Breaking down the most important updates of the Michigan football sign-stealing scandal since the investigation was first announced.
Projecting Sabres Trade Cost – Mason McTavish
The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks.
Mason McTavish would seem to be someone that the Anaheim Ducks would be crazy to part with, but the 22-year-old restricted free agent is looking for a massive payday after a 52-point season in the final year of his entry-level contract. The 2021 third overall pick is what most teams are looking for: a big-bodied, offensively talented center. He made the NHL at 19, and scored 17, 19, and 22 goals in three seasons. Although eligible for an offer sheet, teams are unlikely to go down that road, since the Ducks have the most cap space in the NHL, even after signing veteran Mikael Granlund and trading for veteran winger Chris Kreider, and could match anything.
Other Sabres Stories
Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust
Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere
The additions of Kreider and Granlund this summer to go along with three-time Cup winner Joel Quenneville behind the bench, the Ducks look to be ready to make their move into playoff competition, but GM Pat Verbeek may be looking at McTavish as a cautionary tale to other youngsters; like centers Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson, who are coming up for their new deals next summer.
What Would It Cost?
The competition for McTavish would be hot and heavy if he is truly being shopped, and with his success and NHL experience at such a young age, it will likely cost Buffalo a major young piece like Owen Power or a package that would include winger Zach Benson, prospect Konsta Helenius and their 2026 first round pick to pry the big forward away from Anaheim.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo
DB Boo Carter with Vols but work to do before hitting field for Tennessee, coach says
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said Tuesday that sophomore defensive back Boo Carter is with the Volunteers as they start preseason practice.
What we learned as Giants' frustrating mistakes lead to loss vs. Pirates
What we learned as Giants' frustrating mistakes lead to loss vs. Pirates originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants now have one game left before Thursday’s MLB trade deadline, and by definition, they’re as average as it gets.
Recently, however, they’ve been much worse than average. Far, far worse. Uninspired at best.
A combination of frustrating mental mistakes and the offense taking a night off ended in a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night at Oracle Park. The loss was the Giants’ fifth straight and 11th in their last 13 games, dropping them to .500 on the 2025 MLB season with a 54-54 record.
Tuesday night’s loss featured yet another mental mistake from Heliot Ramos on the bases, and a play in the eighth inning where second baseman Casey Schmitt fielded a grounder and nailed the batter running down the line nearly square in the face after Tyler Rogers wasn’t paying attention on first base. It again was one of those nights for the Giants.
Justin Verlander did all he could to secure a second win in a Giants jersey but left with a no-decision instead. Verlander allowed one earned run in five innings when he gave up a solo shot with one out in the fifth inning. He gave up six hits, three in the fifth inning, and tallied seven strikeouts.
But the Giants put together only two hits at the plate. Former Giants top prospect Joey Bart gave the Pirates the lead with a single through the infield and into left field, one batter after Schmitt’s odd throw in the eighth inning.
Here are three takeaways from the Giants’ second straight loss to the Pirates in this three-game series.
Verlander Does His Part
One swing shouldn’t define what otherwise was a stellar outing from Verlander.
Toeing the rubber 24 hours after Carson Whisenhunt, 24, made his MLB debut, the 42-year-old Verlander looked like an ace against the Pirates, especially in the first four innings. Verlander entered the fifth inning having only allowed three hits with five strikeouts through four scoreless innings. He then struck out Bart to begin the fifth, but was undone by the No. 9 hitter when Liover Peguero turned on a fastball and launched it over the left-field wall.
The damage was done. It didn’t balloon out of control, though. Verlander’s final batter of the night ended in a swinging strikeout to finish his night at 94 pitches over five innings. His seven strikeouts were tied for his second-most this season, and Verlander’s fastball hovered around 95 and 96 miles per hour all night.
Right when the ball left Verlander’s hand, he knew he made a mistake to Peguero. It was one of just a few mistakes Verlander made all night. He now has given up only two earned runs his last two starts in 10 innings.
Another Baserunning Blunder
Somehow, Ramos continues to find new lows on the base paths. Coaches, teammates and fans alike didn’t have to wait long to see his latest gaffe Tuesday night.
With one out in the bottom of the first inning, Ramos was at second base when Matt Chapman hit a sky-high pop up that landed at the feet of third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. The play was ruled an infield fly, but Ramos must have forgotten the rules. Even Hayes looked shocked when he saw Ramos hanging out way too far off the bag, confused by what to do next.
Hayes then fired an easy throw to second baseman Nick Gonzales, who tagged out a befuddled Ramos to end the inning.
