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Flyers Winners and Losers from 2026 Rookie Camp

Heading into their 2026 rookie camp, the Philadelphia Flyers had one message for their prospects, especially with a shorter training camp and preseason: "Get noticed."

The more experienced players, like Porter Martone, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey didn't need to hear that twice, though they took it upon themselves to take the extra practice time seriously anyway.

For other players, it's already been decided that they will head back to junior hockey, and for a much smaller group, now is the time to make an impression.

With two Rookie Series games against the New York Rangers over the weekend, the prospects who could conceivably make the Flyers' NHL roster in the next few years had their first chances to make an impression, and from those games and the camp overall, we can begin to assess the trajectories of those with the most at stake.

Winner: Cole Knuble

Cole Knuble was a bit of a wildcard heading into rookie camp, as he had joined the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the tail end of last season, scoring a goal, two assists, and three points in seven games.

Before that, the 22-year-old former fourth-round pick starred at the University of Notre Dame for three years, scoring 21 goals and 70 points across his last 70 collegiate games.

Knuble, the son of former Flyers forward Mike, only played in one of the Rookie Series games against the Rangers, and that was all he needed to open some eyes.

Featuring on the top line alongside Alex Bump and Jett Luchanko, Knuble was consistently making things happen, using his legs to advance the play and crashing into bodies on the forecheck despite his modest 5-foot-10, 192-pound build.

Knuble's rapid ascent and ceaseless motor are reminiscent of former Flyers forward Bobby Brink, who improved considerably over the years and made himself a third-line staple before being exchanged at the 2026 trade deadline for David Jiricek as the Flyers sought to clear their logjam of wingers and make room for Porter Martone.

If Knuble's arrow continues to point upwards, a Brink projection is certainly possible and would be a phenomenal outcome for the Flyers, who are in need of some more mid- and late-round hits from their drafting.

Loser: Devin Kaplan

On the other side of the coin, Devin Kaplan already has some NHL experience and a full pro season under his belt, but was far less noticeable than his peers.

Kaplan, 22, is heading into a contract year and scored just five goals, eight assists, and 13 points in 49 games with the Phantoms last year, and while he does project as more of a grinder than anything else, Noah Powell was considerably more noticeable in that regard.

It was a disappointing initial showing from the 2023 third-rounder, who was impressive this time last year, but not so much this time around.

Kaplan does deserve some grace as he shakes off the rust coming back from a season-ending injury and subsequent surgery, but the combination of the Flyers' overall glut of wingers and the strong performances from Knuble and Powell don't bode well for his future prospects with the organization.

Kaplan will have another chance to draw some eyes when training camp officially opens Thursday.

Winner: Carson Bjarnason

Deservedly so, Egor Zavragin is always a hot topic when Flyers prospects are being discussed, but we often forget that draft classmate and fellow goalie Carson Bjarnason was picked ahead of him in the same year.

After four seasons with the WHL Brandon Wheat Kings, including three as the starter, Bjarnason turned pro last year, playing in 32 games for the Phantoms.

The 21-year-old's results were mixed, as a strong start faded into a skid, and Bjarnason eventually played two games for the ECHL Reading Royals, going 1-1-0 with a 3.57 GAA and .881 save percentage.

In the AHL, Bjarnason ultimately finished with a 14-11-7 record while playing second-fiddle to Aleksei Kolosov, posting a 3.43 GAA and .877 save percentage.

But, it's worth noting that the Phantoms dealt with tons of roster turnover losing Emil Andrae, Barkey and Bump, as well as injuries to Bonk, Kaplan, and Ty Murchison. Reinforcements in the forms of David Jiricek, Boris Katchouk, Powell, Knuble, and Jack Berglund didn't arrive until the season was long lost.

Bjarnason should have a more stable environment around him in 2026-27, and he put some doubts to bed with a very good full game against the Rangers over the weekend. The former second-rounder was beaten only twice, and both goals came on the power play.

Look for Bjarnason to get some preseason ice time as he continues to build on a strong start to camp.

Losers: Veteran defensemen

We're going a little off the cuff here, but Bonk, Ty Murchison, Spencer Gill, Brek Liske, and Maksim Sokolovskii were all impressive this past week in their own ways.

For older Flyers like Nick Seeler and Rasmus Ristolainen, the time has come for them to begin watching the rearview mirror a bit. Murchison wore the 'C' in the first game against the Rangers this weekend and already got some NHL games last year, and Bonk, after making his NHL debut and playoff debut to finish the season, was as impressive as he needed to be in a camp of this nature.

