Islanders Alter Power Play Unit Ahead Of Game vs. Edmonton
Ahead of their game against the Edmonton Oilers, the New York Islanders have made some changes to their power play.
The Rematch: Islanders' Matthew Schaefer vs. Edmonton's McDavid & Draisaitl — Part 2Rookie phenom Matthew Schaefer faces McDavid and Draisaitl again, minutes and stakes higher. Can he prove his growth against hockey's elite?After going 0-for-6 for the first three games of their seven-game road trip, power-play coach Ray Bennett has elected to play Simon Holmstrom on the top unit, moving the struggling Jonathan Drouin to the second unit.
#Isles PP this morning.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) January 15, 2026
PP1
Schaefer
Barzal-Holmstrom-Heineman
Ritchie
PP2
DeAngelo
Drouin-Duclair-Shabanov
Lee
This change did happen late in their 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, I believe.
Holmstrom has been playing at the top of his game as of late, with four goals and one assist over his last four games. Drouin, who signed a two-year deal this summer worth $4 million annually, has gone 23 games without a goal. He has six assists over that span.
The Islanders' power play sits last in the NHL at 15.2 percent. They've been, more or less, able to overcome the man-advantage issues this season thanks to strong defense and tremendous goaltending, both of which have played a part in their penalty-kill bounce-back.
We'll see if Holmstrom can take advantage of his elevated power-play role.
Puck drop between the Islanders and Oilers comes your way at 9 PM ET.
3 bold Knicks trade proposals ahead of 2026 deadline
The Knicks have hit a bit of a midseason rough patch, now 2-6 in their last eight games, missing Jalen Brunson, and in danger of falling out of the second seed.
With the season at a pivotal juncture, fans and even management may not be satisfied only making a modest upgrade at the incoming trade deadline.
New York’s cap, asset, and tradable talent limitations have left the rumor mill and fan base’s potential outcomes resigned to acquiring Jose Alvarado or Jeremy Sochan.
But if the losing continues and the Knicks get desperate, here are three bold trade ideas they can consider instead...
Knicks get: Cam Thomas
Nets get: Guerschon Yabusele and Tyler Kolek
What the Knicks lack in maneuverability they can make up for in pure, unadulterated risk-taking with this move. Thomas' value seemingly can’t be lower after a no-bid free agency followed by the Nets finding competence in his absence, which makes him an attractive candidate for an asymmetric trade.
New York would be risking a couple of reserve bodies, including Kolek, who remains a promising bench guard. This deal comes with a price if Thomas blows up across the river as well.
But if this trade can set Thomas right and get him to buy into a contender, the Knicks would get more than just another reliable ball-handler. He’s one of the most gifted young scorers in the league, a three-level threat who would be far more dangerous in a pointed role off the bench.
Yes, this trade is the basketball equivalent of your friend pitching you on the unheard-of stock trading at $0.12 that he swears is going to the moon. But the Knicks don’t have much more than $0.12 to spend, and need to find a rocket fast.
Knicks get: Ivica Zubac
Clippers get: Mitchell Robinson, Yabusele, 2026 Wizards protected first round pick, 2032 Knicks first round pick
If Thomas is the penny stock, Zubac is the giant real estate development your well-off grandfather helped funnel your savings into. The Knicks take a swing on a real upgrade at center in talent and reliability without gutting their rotation.
Zubac is coming off a career-year in which he averaged 16.8 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks on 63 percent shooting from the field, made All-Defensive Second Team, and had a case to be an All-Star. He started off slower this year but is back at cruising altitude. While he isn’t the offensive rebounding freak Robinson is, he brings much more to the table overall.
Brunson would get his first real dynamic roll threat since Isaiah Hartenstein, someone who can screen hard, dive, and read the defense to make the right read. His low-post scoring is a major threat, too, offensive options that are largely off the table when Robinson’s playing.
The price might look steep, but the market appears hot for Zubac’s services and the Clippers have little incentive to move him unless they’re getting a nice return. Even this package might not be enough, but if Los Angeles is willing to hear it out, New York has to consider a move like this.