This comes just two days after Ramos was tagged out at third base on a ground ball hit to New York Mets third baseman Ronny Mauricio to end an inning.
Ramos walked his first two at-bats and finished 0-for-2. What he’s providing offensively is not making up for his many mistakes on the bases and in the outfield.
Summer Of Willy
The biggest positive the Giants have going for them right now is the turnaround of shortstop Willy Adames. If it were up to him, July would never end.
Adames came into July hitting .210 with a .636 OPS. After going 1-for-3 with a solo homer, Adames now is batting .341 with seven home runs and 21 RBI in 23 games this month. His deep fly was one of the Giants’ only two hits and provided their only run scored.
He now finds himself in historic company when it comes to Giants history at shortstop. Adames is one of five Giants shortstops to have 20 or more RBI in one calendar month, and has one more game to go. Nobody else is following his lead right now.
The boo birds came out from Giants fans at Oracle Park. They certainly weren’t for Adames.
Drafted, Developed, and Ready: Flames’ Class of 2020 on the Rise
As the Calgary Flames look to take a step forward in their retooling efforts, don’t be surprised if some fresh faces start making more regular appearances on the blue line. All drafted in 2020, these three defencemen have spent the past few seasons developing within the Flames system—and now, they’re knocking louder than ever on the NHL door.
Here’s a look at three homegrown blueliners Flames fans should keep a close eye on in 2025-26:
Ilya Solovyov – The Next One Up?
At 6-foot-3 and over 200 pounds, Ilya Solovyov brings a solid frame, a smooth skating stride, and a physical edge that makes him a natural fit on an NHL blue line. After being selected in the seventh round (205th overall) back in 2020, Solovyov has developed steadily through the Wranglers system and got his feet wet in the NHL last season with five appearances. He picked up an assist in those games and showed flashes of the two-way potential that has made him a standout in the AHL.
Last season with the Wranglers, Solovyov turned heads with his poise, offensive instincts, and ability to jump into the rush when the opportunity presents itself. He’s shown he can move the puck and bring some bite defensively, making him a strong candidate to push for a full-time NHL role coming out of training camp.
He’s entering year two on his deal with the Flames worth $1.55 million total. The first year was a two-way contract, but it turns into a one-way deal this season — indicating the organization believes he’s close to sticking around with the big club.
Yan Kuznetsov – Quietly Climbing
If Solovyov is the flashier puck-mover, Yan Kuznetsov is his quieter, steadier counterpart. Drafted in the second round (50th overall) in 2020, Kuznetsov plays a traditional stay-at-home style that’s built on smart positioning, physical strength, and sound decision-making.
He made his NHL debut on January 9, 2024, against the Ottawa Senators, and while it was just a single appearance, it showed that he’s next in line to be trusted in a shutdown role. Last season in the AHL, he posted an impressive plus-21 rating with the Wranglers, alongside 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in 72 games—showcasing his ability to contribute at both ends of the ice.
The Flames clearly see value in his progression, re-signing Kuznetsov this summer to a two-year contract that goes to a one-way in its second year. That puts him firmly in the mix for more NHL time this season.
Jeremie Poirier – High Risk, High Reward
Few prospects within the Flames’ pipeline bring as much offensive upside from the back end as Jeremie Poirier. Taken in the third round (72nd overall), Poirier is a dynamic skater with a natural flair for jumping into the rush, threading passes, and running the power play. When he’s dialed in, he looks like a future 50-point NHL defender.
Injury slowed him down during his second pro season, but he bounced back strong in 2024-25, putting up 42 points (5 goals, 37 assists) in 71 games. His minus-9 rating highlights the ongoing need for more consistency and defensive discipline—but the raw tools are undeniable.
With rookie Zayne Parekh now in the system, it may have pushed Poirier down the depth chart, but his experience could still make him an intriguing option for some NHL consideration.
Poirier is signed through 2025-26 on a deal worth $775,000. He’ll be an RFA after that, and this season could be a defining one in determining whether he takes the next step in his NHL journey.
Final Thoughts
The Flames have been patient in developing their young defensive core, and now that patience may start paying off. Solovyov looks ready to push for a full-time roster spot, Kuznetsov continues to prove himself as a reliable depth option, and Poirier brings the kind of offensive firepower that could make him a fan favourite—if he can round out the rest of his game.
All three have taken different paths, but they share a common thread: drafted by the Flames in 2020, developed within the system, and now on the verge of becoming NHL regulars.
Keep an eye on this trio—because chances are, you’ll be seeing a lot more of them in Calgary this season.
© Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Former Penguins Defenseman Still A Free Agent
While most of this year's unrestricted free agents (UFAs) have been signed, there are still some interesting players who are available for the taking. One of them is former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Jan Rutta, as the 35-year-old blueliner is still looking for his new home.
