Evander Kane has been a lightning rod for controversy throughout his lengthy NHL career, from the infamous “track suit” incident with Winnipeg that resulted in him being dealt to the Buffalo Sabres in 2015, to financial and marital issues that occurred while a member of the San Jose Sharks. Kane had his contract terminated by the Sharks in 2022 for breaching the NHL’s COVID protocols, and this week former teammate Kurtis Gabriel revealed on social media details of the controversial forward’s reputation.
“Every meeting, Evander Kane shows up late,” Gabriel, who played 11 games for the Sharks in 2021, said on the SJHN podcast. “A team meeting in a hotel in the morning; there’s breakfast, you have to be at the meeting. You are always 15 minutes early... we start the meeting, the door clicks open, here comes Evander, in his flip-flops, in his tracksuit, when we are in a suit and tie.”
The revelation drew responses from Kane and Christina Marleau, the wife of teammate Patrick Marleau, who texted to Gabriel that they would not let their sons in the locker room when Kane was around.
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
The 35-year-old winger had his share of incidents during his time with the Sabres, being suspended by the club for one game for oversleeping after going to the NBA All-Star Game in Toronto and missing practice the following day, to being arrested for an incident in a Buffalo nightclub on NHL Draft night in 2016, in which the charges were later dropped.
Kane, who is currently an unsigned unrestricted free agent, spent four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers before being dealt to his hometown Vancouver Canucks last summer, where he finished with 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 71 games.
The transfer window has broken all rational rules and limits, leaving us to marvel and, ultimately, pick up the bill
There was a research study a few years back into a key period in the life of the TV show Location, Location, Location. You know the one. Half an hour of mid-morning drift. Hosted by two people whose common quality is they both look as if the minced essence of Wellington boots, the Volvo XC40 and the phrase “picky bits” has been reconstituted into human shapes, then sent out to judge people for buying houses.
The big reveal was always the bit where they came back a year later and saw how much the value had shifted. Because all conversations about houses are, in the end, an excuse to talk about money. Oh wow, it’s gone up by £20,000. You are good. Oh no, you’re now bankrupt and your flat looks like a hostage cell with fairy lights. Unlucky. You are bad.
The transfer window has broken all rational rules and limits, leaving us to marvel and, ultimately, pick up the bill
There was a research study a few years back into a key period in the life of the TV show Location, Location, Location. You know the one. Half an hour of mid-morning drift. Hosted by two people whose common quality is they both look as if the minced essence of Wellington boots, the Volvo XC40 and the phrase “picky bits” has been reconstituted into human shapes, then sent out to judge people for buying houses.
The big reveal was always the bit where they came back a year later and saw how much the value had shifted. Because all conversations about houses are, in the end, an excuse to talk about money. Oh wow, it’s gone up by £20,000. You are good. Oh no, you’re now bankrupt and your flat looks like a hostage cell with fairy lights. Unlucky. You are bad.
Juraj Slafkovsky said something that stopped a lot of people, of many different fan bases, in their tracks.
“It’s not really about the money for anyone in Montreal,” Slafkovsky said. “We’d rather just focus on collecting those rings.”
The Montreal Canadiens have spent the last few years building their contracts around that mentality. Nick Suzuki is signed for $7.875 million per season. Cole Caufield makes $7.85 million. Slafkovsky is at $7.6 million. Lane Hutson signed for $8.85 million, Noah Dobson is at $9.5 million, and Ivan Demidov signed an eight-year extension worth $9.15 million per season.
Montreal's highest-paid player, Dobson, didn't even sign his contract with the team; he was traded to them from the New York Islanders.
Montreal has its core under contract for years, until the first extension expires in 2030. Every one of those players could be part of the Canadiens through the rest of the decade if they continue to re-sign at this rate.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers have spent a lot of time trying to build around large contracts at the top of the roster. Leon Draisaitl carries a $ 14 million cap hit. McDavid is at $12.5 million. Evan Bouchard's new contract pays him $10.5 million per season. Those three contracts account for $37 million before Stan Bowman gets to the rest of the lineup.
The players have earned their money. Draisaitl has won multiple Hart Trophies, Art Ross Trophies, and Ted Lindsay Awards while producing at a level few players in the league can reach. McDavid is arguably underpaid for what he does. Bouchard put himself in a position for a major contract through his production from the blue line.
Edmonton has generally paid it's star players what they deserve.
Montreal has created an internal salary structure that its players appear willing to follow. Suzuki signed his eight-year deal in 2021. Caufield followed in 2023. Slafkovsky signed his extension in 2024, Hutson followed, and Demidov joined the group this summer.
