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2025 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Thunder add Thomas Sorber and Rasheer Fleming, Asa Newell slides to Pacers

The deadline for players to withdraw from the NBA draft and still play college basketball has passed, and we saw numerous talented players opt to return to college for another season, including Michigan's Yaxel Lendeborg, Alabama's Labaron Philon and Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford, among others.

Those moves take away from some of the depth of this class, but this is the new reality of NIL money being available. Still, there is plenty of talent that will be available in the first round of this draft, and our mock draft 2.0 showcases it. This mock will also extend to cover the entire first round after the first edition only included the lottery picks.

With less than a month until the draft, here is how our team currently thinks it will play out:

1. Dallas Mavericks

Cooper Flagg, F, Duke

Even with the shocking decision made by Nico Harrison in February (you know what that was), there isn't much to deliberate here. Flagg is the unquestioned top prospect in this draft class, so he has to be the pick here. He should slot in nicely next to Anthony Davis in the short term and will be an excellent focal point in the long term. - Raphielle Johnson, Rotoworld

2. Brooklyn Nets

Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers

Take the best player on the board. Don't pull a "We have De'Aaron Fox, we don't need Luka Doncic" draft moment. The Spurs will shop this pick but will want a massive return so they most likely keep it and let Harper fight for minutes with Fox and Stephon Castle. - Kurt Helin, NBC Sports

3. Philadelphia 76ers

Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers

While I think the odds of Philadelphia making this pick are low, I think Bailey makes sense here if they stay. He’s a talented scorer with tons of upside, and he’s not as bad of a passer as the numbers indicate. Bailey will help them be more competitive next season, assuming the rest of the roster has better injury luck. - Noah Rubin, Rotoworld

4. Charlotte Hornets

V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor

The Hornets have a need for additional offensive firepower on the perimeter, especially with starter Josh Green being far more impactful as a defender than as a scorer. The athletic Edgecombe fits the bill, and there may also be opportunities to play on the ball due to LaMelo Ball's injury history. - Johnson

5: Utah Jazz

Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma

Danny Ainge is going to shop this pick, but if he keeps it, the Jazz take Fears and bet that Will Hardy and his staff can develop his three-point shot and limit his turnovers. - Helin

6. Washington Wizards

Derik Queen, C, Maryland

Queen gets reunited with his childhood neighbor Bub Carrington, and he allows Alex Sarr to spend more time on the perimeter. Sarr and Queen compliment each other well, with Queen spending more time being physical in the paint, while Sarr can clean up any issues of having an undersized center with his shot-blocking ability. - Rubin

7. New Orleans Pelicans

Khaman Maluach, C, Duke

Sure, the Pelicans used a first-round pick on Yves Missi last summer. But passing on a talent like Maluach if he's still on the board would be difficult for them to do. He was measured at nearly 7-foot-1 without shoes at the combine, and there's plenty of room for growth with Maluach not turning 19 until September. - Johnson

8. Brooklyn Nets

Kon Knueppel, G, Duke

You can't go wrong taking the best shooter on the board. - Helin

9. Toronto Raptors

Tre Johnson, G, Texas

Perhaps this isn’t a classic Masai Ujiri pick, but Johnson’s upside as a scorer is too good for them to pass up. Johnson can step in as a perimeter scoring option off the bench for Toronto from day one, and he can develop into much more than that. This was a “best player available pick” more than a flawless fit. - Rubin

10. Houston Rockets (via PHX)

Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois

Given the need for improved perimeter shooting, would the Rockets entertain including this pick in a package that would land them a proven option? Jakucionis only shot 31.8 percent from three on 5.2 attempts per game during his lone season at Illinois, so he may not help much in that regard if the Rockets were to select him. However, he provides good size for his position, potentially setting up a solid partnership for the future with last year's lottery pick, Reed Sheppard. - Johnson

11. Portland Trail Blazers

Collin Murray-Boyles, C, South Carolina

Murray-Boyles is the ultimate "if we can develop his shot" player in this draft. The Trail Blazers will bet they can. - Helin