Knicks get: Jaren Jackson Jr.
Grizzlies get: Josh Hart, Robinson, Pacome Dadiet, 2026 Wizards protected first round pick, 2030 Knicks first round pick swap, 2032 Knicks first round pick, up to five second-round picks
Something short of a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, but in the same vein of one last all-in push to make the Finals. This would absolutely decimate New York’s asset pile, but land them an All-Star two-way player that solves a few of their problems at once.
That would require Jackson returning to some of his past glory, as this season has been a down one for him. If he can tap into the player who won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23, or averaged 22 points on 38 percent shooting from three last season, the Knicks could make real noise with him.
Losing Hart, a core piece of the team’s identity and best friend of the team’s best player, won’t be an easy pill to swallow. But he has his flaws -- size and how defenses treat him from behind the arc. Same goes for Robinson, who is limited offensively and can’t make free throws.
Jackson isn’t perfect, but he can be a defensive upgrade at the four, make up for some of New York’s lack of size, somewhat spread the floor, and slide down to the five at times if needed. He also happens to be a former client of Leon Rose, making him a more realistic target than one would think.
The price is the price, especially with the return Memphis got for Desmond Bane. But if the Knicks feel their backs approaching the wall, and this is the trade that’s available to them, why wouldn’t they at least consider it?
Clayton Kershaw not quite done pitching, will play for U.S. in World Baseball Classic
CARY, N.C. — Clayton Kershaw isn’t done pitching just yet, agreeing to join the U.S. team for this year’s World Baseball Classic.
A left-hander who turns 38 two days after the March 17 championship game, Kershaw announced last September that he was retiring at the end of the season, his 18th in a stellar career for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He won his third World Series title and finished 223-96 with a 2.53 ERA and 3,052 strikeouts.
The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner wanted to pitch for the Americans in the 2023 tournament but was prevented because of insurance issues at a time he had a one-year, $20 million contract with the Dodgers.
New Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman also announced he will join the U.S. team.
Kershaw joins a U.S. pitching staff that includes right-handers David Bednar, Clay Holmes, Griffin Jax, Nolan McLean, Mason Miller, Joe Ryan, Paul Skenes and Logan Webb along with left-handers Tarik Skubal and Gabe Speier.
The American roster also includes catchers Cal Raleigh and Will Smith; infielders Ernie Clement, Gunnar Henderson, Brice Turang and Bobby Witt Jr.; outfielders Byron Buxton, Corbin Carroll, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Aaron Judge; and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.
The U.S., which lost the 2023 championship game to Japan, opens March 6 against Brazil at Houston, part of a group that also includes Brazil, Britain, Italy and Mexico.
Michael Lorenzen and the Colorado Rockies finalize 1-year, $8 million contract
DENVER — Right-hander Michael Lorenzen and the Colorado Rockies finalized their one-year, $8 million contract.
Lorenzen gets a $7.75 million million salary this year, and the deal includes a $9 million club option for 2027 with a $250,000 buyout plus award bonuses.
Right-hander Bradley Blalock was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.
Lorenzen, 34, was 7-11 with a 4.64 ERA in 26 starts and one relief appearance last year for Kansas City, which guaranteed him $7 million in a one-year deal. He earned an additional $1 million in performance bonuses for innings and games pitched.
Lorenzen struck out a career-high 127 in 141 2/3 innings, but also tied for the major league lead with 12 wild pitches.
Colorado has lost 101 or more games in each of the past three years, including a major league-high 119 in 2025. It’s last winning record was 91-72 in 2018.
Paul DePodesta was hired as Colorado’s president of baseball operations in November, and Warren Schaeffer was promoted to full-time manager after finishing last season as the interim skipper.
The current nucleus for the rebuilding Rockies includes All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. The team also selected shortstop Ethan Holliday with the No. 4 pick in last year’s amateur draft.
Lorenzen broke into the majors with Cincinnati in 2015. He is 54-55 with a 4.08 ERA in 395 career appearances, also pitching for Texas, Detroit, Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Angels.
