Team defense was the biggest strength of the fairytale 2025-26 Philadelphia Flyers, but national media isn't as willing to give them that kind of recognition just yet.
On Sunday, the NHL Network released its list of the top 20 defensemen in the NHL right now, but no Flyers players managed to appear on that list, and questionably so.
Many of the names were the top dogs you would come to expect: Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Lane Hutson, Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Dahlin, Zach Werenski, so on and so forth.
The second half of the list, however, featured a young newcomer in Jackson LaCombe from Anaheim, Minnesota's Brock Faber, and ageing veteran Victor Hedman, who was a superstar in his day.
That day has passed, however, and miraculously, No.1 Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim was excluded from the list entirely.
Hedman, 35, is a two-time Stanley Cup champion and former Norris Trophy winner, but his inclusion ahead of the Flyers' Sanheim makes the NHL Network's list patently false.
This ranking is meant, by their own admission, to be of the best defensemen in the NHL "right now", yet Hedman, as the most egregious example, played just 33 games last season, scoring one goal and 17 points in just 33 games while averaging a career-low 18:52 of ice time.
The hulking Swede was producing at his worst offensive pace in over a decade, for his standards, while battling injury and Father Time.
As for Sanheim, the 30-year-old spearheaded the Flyers to their first playoff berth in six years, scoring a career-high 11 goals in addition to his 37 total points, averaging a whopping 24:13 a night, and finishing the season with a career-best +12 rating and a career-low 20 penalty minutes.
Sanheim's 24:13 ranked 16th in the league amongst qualifying defensemen, doing everything the Flyers asked of him at both ends of the ice while playing in every regular season game this season except for the meaningless season finale, as the Flyers had already solidified their place in the Stanley Cup playoffs with his help.
And in addition to his NHL exploits, Sanheim was also called upon to represent Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, tallying one assist in five games and taking home a Silver Medal after a heartbreaking loss to the United States in the Gold-Medal Game.
It's harder to argue for Sanheim against the more prolific defensemen and the established superstars, but the 6-foot-4 defender not featuring at all in the ranking of the 20 best defenders in the NHL is a dubious choice at best.
St. Nicklas - December 18, 2007 - Vol. 61, Issue 12 - Mike Brophy
MATS SUNDIN SWEARS he has never heard anybody say a bad word about Nicklas Lidstrom.
“I don’t know him that well, but every time he’s around the group, he’s a guy you love to have on your team,” says the Toronto Maple Leafs captain.
P-J Axelsson smiles when asked about Lidstrom’s dark side.
“No,” says the veteran Boston Bruins winger with a laugh, “I do not believe you’ll ever find anybody to say a bad word about Nicklas Lidstrom.”
Oh yeah?
Remember last season when that computer dude from Vancouver tried to get Canucks spare part Rory Fitzpatrick voted onto the starting lineup for the
Western Conference in the NHL All-Star Game? He ran a rather humorous smear campaign against some of the best defensemen in the game – Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer and, of course, Little Nicky:
“Nicklas Lidstrom…He claims to be an all-star defenseman, but the stats show otherwise. On November 3 of the year 2000, Nicklas Lidstrom was a minus-4 in a 6-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Those aren’t all-star numbers. What else is Nicklas Lidstrom hiding?”
Gotcha, Nick!
Truth is, it is next to impossible to say anything bad about the Detroit Red Wings superstar. As great a player as the 37-year-old defender is on the ice, he is every bit a wonderful person off it.
Right, Annika?
“Yes, of course he is,” says Lidstrom’s wife. “The only thing I can say is, he might be a little bit spoiled. He has a wonderful mom who does everything for everybody. He also has three sisters, so of course he was the golden boy.”
Golden boy to his family and pure gold for the Red Wings.
The European invasion, which started in the early 1970s, has brought many colorful and skilled hockey players to the NHL – from super snipers such as Jaromir Jagr, Teemu Selanne, Peter Stastny and Pavel Bure to extraordinary two-way threats such as Jari Kurri, Peter Forsberg and Sergei Fedorov to an acrobatic stopper such as Dominik Hasek. They are all worthy candidates for the title of best-ever European-raised and -trained NHLer.
Then there is Nicklas Lidstrom. Not the fastest or flashiest skater, perhaps. Not the biggest or roughest defenseman in the NHL, most definitely. But when you add up all the good things he does, from his responsible play in his own zone to the calculated offensive contributions, you have the best and most complete European player to ever skate in the NHL.
“I’ll tell you what I told Nick the last three or four times I negotiated contracts with him,” says Detroit GM Ken Holland. “If every player in the league was an unrestricted free agent and I had the first pick in the draft and my mandate was to compete for the Stanley Cup in one year, hands down my first pick is Nick Lidstrom.
“For the last 10 years we’re near the top of the league in points, he plays almost 30 minutes a game, always against the other team’s best players, he’s always one of the highest-scoring defensemen, most years we’re near the top of the league in power play, most years we’re near the top of the league in penalty-killing and most years we’re near the top of the league in goals against. He plays every critical situation. We won three Stanley Cups and five Presidents’ Trophies. We’ve been to the final four times in the last 12 seasons and he has been the one constant.”
Lidstrom’s ascent to the top of the mountain was gradual. After being chosen 53rd overall in the third round of the 1989 draft – behind defenders such as Adam Bennett, Doug Zmolek, Jason Herter, Jason Marshall, Lindsay Vallis, Jason Soules and Steve Bancroft – Lidstrom scored an impressive 11 goals and 60 points and was named to the NHL’s all-rookie team in 1991-92.
Over the years he has displayed a level of consistency that ultimately gained him recognition as not only one of the league’s most dependable performers, but one of the best all-around defensemen in the history of the game. Beginning in 1997-98, he was runner-up for the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman three straight years. In the past six seasons, Lidstrom has laid claim to the award five times, third-most all-time behind Bobby Orr (eight) and Doug Harvey (seven).
