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Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty and a late VAR intervention condemned disjointed Liverpool to defeat
1 min: Liverpool have stationed Szoboszlai at right back, with Frimpong up in Salah’s usual position … and the latter wins a corner after 49 seconds. The former to take.
Liverpool huddle, the Gala fans whistle their displeasure, and then the visitors get the ball rolling. Roar! Growl! Bedlam!
Continue reading...Brady Tkachuk is one of the most unique players in the NHL.
His blend of skill and physicality is unmatched, making him the preeminent power forward in the NHL. Since the beginning of the 2018-19 season, when the young left winger entered the NHL, there has been only one player during this span who has recorded 30-plus goals and 240-plus hits in a season.
It is Brady Tkachuk, and he has done it three times.
As meaningful as his individual accomplishments have been, Tkachuk has married that ruggedness on the ice by exhibiting a natural and comfortable disposition off it. Being around NHL locker rooms from a very young age assuredly helped him develop and prepare for a potential NHL future, but Tkachuk's charm and candour have helped transform him from being just another hockey player. They have endeared him to this community and hockey market, making him one of the most popular players in Ottawa Senators history.
Tkachuk's 2024-25 season made him one of the most marketable figures in the sport, and Amazon's Prime Video was there to capture it all as part of their second season of 'Faceoff: Inside the NHL'.
The storylines involving Brady were compelling.
The Ottawa Senators had missed the postseason for seven consecutive seasons, while Brady's brother Matthew had just won his first Stanley Cup in Florida. Brady and his wife, Emma, welcomed their first child, Ryder, into the world. Balancing family life and his philanthropic work while trying to push the Senators towards a postseason berth added layers of compelling stories before even considering Tkachuk's starring role playing for the United States in the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off.
And Amazon had access to it all, inviting fans and media to watch an early screening of Brady's episode at Cineplex Cinemas Lansdowne this past Wednesday.
The captain of the Ottawa Senators held court with the assembled media before the showing.
"I'm an open book to begin with," Brady stated while explaining what fans can take away from his episode. "To see the ins and outs at the rink and the stuff that people normally wouldn't see. Our team camaraderie, too. It shows our group and the city well.
"I'm excited for everybody to see a part of my life. It was an awesome experience, and I'm really looking forward to everybody seeing it."
Having the cameras constantly be around was a process that Tkachuk admitted he had to get used to.
"They did a great job of not being invasive or in your face," Brady said appreciatively. "Even in the room, you almost forget that they're there.
"They do such a good job of respecting your space, but capturing those moments that not everybody wants to (have seen). Those raw, emotional moments when not everything's all sunshine and rainbows. There are emotional moments, and I think they did a great job of capturing those."
Marketing and growing the game is an obligation Tkachuk recognizes and wants to help with.
"Growing up, I was always watching (HBO's) Road to Winter Classic," Brady acknowledged. "Seeing the behind-the-scenes (footage), I thought it was the coolest thing in the world.
"Now, being able to have this opportunity to do that for myself, and have the next generation of future fans and kids now look up to me and see not just a hockey player, but see how I treat my family. Family is so important to me. To have an opportunity to showcase yourself, and people and fans can be a part of it, to get to know that side of (me). That's a super cool opportunity."
Brady believes that fans will really enjoy the 4 Nations Face-Off footage, but feels that Amazon accurately portrayed the team's push for the postseason.
"At the time we started, we were right outside of a playoff spot," the captain recalled. "When I had this opportunity, it was just going to be meant to be. (Amazon was) going to capture this drought being over, and we're going to make the playoffs.
"To capture that ride and the highs and lows of that stressful time of the year (was important). It was the perfect opportunity to show the hunger, the drive, and what it took to get to the playoffs. It's going to be really cool for the city and the fans to see the behind-the-scenes of what it took to get there."
The episode even delved into the Senators' early-season struggles and the unfounded trade rumours that began emanating out of the United States. For a smaller market like Ottawa, the episode was a notable opportunity to showcase itself to a much bigger audience.
"(Amazon) did a great job (portraying Ottawa)," Brady said when asked about whether the series would help put this city at the forefront. "It shows us going to Icelynd with its skating trails and something fun that the city has to offer.
"For me, it's an honour to be able to represent this city and what it's all about. The passion and the care that everybody has in this city (comes through). I'm excited for everyone to be a part of this episode and for the future things to come.
Tkachuk's is the first of the six-episode docuseries that will launch on Friday, October 3rd. All six episodes will premiere exclusively on Prime Video.
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Stephen Halliday's NHL Stock Continues to Rise
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Will This Be Shane Pinto's Breakout Year With The Senators?
Batherson Joins Ottawa Senators List Of Preseason Injury Concerns
As the Mets head into what is sure to be a crucial offseason, the team received some potential good news on the injury front.
According to SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino, left-hander Sean Manaea may not need surgery to remove the loose bodies from his pitching elbow.
Martino notes that a decision on surgery will be made after Manaea has time to cool down physically now that the season is over.
It was a tough year for Manaea, whose season debut was delayed due to an oblique injury suffered during spring training. Then, when he was about a week away from finally taking the mound in the majors, he was diagnosed with loose bodies in his elbow, which set him back a bit.
Manaea finally made his first start of the season on July 13 against Kansas City, but he never looked like the topline starter that he was for the Mets in the second half of the 2024 season, when a tweak to his delivery saw him emerge as the team’s ace.
The lefty pitched to a 5.64 ERA in 2024, starting 12 games while making three additional appearances out of the bullpen.
While Manaea is under contract through the 2027 season, his spot in the rotation heading into 2026 is uncertain.
Kirill Kaprizov’s new contract is an NHL history-maker – at least, for now.
The 28-year-old signed an eight-year, $136-million contract extension on Sept. 30 with the Minnesota Wild, which selected him 135th overall in the 2015 NHL draft.
