Deion Sanders' son provided another report about his father's health as they received a visit in Texas from Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
NHL Hockey News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games 2025-06-23 19:36:24
Penguins Are Getting Excellent Coach In Todd Nelson
On Friday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced who would be filling out their coaching staff - in addition to new head coach Dan Muse - for the 2025-26 season.
And they may have struck gold with one of their hires.
Todd Nelson - who was head coach of the AHL's Hershey Bears for the past three seasons - was named as one of the assistants on Muse's new staff on Friday. Nelson coached the Bears to back-to-back Calder Cup championships in 2023 and 2024, and he has a boatload of coaching experience at both the AHL and NHL levels.
Given the phase of their rebuild that the Penguins find themselves in - and their focus on development - Nelson may just be the perfect hire.
Even some former players under Nelson agree. Goaltender Zachary Fucale - who was part of the 2023 Bears' championship team and now plays in the KHL for Chelyabinsk Traktor - gave Nelson a glowing endorsement on socials:
"The best of the best!" Fucale wrote. "Thank you Nelly for everything. Unforgettable moments being part of your team. Absolutely 0 doubts you will have success with @penguins. All the best to you."
The best of the best! Thank you Nelly for everything. Unforgettable moments being part of your team. Absolutely 0 doubts you will have success with @penguins. All the best to you đđŒ https://t.co/SleRD8SdIx
â Zach Fucale (@Fucale31) June 20, 2025
Although Nelson was wildly successful as head coach of the Bears, the AHL accolades don't stop there. He also won a Calder Cup as an assistant coach for the Chicago Wolves in 2008 and as head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins in 2017, which makes him one of only six coaches in AHL history to win three times as a head coach. He is also only one of three people in AHL history to win the Calder Cup as an assistant coach, a head coach, and a player.
Nelson also has a bit of experience at the NHL level, too. He was an assistant with now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers before they moved to Winnipeg, he was the interim head coach of the Edmonton Oilers after Dallas Eakins was fired in 2014-15, and he had another assistant gig with the Dallas Stars from 2018-22.
And his playing career? Ironically, he was selected by none other than the Penguins as a defenseman in the fourth round (79th overall) of the 1989 NHL Draft. He only appeared in one NHL game with Pittsburgh on Nov. 23, 1991 in a 2-2 tie against the New York Islanders. He also later appeared in a few games for the Washington Capitals later on.
Penguins Name Full Coaching Staff For 2025-26 SeasonBack on Jun. 4, the Pittsburgh Penguins hired Dan Muse as the 23rd coach in franchise history.
The history with the Penguins' organization is there. But, more importantly, the developmental angle is there. Nelson has personal experience in the arena of fighting tooth and nail for NHL playing time, and he has spent a great deal of time working with developing young players and maximizing their potential.
And this - in addition to that track record of success - is something that drew him to Muse when he was filling out his staff.
âWith over two decades of coaching experience, Todd brings a championship pedigree and a winning history that speaks for itself,â Muse said. âHe has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to get the most out of his players, most recently in Hershey, and his leadership qualities and wealth of experience will be a tremendous asset to our team as we continue to build a culture of excellence.â
Over the next several seasons, the Penguins hope to build back up that culture of excellence that they became so renowned for. And - given his track record - Nelson could be a big part of helping them get there.
Former Penguin Set To Join Coaching Staff For 2025-26 SeasonA few weeks after it was announced that Dan Muse would become the 23rd head coach in Pittsburgh Penguins franchise history, it appears that a former Penguin will be joining his coaching staff as well.
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Feature image credit: Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK
Several Potential Suitors Named For Panthers' Brad Marchand
Brad Marchand is one of the top pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) who can hit the market on July 1. Both the Florida Panthers and Marchand have expressed interest in getting a new contract done. However, with Panthers stars Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad also needing new deals, there is certainly a possibility that No. 63 could end up becoming a UFA at the start of next month.
After the playoff run Marchand just had, he would be a very popular target if he became available on the free-agent market. The 37-year-old winger has proven that he is still a star and that he can still step up big time in games that matter most.
