BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Sonny Gray #54 of the Boston Red Sox pitches during the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Joe Sullivan/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Red Sox are starting to pitch like the rotation they were built to be over the offseason. That’s even with Garrett Crochet still on the shelf as he strengthens his way back from left shoulder inflammation.
A big part of better turns through the rotation lately comes from a solid run of starts from Sonny Gray. His ERA didn’t jump off the page from his final years in St. Louis, but his metrics were encouraging to the point that the Red Sox made the move to trade for him this winter.
He didn’t have his rhythm immediately in April and spent some time on the injured list with a hamstring strain. Gray clearly found something in his return as he’s allowed just one earned run in 11 innings since his activation off the injured list.
The veteran right-hander is 4-1 with a 3.18 ERA through his first seven starts in a Red Sox uniform. He’s settled into a role without the pressure to lead a return. Crochet will be back and Ranger Suarez also started to throw the ball exceptionally well in recent weeks. As a result, Gray can be himself and go to work on the mound.
All the recent signs are encouraging for Gray as of late and nobody in the Red Sox community wants him to succeed more than the person who still plays his 2013 ALDS highlights on loop (wonder who that might be). With that said, two metrics for Gray are worth keeping an eye on if his production slips this summer.
Gray’s K/9 sits at 5.8 after his most recent start. For reference, he struck out at least 10 per nine innings in each of his final two seasons with the Cardinals. The Boston starter also holds an ERA-FIP gap of 1.01 (4.19 FIP). No need for real concern yet, just something to monitor as the season develops closer to hitter-friendly environments.
Obviously, none of the rotation growth matters if the Red Sox don’t start scoring more runs. In the meantime, the Gray trade looks strong for the health of the pitching staff in 2026.
Happy Friday, everyone! Hopefully, it’s been a good week, and you’re set to enjoy your weekend. To ease you into the final day of the week, we’ve got an assortment of baseball news for you to enjoy. We’re taking a look at the early discussions regarding the CBA and a potential salary cap, the new tentative Rays stadium deal, bad luck injury news for Cal Raleigh (who just busted his slump in the strangest way), and a surprising turn for the White Sox who… are playing winning baseball?
We’ve got all that and more in today’s news, so grab a coffee and enjoy!
A scary update from a recent White Sox game. Stay safe out there, friends!
There's an update regarding the delay in the 4th inning. A fan fell into the visiting team bullpen. That fan has now been transported to the hospital for treatment.
A.J. Ewing hit his first major league home run, Nolan McLean got through seven innings, and the Mets hit a total of five home runs as they completed a sweep of the Tigers yesterday at Citi Field.
Ewing’s home run traveled 405 feet, and here’s something you might not have known about the 21-year-old: When he’s not on the field, he plays guitar to take his mind off the game.
Before the game, the Mets provided injury updates on Francisco Lindor and Francisco Alvarez, as the former has shown signs of healing in his calf but still doesn’t have a timeline for returning, while the latter had surgery that will very likely keep him out until mid-July.
The Mets will appear on three different networks this weekend as they host the Yankees: Apple TV has the game tonight, FOX has the game tomorrow, and the series finale on Sunday will mercifully be on SNY.
Ranger Suárez struck out eight in five-and-one-third scoreless innings against the Phillies, the only team he’d ever pitched for until signing with the Red Sox in free agency, but Philadelphia scored three runs in the eighth and beat Boston.
The White Sox continue to be one of the most surprising teams in baseball, as they completed a sweep of the Royals to put themselves over .500 for the first time since Opening Day of the 2025 season.
Former Met Justin Turner couldn’t get a gig with a major league club coming off his disappointing year at the plate in 2025—and blames the game putting too much weight in “data sheets” for not even getting a non-roster invitation—but he’s thriving as he continues to play baseball in Tijuana.
This Date in Mets History
Pat Mahomes recorded the win against the Phillies in his Shea Stadium debut on this date in 1999.
Feb 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jordan Goodwin (23) celebrates against the Orlando Magic in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Welcome to our Phoenix Suns Season in Review series, where we revisit every player who suited up during the 2025–26 campaign through the lens of expectation, reality, and what it ultimately meant.