Demidov had 62 points as a rookie and signed as soon as he became eligible. Hutson signed after winning the Calder Trophy. Slafkovsky agreed to his contract at 20, with plenty of years still ahead of him. None of them waited until the last possible moment to find out what unrestricted leverage or another season of production could bring.
They wanted the contracts done. They wanted to stay in Montreal. They wanted the organization to have money available to keep building the roster.
An extra million dollars on six contracts is $6 million that can't be spent somewhere else. A few players taking reasonable long-term numbers can create enough room for another forward, defenceman, or goaltender. It can give Kent Hughes money at the trade deadline without offloading someone else first. It can also keep a roster together when younger players begin needing new contracts.
Obviously, the Oilers have some discount contracts. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins signed for eight years at $5.125 million in 2021. Zach Hyman signed for $5.5 million and gave Edmonton one of the best contracts in NHL history. McDavid's current $12.5 million deal was a show-me deal to the Oilers, but a cheap one at that.
There has never been a salary structure throughout the entire roster that everyone seemed determined to maintain. Edmonton negotiated each contract on its own terms and dealt with the cap situation that followed.
That approach is common throughout the NHL. Players spend their careers working toward unrestricted free agency and the opportunity to secure their largest contract. Agents have a responsibility to maximize earnings. Careers can end quickly, and teams regularly trade, waive or buy out players when their contracts stop working for the organization.
Slafkovsky's comments provide some insight into how the players in Montreal see it. He is talking about winning a Stanley Cup. The players appear to view their contracts as part of keeping the group together long enough to do that.
Edmonton has spent years searching for value around McDavid and Draisaitl because every dollar matters once the top of the roster has been paid. Stan Bowman looks for players willing to sign short contracts, veterans whose markets disappeared and young players capable of producing on inexpensive deals. One bad contract can remove much of the remaining flexibility.
The same issue exists throughout the league. Toronto infamously paid the core-4 and then had nothing left. Colorado just signed Cale Makar to a $20.4 million contract. Florida might run out of cap space this year. Tampa Bay has had to let players go after winning their recent Stanley Cups.
Every contender eventually has players who need to get paid.
Montreal's current players seem determined to keep that problem under control before it arrives. Their comments underline that the message has become part of the culture, and every new extension gives the next player another reason to take less so he can win more.
The Oilers should want that.
McDavid and Draisaitl say they want to win a Stanley Cup. The team has made decisions around giving them that opportunity, and both players have already committed significant portions of their careers to Edmonton. Creating an internal expectation around contracts could become another part of keeping a winning roster together.
Why can't more NHL teams convince their stars that leaving money available can help them win? Why can't players decide that keeping another teammate around has value of its own? Why can't a room establish a number and have its core buy into it?
Montreal has managed to get several players thinking that way at the same time. The Canadiens now have years to see what they can build with the room those contracts provide.
Carse also missed second Test after incident in Derby bar
Matthew Fisher absence is only change from Lord’s squad
Brydon Carse has been left out of England’s squad for the final Test of the summer, against Pakistan at Edgbaston next week, with police still investigating allegations of an assault connected with the late-night incident at a Derby bar last month that led to the Durham seamer being briefly arrested and placed in handcuffs. The Cricket Regulator is also investigating the incident.
As a result of the allegations, and with investigations ongoing, Carse was dropped from the squad for last week’s second Test. The 31-year-old had been in the squad for the first game, but not named in the XI. Sonny Baker, who replaced him for the second Test but also did not play, remains in a squad that has changed only by the absence of Matthew Fisher. Alongside Baker, the other squad members who were not in the team at Lord’s are Shoaib Bashir, Sam Cook and Ollie Pope.
On Tuesday, the NHL kept going with its top 15 assists from the 2025-26 season, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson made the list for the second time with the third-best assist of the season. It’s the third time a Hab player appears on the list, after Juraj Slafkovsky manufactured the 13th-best helper and Hutson appeared for the first time at number eight. So far, Hutson and Connor McDavid are the only players to appear twice on the list.
Hutson’s first appearance came thanks to a stretch pass he made to Cole Caufield after blocking a shot that was heading for the Canadiens’ empty net in a game against the Nashville Predators. It led to the sniper tying the game and, later on, winning it for the Habs in overtime.
Hutson’s second appearance on the list is down to a sequence in which he beat three Florida Panthers in a footrace, mesmerizing them all. So much so that they only had eyes for the blueliner, and once they were all out of position, just like the goaltender, he sent the puck back in front of the net, giving Nick Suzuki one of his easiest goals of the season.