He has led the Red Wings to Stanley Cups, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2002 and has been a first-team allstar eight times.
“He is so smart,” Holland says. “If somebody who didn’t really know hockey went to Joe Louis Arena and you told them they were going to see one of the best defenseman to ever play the game, they might not get it. You’re not going to see him whipping up the ice and making highlight-reel rushes. If you watch him and you really understand hockey, you’ll be overwhelmed and in awe because of his ability to pay attention to detail and his patience with the puck.”
And he plays the game fairly, too. In his 15 seasons, Lidstrom was assessed a paltry 372 penalty minutes in 1,176 games. Although he has never won the Lady Byng Trophy, given annually to the player who exhibits sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct with a high standard of playing ability, he has been a runner-up four times. A defenseman hasn’t won the honor since Red Kelly in 1954.
“He’s a good skater,” Axelsson says. “He gets himself in the right position so he doesn’t have to cheat and take penalties.”
The 6-foot-1, 193-pound Lidstrom has one career fighting major to his credit, way back in his first month in the NHL, against Buffalo’s Brad Miller on Oct. 30, 1991. Fact is, Lidstrom took a career-high 50 PIM two years ago, followed by 46 last year. Getting a little cranky in his old age?
“Not really,” he says. “They just call things a little tighter now.”
Ask Lidstrom and he’ll tell you the way he plays today is pretty much the way he has played the game all his life.
“My positional game is why I have become the player I am,” he says. “I’m not an overly physical player. I won’t run guys into the boards or knock them over. Positional play is one of the things I have worked on over the years to get better and better at. Even back when I was a kid, that was the way I played. I was good at reading plays and I developed that as my style of play.”
Lidstrom moved away from home when he was 16 to attend a school where playing hockey was part of the curriculum.
“We had five hours a week where you could replace one subject with hockey,” Lidstrom says. “All we worked on during those practices were our skills. We didn’t do any hard skating. Instead we worked on little things like developing handeye coordination. At night we would do our regular skates. I think most of the skill I have today comes from working at it back then.”
In the middle of the 2026 offseason, the Minnesota Wild are done adding to their roster, though training camp can and will throw wrenches into the plan.
One thing we have all seen, injuries can happen. Changes can be made before camp. Last year the Wild invited Brett Leason and Jack Johnson to training camp and had them play in preseason games under a PTO.
Neither of the two were signed.
Preseason is also a chance for some young prospects to make impressions or even first impressions for the newer guys. These three could make a splash in training camp. Whether they force their way onto the opening night roster remains to be seen, but they are three to keep watch over.
No. 3: Charlie Stramel, Center
All eyes will be on Charlie Stramel come training camp and preseason. He just signed his entry-level deal and is also coming off a season-ending injury to his ankle which happened in a playoff game for Michigan State.
Stramel, 21, was the Wild's 21st overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft. He had a breakout year for the Spartans during the 2025-26 season, where he recorded 19 goals, 25 assists and 44 points in 37 games. He was tied for ninth in points in the NCAA.
The 6-foot-3 center will start the season in the American Hockey league with the Iowa Wild, but it will be interesting to see how he does in camp. Everyone in the Wild's organization is excited to see him in action.
No. 2: Hunter Haight, Center
The 5-foot-10 forward made a splash last year and even made the team out of camp. There is no doubt he will make another push to make the team.
If anyone on the Wild's current roster gets hurt or is unavailable to play, Haight seems like the closest player ready.
Haight, 22, played in nine games last season for the Wild and recorded one goal and one assist. In 54 games with the Iowa Wild, he recorded 18 goals, 14 assists and 32 points.
In 121 AHL games with Iowa, Haight has 38 goals, 28 assists and 66 points. The Wild's 47th overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft is entering the final year of his entry-level contract.
No. 1: Viking Gustafsson Nyberg, Defenseman
The 6-foot-6 defender was signed out of the University of Connecticut (UConn). He was signed to an ATO and reported to Iowa. He played two games and recorded one assist before he was signed to an NHL deal.
Gustafsson Nyberg, 22, recorded 11 assists, 47 shots and 26 PIM in 37 games with UConn before he turned pro.
Minnesota signed him to a contract and he played in the Wild's final two regular season games. He recorded three blocks and two hits in the final two games.
Daemon Hunt will be the Wild's seventh defenseman to start the season by big Swede is expected to apprear in some games this season and could impress the Wild in camp.
The Buffalo Sabres finally made the Stanley Cup playoffs this past season, ending a 15-year playoff drought. The Sabres also won a playoff round, beating an upstart Boston Bruins team before losing to the Montreal Canadiens in the second round.
The Sabres’ success in 2025-26 means that, in TheHockeyNews.com’s grades for Buffalo’s players, coach and GM will be largely positive. An A+ grade is hard to come by, but by-and-large, Buffalo’s players have earned the praise that’s coming their way right now.
With that out of the way, in this “Sabres Grades” file, we’re examining star right winger Josh Doan. In Doan’s first season, he started turning into the dynamic young winger Buffalo wanted when they acquired him from the Utah Mammoth. Doan is just getting started in his NHL career, and he began to show why the Mammoth traded him to Utah last summer.
Let’s get to it:
Josh Doan
Position: Right Wing
Grade: A
The Skinny: When Sabres dealt winger J.J. Peterka to the Mammoth last summer, expectations were high for Josh Doan – the key player Buffalo got back in the blockbuster deal. Buffalo was hoping Doan would evolve into a stellar power forward. And in his first season as a Sabre, Doan did everything to warrant more opportunities. He produced 25 goals and 52 points in 82 games, and he established himself as a legitimate top-six forward for Buffalo.
It’s no small wonder that Doan and the Sabres both got what they wanted when they acquired him. Doan got a contract extension paying him $6.95-million per-season for the next seven years, while Buffalo got the cost-certainty they wanted for a core member of the organization. The 24-year-old still has to grow his game, but he’s had his breakout year, and he can now focus on taking that next competitive step and helping the Sabres win their first Cup.