The left winger’s contract not only carries the highest cap hit in NHL history but the highest total value as well.
The biggest question, of course, is whether Kaprizov will hold those records when his contract kicks in for the 2026-27 season. Three-time Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid is also in the final year of his deal but has not yet agreed to a new contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
For now, Kaprizov leads this list of the largest contracts in NHL history in terms of total value.
Kaprizov agreed to this historic contract just weeks after reportedly turning down a $128-million offer, which would have set the record anyway.
Although he was selected in the same draft as McDavid, Kaprizov’s appeared in fewer than half of McDavid’s games, since he played five seasons in the KHL before moving to North America.
But he’s still put up 386 points in 319 games, with a career-high 108 points in 2021-22. He’s won the Calder Trophy and has been in the Hart Trophy conversation nearly every year.
While he leads the NHL in total contract value, Kaprizov is still $39 million short of the top 100 list for largest sports contracts in team sports.
Ovechkin’s record stood for more than 17 years.
He signed his mega-deal with the Capitals in January 2008, just weeks after 2026 NHL draft prospect Gavin McKenna was born.
In 2013, the NHL and NHLPA’s new collective bargaining agreement decreased the maximum contract term to eight years for players re-signing with their team. In September 2026, that maximum term will become seven years.
Ovechkin ended up winning his first of three Hart Trophies in 2007-08. He also won the Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy for the first of nine times and the Art Ross Trophy.
Draisaitl’s new contract kicks in for the 2025-26 season. The maximum term limited his total value, but his cap hit was the highest in NHL history for just over a year until Kaprizov’s announcement.
The Oilers center had already won the Hart Trophy, Art Ross Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award before signing his contract extension in September 2024. Last season, he won the Rocket Richard Trophy after putting up 52 goals. That’s not even his career high – he scored 55 times in 2021-22.
His career-high 128 points are 20 more than Kaprizov’s best, although the latter has only played more than 75 games in a season once – Draisaitl’s done so six times.
The Nashville Predators were faced with a massive decision in the summer of 2012 when their captain was at risk of leaving as an RFA.
The Philadelphia Flyers signed Weber to an offer sheet, giving the smaller-market Predators one week to either match it or let him walk.
"Our ownership has provided us with the necessary resources to build a Stanley Cup-winning team," then-GM David Poile said at the time of the offer sheet.
Nashville decided to match it, but after five years, they traded him to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for fellow defenseman P.K. Subban.
Weber last played in 2020-21, when the Habs lost in the Stanley Cup final. Since then, his contract has been moved to the Vegas Golden Knights, Arizona Coyotes, Utah Mammoth and Chicago Blackhawks. The 2025-26 campaign is the final year of the contract.
Crosby had won the Stanley Cup, Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, Art Ross Trophy, Rocket Richard Trophy and Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award before he signed this 12-year deal in June 2012.
Although Ovechkin agreed to a larger cap hit and total value four years earlier, Crosby arguably took a discount to help the Penguins build the best team possible. They eventually won the Stanley Cup twice more before Ovechkin got his first NHL championship ring.
Even when Crosby’s deal expired after the 2024-25 season, he signed a two-year contract extension for the same $8.7-million cap hit. Talk about loyalty.
MacKinnon briefly had the highest cap hit in the NHL when he signed the deal on Sept. 20, 2022. Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews surpassed it in August 2023 with a $13.25-million cap hit on a four-year deal.
The Colorado Avalanche center had already won the Calder Trophy and Lady Byng Trophy before agreeing to the contract extension. He ended up winning the Stanley Cup later that season and added a Hart Trophy victory in 2023-24.
McDavid is already in the top 10 for largest NHL contracts, but he will almost certainly climb this list when he likely signs a new deal sometime in the next year.
He’s accomplished more than Kaprizov, which would justify a larger contract than the Wild winger, but he wants to win the Stanley Cup multiple times, which may mean taking less to ensure there’s enough talent and depth to be competitive.
When he signed his current contract in July 2017, he had just won his first of five Art Trophies, first of three Hart Trophies and first of four Ted Lindsay Awards in 2016-17.
McDavid’s 1.52 points per game are the fourth-most in NHL history, trailing only Wayne Gretzky (1.92), Mario Lemieux (1.88) and Newsy Lalonde (1.69 in 99 career games).
Kovalchuk’s enormous deal with the New Jersey Devils in 2010 came after a larger contract was disallowed.
The NHL rejected a 17-year, $102-million deal that would have paid Kovalchuk $95 million in Years 1 to 10 and $7 million in the final seven years. Keep in mind that Kovalchuk was 27 at the time and would have been 44 when the contract expired. The NHL argued the front-loaded deal violated the collective bargaining agreement, and an arbitrator ruled in favor of the league.
The NHL even fined New Jersey $3 million and forced the team to forfeit a first-round pick and third-round pick.
After all that, Kovalchuk retired from the NHL three years into the adjusted 15-year, $100-million contract, so his contract was terminated. He played in the KHL for seven seasons before returning to the NHL to play for the Los Angeles Kings, Canadiens and Capitals. He played his last NHL season in 2019-20 and last KHL season in 2023-24.
If the 17-year contract was allowed, it still would have had two seasons left.
Parise and Suter round out the top 10 with identical contracts they signed with the Wild on July 4, 2012.
Parise recorded at least 60 points in five seasons by that point, including a career-high 94 points in 2008-09. He was part of the Devils’ run to the Stanley Cup final in 2011-12, recording 15 points in 24 games.
Suter, meanwhile, was a very reliable defender for the Predators over seven seasons, averaging 22:37 of ice time during that span. He had five 30-point campaigns, including 46 in 2011-12.