That was yet another game-tying goal, which came with the Habs’ net being empty. It just goes to show that Hutson is the kind of player who wants the puck when the game is on the line. The Canadiens ended up winning that game as well, this time in the shootout, with Caufield and Alexandre Texier finding the back of the net. Clearly, Caufield is not the only clutch player on the Canadiens, and Hutson’s competitive level is nothing short of impressive to see. The defenseman never gives up on a game; whether it’s about defending or attacking, he gives it his all.
Chris Pronger has played alongside some of the greatest defensemen in NHL history.
He knows what an elite blueliner looks like.
So when a Hockey Hall of Famer looks at Cale Makar’s record-breaking contract and sees little reason for concern, it is worth listening.
Makar’s eight-year, $163.2 million extension with the Colorado Avalanche makes him the first player in NHL history to carry an average annual value above $20 million. The number is staggering, and the commitment will shape Colorado’s roster for years to come.
But Pronger does not see the deal as a reckless gamble.
Cale Makar and the Avalanche got it done.
There’s a lot to unpack beyond the headline number.
Team fit. Cap certainty. Contract structure. And what makes Makar so special.
He sees a superstar getting paid like a superstar.
“I think it is a win-win for the player and the team,” Pronger said while breaking down Makar’s contract.
And perhaps more importantly for Colorado, he believes the Avalanche have secured the one player around whom their future should be built.
Makar’s extension does not officially begin until the 2027-28 season, with one year remaining on his current deal. But the agreement effectively gives Colorado long-term certainty surrounding the most important defenseman in franchise history.
Since entering the NHL, Makar has established himself as one of the league’s premier defensemen. He is a two-time Norris Trophy winner and, in 2022, became the first defenseman in Avalanche history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy after helping Colorado capture the Stanley Cup.
Makar has also been a Norris finalist in six of his first seven full NHL seasons, joining Bobby Orr as the only defensemen in league history to accomplish that feat.
That résumé is what separates Makar’s contract from the typical conversation surrounding massive long-term deals.
There is always risk when a team commits hundreds of millions of dollars to one player. Injuries and declining production can eventually turn a franchise-altering investment into a franchise-altering problem.
But Pronger does not believe Makar’s injury history provides much reason for concern.
“There’s not a lot of cons other than the potential issue if there was an injury,” Pronger said.
Makar did deal with an upper-body injury late last season that kept him out of the first two games of Colorado’s Western Conference Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The timing could hardly have been worse.
Makar returned for Game 3, but the Avalanche ultimately saw their season end as Vegas swept Colorado.
Still, those injuries clearly did not change how the Avalanche viewed their franchise defenseman.
Makar has been remarkably durable throughout his Colorado tenure, and Pronger believes his track record gives the Avalanche reason to feel comfortable with the commitment.
“I don’t see a drop in his production to the end of this contract, for sure,” Pronger said.
That confidence is rooted in what Makar has already accomplished.
He became the fourth-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 500 points, doing so in just 467 games. Only Orr, Paul Coffey and Denis Potvin reached the milestone faster.
Makar also finished the 2025-26 season with 79 points in 75 games and became the first defenseman since Phil Housley and Al MacInnis in 1992 to record three consecutive 20-goal seasons.
The Avalanche are not paying Makar based solely on what he might become.
They are paying him for what he has already proven to be.
“That’s the thing about this particular player,” Pronger said. “He’s proven to be this player.”
And for Colorado, the biggest advantage of the extension may not even be Makar’s production.
It is knowing he will be there.
The Avalanche can now plan around Makar without worrying about his next contract, his price as the salary cap rises or whether another team could eventually pry him away.
“They can begin to plan for the future,” Pronger said.
That becomes particularly important when considering the structure of Makar’s contract.
While the $20.4 million cap hit is eye-popping, much of the money is structured as signing bonuses. Beginning in 2027-28, Makar is scheduled to receive a $4 million base salary and a $16.8 million signing bonus, with similar bonus-heavy structures throughout the extension.
In total, the eight-year extension adds up to $163.2 million.
For Makar, the structure offers an obvious financial benefit. Signing bonuses are generally not subject to a buyout in the same way as base salary.
Pronger admitted the bonus-heavy structure surprised him.
“I was shocked that it’s heavily signing-bonus latent,” he said, suggesting Makar and his agency, Bartlett Hockey, likely placed significant value on receiving so much of the money in bonuses.
But the bigger question for Colorado is whether the record-breaking cap hit will become a problem as the contract progresses.
Pronger does not believe it will.
A $20.4 million cap hit is enormous under today’s salary-cap numbers. But if the league’s cap continues to rise, Makar’s deal should consume a smaller percentage of Colorado’s payroll over time.
Pronger believes that by the middle of the contract, years four, five and six, the deal could look considerably more manageable.
That is where Colorado’s roster construction becomes critical.
