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Blackhawks Trade Rights To Defenseman Victor Soderstrom To Bruins

The Arizona Coyotes, before they became the Utah Hockey Club, selected Victor Soderstrom in the first round (11th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft. During the 2024-25 season, Utah traded him to the Blackhawks along with Aku Raty and the contract of Shea Weber for a fifth-round pick in 2026. 

Now, the Blackhawks have flipped the rights to Soderstrom to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round pick and defenseman Ryan Mast. 

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on XChicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on X🔔we've got a Friday afternoon trade 📰 ➡︎ https://t.co/u1Zm3Eag36

Before turning pro with the Providence Bruins (AHL) and Maine Mariners (ECHL), Mast played major junior hockey for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. When he was there, he showed some offensive talent, but it hasn't translated to the pro level.

The Rockford IceHogs will try their hand at getting more out of him in 2205-26 now. At 6'5" and 220 lbs, he's a big boy. He'll fit right in with some of the larger players that Rockford will have on the back-end. 

The Blackhawks probably weren't signing Soderstrom anyway, so getting another defenseman looking to get something out of their pro hockey career, along with a draft pick, makes sense. This is an organizational depth trade at this time. 

Mast is a tad bit younger than Soderstrom, who has made his NHL debut. In 53 NHL games played, Soderstrom has one goal and ten assists for 11 points. On the defensive side of things, there is a lot to be desired based on his draft status. Time will tell if this trade pays dividends for either the Blackhawks or Bruins. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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The Ducks And The NHL's Pacific Division Are On The Rise

The Anaheim Ducks took a competitive step forward Thursday by acquiring veteran left winger Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers. 

Kreider joins a Ducks team that has added other experienced veterans in recent years, including defensemen Jacob Trouba and Radko Gudas and forwards Alex Killorn and Ryan Strome. Kreider’s acquisition makes it more clear that the Ducks are in a Pacific Division that’s going to be considerably more competitive next season.

We added up all the standings points in each of the four NHL divisions. While the results aren’t an exact science in discovering which divisions were the toughest, it does give you an inkling of which divisions did the most damage this year.

It’s no surprise that the Pacific had the fewest points, with 710, an average of 88.75. The Atlantic Division led the way with 737 points (92.13), followed closely by the Central Division (735, 91.86) and the Metropolitan Division (713, 89.13). But we’ve got an inkling that the Pacific will be far tougher in 2025-26.

For one thing, you’ve got the Ducks, which still have $32.1 million in salary cap space, even after the Kreider acquisition. Most of Anaheim’s core is under contract, but Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has the money and the motivation to be a big player on the trade and free agent fronts this summer. Despite finishing 21 points out of a playoff spot this season, the Ducks could be quite better next year.

The rest of the Pacific is far from a gallery of mediocrity, either. 

For one thing, the Edmonton Oilers could win the Stanley Cup this season, and they still have two of the top five players on the planet, a deep lineup and a GM, Stan Bowman, who will likely make them better in 2025-26.

Leon Draisaitl and Radko Gudas (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)

The Vegas Golden Knights, which finished first in the division this season, won the Cup in 2023 and are a lock to be a playoff team next year. Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon is famous for pulling off big moves to make his squad better, so we anticipate Vegas will lead the Pacific next season.

The Los Angeles Kings finished second in the Pacific and are playoff locks as well. The Kings have a new GM in Ken Holland, who will be rather active in improving his roster with $21.7 million in cap space to use on his pending free agents and acquisitions.

Right away, you’ve got three Pacific teams that are all but guaranteed to be Stanley Cup playoff teams. But the rest of the Pacific is also likely to be better next year.

The Vancouver Canucks finished 11 points out of a playoff spot last year, but they had major injuries and off-ice drama to contend with. If management has settled things down, and if Canucks GM Patrik Allvin makes good use of the $12.1 million he has in cap space, the Canucks should be much more competitive and get back into a playoff position next year.