The defenseman ended up setting a career-high 51 points in 2015-16 and 2017-18 in Minnesota. His average ice time of 29:25 in 2013-14 is the highest in NHL history since 1997-98, when tracking for that stat began.
Parise, meanwhile, only notched a high of 62 points during his time with them. And from 2012-13 to 2020-21, the Wild only won two playoff rounds.
Minnesota bought out the contracts of both players before the 2021-22 season. The team will pay buyout cap hits through 2028-29.
Rantanen and Mitch Marner were briefly tied for 10th place before Kaprizov re-signed.
Rantanen signed his eight-year contract extension with the Dallas Stars amid a surprising campaign. After playing parts of 10 seasons with the Avalanche and winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, Colorado decided not to continue contract negotiations with Rantanen and traded the star to the Carolina Hurricanes in January 2025.
The 28-year-old right winger played only 13 games with Carolina, recording six points. With the Hurricanes failing to sign Rantanen to a new deal, they moved him at the NHL trade deadline to the Stars, which immediately announced an extension.
Rantanen faced his former longtime team in the first round of the playoffs, eliminating the Avalanche in Game 7 with a hat trick.
Marner, 28, was about to be the top UFA of the free-agent market this past summer.
The day before he actually became one, reports surfaced that the Toronto Maple Leafs moved him to the Golden Knights in a sign-and-trade. The teams announced the deal on the morning of July 1.
Marner put up 741 points in 657 games with the Maple Leafs, as well as 63 points in 70 playoff games. He was named to the NHL’s first all-star team in 2021 and 2022.
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The England white-ball veteran on his post-captaincy career, his Ashes struggles and the recent death of his father
Another summer is over and, for Jos Buttler, life and cricket feel more precious than ever. The fleeting nature of both has been accentuated by the loss of Buttler’s father, John, after his unexpected death in August. The 35-year-old will soon talk movingly about grief and acceptance but, first, he reflects on his venerable place in white-ball cricket after England’s international summer ended in a low-key series in Ireland.
Buttler opened the batting and Jacob Bethell and Rehan Ahmed, who followed him at three and four in the opening match, are both 21. But he had proved his sustained brilliance a few weeks earlier when, against South Africa, he hit 83 off 30 balls in a blistering knock that helped England to become the first team to pass 300 in a T20 international.
Continue reading...LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has established his starting rotation for this week’s Wild-Card Series against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers’ playoff rotation is so deep that all-world Shohei Ohtani isn’t officially in it, and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw isn’t on the Wild-Card roster.
Ohtani is the “possible” starter for Game 3 on Thursday evening if the best-of-three series goes that far, Roberts said. If it doesn’t, who knows? Kershaw, on the brink of retiring after 18 seasons, would be activated only if the Dodgers reach a National League Division Series, Roberts added. He probably won’t start.
Blake Snell, who missed four months with left shoulder inflammation, gets the call in Game 1 on Tuesday, and Roberts indicated Yoshinobu Yamamoto would start Wednesday’s evening’s Game 2.
So why isn’t Ohtani on the slate?
“The work load, and it’s the proper rest for Snell and Yamamoto,” Roberts said. “We don’t know what’s going to happen with Game 3, but there could be an off day after that. We’re just trying to think through everything.”
Ohtani, of course, will lead off as the designated hitter.
Where does Ohtani fit in as a pitcher? His use as a late-inning reliever wouldn’t seem to work because of the logistics–warming up in the bullpen at a time when he might still be hitting.
“With him being the best player in the world, he’ll fit in wherever he wants to fit in,” Mookie Betts said Monday. “If he wants to pitch, I’m pretty sure nobody in a Dodger uniform would say no.”
Ruth played for the Boston Red Sox in the 1916 and 1918 World Series, making three pitching starts and winning all three, two of them complete games including a Game 1 shutout of the Chicago Cubs in 1918. He also played a little left field in the series. Overall, he had one hit in 10 at-bats, a triple that drove in two runs in the 1918 series. There was no DH in those days; pitchers had to hit.
The Red Sox won those two Fall Classics, and didn’t win again until 2004, long after Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees. He didn’t pitch in any of the six World Series he played for the Yanks.
Ohtani won a World Series last fall when his Dodgers defeated the Yankees in five games. He didn’t pitch in those playoffs as he recovered from his second right elbow surgery and wasn’t actively back on the mound this season until June 16.
The buildup experiment seemed to work. He averaged about four innings a game across his first 13 starts until Sept. 23 at Arizona, when he maxed out at six innings and 91 pitches, allowing no runs on five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts.
At the plate, Ohtani hit 55 homers, drove in 102 runs and scored a Major League-leading 146 more. He’s a slam dunk for his third consecutive league MVP.
It all seemed to be set for Ohtani to open the playoffs on the mound and at DH. Then it didn’t happen. If he’s not hurt, what gives?
“I mean, we have four or five starters now, and we’re a lot deeper than when we went into the playoffs last year,” Betts said. “These guys are pitching well, and they all feed off each other. The front office did an amazing job giving us this kind of staff, and the boys have done an amazing job performing.”
To be sure, the Dodgers went into the 2024 postseason with only three healthy starters: Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler and Yamamoto, with the latter two coming off injuries. Even in winning it all, they certainly could have used a healthy Ohtani.
Last year, Dodgers starters were 18th in Major League Baseball with a 4.23 ERA, which increased to 5.25 in the playoffs.
This year, because of an embarrassment of riches, Dodgers starters were ninth with a 3.69 ERA, and their entire staff was first overall with a 3.95 ERA heading into the postseason.
Last year, Snell was with the San Francisco Giants, but the Dodgers signed him in the offseason for five years, $182 million. He has rounded into shape following the injury, giving up just 14 earned runs across 52 1/3 innings in August and September.
“That’s why I came here,” Snell said. “To get to the postseason and see how good I can be.”