The Avalanche already have several core pieces committed long term, including Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas. With Makar secured through 2034-35, Colorado knows exactly who its roster will be built around.
Now comes the difficult part: finding enough talent to complement those stars without breaking the bank.
That responsibility falls squarely on Joe Sakic and Colorado’s management team.
“They have to continue to find players to add, whether it be through college free agency, junior, et cetera, to supplement their roster,” Pronger said.
In other words, Makar’s contract does not eliminate the challenge facing Colorado.
It defines it.
The Avalanche have decided that Makar is worth building around. Now they have to find creative ways to build the rest of the roster around him.
Pronger understands that better than most.
He won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and captured Olympic gold with Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. More importantly, he knows how rare it is for a franchise to have a defenseman capable of fundamentally changing the way a team plays.
Makar is already entering that territory, which is why the price may ultimately matter less than the decision itself. Colorado has made the calculation that some players are simply too important to let go, even when paying them requires difficult decisions elsewhere on the roster.
That philosophy carries a little more weight in Colorado after what happened with Mikko Rantanen.
Colorado forward Nazem Kadri, who was playing for the Calgary Flames at the time, made his feelings clear after the Avalanche traded Rantanen in 2025, writing on social media: “Rule number one: You always keep the dawgs ... #96.”
Colorado could not keep Rantanen.
It has made sure it is keeping Makar.
“I think it is a win-win for the player and the team,” Pronger said.
On Tuesday, MLB rosters expanded for the final month of the regular season, which meant that every single organization was able to add two players to their active roster. While pretty much every team added a reliever to help their bullpens, and many of the other additions were bench players who can add depth at a variety of positions, there were some potential difference-making players who were added to the rosters.
Let's see who they are and what we can expect from them over the final month of the season.
Lazaro Montes - OF, Mariners
Montes made quite the impression in his MLB debut on Tuesday, with a solo homer, an RBI single, and a walk as the Mariners beat the Red Sox. That was Montes' first career MLB home run, but his 39th home run of the season. The 21-year-old has been swinging a hot bat over the summer, but has some contact concerns that I went over in more detail in a video this week.
Salas will make his MLB debut on Tuesday and will be the youngest player to enter an MLB game at catcher since Pudge Rodriguez did in October of 1990. This season, Salas hit .296/.374/.448 with 10 homers and 17 steals between Double- and Triple-A this year. That came with an impressive 5.4 percent swinging strike rate, and, in 24 games at Triple-A, he posted a 95 percent zone contact rate and 42 percent hard-hit rate. It’s incredibly impressive for a hitter at his age to control the strike zone and have the feel for contact that he does. MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell reports that, while there is no set role for Salas right now, he is “expected to catch, DH and serve as a bench bat.” That makes it sound like the left-handed-hitting Salas could start a few games a week with the chance to earn more playing time if he produces.
Leo Bernal - C, Cardinals
The 22-year-old is the seventh-ranked prospect in the Cardinals organization and hit .278/.363/.468 with 16 home runs, 77 RBI, and nine steals in 101 games at Triple-A this season. With Jimmy Crooks being sent down on Monday, Bernal could split time with Pedro Pages behind Ivan Herrera in St. Louis, but he started on Tuesday and hit sixth in the order. That was also against a left-handed starter, and Bernal is a switch-hitter while Pages bats right-handed, so that could be a signal that Bernal will be the true second option behind Herrera. Bernal had a 9.6% barrel rate and 40% hard-hit rate in Triple-A but posted a sub-average 75% zone contact rate, so we could have a few games like we did on Tuesday, where he went 1-for-5 with two RBI but also struck out twice.
Yohandy Morales - 1B/3B, Nationals
Morales is a player we have blurbed throughout the season because the 24-year-old former 40th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft had a tremendous year at Triple-A, hitting .286 with 25 HR and 76 RBI. If not for a mysterious injury that put him on the MiLB injured list in July, Morales could have been up earlier this season. This year, Morales pulled the ball more than he did in 2025 and got the ball off the ground more often. He still swings and misses a decent amount, but had a 13.2% barrel rate and 51% hard-hit rate at Triple-A this season. In his first two MLB games, he has played first base and designated hitter against two right-handed pitchers, which suggests that the Nationals are going to give him a chance to be a regular starter. Considering he went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, a double, and a solo home run against the Braves on Tuesday, that makes some sense, and he has enough power to be fantasy relevant down the stretch.
Yohandy Morales' first Major League hit is a home run!