Lorenzen was traded from Detroit to Philadelphia on Aug. 1, 2023. He threw a no-hitter in his home debut with the Phillies, striking out five and issuing four walks in a 7-0 victory over Washington.
He would get $100,000 each for winning an MVP award or Cy Young Award and $50,000 for second through fifth in the voting. Lorenzen also would earn $100,000 apiece for BBWAA Reliever of the Year and Rivera/Hoffman Reliever of the Year, and $50,000 for second through fifth in the BBWAA voting and second or third in the Rivera/Hoffman.
He would earn $100,000 for World Series MVP, $75,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $100,000 for Comeback Player of the Year and $25,000 each for All-Star selection and winning a Gold Glove.
Tour de France reveals the six UK stage plans for historic 2027 Grands Départs
British roads will host the start of both races next year
First time both Grands Départs have been outside France
The men’s Tour de France will start in Scotland for the first time in 2027 and make its first visit to Wales when Britain stages the Grand Départ of the men’s and women’s races in the biggest festival of elite cycling on the isles since London 2012.
Across six days of racing on British roads, the men’s Tour will visit Edinburgh, Carlisle, Keswick, Liverpool, Welshpool and Cardiff, while the Tour de France Femmes races from Leeds to Manchester, then to Sheffield and also includes a central London stage. On Thursday night all host cities were illuminated by yellow beams in recognition of them staging the Tour.
Continue reading...NBA Trade Rumors 2025-26: Jonathan Kuminga demands trade, Ja Morant eyes Miami, more
With just a few weeks until the Feb. 5 trade deadline, there is a lot of trade talk smoke but a few fires as well. Here is the latest on some of the key names.
Jonathan Kuminga
As of today (Jan. 15), Jonathan Kuminga can be traded — and he has demanded as much, reports Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of ESPN.
Kuminga demanding a trade is like a sixth grader saying they like KPop Demon Hunters — everyone already assumed that that was the case.
What we know is that a deal is not imminent. Part of the issue is that Steve Kerr barely playing Kuminga this season — he has not touched the court in 13 games — has damaged the Warriors' leverage. While the Warriors are posturing that they could just hold on to Kuminga into the summer when he becomes an expiring contract that would interest more teams, nobody thinks they are actually going to do that, something echoed by a report at The Athletic.
Sacramento, which has long had a fascination with Kuminga and his potential, remains in the mix for his services, but the offer of Malik Monk and a top-12 protected first-round pick put on the table last summer is no longer available, reports The Athletic (Monk's trade value is up, Kuminga's down since that offer). The ESPN story also mentions Dallas as a potential landing spot.
The Golden State Warriors have spoken with the Lakers, who have some interest in Kuminga, reports The Athletic. However, there isn't much traction there (Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber for Kuminga works under the CBA, but the Warriors want players who can help them win now and may shrug at that offer; why would the Lakers trade anything of real value to take a flier on if Kuminga can fit next to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves?).
The key is that Golden State does not want to take back long-term money or bad contracts in any deal, but they want players who can help now. That said, the Warriors may ultimately have to take a deal they don't love, as it is clear both sides are more than ready to move on, something Tony Jones discusses at The Athletic. He also gets into why Kuminga and Warriors coach Steve Kerr have just never been on the same page.
"There are multiple reasons that Golden State can't wait to get him out of the building. He doesn't want to be a role player. He wants to be a star, which is understandable because that's how you get paid a boatload of money. But his self-awareness in that sense is nonexistent.
"He's not a ball-in-hand player. At this point in his career, he's a power forward who can make some shots and put the ball on the floor to attack closeouts. Kerr wants him to put his athleticism to use and play off the gravity Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler create. Attack gaps. Move without the ball. Finish at the rim. Most importantly, defend with energy. He doesn't do those things, and that's fine. What he needs to understand is that the Warriors wouldn't stop him from doing those things if he proved he could do them. He hasn't, and he has not come to grips with that."
