team formats this week.
Foster Griffin, Nationals, LHP (vs. Mets, at Braves)
Griffin had looked like one of the unexpected breakout pitching stars of the 2026 season until he was clobbered for nine runs over 4 1/3 innings against the Reds in Cincinnati on Thursday. Even so, he still sports a strong 3.53 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and a 49/18 K/BB ratio over 51 innings, so we’ll give him a pass on Thursday’s disaster. It may be tough for some fantasy managers to roll him back out there after that type of outing, but he looks like a solid enough option that I would make sure to use him once again in both 15 and 12-team formats.
▶ At Your Own Risk
Matthew Liberatore, Cardinals, LHP (vs. Pirates, at Reds)
Liberatore has been extremely underwhelming so far this season, with a 4.40 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and a 34/18 K/BB ratio over 47 frames. He has proven to be a useful fantasy option in the past when the matchups have lined up for him, I’m just not sure that they do this week. The Pirates and Reds both rank in the middle of the pack against left-handers and with the way the ball has been flying out of the park in Cincinnati, that seems like a disaster waiting to happen. Whether you ultimately decide to roll the dice here depends on your risk tolerance. I could see myself taking the plunge in 15-teamers if I really needed the extra start.
Jake Irvin, Nationals, RHP (vs. Mets, at Braves)
Like most pitchers in the Nationals’ rotation, it has been a rough season for Irvin so far. He holds an uninspiring 5.91 ERA and 1.45 WHIP over his first 42 2/3 innings while tallying just one victory. I like that he’s striking out more than a batter per inning, which makes him a viable streaming target if you’re looking for volume there. The matchup against the Mets doesn’t hurt either. I could see trying to use him as a deeper league option and hoping for the best.
Nick Lodolo, Reds, LHP (at Phillies vs. Cardinals)
Lodolo simply hasn’t looked right as he has battled through injuries this season, posting a ghastly 8.68 ERA and 1.61 WHIP over 9 1/3 innings through his first two starts. You’d like to trust his track record here, as the matchups aren’t overly imposing, but a larger part of me would like to see him get back on track before trusting him not to destroy my ratios. My gut tells me to sit this one out and wait until he looks right before deploying him for fantasy purposes.
Jose Quintana, Rockies, LHP (vs. Rangers, at Diamondbacks)
Going to stick with the usual mantra of “Never Rockies” again this week. Quintana has actually been somewhat serviceable through his first seven starts on the season, but we don’t want to be using him at home against anyone and the Diamondbacks on the road is a brutal spot to finish up a tough week. If he had some strikeout upside, maybe I could be talked into it in deeper leagues. I just don’t see him providing enough to be worth the ratio risk. Pass in all leagues.
Braxton Garrett, Marlins, LHP (vs. Braves, vs. Mets)
Let me start out by saying that I like Braxton Garrett and think that at some point this season he’ll be a viable mixed league option. That being said, we need to expect inconsistency in his return from Tommy John surgery. He struggled with his command during his time at Triple-A and walked five batters over 1 1/3 innings in his season debut against the Twins. The Braves are a patient lineup and that start could spiral into a disaster if he doesn’t command the strike zone there. It’s possible he skates through here with a pair of strong starts, but I’m not risking my ratios on Garrett until I see some consistency at the highest level.
What should the Royals do with a struggling Salvador Perez?
No one wants to watch a legend fade, and yet that’s often what happens when it comes to larger-than-life figures in the world of entertainment.
Marlon Brando stars in The Island of Dr. Moreau.
Willie Mays stumbles in a Mets uniform.
Michael Jordan lags for the Wizards.
Johnny Unitas lumbers for the Chargers.
Gordie Howe finishes his career a Whaler.
Pelé retires with the Cosmos.
Those are just a few examples.
One happening in front of Kansas City’s very eyes, on a nightly basis, is the end of Salvador Perez. Entering play on Friday, Salvy is hitting just .200/.239/.339. Out of 171 qualified Major League hitters, he ranks 164th in wRC+. And the underlying metrics are…not good.
What makes this even tougher is that Perez has only played for the Royals, and it seems the two cannot break apart. Salvy’s not going anywhere on his own, and the Royals aren’t pushing him out.
It brings to mind Stan Musial hitting only .255 in his last year with the Cardinals.
And Mickey Mantle cratering to a .237 in 1968, his last season, to bring his career average under .300.