Amador made his MLB debut at 21 years old back in 2024, but his first two chances at the big leagues did not go so well. He doesn't chase outside of the zone, and he makes a lot of contact, but he didn't hit the ball overly hard and struggled to adapt to the level. In 2026, he has been a similar player in Triple-A, but has hit the ball on the ground a bit less. Despite being primarily a shortstop, Amador has a solid glove and a strong arm, which means he can play all over the middle infield. The new Rockies regime might be more invested in Amador's ability to make consistent contact and work a count. They had seemed to sour on Ezequiel Tovar a bit, so there's a chance that Amador could push him for at-bats down the stretch.
Ricky Tiedemann - SP/RP, Blue Jays
You probably know who Tiedemann is because the 24-year-old was a top 100 prospect for a few years. The left-hander missed most of 2024 and all of 2025 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and then experienced some elbow soreness again ramping up for camp in 2026, which has caused him to miss most of this season. His fastball is still sitting around 96-98 mph, and he’s throwing a new, harder, tighter slider, which should put less strain on his elbow after bone chips were also removed during surgery. He also has a strong changeup, and while Tiedemann will just be a reliever this season, finishing this year strong could give him the inside track to compete for a rotation spot in 2027.
Jedixson Paez - SP, Red Sox
The 22-year-old had allowed just four runs on seven hits in 12 1/3 innings while posting an 18/2 K/BB ratio in three starts for Triple-A Worcester before being called up on Tuesday. His first MLB start did not go so well. He allowed eight runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Mariners. He did throw 63 percent of his pitches for strikes, including 86 percent on his curve, and his changeup posted a 17 percent swinging strike rate against lefties, but his fastball locations were not good, and he simply doesn’t throw hard enough to get by without solid location. There’s a chance he gets another spot start this season to keep Boston’s regular starters fresh for the playoffs, and he could be solid rotation depth in 2027, but his impact this year remains unlikely.
The Detroit Red Wings are set to host the 2026 NHL Prospect Tournament, featuring the top young players in their organization along with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Red Wings have also released their roster for the tournament, which will include 2023 Draft selection Nate Danielson along with 2025 Draft selection Carter Bear.
Additionally, goaltender Trey Augustine, selected in 2023 and who is expected to compete for a starting role in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, will take part.
Other notable Red Wings prospects include 2020 Draft selection Kienan Draper, the son of four-time Stanley Cup winner and current Red Wings AGM/Amateur Scouting Director Kris Draper, along with 2022 Draft selection Dylan James.
The tournament will take place at the BELFOR Training Center inside of Little Caesars Arena starting on Sept. 12, and fans can watch the matchups at no charge courtesy of the official Red Wings website.
Two days following the conclusion of the Prospects Tournament, the Red Wings will open Training Camp.
Danielson got his first taste of NHL experience last season with the Red Wings, making his debut on Nov. 9 and later registering his first goal (and assist) against the Seattle Kraken just over a week later.
Upon being returned to the Griffins, he would suffer an injury in mid-February, which prevented him from playing in the final 31 games of the regular season, and all of the Griffins' Calder Cup Playoff games.
He scored three goals with 12 assists for the Griffins in the 18 games he skated in.
Meanwhile, Bear scored 36 goals while adding 41 assists in 53 games for the WHL's Everett Silvertips, and contributed seven goals with 15 assists in 18 postseason games, helping his club advance to the Memorial Cup.
Augustine, now arguably Detroit's top goaltending prospect next to Michal Postava following the offseason trade of Sebastian Cossa, is coming off his final season at Michigan State. He posted a 24-9-1 record with a solid 2.11 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.
He also skated in two games for the Griffins following Michigan State's loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Regional Final.
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
If there was any doubt about Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck's intentions heading into next season, the Hart and Vezina Trophy winner made it clear when he confirmed through his agent that he has requested a trade. The 33-year-old had knee surgery, and a career-worst .895 save % with the Jets last season, but still played 57 games (23-23-11) and was the key to Team USA’s gold medal victory at the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina.
The Buffalo Sabres were connected to Hellebuyck around the NHL Draft in late June, but Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff could not find common ground on a deal. The conventional wisdom is that now that Hellebuyck has made his trade request public, that Cheveldayoff is not in as strong a negotiating position to get the best deal for the netminder, but he reportedly is open to going to a wide swath of teams.
Unless Hellebuyck is prepared to hold out, Winnipeg could wait into the season for the right return for such a valuable commodity.
The Sabres could be in the mix for Hellebuyck, but deals that had previously been offered that included goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen might be off the table, since he has a five-team no-trade clause that could block a trade to Winnipeg. It is expected that any deal involving Buffalo would include one of their young centers (Noah Ostlund or Konsta Helenius), one of their top prospect defenseman (Daxon Rudolph or Radim Mrtka) and/or an established NHL forward (Jack Quinn or Ryan McLeod).