Player Snapshot
Position: PG/SG
Age: 27
2026-27 Contract Status: UFA (Early Bird Rights)
SunsRank (Preseason): 13
SunsRank (Postseason): 7
*SunsRank is based on Bright Side writers’ ranking.
Season in One Sentence
Jordan Goodwin deserves a lot of credit for the culture shift that occurred in Phoenix this season.
By the Numbers
GP
MIN
PPG
RPG
APG
STL
FG%
3PT%
FT%
OFFRTG
DEFRTG
+/- (TOTAL)
70
22.5
8.7
4.9
2.2
1.5
41.3%
37.1%
69.6%
113.4
110.1
+93
The Expectation
Some people wanted to roster Jared Butler over Jordan Goodwin during the preseason. Boy oh boy, are we glad that the Suns’ front office didn’t listen to them, all due respect to Butler, who did look great in the preseason. The Phoenix Suns knew what they had in “Goodie.” He was a major piece of the identity they wanted to create.
Jordan Goodwin was the unsung hero of the Phoenix Suns this season. While many were excited to see him return, I find it unlikely anyone knew just how good and important he would be for this team. The tenacity he brought on a nightly basis was infectious.
But we already knew that. What we didn’t expect was for him to shoot 37.1% from deep on a healthy amount of attempts per game. His 4.3 attempts from deep per game were a career-high. He shot 39.2 with the Lakers in 29 games the previous year, but that was only on 2.3 attempts per game. It was a precursor for what was to come. Thanks again, LA!
The Reality
Watching Jordan Goodwin this season felt like watching a guy who refused to let the Suns’ “fragile” identity take hold. Goodwin’s evolution from a bench “insurance policy” into the 2026 Dan Majerle Hustle Award winner was fun to watch.
We all saw it all year long. Goodwin didn’t just play basketball; he attacked opponents relentlessly. He finished the year averaging a career-high 1.5 steals per game, often acting as the lone point-of-attack defender capable of making life miserable for opposing guards.
His shooting, once a major red flag, stabilized at a respectable 37.1% from deep. This proved he could stay on the floor next to Devin Booker without killing the spacing, providing a much-needed physical presence in a backcourt that can sometimes lean too heavily on finesse. Despite being a guard, he was the Suns’ second-best offensive rebounder behind only Mark Williams, averaging 2.0 offensive boards per game. His 4.9 rebounds per game were third on the team behind only Williams and Ighodaro.
What It Means
This was an investment in grit. Goodwin leaped from 13th to 7th in our SunsRank for a simple reason: he brought it every single night. He looked mature. He knew his role. He didn’t ever force anything offensively and usually made the smart play. He’d take the open shot, he’d find a lane to cut in, he’d make the extra pass. All of the little things you need your role players to do, he embraced.
As an unrestricted free agent this summer, the Suns have no choice. They need to prioritize retaining Goodwin this summer. You can find guards who can score anywhere, but finding a “junkyard dog” who actually impacts the win column is a much harder task. I’ll say it again, he and Dillon Brooks are the identity of this team. It’s still Devin Booker’s team, but those two are the heart and the soul that we need to keep around to keep this thing moving in the right direction.
“That’s our culture – that’s the minimum,” Goodwin said. “We’re going to go in and play hard every single day.”
“When you walk into the building, you can’t escape it,” Ott said. “That’s what you want to build. You want to build a group so competitive that if you don’t play hard, you’re the outlier.”
And my goodness did the Suns miss him in the OKC series. He is the exact player they needed to play 40+ minutes against a team like the Thunder. His absence wasn’t talked about enough. Yes, they missed Mark’s size, but Goodwin being out was the true backbreaker.
Defining Moment
January 4, 2026 vs. Oklahoma City: In a mid-season preview of the eventual playoff matchup, Goodwin was unconscious from deep.
He exploded for a team-high 26 points and drained 8 three-pointers to carry Phoenix to a 108-105 win. He made some clutch defensive plays, but when the offense is rolling like that for him, too, it’s fun to watch. And yes, this was the night of the Devin Booker game winner. One of our favorite wins of the season, and make no mistake… that shot doesn’t happen without Goodwin’s game.
