The Athletics took another step Friday toward securing their potential opening-day Las Vegas lineup in 2028 by reaching an agreement with All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson on a seven-year, $70 million contract.
That contract takes Wilson through the 2032 season with a club option for 2033.
By signing him now, the A’s avoid salary arbitration after the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons. Wilson also would have been eligible for free agency after the 2030 World Series.
Wilson and A’s management scheduled a news conference for Monday in Las Vegas to sign the deal.
The 22-year-old is the fourth player the A’s have signed through at least 2028 when the ballpark is scheduled to open on the Strip.
The usually economical A’s have signed some notable deals going back to last offseason. Those include a seven-year, $86 million contract for left fielder Tyler Soderstrom, a five-year, $60 million contract with designated hitter/outfielder Brent Rooker and a seven-year, $65.5 million deal with outfielder Lawrence Butler. Soderstrom’s deal is the richest in team history.
Manager Mark Kotsay signed an extension that takes him through 2028 with a club option for 2029.
This offseason, the A’s traded with the New York Mets for veteran second baseman Jeff McNeil.
The A’s will play at least the next two seasons at a Triple-A stadium in West Sacramento, California.
Wilson hit .311 with 13 home runs and 63 RBI last season and was the first fan-elected rookie All-Star starting shortstop. He finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting behind teammate Nick Kurtz, who was a unanimous selection.
The A’s selected Wilson sixth in the 2023 amateur draft.
Oct 3, 2017; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Robertson (30) reacts as catcher Gary Sanchez (not pictuted) is hit by a foul tip against the Minnesota Twins during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins during the 2017 American League wildcard playoff baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Earlier today, former Yankees reliever David Robertson took to his social media platforms to officially announce his retirement from baseball. At 40 years old entering what would have been his age-41 season, this news hardly comes as a surprise, especially considering how the past few years went for the former Olympian. Still though, for anyone that’s familiar with me, this news is devastating.
Robertson was first drafted by the Yankees in the 17th round of the 2006 MLB draft and worked his way through the minors before eventually making his MLB debut in 2008. In 2009 is when he truly made his mark during that playoff run when he pitched out of a bases-loaded-nobody-out jam in the 11th inning of the ALDS against the Twins. I remember telling someone then “this guy’s going to be good.” And my love affair had begun.
Since that playoff run, I was D-Rob’s #1 fan and maintain that title to this day. His best season came two years later in 2011 when he finished with a 1.08 ERA, earned his only All-Star nod, and received down ballot Cy Young and MVP votes. He was the heir apparent to Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer ever, and he served that role well for one year before Brian Cashman ruined my life. He finished his first stint with the Yankees with a 2.81 ERA across 402 games before joining the White Sox in the South Side of Chicago in his first dalliance with free agency.
He spent two and a half seasons there before Brian Cashman made attempted to make amends with me personally and brought him back for the 2017 playoff push and run. That postseason we saw something truly remarkable out of Robertson when he came in and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings as the Yankees clawed their way back to steal victory out of Luis Severino’s hands in the one-and-done Wild Card game. His second stint in the Bronx ended after the 2018 season when Brian Cashman once again ruined my life.
His first stint with the Phillies would also be quickly forgotten as injury forced his two-year deal come down to just seven games in 2019 before he was shutdown and unable to return to the mound until 2021, missing the COVID-shortened 2020 season completely. However, he had an opportunity to suit up for Team USA at the Olympics, where he appeared in three games and helped the US Team earn the Silver Medal after losing to Japan in the finals.
His Olympics stint and overall resume was enough to earn him a flyer from the Rays to help bolster their bullpen for their own playoff push and run. Unfortunately, that Rays stint did not go great for him, but he was able to secure a free agent contract for his second stint in the city of Chicago, just this time he’d pitch for the Cubs. They eventually traded him to the Phillies for his second stint there and since then he’d bounce around to the Mets, Marlins, and Rangers until ultimately signing a midseason contract with the Phillies in 2025, which we now know would end up being his final season as a major leaguer.
The tail end of his career will likely soil some memories of him, but he really should be remembered fondly for a truly impressive career. It’s not often that someone gets drafted with the pedigree of a reliever and actually makes it to have a 15-year career. Not only that, but he’s a World Series champion, a World Baseball Classic gold medalist, and an Olympic silver medalist. He finishes his career with a 2.93 ERA, an ERA+ of 143, 179 saves, and 1176 strikeouts across 881 games. He’s not going to be a Hall of Famer (though he’d have my vote….which is only partially why I don’t have a vote), but he’s the pinnacle of what a truly good and stable relief pitcher should be.
Sure there were some bumps, but overall more good than bad and again a 15-year career as solely a relief pitcher is something truly remarkable in my books. That’s the most volatile position in the game and for him to have done that for as long as he did should be remembered fondly. I wrote his entry into PSA’s Top 100 Yankees series as well, and every year I’d show back up to plead my case to Brian Cashman to either sign him in free agency or trade for him at the deadline. This is why, even though I don’t show up often around here anymore, I jumped at the chance to write his retirement post. He helped me fall in love with the game when I was just getting into it, and he’s why relief pitchers are my favorite players and why I’ve been obsessed with them.
Thank you, D-Rob, for letting this one baseball fan fall in love with you. I’ll cherish the memories of wearing my socks high during those playoff runs you were part of, and sometimes even channeling your spirit for the ones you weren’t a part of as well. I’ll miss my annual tradition Congratulations on an amazing career and I wish you nothing but the best in retirement and on your next venture.
I knew this day would come, but I still think back to just commenting about D-Rob in the old PSA comments section before I even joined the staff year. Age comes for us all, I guess. But today we wear our socks high with pride for this Yankee that was, tomorrow, we hang them up even higher.
The Detroit Red Wings’ centennial season has given the historic franchise a chance not only to usher in a new era of Motor City hockey but also to reflect with fond nostalgia on the countless memories forged by the winningest U.S.-based NHL franchise.