Yamamoto was 12-8 with a 2.49 ERA in 30 starts. Tyler Glasnow had a sore right shoulder at the end of last season but is fine right now. Kershaw came back off the scrap heap on May 17 and finished 11-2 with a 3.36 ERA in 22 games. Emmet Sheehan was 5-2 with a 3.17 ERA in 12 starts. And after struggling as a rookie starter, Roki Sasaki has looked sharper as a reliever since recently returning from a right shoulder injury.
Ohtani as a pitcher is now an afterthought. Just hit, and everything’s fine. The Dodgers are being cautious.
“This is as good a starting staff as I’ve had going into the postseason,” Roberts said recently.
Thus, he has some choices. When asked about his Game 2 and possible Game 3 starters on Monday, Roberts tried to demur. “No Game 3. Yamamoto will start Game 2,” he said.
Pressed on his plans for Ohtani, Roberts said, “If there’s a Game 3, he’ll probably start Game 3.”
It wasn’t a full-throated endorsement, but as Betts said, if Ohtani wants to pitch, nobody in a Dodger uniform is likely to say no.
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Despite missing the last three weeks of the season with a fracture in his right hand, catcher Will Smith was included on the Dodgers’ roster for their best-of-three wild card series against the Cincinnati Reds this week, the team announced ahead of Game 1 on Tuesday.
It was not immediately clear if Smith would be able to start Game 1 at Dodger Stadium. Ben Rortvedt was also on the roster, and is expected to start behind the plate if Smith can’t go.
Still, even having Smith’s presence as a potential pinch-hitter will be a boon for the team, which was bracing to begin the playoffs without the two-time All-Star before he made late progress this week in his recovery from his hand injury.
Max Muncy and Tommy Edman, who both missed time last week with minor injuries, were also on the roster as expected.
The other big development from Tuesday’s roster announcement was the absence of outfielder Michael Conforto, the $17-million offseason signing who struggled mightily for much of the regular season but had continued to get playing time through the end of the schedule.
Conforto hit only .199 this season, the lowest mark of any hitter with 450 plate appearances. He also managed just 12 home runs (a full-season career-low), 36 RBIs and struck out 121 times (albeit while drawing 56 walks and keeping his on-base-percentage above .300).
Conforto did finish the season better, batting .228 with a .678 OPS after July 1 and going 15-for-61 (.246 average) in September. As a left-handed hitter, he also appeared to have potential value off the bench.
Read more:'That's why I came here.' Dodgers bet on Blake Snell's potential as a postseason ace
However, the Dodgers elected to roster trade deadline acquisition Alex Call and defensive specialist Justin Dean (who finished the season in the minors) on their wild card roster. They also kept infielder Hyeseong Kim, who is a speed threat but has been equally inconsistent from the left side of the plate down the stretch.
There were few surprises among the Dodgers’ pitching staff, which included only 11 arms (not including two-way player Shohei Ohtani) for this abbreviated opening-round series.
Rookie phenom Roki Sasaki, who returned from a shoulder injury and impressed in two late-season relief appearances, was on the roster as manager Dave Roberts had hinted the day before.
So too were right-handed veteran Blake Treinen and embattled left-handed closer Tanner Scott, who were major disappointments in late-inning roles this year but flashed some improvement in the final days of the regular season.
Here’s your 26-man roster for the Wild Card Series. pic.twitter.com/Nmdh8BLkyS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 30, 2025
The rest of the Dodgers’ bullpen includes converted right-handed starters Tyler Glasnow (who will likely return to the rotation if the team advances to the division series) and Emmet Sheehan, hard-throwing rookie right-hander Edgardo Henriquez, and three other left-handed options in addition to Scott: Alex Vesia, Jack Dreyer and Justin Wrobleski.
Anthony Banda was the only snub from the team’s regular-season roster. Clayton Kerhsaw was also left off the roster as expected, but could have a role in future rounds if the Dodgers advance.
Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Warriors fans, NBA world alleviated by Jonathan Kuminga's contract agreement originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Jonathan Kuminga saga of 2025 is over.
The 22-year-old forward agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract with the Warriors on Tuesday, sources confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson. The agreement first was reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Warriors and NBA fans together expressed relief at the end of the months-long standoff.
Kuminga became a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2024-25 NBA season. Back-and-forth negotiations dragged for what felt like an eternity for Warriors fans.
For now, the contract agreement gives Dub Nation some much-needed relief.
The 2025-26 NHL regular season is now one week away, and roster outlooks league-wide are becoming clearer.
With Mason McTavish signed and under contract for the next six seasons, the Anaheim Ducks now have a full top-nine forward group, with some likely combination of Jansen Harkins (when healthy), Ross Johnston, Ryan Poehling, Nikita Nesterenko, and Sam Colangelo making up the fourth line and healthy scratches.
The Ducks' goalie room is also full, with Petr Mrazek as the likely backup to Lukas Dostal, and Ville Husso potentially behind Mrazek.
Preseason: Takeaways from the Ducks 3-2 Victory over the Sharks
Mason McTavish on His New Contract
Anaheim Ducks Training Camp: Drew Helleson Breakout Key to Unlocking Blueline
The outlook of the Ducks’ blueline is all but set, as it’s relatively clear who the starting six defensemen will be on opening night, barring injury. However, the one question that remains is who will fill the role of the 7th defenseman.
Following the last round of roster cuts on Sunday, the Ducks kept ten defensemen on their training camp roster: Jackson LaCombe, Radko Gudas, Olen Zellweger, Jacob Trouba, Pavel Mintyukov, Drew Helleson, Stian Solberg, Tristan Luneau, Tyson Hinds, and Ian Moore.
Of those ten names, the first six are assumed to have their opening night spots locked up. One of the latter four names will likely serve as the 7th defenseman, and another can be added if the team decides to start the season with 13 forwards and eight defensemen.