Due to this, in his most recent 32 Thoughts column, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman mentioned several potential suitors for Marchand if the Panthers are unable to re-sign him by July 1. These teams include the Utah Mammoth, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and Washington Capitals.
The Mammoth making a push for Marchand would be understandable, as they could use a star winger like him as they look to take that next step and become a playoff team. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs, Kings, Devils, and Capitals also make sense as possible suitors, as they each are playoff-caliber teams with high expectations for next year. Thus, bringing in a clutch playoff performer like Marchand would be huge for them.
Nevertheless, it is going to be intriguing to see what happens between Marchand and the Panthers this off-season. If Florida is unable to keep him around, it's clear that the future Hall of Famer will have plenty of other options to consider.
Brad Marchand Has Big Message For Panthers GM Bill ZitoBrad Marchand is one of the Florida Panthers' top pending unrestricted free agents (UFA) with the summer here. The star winger has undoubtedly increased his value after his marvelous playoff run, as he recorded 10 goals, 20 points, and a plus-17 rating in 23 games. With this, he was one of the major reasons why the Panthers were able to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
Photo Credit: © Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Clarke Schmidt pitches seven hitless innings, Yankees lose no-hit bid vs. Orioles in the eighth
NEW YORK â Clarke Schmidt exited the mound after getting through his seventh hitless inning and exchanged a glance with manager Aaron Boone in the dugout as an indication he was not continuing.
While Schmidt was disappointed, the right-hander certainly understood not going beyond the seventh inning to continue his no-hit bid.
Schmidt was pulled after tying a career high with 103 pitches, and the New York Yankees lost a no-hit bid against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday when Gary SĂĄnchez singled to start the eighth against J.T. Brubaker.
âItâs more him like looking at me like this is it for you right here,â Schmidt said after the 9-0 win. âThereâs a little bit of a back-and-forth where youâre having a conference, some dialog, but you can tell with the look in his eyes, itâs âYouâre at (103). Weâre not driving you to 130 today.ââ
âYouâre going to power through pitch limits or within reason,â Boone said. âToday was not that day for Clarke.â
Schmidt threw 27 pitches in the first inning, when he issued consecutive walks to Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson. He stranded a runner in the fourth after hitting Ryan OâHearn with a pitch.
Schmidt breezed through a nine-pitch fifth inning and needed eight pitches to get through the sixth.
âI knew he was struggling a little bit, even in the fifth, in the sixth and when he came through in that seventh and I was kind of down there waiting,â Boone said. âI knew he was done.â
Schmidt threw 21 pitches in the seventh as Brubaker warmed up. He ended by retiring Colton Cowser on a fly ball to center field.
âUnbelievable,â Brubaker said of Schmidt. âHe absolutely dominated with every single pitch he had in the arsenal and went right after their hitters and that can go show you what attacking hitters can do and it can put you in a really good spot.â
It was the fifth time in team history a pitcher threw at least seven hitless innings and did not finish the no-hitter. The previous instance was Oct. 3, 2022, at Texas when Luis Severino was pulled after seven and Josh Jung singled in the eighth off Miguel Castro.
Brubaker threw two strikes to SĂĄnchez, but the former Yankees catcher hit a clean single to left one pitch after first base umpire Jansen Viconti said he checked his swing. After the hit, some in the crowd of 46,142 lightly booed.
âEverybody in the stadium knows the situation,â Brubaker said. âIâm not ignoring it. Anytime I toe the rubber, I donât want to give up a hit. At the end thatâs always the goal. It happened to be that there was the no-hitter going.â
Brubaker finished New Yorkâs second one-hitter this season by retiring Dylan Carlson. It was the Yankeesâ 73rd one-hitter and sixth since the start of the 2022 season.
Schmidt threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of 24 hitters, struck out five and walked two. He ended the game with a scoreless inning streak of 25.1, the third-longest by a Yankees player since 1961. Only Gerrit Cole (25 2/3 innings in 2023) and Catfish Hunter (26 innings in 1975) had longer scoreless streaks.
New York has thrown 24 no-hitters in team history. The last was June 28, 2023, in Oakland when Domingo GermĂĄn threw the Yankeesâ major league-leading fourth perfect game.