Seeler no longer has trade protection and has just two more years left on his contract. A transition to No. 7 defenseman, especially after Simon Benoit's contract expires next summer, seems likely with Murchison continuing to ascend.

As for Ristolainen, the trade rumors never really went away, and he now has Bonk and Jiricek pushing him for a roster spot and ice time with Gill and Liske still on the way.

If both Bonk and Jiricek look the part and convince Flyers brass that they can handle expanded workloads and added responsibilities, that could very well start the countdown on Ristolainen's tenure in Philadelphia.

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Canadiens: The Big Question With The Xhekaj Contract

Kent Hughes has done it. The Montreal Canadiens have signed all their players, but it took longer for Arber Xhekaj. The big defenseman only put pen to paper on the eve of training camp, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. The question everyone is asking is: why did it take all summer for that kind of deal?

After this season, both parties will be right back where they started since, once again, Xhekaj, who will then be 26, will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. In the past, Hughes had always signed the Ontarian and Jayden Struble to two-year pacts; what’s different this time around?

Canadiens’ Bolduc Thought It Was Important To Stay As Long As Possible
Canadiens Finally Re-Sign Arber Xhekaj To Smart Deal
Canadiens Sign Alex Newhook To Multi-Year Extension In Good Move

Given the logjam on the blueline and the fact that eventually someone will have to go, perhaps Hughes wanted to make Xhekaj’s contract more attractive in a potential trade. After all, if he were traded during the season, the team that acquires him wouldn't just be buying one year of his services, since he would remain under team control at season's end. The Habs had no issue signing Zachary Bolduc to a deal that walked him straight to free agency at age 27, but it’s a much longer deal. Or the hulking defenseman may feel he’s worth more than $1.5 million and doesn’t want that to be his salary for the next two seasons; that’s also a possibility.

Now that the deal is signed, however, Xhekaj has another chance to prove he belongs on the Canadiens for the long haul. According to TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie, Kaiden Guhle will miss the start of the season and won’t be available to play until perhaps November. That gives Xhekaj runway to make the sixth-defenseman role his own.

What’s different this season? Well, as we heard at the golf tournament, Derek Lalonde will bring a fresh set of eyes to the defensive structure and the penalty kill. Perhaps he’ll like what he sees from Xhekaj and will be willing to give him a fair audition on the PK. His presence might also be good news for the blueliners, since he could teach them a thing or two about their role. While he wasn’t a defenseman himself in his playing days, Lalonde was a netminder who had the opportunity to watch defensemen’s play up close.

Whether he’s pleased with the outcome of the negotiations or not, Xhekaj must approach training camp as another chance for a fresh start and find a way to make himself essential to the Canadiens. That starts with playing a safe, consistent game and knowing when to use the rough stuff. Making good reads and making good decisions on the ice will be key to securing a regular spot in the lineup. His teammates love Xhekaj and love having him in the lineup; they’ve said it time and time again. He needs to get the coaching staff to feel the same.

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DitD & Open Post – 9/16/26: A Deal for Luke Edition

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 13: Luke Evangelista #77 of the Nashville Predators skates the puck during the third period of the game against the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena on April 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Here are your links for today:

Devils Links

A five-year extension for Luke Evangelista:

The Hockey Guy previews the season for the Devils:

Hockey will be here soon:

“The Devils will play their first of four preseason games, starting Sunday, Sept. 20, and there’s plenty to follow as the regular season approaches. Here are five storylines to keep an eye on as the preseason gets underway.” [Devils on the Rush]

Hockey Links

A flurry of deals:

“There’s always a possibility for a sudden change of heart, but as we have this conversation as a group of insiders, I do not believe Hellebuyck will report to the opening of training camp. If that is the case, that forces the Jets to respond. That response will likely come Wednesday or Thursday.” [TSN]

“With training camps opening up this week, I caught up with over two dozen NHL superstars to get their takes on vital and trivial issues. Some of hockey’s biggest names discuss NHL rule changes they’d like to see; how an 84-game regular season will impact them; how they feel about the current state of fan culture; as well as their offseason life highlights and what they’d name a new expansion team in Houston or Austin, Texas.” [ESPN]

“Will Adam Fantilli sign a contract in time? When will Quinn Hughes sign an extension? What will happen to Connor Hellebuyck? This week, The Athletic asked its staff for one burning question facing each NHL team heading into training camp, and those were just a few of the enticing storylines we heard about in response. With camps opening this week and the preseason around the corner, here’s what we have our eyes on.” [The Athletic ($)]

Neck protection:

Blackhawks have a new captain:

The Red Wings (sort of) have a GM:

Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.