Grade: A+
Yes, that’s a plus. Goodwin exceeded every reasonable expectation. He provided elite perimeter defense, solved his shooting woes, and became the physical heartbeat of a team that desperately needed one. He was an elite rebounder for a team that desperately needed it, too.
If he doesn’t return next season, we riot.
I would expect the Suns top priorities this offseason to be 1. Retaining Collin Gillespie 2. Retaining Jordan Goodwin
The year is 2015 and Dwight Powell is a bench player on the Dallas Mavericks. They are a middling team that will lose in the first round of the playoffs. The year is 2021 and Powell is a bench player on the Mavericks. They are a young, exciting team that will lose in the first round of the playoffs. The year is 2024 and Powell is a bench player on the Mavericks. They are an electric collection of shooters and defenders that will reach the NBA Finals. The year is 2026 and Powell is a bench player on the Mavericks. They are a weird, bad team that will finish in the bottom ten of the league.
The last decade of basketball in Dallas has featured just about every type of team, except a championship team, and Powell has been around for all of them. He’s seen lots of different roles—young prospect, possible trade piece, important rotation player, starter in a pinch when the team is plagued by injuries, and now, veteran presence off the bench who contributes from time to time.
This Mavericks season was one of the weirdest in recent memory, and they’re lucky Powell was on the roster to guide a constantly changing lineup through a rough year. He didn’t have a resurgent year where he put up big numbers, but he was there to provide big man minutes when every other big man went down with injuries and kept the Mavericks’ culture from turning toxic. Powell is unofficial mayor of Dallas, after all.
Season in review
Powell put up some respectable numbers for a bench player on a bad team. Over 63 games and 12 starts, he averaged 6.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and one assist per game. Again, not eyepopping numbers, but the Mavericks didn’t need big numbers from Powell. He’s on the team to be a veteran presence for all the young players and step in when the younger big men are unable to play.
The NBA season is long, almost certainly too long. The players show up for training camp in early October and aren’t done until mid-April. They play three or four games per week, flying across the country, sometimes waking up in hotel rooms not sure what city they’re in. It’s a grind when the team is good and the season is going great. When you’re experiencing a season like the Mavericks just had, it can be a chore.
Having a player like Powell around can help. A player who’s seen everything, has a personality that’s uplifting, and is generally a good hang can keep a bad season from turning into a disaster. Things in Dallas could have turned toxic quickly this year, and for the most part, the team was drama-free. Powell was a part of that, and it’s something NBA teams value.
Best game
Powell’s best performance of the year came against the Utah Jazz on January 17. In the 138-120 win over the Jazz, Powell scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out three assists, and had three steals. He had some games where he scored a little more, but in this game, he filled up the entire stat sheet and came away with a win.
Contract status
Powell just completed the last year of a 3-year deal that paid him $12 million in total. He is an unrestricted free agent.
Looking ahead
As the Mavericks try to build the foundation of a contender around Cooper Flagg, Powell won’t be a priority for the new Dallas front office. But they’ll have his Bird rights, and he’ll likely be amenable to a team friendly deal. If the Mavericks need a veteran to hold down the end of the bench and provide more leadership than minutes, Powell will likely have a spot in Dallas.
BRING HIM BACK. Dwight Powell, Mavs Functionary For Life.
Grade: B-
Powell does everything you want off the court. His play on the court is sometimes frustrating to watch. He’s an emergency big, so it’s mostly fine, but over the course of a long season, even an emergency big gets thrown into a situation where you need good play. And sometimes Powell has it in him, and sometimes he doesn’t. Overall, though, the Mavericks get what they need from him—a veteran who can eat minutes in garbage time and fill in when needed. It’s where he’s at in his career now, and he performs well in the role.
After an unlikely reunion on the Vegas Golden Knights, former Philadelphia Flyers Carter Hart and John Tortorella find themselves just four more wins from the Stanley Cup Final.
On Thursday night, Hart, Tortorella, and the Golden Knights eliminated fellow former Flyers Ryan Poehling, Cutter Gauthier, and the Anaheim Ducks with a dominant 5-1 win, claiming the series 4-2.
They await the vaunted Colorado Avalanche, who have run into goaltending issues of late but have more or less breezed their way to the Western Conference Final with little difficulty.