The Orioles have been no-hit 15 times in team history. Baltimore was last held hitless on Aug. 12, 2015, in Seattle by Hisashi Iwakuma.
Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Pittsburgh Penguins
The NHL's 2025 off-season is here, and teams are going to be jockeying for trades and free agents in the coming days and weeks. And in this ongoing THN.com Buffalo Sabres site series, we've been examining potential trade partners for the Sabres.
We began the series with a look at the Utah Mammoth, followed by the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings. And in this file, we're going to break down the potential trade fit with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Let's get straight to it:
TEAM: Pittsburgh Penguins
CAP SPACE: $22.9 million
FREE AGENTS: Matt Nieto, LW; Connor Dewar, C (RFA); Phillip Tomasino, RW (RFA); Vasily Ponomarev, LW (RFA); Matt Grzelcyk, D; Pierre-Oliver Joseph, D (RFA); Conor Timmins, D (RFA)
NEEDS: Help on offense, but especially, on defense; depth at left wing; change in goaltending tandem
SABRES FIT? The Penguins have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NHL in the past three seasons, failing to make the playoffs in each year despite a veteran-laden lineup that includes icons Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson. Astonishingly, Pittsburgh has gotten progressively worse each year, going from a 40-win season in 2022-23 to 38 wins in 2023-24 to 34 wins this past season. It's inexcusable for a team with this many experienced hands to come up so short, but that's where the Pens are at today.
Consequently, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has a gigantic problem on his hands -- namely, how to balance the needs of the now with the long-term future of the franchise, Dubas is under extreme pressure to steer the Pens into the post-season in 2025-26, but to do that, he'll have to change Pittsburgh's lineup considerably.
That starts with goaltending, as longtime starter Tristan Jarry was an absolute disaster last year, posting a 3.12 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage. Jarry was waived by the Penguins last season, but with three years left on his contract at $5.375 million per year, nobody will be taking him off the Pens' hands. Jarry is a key candidate to have his contract bought out, but if that doesn't happen, Dubas could bury him in the American League.
Sabres Potential Trade Partner: Los Angeles KingsTHN's Sabres site is continuing a new series in which we examine potential trade partners for Buffalo. We've kicked off the series by looking at teams including the the Utah Mammoth, Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers.and New Jersey Devils.
If that's the case, would Pittsburgh be intrigued by Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen? The Finnish netminder's play fell off in a big way last season, with his GAA ballooning from 2.57 in 2023-24 to to 3.20 in 2024-25, and his save percentage falling from .910 to .887. Luukkonen is signed through the 2028-29 campgain at a relatively reasonable average annual salary of $4.75 million -- essentially, in the same range as Jarry's pay slot. And Luukkonen doesn't have any no-trade or no-move protection until 2026-27.
What would the Sabres want in return for Luukkonen? Well, let's start by talking about Penguins winger Bryan Rust. The 33-year-old is a proven offense-producer, and last season, he set new career-highs in goals (31) and points (65) in only 71 games. Rust would give a terrific jolt to Buffalo's offense, and Rust doesn't have any no-trade or no-move protection on a contract that pays him $5.125 million to shoot down a deal to the Sabres.
That said, if Luukkonen isn't a target for Dubas, there are other options on the Sabres who could be moved in a trade for Rust -- namely, veteran winger Alex Tuch, or young RFA winger J.J. Peterka. Both of those Sabres wingers might benefit from a change in scenery, and getting dealt to the Penguins as they aim for the playoffs once again could turn out to be just what Tuch or Peterka may be looking for.
Sabres Potential Trade Partner: New Jersey DevilsThe NHL's off-season has arrived, and here at the Sabres team website on THN.com. we're in the midst of a series of columns examining which teams Buffalo could make a notable trade with.
Another potential fit for Buffalo is Pens winger Rickard Rakell. The 32-year-old does have a modified no-trade clause allowing him to veto a trade to one of five teams of his choosing, but for all we know, the Sabres may not be one of those five teams.