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Kentucky Wildcats News: More Injury Concerns for UK Basketball

Good morning, BBN!

One common theme across all of Coach Pope’s teams has been injuries.

According to KSR’s Jack Pilgrim, junior wing Trent Noah has re-aggravated the hamstring injury that bothered him earlier this summer.

Noah originally tweaked the hamstring in July, with Mark Pope calling it “a nothing” at the time, but he later missed UK’s final open practice of the summer.

Now, the latest setback is expected to keep Noah out during the preseason and could potentially linger into Kentucky’s exhibition schedule.

It’s another injury concern for a Wildcats roster that has already dealt with several this offseason and far too many under Pope.

Kam Williams missed summer practices after undergoing a second procedure on the foot he broke last season, though Pope has expressed confidence he’ll be available for the season.

Franck Kepnang was also limited for much of the summer as Kentucky carefully managed his return from previous leg injuries.

More recently, star transfer Milan Momcilovic suffered a jammed index finger on his shooting hand. While initial reports feared a break, further testing brought better news, and he is expected back around the start of fall practice, though he’s currently sidelined.

Kentucky still has time before the games count, but staying healthy is quickly becoming a recurring storyline in Lexington.

Tweet of the Day

This would be big time.

Headlines

Stein, Cats Must ‘Turn the Page’ – UK Athletics

100%

Ann Lemirisho Named SEC Women’s Runner of the Week – UK Athletics

Love to see it!

Protect College Sports Act moves closer to final Senate vote – ESPN

Rules are getting closer.

Clemson vs. UNC is shell of what should be marquee ACC showdown amid Dabo Swinney, Bill Belichick turmoil – CBS Sports

Sad to see two of the best coaches of all time like this.

PFT’s Week 2 2026 NFL power rankings – NBC Sports

Awesome Week 1.

Amid Kiffin buzz, Ole Miss stays ‘focused on the game plan’ – ESPN

Can’t wait for this game.

Adam Silver discusses Clippers punishment, NBA expansion, why Blazers leaving Portland would be ‘failure’ – CBS Sports

I think the NBA is finally ready for expansion.

Giants-Cowboys delivers 25.7 million viewers – NBC Sports

NFL is still king.

Day: Ohio State ‘to make some hard decisions’ after Texas collapse – ESPN

You just can’t blow a lead like that.

Chad Baker-Mazara files lawsuit against USC alleging missed NIL payments, Eric Musselman racist tirade – CBS Sports

Wild story.

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Penguins continue tradition of delivering tickets to season ticket holders

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 21: A young fan cheers for the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Carolina Hurricanes on December 21, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins will begin training camp in earnest on Thursday, followed by preseason action. Before any pucks drop, a few Penguins players were spotted around Pittsburgh-area neighborhoods on Tuesday, delivering tickets to season ticket holders by continuing a yearslong tradition.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said the event has helped shape his view of Penguins fans, adding that the support they have given him and the team over the years has meant a lot.

“Every time we [deliver season tickets], you recognize the pride people have, and hearing their stories [about] how long they’ve had tickets for or how they got connected to going to games, it’s fun to hear that, but you always feel the support. That’s the main thing,” Crosby said. “I think it’s a pretty cool event we’ve been able to do for a long time and it doesn’t ever get old.”

Several other players hit the streets as well, including defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Egor Chinakhov.

The team has been hand-delivering season tickets and special packages to fans since 2007, making it a 19-year tradition as of 2026.

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YouTube Gold: Wes Unseld Was A Problem

WASHINGTON - UNDATED: Milwaukee Bucks' Kareem Abdul Jabbar #33 looks to shoot as he is guarded by Wes Unseld of the Washington Bullets at Capital Center circa the 1970's in Washington, D.C.. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images) | Focus on Sport via Getty Images

Wes Unseld is somewhat overlooked today, and that’s a shame. 

The Louisville native had a tremendous career at his hometown school, averaging 20.6 ppg and 18.9 rpg for his varsity career (freshmen were not eligible at the time) Drafted in 1968, he was brilliant in the NBA as well. 

In the NBA, despite being just 6-7, Unseld played center. With his immense strength, he managed to limit much taller players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. 

He was also one of the greatest outlet passers of all time. In our opinion, that list includes Bill Russell, Bill Walton, Unseld’s godson Kevin Love, and probably Nikola Jokic (Maurice Stokes gets a special mention here). 

But when you get down to it, Unseld, who won both Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year in 1969, something only Wilt Chamberlain has ever done, succeeded largely through sheer strength and will. 