Doan slots in as Buffalo’s second-line left winger. And if they can get 30 goals out of him, he’s going to be one of the league’s better bargains. Doan is being paid on potential to a degree, but that’s been the way the trend has been going around the league in that department.
The Sabres saw potential in Doan when they acquired him, and they’ve got him at a very reasonable financial number for a long time. The new contract could be a major bargain for Buffalo, and if he gets into the 30-goal range or higher, Doan will earn a bigger payday when his contract expires when he’s 31 years old.
Doan isn’t a superstar per se, but he can be a very effective top-six winger, and he’s still scratching the surface of what he’s capable of. Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen did good work getting Doan signed to his new extension, and now, Doan can go about his business trying to evolve into a top-level force and a major driver of Buffalo’s success.
Doan had a terrific season, but if he wants an A+, he needs to dominate the way his father, Shane Doan, did in his NHL career. But Josh Doan has the genetics to be a dangerous contributor, and the Sabres are thrilled he'll be in Buffalo for a very long time.
Over the summer, the San Jose Sharks addressed their blue line and improved significantly in that regard, despite some criticism concerning the moves they opted to make.
The Sharks now have quite a few veterans who are guaranteed to be on the opening night roster, some young players looking to find a spot for themselves, and some potential breakout candidates as well. Let's take a look at where each player falls.
Locks: Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba, Michael Kesselring, Dmitry Orlov
To put it simply, if the Sharks weren't planning to play Nurse, Trouba, and Kesselring on their opening night roster, they wouldn't have acquired them. All three are guaranteed to have a spot on the team this September, unless something goes terribly wrong.
As for Orlov, it's hard to say whether or not he'll stay with the Sharks for the entirety of the 2026-27 season as he enters the final year of his contract, but he'll undoubtedly be a big part of their blue line to start the season, at the very least. If they're in the playoff hunt, as they hope to be, then he'll likely stick in the top-four for the majority of the season.
On the Bubble - Sam Dickinson, Luca Cagnoni, Nolan Allan, Eric Pohlkamp, Libor Hajek
I'd say it's fair to say that there's roughly a 95% chance that Sam Dickinson is on the Sharks' opening night roster. With that being said, now that he's eligible to play in the American Hockey League due to a change in the AHL's agreement with the Canadian Hockey League, if he underperforms at training camp, there's a possibility that he gets a short time with the Barracuda to start the season, similar to what the Blackhawks previously did with Kevin Korchinski.
That's a very unlikely outcome though, and as a result, the remaining four bubble players will be battling it out for two possible roster spots. Luca Cagnoni seems like a favorite to make the roster due to his ability on the powerplay and his play at the end of the 2025-26 season when given a chance in the NHL, but he's far from guaranteed to get a roster spot.
Nolan Allan and Libor Hajek are both on two-way contracts, so the Sharks won't be stuck with their full salary if they're sent to the AHL, but they do have the issue of waivers. Unlike Cagnoni, Allan and Hajek are both waiver-eligible. As a result, the Sharks may opt to side with keeping one, or both of them, in the NHL in order to retain them as assets. Of course, that only truly matters if Mike Grier feels that another team may try to claim them.
As for Eric Pohlkamp, he has the benefits of potential and handedness on his side. Pohlkamp likely has the highest ceiling of any of the bubble players and he's the only right-shot amongst them. With Nurse, Orlov, and Dickinson all being left-handed players, Pohlkamp would be a logical fit on the third-pairing if the Sharks wanted to keep an even number of lefties and righties. It may not boost Pohlkamp's chances of making the team much, but it's a factor that'll at least be discussed if it's a close call between two players.
Longshots: Mattias Havelid, Leo Sahlin Wallenius, Phillip Sinn
Unless one of them has a tremendous showing at training camp, Mattias Havelid, Leo Sahlin Wallenius, and Phillip Sinn all seem to be bound for the Barracuda this coming season. While it wouldn't be unheard of for a player to overcome the odds and surpass multiple players on the depth chart, it doesn't seem likely in this case. At some point in the near future, we may see one of them make a case for an NHL role, but it probably won't be now.
The fifth edition of women’s version of the Tour de France featured 147 riders from 21 teams racing 1,175km, broken into three flat stages, three hilly stages, an individual time trial stage and two mountain stages which included a first visit to Mont Ventoux. Here are some of our favourite images from nine exhilarating stages
With the AFC West as intriguing as ever following a flurry of offseason moves and coaching changes, Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice and Hayden Winks broke down the division's spotlight players and X factors on a recent episode of "Football 301."
The hosts see the AFC West as a two-team race — the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers as likely playoff teams, with Kansas City's fragility a new story and Las Vegas laying the groundwork for relevance in 2027. The division's winner will likely be decided by whether Jaylen Waddle and Ladd McConkey prove to be difference-makers for their respective teams, and whose offensive line stays intact deep into December.
Below, Tice and Winks break down the win total for each squad:
Team
Tice's win total
Winks' win total
O/U line
Broncos
11
12
9.5
Chargers
11
11
9.5
Chiefs
9
9
10.5
Raiders
6
5
5.5
Denver Broncos
Win total predictions:
Hayden Winks: 12
Nate Tice: 11
Both Winks and Tice agree: Denver fields one of the league's most complete rosters, coming off an AFC championship game appearance. With the addition of Waddle, expectations remain high. While Waddle gives quarterback Bo Nix a new target, Tice pointed to a potential impact rookie as well.
"Jonah Coleman might be a really good fit in this offense," Tice said. "Being the guy that's the Mark Ingram for Sean Payton in this offense because he likes to have those running back kind of splits.
"If Bo Nix gets even just half a tier better, wow, this offense could be really good."
There's palpable excitement around new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel's arrival and the integration of his run concepts with Justin Herbert's rare arm talent. Herbert, WR Ladd McConkey and key additions like RB Omarion Hampton and C Tyler Biadasz with a scheme that should help stabilize the offensive line have Winks and Tice thinking a leap is possible if the Chargers stay healthy.