Throughout their history, the Red Wings have featured some of the most iconic groups of players that eventually became known by instantly recognizable nicknames.
The famed "Production Line" consisting of Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, and Sid Abel helped to bring multiple championships to Detroit in the mid-20th century.
Later eras saw the legendary combination of Bob Probert and Joey Kocur, known affectionately as "The Bruise Brothers", followed by the iconic "Russian Five" of Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, Slava Fetisov, and Igor Larionov.
It was during that latter era that another legendary line combination was born: the Grind Line, a term coined by longtime team trainer John Wharton. Head coach Scotty Bowman, who drew inspiration from New Jersey’s “Crash Line,” built a grinding unit of Kris Draper with wingers Kirk Maltby and Kocur (and later, Darren McCarty).
Maltby, who was a 1992 third-round (65th overall) pick of the Edmonton Oilers, was traded to the Red Wings in March 1996 for defenseman Dan McGillis.
He explained that he initially wasn’t thrilled about the trade from the Oilers, who would go on to finish 10th in the Western Conference that season, because it meant leaving behind several teammates he had broken into the league with in a place he enjoyed playing.
"At that time when I got traded, we (the Oilers) weren't very good, we were a young and rebuilding team, but I was happy there," he said. "A bunch of us were young and were good friends and came into the League together, played together in the minors, just looking to build."
However, being traded to an established Stanley Cup contender like the Red Wings quickly eased any uneasiness he felt about the move. Having faced them multiple times with the Oilers, Maltby had already seen firsthand the star power that Detroit possessed
"My first year in the NHL was 1993-94, and obviously, the Red Wings were really good Cup contenders," he said. "So every time we played them over my first three years in the League before I was traded, we knew we'd have to bring our 'A' game just to keep it close."
"They had a great team, starting with Stevie (Yzerman), Sergei (Fedorov), Nick Lidstrom...they just had a great team," he continued. "When I got traded, I was upset initially because I loved where I was, and I wasn't sure what my role would be in Detroit. But once I got in and got settled, everything was fine, and the rest became history."
As Maltby explained, team balance is everything.
"Hockey, and I guess most team sports, you need to have different elements in different players," he said. "In hockey, there's obviously only one puck, and you have five guys that can jump over the boards at one time. Everyone wants to score, but not everyone can score. You need a good balance of offensive skilled guys, grinders, and physical guys, and a general mix of both."
"That was like Marty Lapointe, and then a high-end guy like (Brendan) Shanahan who could do both ends of it."
The Grind Line helped to power Detroit through the 1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs, gaining series victories over the St. Louis Blues, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and then the hated rival Colorado Avalanche in a rematch of the previous season's Western Conference Final.
Maltby would eventually grace the cover of "Sports Illustrated" after a two-goal performance in Game 4 of the series.
He emphasized just how unforeseen it was that things came together as they did, but how much they embraced it, as did the fans.
“It meant a lot—it’s obviously nothing we had foreseen or thought would come along,” he said of playing with Draper, Kocur and McCarty. “Drapes was already here, but he was traded here for $1, and then I was traded here; Joey went and got back in shape playing in the beer leagues.
“And the next thing you know, we start Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals against Philly. We had T-shirts with ‘The Grind Line’ on them, and we just kind of ran with it.”
It was Bowman who started the Grind Line in Game 1 of the 1997 Stanley Cup Final against the Philadelphia Flyers, and just minutes into the contest, Draper and Maltby broke in on a two-on-none rush, resulting in Maltby scoring over helpless Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall; Kocur later added a goal in the period.
Maltby then scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the following game, beating goaltender Garth Snow with a slapshot from just inside the blue line. He would later add an assist on Lidstrom's goal in the final minute of the first period of Game 4 in Detroit, and later skated the Stanley Cup for the first of what would be four times in his career.
"We all kind of complemented each other, and brought something different to the table; it just kind of worked out," he said. "To be on a line like that with those three guys, they're great guys. We all live in Michigan, and two of us work with the organization. It was a special bond when you went as far as we did."
Unfortunately, the collective euphoria of the Stanley Cup win was shattered just six days later when the news of the tragic limousine accident, which nearly claimed the lives of Konstantinov and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov, broke.
Fetisov, who was also in the limousine, suffered minor injuries and was able to play one more season, but such a comeback was impossible for Konstantinov.
"We just couldn't believe it happened just a week after we won," Maltby said of the accident. "We did the right thing with our extracurricular stuff, going golfing and knowing that we'd be drinking and having rides arranged by car services. For that to happen, it was beyond words."
One of the heaviest-hitting defensemen in the NHL, Konstantinov was feared by opponents for his brute force on the blue line and was a finalist for the Norris Trophy that fateful season.
"Not to get into detail, but I don't think that had it been any one of us in that accident with the injuries that Vladdy sustained, I don't know if we'd have pulled through it," Maltby said, which was a sheer testament to Konstantinov's fortitude. "Vladdy was so strong will-wise. Not just physically, but will-wise."
Konstantinov, who is wheelchair-bound, was one of the special guests on Jan. 12 for Fedorov's banner-raising ceremony and drew a massive ovation from the crowd filled with generations of Red Wings fans.
"Saw him at Sergei's banner raising, and he looks great," Maltby, who was also on the ice with several former Red Wings alumni for the ceremony, explained. "Obviously, he's not where he was before the accident, but to be able to say hi and to see him, it was great to take advantage of that."
Ultimately, the Red Wings would repeat as Stanley Cup champions the following season, which culminated in an emotional celebration with Konstantinov in his wheelchair on the M.C.I. Center Ice after they swept the Washington Capitals.
After accepting the Stanley Cup from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Yzerman placed the trophy on Konstantinov's lap
"The following year, we kept it within ourselves. We kept his stall, and we had the stone that said, "Believe", we had the patches. It was a year we played for him. Obviously, it's hard to win the Stanley Cup in general, let alone in back-to-back years."