The team that trades for Kuminga is essentially betting on the 6'7" wing's athleticism and potential breaking through in a different system — that he can consistently be the guy who (as Charania noted) averaged 24.3 points on 55.6% shooting in the final four games of the Warriors' second-round series loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves last May. The team that trades for him can either pick up the player option for next year and see how things fit, or work out a new deal (which would likely be shorter because he has to prove himself).
Ja Morant
It's the worst-kept secret in the league at this point: Ja Morant wants to go to Miami, something that's been reported multiple times in multiple places. You can add to that the report that Morant purchased a house in Miami to the list of reasons this might happen (although a number of players not with the Heat have offseason homes in the city).
Miami and Memphis have had "preliminary discussions," but talks have "not escalated," reports Anthony Chiang at The Miami Herald.
Morant and his team of advisors are meeting in Europe this week (where the Grizzlies are for games in Berlin and London) to discuss the situation and a path forward. Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko explained why Morant and his camp are pushing for Miami.
"The Heat have historically been regarded as one of the NBA's most detail-oriented and structured organizations, a major aspect of development that appeals to Morant, who has missed 34 games due to various suspensions. Morant also has a deep respect for Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who also runs Team USA; Morant desires to represent his country in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Miami's veteran presence is an additional selling point and something Morant craves."
Two thoughts on the Heat and Morant, both discussed here before. First, Miami is not giving up much of anything to take this roll of the dice on Morant. The trade will certainly include Terry Rozier's contract (while he remains out and under federal indictment), and could include Simone Fontecchio or Davion Mitchel, and maybe a pick. Or it could be Rozier and Tyler Herro for Morant and Ty Jerome. The question is, are those deals palatable to the Heat?
Second, regarding Heat culture — it is not changing. Players come in and fit with it or flame out and get traded again (or let go). Morant would have to prove he can fit in, the system is not bending to him.
This whole saga still gives off the vibe that Memphis has a trade it can fall back on, it's just trying to find a better one. Toronto remains a team to watch, with Immanuel Quickley's salary being the big key, reports Marc Stein at The Stein Line.
Anthony Davis
The odd saga of Anthony Davis and reports of hand surgery on Wednesday — an ESPN report he was getting surgery, which Davis instantly denied, and the Mavericks coming out later in the day and saying he wouldn't get surgery but would get re-evaluated in six weeks — raised a few eyebrows around the league for this reason:
It sounded like someone was pulling the levers to make sure Davis would be traded before the deadline.
Which brings us to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, who said on the Hoop Collective podcast that Davis' agent, Rich Paul, is working hard to get the big man out of Dallas and to a new home before Feb. 5.
"It is very clear that Rich Paul, who represents Anthony Davis, wants Anthony Davis traded before the deadline — and why would he want that? Because he believes it's in his best business interest. Because he has taken a 'We'll see' from the Mavericks regarding an extension as a 'no'. And there are teams where clearly Rich Paul considers it likely that AD would get the kind of extension that he's looking for when he becomes eligible in August.
"The Mavericks were going to explore the trade market regardless and they have been. This is ongoing. They do not feel like they have to trade Anthony Davis. They are telling me and anybody who will listen that they're not trading AD just to make a deal... They are insistent that they will only make a deal that makes sense for them. And what exactly that threshold is, there's not clarity on that. But it's some combination of draft compensation, promising young talent, and financial relief in the form of expiring salaries.
"'Rich Paul is not going to bully us.' That is a direct quote from a member of the Mavericks organization... A third source: [Owner Patrick Dumont] has no problem going into next year and seeing, with a healthy Kyrie [Irving] and a healthy AD, alongside Cooper Flagg, and seeing what it looks like."
Dumont realized too late the mistake he made with the Luka Dončić trade — maybe not the "why would you trade him?" part, but the part about opening the process to the market, being patient, and dealing from a position of strength. He's learned his lesson and is applying it to the Davis trade process.
An Anthony Davis trade still feels like it will be part of a blockbuster offseason of trades, but not at the deadline.
Other trade rumors
• While Michael Porter Jr. is considered the player most likely to be traded at the deadline, the Brooklyn Nets did some negotiating through the media with Brian Lewis of the New York Post reporting that Brooklyn is willing to be patient waiting for the right deal, and that includes holding on to him past the deadline. Everyone is posturing right now, as we get closer to the Feb. 5 deadline the trade offers will get much more real.