He was able to use his massively powerful body to push bigger men around, and nobody wanted to run into him as a screener, because Unseld left bruises. 

He was a highly unusual player, and someone who is not acknowledged nearly enough today as one of the greats of the game. 

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F1 sprint races increase from six to 10 and Portugal and Turkey return in 2027 calendar

  • Monaco and Bahrain among additional sprint hosts

  • 24-race schedule includes returns to Turkey and Portugal

Formula One has announced its calendar for 2027, with an increase in sprint races to 10 events, including at Monaco, and the addition of meetings in Portugal and Turkey.

The season of 24 races will open in Bahrain, while the British grand prix at Silverstone is to take place on the weekend of 2-4 July. All four races in the Middle East are scheduled to take place in their normal slots.

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Paul George knows the optics behind his Celtics arrival and isn’t fazed: ‘It’s fair’

BRIGHTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 15: Paul George #13 of the Boston Celtics speaks to the media during a press conference on September 15, 2026 at The Auerbach Center in Brighton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Paul George had zero control over his destiny this offseason.

It wasn’t until the Celtics began shopping Jaylen Brown on the trade market that wheels began to turn, ultimately leading to George’s unforeseen move from Philadelphia to Boston. Once the Celtics and Sixers shook hands and agreed to their Brown-George blockbuster on July 1, the 36-year-old’s situation changed dramatically.

He even admitted it was “a bit surprising” when he heard the news.

But George isn’t bothered by the change.

“I understand the circumstances,” George told reporters Tuesday at the Auerbach Center, per NBC Sports Boston.

“I didn’t take it personal, to be honest. They should have a relationship, emotionally, to that trade. But my job here is to come into a great opportunity for me.”

Instead of playing behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia, George carries the burden left by Brown’s exit, which now awaits him at his TD Garden locker in Boston. He isn’t playing third fiddle. As the second-highest-paid Celtic (earning $54.1 million), George is under immense pressure to begin harkening back to the impactful presence he once was, this time as Jayson Tatum’s new running mate.

BRIGHTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 15: Paul George #13 of the Boston Celtics speaks to the media during a press conference on September 15, 2026 at The Auerbach Center in Brighton, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

“Again, no personal feelings towards the initial — how it [was] received here in Boston. To be honest, it’s fair. One foot in front of the other. Hopefully, with how we start this year, they understand this is a new team and something they can be proud of.”

George spent the greater bulk of last season battling a left knee hyperextension which required surgery and sidelined him for 41 games. He rejoined the Sixers just in time to square off against the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs, and delivered a performance that factored significantly into Boston squandering its 3-1 series lead.

During his postseason revival series versus the Celtics, George averaged 17.4 points, four rebounds and three assists while converting 55 percent of his 3-point attempts.

“It just felt like I was able to do things and, quite frankly, it might’ve caught Boston off guard,” George said with a smile while looking toward a stone-faced Mazzulla, “from an expectation that I could no longer move.”

George’s showing last postseason offers an avenue for optimism as Boston approaches a season that’ll need all the positivity it can collect.

The reality is the bright green-colored glasses Boston’s front office handed its fans three offseasons ago have turned dull. George is cognizant of the city-wide reception the Celtics triggered through trading Brown away in a decision that lead governor Bill Chisholm described as a decision “all about trying to win.”

That’s the bar Chisholm set alongside president of basketball operations Brad Stevens during their damage control presser back in July, and a standard George welcomes with open arms.

“I think we’ve got an unbelievable roster, an unbelievable coach, obviously, front office,” George said. “I’ve always admired everything Boston has done and stood for. So I think coming in with that attitude and that mindset to win, I’m all on. I’m happy to pull akong and do my part to try to lead this group back to where everybody here feels and wants.”

Stevens signed veteran guard Mike Conley and center Mitchell Robinson to help keep Boston in the running next season.

But all eyes will be drawn to George.

This upcoming season, much of Boston’s ability to compete in the long run will ride on George — his ability to perform like a No. 2 and stay healthy throughout an 82-game regular season and playoffs. The Celtics are counting on him to take the version of himself that had a hand in ending their season four months ago and maintain it.

“It’s fair to live with that emotion, given what JB stood for and what he brought, and the history,” George said. “He was a part of raising a banner and winning a championship here. That’s gonna forever stick.”

Coming into a situation with increased responsibility in the toughest market the NBA has to offer, George brings the level-headed mindset of a soon-to-be 17-year veteran.

“They’re getting someone that’s ready to not fill the shoes or fill the void of JB, but I think, from a personal standpoint, can still keep us in contention and give us a chance to win,” George added.