"But for the team to be able to go out there and see Vladdy a couple times a year and to win it and bring him literally on the ice in his wheelchair and have the Stanley Cup on his lap and in the room - it was awesome."
Maltby echoed a sentiment expressed by Lidstrom in Detroit’s 1998 championship documentary, that in the aftermath of the devastating accident, the collective feeling around the team was wanting to give the Stanley Cup back if it meant that both Konstantinov and Mnatsakanov could be healthy."
"I think if we were able to give that Cup back and not have that accident, maybe the majority, if not all of us, would do it," he said. "Having a healthy Vladdy for the next 10, 12, 15 years, maybe we win more Cups than we ended up winning."
"We wanted to do right by him as best as we could....there's only so much you can do, and winning the Cup, basically in his honor, was the best we could do."
Serving as a special guest at Fedorov’s jersey retirement ceremony, Maltby said he not only enjoyed playing alongside him for nearly eight years but also marveled at his sheer skill.
"Sergei is a good person, first and foremost, regardless of the hockey aspect," he said. "I enjoyed my time with him, and I enjoyed watching him. He was a world-class player, and the types of players that Sergei was don't come around often."
Upon Fedorov’s departure from the team in 2003, Maltby said that while the Red Wings remained a contending squad, as they not only won the President’s Trophy three times in the next four seasons but also claimed the 2008 Stanley Cup, there was simply no replacing him.
"We were going to do the best we could to fill the void and replace him, but there's just no replacing a Sergei Fedorov," he said. "As much as we would have loved for him to stay, we know it's a business, especially moreso nowadays with the dollars that are thrown around."
"Sergei did his thing and kept playing and whatnot, but to see the reception that he got at the banner raising, I'm sure he was extremely happy, and I was super happy for him," he said. "Watching his wife and two kids see him speak and see the reaction from the crowd - I don't know how well the kids speak English, but I kind of got the sense that they were like, 'My Gosh, my Dad really is a big deal over here!'"
"We had the (team) dinner the night before, we had the banner raising, and got to spend a lot of time with Sergei over the course of two days. Hopefully we'll get to see him again soon, but I was so happy for him and his family that his number is in the rafters where it belongs."
Maltby, who was coached by Bowman for the first six and a half years of his tenure in Detroit, joked that he could talk for hours about not only the effect Bowman had on the entire team as a whole, but on his own career in particular.
"I loved my time with Scotty, I owe a lot of my career to Scotty," he said. "In saying that, I didn't talk to Scotty much - he didn't even really talk to a lot of the guys during our playing days. It would be a different story now, but without saying it, you know you had to play the way he wanted you to play and how your role was, and play your role, and do your job.
“I’m not saying we’re rocket scientists, but we’re not dumb either. You know when you’re playing well, and you know when you’re playing bad," he continued. "Scotty was one of those guys who, just because you had a bad game or shift, which everyone does, you didn’t suspect that you’d be out of the lineup.
“But if you had two or three bad games in a row, the next game, you might not be in the lineup. Scotty did a lot without saying anything per se; a lot of his conversations were aimed at the team, the general atmosphere in the dressing room. It was delivered to everyone."
Maltby continued by saying that while there were moments when the team didn't fully understand Bowman's reasoning, his track record at having already won the Stanley Cup as a head coach six times earlier in his career meant that he knew what he was doing.
“He did a lot of stuff that we kind of shook our heads at, yet he had a pretty good track record," Maltby said. "There wasn’t a need for too many questions, and whether you liked it or didn’t, you couldn’t argue.
“For all of us who were in this game, the ultimate goal as a kid was to win the Stanley Cup. To do it multiple times with him as head coach was special. Obviously, he had his share before that as well."
Maltby, who won the Stanley Cup three times under Bowman, was grateful for the opportunity to play for one of hockey’s most legendary figures, knowing he would continue to see the ice as long as he played the right way.
"He played me a lot," he said. "I got a lot of games under him year after year, and I felt that as long as I kept doing what I was doing, it was good for Scotty and was what he wanted."
Following Detroit's 2008 Stanley Cup win, Maltby played another two seasons, during which he and the Red Wings came within a victory of repeating as champions yet again in 2009.
He ended his playing career in 2010 after appearing in 908 games with the Red Wings, recording 107 goals and 115 assists. In 169 postseason games, Maltby added 16 goals and 15 assists.
There have now been 100 years of Motor City hockey, and Maltby carved out a pivotal role in some of their greatest triumphs.
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But team owner Jeff Vinik won't be able to attend the game that he helped bring to Raymond James Stadium because of a serious injury.
The Lightning announced Friday that Vinik had suffered a "major leg fracture" when he had a snowmobiling accident while on a recent vacation with his children.
"He is currently under the care of exceptional medical professionals and is expected to make a full recovery. While we are grateful he is doing well, the extent of the injury means he will unfortunately be unable to attend the Stadium Series game on Sunday," the team said in a statement.
"As an organization, we are deeply thankful for his resilience and dedication and although we are heartbroken we will miss this historic moment for the Tampa Bay Lightning, we know he will be watching and taking immense pride in what Team Tampa Bay has accomplished."
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 27: Logan Evans #73 of the Seattle Mariners pitches during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Saturday, September 27, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Olivia Vanni/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Mariners’ starting pitching depth took a hit today, as the Mariners announced starter Logan Evans had UCL reconstruction surgery with the internal brace procedure. The surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas.
Evans, 24, made his debut last year and pitched in 16 games for the Mariners, accruing 81.1 innings. He started 15 of those 16 games, filling in for a Mariners rotation that suffered a spate of injuries. While Evans didn’t pitch in the playoff run, his contributions down the stretch helped the Mariners patch together a workable rotation while the regular starters healed, allowing the team to go on a deep playoff run.