When looking at the remain UFA defensemen on the market, there is no question that Rutta is one of the top ones available. Thus, it would not be surprising in the slightest if he ended up landing with another NHL team before training camp is here.
Rutta spent this past season with the San Jose Sharks, where he recorded three goals, six assists, nine points, 81 blocks, and a minus-3 rating. This was after he had five goals, 14 assists, and 19 points in 69 contests with the Sharks during the 2023-24 campaign.
Overall, teams looking for help on the right side of their third pairing and penalty kill could consider bringing in Rutta. He is a steady veteran defensive defenseman, and it also does not hurt that he has two Stanley Cup championships on his resume.
In 56 games during the 2022-23 season with the Penguins, Rutta had three goals, nine points, 71 hits, and a plus-3 rating. His time with the Penguins ended when he was dealt to the Sharks in the deal that sent Erik Karlsson to Pittsburgh during the 2023 NHL off-season.
Penguins Promising Goalie Is Clear Breakout CandidateGoaltender Joel Blomqvist got into his first NHL action this past season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Overall, the young goaltender ran into some trouble adjusting to the NHL level with Pittsburgh, as he had a 4-9-1 record, a 3.81 goals-against average, and a .885 save percentage in 15 appearances.
Photo Credit: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
NHL Summer Splash Rankings: No. 20, Seattle Kraken
The NHL summer splash rankings continue with team No. 20, the Seattle Kraken.
In this series, we’re focusing on every NHL team’s off-season, ranking teams that got worse, better and mainly stayed the same. We’re analyzing each franchise’s additions, departures and, where applicable, coaching and management hirings and firings.
We’re now at the point in the rankings where we’re zeroing in on teams that essentially have stayed the same this summer. The teams that finished below the Kraken are listed at the end. Let’s look at what Seattle has done.
Additions
Mason Marchment (LW), Frederick Gaudreau (C), Ryan Lindgren (D), Matt Murray (G), Lane Lambert (coach)
The Breakdown: The Kraken had a disappointing performance in 2024-25, finishing seventh in the relatively weak Pacific Division. Entering its fifth season of operation, Seattle has had difficulty putting a balanced attack together.
This past season, the Kraken had the NHL’s ninth-worst defense at an average of 3.20 goals against per game.
New GM Jason Botterill only addressed that weakness with the signing of former New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Lindgren and former Minnesota Wild center Gaudreau, the latter of whom posted 18 goals and 37 points as a bottom-six forward this past season.
Meanwhile, the trade acquisition of former Dallas Stars left winger Marchment was a coup for Botterill. Marchment played only 62 regular-season games this past season, but he posted a career-high 22 goals, and his 47 points were tied for the second-most in a campaign in his career. Marchment is also entering a contract year, so he’ll be motivated to get a raise on his $4.5-million cap hit. But the three newcomers are net-positives for Seattle, even if only slightly so.
That said, the biggest addition is Lambert coming in as Seattle’s new coach. The former New York Islanders bench boss and Toronto Maple Leafs associate coach has a clear task ahead of him: get this team back into the post-season for the first time in three years. Bylsma couldn’t get the job done in one year and was fired, so the pressure on Lambert will be immediate and considerable.
Departures
Andre Burakovsky (LW), Michael Eyssimont (C), Dan Bylsma (coach)
The Breakdown: For the most part, the Kraken lost only fringe players this summer. Eyssimont is a high-energy depth asset who had 16 points this past season. Burakovsky – who was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks – generated only 10 goals and 37 points in 79 games. Burakovsky’s pedigree as a two-time Stanley Cup winner only got him so far in Seattle, and essentially swapping him out for Marchment is good work by Botterill.
Bylsma had only one year on the job before the team dismissed him. Bylsma’s 35-41-6 record this past season is hardly the stuff of coaching legend, and after the Kraken only finished ahead of the lowly San Jose Sharks in the Pacific last year, Botterill moved swiftly to give Lambert his second chance at a head coaching gig.
Under Lambert, the Maple Leafs’ defensive attack was solid. If he can get the Kraken’s defense in respectable order, Lambert will be considered a successful hire. But nothing is guaranteed in that regard, so time will tell whether changing out Bylsma for Lambert was the right move by Botterill.
The Bottom Line
To get back into the post-season, the Kraken must improve defensively. But even if that happens, Seattle still needs (a) young players like forwards Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and Kaapo Kakko to continue to develop their respective games, and (b) veteran contributors Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson and Jaden Schwartz to do their share of the heavy lifting up front.