12. Chicago Bulls

Noa Essengue, F, Ratiopharm Ulm, France

The Bulls have been trying to figure out a direction for a while, and Essengue will provide them with a young piece that can make an impact on both ends of the floor. He should be able to get some easy buckets in Chicago, courtesy of some Josh Giddey passes. However, his upside on defense is what should get Bulls fans excited. - Rubin

13. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC)

Danny Wolf, F Michigan

With Clint Capela set to hit free agency and Onyeka Okongwu seemingly locked into the starting center role, adding depth to the frontcourt should be a priority for the Hawks in this draft. Wolf may not be listed as a center, but he measured at 6-foot-10.5 at the combine and can stretch the floor out to beyond the three-point line. Add in the passing ability, and Wolf can add a dimension to the Hawks' offense that has been lacking. - Johnson

14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL)

Carter Bryant, F, Arizona

The Spurs are looking for wings (and may be for a number of years going forward) and Bryant is a good long-term play. He's a bit raw, but this far down in the draft is a good time to bet on upside potential — which Bryant has plenty of. - Helin

15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA)

Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown

The Thunder don’t exactly have any weaknesses, and it isn’t often that an NBA Finals team makes two first-round picks, including one this early. Sorber is a 6’10.5” center with an insane 7’6” wingspan, and he showcased shooting touch and passing ability last season, which will be attractive to OKC. However, his defensive ability is what is exciting, so he’ll fit in nicely with one of the best defensive teams ever. - Rubin

16. Orlando Magic

Jace Richardson, G, Michigan State

The Magic are still in dire need of perimeter shooting, specifically players who are comfortable off the ball due to the presence of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Richardson's height measurement at the combine may have raised some eyebrows, but he's a solid perimeter defender who's also one of the best shooters in this class. In past drafts, the Magic have seemingly prioritized length, but this is a spot where they should strongly consider prioritizing shooting. - Johnson

17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET)

Nolan Traore, G, Saint-Quentin, France

The Timberwolves will be looking for inexpensive Mike Conley replacements and depth at the point, and the French guard showed real growth as a teenager playing professionally in France last season. - Helin

18. Washington Wizards (via MEM)

Egor Demin, G, BYU

The Wizards are in a position where they can afford to take some upside swings, and the idea of what Demin can be is enticing. His lone season at BYU wasn’t great, but a 6’9.5” point guard is rather unique. The 19-year-old will have time to figure things out in Washington. - Rubin

19. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL)

Liam McNeeley, G/F, Connecticut

Brooklyn has four first-round picks, and while the team is in rebuilding mode, it may not be prudent to hold onto all four (see Houston's 2021 draft class), so we'll see what Sean Marks does. As for the pick, McNeeley had a good combine, alleviating any potential concerns that scouts and decision-makers may have had after an ankle injury limited him for a significant portion of the season. - Johnson

20. Miami Heat (via GSW)

Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State

Clifford is a classic Miami player in that he's smart, can shoot and defend, and showed leadership in college. It's easy to see Clifford finding his way into the Heat rotation within a couple of years. - Helin

21. Utah Jazz (via MIN)

Ben Saraf, G, Ratiopharm Ulm, Israel

Saraf will be the second player drafted from Ratiopharm Ulm in the first round of this draft, joining Essengue. The 6’6” lefty is a crafty playmaker, and Utah has been trying to figure out the point guard position over the last few drafts. Though Isaiah Collier had a promising rookie season, Saraf is worth taking a chance on. - Rubin

22. Atlanta Hawks (via LAL)

Joan Beringer, C, Cedevita Olimpija, France

To say that this is a "home run swing" would be an understatement, as Beringer did not shift his focus to basketball (from soccer) until four years ago. However, he's the kind of prospect that teams are willing to roll the dice on, especially with the defensive upside. Beringer's offensive skill set needs work, but that's to be expected of a player with his limited competitive experience. - Johnson