Meanwhile, the team that was nine points better than Vancouver – the Calgary Flames – might be better next season. This writer thinks the Flames are better off to strip down some of the roster and embark on a fuller rebuild, but that probably isn’t likely, given some of the comments made by Flames GM Craig Conroy. Instead, Calgary may choose to add veterans this summer with the $26.8 million they have in cap space, and that could be enough to push them into a post-season spot.

Finally, the Seattle Kraken and San Jose Sharks round out the Pacific. The Kraken have changed their GM and coach, and they have $19.9 million in cap space, while the Sharks have a young team in a full rebuild that still has a whopping $41.7 million in cap space. Absent some blockbuster moves that bring in many veterans, the Sharks should still be considered a long shot to make the playoffs next year. But the Kraken are another story, as they have a mix of youth and experience that could see them battling for a post-season spot right through the end of the regular season.

That means there are seven out of eight Pacific Division teams that can reasonably be considered to be in the playoff mix next year. That means at least three of those teams, if not four, will miss out on the post-season. 

So while the Ducks took a step forward with the addition of Kreider, they’re still going to battle tooth-and-nail to jump high enough in the Pacific standings to be a playoff team.

The Pacific teams will be in for a heck of a battle from Game 1 to Game 82, and Pacific team fans are going to have much to cheer for right out of the gate. It’s going to be a blast, and the Pacific is going to be vastly better next year.

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Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton expected to play for Double-A on Saturday, could join team in Boston for series finale

As the Yankees get set for a three-game series against their rival, the Boston Red Sox, at Fenway Park over the weekend, Giancarlo Stanton remains in Double-A on a rehab assignment.

While Stanton is not in Friday's lineup for the Somerset Patriots for the first time during his rehab after playing three straight days earlier this week, he is expected to play on Saturday, per manager Aaron Boone.

Following Saturday's game, New York is not ruling out the possibility of Stanton joining the team in Boston for the series finale. However, that scenario may be unlikely with Sunday being a day game.

“I’m not necessarily expecting him this weekend, but stranger things have happened," Boone told the media before Friday's game.

In three games for Double-A, Stanton is hitting .273 (3-for-11) with four RBI.

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What we learned as Webb gem vs. Dodgers puts Giants in first place

What we learned as Webb gem vs. Dodgers puts Giants in first place  originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

LOS ANGELES — Three hours before Friday’s game, a very polite local reporter asked Giants manager Bob Melvin if he could talk about the game plan against Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Melvin smiled and politely declined. 

The game plan was apparently a good one.

Casey Schmitt hit a grand slam in the third and the Giants knocked Yamamoto out in the fifth, rolling to a 6-2 win in their first meeting of the season with the Dodgers. With the victory, their eighth in their last nine games, the Giants moved into a tie atop the National League West. This is the first time since 2021 that they have held a share of the division lead this late in a season.

Schmitt’s first career slam broke the game open, but Logan Webb didn’t need nearly that much help. Webb struck out Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts in the first and cruised from there, taking the lead through the seventh. He allowed just two runs and picked up his fifth career regular season win against the Dodgers. 

Schmitt Happened

After giving an update on his injured right hand Friday, Matt Chapman said the Giants were in good hands at third base and that Schmitt would be a big part of the team even after the starting third baseman returns. That proved to be wildly prophetic. 

By the time Schmitt stepped to the plate in the third, both teams were already fed up with home plate umpire Adam Beck, who had a tight zone and was prone to making delayed strike calls. Both Yamamoto and Webb bent over at the hips early on in frustration over calls, but the Dodger had a particularly hard time with the tight zone. He walked three in the third without looking particularly wild, and Schmitt made him pay. 

With two outs, Yamamoto threw a splitter at the bottom of the zone and Schmitt unloaded. His second homer of the year and road trip left the bat at 108.6 mph and traveled halfway up the bleachers in left. Schmitt knew right away that he had swung the game … 

Crank It Up

The return to Dodger Stadium seemed to bring a little extra out of Webb. He hit 95 mph three times in the first inning, including on a strikeout of Ohtani. Coming into the game, he had touched 95 just four times in 14 starts, although three of them were in his last start, so perhaps this was just a sign of how good he’s feeling three months into the season.