"I have a lot of expectations for Ladd," Winks said. "I think they're going to get him more involved this year without Keenan Allen."
Kansas City Chiefs
Win total predictions:
Hayden Winks: 9
Nate Tice: 9
The hosts are concerned with Patrick Mahomes coming off a torn ACL, and the lack of depth with the Chiefs’ pass-catching options. Kenneth Walker III adds backfield firepower, but injuries and question marks linger on both sides of the ball.
"I really don't think you can overstate how much the [Kenneth] Walker signing is going to be," Winks said. "I think they're going to be maybe a little more under center. I would draft him in the first round in fantasy."
Tice added: "They need someone outside Mahomes that can create something — that's why you bring in Walker."
Las Vegas Raiders
Win total predictions:
Hayden Winks: 5
Nate Tice: 6
The hosts pointed to new head coach in Klint Kubiak, a stabilized offensive line and No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza as giving the Raiders direction after a disastrous 2025 season. But the young roster, receiver weakness and a brutal schedule make a complete turnaround a 2027 proposition.
"My X factor is just normalcy. Kubiak is a pro, Mendoza is a pro, [Kirk] Cousins is a pro," Tice said. "They've really got guys in their head positions now."
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 05: Casey Mize #32 of the San Diego Padres delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 05, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres approached the MLB trade deadline by winning five of six games against the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants. Altogether, they had won eight of nine and got themselves back into the fight for the final Wild Card playoff spot.
That allowed president of baseball ops, A.J. Preller, to do what he loves to do. Wheeling and dealing at the deadline, Preller kept all his major league talent and turned two top 10 prospects along with a top 15 prospect into two rental starters that made the “pitching chaos” approach over the past two weeks no longer necessary.
By adding right-hander Casey Mize and left-hander Robbie Ray, Preller solidified a starting rotation that was undeniably in tatters with injuries and poor performances. Both Mize and Ray boast sub-4.00 ERAs for the season and are also both performing at their peak for the year coming into the deadline.
After securing two of the better pitchers available for trade, the Padres asked Randy Vásquez to start their second game in the series against their main competition for the last playoff spot, the Arizona Diamondbacks. Vásquez followed rotation leader Michael King, who gave up three runs on five hits and four walks in the first game of the series. With the offense stymied by Dbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt, King saw his record go to 6-8 for the season with a respectable 3.45 ERA in his 130.1 innings pitched.
Vasquez came in for game two, the day after the deadline, and threw a six-inning gem. He allowed no runs on two hits, and the offense supported him with seven runs before he departed.
Right-hander Casey Mize had a disappointing Padres debut, and it was the worst start of his career. After skipping his previous scheduled start because Detroit didn’t want to risk injury before the deadline, Mize changed teams and traveled before pitching for the first time in eleven days. He refused to use that as an excuse.
The Padres rebounded behind the game four starter, Walker Buehler, and a stellar bullpen outing to capture the last game and split the series.
Overall, it was a 7-3 record over the ten games, and that kept the Friars to within one game of the Wild Card standings.
Joe Musgrove and Nick Pivetta make rehab starts
While the Padres are fighting for playoff relevance, their two injured starters, Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove, made rehab starts for Single-A Lake Elsinore. Musgrove had a 2.2-inning outing, allowing a run and was reportedly fine after the game and the next day. He is scheduled to make another rehab start on Sunday.
Pivetta, on the other hand, walked off the field before the end of the first inning of his outing. He reportedly experienced discomfort or tightness in his elbow and left of his own accord. Padres manager, Craig Stammen, updated fans and the media with the report that Pivetta threw an additional 20-30 pitches in the bullpen after his outing, stating his arm felt better. He will be reevalutated before another rehab outing is scheduled. This could put his contract status at jeopardy as he has a player option for next season only if he returns from the disabled list before Aug. 22. Otherwise, that option becomes a team option.
Should Musgrove and/or Pivetta come back to the team this season, the rotation would look significantly better for a playoff run than when the “pitching chaos” approach was begun. Injury and poor performance dictated the strategy with the Padres starters frequently exiting games well before completing five innings, in many instances.
Roster changes and injury reports
Right-hander Matt Waldron was designated for assignment when reliever Jeremiah Estrada returned from the injured list. Estrada had been dealing with right knee inflammation since being placed on the IL on June 5. Waldron was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays,
RHP David Morgan was sent on a rehab assignment to Triple-A El Paso. He is working his way back from a June 29 IL stint for left knee inflammation.
Trading RHP Miguel Mendez opened up a roster spot to add trade acquisition Casey Mize. LHP JP Sears was optioned to El Paso to add Mize.
Catcher Rudolfo Durán was optioned to El Paso to add utility player Gage Workman, acquired from Detroit along with Mize.
RHP Germán Márquez was designated for assignment when LHP Robbie Ray, acquired from the Giants at the trade deadline, was added to the roster. The seven day window to trade/claim Marquez opened on Aug. 5.
First baseman, outfielder and DH Gavin Sheets has been dealing with plantar fascitis and has seen minimal action for the last several days. It has been reported that he is wearing a boot when not in action and had his first start since July 26 on Thursday.
Worst to almost first
The Padres offense, which was ranked dead last in many offensive categories for two months, ended July with the second best batting average in baseball at . 269. They also had the second best OBP at .348. Their slugging percentage ended up at .429, eighth best. All that gave them the third best team OPS at .777.
Their 31 home runs were only good for 13th and their 125 RBI ranked fifth.
A remarkable turnaround that was necessary if the organization wanted to have a chance to reach the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
While that was going on, the team ERA ranked 25th at 4.77
If the two parts could come together in August with reasonable performances then the Friars figure to have a chance to overtake the Diamondbacks, at least.
Defense has been consistent
The defense is fourth in fielding percentage and eleventh in OAA (outs above average) in the MLB. First baseman Ty France leads all defenders on the Padres with six OAA.