The message from Chisholm and Stevens is that the goalpost hasn’t shifted with Brown gone. George, who’s reached the conference finals just three times in his career, has already bought in.

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Devils Sign Luke Evangelista to 5-Year, $36.25M ($7.25M AAV) Contract Extension

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 13: Luke Evangelista #77 of the Nashville Predators celebrates after a goal during the third period of the game against the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena on April 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images

When the Devils acquired winger Luke Evangelista a few weeks ago, one of the first questions that I asked was whether or not the Devils should sign him to a contract extension.

If you’ve been paying attention to what’s going on around the league, there has been a flurry of contract extensions across the NHL. Yesterday was the last day for teams to sign players for a maximum of eight years, and we saw a few of those deals with Drake Batherson extending in Ottawa, Noah Ostlund in Buffalo, and Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourdif in Washington DC. So it was only to wonder if any of the Devils pending free agents would put pen to paper, as Jackson wrote about earlier this week.

Sunny Mehta didn’t quite go the full eight years of term with Evangelista, but late Tuesday night, he did get Evangelista to agree to terms on a new five year contract. The deal is for $36.25M total ($7.25M AAV). The deal will begin with the 2027-28 season and will be tacked on to the final year of his current $3M AAV deal.

Per the Devils press release

The contract breakdown is as follows: 2027-28: $9,700,000; 2028-29: $8,260,000; 2029-30: $6,120,000; 2030-31: $6,085,000 & 2031-32: $6,085,000. 

According to PuckPedia, the deal is signing bonus heavy, with roughly 75% of it coming in bonuses ($27.915M). There is also relatively light trade protection over the final three years of the deal with a 7-team no-trade list in 2029-30, a five team no-trade list in 2030-31, and a three team list in 2031-32. The deal is also buying out three years of UFA.

My initial reaction was that it seems a little high given some of the recent comparables. Evangelista secures a bigger AAV than Fraser Minten (7x$7.2M) who really just has the one full NHL season to speak of and plays a premium position. He comes in higher than Connor McMichael (6x$6.75M), although he does have a higher scoring rate for his career.

After taking a step back though and looking at it again, I think it’s just where the NHL is going nowadays and getting a top six winger under $10M is probably a bargain at this rate. Especially when you’re buying out three years of unrestricted free agency beginning in 2029-30.

We’re seeing more and more teams make those long-term bets on their young players that they envision being part of their core. When your options are sign the player now or pay more for the same player a year from now, I get why teams are being proactive when it comes to signing their own. The salary cap is only continuing to increase and yesterday’s price isn’t today’s price.

Evangelista has 253 games of NHL experience, so it’s not a pure gamble like, say, what the Sabres are doing with Ostlund and his 68 games of experience. Granted, we don’t know how he’s going to fit in yet with THIS Devils team since he has yet to play a game for the Devils. But if he fits in well, that contract would’ve only gotten more expensive next summer if he put up another 56 point season playing out his current deal.

I view this bet as being similar to the ones that Mehta (or more specifically, Bill Zito) made in Florida with players such as Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, and others. Florida was proactive in getting their supporting cast locked up on manageable deals and it paid off in a big way on the back end of those deals when those players became key contributors on their Stanley Cup championship teams. I also look at the market in general and acknowledge that UFA isn’t going to be the answer. Especially when players like the aforementioned Batherson remove themselves from the equation by forgoing UFA and signing long-term in Ottawa.

At the end of the day, I’m not surprised that Mehta doubled down on the bet he previously made by acquiring Evangelista in the first place. This deal only reaffirms his belief in said player.

That’s how I’m looking at this deal. Perhaps you are looking at it differently. Please feel free to leave a comment below, and thanks for reading.

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Xhaka promises ‘fire’ from Sunderland on long-awaited return to Europe

Captain looking forward to intimidating atmosphere when Wearsiders host AZ, after 53 years away

When Sunderland last played European football, club directors viewed it as a useful means of raising the cash necessary to fund floodlight upgrades at Roker Park necessitated by England’s widespread adoption of colour television.

Back in the autumn of 1973 a lighting system compatible with the demands of broadcasting in black and white was proving increasingly outdated and Sunderland responded by doubling admission prices for the second leg of their opening European Cup Winners’ Cup tie against Vasas of Budapest. Coming at a moment when miners and railway workers were engaged in long-running industrial action and north-easterners’ finances were duly tight, it dictated that a disappointing crowd of under 23,000 turned out to watch Dennis Tueart’s penalty secure a 3-0 aggregate win.