The Pacific’s wild-card race is up in the air after likely playoff locks Edmonton, Vegas and Los Angeles settle in again at the top of the division. Seattle will be battling the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks for that last playoff spot – but that’s presuming the highly competitive Central Division only sends four of its teams into the post-season. The Central had five playoff teams this past season, so the Kraken have to do their utmost to challenge for a top-three spot in the Pacific.
We don’t believe Seattle has gotten worse this summer, but it’s also clear they’re not considerably better than they were last season – hence, their place in the middle portion of our NHL summer splash rankings. The Kraken obviously aren’t satisfied with their 2024-25 results, but until the newly rejigged lineup proves it can improve on last season, it’s fair to start out the year being skeptical they can do so.
Summer Splash Rankings
20. Seattle Kraken
27. Dallas Stars
28. Calgary Flames
30. Winnipeg Jets
32. Buffalo Sabres
Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
Thomas Müller finalizing deal with Vancouver Whitecaps after 25 years at Bayern Munich: Reports
German soccer legend Thomas Müller is heading to North America as he joins MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps. On Tuesday, Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal between the Canadian camp and the 35-year-old.
Mets possibly trading for Brandon Lowe something 'worth watching' ahead of deadline
The Mets are continuing to search for a center fielder, relief help, and a starting rotation upgrade ahead of Thursday's 6 p.m. ET trade deadline, but it's also possible they do something outside the box.
According to SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino, while the Mets have "a lot of balls in the air," the potential of them swinging a trade for Brandon Lowe of the Rays "is worth watching, because they also had interest and talked to" the Rays about Lowe last year.
Lowe is slashing .269/.320/.480 with 19 homers in 350 plate appearances over 86 games this season for Tampa Bay, posting a 121 OPS+.
He has been a steady offensive performer since debuting in 2018, with an .810 OPS over eight big league seasons -- all with the Rays.
The 31-year-old has spent most of his time at second base this season, and can also play first base. He is currently on the IL due to ankle/foot issues, but is expected to return relatively soon.
Lowe is under team control through 2026, with a club option for $11.5 million.
But where would Lowe fit if the Mets traded for him?
One would have to imagine any scenario where the Mets land Lowe would mean trading one or more infielders currently on the active roster -- whether they're moved in a deal for Lowe or someone else.
As Martino reported on Monday, the Mets have discussed trading Mark Vientos. The other primary infielders on the roster whose roles aren't fully cemented are Jeff McNeil (who has been flipping between second base and center field), Ronny Mauricio, Brett Baty, and Luisangel Acuña.
Lowe could conceivably also be used as a DH, but the Mets have been utilizing Starling Marte and others there, and could soon get Jesse Winker back.
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Noelvi Marte, Colson Montgomery, and Ronny Mauricio
With the All-Star break in the rearview mirror, it’s time to start positioning ourselves for the championship push. Whether you’re trying to hold onto a top spot, pushing the leader, desperately trying to play catchup, or positioning yourself for the playoffs, reinforcements and upside are vital this time of year.
Most waiver wires have been picked over though and it’s difficult to find impact players readily available in most leagues at this point in the season.
Fear not, because there are still a handful of available players that have the chance to be difference makers that help push us towards glory.
The Blue Jays move into the top spot after taking three out of four from the Tigers.
- ,
D.J. Short
Here are three players that are under 40% rostered on Yahoo leagues that you should strongly consider adding.
If you want a larger list, Eric Samulski wrote his extended waiver wire piece on Sunday.
Noelvi Marte, 3B Reds
(25% Rostered on Yahoo)
Marte is this exact type of lightning in a bottle player that’s being overlooked. It makes sense why he would be though, coming off a disastrous sophomore season where he missed the first 80 games due to a PED suspension and then struck out over 30% of the time after he returned. It was ugly.
He didn’t make the team out of camp and spent his first week of his year down in Triple-A. After being promoted, he hit three homers and stole four bases in 19 games and it felt like a breakout was happening. Then, he strained his oblique amidst that hot streak and spent two months on the injured list.
Now, he’s been back for nearly a month and while the production has been pedestrian – three homers, two stolen bases, and a .759 OPS – he’s doing a lot of things well.
His raw power is fantastic with a 116.7 max exit velocity – top 98th percentile in the league – and high-end bat speed. It’s translated to game power with three homers already hit at least 420 feet.