• Golden State has been linked to Michael Porter Jr., but the sides haven't spoken in more than a month, and there's not a lot of interest there from the Warriors, reports Shams Charania and Anthony Slater at ESPN.
• The Warriors do have interest in Trey Murphy III, but the Pelicans continue to rebuff calls for him or Herbert Jones at the deadline.
• Indiana is in the market for a big man and has called Atlanta about Onyeka Okongwu, Dallas about Daniel Gafford, the LA Clippers about Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers and New Orleans about Yves Missi, Marc Stein reports.
• The Orlando Magic are calling teams looking to trade backup point guard Tyus Jones for second-round draft capital, Stein says at The Stein Line. While Jones has not fit as hoped with the Magic, he might be a very good roll of the dice by another team.
Philadelphia Flyers At Pittsburgh Penguins Preview: Lineup Changes, Where To Watch
The Battle of Pennsylvania will shift to Pittsburgh on Thursday night, after the two previous meetings were held in Philadelphia.
The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers split those two games, with the Penguins winning the most recent one 5-1 on Dec. 1. It was one of the Penguins' most complete games of the season.
Philadelphia comes into this game on a four-game losing streak, having also just played in Buffalo on Wednesday. The Flyers lost 5-2 and also saw starting goaltender Dan Vladar leave early with an injury.
One of Samuel Ersson or Aleksei Kolosov will start in the net for the Flyers on Thursday.
Trevor Zegras continues to have a great first season with the Flyers, compiling 18 goals and 42 points in 45 games. He's also annoyed the Penguins in both of the teams' previous games this year, reigniting the rivalry a bit.
Travis Konecny has also been good, racking up 14 goals and 39 points in 44 games. Owen Tippett is second on the team in goals with 15 and has 28 points.
This is a massive game in the standings, as the two teams are tied with 52 points and just outside the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. A regulation win gets the winning team up to 54 points.
The Penguins are expected to roll with the same lines that they had during Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Forwards
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Chinakhov-Novak-Malkin
Mantha-Kindel-Brazeau
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defense
Kulak-Letang
Wotherspoon-St. Ivany
Shea-Clifton
Stuart Skinner will start in goal for the Penguins after having the night off on Thursday. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Fans can also listen to the game on 105.9 'The X.'
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John Higgins rides wild fluke to win final three frames and reach Masters semi
Scot recovers to deny Zhao Xintong 6-5 in the last eight
Judd Trump faces Mark Allen in later Thursday match
John Higgins benefited from an outrageous fluke as he came from 5-3 down to beat world champion Zhao Xintong 6-5 on the final ball and reach the semi-finals of the Masters at Alexandra Palace.
Higgins made a horrible mess of a plant, only for one of the reds to fly into the opposite pocket and the cue ball to somehow land on the black, en route to squaring the match at 5-5. The 50-year-old Scot then took a tight decider, clearing the table from the final red to move one step closer to a third Masters title.
This report will update later
Continue reading...How Finnie, Sandin-Pellikka Could Be The Catalysts For Future Stanley Cup Contender
Managing the salary cap is one of the most difficult challenges in building a Stanley Cup contender. Championship teams often rely on a mix of stars who outperform their contracts, savvy long term extensions signed at the right time, or in rare cases, young difference makers producing well above the value of their entry level deals.
The Detroit Red Wings currently find themselves in that rare third category.
Detroit has benefited this season from two 20-year-old rookies who are not only regular contributors, but trusted players in key roles. Forward Emmitt Finnie and defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka have provided meaningful production while costing the organization less than a combined $1.8 million through the 2027-28 season.
Finnie has spent much of the season on Detroit’s first line, an uncommon responsibility for a rookie. Through 48 games, he has nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points and remains on pace for more than 30 points in his first NHL season. Despite a recent scoring dry spell, projections suggest Finnie could finish in the 40 to 45 point range, which would be a strong total for a 20-year-old adjusting to the NHL.