Offensive inconsistency
The series against the Diambondbacks was just the latest example of the Padres offense having trouble adjusting to pitchers mid-game or taking advantage of an unfamiliar rookie.
Veteran Brandon Pfaddt had their number in the first game versus the D-backs. He has a 1.88 ERA in July.
The second game featured dominance by Randy Vásquez and the offense was efficient against Eduardo Rodriguez, who has a 3.45 ERA for July.
Then, in game three, the Padres went up against rookie Mitch Bratt. The 23-year-old came into the contest with an ERA of almost 6.00. He held the Padres to one hit in seven scoreless innings, his best performance as a professional. The Padres struck out nine times and didn’t score until the ninth inning. It ultimately wouldn’t have mattered due to the eight runs Mize allowed, but it is a recurring issue for this team.
On the last game of the series, the Padres faced a pitcher very similar to the rookie of the night before. Lefty Kohl Drake came into the game with a high ERA and little experience. He featured a similar pitch mix to Bratt. The difference seemed to be that the Friars looked passive and tentative against Bratt but were aggressive and more selective versus Drake.
As a result, they had 12 hits and five runs with only four strikeouts while securing the series split.
This is nothing new; the in game adjustments need to be more consistent if this offense wants to avoid more of these types of games.
Adrián Morejón is grateful
Padres’ lefty reliever Adrián Morejón made it clear he wasn’t interested in leaving the Padres, at the trade deadline or after the end of the season. It remains to be seen if the new ownership group will allow money to pay Morejón in the offseason. A.J. Preller agreed the organization needed to keep Morejón for the rest of the 2026 season.
The Padres would have had no chance to succeed this season without him. Kevin Acee, in his daily newsletter for Aug. 7, relayed the effort Morejón made to thank A.J. Preller for not trading him on Monday afternoon.
“And after that, now we continue winning,” Morejon was quoted as saying.
The four-pitcher effort to finish off the D-backs series is the perfect example of how Morejon and his fellow bullpen members have saved this team over the past two plus months.
Since Steph Curry joined the Golden State Warriors 17 years ago, they have been the blueprint for success in the NBA. But according to one of Curry’s former teammates, the team would have had the same level of success even without him.
“If you switched me and Steph out with the team that won championships, it’d be the same thing,” Ellis told ESPN. “So you’ve got to take the good with the bad, and that’s cool. It put me in a position to make money for me and my family.
“I ran with that.”
Monta Ellis said the Warriors would’ve had the same success with him as they have with Steph Curry.
Ellis was selected by the Warriors in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft and played with the team until 2012, when he was traded in the middle of the season to the Milwaukee Bucks.
During his first six seasons with Golden State, Ellis averaged 35.7 minutes, 19.6 points, 4.4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game. He won the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2007. But the franchise was unable to break through during his tenure by the bay.
“Real people that know basketball and all that, …They know the team that I was dealt with.”
Ellis’ career went on to last another six years, during which he still saw regular time as a starter for the Bucks, Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers.
The Warriors only made the playoffs once during his tenure in Golden State, losing in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs to the Utah Jazz.
Meanwhile, Curry was selected seventh overall by the Warriors in the 2009 NBA Draft and saw regular playing time during his first two seasons.
Monta Ellis said the Warriors would’ve had the same success with him as they have with Steph Curry. NBAE via Getty Images
He would go on to revolutionize the sport of professional basketball. Today’s NBA is a direct consequence of Curry’s ability to stretch the floor and shoot from anywhere. Very few people in history have had the type of impact Curry has, let alone Monta Ellis.
Curry, alongside Klay Thompson and Draymond Green, would go on to win four NBA titles. Ellis, on the other hand, did not garner a single All-Star nomination throughout his career.
Dirk Nowitzki and Luka Doncic have joined the basketball world in mourning the death of Don Nelson.
Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history and a prominent Mavericks figure, died on Sunday at the age of 86.
“On Sunday morning our beloved husband, dad, grandfather and great-grandfather Don Nelson peacefully went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family,” Nelson’s family said in a statement, according to long-time NBA reporter Marc Stein, who is connected closely to Dallas.
The Dallas Morning News reported that Nelson suffered a stroke a few weeks ago and had been admitted to hospice during his recovery.
“Throughout his last week, friends and family encircled him with love, sharing the blessing of his friendship and revisiting treasured memories,” the family statement continued.
Don Nelson passed away on Aug. 9 at 86. NBAE via Getty Images
Nowitzki wrote an emotional tribute to Nelson, who was his first and longtime NBA coach.
“Nellie… You didn’t just draft me. You believed in me,” Nowitzki wrote on X. “You saw things in my game before I ever realized I could do them. I’ve said it a million times and I will always say it: I don’t think my career could have turned out how it did without you being my first coach and giving me the freedom to play my game. I can only say THANK YOU. For everything.”
Nelson was hired as the Mavericks’ head coach and general manager ahead of the 1997-98 season and is credited with the development of Dirk Nowitzki, controversially selected No. 9 overall in the 1998 NBA Draft, and Steve Nash, whom the Mavs acquired prior to the 1998-99 season after he flopped in Phoenix for the first two seasons of his career.
Don Nelson (center) drafted Dirk Nowitzki (41) and traded for Steve Nash (13) in 1998 while general manager and head coach of the Mavericks. NBAE via Getty Images
Doncic, who played for the Mavs from 2018 until he was infamously traded in early February 2025 to the Los Angeles Lakers, reflected on Nelson’s legacy in a social media post. Nelson was team president when Dallas traded for him on draft night.
“It’s a sad day for basketball with the passing of Don Nelson,” Doncic wrote on X. “I have so much respect for him and everything he did for the game, especially the way he believed in international players. I’m grateful for the time I spent with him. Thinking of the entire Nelson family today. I loved getting to know you, Coach.”
It’s a sad day for basketball with the passing of Don Nelson.