And Ozzie Smith butting heads with new manager Tony La Russa, appearing in only 82 games in the 1996 season, his last.
It’s a startling image, watching a once feared batter, the leader of the team, struggle, and struggle badly. To make the situation even tougher: the Royals are trying to win. After making the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons back in 2024, the team took a step back last year but still managed to finish with a winning record. This year was supposed to be a step forward, toward getting back to the postseason, even competing for the division title.
This year has not gone according to plan, and in the middle of it all is the aging legend, the last link between the 2014-2015 teams and this new era.
How should the Royals handle Salvador Perez going forward? There are four ways.
Bench him
This seems like the least likely option. Manager Matt Quatraro gave Perez an off day earlier this year, calling it a mental breather, a comment with which Perez took umbrage.
It only lasted one game. The Royals could approach Perez before benching him, of course, as he is the elder statesman on the team and deserves to not be blindsided by such a momentous decision.
But this won’t happen, for several reasons. One is that Perez feels like he can still produce, so he wouldn’t remain shy about his feelings. He went to X with the mental breather situation, but there are more public ways to express his displeasure.
Secondly, there’s not a great replacement on the roster. I always come back to this: If not him, who? The Royals carry two other catchers in Carter Jensen and Elias Diaz. Jensen has recently struggled and Diaz is 35 and without a hit in the month of May. Neither scream upgrade.
Third, the backlash. As much as readers of Royals Review may want to see Perez ride the pine for a bit, there are even more fans who would become incensed if the organization benched him, with or without his knowledge.
Drop him in the lineup
This is the best option: move him out of the cleanup spot. Sure, he had four hits in the series against the White Sox, but three of them were singles. He homered in his first at-bat Tuesday night, which was great, but there have been more at-bats where he’s swinging at damn near everything, either missing the pitches for ugly strikeouts or grounding into sure double-plays. He has no speed. He never has, but he’s slowed down from that. It looks like he’s standing in quicksand out there.
Again, though: If not him, who?
Dropping him in the lineup would only the be first step. Quatraro would have to revamp the entire lineup because swapping Perez with someone beneath him won’t fix things. Outside of Bobby Witt Jr. and, to a lesser extent, Maikel Garcia, no one is producing. Nick Loftin is playing well, but that’s mainly against lefties.
Stay the course
The most likely scenario: Q keeps Perez in the cleanup spot on a daily basis while sometimes putting him behind home plate and sometimes slotting him in the lineup as the DH.
Opting for this seems like madness. Salvy’s clearly slowing down, needs more time off, and to be put in a less stressful role. Running him into the ground isn’t going to solve this problem.
I’m loathe to write this, but Perez’s poor reaction to getting a mental breather shows he isn’t quite the leader we fans make him out to be. He needs to accept reality, put his team first, and insist on not staying the course.
Only Salvador Perez can prevent this option from happening.
A trip to the injury list
He looks kinda banged up, right? Joel Goldberg mentioned on the Tuesday night television broadcast that Perez has been battling a host of maladies to his hips and groin. That doesn’t sound ideal for anyone let alone a starting Major League catcher.
Maybe he doesn’t need a mental breather but a physical one. Throw him on the IL and see if he heals up.
It at least buys some time.
Report: Blues Turned Away Trade Offer For Robert Thomas From Wild
A long-time rival of the St. Louis Blues, the Minnesota Wild, reportedly made a strong offer to acquire the Blues’ top player and No. 1 center, Robert Thomas.
It was no secret that at the 2026 NHL trade deadline, the Blues were willing to listen to offers on most players, including Thomas.
Thomas would have been the major move for the Blues, as no player on their roster would have brought in a better return. While Thomas’ first half of the season was riddled with underwhelming play and injuries, following the trade deadline, Thomas was a different player.
The 26-year-old finished the season with a team-high 25 goals and 64 points in 64 games, but his final 20 games saw him post 12 goals and 27 points.
If an NHL team were able to pull off a trade for Thomas, they would have reaped the benefits.
According to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the Wild reportedly offered a package that included goaltender Jesper Wallstedt and center Danila Yurov, but the Blues declined the offer. Russo also believes the Wild could revisit those discussions when Alexander Steen takes over as GM on July 1.