Webb developed his cutter last year in part because he needed another weapon against the Dodgers, and he threw it a career-high 29 times Friday. The pitch got him 22 strikes and six swinging strikes. 

The top of the order — Ohtani, Betts and Freddie Freeman — was 0-for-8 with a walk and four strikeouts against Webb, who kept his ERA at 2.58. He’s fifth in the NL in ERA, second in innings and third in strikeouts. Paul Skenes is the Cy Young frontrunner and the likely All-Star starter, but Webb is right in the mix for both after 15 starts. 

He Does It At Sea Level, Too

Melvin said before the game that Willy Adames’ recent surge wasn’t just a Coors Field thing. He is seeing a more relaxed version of the shortstop, and the Giants believe that will lead to big things in the weeks and months to come. On Friday, Adames looked like someone who really has turned the corner. 

The Giants got on the board first when Adames hit an opposite-field blast in the first inning, his eighth of the year and third of the road trip. He nearly did it again a few innings later, but his fly ball to deep center died on the track. 

Adames has raised his OPS to .635. It was .584 when the Giants arrived in Denver earlier this week.

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David Stearns: Mets would consider calling up top pitching prospects, but there’s a ‘steep hill to climb’

The Mets’ rotation suffered a big blow on Thursday, as Kodai Senga landed on the IL with a hamstring strain. 

Lucky for them, there are plenty of reinforcements on the way, as Paul Blackburn is set to rejoin the rotation on Tuesday while Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea are progressing well during their rehab assignments. 

New York also has some intriguing options stashed down in the minor leagues. 

Nolan McLean continues to dominate during his first full season as a pitcher, Brandon Sproat is finding his footing after a rough start to the year, and Jonah Tong has been cruising his way through Double-A.  

Blade Tidwell, who made his big-league debut earlier this season against the Cardinals, is also still down in Syracuse and possesses significant upside of his own. 

Though all of the young arms are starting to knock on the door, they seem to be a bit of an afterthought for the organization at the moment, with the amount of depth above them on the big-league roster.  

President of baseball operations David Stearns indicated that they would be considered for a call-up if they continue to dominate -- but they are facing a bit of an uphill battle.

“We're going to make those decisions based exclusively on who and what group of players gives us the best chance to win," Stearns said. "If we have a prospect that we believe gives us the best chance over someone else, we are going to strongly consider that.

“That being said, the volume of established major league pitchers we have makes that a steep hill to climb. We have pitchers at the majors we really believe in, who have proven to pitch at a high level. For a prospect to jump that, especially in a pennant race, is a high bar.”

McLean seems to be the closest to taking that leap with his stretch of dominance.

Sproat is working his way back into the mix after a rough start to the season. He's put together four straight starts with three or less earned runs to bring his ERA down to 5.31 for the year. Still not where it needs to be, but a step in the right direction. 

“He’s getting back to doing some of the things he did well while in Double-A,” Stearns said of Sproat. “He’s attacking hitters and he’s using the entirety of his arsenal pretty well. We saw the curveball come out a little bit more last night, which is important.

“At the appropriate time, he’s leaning on the changeup when that is the needed pitch. He’s not just trying to blow the fastball by guys. This is a talented guy with weapons, and sometimes you just need to learn again and again that you need to lean on your whole arsenal.”

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Golden Knights Prospect Wins CHL Scholastic Player of the Year

Mathieu Cataford / CHL

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Mathieu Cataford was announced as the winner of the CHL's Scholastic Player of the Year. 

The CHL Scholastic Player of the Year Award is awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League player who best combines success on the ice with success in school.

"It shows that the efforts I put in paid off, and I think that it's something I'm really proud of, it's a huge honor obviously. I think there are a lot of people behind the scenes, my teachers, my school advisors and Halifax, Rimouski and my parents who taught me the importance of always putting a lot of effort into education," said Cataford after winning the award.

The 20-year-old scored 19 goals and 64 points in 54 games with the Rimouski Océanic in his first season with the team. Cataford played a critical role in their run to the QMJHL finals and their Memorial Cup appearance, although they did not win either trophy.