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From the Pocket: Nick Watson makes his case as AFL’s best small forward – just when Hawthorn need him most

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The Nick Watson moment came on Dustin Martin’s day. It was Dusty’s 300th, complete with pop-up barbers, the opening goal of the game and the final significant act of his career, when he walked to all four corners of the centre square and acknowledged his crowd. Michael Willson’s photo of Martin exiting the MCG perfectly captured the man, the moment and the mood.

It had been a rocky debut season for Watson until that day in June 2024, with injuries, tardy goalkicking and stints in the VFL. Halfway through the first quarter, he anticipated a spilling ball, collected it at full speed, took a bounce, absconded around the boundary line and hit up Dylan Moore with a perfectly weighted kick. It was one of those moments where you were left in absolutely no doubt that the person you were watching was going to be a great footballer.

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Mike Conley and Payton Pritchard are already connecting on and off the court

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 06: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket while Mike Conley #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves defends in the fourth quarter at Target Center on November 06, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Celtics 114-109 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Mike Conley and Payton Pritchard have made a connection this summer. Conley revealed at his introductory press conference on Tuesday that they have begun working out together, playing a lot of five-on-five and one-on-one.

“Me and Payton [Pritchard] work a lot,” Conley said. “One-on-one with our workouts. Before practice or before five-on-five, we play [or] hoop or whatever, and we’re talking the game all the time. Like, ‘I should shoot a floater, you should shoot a mid-range shot.’”

Conley was a free agent signing this summer by the Celtics after previously spending his 19-year career with the Grizzlies, the Jazz and, most recently, the Timberwolves. He is going to provide the Celtics veteran leadership and guard depth this season.

Conley also noted that he and Pritchard do different things on the court and it impacts on how he gives some tips to Pritchard.

“Different things that compliment his game, might not compliment mine,” he said. “I recognize that and you just gotta know who you’re talking to and their personality.”

Conley has one of the most effective floaters the NBA has seen. Conley, a lefty, has primarily used his right hand to shoot the floater.

Last season for the Timberwolves, Conley averaged 4.5 points and 2.9 assists per game in 54 games. He is going to have a role on the Celtics, even with the addition of Devin Carter, because Boston is a bit shorthanded at guard and will need Conley to play at certain points in the season.

Conley had his moments in the playoffs last season. His averages were relatively the same as they were in the regular season, but Minnesota lost a lot of their guards as the playoffs went on and they needed to insert Conley back into the starting lineup. He had 7 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in Minnesota’s close-out Game 6 win against the Denver Nuggets.

Playing with Pritchard should also help Conley. Payton is a really good player who is ultra-quick. That will help get Conley ready for the season when he has to go against fast guard on either side of the court. They can also learn how to play off one another for when they share the court this season.

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Tigers Crush Jays

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 15: John Peck #18 of the Detroit Tigers throws to first base to get Myles Straw #3 of the Toronto Blue Jays out in the eighth inning during a game at Rogers Centre on September 15, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Tigers 10 Blue Jays 1

That was less than fun.

We’ve done well on bullpen days, but the problem with bullpen days is if it doesn’t go to plan, you can’t really change on the fly. If a pitcher is having a bad day, you really have to use him anyway. Especially if it is the ‘bulk guy’. You can’t have nine guys pitch an inning each, someone has to give you at least a couple of innings, but preferably more.

Today, Michael Lorenzen was to be the bulk guy but he was hit hard. But the team couldn’t take him out after just two outs. Lorenzen got two quick outs, getting a strikeout and a ground out. All looked good. Then he lost the zone. Two walks. And then a double. Then a home run. Four runs came up very quickly. He gave up one more run in the fifth.

Other than that Mrs Lincoln, how was the show?

Well, Braydon Fisher got the first four outs, Brendan Cellucci got the next five (he looked terrific). All the Braydons, Brendans, Brendons remind me of when my kids played hockey, I could swear there were 20 kids and four names total.

Spencer Arrighetti gave up 2 unearned runs helped along by catcher’s interference and a throwing error, both by Kirk in his two innings. Since Lorenzen couldn’t give us more than two innings, Arrighetti was needed to pitch too (and he is supposed to start or be bulk guy on Friday. Joe Mantiply gave up two more runs in the ninth.

I’d imagine there will be a pitcher move or two tomorrow.

Offensively, we didn’t do much, just 6 singles total. Amazingly we got a run out of that. As much as Lorenzen was terrible, we weren’t going to win with just one run scored.