23. Indiana Pacers

Asa Newell, F/C, Georgia

An athletic, energy big who could come off the bench and run with the Pacers. They also have the depth to allow him time to develop his shooting and ball handling. - Helin

24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC)

Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph’s

The rich get richer. The 6’9.5” wing boasts a 7’5.25” wingspan, which will help make a massive impact on the defensive end. He also has a lethal outside shot and should be a solid two-way reserve for one of the deepest teams in the league. - Rubin

25. Orlando Magic (via DEN)

Maxime Raynaud, F/C, Stanford

After winning the Pac-12's Most Improved Player award in 2024, Raynaud was outstanding in his lone season in the ACC, earning first-team All-Conference honors. He measured extremely well at the combine, can space the floor out to the three-point line and is a capable defender in the two-man game. And with starting center Wendell Carter Jr.'s injury history, Orlando getting a player of Raynaud's caliber at this spot could prove to be a steal. - Johnson

26. Brooklyn Nets (via NYK)

Walter Clayton Jr., PG, Florida

His standout NCAA tournament has to make the Nets feel good about his potential at the next level, particularly as a scorer off the bench (he can hit tough shots). - Helin

27. Brooklyn Nets (via HOU)

Cedric Coward, G, Washington State

Coward only played six games last season due to a shoulder injury, and prior to entering the draft, he was planning to transfer to Duke. However, he excelled at the combine with a 7’2” wingspan and 38.5” vertical, and he showcased his elite outside shot. Coward would be a solid piece for Brooklyn to build with. - Rubin

28. Boston Celtics

Noah Penda, F, Le Mans, France

The Celtics may not have multiple first-round picks in this draft, but their salary cap situation and Jayson Tatum's Achilles tendon tear make them one of the teams to watch. Penda, who can play either forward position, offers defensive versatility and a solid basketball IQ. His shooting does need to improve, but Boston should have the options around him to help compensate for that issue. - Johnson

29: Phoenix Suns (via CLE)

Hugo Gonzalez, G/F, Real Madrid, Spain

Predicting what the Suns are thinking is an impossible task. Gonzalez deserves to be a first-round pick, but he's a bit of a development project. Do Mat Ishbia's win-now Suns have the patience for that? - Helin

30. Los Angeles Clippers (via OKC)

Drake Powell, G, North Carolina

One of my favorite players in this class, Powell was limited at UNC, but he tested well at the combine with a 43” vertical and a seven-foot wingspan. Powell will be able to make an impact on defense from day one and will fit in well with the other elite defenders on the Clippers. The 19-year-old former five-star high school prospect also has the upside to be much more than a defensive role player, and the Clippers certainly need to consider their future as Kawhi Leonard and James Harden continue to age. - Rubin

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Former Canadiens Player Might Have Played His Last Game With The Hurricanes

Since the Carolina Hurricanes signed Montreal Canadiens former player Jesperi Kotkaniemi for a $6.1 million offer sheet in the Summer of 2021, plenty has been written about the centerman, but it has rarely been positive. Earlier in the Eastern Conference final, the soon-to-be 25-year-old was scratched for a couple of games.

On Wednesday night, he was dressed for game five. With the Hurricanes leading 2-0, the center took a terrible holding penalty, which became the turning point of the game. After just 16 seconds on the power play, Matthew Tkachuk cut the Canes’ lead in half, and 30 seconds later, Evan Rodrigues tied up the game. Just over four minutes later, Anton Lundell gave Florida its first lead of the game.

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Carolina managed to even the score in the final frame, but Florida got its lead back within minutes and scored an empty netter through Sam Bennet with less than a minute to go. The Panthers took the game 5-3 and the series 4-1. One can wonder if this will be the last time we see Kotkaniemi wear the Hurricanes jersey.

After his penalty, he only took five more shifts during the game and was the forward who saw the least ice time for Carolina with just 9:31. He still has five years left on the eight-year $38.56 M contract he signed with the Canes in March 2022.