The highlight of Evans’ season was a May 27th start against Washington where he went eight innings, the longest start by any Mariners pitcher all season. He surrendered just one run over those eight innings, a solo home run to James Wood. That game was also remarkable because the Nationals ran out an Oops! All Lefties! lineup against the righty Evans, who became the first Mariners pitcher in decades to face an all-lefty lineup.
Evans did spend some time on the IL this past season with right elbow inflammation, missing a month starting in mid-August after being diagnosed with VEO, or “pitcher’s elbow.” However, imaging at the time did not show structural damage. Evans first felt the pain on an August 14th start against Baltimore; he was moved to the IL and underwent a treatment plan of rest and cortisone injections. Evans returned to the club late in the season and threw three innings in a game on September 27th against the Dodgers, but was left off the playoff roster as the team progressed into October.
The timeline for recovery for an internal brace procedure is closer to 12 months than the 18 months of traditional Tommy John surgery, so if all goes well in recovery Evans could return as soon as spring training 2027. That doesn’t ease the sting of losing him for this year, though; Ryan just did Evans’s 40 in 40, dissecting the curious nature of Evans the first time vs. second time through the order, and what adjustments could be made to bridge the two performances. Now we will have to wait an extra year to find out the answer to that question.
The Mariners have done an admirable job building depth so far this season, with the addition of Cooper Criswell as well as some stalwart minor-league signings like Dane Dunning and Randy Dobnak. But Evans was a known quantity and proven performer, and the loss stings. This shifts pressure to Emerson Hancock to continue figuring it out at the big-league level, and also turns up the temperature somewhat on top prospect Kade Anderson, who is yet to throw a professional pitch but is almost certain to be a quick mover once he does. In the meantime, we wish Logan Evans well in his recovery, and hope to be back to two Big Logans soon.
Just 13 months after its precursor officially emerged from bankruptcy, time is running out for Main Street Sports. A cash crunch and the flight of nine MLB partners has put the owner/operator of the FanDuel-branded RSNs on a collision course with insolvency.
As Main Street execs scramble for a financial lifeline, it appears increasingly unlikely the company will be able to secure a game-saving infusion of cash before an in-house deadline of Feb. 1. While the date isn’t necessarily binding—the discretionary target may present an opportunity for Main Street to continue its fundraising efforts into next week—the situation is a source of great concern for the 29 MLB, NBA and NHL franchises whose local TV rights are tied to the RSN group.
While there’s been some chatter about the possibility of a zero-hour reprieve, as talks with potential investors are ongoing, the recent cancellation of the nine MLB contracts is said to have made the unmistakable sound of the other shoe dropping. On Jan. 8, the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays terminated their legacy deals with Main Street, a split precipitated by a series of missed payments.
Some of the teams are said to have entertained the notion of reuniting with Main Street in the event it can cut a deal with an investor/buyer, but with pitchers and catchers due to report for the first of their spring workouts in three weeks, time is tight. On the most quotidian level, advertising commitments must be procured ahead of the 2026 MLB campaign, and while many sponsors have multiyear deals in place, the RSNs cannot afford to stagger into the coming baseball season with anything less than a 90% sell-through rate.
Earlier this month, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league would backstop the teams that elected to cut ties with their RSNs. “We are prepared,” Manfred said. “Even if all nine end up without an alternative, MLB will have them. They will be available on cable in the markets, and there will be a digital alternative.”
MLB’s in-house media arm currently handles local TV and streaming distribution for seven clubs: the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals. While the prospect of taking responsibility for another nine teams isn’t necessarily ideal, MLB has the infrastructure in place to provide a seamless transition. (Any such emergency measures would be temporary, as Manfred plans to bring MLB’s local rights to market ahead of the expiration of its national deals in 2028.)
“No matter what happens, Major League Baseball is in a position to put all of the games on locally and to make a digital streaming product available in-market for those fans,” Manfred said a few weeks ago. “They will never miss a game.”
Barring a last-minute reprieve, Main Street could find itself in full-on liquidation mode as early as next week—or well into the second halves of the current NBA and NHL seasons. The NBA is said to have begun war-gaming for such a scenario even before Main Street missed payments to a number of its teams at the top of the year, while the NHL also has fleshed out a backup plan. Both leagues are eyeing a mix of in-market TV arrangements with local station owners and streaming via their respective subscription platforms.
Unlike the Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy saga, which spanned 20 months and erased more than $9 billion in debt, another drawn-out reorganization effort isn’t in the cards for Main Street. Should the company fail to find a buyer, the next stop is Chapter 7.
Unfortunately for the RSNs and the teams under contract to Main Street, the endemic conditions that derailed Diamond haven’t abated. Subscribers continue to flee the legacy pay-TV bundle, and at last count the total number of U.S. homes paying for a traditional cable/satellite package had fallen to 43.2 million, bringing penetration down to just 34%. Even when virtual MVPDs are thrown in along with the old-school providers, the overall tally (64.8 million subs) represents just 51% of homes that use television.
As it happens, the Diamond court proceedings made it clear that a post-reorg cash crunch was all but inevitable. In one projection, Diamond estimated that total linear TV revenue would decline 19% in 2025 from $2.17 billion to $1.75 billion, while this year’s haul was expected to drop to $1.65 billion. According to an unaudited projected income statement filed in April 2024 with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston, Diamond anticipated that carriage fees would plummet 28% in the next two years, resulting in a net loss of $498 million in distribution revenue.
In spite of that steady drumbeat of subscriber churn, the FanDuel RSNs in 2025 saw their MLB ratings improve by 18%, with in-game coverage averaging 1.5 million viewers across all platforms. Per internal Main Street estimates, MLB games last season accounted for more than 2.8 billion minutes of consumption, good for twice the engagement earned in 2024.
The fact that MLB deliveries grew in the face of the steady exodus from the pay-TV model certainly would seem to indicate that sports fans are keeping the bundle from disintegrating altogether, but that and $3 gets you a ride on the F train. When cable was at the height of its powers in 2010, approximately 105 million Americans bought into the bundle. But for ESPN, the RSNs commanded the highest carriage fees on the dial; thus, tens of millions of consumers who only flipped past their local RSN while on their way to a non-sports destination were passively subsidizing the channels they never watched.