I have so much respect for him and everything he did for the game, especially the way he believed in international players. I’m grateful for the time I spent with him.
Before becoming one of basketball’s great coaching innovators, Nelson spent 14 seasons as an NBA player and won five championships with the Celtics.
He later became much more accomplished from the sideline.
Nelson coached 31 seasons in the NBA, leading the Bucks, Warriors, Knicks and Mavericks.
He finished with 1,335 regular-season victories, which stood as the league record until Gregg Popovich surpassed him in 2022.
Nelson remains second on the NBA’s all-time coaching wins list and was named NBA Coach of the Year three times before eventually being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012.
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 12: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Tampa Bay Rays prepares to pitch against the Seattle Mariners during a game at Tropicana Field on July 12, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Royals have signed veteran closer Craig Kimbrel, according to New York Post reporter Jon Heyman. Kimbrel was designated for assignment by the Rays last week, and was released by the Mets earlier this year.
Kimbrel is a potential future Hall of Famer with 440 career saves, fifth-most all-time. He has pitched in 17 seasons with the Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, Orioles, Astros, Mets, and Rays. He was Rookie of the Year in 2011, led the league in saves in each of his first four MLB seasons with the Braves, and is a nine-time All-Star.
But his last effective season came in 2023, when he was an All-Star with the Phillies. He has a 4.78 ERA in 104 games since then, and has a 4.81 ERA in 33 games this year between the Mets and Rays, with 32 strikeouts and 16 walks in 33.2 innings. Kimbrel’s fastball sits at 93.6 mph, and he also throws a sweeper, curve, and sinker.
The Royals have been desperate to find enough arms to cover innings as pitchers continue to populate the Injured List. But bringing in a 38-year-old seems a curious move for a team that should be auditioning arms for next season. Beggars can’t be choosers, though, and so far, many of the options they have acquired have not gotten the job done. Kimbrel’s numbers haven’t been good enough for two other teams, but they may be welcome for a team struggling to find anyone that can get hitters out.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 12: Alec Burleson #41 of the St. Louis Cardinals bats against the Atlanta Braves at Busch Stadium on July 12, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals wrapped up a 3-game series on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies badly needing a series victory before they welcome the team they’re chasing in the Wild Card race, the Philadelphia Phillies, to town. Michael McGreevy had a rough start, a good middle and a not great finish, but the Cardinals provided him a little run support for a change although a late rally would be necessary.
Sunday’s game started out very similar to Saturday’s game at Busch Stadium as the Colorado Rockies got off to a fast start when Jake McCarthy hit McGreevy’s 2nd pitch into right field for a leadoff double. Carrigg followed that with a bunt single giving the Rockies two on with no one out to start the game. Michael McGreevy would fortunately get Rumfield to hit into a double play, but McCarthy would eventually score when Hunter Goodman came through with a two-out RBI single giving the Rockies another early lead of 1-0.
St. Louis would answer in the bottom of the first when JJ Wetherholt drew a leadoff walk followed by Iván Herrera who reached on an infield hit. Two batters later, Jordan Walker smacked a RBI single scoring JJ and tying the game 1-1.
As Michael McGreevy settled into the game and kept the Rockies off the scoreboard in the middle innings, the St. Louis Cardinals bats gave him a lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Iván Herrera singled to left and then Alec Burleson walked. Jordan Walker lifted a fly ball to very deep center for the first out, but both runners moved up on his out giving St. Louis runners at 2nd and 3rd with just one out. Jimmy Crooks then hit a sacrifice fly to right which scored Herrera before Masyn Winn was not fooled by an 83 mph changeup that he crushed off of the left-centerfield wall scoring Burleson and giving the Cardinals a 3-1 lead.
One of the loudest contacts in Busch Stadium this season happened in the bottom of the 6th inning when Alec Burleson greeted a 91 mph sinker and launched it 441 feet deep into the right-centerfield stands increasing the Cardinals lead to 4-1. BOOM!
That 4-1 lead wouldn’t last long for St. Louis as Michael McGreevy got hit hard in the top of the 6th inning. With two outs, Castro ripped a double off of the wall in right which was followed by Brett Sullivan connecting with a 91 mph McGreevy sinker and depositing it over the right field wall for a 2-run homer reducing the Cardinals lead down to just one run at 4-3. Justin Bruihl would finish the 6th and also pitch the top of the 7th for St. Louis without allowing any more runs during his watch.
Many of the St. Louis faithful know the trepidation of the Cardinals entering the late innings with only a one-run lead. That’s why we were encouraged that the Cardinals bats threatened to increase that lead in the bottom of the 7th when JJ Wetherholt led off with a solid single to center followed by another from Iván Herrera giving St. Louis runners at first and second with no outs. No runs would be scored unfortunately after those two hits were wasted after a flyout and two groundouts.
That sinking feeling after missing a great scoring opportunity in the bottom of the 7th inning was realized in the top of the 8th inning when the Rockies Hunter Goodman connected with a 95 mph George Soriano sinker and sent it 394 feet into the left field stands tying the game at 4-4.
The St. Louis Cardinals seemed determined to not wait until the bottom of the 9th inning to overcome the Coloradoans. Masyn Winn and Nathan Church led off the bottom of the 8th with back-to-back singles and then José Fermín laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt moving Winn and Church up to scoring position and second and third with just one out. Unfortunately, Bryan Torres struck out on 3 pitches for the second out which left the Cardinals 8th inning fate in JJ Wetherholt’s hands. The Rockies went to the bullpen and brought in lefty Parker Mushinski. JJ made Colorado understand they made a mistake immediately as he unloaded on Mushinski’s first pitch which was a 92 mph four-seam fastball and blasted a triple (that the official scorer somehow declared a double and an error) off of the centerfield wall scoring both Winn and Church giving the Cardinals a 6-4 lead. Iván Herrera added another invaluable single into left-center scoring Wetherholt and upping the St. Louis advantage to 7-4.