Why Trading Robert Thomas For Brady Tkachuk Doesn't Make Sense For The BluesBrady Tkachuk hasn’t officially hit the trade market, but he has entered the rumor mill. Due to his ties to the St. Louis Blues and earlier reports about Robert Thomas’ availability, fan-made trade proposals have begun circulating. However, trading Thomas for Tkachuk would be a mistake. Throughout the season, it was noted that the Utah Mammoth, Buffalo Sabres, Montreal Canadiens, and Detroit Red Wings were all interested in acquiring Thomas. Now that the season has concluded, it has been reported that the Ottawa Senators, and now the Wild, were in play for the former 20th overall pick of the 2017 NHL draft.
In the end, it appears that Thomas will remain with the Blues, at least for now. Thomas still has five seasons on his current eight-year, $8.125-million contract, and he is still the focal point of the Blues’ offense.
He formed a strong trio with Jimmy Snuggerud and Dylan Holloway down the stretch, and the Blues don’t really have a player who can match Thomas’ production and fill in his role.
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Aston Villa v Liverpool: Premier League – live
⚽ Premier League updates from the 8pm BST kick-off
⚽ Live scores | Table | Who should be player of the year?
“Right Rob, let’s get down to brass tacks – Slot, should he be shown the door or given another year?” asks Peadar de Burca. “On the evidence of, let’s say, the last ten games, you’d have to say that the Liverpool manager has been found wanting. That extra little bit of innovation or rough magic hasn’t been there. A lot of talent at the top end of the team and you get the feeling a good manager could have shaped those players into something sharper, as opposed to the butter knife attack we’ve mostly seen. So, give him the boot?
“Well, this is a Liverpool team in transition. I suspect the owners, no mugs, had this in mind back in July after Diogo Jota’s tragic death and saw this as a year to acquire some serious talent, let them bed in with the real aim being the 2026-27 season. You’d hope Jeremy Jacquet will be joined by one or two more defensively minded players and the team will have more balance. The team will have had time to become a team. Let’s not judge Slot now, but in eight months’ time when Isak, Ekitike, Wirtz and Ngumoha are able to read each other’s minds.
Today we are without nine players. The good news is that Florian and Mo are on the bench, but Alex [Isak] is out with a minor injury.
I have to compliment Mo on how hard he has worked to be back. It’s not always straightforward with the type of injury he had.
Continue reading...NL West odds: Padres payout would be huge in close division race with Dodgers
The last time the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t win the NL West Division was 2021, the year after winning the World Series. The Dodgers have now won the last two World Series, and they’ve backfilled their roster churn by upgrading to star players through free agency and their own stellar farm system.
The lengthy MLB season provides a sample size that’s meant to favor averages over abnormalities. Hot- and cold-streaks blend together as weeks become months. But the weight of those games can also fall victim to entropy as months become years. The long summers are tests of endurance and commitment as much as talent. The San Diego Padres finished just three games behind the Dodgers in the 2025 division race, and the Toronto Blue Jays pushed them to seven games and extra innings last November.
The thin line between dynasty and disappointment will be carved out over the next 120 games. FanDuel has odds on the NL West Division winner, which is an opportunity to prognosticate on the predictive ability of the first 40 games, and which performances will propel their team to a division title.
The Dodgers (-900) are heavy favorites to remain atop the division, with a deep roster that’s built to weather a long season. But their offense is still struggling midway through May. Shohei Ohtani is enduring his first cold streak, going hitless between starting pitching assignments for the first time in his career. Andy Pages (9 HRs, 35 RBI) and Max Muncy (11 HRs, .917 OPS) have been pacing an offense that’s welcoming back Mookie Betts this week. They’ve been able to afford patience with their bats because Ohtani, Justin Wrobleski, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are anchoring an elite starting rotation.
The Padres (+800) have caught the Dodgers in the standings despite a slow start from their offense, ranking 25th in wRC+. Michael King (2.76 ERA) and Randy Vasquez (3.05 ERA) have held together a starting rotation that suffered key injuries early, including to projected Opening Day starter Nick Pivetti. Xander Bogaerts has kept the offense afloat while Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, and Jackson Merrill are working back to their expected averages.
The Diamondbacks (+3000) have had a slow start, but the betting lines still see potential in their young talent that made a run to the World Series in 2023. Corbin Carroll is building back up to his all-world production after a broken hand, and they recently promoted top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt. It’s not any of the young guys but 34-year-old Ildemaro Vargas who’s been leading the offense thus far, posting a .331 average with 7 HRs and 28 RBI.