Cataford was the winner of the Michel Briere Trophy in 2023-24 with the Halifax Mooseheads, awarded to the QMJHL's MVP, but he wasn't able to replicate the 40-goal and 90-point output with the Océanic. 

The Golden Knights' third-round pick (77th overall) in the 2023 NHL draft concluded his CHL career this season and will likely join the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL next year for his rookie season. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Darts delight in king’s birthday honours as Littler and Humphries pick up MBEs

  • Darts pioneer Deta Hedman becomes an OBE

  • Wimbledon champion Virginia Wade made a CBE

Luke Littler and Luke Humphries have been awarded MBEs in the king’s birthday honours list in recognition of the heights to which their rivalry has taken them in darts.

Littler became the youngest world darts champion at the age of 17 years and 347 days at the beginning of 2025 while Humphries, who beat the teenager in the world championship final 12 months prior, came out on top in Premier League Darts.

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Mets' David Stearns shares injury updates on Jesse Winker, Jose Siri, Brooks Raley

While the Mets are expecting the luxury of reinforcements to their starting rotation in the near future, it appears they'll need to wait even longer for a pair of injured outfielders to return to uniform.

During his latest homestand press conference, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns revealed Friday that bench players Jesse Winker and Jose Siri are currently on different ends of the recovery spectrum. And the positive update was given to Winker, not Siri.

In regard to Winker, who landed on the injured list in early May with a right oblique strain, Stearns said he's progressing in ramp-up activities but still "multiple weeks" away from beginning a rehab assignment. The timetable checks out, considering that Winker was initially projected to miss 6-8 weeks. Only time will tell how long his eventual rehab stint lasts.

As for Siri, the news was far less encouraging. Stearns said he recently suffered "a little bit of a setback" in his recovery from a fractured left tibia, as imaging showed the bone hadn't healed to the Mets' liking. He's now shut down from all baseball activities. Siri fouled a ball off his shin on April 12, and had yet to return to the field for any drills or workouts. His intial recovery window was 8-12 weeks.

Meanwhile, on the bullpen front, reliever Brooks Raley is close to taking another step forward in his long journey back to the mound. Stearns said the veteran lefty could start a rehab assignment as early as next week, with a full ramp-up period that could last 30 days. The Mets signed Raley in late April, nearly a year after he underwent Tommy John surgery.

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Flyers Coach Rick Tocchet Has Exciting, Simple Plan for Matvei Michkov

How can the Flyers get the most out of Matvei Michkov? It's simple. (Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)

New Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet has revealed his simple, preliminary plan to get the most out of star rookie Matvei Michkov going forward. It's not rocket science.

Michkov, 20, was a near-unanimous pick for the NHL All-Rookie Team Thursday, featuring alongside the likes of Lane Hutson, Macklin Celebrini, and Cutter Gauthier after a rookie-leading 26-goal, 63-point debut season.

Tocchet, while cautious with setting expectations, knows there's room for plenty more for the Flyers' franchise player. After all, he's now the caretaker tasked with developing Michkov and the many other rising young players on this team.

Tocchet's early plan for making that happen? It's simple: get Michkov the puck and score.

 “You want to get a guy like [Matvei Michkov] the puck a lot. I’ve been watching their power play, and I know they’ve struggled the past couple of years, but I saw some really good glimpses," Tocchet was quoted as saying on 97.5 The Fanatic's "Kincade & Salciunas" show Thursday.

"Like, when he gets the puck down below, he’s got that ability to find people – he’s thinking two steps ahead. So, we have to get everybody in sync on that. Obviously, we don’t want to put too much pressure on him because it’s only going to be his second year, but there’s a lot of good there.”

The power play Tocchet refers to has finished 32nd in the NHL in three of the last four seasons, with their best season - 30th - coming with Michkov last season.

How Did Matvei Michkov Fare in Calder Trophy Voting?How Did Matvei Michkov Fare in Calder Trophy Voting?Although it was already known Philadelphia Flyers star Matvei Michkov wouldn't be a finalist for the 2025 Calder Trophy, the voting process painted a much different picture.