Other teams could be in the mix for the veteran netminder, either to get them into the playoff mix, or to elevate them from a consistent postseason entrant to a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
Vegas Golden Knights
Team Status: The Golden Knights surprised some by getting past Colorado in the Western Conference Final to advance to the Cup Final against Carolina, but many point to the subpar play of Carter Hart as one of the main reasons they lost to the Hurricanes. Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon has found ways to defy the odds to make his club better, and in spite of a decreasing amount of assets outside their core group, his ability to do so cannot be underestimated.
Current Goalie Situation: Hart played only 18 games after being signed midway through last season, but started all 22 playoff games over Cup winner Adin Hill. Hill is 30 played only 27 games due to lower body injuries, and is entering year two of a six-year contract extension, making $6.25 million AAV. Akira Schmid played the bulk of their starts (34), but he signed with FLorida in the offseason.
Assets To Trade: Hill has a 10-team no trade clause that could prevent being included in a Hellebuyck deal, and after trading winger Pavel Dorofeyev to New York, their best young prospects are not in the NHL; 2024 first rounder Trevor Connelly, and 2026 top pick Juho Piiparipen. Forwards Tomas Hertl ($6.25 million) and Ivan Barbashev ($5 million) are still in their prime, but Hertl has a three-team trade approval list, and Barbashev a 10-team no trade list. The only likely path is for McCrimmon to trade these players to teams they are not blocked by, to gain assets to ship to Winnipeg.
This is a longshot, since there are not many clubs looking to do Vegas many favors, so Buffalo should be able to top any offer they make.
VITORIA-GASTEIZ, SPAIN - DECEMBER 17: Khalifa Diop of Kosner Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz lines up for a free throw during the EuroLeague Regular Season Round 16 match between Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz and AS Monaco at Fernando Buesa Arena on December 17, 2025 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. (Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a tough salary cap position. Because they’re hard-capped at the first apron after completing the sign-and-trade for Peyton Watson, they needed to sign someone with zero years of NBA experience to remain under that threshold. To accomplish this, they signed 2022 second-round pick Khalifa Diop.
Diop is a 24-year-old, 6’11” center from Senegal. He’s spent the last three years playing professionally for Baskonia in Spain. Diop played in 47 games last season in the Liga ACB in Spain and EuroLeague. He started 38 of those contests and averaged 3.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 16.4 minutes per contest on 67% shooting from the field.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Believeland shirt HERE. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE.
Diop’s only experience in the wine and gold came during Summer League in 2023. There, he played just three games and averaged 4 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 17.4 minutes.
Cleveland’s main roster is likely set for the start of next season. They’ve typically gone into the season with 14 players on the roster, leaving one slot open until after the trade deadline to maintain flexibility. There’s an outside chance that an additional trade gets made or a player on an unguaranteed contract such as Mario Hezonja (contract guarantees on 11/15/26) or Craig Porter Jr. (contract guarantees on 1/10/27) is waived. Barring something like that, this is going to be the group heading into the year.
Diop likely won’t get many minutes with the Cavaliers next season. He’ll be the fourth center on the roster behind Thomas Bryant. Still, there’s upside there given Diop’s physical traits. We’ll see if he can reach his potential in Cleveland.
The Carolina Hurricanes have announced the first broadcast offering for their new network (Hurricanes Hockey Network).
Starting in the 2026-27 season, fans in the Hurricanes' regional territory can stream all local games through a subscription on Prime Video.
The subscription will cost $19.99 per month or an annual pass can be purchased for $99.99.
Customers do not have to have a paid Amazon Prime subscription to access Carolina Hurricanes games, but they will need an Amazon account.
It is important to note that no matter what type of subscription you may have on Amazon, you will still need to purchase this specific and separate package for Hurricanes games.
HHN will broadcast live Hurricanes games, along with pre and postgame shows.
According to the team's release, Prime Video will be one of multiple ways to watch the Canes this upcoming season, but cable and satellite distribution partners will be announced at a later date.
“Given the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, it is vital that we make sure we are meeting our fans where they are,” said Hurricanes Vice President of Communications Mike Sundheim. “Streaming is a key piece of that puzzle, and we are thrilled for the launch on Prime Video, which is readily accessible across a variety of devices. We look forward to announcing additional ways to watch our new network ahead of opening night.”
Carolina is one of six teams who will take their broadcasting to Prime Video, joining the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues.
The NHL took over broadcasting production for these teams following the dissolution of FanDuel Sports Network.