Rakell's salary of $5 million runs for the next three seasons, so Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams could rest assured he had a cost-controlled asset in Rakell for the foreseeable future. Rakell posted career-bests in goals (35) and points (70) last year, and he'd be a welcome addition to a Sabres squad that needs all the firepower it can get.
Sabres Potential Trade Partner: New York RangersThe NHL's off-season has arrived, and we're turning our attention in this THN.com series to potential trade partners for the Sabres.
As you can see, there are multiple avenues Adams and Dubas can go down to consummate a major trade between Pittsburgh and Buffalo. Both teams are desperate to make the playoffs, but both teams can't afford to run it back with the status quo. The pressure is squarely on Adams and Dubas to get something done in terms of changing their respective rosters, and both teams have pieces that aren't essential to their core.
And that means a trade that shakes up the Sabres and Penguins would ultimately be beneficial to each team's competitive bottom line.
Rafael Devers hits first home run for Giants against former team Red Sox
SAN FRANCISCO â Rafael Devers hit his first home run for the Giants, connecting against his former Boston Red Sox team just six days after being traded to San Francisco.
Devers began his first series against the Red Sox by going 0 for 5 on Friday night and grounding out in his first at-bat Saturday. He then delivered just what his new team had been expecting when he hit an opposite-field drive off Brayan Bello over the left-field fence for a two-run homer in the third inning.
Devers got loud cheers from the big crowd in San Francisco as he rounded the bases for his 216th career home run that just happened to be caught by a fan in a Red Sox T-shirt.
Devers became the 10th player to homer for and against the same team in a span of seven days or fewer, according to Sportradar. The last player to do it was Abraham Toro, who homered for Houston against Seattle on July 26, 2021, and then for the Mariners against the Astros the next day.
This is the third time it happened with a player traded by the Red Sox. Don Lenhardt and Walt Dropo both did it in 1952, with their homers for Detroit against Boston coming in the same game on June 6 that season, three days after they were traded together in an eight-player deal.
Devers was traded by Boston less than two years into a 10-year, $313.5 million contract extension that he signed in 2023.
Deversâ relationship with the Red Sox began to deteriorate when the team signed Gold Glove third baseman Alex Bregman during spring training and asked Devers to move to DH; he balked before agreeing to the switch. When first baseman Triston Casas sustained a season-ending knee injury, the Red Sox approached Devers about playing the field and he declined, saying the front office âshould do their jobsâ and look for another player.
A day after Deversâ comments to the media about playing first, Red Sox owner John Henry, team president Sam Kennedy and chief baseball officer Craig Breslow flew to Kansas City to meet with Devers and manager Alex Cora.
Deversâ stance didnât change and he was eventually traded to San Francisco where he is practicing at first base to play there later this season. Devers said Friday that he wouldnât have done anything differently in his time in Boston, adding that he was as happy as he has been in years after joining the Giants.
Braves place reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale on injured list with fractured rib cage
MIAMI â The Atlanta Braves placed reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale on the 15-day injured list Saturday because of a fractured left rib cage.
âHe was doing his exercises (Friday) and felt like something wasnât right,â manager Brian Snitker said before the Bravesâ game Saturday against the Miami Marlins. âSo they had him looked at and it showed what it showed.â
In his previous start, against the New York Mets on Wednesday, Sale sprinted off the mound and made a diving stop of a grounder hit by Juan Soto and threw him out for the first out in the ninth. He then struck out Pete Alonso and was lifted after allowing a single to Brandon Nimmo.
âItâs just a freak thing. An unfortunate thing,â Snitker said. âI saw him after the game that night and he was doing his postgame workout. And then I saw him the next day and I think he maybe felt a little uncomfortable the next day. But then (Friday) is when he wanted to get it checked out.â
Sale is 5-4 and has a 2.52 ERA through 15 starts this season. The 36-year-old left-hander threw a season-high 116 pitches and 8 2/3 innings against the Mets.
âItâs a tough blow for us and him,â Snitker said. âIt was going so good. Thatâs a rough one.â
After six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Sale was traded to the Braves in December 2023. Sale won the pitching Triple Crown in his first season in Atlanta, finishing with an NL high in wins (18) and strikeouts (225) and a league-low ERA of 2.38.