CIN - Noelvi Marte 2-run HR (4)
— MLB Home Runs (@MLBHRs_) July 10, 2025
Distance: 421 ft
EV: 106.1 mph
LA: 25°
⚾️ 85.8 mph curveball (MIA - RHP Sandy Alcantara)
️ Would be out in 30/30 MLB parks
MIA (0) @ CIN (5)
4th#ATOBTTRpic.twitter.com/whiEk0TsdT
Also, his swing decisions have been solid. He’s in the 69th percentile of SEAGER, a metric built by Baseball Prospectus’Robert Orr to assess swing decisions. It takes into account how often a player swings at pitches out of the zone, something Marte struggles with, but also how often they go after pitches in the zone they can do damage on. Marte is great at the latter.
With that, he’s blessed to play in Great American Ballpark, one of the best hitter’s parks in the league.
He’s also started 19 of 20 games since coming off the injured list and 17 in a row. Most of those starts have come at third base and the Reds’ have begun floating the idea of giving him some time in the outfield.
An everyday job with a great home park, good swing decisionsn and great raw power make Marte a fine bet to go on a serious hot streak over these next two months.
Colson Montgomery, SS/3B White Sox
(16% Rostered on Yahoo)
Montgomery has gotten off to an incredible start in his major league career. Through just 20 games, he’s already hit four homers and driven in 16 runs. All four of those home runs have come in his last six starts and his power is very real.
Since reaching the majors, Colson Montgomery has caught fire
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) July 29, 2025
The White Sox infielder launched his fourth homer in six games and is slashing 273/.333/.515.
(️: @whitesox)pic.twitter.com/GW6b8jUycA
Of all hitters who have taken at least 50 swings this season, Montgomery’s bat speed ranks 17th. That’s right around sluggers like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Yordan Alvarez.
Also, Montgomery’s max exit velocity of 112.2 mph is in the 78th percentile of all big leaguers. He set that max exit velocity in a game against the Rays last Wednesday where he hit three batted balls at least 107 mph, a rare feat in a single game.
Colson Montgomery is one of 37 players to have three batted balls hit harder than 107 MPH in the same game this season. Real-life power.
— James Schiano (@James_Schiano) July 24, 2025
pic.twitter.com/n5G4iQ2oby
He hits the ball hard, he pulls it, and he lifts it. There is no question or concern about his raw power potential. Yet, there may be some concern as to how consistently he’ll be able to access that raw power in the short term.
Considered a consensus top-15 prospect heading into the 2024 season, Montgomery lost a lot of his shine due to dramatic swing-and-miss issues in the upper minors.
He had a 34% strikeout rate at Triple-A this season before being promoted and while that number has sunk to a more palatable 25% through his first 20 career games, his 18% swinging strike rate is in Joey Gallo territory and tells us regression is likely coming.
To make matters worse, he has a 54% whiff rate against breaking balls despite being thrown them less often than league average. Of the same ilk, his chase rate is well below league average while he’s seeing more pitches in the zone than most hitters.
These numbers are a bit skewed though because of how aggressive he’s been so far. In terms of first-pitch swing rate and overall swing rate he’s been one of the most aggressive hitters in the league lately and seems to know he’s at his best when hunting fastballs. Right now, it’s working. We’ll see if the league adjusts back within the next few weeks.
Regardless, he’s added some needed pop and flash to a White Sox lineup that desperately seeks both of those things. Also, he’s graded out as a plus defender at both shortstop and third base over these last few weeks.
At worst, he will have plenty of chances to work through any growing pains that may arise through the rest of the season and will likely hit plenty of home runs along the way as a dual-eligible player.
Ronny Mauricio, 2B/3B Mets
(6% Rostered on Yahoo)
This is my second time featuring Mauricio in this column so far this season. Mostly, because I’m a sucker for flashy tools, but this is the time of year to bet on those tools and hope we can catch lightning in a bottle.
I highlighted him last after a monster series against the Rockies where he had five hits, a 450 foot home run, and two stolen bases. It was those same tools that caught my eye and the potential to seize playing time in a Mets’ infield that was for the taking.
In 28 games after that series, Mauricio slashed .209/.277/.349 with three homers and just one stolen base. His approach was frenetic with a high chase rate, low contact rate, and he spent a few weeks more as a part-time than full-time player.
The tides may be turning again though. He’s hit dramatic, late-inning, game-tying home runs off high profile relievers – Randy Rodríguez and Robert Suárez – in consecutive games. That homer of Rodríguez also came in the midst of the first four-hit game of Mauricio’s career where he fell just one base short of a cycle.
RONNY MAURICIO GAME-TYING HOMERUN SPLASH SHOT AHHHHHHHH
— Mets'd Up Podcast (@MetsdUp) July 28, 2025
pic.twitter.com/f7qYCRjuAF
Again, we’ve already seen some significant peaks and valleys in his production. It’s still translated to something like a 25-homer, 12-steal pace over a full season with a .250 batting average and 119 wRC+. If he can smooth out those cold streaks, there’s a quiet stud here waiting in the wings.