The top of the 9th inning was Riley O’Brien’s responsibility as he had to face Cardinals killer Jake McCarthy first. He lined out to newcomer Pereira in left field for the first out. Carrigg was next up and he was robbed by a nice play from JJ Wetherholt up the middle that also included a nice stretch by Alec Burleson that was confirmed after a Colorado challenge. Rumfield was the Rockies last hope, but he lined out to Pereira who made a great diving catch in left to seal Colorado’s fate.
The St. Louis Cardinals begin a crucial 3-game homestand against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday night at Busch Stadium. Hunter Dobbins gets the start for the Cardinals while the Phillies will give the ball to Andrew Painter who’s returning from hamstring issues. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45pm central time and the game broadcast will be available through Cardinals.tv.
The Cubs finished up a stretch of 17 games without an off day with a 12-5 mark, which is likely better than any of us had hoped for when this run began.
And they did it emphatically, with yet another solid outing from Matthew Boyd and the bats going strong. All of that resulted in a 10-2 Cubs victory over the Royals, taking the series.
The Cubs wasted no time in taking the lead in this one. With one out, Michael Busch doubled and then the bases became loaded on infield singles by Alex Bregman and Ian Happ.
Boyd breezed through the first two innings, recording his first six outs on just 15 pitches. Then the Cubs made it 3-0 in the third. Busch singled with one out, his second hit of the game. After a fly out by Alex Bregman, Happ also posted his second hit of the game, a single, with Busch stopping at second.
The Cubs made it 4-0 in the fourth. Miguel Amaya led off with a single. Tyrone Taylor attempted a bunt, which resulted in a force play at second. Pete Crow-Armstong also hit into a force play. Busch followed with his third hit of the game, a single, with PCA stopping at second.
Boyd then made his only real mistakes of the day in the bottom of the fourth, a one-out single by Salvador Perez, followed by a ball hit by Starling Marte that was absolutely demolished for a 413-foot two-run homer.
I really, truly hope this is the beginning of one of Happ’s patented late season hot streaks. He went 5-for-13 in this series with a double and two home runs.
The Cubs put the game away in the seventh. Hoerner led off with a double and Swanson walked.
Boyd completed seven innings, throwing 98 pitches (64 strikes), a really good performance on a very hot day in Kansas City (90 degrees at game time).
About Boyd’s outing, from BCB’s JohnW53:
Matthew Boyd’s quality start was his sixth of the season, tying Colin Rea for second most among Cubs pitchers. Shota Imanaga has 10. Seven others have a combined 17, for a team total of 39, about one of every three for the season.
Ryan Zeferjahn threw the eighth and struck out a pair, including getting Bobby Witt Jr. on a 99 mile per hour four-seamer. So far, Zeferjahn looks like an excellent acquisition by Jed Hoyer.
Royals infielder Josh Rojas threw the ninth and allowed a leadoff single to Tyrone Taylor, but that was it. The Cubs thus matched their season high with 18 hits. More on that from John:
They had 18 twice before, in an 8-7, 10-inning win over the Phillies on April 23 and in a 16-2 rout of the Jays on June 19. Both were at home.
Their most on the road before this game were 17, in a 10-2 win at St. Louis on July 28.
Javier Assad came in for the ninth to wrap things up. He retired the Royals 1-2-3 on just five pitches. Here’s the final out [VIDEO].
A few more game notes from John:
This is the Cubs’ 16th game of the season with at least 10 runs scored — about one of every 7.5. They had 22 last season, 11 in 2024 and 24 in 2023.
Today’s win was the Cubs’ 48th straight with double-digit runs, since a 12-11, 10-inning loss at Arizona on April 16, 2024. Before that, they had won 32 in a row, so now they are 81-1 since they were outslugged by the White Sox, 17-13, on Aug. 27, 2021. … The Cubs scored three runs in the sixth and three in the seventh, allowing none. They have scored 84 runs in the sixth, eight more than in their second-best inning: the seventh, with 76.
The Cubs are +34 runs in the seventh, their best, and +23 in the sixth, their second best.
Overall the Cubs left 11 runners on base — but at the same time, went 7-for-15 with RISP, which is a really good showing in that situation. Well done on all counts. The Cubs win another series and, as noted, went 12-5 in the 17-game stretch without an off day, just an outstanding performance. At this writing the Brewers and Twins are in extra innings, tied 3-3.
Lastly, as noted on the Marquee broadcast, the Cubs have now won eight straight road series — something not accomplished by the franchise since 1912 (!) — well done!
And so the Cubs will certainly enjoy their off day Monday, then will open a three-game series against the Nationals in Washington Tuesday. Shōta Imanaga will start the series opener Tuesday. At this writing the Nats do not have a starter listed at MLB.com, though it was mentioned on the Marquee broadcast that Jake Irvin will start for Washington on Tuesday. Game time Tuesday is 5:45 p.m. CT and TV coverage will be via Marquee Sports Network.
Former members of the Vancouver Canucks will take the spotlight in this off-season article series. From those skating with new NHL teams heading into the 2026–27 season to those who are now playing for international clubs, these featured players have skated in at least one game at the NHL level as a member of the Canucks.
Today’s segment will take a look at the eight former Canucks that are set to compete for teams in the NHL’s Central Division during the 2026–27 season.
Cole’s tenure in Vancouver was short, only one season long (2023–24), but seemed to leave a lasting impression on the team following his departure. The veteran defenceman has been praised for his leadership even a couple of years after leaving Vancouver. On the ice, Cole made a strong defensive impact for the Canucks, particularly in their first-round series against the Nashville Predators in 2024.
Cole’s 2025–26 season saw him skate for the Utah Mammoth for the second consecutive year, during which he put together a three-goal, 20-assist campaign. After Utah lost to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first-round of the playoffs, Cole signed a one-year, $4M contract with Chicago.