Snitker doesnât have a timeline when his star pitcher will return.
âWith bones like that, theyâve got to heal before you can start the process, but I have no idea how long it will be,â he said.
The Braves began Saturday at 34-40 and 11 games behind NL East-leading Philadelphia. They had won six of seven, including a three-game series sweep against the Mets, before losing the series opener at Miami on Friday.
In the corresponding move retroactive to Thursday, the Braves recalled left-handed pitcher Austin Cox from Triple-A Gwinnett.
Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle accused of abuse by wife, MLB investigating
Jun 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle (64) throws during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
SAN FRANCISCO â The San Francisco Giants said Major League Baseball is looking into allegations of abuse made by the wife of reliever Sean Hjelle.
Caroline Hjelle made a post on TikTok on Friday of her with the coupleâs two children with a caption that said: âWhen my MLB husband abandons us on Mothers Day a week after this (video was taken) once I finally found about his affairs and stopped putting up with his abuse, so Iâve been raising two boys alone.â
The Giants said in a statement Saturday that they are âaware of these serious allegationsâ and that MLB is handling it.
Manager Bob Melvin said before Saturdayâs game against the Boston Red Sox that Hjelle would be available to pitch.
âObviously weâre aware of it,â Melvin said. âHe told me about it last night. We talked to MLB. At this point, itâs in their jurisdiction right now so I really canât comment on it further.â
Hjelle took the loss in Friday nightâs game against the Red Sox, allowing a tiebreaking homer to Ceddanne Rafaela in the sixth inning.
Hjelle is 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in six appearances this season.
Phillies can't slow Mets' slugfest in loss that evens up big series
Phillies can't slow Mets' slugfest in loss that evens up big series originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
A weekend slate between the top two teams in the NL East consumed by national coverage was always going to elevate the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park.
Through two battles, the series has already lived up to the expectations ⊠it just wasnât in the Philliesâ favor Saturday night.
The Mets collected a 11-4 win over the Phillies, evened up the series, and once again, the clubs are tied for first in the division.
Whoever takes the series Sunday will enter the week on top.
The Metsâ recent skid was heavily due to the lack of offense â having scored 16 runs and were shutout three times in seven games.
With the ebbs and flows of baseball, it was only a matter of time before they could get to a starting pitcher. Unfortunately for the Phillies, in his fifth start in the majors, they got the best of Mick Abel.
Not only did Abel work an abnormally high pitch count in three innings (73), the Mets put on a show for their fans that made the two-plus hour trek down to Philly. MLB doesnât even need to have the home run derby during the All-Star break because the Mets just had one of their own.
All four of Abelâs earned runs came on solo shots â one from Brandon Nimmo in the first inning. The other three were back-to-back-to-back in the third from Francisco Lindor, Nimmo and Juan Soto.
The 23-year-oldâs night was done after collecting just nine outs.
âI gotta take it as it is, be honest with myself,â Abel said on his performance after the game. âI wasnât locating my fastball, so thatâs probably what Iâm going to get after in my pen this week. ⊠Just get back to work tomorrow.â
Abelâs early exit didnât stop the home runs, though. Soto launched his second of the night 437 ft. in the fifth, Jared Young collected his third of the season in the eighth and Francisco Alvarez put the cherry on top with another in the ninth.
Lost count? Thatâs seven total. It was a complete slugfest. To compare, the Phillies have had eight home runs in the last seven games.
Even though the Phillies scored four runs, Saturdayâs loss shouldnât be a knock on the offense. After Abel allowed his four runs, Joe Ross and Michael Mercado both gave up three runs in relief. Taijuan Walker allowed the one run in the ninth.
It doesnât matter which club is out there â itâs hard to win a game against a team that puts up double digits.
The Phillies tacked on two runs in the first inning with three hits from Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos. It seemed like a promising start, and an early lead to build off, but things eventually faltered.
Despite the loss, it canât be understated how consistent the lineup has looked in the last 10 games. Theyâve scored 57 runs and have gone 8-2 during that stretch.