But that was 16 years ago, an eternity in media time. Unless a deep-pocketed savior arrives within the next couple of days, the Main Street RSNs are about to go the way of the infield shift.
The Buffalo Sabres continue to be the hottest club in the NHL, winning 4-1 over the Los Angeles Kings for their fifth victory in a row on Thursday. The Sabres are now eight points up on the Florida Panthers in the race for a playoff spot, and tied with Boston and Montreal for third place in the Atlantic Division, but winger Alex Tuch, who scored a hat trick in the win, was thinking of higher goals after the game.
"We're coming in with a lot of confidence. "Everybody's coming in trying to prove themselves, and we're trying to prove as a team that we're legit. We're not just going to go for the playoffs. We're going to go for the Cup," Tuch said. "That's our goal, to get better each and every day. That's it. That's the end goal. We're not in here just to squeak in. We're here to try to keep winning."
While it is understandable that Buffalo is brimming with confidence after going 20-3-1 in the last 24 games and rising like a phoenix from the ashes, that has to be balanced with the fact that they were in last place in the Eastern Conference in mid-December after firing GM Kevyn Adams and that everything is going right since.
Could Rasmus Dahlin win a Norris Trophy?
Are the real Sabres the team that struggled through the first third of the season, or the one that has been arguably the best club in the league in the middle third? One thing is for certain, this confident young squad and head coach Lindy Ruff wishes they could keep playing based on how hot they are.
"It's hard to say (whether the break will be a good or bad thing)," Ruff said earlier in the week. "I think we've pushed hard. I think you've got to use that break to get refreshed, but at the same time, you've got to use it to be ready from day one as soon as it starts right afterwards."
Buffalo has two more home games against Montreal on Saturday and Pittsburgh next Thursday, with back-to-back road games in Florida against the Panthers on Monday and Lightning on Tuesday sandwiched in between before breaking for the Olympics for nearly three weeks.
The St. Louis Blues have recalled winger Matt Luff from the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds for the second time in as many days.
The recall is once again on an emergency basis as the Blues have several players who are considered game-time decisions but will likely play on Saturday.
Neighbours and Jimmy Snuggerud were absent from practice today due to maintenance, and both are game-time decisions on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pius Suter is also a game-time decision.
Luff will most likely be sent back down to the Thunderbirds prior to puck drop, like he and McGing were yesterday, but if a spot in the lineup opens up because several players aren’t able to play, the Blues will have the insurance that Luff can slide into the lineup.
The 28-year-old Luff has scored one goal in five games in the NHL this season, while pouring in 13 goals and 33 points in 33 AHL games.
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The Winnipeg Jets were outmatched Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning and fell 4-1 in a decisive loss. The defeat adds to a string of struggles for the Jets, who have now lost five of their last seven games just as they were beginning to gain momentum.
Winnipeg's trajectory continues downward and could worsen with their challenging remaining schedule. The Jets currently hold a 21-25-7 record, tied with the St. Louis Blues for the third-worst record in the Western Conference.
They still face difficult matchups, including three more games against the Colorado Avalanche, two against the Dallas Stars, and single games against the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, and Tampa Bay Lightning, the team that just defeated them.
The Jets' road ahead will not get easier and their chances of climbing out of the league basement are diminishing. Time is also running short for the organization to make key decisions about the team’s direction.
According to insiders at TSN, the Jets are still trying to compete and see if they can make a playoff push. Meanwhile, the Olympic trade freeze begins next Wednesday, a period when many believe trades will start to take shape. Once the Olympics conclude, the trade deadline follows on March 6.
They must act quickly as the team can either make moves to strengthen the roster and attempt a turnaround or trade pending free agents and begin planning for next season. Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff faces a shrinking window to make decisions. Acting promptly would give him the ability to field trade offers and pursue players without being rushed.
The next two games before the trade freeze will provide insight into the team’s strategy, as the Jets face the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on the road followed by a matchup with one of the top teams in the conference, the Dallas Stars.
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Jokic has been out since Dec. 29, when he hyper-extended his right knee and suffered a bone bruise. The Nuggets went an impressive 10-5 in his absence, with Jamal Murray carrying the team (and looking like he should make his first All-Star team as a reserve, announced on Sunday).
Missing 15 games means Jokic can miss one more this season and still be eligible for postseason awards. Jokic was an MVP frontrunner when he was injured, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11 assists per game. His chance at a fourth MVP award is a long shot if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays 10 or more games than him, but Jokic certainly would still make an All-NBA team and be in consideration for other awards.
Getting Jokic back on the court is a big plus, but this is a Nuggets team still ravaged by injuries. The Nuggets are without starters Aaron Gordon (hamstring strain, out 4-6 weeks), Christian Braun (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (knee). Murray is day-to-day with a hamstring issue himself.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 31: Anderson Brito #36 of the Scottsdale Scorpions throws a pitch during an Arizona Fall League game against the Salt River Rafters at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on October 31, 2025 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Acquired in the Brandon Lowe trade, Brito has three plus pitches with a fastball that touches 100 with cut-ride, and two breakers in a mid-80s curveball with surprising depth and a mid-80s slider he commands best. He also mixes in a developing low-90s cutter and a scattershot but intriguing mid-80s changeup with strong velocity and movement separation, with some added deception from his smaller frame helping limit hard contact. The concern is control, as he’s posted below-average strike rates in A-ball across 2024–25 and lacks consistent feel outside the slider, leaving him to project as a slightly wild, high-leverage reliever for now. Still, with multiple plus pitches, improved durability, and meaningful command gains, he has mid-rotation starter upside, giving him possibly the widest range of outcomes on this list. Baseball Prospectus describes him as having “Shohei Ohtani’s stuff with Johnny Cueto’s body.”