Working under the assumption that the Ducks open the season with the standard 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders, they’ll have to make a tough decision on who that 7th defenseman will be.
After Tuesday’s 3-2 preseason win over the San Jose Sharks, the Ducks may have a “leader in the clubhouse.”
In Tuesday’s win, Tyson Hinds (22) logged 16:41 TOI, killed penalties for 3:11, and notched a dazzling assist on Frank Vatrano’s game-winning goal, joining a rush, cutting back, and firing a dart to Vatrano on the far post.
“We like what we’re seeing,” Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville said following the game. “I think he does some good things, I think he’s steady on the back end. He’s got some size to him; he’s got play recognition to a different level that we saw there.
“His goal the other night was pretty special as well. I think he’s helped himself in a lot of people’s eyes and minds. We’ll see how it all plays out, but certainly he’s been good.”
Hinds has a goal and two assists in three preseason games during this exhibition season and has translated his energetic defensive prowess while displaying subtle offensive details that have aided in clean breakouts and regroups for the Ducks.
“I'm just trying to prove my game, prove that I have a spot on the team,” Hinds said during his post-game scrum. “Just prove that I can play in the NHL. That’s what I want to do, and that's the goal.”
Luneau and Solberg are the two most high-profile defensemen in the Ducks' pipeline. Luneau notched nearly a point per game in his rookie AHL season, scoring 52 points (9-43=52) in 59 games. Solberg plays an easily translated brand of hockey and has been playing against grown men in Europe (and in North America at the end of 2024-25) for the past four seasons.
However, it seems Luneau and Solberg may be better suited to play consistent top minutes in the AHL rather than having to spend extended time in the press box, serving as a healthy scratch.
Similarly, Moore can be considered part of that group needing consistent minutes at a lower level due to being in the early stages of his professional career. Moore has only played 12 games of professional hockey (nine with the San Diego Gulls of the AHL and three with the Ducks in the NHL) following a post-draft year in the USHL and four in the NCAA.
A former third-round pick, Hinds (76th overall in 2021), has now played two full seasons in the AHL with the Gulls and has notched 28 points (6-22-28) in 142 games, spent 84 minutes in the penalty box, has regularly killed penalties, and assumed a heavy defensive role for the club.
He seems poised and ready to take the next step in his journey to regular NHL minutes, and that may come in the form of serving as the Anaheim Ducks’ 7th defenseman for at least the early parts of the 2025-26 season, playing however sporadically, and logging predictable, reliable minutes as the team looks to make a push for the 2026 NHL playoffs.
Ducks Sign Mason McTavish to Six-Year Extension
Ducks GM Pat Verbeek on McTavish Extension
Anaheim Ducks Training Camp: Lukas Dostal an Underrated Benefactor of New Coaching Staff
Steph's brother Seth Curry, Warriors reportedly agree to one-year contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The day finally has come: the Curry brothers reportedly will join forces on the Warriors.
Seth Curry, the younger brother of NBA superstar Steph Curry, has agreed to a one-year free-agent contract with Golden State, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday, citing sources. Seth will join the Warriors in NBA training camp on Wednesday, per Charania.
The news comes just after sources confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson that Jonathan Kuminga and the Warriors have agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million contract in restricted free agency — a months-long standoff that had Golden State’s offseason in a chokehold.
It will be the first time the brothers play on the same team in the NBA.
After going undrafted in 2013, Seth signed a non-guaranteed deal with Golden State but was waived and later signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors will be his 10th NBA team as he enters Year 12 in the league.
Like his big bro, Seth widely is regarded for his sharpshooting, and in 550 career games (224 starts), has averaged 10.0 points on 47.1-percent shooting from the field and 43.3 percent from 3-point range, with 2.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per 22.5 minutes.
He last played with the Charlotte Hornets during the 2024-25 season, and he averaged a career- and league-best 45.6 percent from deep on nearly 3.0 attempts per game.
Back in July, Seth sat down with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Warriors insider Monte Poole at the American Century Championship and discussed the possibility of teaming up with his brother in Golden State.
“I always have to do what’s best for myself,” he said. “Obviously, Steph would love me to come over there and play with him. And the fans showed me a lot of love at all times. [Our] family would love it. I’ve obviously I’ve always embraced the Warriors and their system and love the way they play. And you never know what can happen.”
Well, it has happened.
As the Currys approach the tail ends of their respective careers, they’ll at least get to do so together, living the dream of siblings around the world.
Warriors sign Steph Curry's brother, Seth, to one-year free-agent contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The day finally has come: the Curry brothers will join forces on the Warriors.
Seth Curry, the younger brother of NBA superstar Steph Curry, has signed a one-year free-agent contract with Golden State, the team announced on Wednesday.
The news comes one day after the Warriors signed Jonathan Kuminga to a two-year, reported $48.5 million contract in restricted free agency — a months-long standoff that had Golden State’s offseason in a chokehold.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Tuesday that Seth will join the Warriors on an Exhibit 9 contract, since Kuminga’s deal prohibits Golden State from signing a 15th player until Nov. 15.
It will be the first time the brothers play on the same team in the NBA.
After going undrafted in 2013, Seth signed a non-guaranteed deal with Golden State but was waived and later signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. The Warriors will be his 10th NBA team as he enters Year 12 in the league.
Like his big bro, Seth widely is regarded for his sharpshooting, and in 550 career games (224 starts), has averaged 10.0 points on 47.1-percent shooting from the field and 43.3 percent from 3-point range, with 2.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per 22.5 minutes.
He last played with the Charlotte Hornets during the 2024-25 season, and he averaged a career- and league-best 45.6 percent from deep on nearly 3.0 attempts per game.
Back in July, Seth sat down with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Warriors insider Monte Poole at the American Century Championship and discussed the possibility of teaming up with his brother in Golden State.