The Giants (+5000) have a top-10 payroll and a brand new manager getting his first taste of the MLB. Rafael Devers has been a disappointment, but Luis Arraez has been a bright spot, along with Landen Roupp and Logan Webb on the mound.
The Rockies (+30000) are just 9 games back from first place now, but the lines expect that number to grow closer toward last season’s line, when they finished 50 games back.
The 'Klim Reaper' Is Here: Abbotsford Canucks Winger Danila Klimovich's Journey From Belarus To BC
When Danila Klimovich took to the ice on October 16, 2021, he was making history along with his Abbotsford Canucks teammates in a new era of the Canucks’ AHL affiliate. Klimovich scored his first North American professional goal that night at the 8:09 mark of the second period, in an eventual 5-3 loss to Stuart Skinner and the Bakersfield Condors.
Just months earlier, with 93 seconds left in a pivotal game five, Klimovich had scored the championship-clinching goal for the Minsk Zubry (Minsk Bison) in the Belarusian Vysshaya Liga, the second league in the Belarus hockey system. Five years later, Klimovich would be known for his clutch goal-scoring on another continent, with Abbotsford fans declaring him the “Klim Reaper,” a nickname the young winger loves.
“When it came out, I was like, 'Oh my God, it’s pretty cool,” Klimovich told The Hockey News earlier this season. “People call me like that ‘cause it means something. It means that I did something like, well, I do something good.”
Klimovich is one of three players left on the roster from the inaugural Abbotsford season, along with Canucks captain Chase Wouters and defenseman Guillame Brisebois. The 2025-26 campaign was a stark drop off for the club, missing the playoffs despite their 2025 Calder Cup win the previous season. Still, Klimovich, now 23, had 34 points (18 goals, 16 assists) in 63 games, just four points shy of his career high (38) set last season.
He was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks, their first pick of that year’s draft due to the earlier Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Conor Garland trade, which sent the Canucks’ first-round pick to the Arizona Coyotes. Expecting to go later in the draft, Klimovich was at a summer training session when he found out about the Canucks’ selection.
“It was exciting, I got drafted and I didn’t expect me to draft that high in the second round,” Klimovich said, “I was looking at [the draft rankings], and they were like third round. I was practising that summer and I was waiting in the locker room for the third round, and the guys were just yelling at me, like, you got in the second round.
“I was so happy, and then just ran to the cafe, where my father was sitting, and we celebrate together.”
Klimovich hails from the southern Belarusian city of Pinsk and grew up playing in their youth system, playing briefly in the southwestern city of Brest as well before moving north to the capital city of Minsk, joining the national under-17 team. Belarus has had 23 players appear in NHL games, including Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo, though less than half of these players have played over 50 games, meaning a lot of attention also turns to players from their hockey superpower neighbour, Russia.
“I mostly looked at Russian players, like Kovalchuk, Ovechkin, Datsyuk, and trying to be more like them,” Klimovich said of his idols growing up, “In Belarus, we had a couple of players, like [Mikhail] Grabovski, who played in Toronto. He was really good.”
Grabovski scored 296 points in 534 NHL games over 10 seasons, appearing with the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, and New York Islanders. After retiring from playing, Grabovski went on to coach Dinamo Minsk in the KHL, which was affiliated with the Minsk Zubry, where Klimovich had played, as well as the Belarusian national team program.
The 2019-20 season was for making waves for the teenage Klimovich, as he moved up through the junior national system, playing at the under-17, -18, and -20 levels. Across the pond, heads were turning towards the young forward, as he was picked by the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL in the 2020 CHL Import Draft. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Klimovich was not able to come to North America at that point, instead staying in Minsk.
In his draft year, Klimovich scored 52 points (28 goals, 24 assists) in 37 regular-season games with Minsk Zubry, along with 14 points (9 goals, 5 assists) in 12 playoff games. Klimovich also appeared with the Belarusian national team, leading the team in scoring with six goals during the under-18 World Junior Championships, including a hat trick against Switzerland, and played three games in the senior World Championships.
Klimovich made the jump to North America a year later, debuting on the continent at the same time as the franchise he joined. He signed an entry-level contract with the Canucks just days after the draft, moving to a new country to pursue his dream at 18.
“I just wanted to play in North America, it’s my dream to play here and stay here, and make my dream come true to be an NHL player.”