Rank
Player
Position
Votes
Total
Percentage
Last Season
1
Carson Williams
SS
14
25
56%
1
2
Brody Hopkins
RHP
19
25
76%
8
3
Jacob Melton
OF
14
28
50%
N/A
4
Theo Gillen
OF
14
26
54%
13
5
Ty Johnson
RHP
12
25
48%
15
6
Daniel Pierce
SS
13
23
57%
N/A
7
Jadher Areinamo
INF
15
28
54%
N/A
8
TJ Nichols
RHP
13
28
46%
N/R
9
Michael Forret
RHP
8
33
24%
NA
10
Santiago Suarez
RHP
11
30
37%
16
11
Anderson Brito
RHP
7
28
25%
N/A
Brito is arguably a top-5 prospects based on stuff, but with the projected outcomes so varied, he slots in to 11 on our list. It was a very close vote, with four prospects getting at least 5 votes. Brito narrowly edged X-man, who just got an invite to Spring Training, by one vote — a player that received a vote as far back as the first vote in our polling.
Testers suggested Chandler Simpson for this upcoming round, but he exceeded rookie limits during 2025 season, and I’m feeling grateful I don’t have to write up his profile this year. Simpson could be the fastest man in baseball, but his bat completely disappeared at the AAA/MLB level. Tough projection! Instead, we’ll add Aidan Smith.
Candidates
Caden Bodine, C 22 | S/R| 5’10” | 200 A (BAL) | .326/.408/.349 (133 wRC+) 49 PA, 0 HR, 0 SB, 5 BB, 8 K
Drafted 30th overall in 2025, Bodine was acquired in the Shane Baz trade. He profiles as a relatively safe prospect thanks to 60 grade bat-to-ball skills, and comfortably-plus blocking and receiving behind the plate. There is some concern that his smaller frame limits him to fringe power, but those concerns are off-set by solid plate discipline from both sides of the plate; his sweeter swing is left handed. All catching prospects will see their value proposition shift with the challenge system, but his defensive actions, leadership, and receiving give him real value, projecting him as a solid major league contributor.
Slater de Brun, OF 18 | L/L | 5’10” | 187
Drafted 37th overall in 2025, through a draft pick traded by the Rays, de Brun was essentially re-acquired in the Shane Baz trade. Like many Rays outfield prospects he’s not expected to develop much power, but compensates with an ability to hit to all fields, and has the benefit of years to develop. His hit tool rates plus thanks to a quick, compact swing, and his double-plus speed elevates both his baserunning and range in center; he has a solid arm and can stick long term. The key to his development will be improving pitch selection to maximize his power potential. Despite not yet playing in a pro game, he’s a good bet to skip the complex league and debut in Charleston this season.
Homer Bush Jr. 24 | R/R | 6’3” | 215 AA | .301/.375/.360 (122 wRC+) 546 PA, 0 HR, 57 SB, 8.8% BB, 17.9% K
Acquired in the 2024 Jason Adam trade, the starting center fielder at Double-A passed the test of advanced pitching, but just barely. He lacks in-game power due to a lack of use of his lower half in his swing, and he whiffed more often than you can for long term success with a low-power approach. His calling cards are Rays-grade defense and plus-speed, having notably swiped 57 bags in back-to-back seasons.
Nathan Flewelling, C 19 | L/R | 6’2” | 200 A | .229/.393/.336 (126 wRC+) 439 PA, 6 HR, 9 SB, 20.3% BB, 27.6% K A+ | 22 PA, 4 H, 5 BB, 6 K
The 94th overall pick from 2024, Flewelling made his debut at 18 years young and caught a full season (75 C, 26 DH), plus a five game cup of coffee (3 C, 2 DH). Taking the longview, he could grow into 50-60 grade power with 50 grade defense, which makes him one to follow. His plus zone awareness at the plate offsets his lagging contact, and most importantly for the position his ability to call games and frame pitches are already plus. A strong season with the bat at High-A could vault him into Top-100 consideration.
Harrison entered the season as Baseball America’s top pitcher in the system thanks to a cleaned up delivery and high heat. He ran into some bumps in the road by running up his pitch count against batters, but he still made it over 100 innings in 22 starts. A power pitcher through and through, his hard slider flirts with cutter classification and could evolve into two distinct pitches down the road. It will be interesting to see how his change up plays as he’s challenged at higher levels, but for now he has premium stuff and the upside of a rotation anchor. (video)
Isaac had his season cut short large-in-part due to the discovery of a brain tumor, disrupting an otherwise great start to the season that duplicated his cup of coffee in Double-A as a 20-year old, despite some minor arm injuries along the way. He has the best power projection in the system, and if he can hold his own for a full season in 2026 — particularly against southpaws, which is somewhat of a concern — the former first round pick (29th overall, 2021) could see his status restored near the top of the Rays prospect rankings.
Morgan continued to hit without power in 2025, a great discouragement for some evaluators, but his present 50-grade hit tool and feel for the zone allow a major league projection. He continued his improved, quieter two-strike approach in 2025 that built on his success retooling his swing in the AFL last year. The Rays gave Morgan 14 starts in Left Field last season, and Baseball America called the defense “playable,” but his value is tied to his plus-plus defense at First.
Acquired in the Arozarena trade, Smith became the prince who was promised, a five tool athlete with a strong bat, good face, and a preternatural glove in center field. That promise unraveled a bit in 2025, with his strikeout rate rocketing nine percent and his power stroke faltering after facing harder velocities in High-A, causing both his hit and power grades to drop into the 40’s. It was a full transformation into a “center field” profile, but with his ceiling that’s not a compliment. He plays with a fire, but the dip in contact rate left some evaluators feeling burned.