"Fans want an easy way to find and follow their favorite teams, and this agreement with Prime Video gives Clubs the flexibility to meet that demand as the market evolves," said NHL Chief Media Officer and Senior Executive Vice President David Proper. "Amazon has been a terrific partner to the NHL, and we're excited to expand our relationship as Prime Video grows its NHL offerings. Together, we're creating new opportunities for Clubs to reach fans and delivering a premium, accessible regional viewing experience."
“We’re excited to build upon our strong relationship with the NHL and provide fans with more ways to connect with the local teams they love,” said Head of Sports Partnerships, Prime Video Charlie Neiman. “We have firmly established Prime Video as a primary destination for sports and look forward to helping these teams broaden the reach and accessibility of their live games.”
Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The 29-year-old admitted there were some weird emotions about having to switch teams midseason, but he understands why the Mets opted to place him on waivers this past weekend.
“It’s part of the business,” he said Tuesday through an interpreter. “They sat me down and explained the reason behind it, so at the end of the day I understand that it’s a business.”
With Robert being claimed by the Orioles, this Mets are now completely off the hook for the roughly $3 million remaining on his contract for this season.
The slugger has a $20 million club option for next year as well, but Baltimore could also buy him out for $2 million over the offseason and send him to the open market instead.
Before having to make that decision, though, the contending O's will look him to help them in the midst of a tight and crowded American League Wild Card race.
They enter play on Wednesday one game under .500, and 1.5 games back of the Guardians for the final spot.
“It feels good, that’s what you play for from the moment you arrive at spring training,” Robert said. “Unfortunately it didn’t happen with the Mets, but I’m excited to have this opportunity here and to try to do it with this team.”
Baltimore appears to be getting Robert at the right time too, as he just finished off easily his best month to this point in the season, with six of his 10 homers coming in August.
The oft-injured outfielder has finally been able to find some consistency.
“Health is the biggest thing,” he said. “Unfortunately that’s been the thing that’s kept me off the field at different points in my career, but I’m definitely feeling good right now, and I think that’s what has led to this success.”
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 27: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves tips his cap after the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Truist Park on August 27, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The National League East has been a two-team race for most of the season, and with August now behind us, the same largely rings true. The last time the Braves were not first in odds to win the division, according to FanGraphs, was April 8th. There was minimal movement during the month of August, and with the season’s final month kicking off, the East is the Braves’ to lose, though the Phillies maintain as high a ceiling as anyone around the league.
First Place: Atlanta Braves (82-56)
Top Position Player: Michael Harris II (4.0 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Chris Sale (5.3 fWAR)
It was a solid month of August for Atlanta, who started with five consecutive wins, and closed the month by winning seven of eight. Matt Olson’s 37 homers, good for third-most in the NL, along with Michael Harris II’s continued rock-solid play on both sides has led the way to this point, with August changing nothing in that narrative. Drake Baldwin has been the other primary force for the season, outdoing his impressive rookie season in ‘25 despite a middling August.
While the lineup is strong, particularly at the top, the pitching staff is still led by 37-year-old Chris Sale, who is putting up some of the best numbers of his career in 144 innings so far. The dominant lefty capped off another good month with a true gem, a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts against the Dodgers. With FanGraphs giving Atlanta an 84.7 percent chance of winning the division, the Braves are not a team anyone would want to see come October.
Top Position Player: Bryson Stott (3.5 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Cristopher Sánchez (5.7 fWAR)
In that aforementioned race, the Phillies have been the second horse for much of the season. In August, however, the Fightin’ Phils paced the league with a scorching 21-7 record, a run that keeps them only four games out of first place in the East. Kyle Schwarber’s seven homers on the month make him the only player in baseball with 40, while Bryce Harper’s 194 wRC+ in August has helped make 2027 a full return to form for the two-time MVP.
The rotation headed by Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, and Zack Wheeler continues to be among the best units in baseball. Sánchez and his 175.1 innings will be firmly in the middle of the Cy Young discussion, not to mention that Luzardo joins him as one of the top five pitchers in baseball by fWAR. While they still have a hill to climb in the final month if they want a division crown, they have as good a top end as any team in baseball.
Third Place: Miami Marlins (69-69)
Top Position Player: Otto Lopez (4.8 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Sandy Alcantara (3.5 fWAR)
The Marlins, in a division with two big-time clubs, continue to play solid ball in 2026. It was another month hovering around .500, but given their overall record, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. August did unfortunately feature a sweep at the hands of both the Braves and the Phillies, but the Fish still did enough to remain at .500, and most importantly, stay within reach in the Wild Card race.
Sandy Alcantara’s 189.2 innings after August leads baseball by a wide margin, as the righty has finished at least six innings in 11 consecutive outings, including a pair of scoreless starts that kicked off his month. On offense, a balanced squad with eight different players managing a wRC+ over 100 has helped to keep this club afloat for much of the season. They ended the month by losing three of four to Washington, but they’ll need everything they can get if they want to contend over this final month of the regular season.