On the blue line, Sandin Pellikka has been equally impressive. The rookie defenseman has shown poise beyond his years, making confident plays with the puck and contributing offensively at a steady rate. He has recorded five goals and 12 assists for 17 points in 48 games, placing him on pace for roughly 30 points. That level of production is exceptional for a first year defenseman and adds another layer of depth scoring to the Red Wings defense.
ASP! ASP! 🤩
— NHL (@NHL) December 17, 2025
Axel Sandin-Pellikka does it himself to tie it for the @DetroitRedWings! pic.twitter.com/ipI0tNLvyq
Individually, neither stat line jumps off the page as a Stanley Cup defining performance. Collectively, however, the value of their contracts tells a different story.
Detroit’s ability to receive consistent, night to night contributions from two young players at such a low cap hit provides critical flexibility. If the Red Wings reach the playoffs this season but fall short of a deep run, that flexibility could become even more important moving forward.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Maintaining a competitive roster while holding significant cap space allows general manager Steve Yzerman to be aggressive, whether through free agency or at the trade deadline.
That financial freedom could position Detroit to pursue a high impact star such as Artemi Panarin or another marquee player should the opportunity arise. More importantly, it allows the organization to supplement its core without sacrificing long term stability.
As the Red Wings continue their progression toward becoming a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, Finnie and Sandin Pellikka’s entry level contracts may be remembered as quiet but crucial advantages.
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Blackhawks Vs Flames: Projected Lineup, How To Watch, & More Ahead Of Game 47
The Chicago Blackhawks are set to take on the Calgary Flames at the United Center. Despite losing to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday, the Blackhawks come in with some recent success. At 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, they have found a way to stay afloat in the Western Conference.
Chicago was forced to play without Connor Bedard again on Monday. He was out with the “stomach bug” that has terrorized the Blackhawks' dressing room. He should be good to go for this match, however, as he had a full participation in practice on Wednesday and morning skate on Thursday.
This will be the Blackhawks’ third and final meeting with the Flames this season. The first two, one in each city, were won by the Blackhawks by a combined score of 9-2.
Scouting Calgary
The Calgary Flames appeared to be pulling themselves out of the league’s cellar, but they are right back down after going 4-6-0 in their last 10. At 30th place in the league, the trade deadline and draft lottery are likely at the top of the organization’s mind.
Huberdeau-Kadri-Farabee
Sharangovich-Backlund-Coronato
Zary-Frost-Klapka
Lomberg-Kirkland-Stromgren
Bahl-Andersson
Kuznetsov-Weegar
Hanley-Pachal
Wolf
Cooley
There will be some changes coming to the Flames over the next month, but for now, the Blackhawks must check hard against guys like Nazem Kadri, Joel Farabee, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Mikael Backlund.
If it ends up being Dustin Wolf in net for Calgary, he's the type of goalie that can steal games, so the Blackhawks need net-front attacking, good shot selection, and awareness with the puck when in the offensive zone.
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Chicago Blackhawks lost to the other team from Alberta by a score of 4-1 on Monday. 2 goals in 12 seconds with under two minutes remaining (the first was an empty netter) made the score look worse than the game was for Chicago, but a bounce-back is on their radar in this one.
Getting Bedard back will obviously boost the lineup, but they will be without Teuvo Teravainen for at least one game. He is out with an upper-body injury and will be re-evaluated after this match. Consider him day-to-day for now.
Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky
Bertuzzi-Dickinson-Mikheyev
Donato-Moore-Lardis
Dach-Foligno-Slaggert
Vlasic-Crevier
Kaiser-Levshunov
Grzelcyk-Murphy
Knight
Spencer Knight was in the starter's crease for Chicago. He will play against the Flames after a strong showing against the Oilers earlier in the week.
How To Watch
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found locally on CHSN. The puck will drop shortly after 7:30 PM CT.