Quinn Hughes, Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and the Minnesota Wild were brushed aside by the Stanley Cup favorites in just five games.
Interestingly enough, Hart's last game for the Flyers, which he played under Tortorella, was against the Avalanche over two years ago on Jan. 20, 2024.
The 27-year-old was stunned for five goals on just 15 shots in the 7-4 loss and was replaced by Sam Ersson.
Three days later, Hart took a personal leave from the Flyers, and was then charged with sexual assault stemming from the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault case on Feb. 5.
Having sat out the entire 2024-25 season, Hart was found not guilty of the sexual assault charge levied against him on July 24. The Golden Knights officially signed the goalie on Oct. 24.
Hart showed plenty of signs of rust after the long layoff this season, stumbling to a career-worst .891 save percentage despite a 11-3-3 regular season record with the Golden Knights.
In the playoffs, though, the former Flyers goalie is 8-4-0 with a 2.47 GAA and .917 save percentage, coming back to life with a .935 save percentage across these past six games against the Ducks.
As for Tortorella, who was fired by the Flyers on March 27, 2025, he took over for an elite coach in Bruce Cassidy in a shock switch from Vegas back on March 29, bookending almost exactly a full year away from the bench.
The Golden Knights quickly ripped off a sizzling 7-0-1 finish under their new coach, which has, obviously, carried over into the playoffs.
Notably, Mitch Marner, of all players, leads the entire NHL playoffs in scoring with his seven goals, 11 assists, and 18 points in 12 games under Tortorella, which speaks volumes about the job the ex-Flyers bench boss is doing.
Where things go from here is dubious at best with Colorado looming, but the Flyers have certainly been well represented this postseason, especially with a respectable run of their own.
DENVER, CO - MAY 13: Defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) of the Minnesota Wild adjusts his gear during the third period of Game 5 of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. (Photo by Timothy Hurst/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) | Denver Post via Getty Images
Here are your links for today:
Devils Links
“Šimon Nemec is something of an enigma and could be one player affected by the changes. Sometimes, he shows flashes of being a second overall pick. Other times, he looks like a fish out of water. Nemec will become a restricted free agent on July 1. You don’t want to give up on a 22-year-old defenseman second overall pick, but it might be time for the Devils to move on.” [Devils on the Rush ($)]
“Tom Fitzgerald leaned too heavy on size and defense when building the blueline, and that has held the team back over the last couple of years. Sunny Mehta will surely look to add more mobility and offense to balance things out. There are a couple of intriguing ‘buy low’ candidates who could help him do just that.” [Infernal Access ($)]
So about that Quinn Hughes trade. Is it a move Sunny Mehta could pull off? [New Jersey Hockey Now]
The @NYIslanders’ 2025 No. 1 #NHLDraft pick, Matthew Schaefer, is this year’s Calder Memorial Trophy winner — an award presented to the player who was the most proficient in his first year in the League. pic.twitter.com/X79uom6mAn
“The Vancouver Canucks are turning to two franchise icons to hopefully lead them back to glory. Daniel and Henrik Sedin were named co-presidents of hockey operations on Thursday, and the identical twins’ first act was to hire former teammate Ryan Johnson as general manager.” [NHL.com]
Feel free to discuss these and any other hockey-related stories in the comments below.
Nov 4, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) sits on the floor after a play against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images | Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
The NBA released two schedules for the Western Conference Finals- one of the Spurs/Timberwolves series ends on Friday at the conclusion of Game 6, another if the series heads back to San Antonio for Game 7.
Now official from NBA. The Western Conference Finals on NBC/Peacock will be played on: May 18, 20, 22, 24, 26*, 28*, 30* if SAS-MIN ends in 6 games, or May 20, 22, 24, 26, 28*, 30*, June 1* if SAS-MIN ends in 7 games.
If the Spurs close out the series tonight in Minnesota, they’ll head to Oklahoma City to play Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday, May 18. From there, the series will take place every other day (the even dates) fro the remainder of May.
May 18 and May 20 in Oklahoma City, May 22 and 24 in San Antonio. If Games 5, 6 and 7 are necessary, they will take place on May 26 on OKC, May 28 in San Antonio, and May 30 to close out in Oklahoma’s state capital.