Notably, the Flyers scored just 32 power play goals last season, and Michkov scored or assisted on 17 of them, which is just over half. In fact, the 20-year-old phenom scored eight power play goals - tied with Travis Konecny for the team lead - accounting for 25% of the team's total by himself as a rookie.

Tocchet's words have been refreshing for the scores of Flyers fans that grew disenchanted with predecessor John Tortorella's disciplinarian approach, under which Michkov averaged just 16:41 of ice time last season.

In the early days, it would seem that Tocchet is fully committed to developing Michkov and allowing him the freedom to play offense creatively without restriction, though a defensive obligation will still come along with that.

For more Flyers news and up-to-date coverage, visit The Hockey News and like our Facebook page. Follow us on 𝕏: @ByJonBailey,  @TheHockeyNews

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Suarez and Schwarber thriving in contract years, price tags increasing

Suarez and Schwarber thriving in contract years, price tags increasing originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

With every performance like this, the price tags of two of the Phillies’ three most important free-agents-to-be continue to increase.

Ranger Suarez made a seventh straight excellent start, beating the Blue Jays with seven scoreless innings and walking off the mound at Citizens Bank Park to a standing ovation.

Since May 10, Suarez is 5-1 with a 1.16 ERA. His average start over that span has been less than one run over seven innings on an efficient 96 pitches.

“When he puts somebody on, it seems like he gets the double play every time. Weak contact, just vintage Ranger,” Trea Turner said.

Kyle Schwarber homered for a second straight game, changing the night with one swing in the bottom of the second. It was his 22nd of the season and one of his most impactful as 17 have been solos. This one was a three-run shot.

Suarez and Schwarber are both in their walk years. Suarez hired agent Scott Boras in December, so it’s unlikely he’ll give the Phillies a hometown discount. This is his primary chance for a payday that will affect future generations of the Suarez family and it makes sense to maximize every dollar.

The 29-year-old lefty has a 2.32 ERA through eight starts. If he can maintain anything close to this level of production over a full season, he could be looking at a contract approaching or exceeding $100 million, given the scarcity of high-level starting pitching and his resume in both the regular season and playoffs. The deepest part of the Phillies’ roster is their rotation and they have other needs, so Suarez seems at best 50-50 to return in free agency.

“It’s just sneaky, it’s all about deception, it’s not necessarily velo,” Turner said of what makes Suarez so successful. “Deceptive with multiple pitches, different arm angles. He’s tough on lefties and righties, which is a big deal. Changes speeds, throws anything in any count, really just a true pitcher. 

“There’s some guys who throw 100 (mph) and you see the ball good and some guys who throw 90 and you don’t see the ball well. You watch on TV and it doesn’t make sense. He’s just one of those guys where everything looks the same out of his hand, it takes you a little longer to pick things up and by the time you make your decision, it’s too late.”

This is the fourth straight year he’s put together at least one spectacular run. He’s done it early, he’s done it late, Suarez just hasn’t done it for a full season. He’s never been more incentivized than he is now, and the Phillies are hopeful this is the year it all comes together for him consistently because they know they’ll be without Aaron Nola for some time.

“Primarily, it’s being healthy,” Suarez said. “I know what I’m capable of when I’m healthy and I’m capable of doing great things.”

Schwarber has been the Phillies’ offensive hero so often in 2025. He went through a two-week slump from May 25 through June 10, hitting just .211 with two homers and 27 strikeouts in 64 plate appearances, but he appears to be breaking out of it. He’s had back-to-back games with a homer and walk.

The Phillies need Schwarber’s power more than ever with Bryce Harper out of the lineup. Alec Bohm isn’t a home-run hitter, Trea Turner has altered his approach to trade off power for more base-hits, and Nick Castellanos said recently that he’s trying to find the balance of being a tougher out while still selling out for extra-base hits when he gets a cookie.

It’s still five months away but Schwarber’s free agency will be fascinating. This is his age-32 season. He is a designated hitter. Yet his market could still include two-thirds of the league because of his difference-making power, an improving offensive profile, his postseason success and ability to lead a clubhouse of veterans or youngsters. Kyle Tucker will be a free agent and Pete Alonso is likely to opt out and become one, but Schwarber would be the next-best bat on the market.