Even though the contract has a reasonable $4.82 M cap hit, the Hurricanes cannot be pleased with the Finn’s performances since signing the extension. He never scored more than 43 points in a season, and that was in the 2022-23 season. Since then, he has posted seasons of 27 and 33 points and has moved up and down the lineup.

From the 2026-27 season, a modified no-trade clause will kick in in his contract, which will allow him to submit a 10-team no-trade list. Could the Canes manage to trade him this offseason? It would be surprising, given the term left on his deal and the fact that his numbers are not exactly trending in the right direction.

It'd cost Carolina $8,413,333 to buy him out, as they’d be on the hook for $841,333 per year for 10 years. This is not a huge penalty, and it will be up to the front office to determine what’s worse: a 10-year financial penalty or a player who has fallen out of favor with the coach and can no longer perform consistently.

While it was a mistake for the Canadiens to draft Kotkaniemi with the third-overall pick in 2018, it certainly wasn’t one to let him go when he signed the offer sheet with Carolina.

Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

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The Hockey News Big Show: Are The Florida Panthers Becoming A Dynasty?

Are The Florida Panthers Becoming A Dynasty? Plus Oilers, Stars, Leafs Talk by The Big ShowAre The Florida Panthers Becoming A Dynasty? Plus Oilers, Stars, Leafs Talk by The Big Showundefined

The Hockey News Big Show is here to look around the NHL playoffs and beyond with former NHL player Drew Shore providing some unique insight.

Here’s what Michael Traikos, Ryan Kennedy and Drew Shore discussed in this episode:

1:38: Are the Florida Panthers a dynasty team?

3:44: Is this Panthers squad more impressive than the Tampa Bay Lightning team that went to three straight Cup finals?

4:52: If you’re one of the 31 other NHL teams, what are you taking away from Florida? Will we see other teams getting bigger and heavier? 

7:10: How should Carolina Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky move on from losing in the Eastern Conference final again? Was this year a success or failure?

9:48: How big of a loss is it to Edmonton to be without Zach Hyman? Who will take Hyman’s minutes?

12:58: Do the Stars need more from Mikko Rantanen in these do-or-die games?

15:44: What would a 100-percent healthy Matthew Tkachuk look like? 

18:00: If you were Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, what moves would you make this summer? 

20:21: Whose futures are in doubt in Toronto's Core Four? 

23:46: Is it a good or bad thing that Craig Berube will have more to do with the decision-making on the Leafs? 

28:18: Are the Stars too loyal to Jamie Benn? Should they re-sign him? 

29:47: What is Mathieu Darche's biggest challenge as New York Islanders GM? 

32:15: How do players stay healthy and energized as they go further into the playoffs? What’s the balance of practice versus rest?

35:09: What kind of team bonding activities are there during the playoffs? 

38:22: Predicting the Memorial Cup semifinal and final  

40:40: Mitch Marner or Sam Bennett: who should be the main target in free agency?

41:34: Have Corey Perry and Brad Marchand changed how we should view veteran free agents?

43:09: Paul Maurice told Brind'Amour and Berube that coaches don't belong in the handshake line. Agree or disagree?

44:34: The Panthers didn't touch the Prince of Wales Trophy (again). Are you superstitious? Craziest superstition?

Watch the full Episode here 

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

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Ex-Devils First-Round Pick Lands Extension With New Team

The San Jose Sharks have announced that they have signed former New Jersey Devils first-round pick Shakir Mukhamadullin to a one-year, $1 million contract extension for the 2025-26 season. 

Mukhamadullin, 23, was selected by the Devils as the 20th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-4 defenseman never ended up playing a game for the Devils. This is because he was one of the main pieces the Devils sent to the Sharks to acquire star forward Timo Meier during the 2022-23 season. He did, however, play in three playoff games for the Devils' AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, back in 2022. 

Mukhamadullin appeared in 30 games this season with the Sharks, posting new career highs with two goals, seven assists, nine points, 25 hits, and 51 blocks. He also recorded nine assists in 21 games with their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda. Overall, the young blueliner took a nice step in the right direction this season and will look to continue to improve after earning this new contract. 