If the Spurs and Timberwolves require a Game 7, that will take place on Sunday, May 17th. The winner will then face the Thunder on May 20 and 22 in Oklahoma City before hosting games 3 and 4 on May 24 and 26 respectively. Games 5, 6, and 7 could take place as needed on May 28, 30, and June 1.
The Eastern Conference is facing the same conditions based on whether the Cavaliers or Pistons win Game 6 tomorrow.
The NBA Finals have already been determined and will start with Game 1 on June 3rd, Game 2 on June 5, Game 3 on June 8 and Game 4 on June 10. If Games 5, 6, an 7 are needed, they will take place on June 13, 16, and 19.
Quite a month of basketball still to go, with the stakes getting higher every moment.
Two elimination games tonight, but only one that will have Pounders chanting “Go, Spurs, Go!”
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The Warriors for years have attempted to build for the future while simultaneously going all-in on the present with superstar Steph Curry.
They could have another opportunity to do so again this summer, and find themselves at an interesting crossroads.
Golden State has the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on June 23, and could use it to either select a prospect who could be a foundational piece for years to come, or include the pick in a potential blockbuster trade for a proven star player to pair alongside Curry next season.
While some believe the Warriors should leverage their 2026 first-round pick in a potential trade for a star, like Milwuakee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who the team aggressively pursued during the season and likely will be available again this summer, that does not appear to be Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy’s goal right now, as ESPN’s Marc Spears reported Thursday on “NBA Today.”
The Warriors are expected to keep the 11th pick of the draft, per @MarcJSpears
"The Warriors have that 11th pick and people wondering can they get in the Giannis mix. From what I'm being told today from several people the Warriors like to keep that pick" pic.twitter.com/xAYydFiRL8
“The Warriors have that 11th pick and people are wondering ‘Hey, can they get in the Giannis mix?’ From what I’m being told today from several people, the Warriors would like to keep that pick,” Spears said.
The Warriors have attempted to fortify a young core for the future alongside Curry for years, in the form of former first-round picks Jordan Poole (2019), James Wiseman (2020), Jonathan Kuminga (2021), Moses Moody (2021), Patrick Baldwin (2022) and Brandin Podziemski (2023).
Podziemski and Moody are the only players still on the roster, and neither appear to be on a path toward stardom.
Which begs the question: Should the Warriors take another crack at developing a lottery pick, or use the No. 11 selection in a trade?
But he does remember the first thing he did when Golden State selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in 2009.
“Getting that call from Larry Riley, the GM at the time, Don Nelson, who was the coach at the time, getting that call and being like, ‘Hey, we’re looking forward to having you, we’re excited.’ And then me quickly looking at my phone trying to figure out exactly where Golden State was,” Curry recalled on WNBA star Azzi Fudd’s “Fudd Around And Find Out” podcast.
Hey, he was just a kid who grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina — nearly 3,000 miles east of the Bay Area.
“All I was thinking about was New York,” Curry said. “But careful what you wish for. I’m glad it went my way for sure.”
Curry added that his favorite part of the night was being booed by New York fans inside The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He remembers initially questioning why they were booing him, but then he realized it was because they wanted him on the Knicks.
That was supposed to be his story.
But his real one is pretty sweet, too. Curry, a 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time league MVP, has won four NBA titles with the Warriors over his 17-year career — and most importantly, not only now knows where Golden State is, but he also has found his home here.
The Montreal Canadiens and the Buffalo Sabres were battling it out on Thursday night in the fifth game of their series, with both teams having won two games. The Habs had slow starts in the two previous games, and coach Martin St-Louis had been asked about them during his morning media availability. He explained what having a good start entailed:
It’s not just one thing. It’s to play with the right intentions, in the right place, early on. It might mean you have to defend, it might mean you have to forecheck, it might mean you go on the power play. It’s about having the right intentions and being dialed in early on.
One had to wonder if he had mentioned that to his player as they had yet another sloppy start, and this time, so did goaltender Jakub Dobes. As a result, he gave up three goals on the first four shots he faced. Thankfully, the Canadiens didn’t let the Sabres distance themselves, coming back from behind twice, but by the end of the first frame, it was 3-2 Buffalo.