Brendan Summerhill, OF 22 | L/R | 6’3” | 200 A | .333/.429/.444 (160 wRC+) 42 PA, 0 HR, 5 SB, 6 BB, 5 K
Following an All-Star performance at the Cape Cod summer league, Summerhill exhibited some of the best bat-to-ball skills in NCAA as a junior at Arizona. His draft stock took a minor hit due to injury (broken hand from from punching a cooler) and was drafted 42nd overall, but Summerhill rebounded well with a dominant stop at Charleston to finish the year. Summerhill has plus barrel control, allowing for a high-contact approach for his long swing. He has plus speed as well, which provides a chance to stick in center. Evaluators would like to see more power to complete a five-tool profile. Even if the power doesn’t materialize, it’s an above average contributor’s projection.
Jose Urbina, RHP 20 | 6’3” | 180 A | 2.05 ERA, 3.58 FIP, 92.1 IP (19 GS), 26.4% K, 8.2% BB A+ | 2 ER (2 HR), 4.0 IP (1 GS), 5 K, 0 BB
Good pitchers grow and adjust, and Urbina has done that consistently at an age young for his level. Physically he has grown in strength, sitting at 96 with the fastball after flashing high octane in 2024, and technically he has grown, refining his dialed up slider and his two-plane curveball into complementary pitches — which lack plus command but are thrown with feel. He shouldered a starter’s workload at 19, and was awarded one additional start at High-A, where he allowed two solo shots and struck out five. Overall, the age, body, and body of work have him on the trajectory of top prospect lists in the near future.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Detroit Red Wings have clear trade priorities as they approach the Olympic trade freeze and the March 6 trade deadline. Reports indicate that GM Steve Yzerman is focused on acquiring a second-line center and a top-four defenseman. With multiple players available at both positions, it will be interesting to see which direction Detroit ultimately takes.
On Friday, we highlighted three potential options for the Red Wings at second-line center, including some surprising names. This time, we turn our attention to the defensive side of the roster and examine several options Detroit could explore.
Similar to the approach with centers, the team could target veteran players with little contract term to provide short-term help without blocking the development of prospects. Alternatively, they could pursue players with longer contracts, which aligns with Yzerman’s preference and could give Detroit a meaningful asset for years to come.
With that in mind, we have identified several potential targets across these approaches and narrowed the list to three players who present compelling cases in terms of expected cost, age, and potential impact for the Red Wings.
Justin Faulk
St. Louis has struggled this season, and many expect the Blues to be sellers at the trade deadline. One of their most valuable assets likely to be on the market is 33-year-old defenseman Justin Faulk. A Minnesota native, Faulk has played over 1,000 NHL games and has been an unexpectedly strong offensive contributor this season, recording 11 goals and 16 assists for 27 points in 54 games.
Faulk is the oldest defender among the candidates but also the most experienced as a top-four defenseman, consistently playing 22 to 24 minutes per game in all but one of his 15 NHL seasons. He is a three-time All-Star with Stanley Cup experience and still has plenty to offer, making him an attractive option for a Red Wings team seeking a veteran presence who can contribute offensively.
While he carries a $6.5 million cap hit with two years remaining on his contract, acquiring Faulk could be a bold move that strengthens the Red Wings’ defensive depth.
He could pair effectively with Albert Johansson on the bottom pairing, adding stability while allowing Jacob Bernard-Docker to move into a seventh-defenseman role and fill in on either side when needed, as he recently did for the injured Simon Edvinsson on the top pairing. Faulk’s offensive ability could also provide an additional scoring threat on the ice, potentially boosting the team’s overall attack.
The pending restricted free agent from New York would likely require the biggest investment of any player on this list but could also have the most impact. The 24-year-old Saskatchewan native has shown flashes as a solid defensive defenseman for the Rangers in recent years.
However, the transition to the system and structure under newly hired coach Mike Sullivan has not suited Schneider’s style of play. Many believe that if given the opportunity with a new team, the former 19th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft could return to form as a reliable defender.
Still very young, Schneider has the potential to develop into an effective top-four defenseman for years to come. Being a restricted free agent under team control this summer means any team pursuing him will need to impress Chris Drury and New York’s management.
Detroit is one of the few teams with the draft picks, prospects, and assets to make a trade for Schneider feasible, though it will ultimately depend on whether they feel a deal offers enough value.
Logan Stanley
The Winnipeg Jets are in the midst of one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds in NHL history, though not in the way you might expect. Unlike the football example of Curt Cignetti and the Indiana Hoosiers, the Jets went from Stanley Cup contenders and Presidents’ Trophy winners last season to one of the league’s worst teams this year.
One of the few bright spots has been pending free agent Logan Stanley, a former 18th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. While he might not fit into the Red Wings’ top-four, Stanley could be a solid addition to the bottom pairing.
He is primarily a left-shot defenseman, which does not align perfectly with Detroit’s reported preference for right-handed defensemen, although he can play both sides and the Red Wings may already exploring the possibility of acquiring him.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that the Red Wings and Jets have a match in potential trade discussions. While Friedman did not confirm which player has been the focus, he speculated it could be either Stanley or veteran Luke Schenn.
At 27, Stanley is the younger and longer-term option compared to 36-year-old Schenn. This season, Stanley is enjoying a career year with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 52 games, mainly on the bottom pairing.
Standing six-foot-seven, Stanley would give Detroit a second towering presence on defense alongside Simon Edvinsson. He likely will not cost much unless a bidding war develops. Adding him would provide valuable depth and could allow the Red Wings to bring him back if he proves to be a solid fit at an agreeable number for both sides.
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Jokic must meet the NBA's 65-game threshold to be eligible to win MVP and missed his 16th game of the season when the Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 29. He can only miss one more game the rest of the regular season and still be eligible for the league's end-of-season awards.
Here's the latest injury update on Jokic ahead of the Nuggets' game against the Clippers on Friday, Jan. 30:
Jokic is officially listed as questionable on the Nuggets' latest NBA injury report ahead of Friday's game against the Clippers. But ESPN reported Jokic is planning to return to action when Denver hosts the Clippers.