Not only was Klimovich entering a new environment, but so was the Canucks organization, with Abbotsford’s inaugural AHL season. It came a decade after the organization’s AHL-affiliated team moved south of the border, after the newly resurrected Winnipeg Jets took over the Manitoba Moose franchise in 2011.
“When I came here at first, people were like so helpful, and like it’s the same stuff now,” Klimovich commented on his first impressions of the new team. “It was bumpy sometimes, but everybody tried their best, and now we’re a great organization.”
Still, there were certain roadblocks for Klimovich entering professional hockey in another country, especially at such a young age. His first season was not as offensively productive as was likely hoped, with 18 points through 62 games, which he improved upon the following year, reaching 29 points in 67 games in his sophomore season. His third year was a further dip, though, appearing in only 24 games due to injury and healthy scratches, earning just four points over the 2023-24 campaign.
“I would say I put more pressure on myself,” Klimovich said of playing up to higher pick expectations. “It’s good to be drafted that high and of course, like everybody expects something from you, like people, fans, and organizations, especially. But you just need to be the player you are and try to develop from that.”
On the transition to playing in North America, he said, “It was hard. Like the first two years, hard with the English barrier, and now I just only start to get into it more like the last two years. I’m getting better in these things, like, I can understand now, and it’s so much easier for me because back then it was just like, all alone.
“And then, yeah, hockey is different. It’s faster, and it’s more physical than Europe. Europe is more like, I’d say, hold this puck, like control more. Here, it’s like physical dump, like go forecheck, backcheck, like more energetic.”
Despite the language barrier, the Canucks forward has grown to fit into the environment in Abbotsford, saying, “I just get this culture pretty quickly, like all the jokes and all the holidays. It’s amazing. I like Canadian everything, pretty much.”
Klimovich also credited his now-wife, Nastassia, with helping him adjust to Canada and stay grounded during the move to North America.
“My girlfriend came, like, six months later, and we got married here, so she helped me a lot. We’re both trying to like, get into the culture together, it’s really helped me.”
The 2024-25 campaign was good for both the player and the team, as Klimovich hit a career high in points with 38, leading the team in goals with 25 during the regular season. In the run to Abbotsford’s run to the Calder Cup last postseason, Klimovich scored four goals, and all were incredibly consequential; the first was the game-winning goal in game one of Pacific Division semifinals against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the second was in double overtime of game four of the Western Conference final against the Texas Stars which gave the Canucks a 3-1 series lead, the third was again in double overtime in game one of the finals against the Charlotte Checkers, and the fourth was the tying goal in the second period of the Calder Cup-winning game.
“We won the [Calder] Cup last year, and to be like the first Canucks team to win anything, it’s big. I’m really proud of what we done last year, and now we just need to build that culture for NHL too,” Klimovich commented on the Calder Cup win with Abbotsford, calling it his highlight with the organization. “It was the greatest team. For me just I think all these goals in the Calder Cup finals are really helpful for the team, and were really proud of what we all done. And then like, I scored in the game six in the finals, I think it’s the biggest highlight and we won after [Linus] Karlsson’s goal.”
Klimovich has spent much of his professional and adult life within the Canucks organization and has grown into the player he is now over the last five seasons, leading the Abbotsford franchise in game-winning goals with 15. The 23-year-old right-shot winger is a restricted free agent heading into the offseason, with a qualifying offer of $874,125, as his entry-level contract signed in July 2021 has carried over, and he has yet to appear on Vancouver's ice. Dependent on free agency, preseason outcomes, and impending contract decisions, if the yet-to-be-determined coaching staff wants to promote from within as the organization did for their recent management changes, Klimovich could be an option for a depth forward who is able to score in big moments.
“The Sedins’ work and coaching staff from last year and this year. Like Manny [Malhotra], Harry [Mahesh], Jordan Smith, they’ve been really helpful.” Klimovich said of his influences during his time growing within the organization. “They’ve helped so much to improve my game and improve me as a person. […] I love this culture in Abbotsford, in the Canucks.”
As for what he’s learned over the last five seasons, Klimovich said, “I am still learning to let things go, just better, like quicker. And be more positive, kinda thing. That’s for me is the most because I’m putting, like, pressure on myself and it’s not helping me, so now it’s better.”
And as for advice for his younger self?
“Just stick with it, be positive and have fun. Enjoy the hockey, enjoy the life.”
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