These are important decisions the Phillies will face with Suarez, Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, who is also in a contract year. They’d love to lock Schwarber up today, but if you’re him, why put pen to paper now when 20 more teams might be interested in a few months?

The Phillies’ front office would be OK with Schwarber and Suarez further bolstering their free-agent value because it would mean they continued to produce. Free agency begins five days after the World Series ends, so until then, the main focus will be on that night’s game. Friday was a big win for the Phillies, who are trying to get back on track after losing nine of 10. They’ve won three of four since.

The Phils are 40-29 with Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler starting the next two afternoons. One more victory would make it a winning homestand and two more would help offset their recent doldrums.

It’s always a plus for manager Rob Thomson when he can win a game without using his top three relievers: Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering. Joe Ross pitched the eighth inning of the 8-0 win over Toronto and Taijuan Walker had the ninth. None of Romano, Strahm or Kerkering pitched Wednesday and the team was off Thursday, so the bullpen will be well-rested heading into Saturday.

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Mets will turn to Paul Blackburn for Wednesday's start against Braves in place of Kodai Senga

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed before Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays that Paul Blackburn will get the start on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves in place of the injured Kodai Senga.

Blackburn is still available out of the bullpen in the series opener.

"We’re gonna take it day-by-day, turn-by-turn, but Blackburn will take that spot on Wednesday against the Braves," Mendoza said. "He’s available today out of the bullpen. See where we’re at after the game today, but as of right now, the plan is for him to start on Wednesday."

If Blackburn doesn't pitch on Friday, he could still be available out of the bullpen on Saturday, although in a shorter capacity.

"We’ll see what happens today," Mendoza said. "If we don’t pitch him today, he could be available on a short [outing on Saturday], it wouldn’t be anything – because then he’ll have three days before he has to make a start."

Blackburn made his season debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 2 after going nearly a full year without pitching in the majors due to multiple injuries. After going five scoreless innings in that outing, he was sent to the bullpen and pitched four innings in relief on June 8 against the Colorado Rockies, giving up three earned runs on seven hits at Coors Field.

With the loss of Senga, Blackburn will once again be an important piece for New York.

"It definitely helps," the skipper said. "Important to have guys like that and we’ve been talking about our depth, and here we are again getting tested. There’s a reason why we built him up as a starter...

"We see it every time, injuries are a part of this game. Every team will go through it, but I feel like we’re equipped to handle [it]. And obviously we got a guy like that already on the active roster and we got some more guys that are getting close to joining the team."

Of course, Frankie Montas, who is making another rehab start on Friday, and Sean Manaea, who pitches on Saturday, are also waiting in the wings.

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Attainable Second Line Centers The Jets Can Pursue In Free Agency

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (55) hugs Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) after the Stars defeat the Jets in the overtime period in game six of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Winnipeg Jets were on the search for a second-line center at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, but after a deal with Brock Nelson was nixed by the player, the Jets left a vital deadline without fixing a glaring need.

Now heading into the offseason, the Jets desperately need to find a second-line center, especially if Adam Lowry is going to miss a couple of months to start the season. Jonathan Toews has been linked to the Jets, but at 37 years old and without game action for two full seasons, relying on Toews to be a potent offensive player is a big ask.

The free agent market isn't filled with star players like it is in some offseasons, but there are still multiple players who could be impactful and help the Jets take the next step offensively. 

The Big Fish:

Sam Bennett is the most sought-after center on the market, even though recent reports from The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta suggest an eight-year, $8M contract extension with the Florida Panthers is imminent. He'd be the perfect complement for Mark Scheifele. Scheifele is a pure offensive center, and although Bennett is not known as a defensive specialist, his physical nature can force opponents to play tougher matchups against Bennett and free up Scheifele to take advantage of lesser matchups. 

Bennett would also be a great linemate for Cole Perfetti and Nikolaj Ehlers if he re-signs. The 28-year-old currently leads the NHL Playoffs in goals with 14 and leads his team in points with 21. Bennett's career-high in goals and points in the regular season is just 28 and 51, but with an increased role, many experts believe Bennett could add more offence to his game. 