JesĂșs Luzardo (6-3, 4.41 ERA) takes the mound for a Sunday Night showdown as the Phillies look for their 17th series win this season. David Peterson gets the nod for New York â the lefty is 5-2 this season with a 2.60 ERA.
The Phillies will then hit the road for a six-game road trip making stops in Houston and Atlanta. Bryce Harper is expected to join the club on the trip but thereâs still no definitive timeline on his return.
Sabres 2025 Draft Projection – Jackson Smith
Coming out of the NHL Scouting Combine earlier this month, the Buffalo Sabres got the lowdown on a number of prospects that could be their with the ninth selection at the 2025 Draft in Los Angeles later this month, but barring a trade up they will have to rely on the player they want slipping through the cracks.
The NY Islanders are likely to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the top overall pick, but there is no accurate read on how the remaining seven picks will break. That seems to be reflected in various mock drafts that have emerged since the combine. After Schaefer, names like Michael Misa, Caleb Desnoyers, and rising star Anton Frondell are likely to go in the top five, but at that point, any of a number of players could be there for the Sabres at #9.
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Defenseman Jackson Smith has been ranked in the top 10 of many mock drafts, and based on some of the projections that have the Sabres selecting top blueline prospects Radim Mrtka or Kashawn Aitcheson, the offensively gifted Smith could be in the mix as well. The 18-year-old broke out in his second full season with the WHLâs Tri-City Americans, more than doubling his production with 54 points (11 goals, 43 assists). With the rules change allowing players to shift to the NCAA, Smith is one player taking advantage and is heading to Penn State, the alma mater of Sabres owner Terry Pegula.
According to the Hockey News Draft Preview, Smith has shown flashes offense and physicality to get scouts excited about his potential. He has good size and strength and will improve once he adds more consistency to his game and projects as a top-pairing âDâ at the NHL level. He logged big minutes in all situations in Tri-City and finished tied for second in ice time among draft-eligible CHL defensemen this season.
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NBA Finals Game 7 history: Looking back at the last seven Game 7s
OKLAHOMA CITY â Sunday night we will witness the 20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history â one game with everything on the line.
"One game. I mean, this is what it's all about," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. "This is what you dream about growing up, this kind of opportunity."
It's a stage where the biggest, most legendary names in the game â as well as some role players with impeccable timing â have etched their name in NBA lore.
"When I think of Game 7, at least in the Finals, I think of San Antonio and Miami, and I think of Lakers/Celtics," Alex Caruso said.
On Sunday, people will be thinking of Pacers vs. Thunder. Either Indiana or Oklahoma City will win its first NBA championship (we're not counting the title the former Thunder won as the SuperSonics in Seattle, they will have an expansion team in that city that can count that title soon enough).
In honor of Game 7, let's look back at the last seven Game 7s of the NBA Finals.
2016: Cavaliers at Warriors
This is the Game 7 that sticks in many people's minds.
"I think that's probably one of the greatest games I've ever been able to watch as a basketball fan," Tyrese Haliburton said. "That's what makes Game 7 so fun."
"2016, that was the Kyrie step back on the wing," the Pacers' Obi Toppin said when asked about his favorite Game 7 memory. "Yeah, that was probably the coldest one, for sure."
We can only hope Sunday's Game 7 lives up to the drama of the last NBA Finals Game 7, when LeBron James put up a line of 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and three blocks â although we only remember one of them.
"The Block"
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) June 19, 2022
On this day in 2016... LeBron James completed a jaw-dropping chasedown block late in Game 7 of the 2016 #NBAFinals setting the stage for a historic comeback. #NBA75pic.twitter.com/ggIioL6vf5
LeBron's effort helped Cleveland cap a 3-1 series comeback and beat Golden State on its home court. Don't forget about Kevin Love's defense on Stephen Curry late in that game, either.
2013: Spurs at Heat
This NBA Finals is remembered more for Game 6, when Ray Allen's corner 3 off a Chris Bosh offensive rebound forced a Game 7 just as it looked like San Antonio would be celebrating a title. After that, the Heat still had work to do. In Game 7, LeBron took charge with 37 points and 12 rebounds, while Dwyane Wade added 23 points and 10 rebounds in the 95-88 Miami win.