“I always have to do what’s best for myself,” he said. “Obviously, Steph would love me to come over there and play with him. And the fans showed me a lot of love at all times. [Our] family would love it. I’ve obviously I’ve always embraced the Warriors and their system and love the way they play. And you never know what can happen.”
Well, it has happened.
As the Currys approach the tail ends of their respective careers, they’ll at least get to do so together, living the dream of siblings around the world.
Dave Dombrowski knows Phillies are built for this time of year originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The blueprint had been laid out by Dave Dombrowski of how he wanted to build this Phillies team and, as he believes, it has pretty much been followed to a T. Of course, come playoff time there are no guarantees, but when talking about his club, the president of baseball operations seems as confident as he can be about the immediate future.
The postseason will begin for his Phillies Saturday at Citizens Bank Park when they take on the winner of the Wild Card Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds. While there is the obvious feeling of “anything can happen,” there is an air of confidence surrounding this team that is palpable.
Most of that building process during the offseason was to bring back the core players of the team, basically re-rack a group that lost in the National League Division Series to the Mets last year, with some tweaks here and there. That all seemed to be fine, but when the trade deadline approached at the end of July, Dombrowski and company felt two real needs faced them – a closer and a right-hand hitting outfielder. They got both of them with Jhoan Duran now ending games for the Phils and Harrison Bader manning centerfield on a daily basis.
Now the question will be, is it enough?
“We have a good club,” said Dombrowski Tuesday. “We probably have as good a club, to me, as anybody. We’re a well-rounded club. We’ve been there before. We’ve had experience now for a couple of years. We have some really good players who have had really good seasons, in the (Kyle) Schwarber’s and the (Trea) Turner’s. The supporting cast is deeper in the lineup. I think a guy like Bader brought a lot to us. I think when you look at our lineup, I don’t think you look at one spot and say, ‘There’s an out there.’ We play solid defense. Our starting pitching is deep. And I think right now our bullpen’s probably a little bit better than it’s been at various times.
“I think we have a legitimate closer and then we’ve built around that. Our bullpen guys have thrown the ball well from the left-hand side and the right-hand side. Now, when I say that, you have to play well at the right time, and you have to be in a position where you don’t want to be three and done. It can happen to anybody, really. You have to play well at the right time but I think we’re more equipped to do that.”
In Bader, the team not only secured the centerfield position, but they also brought a character into the clubhouse that seems to be accepted and enjoyed by all. For a team that has taken backward steps in the playoffs since making it to the World Series in 2022, that could prove significant.
Bader shows up in boot leg jeans and cowboy boots before games, even when the temperature is hovering near 90. He then gets into his cutoff shirts with baseball pants rolled up to knees with colorful arm sleeves and batting gloves. The bandana is ever-present around his semi-mullet. When he arrives, smiles around the clubhouse are soon to follow.
“We thought he was a good player and we thought he could play, for sure, defensively in center field,” Dombrowski said. “He could hit right and left-hand pitching. We knew he was an energy guy and would handle the situation and Philly would not be a problem based upon playing in New York in the past. I think the way he meshed in the clubhouse with our players was really good for our club. I think he was just a real fit with them. They all seem to build on his energy. His offense has been really good, especially early. I don’t think you could ever predict a guy to be that hot at the beginning. He’s a good hitter. He’s a good all-around player. He’s a threat to hit the ball out of the ballpark. He’s given us a lot. I didn’t know if he would play every day for us or not when we got him. We knew he had a chance to do that. But he’s really developed into our everyday center fielder, and he’s earned that. He’s done a lot.
“Really, the reason behind it was we needed a right-handed hitter to play in the outfield. It was an advantage to play centerfield, too. (Johan) Rojas could play defensively in center field and we like a lot of things about him. But from an offensive perspective he wasn’t contributing much. So, for us, it was a position to add somebody like that was the most important part of it. Also, we did think that he would handle the atmosphere and pressure well, which was important. We didn’t bring him in from the energy perspective, it’s just an added plus that he’s brought along and fit in well.”
And the addition of Duran has made manager Rob Thomson’s job so much easier in handling the bullpen. With the Phillies starting pitching having been so good, Thomson should be looking at only having to handle a couple of bullpen innings before getting to Duran. That is the hope, anyway.
“Any time you have somebody that’s a dominant ninth-inning guy, it’s helpful for you because then you can script around that,” Dombrowski said. “But I’ve also been in the postseason where we haven’t had that and been able to work around and manipulate some of your starters to your bullpen. You never know how it’s going to be. You never know how a starter’s going to pitch out of the bullpen. It has worked at times, too. I think anytime you have that guy that you just give the ball to and everybody goes out there and they feel good about, it’s good.”
The Phillies will have an intrasquad game on Wednesday before another voluntary workout Thursday and a mandatory one Friday. How the team handles the week and whether it’s good for a team has been a big topic around the club, and Dombrowski had to perfect answer on what the week off means.
“It’s an advantage if you win the first series and it’s a disadvantage if you don’t.”
That remains to be seen. But there’s no doubt in his mind, this team is built to advance.
NOTES
•About an hour before the team workout, Trea Turner was on the field doing some sprints, high-steps and change of direction things for his healing hamstring and seemed fine.
•When asked about pitcher Zack Wheeler and his surgery, Dombrowski said: “Everything went well, everything went very efficiently. He’s supposed to be here today or tomorrow. Surgery went great. He’ll go back in another month to get rechecked, but so far so good.”
•Dombrowski said reliever Matt Strahm had been guaranteed his contract for next season. “Had a provision in his contract that at the end of the season he would need to take a physical to have his contract guaranteed for next year, we did that yesterday so we have advised him that his contract is guaranteed for next year so we have done that. We’ve filed all the official notifications in that regard.”