Ironically, Mauricio playing closer to his peak more consistently may come at the expense of some playing time. While being a free-swinging switch-hitter, he’s much more in control as a lefty than righty.
The Mets have faced a rash of left-handed starters recently and Mauricio has only started against two of the last eight, ignoring a couple bullpen games started by left-handed relievers. On the flip side, he’s started against nine of the last 10 righties they’ve seen.
The last variable here is Mark Vientos’ status. His name has swirled in trade rumors all week as the Mets seem willing to use him as a chip to clear their glut of young infielders while adding talent to their major league team. If he moves, there isn’t another player to take those reps against lefty pitchers.
Complications aside, Mauricio has unbelievable potential and is on the strong-side of a platoon in a great offense with the possibility for more – albeit less valuable playing time – through the rest of the season.
If no bullpen help is added by deadline, Thomson believes Phillies will be fine
If no bullpen help is added by deadline, Thomson believes Phillies will be fine originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
CHICAGO – To say there have been some surprises out of the Phillies pitching staff this year would probably fall under the category of understatement. Starter Cristopher Sánchez was expected to be good, but probably not this good, as he’s been one of the premier pitchers in the National League for most of the year.
José Alvarado got an 80-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Mick Abel didn’t allow an earned run in his first two starts in the big leagues that encompassed 11.1 innings. Aaron Nola, who had 32 or more starts in six of the last seven seasons, has just nine so far this year due to a couple of injuries. Taijuan Walker has been shuffled from starting to relieving to starting again and has done a pretty good job of it after a forgettable 2024 campaign.
The biggest surprises, however, may be happening now and it may certainly affect what the Phillies do before Thursday’s trade deadline. Since May 9, the bullpen foursome of Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks and Max Lazar have combined for a 2.53 ERA while striking out 101 and walking only 30 in 106.2 innings going into Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.
The need for a back of the bullpen arm is still a major talking point when it comes to the Phillies and reaching the trade deadline, but maybe, just maybe, they’ll be all right if a move isn’t made?
“I’m comfortable with it,” said Rob Thomson of his bullpen if there are not deadline additions. “You have (David) Robertson coming. You’ve got to get in (to the playoffs), but if you get in then you have one or two of those starters that can go to your pen. We do have some depth.”
So much depends on a variety of factors. Robertson, the 40-year-old lefty reliever signed by the team last week, is trying to get into the form that has made him such a good reliever through the years, including two other stints with the Phillies. Nola is going to pitch Thursday in Lehigh and may be only a few more rehab starts away from returning. Then you have to wonder if Banks can keep up his terrific work as he’s already pitched the second most game of his four-year career, and if Lazar, with all of 32 games of experience, can continue to be counted on.
“I think he does what we want (Jesús) Luzardo to do, he goes out there and he attacks,” said Thomson of Lazar, who hasn’t allowed any of his 13 inherited runners to score. “I think he has a really slow heartbeat. He’s been really good in those situations. Curve ball is good for lefties. He pitches more south. He can carry a fastball more up in the zone and tunnel it with a breaking ball down. He’s tough to hit. Especially since last year. He’s 95, 96. He was a little bit more in spring training, too. “
Loaded Lehigh Valley:
If you miss seeing the Phillies before they return home to play the Detroit Tigers on Friday, you may want to head a bit north. The Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs are going to throw some interesting starters out over the next few games, according to Thomson. Andrew Painter will start the game on Wednesday with Aaron Nola going on Thursday and Mick Able on Friday.
If all goes well for Nola, he would probably make about three starts in Lehigh before making his way back up to the big club.
Alec Bohm progressing
Thomson said that injured third baseman Alec Bohm, out with a fractured rib since July 18, took some swings off a tee and did some throwing as he works his way back. As for a timeline of when he may be back, Thomson wasn’t sure.
“Little bit difficult to tell,” he said. “Then maybe some toss then graduate to cage BP and then you graduate to field BP and then live at-bats.”
Former Canadiens Defenseman Reveals Who Was His Idol
There have been so many fantastic players who donned the Red, White, and Blue over the years. From Maurice Richard to Jean Beliveau and Guy Lafleur up front, to Larry Robinson and Serge Savard on the blueline, and to Ken Dryden, Patrick Roy, and Carey Price in net, the Montreal Canadiens had plenty of idol material.