An=bout the only good moment was an amazing play by Ernie Clement at second base, a diving stop, popup and throw.

Jay of the Day: Let’s give one to Cellucci (0.08 WPA) and Fisher (0.07).

Other Award: Lorenzen (-0.39) and Kirk (-0.10)

Tomorrow is a 3:00 Eastern start. Max Scherzer (2-8, 6.38) vs Keider Montero (9-8, 3.55). A win would be nice. Or at least a good effort.

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Bryce, Blade, and the Boys

Bryce Eldridge standing on base, pointing at the dugout.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 15: Bryce Eldridge #8 of the San Francisco Giants points to the dugout after hitting an RBI double against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on September 15, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Have you ever had to fire someone?

I haven’t. I’ve yet to climb the employment ladder high enough to where someone else’s paycheck is in my hands, which is bad news for my bank account and great news for my constitution. I’m not sure I have it in me.

Once, for about 45 seconds, I harbored dreams of working in a professional sports front office, as it seemed the closest I would ever get to seeing my childhood athletic dreams materialized. Then I watched Moneyball, and saw Brad Pitt’s character teach Jonah Hill how to cut players and that dream ended on the spot. I’m not made for that job.

Buster Posey, we can conclude, is comfortable firing people, trading people, and cutting people. It comes with the job, but we knew it before he was named president of baseball operations of the San Francisco Giants. I would shake plum out of my cleats if asked to stand in against the slowest changeup in the Majors, yet Posey repeatedly stared down the barrel of triple-digit fastballs; were I to play in the pros, I would have retired on the spot after getting hit by a pitch, but Posey took them — and much worse — in stride.

That Posey has a stronger constitution than I do is hardly news. We’ve known it for nearly two decades.

Which is good, because Posey — or the Jonah Hills that he delegates to — have a lot of difficult conversations to have in about two weeks. The Giants have an almost unfathomable 16 players on the 60-man roster, a number that is compounded by the fact that they have just one impending free agent (J.T. Brubaker).

Pull out your TI 84, beep and boop a few numbers in, and you’re left with this: the Giants need to clear 15 players when the season ends just to get back to 40. By the time you factor in opening space for Rule 5 protections, free agents, and hell, maybe even a waiver claim of their own, and that number will comfortably be in the 20s.

Those aren’t fun conversations to have, but they are ones that are, as regulated by the CBA, mandatory. And they’re conversations that will, at some level, be informed by what happens over the final two weeks of the season.

And really, that’s what’s left to watch. The Giants roster right now is teeming with people who will be waiting anxiously to be tapped on the shoulder when they arrive at the ballpark at the conclusion of the season to pack up their gear. Those players are auditioning for their futures, and while one shouldn’t exactly find glee in watching someone dance for their life, it does offer some interesting storylines to follow.

Many of those players shined on Tuesday, as the Giants broke a four-game losing streak with a lopsided 10-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.

There was shortstop Christian Koss, for instance, desperate to stick around as the backup infielder. He had a three-hit night, which featured perhaps the defining moment of the game. With two on and two out in the third, Koss came to bat with the Giants leading 5-1. That four-run advantage so early hung right in the perilous sweet spot: small enough to seemingly guarantee a bullpen implosion, and large enough to ensure it would hurt.

Koss jumped on an Andre Pallante sinker and inside-outed it down the line, seemingly tucking it right inside the bag for a double. To the great horror of everyone wearing a Giants jersey, the first base umpire — who had to jump to avoid being castrated by the baseball and, as such, probably didn’t have the best view — called the ball foul, with no help from the home plate umpire to get the call correct.

And yet, two pitches later, again facing a Pallante single, Koss again inside-outed it down the line, scoring both runs and giving you the feeling that the Giants would, in fact, win the game.

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And then there was second baseman and third baseman Osleivis Basabe, also hoping to avoid the chopping block and stay on as a backup infielder. He squandered a pair of runner-on-third, less-than-two-outs situations in the opening innings, only to make up for it in the fourth with a two-out RBI single.

Left fielder Turner Hill seems likely to have his spot secured through the winter, but difficult decisions will need to be made, good players will need to be cut, and Hill entered the game on quite a slump, as he seeks to seperate himself from the roughly three trillion other outfielders vying for spots on next year’s roster.

As if to stamp his case, Hill wasted no time impacting this game, and wasted no opportunity, either. In the first inning, after Basabe had failed in a situational at-bat, Hill picked up his teammate with a two-out RBI single.

In the third inning, again after Basabe had failed in a situational at-bat, Hill found the right part of the infield for a productive, run-scoring out.