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One last roundup for Clayton Kershaw: He'll pitch in World Baseball Classic
On the eve of the Dodgers’ final regular season series at Dodger Stadium, Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement. There would be one final regular season start at home, then one final regular season start at Seattle, then one final World Series appearance at Dodger Stadium, then one final World Series championship celebration at Dodger Stadium.
“I know they’re going to get one more next year,” Kershaw told the crowd, “and I’m going to watch just like all of you.”
This is Hollywood, so get me rewrite. Kershaw did not change his retirement script Thursday, but he did alter it, joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.
Team USA opens the World Baseball Classic in Kershaw’s home state of Texas, facing Brazil on March 6. For all that Kershaw has accomplished in his Hall of Fame career — a most valuable player award, three Cy Young awards, three World Series championships, 3,000 strikeouts and a no-hitter among them — he never has participated in the World Baseball Classic.
Read more:Why $100 million in endorsements says Shohei Ohtani is the global face of sport
Kershaw committed to play for Team USA in 2023, saying it would be "probably my last chance to do it." He was unable to secure the insurance required for MLB participants after spending time on the injured list in 2022 because of a back injury.
When Team USA manager Mark DeRosa called, Kershaw thought he would be offered a chance to coach. He said he was excited to play, however he might be used.
"I just want to be the insurance policy," Kershaw told MLB Network. "If anybody needs a breather, or if they need me to pitch back-to-back-to-back, or if they don’t need me to pitch at all, I’m just there to be there. I just want to be a part of this group.
"I learned a long time ago, you just want to be a part of great things."
At the height of his career, Kershaw would have been an easy choice to start the most important games for Team USA. But the Team USA roster features Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal as well as top starters Logan Webb and Joe Ryan, so Kershaw appears more likely to make any appearances out of the bullpen.
That is how the Dodgers used him in the postseason. Kershaw made two relief appearances during their championship run, most memorably in the 12th inning of Game 3 of the World Series. The Toronto Blue Jays had the bases loaded with two out, and Kershaw came in to retire Nathan Lukes on a ground ball, in a dramatic eight-pitch at-bat.
Edgardo Henriquez and Will Klein combined to follow Kershaw with six scoreless innings, and the Dodgers won in the 18th inning — their only World Series victory at Dodger Stadium — on a home run by Freddie Freeman.
This will be the sixth World Baseball Classic. Team USA has won once, in 2017 at Dodger Stadium. Japan has won three times, including the most recent tournament in 2023, with Shohei Ohtani striking out then-Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out.
Kershaw laughed at the thought that he might face Ohtani in this year's WBC, with the tournament on the line.
"I think something will have gone terribly wrong if I have to pitch against Team Japan in the finals or something," he said. "I think we’ve got plenty of guys to get that guy out — and not me. But, if that happens, I’ll be nervous."
Kershaw will join longtime Dodgers catcher Will Smith on Team USA. The WBC finals this year are scheduled for Miami from March 15-17.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Razor’s All Blacks lacked sharp edge but sacking Robertson does not guarantee revival | Robert Kitson
There is still time before 2027 World Cup to rescue the drooping silver fern but rebuilding an international team is hard and New Zealand’s aura has faded
As a keen surfer Scott Robertson is well aware how abruptly situations can change. One minute you are riding the perfect wave, the next you’re being dumped from a great height and having your world tipped upside down. Which is essentially how “Razor” will now be feeling after being ousted as All Blacks head coach barely two years into his tenure.
On the surface he was everything New Zealand rugby could have wished for. The serial domestic winner who had guided the Crusaders to seven successive Super Rugby titles, the empathetic everyman with the break-dancing skills to match. If anyone could connect with younger generations and encourage everyone to fall in love with the ABs again, surely he was da man?
Continue reading...Canadiens To Battle Surging Sabres
It’s been 14 years since the Buffalo Sabres made the playoffs in the spring of 2011, and it’s been even longer since they won a playoff series, all the way back in 2007. Since then, Buffalo has been the butt of all jokes and often used as a stopgap by good players before they went out to win championships elsewhere. Think about Ryan O’Reilly or Jack Eichel, for instance. However, this season could be different. Buffalo finished 2025 and started 2026 with a 10-game winning streak and has now won 14 of their last 16 games. With 54 points, Lindy Ruff’s men are in the first wildcard spot, just ahead of the Boston Bruins, on whom they have two games in hand.