The longest time Juulsen has spent with an NHL team through his career so far has been his four-season stretch with the Canucks (2021–22 to 2024–25). A depth defender, the most games he has played in a single NHL season is the 54 he skated in with Vancouver in 2023–24. He departed from the Canucks last off-season, signing a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers.
In his time with the Flyers, Juulsen skated in 52 games and recorded one goal and nine assists. He logged the second-lowest TOI in his career during this time with an average of 13:49 minutes per game. The defenceman signed a two-year, $1.1M AAV contract with the Avalanche in free-agency.
A Canuck for nearly seven full seasons, Myers first signed a five-year deal with Vancouver during the 2019 free-agency period before inking another contract with the team, this time for three years. Despite some chaotic times with the defenceman on Vancouver’s blueline, by the end of his Canucks tenure, Myers had established himself as one of the team’s leaders.
Myers was traded to the Stars only a couple of days ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, with the defenceman having played in 57 games with Vancouver before his departure. As a member of the Stars for 16 regular-season games in 2025–26, he registered three assists and logged an average of around 17 minutes per game. His current contract will expire at the end of the 2026–27 season.
Casey DeSmith, Dallas Stars
DeSmith’s one year as a member of the Canucks saw the goaltender post a record of 12–9–6, logging a GAA of 2.89 and a SV% of .896. Vancouver’s backup in 2023–24 ended up getting injured during the playoffs, with both his and Thatcher Demko’s injuries forcing Artūrs Šilovs into the starter’s crease mid first-round series. While DeSmith was able to back-up following Šilovs’ first game, the now-Dallas Star didn’t end up playing in any more games.
In free agency in 2024, DeSmith signed a three-year deal with Dallas, making him the Stars’ backup to Jake Oettinger. During the 2025–26 season, DeSmith played in 30 regular season games, registering a record of 15–8–6. He logged a 2.43 GAA and .907 SV%, also collecting one shutout.
The 2018 seventh-overall draft pick, Hughes played for Vancouver for nearly seven full seasons. During that time, he collected franchise record after franchise record for club defencemen. He was named the 15th captain in franchise history at the beginning of the 2023–24 season — a year in which he also recorded his highest single-season point total (92) and won the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
Hughes was traded to the Wild on December 12, 2025, in a move that would ultimately change the course of Vancouver’s long-term future. Upon joining Minnesota, Hughes put together a five-goal, 48-assist effort in 48 games en route to the post-season. Despite the defenceman logging 15 points in 11 games, Hughes and Minnesota ultimately fell to the Avalanche in the second round. Hughes is entering the final year of his six-year contract and will become a UFA at the end of the 2026–27 season if not signed by then.
May 11, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) skates with the puck against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period in game four of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Höglander has only ever played for one NHL team throughout his hockey career, though that will change come the start of the 2026–27 season. The forward, who was Vancouver’s lone selection remaining with the team from the 2019 NHL Draft, has spent the past six seasons as a member of the Canucks, putting together a grand total of 60 goals and 60 assists during that span of time.
In his final season as a member of the Canucks, Höglander skated in 38 games and put up two goals and three assists. He missed the first two months of the season due to an ankle injury sustained during pre-season. One day before the opening of the 2026 free-agency period, Höglander was traded to Nashville in exchange for a third-round pick in 2029.
In a surprising turn of events, Suter spent some of his time in Vancouver as the Canucks’ first-line center. After J.T. Miller was traded and Elias Pettersson and Filip Chytil were both felled by injuries, Suter wound up skating as Vancouver’s number-one center — an opportunity that helped him eventually snag a two-year, $4M AAV contract with the Blues in the following free-agency period.
The 2025–26 season was Suter’s first with the Blues. Despite missing time due to an ankle injury, he still finished the season with 13 goals and 16 assists in 64 games, replicating the point total he registered in his first year with Vancouver.
Vancouver was one of Schmidt’s career stops en route to a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024–25. The defenceman joined the Canucks during the 2020–21 season, scoring five goals and 10 assists in 54 games during the shortened season. He was dealt to the Winnipeg Jets immediately after, where he spent three seasons before heading to Florida.
Schmidt signed a three-year, $3.5M AAV contract with the Mammoth during the 2025 off-season, with the past season being his first with Utah. He ended up skating in all 82 games of the season for the first time in his career, recording five goals and 17 assists in that span of time. He had one assist in six post-season games during Utah’s six-game playoff run.
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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - AUGUST 09: Miguel Amaya #9 of the Chicago Cubs reacts while rounding the bases after hitting a home run during the 7th inning of the game at Kauffman Stadium on August 09, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was hard to tell which was hotter, the Kansas City August weather, or Cubs bats.
Cubs hitters rapped out 17 hits and 10 runs as Chicago took the series on Sunday with a 10-2 win over the Royals. The Randy Dobnak magic that had worked so well in his first four starts was put on hiatus for this start. The right-hander went five innings, giving up ten hits and four runs, but it was the bullpen that made it a laugher, giving up six runs in four innings of work.
The Cubs got to Dobnak with a run in the first on a Michael Conforto sacrifice fly. In the third, Dobnak gave up back-to-back two out RBI singles to Conforto and Nico Hoerner to make it 3-0. Alex Bregman had an RBI single in the fourth to give the Cubs a four-run lead.
The Royals would get some of those runs back on a two-run home run by Starling Marte off Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. Michael Massey followed that up with a two-out triple, but Tyler Tolbert was unable to bring him home.
Easton McGee came in for the sixth and gave up six runs in just two innings of work. He allowed a two-run home run to Ian Happ in the sixth, and a three-run home run to Miguel Amaya in the seventh. Lucas Erceg worked around two singles to pitch a scoreless seventh, then it was infielder Josh Rojas on the mound for eighth to make this a true laugher. It was the sixth pitching appearance by a Royals position player this year, and the first by someone other than Tyler Tolbert.
The Royals managed just six hits on offense, going 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. They lose the three game series to the Cubs an fall to 49-70 for the year. They head to Los Angeles to take on the Dodgers for a three game set beginning tomorrow evening.
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