Montreal didn’t look much better to start the second frame. The top line got caught in the defensive zone for extended shifts twice, and as they were changing, Tage Thompson got a breakaway. Dobes stood his ground, followed him and made a spectacular pad save to keep Montreal within one.
— Buffalo Hockey Moments (@SabresPlays) May 15, 2026
That save seemed to steady the Canadiens, who finally shook off their rough start and proceeded to score four unanswered goals. Josh Anderson scored the big equalizer, and Ivan Demidov almost scored the go-ahead goal. He got the puck through Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Jake Evans, who’s not known for his finish, had to give it a light tap to push it in.
St-Louis can pat himself on the back for not pulling Dobes after he let in three goals on four shots, not that he was to blame for all of them, but he could have wanted to wake his team up with a goalie change. Instead, he stuck with his goalie and let him wake up the players with a big save. In the end, Dobes stopped 32 of the 35 shots he faced on the night for a .917 save percentage. In the post-game media availability, the coach explained that he consulted his goalie coach to decide whether to pull Dobes, and Marco Marciano told him to leave him in, a good call.
Bad Decisions
On top of being the victim of the momentum shift save, Thompson took a very bad penalty when he cross-checked Jake Evans high up while the Canadiens’ center was nowhere near the puck. Even if the refs had been pretty quiet to that point, they couldn’t let that one go, and the big forward was sent to the penalty box for two minutes.
He ended up getting out of there in just 10 seconds, after Nick Suzuki scored a quick power play goal to give the Habs a 5-3 lead. This is the second game in a row that Thompson takes an awful penalty, but this time around, the Canadiens made him pay.
Thompson wasn’t the only one with a questionable decision on the night; Rasmus Dahlin cross-checked Demidov as he was going to beat him to the net and got himself a trip to the box. On the penalty he drew himself, the Russian rookie finally scored his first playoff goal to make the score 6-3.
A DEMIDOV DAGGER ☄️
The rookie's first career Stanley Cup playoffs goal couldn't have come at a better time 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Y6u9SjPDwP
St-Louis has often spoken about his team shooting itself in the foot this season, and how good teams made them pay when they did. Tonight, the Canadiens were the good team, and they made the Sabres pay when they stabbed themselves in the foot.
The Top Players Turned Up
For the first time this postseason, Caufield and Slafkovsky registered points at even strength while Suzuki registered three points, and the Canadiens’ best players were their best players. There’s a lot to be said for and to like about depth scoring, but the chances of making a deep run in the playoffs are far greater when your top guns are firing on all cylinders. After a tough Game 4, Slafkovsky ended his night with three points.
Granted, this is only one game, but it may just be the start of something not only for the first line but for Demidov as well, who looked hell-bent on finally finding the back of the net. Lane Hutson also had two assists on the night, which gives him 12 points in 12 games in the postseason. He leads the team in points, but he has some way to go for the league leader, as Mitch Marner had 18 points at the time of writing.
The Canadiens will now have a chance to put an end to the series on Saturday night at the Bell Centre. Puck drop is set for 8:00 PM for what will be the first Saturday night playoff hockey game in a packed Bell Centre in 11 years.
The International Ice Hockey Federation's marquee tournament is often a tough sell because it falls in May during the NHL playoffs. Golden goal scorer Tage Thompson is still playing for the Buffalo Sabres and captain Clayton Keller and goalie Jeremy Swayman played in the NHL first round. Swayman also has a child on the way.
Some players need to recover from injuries after grueling seasons and there's no Olympics on the horizon as a carrot to attend.
But that doesn't mean there are no intriguing players at this year's hockey worlds. The Florida Panthers missing the playoffs after back-to-back titles opened some unexpected options for their players' countries.
Here are eight players to watch at the IIHF world championships:
USA's Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
He's usually unavailable because of deep NHL playoff runs. But he'll be the USA's marquee player and the lone Olympic gold medal winner on the team. If he helps the USA repeat, he'll be the first American on the triple gold club with Olympic, world championships and NHL titles. He's scheduled to arrive on May 19. Boston's Mason Lohrei and Edmonton prospect Isaac Howard are the returnees. Washington's Ryan Leonard and Boston's James Hagens have chemistry from Boston College and the world junior championships.