Offensive Dynamos:

Dallas Stars' Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund highlight ultra-offensive talents that the Jets can target on the free-agent market. Both Duchene and Granlund are expected to re-sign with the Stars, but Jim Nill has a lot of work to do to fit them under the salary cap. If he can't do it or the players grow impatient, the Jets could take advantage.

Duchene recorded 30 goals and 82 points this season, driving them offensively at times during the regular season. His offensive game would mesh nicely with Ehlers' speed and Perfetti's playmaking.

Granlund, while listed at just 5'10, has proven that size is not an issue for him. The 33-year-old scored 22 goals and 66 points in 83 games this season with the Stars and the San Jose Sharks. He also proved to be a stellar playoff performer, recording five goals and 10 points in 18 games. With lots of skill and solid defensive metrics, Granlund makes a lot of sense for the Jets. 

Lower Cap Hit and Safe Two-Way Center:

Pius Suter is coming off a career season with the Vancouver Canucks, serving as the team's second-line center after they traded J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers. He set career-highs in goals and points with 25 goals and 46 points in 81 games. The 29-year-old plays a smart two-way game but is quietly very skilled with the puck. He's been an effective third-line center throughout his NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings, but if last season was any indication, Suter could take another step forward, becoming a consistent and reliable second-line center. 

Older Former Superstars With Plenty Still To Give:

All signs point to Claude Giroux and John Tavares remaining with their hometown teams, but in the NHL offseason, anything can happen. Giroux has transitioned into more of a winger as he's gotten older but has continued to be effective in the faceoff dot. The 37-year-old scored 15 goals and 50 points in 81 games this season, including another goal and five points in six playoff games. With over 1200 games of NHL experience, Giroux is a safe bet to be a good contributor at 5-on-5 with the skilled forwards the Jets have.

Tavares is coming off another exceptional season despite many people once again predicting that he would take a step back. In 75 games, the 34-year-old poured in 38 goals and 74 points. While his foot speed isn't what it used to be, he's still as strong as ever and dangerous in front of the opponent's net. His puck skills remain phenomenal, and his hockey IQ has not wavered whatsoever. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Sharks Should Consider Targeting Rangers’ Matt Rempe

The San Jose Sharks are looking to get back into playoff contention as soon as they can, and while they may have to go through one more season of struggling before they can make a playoff push, there are some players they can target that can help them become a tougher team to play against.

One player they could look at bringing in is New York Rangers' forward Matt Rempe, who is a pending restricted free agent (RFA), and with the roster changes they're going through right now, they could be open to trading him, or not matching an offer sheet.

Rempe is arguably the toughest hitter in the NHL right now, and while some fans have questioned his antics because of the odd high hit, he is still a scary forward to play against. In 42 games last season, he scored three goals and added five assists for eight points and had 67 penalty minutes. 

At 6-foot-9, 254 pounds, he would be an incredible addition to the Sharks' bottom six, and with the opportunity for an increased role, he could find a way to contribute offensively if he learns how to become a net-front presence. 

He would be a risky addition, but he would pay off in a big way if he helps the Sharks become a feared team to play against. Right now, he may not cost any more than $1 million annually on his next contract, but the Rangers may ask for a third-round pick in return for him. If that's the asking price, they should be all over it.

Sharks Should Explore Offer Sheets This SummerSharks Should Explore Offer Sheets This SummerOver the past few weeks, there has been a lot of talk regarding the potential of offer sheets and how they may be used more this summer than in years past. There are likely a handful of teams that are well positioned to take a chance on an offer sheet, and one of them is the San Jose Sharks. Former Sharks Head Coach Lands New GigFormer Sharks Head Coach Lands New GigYesterday, former San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner landed a new job in the NHL as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders, joining Ray Bennett, who was also hired by the team. Boughner will work under Islanders head coach Patrick Roy as they look to turn the franchise around. Sharks Should Avoid Buying Out Marc-Édouard Vlasic This SummerSharks Should Avoid Buying Out Marc-Édouard Vlasic This SummerThe San Jose Sharks have a lot of questions that need answering this summer. Will they try and move up in the draft? What’s the plan for their players on expiring contracts? Will they look to land a big fish in free agency? There are plenty of unknowns—but one question that shouldn’t even come up is whether the Sharks should buy out Marc-Édouard Vlasic.
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Thunder take Game 4 of NBA Finals vs. Pacers 111-104 to tie series

Thunder take Game 4 of NBA Finals vs. Pacers 111-104 to tie series originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Oklahoma City has avoided a 3-1 deficit.