The Montreal Canadiens have won their last five games against the Sabres and eight of the previous 10 duels between the two sides, but given Buffalo’s recent results, it feels like this is going to be a completely different game. The Sabres are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games, while the Canadiens are 6-2-2.
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Neither side has confirmed its starter yet, and given Samuel Montembeault’s fantastic performance on Tuesday night in Washington in the 3-2 overtime loss, one can wonder if he might have earned the right to start two games in a row despite the loss. When Montreal won the first duel of the season in October, Jakub Dobes was in the net and posted a .938 save percentage, stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced. The Czech netminder has a 2-0-0 record against Buffalo with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .930 SV. Meanwhile, Montembeault has a 5-5-0 record with a 3.04 GAA and a .905 SV. As for Jacob Fowler, he has never faced the hosts, but if Martin St-Louis chooses the alternate goalies, it would be the youngster’s turn. The Canadiens are set to practice at 11:30 AM, and we should know who will start shortly thereafter.
At the other end of the ice, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has a 1-2-0 record against Montreal with a 4.54 GAA and a .847 SV, but he was in the net on Wednesday night when the Sabres beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2. With Alex Lyon on injured reserve, Colten Ellis is acting as backup. Ellis has never faced the Canadiens, but in 10 games this season, he has a 5-4-0 record with a 3.11 GAA and a .900 SV. Since this is such an essential divisional meeting, one can wonder if Buffalo may be tempted to use Luukkonen even though he played last night, as he only faced 22 shots. The Sabres have a hectic schedule ahead, though, with five games in just eight nights.
Up front, Rasmus Dahlin is the Sabres’ most productive player against the Canadiens with 19 points in 21 games, followed by Alex Tuch, who has 18 points in 19 games and Tage Thompson, with 16 points in 17 games. Clearly, Buffalo’s leaders enjoy taking on the Habs. Tuch and Thompson are both on a five-game point streak, and the Habs will have to keep a close eye on them. It will be interesting to see if Josh Norris will be in the lineup after leaving Wednesday night’s game with an upper-body injury.
Meanwhile, Brendan Gallagher has 24 points against Buffalo in his career, but he gathered them over 44 games. Captain Nick Suzuki is second with 20 points in just 18 meetings, while Philip Danault is third with 15 points in 25 games. Newly extended Alexandre Texier has four points in seven games, but he’s been red-hot of late, and with a new contract in his back pocket, he should be skating like the wind on Thursday night.
The game is set for 7:00 PM, and you can catch it on MSG-B, TSN2, and RDS. Jon McIsaac and Alex Lepkowski will be officiating, while Matt MacPherson and Jesse Marquis will be acting as linemen. With the Detroit Red Wings not playing tonight, a win would allow the Canadiens to leapfrog them in the standings and take second place in the Atlantic Division; they would remain behind the Tampa Bay Lightning since Jon Cooper’s men have played fewer games.
Edit: Jacob Fowler will get the start for the Canadiens and Kaiden Guhle will replace Jayden Struble in the lineup
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Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers to visit White House for second straight year
The Florida Panthers will head to our nation’s capital on Thursday for a quick stop at an extremely prestigious place.
Before concluding their road trip with a back-to-back set against the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals on Friday and Saturday, the Panthers are stopping in Washington D.C. to visit with the president.
Similarly to last year, the Panthers, who are the defending Stanley Cup champions for the second straight season, will visit President Donald Trump at the White House.
The event is scheduled for 4 p.m. in the East Room of the White House.
During their visit last year, the Panthers brought the Stanley Cup and presented Trump with a personalized jersey.
Following the visit, Florida will make the short trip to Raleigh ahead of Friday’s matchup with Carolina. Then they’ll head right back to D.C. to face the Capitals the following night.
The Panthers are hoping to get either one or both of injured forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Brad Marchand in the lineup over the weekend, so we’ll see how things play out on that front.
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