•The Phillies 26-man roster for the NLDS is due on Saturday, Dombrowski said. He gave no indication of what it will look like.
ST. PAUL, Minn - The Minnesota Wild announced on Tuesday that forward Brett Leason has been released of his professional tryout (PTO).
The Wild had signed both defenseman Jack Johnson and Leason to PTO's for training camp. When Leason was signed to a PTO the thought was he had a great chance to make the team out of camp.
Leason, 26, has played in 220 NHL games over the last four seasons. He spent one year with the Washington Capitals and three with the Anaheim Ducks.
After playing in every preseason game, Leason just hasn't showed the Wild enough. He has now been cut from his PTO and is now a free agent.
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Minnesota Wild Sign Kirill Kaprizov To An 8-Year Contract ExtensionST. PAUL, Minn - The Minnesota Wild announced on Tuesday an eight-year contract extension worth $136 million ($17 million AAV) for its superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov.
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- What Is New On The Kirill Kaprizov Contract Situation.
- Wild's Mats Zuccarello Will Be Out For "A Little While"
- Is It Time To Panic: Kirill Kaprizov Contract Extension Situation.
ST. LOUIS -- It’ll be the first true test for the St. Louis Blues this preseason when they entertain the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at 7 p.m. (stlblues.com, Blues app, ESPN 101.1-FM).
The Blues (0-2-1) will see a Stars squad (3-1-0) that will resemble quite a bit of their opening night lineup, which includes Mikko Rantanen, Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen and Roope Hintz, among others.
“You’re getting toward the end of camp, so you’re seeing more and more NHL players in everybody’s lineup,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “I think for guys who are battling for spots, whether to make the team, whether to establish themselves in some roles, there’s some guys, this is an important game for them.”
The Blues will put to the test three players seeing their first preseason action, including the debut of Pius Suter, who will center Dylan Holloway and Jordan Kyrou to see if this is a fit for the start of the season.
“Looking forward to seeing them playing together,” Montgomery said. “Suter’s biggest strength is his brain and his puck support offensively and defensively. He seems to come up with pucks or be available for pucks from teammates, and I think that ability to connect a line is going to lead to more possession time whoever he plays with. But we look forward to seeing him with Holloway and Kyrou.”
Kyrou and defenseman Justin Faulk will also be making their preseason debuts.
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With the Stars bringing a loaded lineup, this will be a tremendous test for some of the younger guys trying to either earn a job or establish footprints for when they do get the call up down the road.
That includes Otto Stenberg, the No. 25 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, who will play on a line with Jake Neighbours and Nick Bjugstad.
“It’s been fun,” Stenberg said. “Game is so much quicker, like all the players I play against, it’s so much better and the D’s are heavier.”
Montgomery has really come to appreciate the forward’s game throughout camp.
“I have found in the beginning he complemented (Robert) Thomas and (Jimmy) Snuggerud well and now he seems to be complementing everybody well,” Montgomery said of Stenberg. “I have really grown to like him more and more throughout camp.”
“I think it’s always been my type of game,” Stenberg said. “I think I can play in different roles on the team and different lines (and) execute it pretty well. I think I can change my game if I’m playing fourth line or first line. I think that’s one good thing. You can battle for a spot on four lines instead of I guess one line or two lines.”
Also, fellow 2023 first-round pick, Dalibor Dvorsky, the No. 10 overall pick who scored his first preseason goal on Saturday in a 4-2 loss against the Chicago Blackhawks, he’s continued to impress.
“I think he’s gotten better and better,” Montgomery said. “I thought last game was better than the first two, and I think in practice he’s become more noticeable to understanding to how we’re wanting to play and he’s playing faster.”
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Tonight, it’ll be Mathieu Joseph’s turn to take a crack on a line at center.
Joseph, who primarily plays wing, will center Alexandre Texier and Milan Lucic.
“If you have the ability to play all three forward positions, that puts you definitely in a little bit of an advantage,” Montgomery said. “’Mojo’ has that ability, Texier has that ability, Stenberg looks like he has that ability, (Aleksanteri) Kaskimaki comes to mind as well. That just gives you more flexibility as a coach so you can plug and play a guy. And if you have the hockey sense and the determination to play up, say, on the second line or the third and fourth, that adds to your value to the team.”
- - -
Speaking of Neighbours, who has been Brayden Schenn’s wing man throughout camp, he’s getting himself caught up after missing the first few days due to personal reasons and will play his second straight game.
“I think it’s been long enough now where you get your footing back, your timing back, things like that,” Neighbours said. “Obviously game speed’s a whole another level. Looking forward to being back in the lineup tonight and continuing to build off the first one.”
And where does he put his game currently?
“Maybe a six out of 10, but that’s why you have preseason,” Neighbours said. “Just continue to get better. It’ll be a good test tonight. I think Dallas is bringing a pretty good lineup. It’ll be an NHL-type game and I’m excited for that. You’ve just got to keep building and ultimately have your game where it needs to be by October 9th. Just continuing to work towards that.”
- - -
Blues Projected Lineup:
Dylan Holloway-Pius Suter-Jordan Kyrou
Jake Neighbours-Nick Bjugstad-Otto Stenberg
Alexey Toropchenko-Dalibor Dvorsky-Aleksanteri Kaskimaki
Milan Lucic-Mathieu Joseph-Alexandre Texier
Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk
Theo Lindstein-Matthew Kessel
Leo Loof-Hunter Skinner
Joel Hofer is projected to start and play two periods; Colten Ellis will be the backup.