Mukhamadullin has played in 33 career NHL games over two seasons with the Sharks, where he has two goals, 10 points, and a minus-7 rating. While the former Devil is still looking to break out at the NHL level, his future is looking bright, and he should have a more significant role with San Jose next season.

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Photo Credit: © Daniel DeLoach / The Observer-Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Qatar bid to complete football with PSG project’s crowd-pleasing third act | Barney Ronay

Whatever the result of Champions League final, PSG’s owners have positioned club as game’s next superpower

Put a bisht on it. That’s a wrap. At first glance it might be tempting to see the 2025 Champions League final as one of the more obviously high-European occasions in recent football history.

Twenty thousand Parisians and Milanese will trace out a thousand mile right-angle this weekend, north from Lombardy, east across Alsace and the Rhineland, there to spend a long weekend wandering the white stone streets of Munich, with its reassuringly terrifying gothic cathedral, its pounded-meat cuisine de terroir, its altstadt boutiques selling wristwatches priced at roughly the same the cost as the average human arm, and finally on to the lighted dome of the Allianz Arena, dumped down in the green fringes to the north like a giant alien doughnut.

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NBA Trade Rumors Roundup: Zion staying in New Orleans, Cavaliers to consider Garland, Allen talks

Trade rumors are picking up steam in what many predict will be a wild offseason full of trades. As the NBA Draft nears those rumors will fly, and there are plenty out there now. Here are some of the big ones.

Zion staying in New Orleans

If you're looking for a sign that new Pelicans GM Joe Dumars plans to keep and build around Zion Williamson, look no further than the NBA Draft Lottery — Zion was New Orleans' on-stage representative. Teams don't send players they are about to trade, they send guys who represent the franchise well. Will Guillory of The Athletic has been hearing Zion will stay put this summer.

"All parties feel pretty good about where things stand with the Pelicans-Williamson marriage heading into next season."

Perhaps that's just a negotiating tactic to gain leverage, but it sounds increasingly like Zion is not going anywhere this offseason. Last season, Zion put up monster numbers — 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists a game — but played in just 30 due to health issues. It's hard to give up on a guy capable of those numbers. If Zion puts up those kinds of stats and plays 60+ games next season, Dumars will look like a genius.

Cavaliers open to Garland, Allen deals?

The Cleveland Cavaliers won 64 games and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before injuries and the Pacers proved to be too much. However, with Jayson Tatum's injury throwing the door even more wide open in the East next season, should the Cavaliers just run it back?

Or, might they be open to trades for Darius Garland or Jarrett Allen? Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer suggests that trade door might be more open than one would think.

"They prefer to keep the core four together and see if they can build around them and find the right pieces around them... In saying that, I think the two untouchables are Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. I have been getting the sense that the Cavs would be more willing to entertain and at least consider possibilities for Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland than they have in the past.

"Now, that all comes down to it's got to be the right deal. It's got to be the right pieces coming back that the Cavs believe would be a step forward, as opposed to just a lateral move or a step back."

This would need to be a home run deal for the Cavaliers to even entertain it — especially for Garland, whose value to this team showed in his absence the postseason. That blockbuster deal may not be out there, but it's never a bad idea to listen.

Clippers interested in Jrue Holiday

The Los Angeles Clippers have long been interested in Jrue Holiday, and were going to get him in a three-team deal originally set up to send Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, but that deal collapsed (and Boston outbid Los Angeles when Holiday did become available).

With the Celtics trimming their salary this offseason, Holiday is projected to be one of the players to go, sending the three years and $104 million he is still owed out the door with him. The Clippers are one of the teams interested in landing him, reports Brian Robb at masslive.com. Holiday is a natural, two-way Swiss Army knife point guard who could be the glue that brings the Clippers roster together around James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.

Whether the Clippers can pull off such a trade is another question, but they have a very creative front office and a short window to win with this group before they pivot.