You might be surprised to hear who former Canadiens defenseman Alexander Romanov’s idol was, however. No, it wasn’t Larry Robinson; he’s way too young for that, and no, it wasn’t Andrei Markov, who patrolled the Canadiens’ blueline with pride until the end of the 2016-17 season, or Shea Weber.
About The Struble Signing
Canadiens: LJ Mooney Is Living The Dream
Canadiens Will Be The Youngest Team This Season
No, it wasn’t Alexander Ovechkin either; no matter how many goals he scored, it was Carey Price—the face of the Canadiens’ franchise for so long. Romanov made the declaration on a Russian TV show earlier this week, even admitting that Price was on his phone wallpaper.
The 25-year-old was a second-round pick for the Canadiens, 38th overall at the 2018 draft. Thought to be a reach at the time, the Russian blueliner blossomed into an excellent defenseman and was sacrificed by the Habs to acquire Kirby Dach at the 2022 draft.
He has since been a key cog of the New York Islanders’ blueline and was signed to an eight-year contract with a $6,25 million AAV by new GM Mathieu Darche. With Noah Dobson’s trade to the Canadiens, Romanov should be called on to take even more responsibilities on Long Island this season.
Alexander Romanov came to the studio for a live broadcast and told a lot of interesting things. Here is an excerpt where he mentioned that his idol has always been Carey Price, and that he was on the wallpaper of his phone😅🥹 pic.twitter.com/1gxX0x0Tw3
— Милена (@D1VDsAGUJsk2iPk) July 27, 2025
Photo credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story.
Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.
Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.
Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
Penguins' Arturs Silovs Proved He's Ready For A Full-Time NHL Gig In AHL Canucks' Calder Cup Win
Shortly after the Abbotsford Canucks began celebrating their Calder Cup championship, a few of the players got to work.
Their goalie was busy doing interviews – because he was the biggest reason they won the thing – so he didn’t see his teammates surreptitiously cutting the netting off the Canucks’ goal at Bojangles Coliseum. (Greatest arena name ever, by the way.)
By the time Arturs Silovs was finishing up his on-ice interview, his teammates had managed to remove the mesh from the iron and draped it over his shoulders. It was symbolic in a couple of ways. First, it reminded all who watched the Canucks’ playoff run that Silovs was so simpatico with his net that almost nothing got by him. Second, it was the affirmation that, as the Canucks knew all along, the net indisputably belonged to their 24-year-old Latvian goalie, who seems to have a penchant for playing out of his mind in big games.
Silovs started each of the Canucks’ 24 games during the 2025 Calder Cup playoffs, winning 16 while putting up a .931 save percentage and 2.01 goals-against average. He was also named playoff MVP. But that’s not the half of it. In the final series, the Canucks were outshot 229 to 147 by the Charlotte Checkers, an average of 13.7 shots per game over the six games.
In Game 1 of the series, Silovs faced 54 shots. That’s not including the one that went past him when teammate Ty Mueller won a defensive-zone draw in overtime and pulled it directly into the Abbotsford net while Silovs was turning around after taking a drink of water. It was later ruled that Silovs was not set for the play, and the goal was called back before Danila Klimovich scored on the power play in double overtime.
More symbolism. It seemed the only time opponents could figure Silovs out was when he wasn’t ready. But when he was, his play was remarkable. Silovs posted a .934 SP in the final series. One of the key reasons the Canucks won the Calder Cup was that they never lost two straight games. They lost eight times in the playoffs, and in the games after a loss, Silovs went 8-0, tossed up two shutouts and recorded a .948 SP.
“Arty’s play in those games was unbelievable,” said Canucks rookie coach Manny Malhotra.
And because of that, Silovs found himself at the top of the mountain, just months after struggling through a disastrous start to the NHL season.
He entered the year having created high expectations for himself after getting the Vancouver Canucks to Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs in 2024. In 2023, all he did was lead Latvia, the little engine that could, to a bronze medal at the World Championship. For his efforts, Silovs was named the top goalie and MVP of the tournament.
And when he was asked what the Calder Cup win means to him, he spoke like someone who doesn’t expect to be competing for it ever again.
“You’re finishing a part of your career with a milestone,” Silovs said. “Not everyone can say they won a Calder Cup, right? I think it’s really special…and I think it’s going to help a lot in the future.”
Yeah, about that. Things were interesting in Vancouver’s crease. The brilliant-but-injury-riddled Thatcher Demko has one year left on his current deal at $5 million, but he signed a three-year contract extension worth $8.5-million annually. The Canucks also signed 30-year-old Kevin Lankinen to a five-year, $22.5-million extension that kicks in next season.
You’d have to wonder whether they would have signed Lankinen long-term if they’d known what Silovs was going to accomplish in Abbotsford.