Nikola Jokic injury update
Jokic suffered a hyperextended knee that the team later diagnosed as a bone bruise in a Dec. 29 loss to the Miami Heat. The initial diagnosis called for the team to re-evaluate him in a month.
Jokic has been seen ramping up his on-court activity during recent pre-game warmups, appearing on the floor for light dribbling and shooting. He has worn a black pad over the injured knee during these sessions. Nuggets coach David Adelman said during a recent interview on Altitude Sports Radio that the team hoped he would be back before the NBA All-Star break begins on Feb. 14.
That timeline looks to have sped up and Jokic's return is suddenly imminent.
Nikola Jokic stats
Jokic is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists over 32 games during the 2025-26 NBA regular season. He's also shooting a career-best 43.5% from 3-point range.
In head-to-head leagues, it all comes down to the weekend. You can have a comfortable lead in multiple categories or by a bunch of points, but if you don’t make the most of the weekend, you can walk out with a loss.
Ten teams play once this weekend, including the Hawks, Hornets, Mavericks, Warriors, Rockets, Pacers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Thunder and 76ers. Avoid those teams if you’re looking to maximize your games played.
That’s often what it comes down to in standard points and category leagues, but that’s not always the case. Leagues with some sort of games cap or best ball formats like Yahoo High Score leagues aren’t just looking for volume, though having two chances at a big night is a good strategy in best ball leagues.
Absolute must-start: Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
Pritchard has enjoyed a fantastic season in Boston with the team looking drastically different from last year. He’s averaging career highs in points and assists despite a slight drop in efficiency due to a bump in minutes and usage. He’s gone from an electric scorer off the bench to a high-level point guard for one of the best teams in the East.
This weekend, he gets to take on the Kings and Bucks, with both teams posting bottom-five defensive ratings over their last 10 games. On top of that, Jaylen Brown is doubtful due to a right knee contusion and left hamstring tightness, meaning there will be plenty of extra shots for Pritchard as the focal point of the offense. He should be in for two big nights, but in three games without Brown this year, Pritchard has averaged 25.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 3.3 triples per game. Friday night should be a monster outing.
Guards
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
NAW has become a regular on this list. He has scored at least 20 points in three straight games and, entering a matchup with Indiana on Saturday, that should continue. The Hawks and Pacers are sixth and seventh in pace over their last 10 games, meaning this should be a high-scoring affair. NAW has been a beast all season, which makes him worth starting despite only playing one game this weekend.
Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies
Ty Jerome (calf) is getting closer to making his season debut, but for now, Spencer will remain the starting point guard in Memphis. That isn’t to say Jerome will start over him when healthy, but Spencer will certainly lose out on some minutes. This weekend, they take on the Pelicans and Timberwolves, with New Orleans struggling on defense lately and Minnesota playing at a top-five pace over their last 10 games. Spencer has averaged 10.8 assists over his last six starts.
Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings
Russell Westbrook has been ruled out for a second straight game with a foot injury, which should lead to another start for Schröder. As a starter on Thursday, he finished with 27 points, four rebounds and five 3-pointers in 31 minutes. He’ll start against the Celtics on Friday and could remain in that role if Westbrook remains out against Washington on Sunday. Schröder hasn’t done much this year, but this weekend should be productive.
Forwards
Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Bailey has been on fire recently and should be in for a productive weekend. The Jazz take on the Nets on Friday without Lauri Markkanen, who is getting a rest night. Toronto is a tougher matchup on Sunday, but Bailey has been playing well enough that one difficult matchup shouldn’t deter fantasy managers. The top-five draft pick should be a fantasy star to close out this season, with high-level production already seeping in over the past week.
Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards
George has been playing at a high level recently, and with matchups against two teams that have bottom-five defensive ratings over their last 10 games, he should keep that going. Over his last eight games, George is averaging 19.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.9 blocks and 2.4 triples per game. He’s entering fantasy superstar territory, and should shine against the Lakers and Kings.
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Jaquez is another regular on this list, largely because he’s still only rostered in 39% of Yahoo leagues. With Tyler Herro still out with a rib injury, Jaquez should continue to shine. He just had 19 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals against the Bulls on Thursday, and he gets two more matchups against them on Saturday and Sunday. Jaquez has shot at least 60% from the floor in three straight games and should be able to stay hot against a subpar defense.
Centers
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
This may be an obvious one, but it’s to stress just how favorable this weekend is for Duren. The Pistons take on the Warriors and Nets. Golden State ranks 26th in rebounding percentage over the last 10 games, and Brooklyn is 23rd during that same stretch. Duren is currently sixth in the league in rebounds and is ninth in rebounding percentage among players who have played at least 25 games. He has been a beast all season and should own the paint twice this weekend.
Sandro Mamukelashvili, Toronto Raptors
Mamu was pushed to the bench for Toronto’s last game, but he’ll continue to play big minutes whether he’s starting or not. This weekend, the Raptors take on the Magic and Jazz, with Orlando ranking 24th in defensive rating over their last 10 games and Utah ranking last during that same stretch. Mamu has had some big nights recently and should remain productive this weekend.
Jalen Smith, Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey (hamstring) missed Thursday’s game and could certainly remain out on Saturday and Sunday. Smith started in his place on Thursday prior to an early exit with a calf injury. If Smith plays, he should continue to start and be productive in that role against a fast-paced Heat team. He had 11 points and five rebounds in 15 minutes prior to leaving the game.
Note that Smith could miss time with the calf injury, so if he is out, Ayo Dosunmu should start in his place as he did for the second half of Thursday’s game. Dosunmu would be a must-start if Smith is out after scoring 23 points off the bench on Thursday.
Christian Koloko, Atlanta Hawks
Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) will remain out against Indiana on Saturday, which means another start for Koloko. The Pacers have struggled to defend the paint for most of the season, so Koloko should be more productive, especially with both teams playing at a fast pace recently. He doesn’t have much upside as a scorer, but he should be effective on the glass and as a shot-blocker.