Antetokounmpo “open minded” about future

As it so often is on the court, this offseason the ball is in Giannis Antetokounmpo's hands. Does he want to remain loyal to the Bucks and try to win in Milwaukee, despite Damian Lillard likely missing most or all of next season with his torn Achilles? Or, does he want to ask for a trade to a team where he could contend next season?

The latest update is that there is no update, but he remains "open minded" to the possibilities, ESPN’s Shams Charania said on the Pat McAfee Show.

"He is right now in the process of figuring out: is my forever home going to be in Milwaukee? Or is it time to go pursue a championship somewhere else? I'm told that process is ongoing. There still has not yet been a big moment of truth meeting, I'm told, between the Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo."

Expect that meeting and decision to come before the NBA Draft.

Josh Giddey seeks $120+ million contract

Josh Giddey is one of the more interesting players in free agency this summer. Last season with the Bulls, he averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, and looked even better after the All-Star break when more responsibility fell to him (and half the East was tanking). However, he's not a strong defender and how much he contributes towards winning basketball is up for debate (there is a reason the Thunder were willing to move on from him). Can he put up these numbers in games that matter?

Considering all that, how much do the Bulls want to pay the restricted free agent? He is seeking at least five years, $120 million reports Jake Fischer at The Stein Line. Previous rumors had Giddey seeking more like $150 million across five years ($30 million a season), which seemed steep.

However, $120 million in the modern NBA is third-star money. After watching him up close, do the Bulls think he can be that guy? Giddey can put up counting stats, but can he prove to do more than just that?

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REPORT: Golden Knights Emerging As A Landing Spot For Top Free Agent Mitch Marner

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) skates ahead of Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad (20) during the third period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

According to multiple reports, the Vegas Golden Knights are emerging as a very realistic landing spot for top free agent Mitch Marner. 

When speculation first started that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be seeking a trade with Marner, insiders like Elliotte Friedman immediately threw the Golden Knights' name into the mix as a possible landing spot. A trade was never formulated, and reports indicated that Marner nixed a trade to the Carolina Hurricanes, which would have seen Mikko Rantanen head the other way. 

Fast forward to another disappointing playoff run, the Maple Leafs could be looking to change their DNA, and a press conference held by Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving indicates just that. 

"I had a meeting with all the players, individually, we have our exit meetings. Mitch and I had a discussion. My discussion with Mitch was, let's all take a step back. Let's take a deep breath. I got to decompress a little bit," Toronto's GM said.

"I'm going to be in touch with Mitch's representative, and all our player's representatives, and determine what's best, right? Now, Mitch has a say in this as well, so this isn't the world according to Brad. I think he's a great player. He's been a great player here. We'll have to see. We'll have to see how this all works."

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube stated that he would "100 percent," want Marner back on his team, answering the question without an ounce of hesitation.

But as Treliving said, the decision isn't being made by just the Maple Leafs. Marner is an unrestricted free agent, garnering significant attention from numerous teams. 

The San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks have been thrown into the mix due to the cap space they have at the moment, but the Golden Knights, Florida Panthers and Hurricanes have emerged as favorites because of their cup-contending rosters. 

NHL insider Darren Dreger recently stated on TSN Radio that the expectation is leaning towards Marner testing the waters of unrestricted free agency. Dreger identified the Vegas Golden Knights as a team harboring "serious interest" in acquiring his services. Additionally, former Leafs GM Gord Stellick wrote in a piece for the Toronto Star, stating he believes that should Marner become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 the Golden Knights will pursue him "aggressively."

Signing the 28-year-old would be a very difficult task for the Golden Knights' GM Kelly McCrimmon. While he's no stranger to making bold moves and finding ways around the cap limit, Marner could be looking for an AAV north of $12M and factoring in Jack Eichel's eventual extension, the Golden Knights could be paying two players more than $12M while still paying Mark Stone, Alex Pietrangelo, Noah Hanifin and Shea Theodore top dollar. 