He joined after the Penguins were eliminated by the Flyers. He's a triple gold club member already and played in last year's tournament. That super team featuring Nathan MacKinnon, Crosby, Celebrini and others was stunned by Denmark in the quarterfinals. Crosby will be an alternate captain.
Finland's Aleksander Barkov, Panthers
He missed the 2025-26 NHL season after injuring his ACL during his first day in training camp. This will give him an opportunity to suit up for his country after he missed the Olympics. His NHL teammate, Anton Lundell, will also play for Finland.
Sweden's Lucas Raymond, Detroit Red Wings
He finished third in Olympic scoring with nine points and is coming off his third consecutive 70-point season with the Red Wings.
Switzerland's Roman Josi, Nashville Predators
Switzerland lost to the USA in the 2025 championship game and is the host country this season. It has its share of NHL players, including Predators captain Josi, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, Nino Niederreiter, Pius Suter and J.J. Moser.
We could watch him all summer, too. | NHLI via Getty Images
With two series Thursday night and one of them concluding, there is sadly no playoff hockey Friday nor Sunday either. It really is that time of year.
Islanders News
Matthew Schaefer: “I’m just happy I’m able to be a part of it to help these kids.” [NHL]
Some teammates raving about the Calder winner. [Isles]
Here’s a brief Q&A with him before he knew he won the Calder. [Isles on Twitter]
About draft prospect Ryan Lin, a defenseman some of you have targeted at 13th overall. [THN]
R.I.P. Paul Boutilier, an Isles (among other teams) defenseman in the ‘80s. [Post]
Elsewhere
Mitch Marner scored a pretty incredible breakaway goal as Vegas clinched their series over the Ducks. [NHL]
The Canadiens are also one win away from the conference final after winning Game 5 in Buffalo. [NHL]
The Sabres switched their goalies yet again. [Sportsnet]
Awaiting them are the Hurricanes, whose GM Eric Tulsky is enjoying their 8-0 ride. [NHL]
Officially now (after word leaked they asked Vegas for permission to speak to Bruce Cassidy), the Oilers have fired Kris Knoblauch, who never could recover from the yips that kept him from accurately throwing to first base. [NHL]
They’ll hope the new coach can somehow convince Connor McDavid to stay. [NHL | Sportsnet]
The Sedins are back to run the Canucks, with Ryan Johnson as GM. [Sportsnet | NHL]
Seven potential candidates for the Leafs coaching job. [Sportsnet]
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was captured using a slow shutter speed) Darryn Peterson participates in the pro lane drill during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is the latest example of big stuff happening with the Washington Wizards when I’m traveling or heavily scheduled and unable to write or talk about the news.
If I’m on an airplane, you can count on the Wizards making a trade or getting a piece of major news. It feels inevitable.
So, in the last year (at least for a while) where the NBA rewards tanking, the Wizards tanked hardest and best and won the number one overall pick in this year’s loaded draft. “Loaded” in this case is used in a reputational kind of way. I haven’t run Ye Olde Draft Analyzer (YODA for short) yet and don’t have firm opinions on any of the prospects. In other words, I’ve heard people talk about how great this draft is at the top, but I haven’t assessed those claims for myself. Yet.
Judging by the headlines, The Official Rumor Silly Season is underway. The Wizards front office wisely communicated an openness to trading the top pick. If the prospects are as good as they’re reputed to be, a trade could deliver a proverbial King’s Ransom.
My favorite so far is the one about the Utah Jazz wanting to trade up a spot to pick Brigham Young forward AJ Dybantsa. If Dybantsa isn’t Washington’s guy at #1, then taking other stuff to move down a spot and get the guy they wanted anyway is just good business.
Here’s my quick first take on the numbers of the prospects widely considered to be in play for Washington at the top spot in the draft: Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer.
AJ Dybantsa | F | BYU
AJ Dybantsa could be the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft whether the Wizards keep the pick or not. | NBAE via Getty Images
What to like: It’d be hard to argue too much with Dybanta’s on-court production — per 100 team possessions, he averaged 41.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists. He converted 56.8% of his twos, which suggests he’ll be able to compete inside, and he basically never fouled. He got to the free throw line regularly, which means he was stressing opponent defenses.