For his part, Silovs has one year left on a deal that will pay him $800,000 – whether he plays in the NHL or the minors – before he becomes an RFA with arbitration rights. But what makes all of this so intriguing is that in order to be sent to the minors in 2025-26, Silovs would have to go on waivers.
The Canucks decided to avoid a scenario where they risked having a cumbersome three-goalie setup or lost Silovs for nothing. That's why they traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 14 for Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round draft pick.
We do know that Silovs can play. His body of work in the AHL, internationally and, at times, in the NHL has proven he’s ready to be a full-time NHL goalie. The fact that Latvia chose to name him among the first six players for their 2026 Olympic team is a testament to the faith they have in him to deliver on the world stage.
While he has had his peaks and valleys, he’s not unlike a lot of young goalies who take a few years – and in many cases, a few organizations – to find their places in the hockey world. Silovs is young for a goalie, but he’s also got a cross-section of experience and success that suggests he deserves a sustained shot at proving he can stay in the NHL.
Silovs was brilliant at times for the big club during the 2024 post-season. But when the NHL crease was his to start the regular season, he struggled – and he struggled mightily. He gave up five or more goals in three of his nine starts, and his only two wins of the season came against the Chicago Blackhawks, and we’re not even sure if those even count these days.
Brighter days are ahead, one would presume, for both Silovs and other Canucks prospects who made a push in the playoffs. For the short term, Silovs was intent on living in the moment and enjoying the accomplishment.
“It’s so special,” he said. “Basically, I grew up with this team. We started with nearly everyone at the same time. We had some ups and downs, and to manage to win with the same guys is unbelievable.”
Could The Penguins' Arturs Silovs Become The Next Dominik Hasek?How's that for a headline, eh? When the Vancouver Canuckstraded 24-year-old Arturs Silovs to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday for a fourth-round pick and a middling prospect in Chase Stillman, they did so with their fingers crossed that he won't make them look ridiculous.
This article appeared in our 2025 Champions issue and was lightly edited for online after the Canucks traded Silovs to the Penguins.
Our cover story focuses on the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the Cup final. We also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans. In addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL season.
You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
Michigan State football: Less roster churn brings more wins, Jonathan Smith hopes
Second-year coach Jonathan Smith wants Michigan State football to be a developmental program, and he's banking on roster retention to yield results.
Ex-Flyers Goalie Carter Hart Not Expected to Join Oilers
According to a new report, the goalie-needy Edmonton Oilers are not expected to target former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart at this time.
Hart, 26, was found not guilty of sexual assault in the 2018 Hockey Canada trial by Justice Maria Carroccia and remains an unrestricted free agent, though the NHL has deemed Hart and the other four players ineligible to return for the time being.
But, while Hart awaits an update on his status from the NHL, it would appear the Oilers have been ruled out as a potential landing spot for the Flyers' former No. 1 goalie.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Hart is a "non-starter" for the Oilers as things currently stand.
"I was told that Carter Hart is a non-starter for the Edmonton Oilers, and, beyond that, he's a non-starter for everyone right now coming off his acquittal in the Hockey Canada sexual assault case in court in London, Ontario, as ruled upon last week," Seravalli said during a livestream for B/R Open Ice.
"Him and the other four former NHL players have been labelled by the NHL as ineligible, and they're going to continue to review the file before determining next steps in the commissioner's office. Until they are cleared to play, it's not even really a conversation worth having, even though the NHLPA has strongly voiced their objection to how the NHL has viewed this situation."
Carter Hart is a "non-starter" for the Edmonton Oilers as the five former Hockey Canada players acquitted of sexual assault remain ineligible to play in the NHL (w/ @frank_seravalli) pic.twitter.com/4FNDVaYRAA
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) July 29, 2025
It's unclear how long it'll take for the clash between the NHL and NHLPA to resolved, and for the NHL to reach it's final decision.
For what it's worth, Alexey Sopin, the general manager of the KHL's Avangard Omsk who added Michael McLeod to his roster last season, believes a solution will be reached sooner rather than later.
"I can’t give an exact date – we’ll wait a week or two. From our contacts with Michael, his agents and North American hockey specialists, we understand that the league will not delay the decision, and they should release it in the next week or two," Sopin told Championat in a recent interview. "That is, either they allow them to play, or they don’t allow them, or they allow them, but they recommend that clubs not sign a contract with them. I think that the league itself will not delay this decision, and in the near future we will find out everything."
For both sides, it would make the most sense to find common ground ahead of training camp and the start of the preseason, but that remains to be seen.
For now, Hart isn't quite on the table for the Oilers or any of the other NHL teams.