The Thunder took down the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday to tie the series at 2-2 going back to Oklahoma City.

Both teams stayed neck-and-neck for most of the first three quarters, though Indiana built a 10-point lead at one stage. However, Oklahoma City used a 31-17 point differential in the fourth quarter to pull away, mainly due to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s shotmaking in clutch time.

The league MVP ended the game with 35 points on 12 of 24 shooting and 10 of 10 free throws to go with three rebounds, three steals and a block. But he did not record a single assist. Jalen Williams supported Gilgeous-Alexander with 27 points on 8 of 18 shooting and 11 of 11 free throws.

Game 3 saw Bennedict Mathurin come off the bench for Indiana and light it up with 27 points on 9 of 12 shooting. But he came back to earth in this one, logging just eight points in 14 minutes with five foul-line makes. However, his three misses proved costly late on.

Oklahoma City needed someone to produce a Mathurin-esque game off the bench and got it through Alex Caruso. The star defender posted 20 points in 30 minutes on 7 of 9 shooting to go with five steals, three rebounds and a block. No other bench player had more than five points.

Indiana’s two main stars weren’t at their best from a scoring standpoint. Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 points on 7 of 15 shooting with seven assists while Pascal Siakam led the team with 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals on a 6 of 15 field-goal clip.

Though Mathurin didn’t produce like he did last time out, Obi Toppin did step up off the bench and record 17 points on 7 of 12 shooting and seven rebounds, but it didn’t move the needle enough.

Oklahoma City somehow won the game making just three 3-pointers to Indiana’s 11. The Thunder attempted 17 to Indiana’s 36, but capitalized on nine more foul-line makes and a 50-36 points-in-the-paint advantage.

Whoever takes the next game will be a win away from their franchise’s first ever championship. If Oklahoma City wins, Indiana will need to defend home court to force the two best words in sports. But if Indiana upsets the Thunder, it can win the title in front of its fans.

Game 5 in Oklahoma City is set for Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. PT.

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Sabres 2025 Draft Projection – Brady Martin

Coming out of the NHL Scouting Combine last weekend, the Buffalo Sabres got the lowdown on a number of prospects that could be their with the ninth selection at the 2025 Draft in Los Angeles later this month, but barring a trade up they will have to rely on the player they want slipping through the cracks.  

The NY Islanders are likely to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer with the top overall pick, but there is no accurate read on how the remaining seven picks will break. That seems to be reflected in various mock drafts that have emerged since the combine. After Schaefer, names like Michael Misa, Caleb Desnoyers, and rising star Anton Frondell are likely to go in the top five, but at that point, any of a number of players could be there for the Sabres at #9.  

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Soo Greyhounds center Brady Martin attracted a great deal of attention at the NHL Scouting Combine, but with the top of the first round chock full of centers, there is a possibility that he could be there for the Sabres with the ninth overall pick. 

According to the Hockey News Draft Preview, the 6’0”, 178 lb. pivot is a throwback to the old-school NHL, growing up in small town Elmira, Ontario, where his gym routine was whatever was needed to maintain the family’s farm. Martin nearly tripled his point output in his second OHL season with the Greyhounds (33 goals, 39 assists), and had an excellent showing for Canada at the Under-18s with 11 points in seven games. 

 

"I haven't got to into hockey training, and we're just kind of farm strong, is what they call it. That's kind of how I grew up and put on a lot of strength and muscle," Martin said.  "I grew up and always had responsibilities and was disciplined, so I think that helps comes through (in playing) hockey."

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