Yellow Flags: He shot 33.1% on threes, and his 77.4% free throw percentage is fine but not exceptional. Slightly bigger concern: not many steals or blocks for a 6-9 kid with superior athleticism. His overall offensive efficiency was strong despite the ho-hum three-point shooting and 5.0 turnovers per 100 possessions.
How he measured: Just fine — over 6-8 in socks with a 7-foot wingspan. His agility times were strong, and he practically jumped out of the gym (fourth best maximum vertical at the combine).
Darryn Peterson | G | Kansas
Is Darryn Peterson the most talented player in this year’s NBA Draft? | NBAE via Getty Images
What to like: Veteran draftnik Jonathan Givony says Peterson is the best talent in this year’s draft. He views Peterson as on a different level than Dybantsa. That’s strong praise. A few numbers jump off the screen — per 100 possessions, 40.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks. He shot 38.2% on threes and 82.6% from free throw line on (a high) 11.1 attempts per 100. Those stocks (steals + blocks) are an impressive signal of his athleticism and defensive activity.
Yellow Flags: Sub-50% on twos, a dozen missed games, and just 697 total NCAA minutes. The cramping issue is a legitimate concern, though reportedly the cause (creatine supplements) has been identified and corrected. His offensive rating (points produced per 100 individual possessions) was decent but unexceptional. Reportedly, Peterson would have preferred to play more of an on-ball role.
How he measured: Another ”just fine” — 6-4.5 in socks with a 6-9.75 wingspan. His agility times and vertical measurements look more than good enough to suggest he won’t be overwhelmed physically in the NBA.
Cameron Boozer | F | Duke
Could insane production and average NBA athleticism land Cameron Boozer in the top spot in this year’s NBA Draft? | NBAE via Getty Images
What to like: Insane production — per 100 possessions, 40.3 points, 18.3 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks. He shot 39.1% on a pretty good volume of threes, 60.7% on twos, and 78.9% from the free throw line on 13.2 attempts per 100. His offensive rating was 136, which is…well…insane considering his 29.9% usage.
Yellow Flags: Turnovers were a bit elevated (4.5 per 100), and the blocks are on the low side for someone who played a decent amount in the paint. Other than that, see “How he measured.”
How he measured: Potential concerns here, depending on how much his NBA team needs him to play inside. He’s 6-8.25 in socks with a 7-1.5 wingspan and a standing reach of 9-feet. Those are basically wing dimensions. But, he also weighs 253 pounds, which means he’s a big dude.
The agility times look pretty ordinary for a forward. The vertical measurements landed below the middle of the pack. Perhaps part of the explanation behind the relatively low blocks.
The forgoing should not be confused with a full evaluation, which is still to come. My initial impressions suggest it would difficult to go too wrong with any one of these three. They were all wildly productive at the highest levels of college basketball. Each has many strengths and a few fairly small worry points to nitpick. On first look, all three appear to be very strong prospects with a high likelihood of becoming outstanding NBA players.
As the NBA Draft Combine is officially underway in Chicago, Illinois, the Kentucky Wildcats have a few guys in the draft testing their luck as they look to get drafted June 23-24 in Brooklyn, New York.
Two-year Wildcat Otega Oweh is making a name for himself as he’s had two great scrimmages under his belt. In his first scrimmage, Oweh gave some peers a ho-hum 20-point game (7/12 FG, 1/3 on 3s), with four rebounds in just 18 minutes. The New Jersey native showed great athleticism, a high motor, and the ability to finish at the rim.
In the final scrimmage at the combine, Oweh did his thing, once again. He finished the day with another 21-point outing (6-14), 9-10 from the charity stripe, five rebounds, and one assist. Oweh’s lack of consistency from three-point range showed, as he was 0-5 from deep.
Oweh sits at 105 on the NBA Draft’s best player in 2026, according to ESPN. However, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor recently projected Oweh to be drafted 59th overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With a couple of strong outings, good numbers, and his ability to defend, Oweh should get some looks in the second round of the draft next month.