And in the ninth inning? With the game already decided and the team already loose and happy, Turner realized it was the perfect time for his first career home run.

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Along the way, he snuck in not one, not two, but three leaping catches in the outfield.

While those players are battling not just for spots on next year’s active roster, but for spots on the 40-man roster through the winter, some players have more secure spots.

Blade Tidwell is one such player, as his performance this year has certainly guaranteed that, barring a trade, he’ll be employed by the organization come March, be it as a Major League starter, a Major League reliever, or a Minor Leaguer.

He was sensational.

The third batter he faced, Alec Burleson, smoked a monstrous home run, but other than that, the Cardinals wanted no part of the Giants youngster. He pounded the strike zone, throwing 62 of 95 pitches for strikes. He challenged repeatedly, walking just one of the 25 batters he faced, while trusting his stuff in every count. He kept hitters off balance, changing velocities, bouncing between pitches and movements and locations, and allowing just three hits all game.

In all, Tidwell went 6.2 strong innings, struck out four batters, gave up just two runs, and earned his first win in a Giants jersey.

One other such player is Bryce Eldridge. He may be the youngest player on the roster, but with so many veterans injured, he somehow feels like the elder statesman of the lineup. And with Rafael Devers sidelined, there can be no denying Eldridge’s crown as the best hitter on the team, by a wide margin.

But, if you had any doubts about that, Eldridge immediately put them to rest. On just the eighth pitch of the game, Eldridge — with Drew Gilbert on first, no outs, and a 2-1 count — put the kind of charge into a baseball that very, very, very few humans can.

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It was the 17th home run of his rookie season, and it traveled further than any other ball at Busch Stadium has this year: 461 feet.

Eldridge would add a fourth-inning walk to jumpstart a rally, and an eighth-inning double to score a run, and all the while he made one thing clear: he is now, as much as Logan Webb is, the face of the franchise. He is the player to build around.

And in a season where all else has gone to hell, he is the player worth being excited about.

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Mariners fall 2-1 in Anaheim, confirm losing record in 2026

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 15: J.P. Crawford #3 of the Seattle Mariners and Zach Neto #9 of the Los Angeles Angels at second base together during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on September 15, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Mariners are officially losers in 2026.

Logan Gilbert was pretty good, but the offense was nonexistent, and the Mariners lost 2-1 in Anaheim on Tuesday. It was the 82nd loss of the season, meaning they will officially post a losing record for the first time since 2020.

Logan Gilbert got the ball. He embarrassed Zach Neto to begin the game, getting a nasty whiff on a splitter below the zone that dropped Neto to his knees for a K.

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Gilbert had good velocity and sharp stuff in this one. He picked up seven strikeouts on 18 whiffs. He worked around a bit of traffic early but got through four innings scoreless. It didn’t quite unravel for Gilbert from there, but the Angels eventually figured him out on the third pass through the lineup. In the fifth inning, Wade Meckler roped a single up the middle and scored on a double from Vaughn Grissom. In the sixth, Josh Lowe turned on a two-strike splitter that caught too much of the zone and zipped it over the fence. Those were the only two runs Gilbert allowed. 

It just so happened they were the only two runs the Angels would need. The Mariners picked up just seven hits and no walks. Their only run came on a triple from Dom Canzone that Mike Trout misplayed in center, followed by a sharp double into the gap from Julio. It wasn’t the worst display at the plate this year, but only because of the competition.

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I don’t know how much else there is to say. Seranthony Domínguez was fine in an inning of work, as was Gabe Speier. Taylor Saucedo pitched for the Angels, and that was fun to see him again. Cal Raleigh wore a chest protector with Roberto Clemente on it, and several players wore 21 in his honor. Honestly, as far as losses go, this one wasn’t so bad, and made me nostalgic for the losses in the early part of the season, when the misery was simple and brief.

The Mariners with the loss dropped the series to the Angels. There was a time this would have been an unthinkable result in the final stretch, much like dropping consecutive series to the A’s earlier in the month. But the Mariners entered the week as the very worst team in the majors by WAR since the All-Star break, nearly 4 WAR behind the Angels in 26th. It would have been something of an upset had they gone into The Big A and taken the series. One could even argue the Mariners are underdogs in the upcoming trip to Colorado, though I’ll be kind and call it a push.

Regardless, the Mariners easy September schedule looked like a gift in the preseason, something that could propel them to an impressive win total and a second consecutive division title. Instead, it’s served to underscore just how bad this team has been over the final few months. Tuesday’s loss was all but a formality, to stamp a losing record on the 2026 season. All that’s left is the end.