2010: Celtics vs. Lakers
The Lakers had come from 3-2 down in the series to force a Game 7 (and don't ask Celtics fans "what if Kendrick Perkins had been healthy?"). Like a lot of Game 7s, this one wasn't pretty. Kobe Bryant stepped up with 23 points and 15 rebounds, and Pau Gasol added 19 points and 18 boards. However, with the Lakers up by just 3 and more than a minute left in the game, it was Ron Artest's 3-pointer that proved to be the biggest shot of the night, leading to the greatest postgame podium session in NBA history.
"He never passes me the ball. And he passed me the ball! Kobe [Bryant] passed me the ball!"
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 17, 2025
On this day in 2010, Ron Artest hit a clutch three against the Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and had a classic postgame interview after winning the title
pic.twitter.com/CjiMFybPXg
2005: Pistons at Spurs
This was the peak defense NBA Finals â only one team broke 100 all series long â and San Antonio won Game 7 in an 81-74 slugfest. Tim Duncan did his thing with 25 points and 11 rebounds, but it was Manu Ginobili scoring 11 points in the fourth quarter that locked the title up for the Spurs.
1994: Knicks at Rockets
New York had a 3-2 series lead, but under the old 3-2-3 format, had to go to Houston and seal the deal. Hakeem Olajuwon proved to be too much. In Game 7 he had 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocked shots. This was the first of back-to-back Rockets titles.
1988: Pistons at Lakers
"Big Game" James Worthy lived up to that reputation in this one with a triple-double of 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. Magic Johnson also stood out with 19 points and 14 assists to help the Lakers come back from a 3-2 deficit in the series and win.
1984: Lakers at Celtics
Of course this classic 1980s Finals Game 7 featured a big game from Larry Bird â 20 points, 12 rebounds â but this game is remembered as the Cedric Maxwell game: 24 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and two steals. The Celtics got to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy that year.
Islanders Should Take Flyer On Goaltender Ilya Samsonov
Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Ilya Samsonov will be testing the free agent market, according to Sportsnetâs Luke Fox.
The 28-year-old went 16-9-4 with a 2.82 GAA and .891 SV% with Vegas in 2024-25.
Before joining the Golden Knights on a one-year, $1.8 million deal last offseason, he spent time with the Washington Capitals (2019-2022) and Toronto Maple Leafs (2022-2024).
VGK@BOS: Samsonov with a great save against Morgan Geekie | Vegas Golden KnightsIlya Samsonov (VGK) makes a save against Morgan Geekie (BOS) at 12:23
of the 1st Regulation PeriodWhile the New York Islanders would prefer not to be in the market for a goaltender, they are likely to add depth, as Semyon Varlamovâs injury status is a question mark after sustaining a lower-body injury in November that kept him off the ice through the remainder of the season.
At Clean Out Day following the 2024-25 regular season, Varlamov provided an update on his rehab progress:
âI expect to be ready for next season. Everything is going well with rehab and physiotherapy.The main focus for me to finish the rehab, hopefully soon, and have a good summer of training, and then ready for September for training camp.â
âI want to make sure I'm ready 100% for the next season,â Varlamov added. âI want to show up for the training camp by feeling good without any issues. That's the main goal.â
Varlamov Expecting to be Ready for Isles Training Camp | New York IslandersSemyon Varlamov is planning to be good to for next season after being limited to 10 games with an injury in 2024-25While Varlamov is expected to be ready for the season, adding a strong third goaltender would be a smart insurance move.
Marcus Hogberg filled that role in 2024-25 and was serviceable during Varlamovâs absence.
In seven games before the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament, he went 2-2 with a 1.45 GAA and a .947 SV%. However, after the tournament, he struggled, going 0-6-3 with a 5.00 GAA and an .821 SV%, putting uncertainty into his 2025-26 outlook.
Adding Ilya Samsonov would also provide value to the Islandersâ AHL affiliate, Bridgeport, which allowed a league-worst 294 goals in 2024-25, 43 more than the next closest team.