Golden Knights Prioritizing Jack Eichel Contract ExtensionGolden Knights Prioritizing Jack Eichel Contract ExtensionVegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel is under contract for the 2025-26 season but becomes eligible for a contract extension on July 1. The franchise plans to prioritize this business this offseason. 

Marner would quite easily make the Golden Knights a much better hockey team, and with HC Bruce Cassidy's comments about possibly changing their offensive philosophies, Marner could help the transition be a lot smoother. He set a career-high in points this season with 102 and is widely regarded as one of the best playmakers in the NHL. Although he's not known for being a physical forward, his defensive game and penalty killing are great, finishing as a Selke finalist in 2022-23. 

Multiple moves would need to be made for the Golden Knights to pull this off, but his skill set could put the Golden Knights over the top.

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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Lewis Hamilton labels talk of strained relationship with Ferrari engineer as ‘BS’

  • Driver backs Riccardo Adami despite terse exchanges

  • ‘There’s a lot of speculation, most of it is BS’

Lewis Hamilton has dismissed speculation about what has been interpreted as a fractious relationship with Riccardo Adami, his race engineer at Ferrari, describing it as “BS” and insisting the pair enjoy a healthy working relationship.

The issue has previously been raised several times this season as Hamilton develops his dynamic with Adami and came to the fore once more because of some testy exchanges at the last round in Monaco, including when Hamilton asked his engineer at the end of the race: “Are you upset with me or something?” To which he appeared to receive no reply.

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Washington Capitals Say 'No Decision Has Been Made On Alex Ovechkin's Future' After Email Said Otherwise

Earlier on Thursday, an email from the Washington Capitals said next season would be Alex Ovechkin’s last in the NHL.

The team later announced that message in the promotional email about next season was a mistake. 

“No decision has been made on Alex Ovechkin’s future following the 2025-26 NHL season,” the team said in a statement to social media. “An email was sent from an individual with the corporate sales department that mistakenly alluded to next year being Alex Ovechkin’s final year.”

The Hockey News’ Sammi Silber reported the Capitals said the claim in the email was inaccurate before the team posted the statement. 

The email that was sent out to the Capitals season ticket holders read, “October - the start of Capitals hockey and Alex Ovechkin’s FINAL NHL SEASON.”

Next season will be Ovechkin’s 21st NHL campaign. It will also be the final year of the five-year contract he signed in July 2021. He’ll be in a position to reach the 1,500-game plateau and the 900-goal mark.

Alex Ovechkin (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Ovechkin is coming off a history-making campaign with the Capitals, where he broke the all-time regular-season goal record set by Wayne Gretzky. He scored goal No. 895 against the New York Islanders and earned sole possession of the record. He’s also 43 goals away from breaking Gretzky’s record for the most goals in the regular season and playoffs. Gretzky is at 1,016, while Ovechkin is at 974.

The 39-year-old finished this season with 44 goals and 73 points. His production led the way for Washington, clinching the Eastern Conference during the regular season for the third time in the past decade.

In the playoffs, the Capitals lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.

Although the Capitals confirmed there has been no decision on Ovechkin’s future, whenever he does decide to retire from the NHL, it’s possible he could play elsewhere.

There have been rumors of the left winger playing in Russia, specifically for the KHL’s Dynamo Moscow.

Ovechkin has been a senior advisor for Dynamo since 2019-20. He also played four seasons with Dynamo before making his NHL debut in 2005-06. He played an additional season in Moscow during the 2012-13 half-season NHL lockout.

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Yankees have a busload of momentum heading into World Series rematch against Dodgers

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees will have a good head of steam as they bus 30 miles up the 5 Freeway for their World Series rematch against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York’s 1-0 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the AL East leaders 16 wins in 20 games.

Clarke Schmidt continued a six-week stretch of superb starting pitching with six shutout innings, and Anthony Volpe drove in the only run with a first-inning sacrifice fly as the Yankees (35-20) completed a three-game sweep and sent the Angels (25-30) to their fifth straight loss.