Fourth Place: Washington Nationals (66-74)
Top Position Player: James Wood (4.1 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Cade Cavalli (3.3 fWAR)
The Nationals essentially lost any shred of contention they had in the month of August, fueled by a 3-12 stretch that saw them fall rapidly in a competitive race. James Wood is quite good, and hasn’t played in a game since August 3rd thanks to an oblique problem, which certainly doesn’t help.
The 23-year-old Daylen Lile has been a bright spot, though, as he’s reached the 20 homer mark and posted a 140 wRC+ in August. On the pitching side, Cade Cavalli has continued to lead the way, a status maintained by his 1.75 ERA in six August starts. Unfortunately for the Nats, a rough go on the whole has essentially put them out of play as the season heads toward its end.
Last Place: New York Mets (62-76)
Top Position Player: Carson Benge (3.0 fWAR) Top Pitcher: Nolan McLean (3.0 fWAR)
Ah, the Mets. One of the bigger disappointments of the 2026 season actually enjoyed a solid month of August. Sweeps of the Nationals and the Guardians were high points in the month, though the return of Juan Soto was the best news of all, after he spent more than a month on the shelf. Luis Torrens, Bo Bichette, and Carson Benge were all forces with the bat in August — excitement that was a welcome sight for the people of Queens.
Their playoff odds have been in the basement since the middle of June, as the Met’s dug themselves too deep a hole to make any sort of real run.
I was planning to write this article even before Tuesday night’s bullpen meltdown against the Brewers.
It seems even more important now, so here are some numbers that might astonish you. These are fWAR figures — and they don’t include Tuesday’s game, so the pitching number is likely even worse:
By fWAR the Cubs are the best offense in MLB — and it’s not close. Next up are the Dodgers, with only about two-thirds as much fWAR as Cubs hitters have. This is borne out in the raw data, too. Including Tuesday’s game, the Cubs lead MLB in runs, home runs, walks, OBP, SLG, OPS and OPS+.
The Cubs offense also leads the majors via bWAR, though the gap is not quite as large. Baseball-reference.com has Cubs hitters with 32.8 WAR, with the Red Sox second at 26.9.
Now look at that chart again. The Cubs pitchers are the worst in MLB by fWAR, slightly below the Nationals, and far worse than the four teams above them in total fWAR.
Baseball-reference.com doesn’t frown quite as much at Cubs pitching as Fangraphs. Through Tuesday’s game they have the Cubs with 5.6 bWAR, with four teams below them: Nationals, Giants, A’s and Royals.
The Cubs leading pitcher in bWAR is Ben Brown at 2.2… and he hasn’t pitched in two months. Clay Holmes has 1.3 bWAR in just five starts, and he’s likely to pass Brown in another start or two. Shōta Imanaga is also at 1.3 bWAR, but… that number is probably not going up.
Eighteen Cubs pitchers have a bWAR of 0.0 or lower, and that doesn’t include Carson Kelly, also at 0.0 after three pitching appearances covering three innings with an ERA of 6.00. (And 11 Cubs pitchers have an ERA this year worse than that.)
Is there help available? Not really, not much, anyway. Many of us have clamored for Javier Assad to have remained in the Cubs bullpen, where he’s been excellent, but he languishes at Triple-A Iowa and isn’t eligible for a recall until Saturday:
Assad can't come up until Sept. 5 because he has to be down in the minors for 15 days minimum (and was only sent down due to a roster crunch).
Wiggins has a 7.53 ERA and walks a batter an inning in Triple-A.
Tony Andracki’s post mentions Jaxon Wiggins, who the Cubs almost certainly don’t want to put on the 40-man roster this year due to the impending lockout, and Shelby Miller, who is just beginning a rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa.
Also potentially available to return are Justin Steele, who also recently began a rehab assignment, and Edward Cabrera, whose 97 mile per hour fastball might work well out of the bullpen. Cabrera is also on rehab at Iowa.
What would I do right now? Well, I’m sure Imanaga has some sort of arm fatigue; put him on the injured list and then Assad could be recalled to make Imanaga’s next scheduled start, which would come up Friday in Miami.
Could the team actually do that? Sure. Will they? Who knows? They could also make Friday a bullpen game, but… the way the bullpen has been recently, that’s not really a good idea.
One thing is for sure. This Cubs team is exceptionally talented offensively. They could score 850 or more runs, which would be among the top figures for any Cubs team in the last 95 years. But unless they can find some relief pitchers who can be Craig Counsell’s “out-getters,” this team isn’t likely going past the wild card round of the postseason.