With Jakub Skarek heading to IFK Helsinki in Liiga and both Henrik Tikkanen and Tristan Lennox still developing, Bridgeport could benefit from a more stable tandem in Samsonov and Hogberg.
While Samsonov would prefer an NHL role, the 2025 free-agent market is filled with goaltenders of similar caliber, which could make him open to joining the Islanders even without an expected NHL spot.
In addition to consistent AHL ice time, he would be joining a franchise that used five different goaltenders in 2024-25 and would be surrounded by fellow Russians in Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin.
Samsonovâs contract would likely be a one-year deal in the $1 to $1.5 million range.
Michael Ostrower wrote this story.
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Penguins Rumors: Pittsburgh Has Clear Target In Sabres Star
The Pittsburgh Penguins have multiple areas on their roster that they should be aiming to improve if they hope to be more competitive during the 2025-26 season. One of their most notable needs is strengthening their defense's left side. This will be even more of the case if Matt Grzelcyk signs elsewhere in free agency.
When looking at names floating around the rumor mill as trade candidates who would make sense for the Penguins, here is no question that Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram stands out big time.
Byram is exactly the kind of defenseman that a retooling team like the Penguins should consider making a serious push. At just 24 years old, the 2019 first-round pick has cemented himself as a legitimate top-four defenseman and is young enough that he could be a long-term part of the Penguins' plans. Furthermore, one could argue that he also still has the potential to hit another new level in the right situation.
Byram is coming off a strong season with the Sabres in 2024-25, too. In 82 games, he scored seven goals and set new career highs with 31 assists, 38 points, and a plus-11 rating. With numbers like these, Byram would instantly become the Penguins' top left-shot defenseman if acquired. Furthermore, he would offer them another clear option for both their power play and their penalty kill if acquired.
Byram is a pending restricted free agent and is undoubtedly due for a notable raise from his previous $3.85 million average annual value. However, with the Penguins desperately needing help on their blueline and Byram being young, acquiring him would undoubtedly be worth it.
Ex-Penguins Forward Expected To Hit Free-Agent MarketWith the Pittsburgh Penguins being out of the playoff race by the 2025 NHL trade deadline, they traded away some of their players. One of them was forward Cody Glass, as they dealt him and Jonathan Gruden to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Chase Stillman, Max Graham's signing rights, and a 2027 third-round pick.
Photo Credit: © Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Ilya Samsonov Won't Return To The Golden Knights; Testing Free Agency
Goaltender Ilya Samsonov will not return to the Vegas Golden Knights and will test the free agency waters, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox.
The Golden Knights signed Samsonov to a one-year-, $1.8M contract last offseason after a disappointing season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Golden Knights were hoping for a bounce-back season from the Russian netminder, but his struggles were much of the same.
In his lone season with the Golden Knights, Samsonov posted a .891 SP and a 2.82 GAA in 29 games, losing his job as the backup netminder by the playoffs.
The market for unrestricted free-agent goaltenders is very thin this season, and it's understandable why Samsonov would like to test free agency to see what he can earn on the open market. At 28 years old, there could be several teams that believe Samsonov can turn his career around and form a tandem with another goalie.
Even if Samsonov had an interest in returning to Vegas, the Golden Knights may likely have wanted to move on anyway. The Golden Knights appear to be gearing up for a pursuit of a top free agent, with all signs pointing to Mitch Marner. If they can work out a deal, they'll need to save every dollar they can, which is why they could be looking at a goalie tandem of Adin Hill and Akira Schmid next season.
âTo me, it was a missed opportunity because I felt our team was good enough to win,â McCrimmon told reporters upon elimination. âWeâve got Tanner Pearson, Victor Olofsson, Reilly Smith, Brandon Saad, and Ilya Samsonov with expiring contracts on June 30.
âThereâs a really good case to be made for a lot of those players. I think they played well here for us. So, weâll make those decisions. And then depending on how that goes, that can dictate to some extent what you do on July 1 with free agency. But weâre going to do everything we can to make our team better.â
Including Samsonov, Reilly Smith, Tanner Pearson, Victor Olofsson, and Brandon Saad wrap up the Golden Knights' UFA list this offseason.
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