A Yankees rotation that lost ace Gerrit Cole to season-ending elbow surgery and has two other starters — Luis Gil and Marcus Stroman — on the injured list has a major league-best 2.54 ERA over the last 40 games and has limited opponents to one run or less in 22 of those starts.

Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough allowed one run and two hits in six innings of a 5-1 win over the Angels, left-hander Carlos Rodon gave up five hits in seven scoreless innings of a 3-2 win, and Schmidt, a right-hander, gave up four hits in his six shutout innings.

Left-hander Max Fried, who is 7-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 11 starts, will pitch the series opener against the Dodgers, and right-hander Will Warren, who is 3-2 with a 4.09 ERA in 11 starts, is scheduled to pitch the second game.

“They’ve given us a chance to win every single night,” said Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr., who notched his second save with a scoreless ninth inning.

“Each guy is going out there and doing it a little different way, putting their own spin on it, which is great for us, because it gives them a different look for six or seven innings, and we get to do our thing with a different look for the last couple innings. You’re only as good as your starting pitching, generally, and they’ve been great.”

The NL West-leading Dodgers (34-22) have three frontline starters — Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Roki Sasaki — and four high-leverage relievers — Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, Michael Kopech and Kirby Yates — on the injured list.

But they still have plenty of star power, with Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, who have combined to win five MVP awards, plus Teoscar Hernández and Will Smith at the top of their lineup.

“Yeah, it will feel big,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the matchup. “Now, we won’t go in treating it any differently, but we played the Subway Series (against the New York Mets) last week, and there was a lot of hype for that. I think these are good things for our guys to play in and experience.”

The series will feature two of the best players in baseball in Judge and Ohtani, both coming off an MVP season.

Judge, who has won two American League MVPs, leads the AL in batting average (.391), on-base percentage (.488), slugging percentage (.739), OPS (1.227) and hits (81) — numbers that prompted the Angels to intentionally walk Judge twice in the first two innings. He is tied for third in the majors in home runs (18) and ranks fourth in RBIs (47).

Ohtani, who has won three MVPs — his first two with the Angels in 2021 and 2023 — leads the major leagues with 20 homers and 59 runs and ranks third in OPS (1.042). He produced baseball’s first 50-50 season with 54 homers and 59 stolen bases in 2024.

The two-way star, who has a 38-19 record and 3.01 ERA in 86 starts over five seasons but did not pitch while recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2024, is also on track to return to the mound sometime after the All-Star break.

“I think Judge has been the best hitter in the sport now for a number of years, but what Shohei does with his speed and, when he’s healthy, being an ace on the mound, and his ability to swing the bat … we haven’t seen that,” Boone said.

“Ohtani, when you add in the pitching element, is just so unique, like nothing we’ve ever seen in this game.”

Freeman, the Dodgers first baseman, hit four homers, including a walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning of Game 1, and drove in 12 runs to earn World Series MVP honors last October.

Freeman’s two-run single also keyed a five-run rally in the fifth inning that helped the Dodgers overcome a 5-0 deficit in their series-clinching 7-6 victory in Game 5 at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees held Ohtani to two hits in 19 at-bats (.105) and no RBIs in the World Series, but he played the final three games with a dislocated left shoulder that was surgically repaired after the season.

“You have to execute (pitches) at a high level against him, or we’re backing up bases or getting a new ball,” Boone said. “We did a pretty good job against him in the World Series last year, but he’s also hit some big homers against us.”

The Yankees will have a Dodgers nemesis that they didn’t have last October in veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who signed a one-year, $12.5 million deal last winter and is batting .347 with an .899 OPS, five homers and 27 RBIs in his first 55 games with the Yankees.

A former Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals slugger, Goldschmidt has a .283 average, .872 OPS, 35 homers and 109 RBIs in 163 career games against the Dodgers and a .308 average, .928 OPS, 19 homers and 50 RBIs in 77 games in Dodger Stadium.

“I would say he’s more than an X-factor,” Boone said of Goldschmidt, who led off the last game with a double and scored on Volpe’s sacrifice fly. “He’s one of our dudes.”