- - -
Stars Projected Lineup:
Jason Robertson-Roope Hintz-Mikko Rantanen
Sam Steel-Matt Duchene-Tyler Seguin
Justin Hryckowian-Wyatt Johnston-Mavrik Bourque
Oskar Back-Radek Faksa-Nathan Bastian
Artuu Hyry could be the extra F
Esa Lindell-Miro Heiskanen
Thomas Harley-Nils Lundkvist
lian Bichsel-Ilya Lyubushkin
Vladislav Kolyachonok could be the extra D
Casey DeSmith is projected to start in goal; Remi Poirier would be the backup.
Coming off an incredibly disappointing season that ended with the Mets missing the playoffs, owner Steve Cohen apologized to the fans on Monday afternoon before president of baseball operations David Stearns took responsibility for the failure.
While speaking for over a half hour, Stearns repeatedly cited run-prevention as the main reason the Mets will spend October at home.
He also didn't shoot down the possibility that the offensive core could be broken up, made no assurances about the future of the coaching staff, and touched on a whole lot more.
As Stearns and the front office get to work attempting to fix a roster that underwhelmed in a huge way in 2025, here are the five biggest questions they're facing...
It's fair to say the Mets' unofficial offensive core is Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor,Pete Alonso, and Brandon Nimmo, with Jeff McNeil being another long-tenured player who has been a lineup mainstay.
With Alonso a free agent, he's no longer a part of that core -- at least for the moment.
Regardless of the Alonso situation, could big changes be coming?
"I think we’re going to have to be open-minded on our position player grouping so that we can improve our run prevention," Stearns said on Monday. "Does that mean there are robust changes? I don’t know. Does that mean people could be playing different positions? Maybe. Does it mean we ask people to play different roles? Maybe."
Soto is obviously going nowhere, as should be the case. And it's impossible to envision a scenario where it makes sense to trade Lindor, who is a perennial MVP candidate who provides plus defense at shortstop.
That means that for the Mets to "shake up" the core, they would have to trade Nimmo and/or McNeil.
Nimmo is still a plus offensive player (he had a 114 OPS plus this season), but he's entering his age-33 season, is under contract through 2030, and has a full no-trade clause. He's also not a plus corner outfielder and has a subpar arm.
As far as McNeil, 2026 is the final guaranteed year of the extension he signed ahead of the 2023 season (the Mets have a club option for 2027 that's worth $15.75 million). The versatile McNeil had a solid season in 2025, with a .746 OPS (.111 OPS+). So it's possible to envision a scenario where the Mets find a market for him.
The Diaz decision should be a much easier one for the Mets than the Alonso one.
Diaz will be entering his age-32 season in 2026, but he was utterly dominant in 2025. And his stuff remains filthy.
He has also proven able to handle the pressure cooker that is in New York and has expressed a desire to stay. Meanwhile, the Mets have a bullpen that needs to be rebuilt and has no replacement closer waiting in the wings. Quite simply, they need to get it done with Diaz if he opts out as expected.
Regarding Alonso, things aren't simple.
The negotiations between the team and agent Scott Boras last season became so contentious that Cohen spoke about them in an exasperated way before things came to a head, with Alonso returning on a two-year deal with an opt-out.
And with Alonso looking for the payday he didn't get before this season, it's fair to wonder if the Mets' value of him will be aligned with where his contract ultimately lands.
It's also reasonable to believe the Mets could want a better defender at first base, which would obviously complicate things further unless Alonso is prepared to become mainly a designated hitter.
Stearns was blunt on Monday about the struggles of the starting rotation -- and his failure in both assembling it and not bolstering it when injuries hit. So expect it to look different in 2026.
Throwing a bit of a wrench in the Mets' desire to change things up is the fact that Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, and David Peterson are all under contract for next season. But with Stearns saying it would be "foolish" to rely on Senga for 30 starts next year, it's hard to envision him being counted on as part of a five-man staff.
Another part of this calculation will be the kids, with Nolan McLean belonging in the 2026 rotation from the jump, Jonah Tong likely beginning the year with Triple-A Syracuse, and the plan for Brandon Sproat perhaps up in the air a bit.
In order for the Mets to add help to the rotation externally while also fitting McLean and perhaps other young homegrown pitchers in, they're going to have to trade some of its current members and/or change their roles.
As far as which top of the rotation pitchers the Mets could target...
The free agency crop is underwhelming, so they should turn their attention to the trade market. Tarik Skubal (one year from free agency) and Sandy Alcantara (two years from free agency) could make sense. As could Paul Skenes, who might not ever be truly available and would cost a King's ransom.
With Diaz, Ryan Helsley, Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto, and Ryne Stanek all free agents -- and with Reed Garrett likely missing the entire 2026 season due to Tommy John surgery -- the Mets are going to have lots of work to do when it comes to assembling the bullpen.
Stearns' shrewd signing of Brooks Raley (who inked an inexpensive two-year deal while finishing his Tommy John surgery rehab), means he's under contract for 2026. The same can be said for fellow lefty A.J. Minter, who was terrific early in 2025 before being lost for the season due to a lat muscle tear.
If Diaz is re-signed, the Mets will have a nice nucleus in the back end. But much more will be needed, including a legitimate right-handed setup man.
It's possible New York could view hard-throwing prospect Dylan Ross as a serious option for the 2026 bullpen, but he's going to have to cut down on his walks after walking 6.2 batters per nine in his stint this year with Triple-A Syracuse.
Free agent relievers who could make sense include Robert Suarez and Emilio Pagan.
While manager Carlos Mendoza will be returning for 2026, there are expected to be changes on the coaching staff.
Given the inconsistency of the offense, it will be a surprise if the Mets don't move on from hitting coach Eric Chavez.
Pitching coach Jeremy Hefner is highly-regarded, and it's not reasonable to place much blame on him for the pitching staff woes given what he had to work with.
The Mets have interesting decisions to make on third base coach Mike Sarbaugh and bench coach John Gibbons.
Regarding Gibbons, could the team think it makes sense to have a different voice sitting next to Mendoza next season?