The six-foot-five and 186-pound Sarnia, Ontario, native center could certainly help fill one of the Habs’ needs. Not only does he have a large frame that he’s not afraid to enter the dirty areas with, but he also possesses a high hockey IQ and a knack for making opponents forget about him in the offensive zone, creating opportunities for himself.
He is a real power forward who doesn’t fear puck battles in the corner to retrieve the puck and feeds his teammates at both ends of the ice. He’s a responsible forward who’s well aware of a center’s defensive responsibilities.
On a struggling Windsor Spitfires team in 2023-24, he picked up 18 points in 58 games and was a significant part of the team’s much-improved result this past year, putting up 64 points in 65 games.
Nesbitt possesses a great package of skills, size, and hockey IQ. Still, he’s far from being a finished product and will need time to develop, focusing on both his speed and skating once he has fully developed and added some muscles to his already big frame.
There’s no consensus on where he’s likely to fall, however. While TSN’s Bob McKenzie has him at 17, Craig Button ranks him at 38, THN’s Tony Ferrari at 51, and Ryan Kennedy at 20. McKeen’s Hockey has him at 27, Recruit puts him at 44, and Dobber Prospects places him at 33.
The Canadiens did meet Nesbitt at the Scouting Combine in Buffalo, and the youngster was reported as saying, “It would be cool to go to Montreal, that’s where my father grew up.” The youngster added he felt the Canadiens were interested. According to TVA Sports, Nesbitt had filled out a questionnaire for the Habs and had a meeting as well.
The 18-year-old compares his play to that of Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry, saying he plays a physical game on the 200-foot and can also score essential goals. That’s a profile that’s currently missing in Montreal, and adding Nesbitt would be an excellent investment for the future on the Canadiens’ part.
Photo credit: Michael Augello
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Finally, after nearly two decades away from the game, former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alexander Mogilny will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The announcement came on Tuesday afternoon, with several others being inducted, including Jennifer Botterill, Zdeno Chara, Brianna Decker, Duncan Keith, and former Maple Leaf Joe Thornton. The two builders being inducted are Jack Parker and Danielle Sauvageau.
We now don’t have to wonder why the forward, who only spent three seasons with the Maple Leafs, wasn’t inducted. Mogilny played 13 seasons — with the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, and New Jersey Devils, which included a 127 point year and 76 goals in 1992-93 and a Stanley Cup in 2000 — before joining Toronto in 2001.
Aside from Teemu Selanne, who also had 76 goals that year, no player has scored more in a season since Mogilny’s 76 in 1992-93. The two shared the Rocket Richard Trophy that year.
Mogilny spent three seasons with the Maple Leafs and averaged nearly a point per game in his tenure, scoring 166 points (65 goals and 101 assists) in 176 games. He also won the Lady Byng Trophy — given to the player “adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability” — with Toronto in 2002-03.
After a season plagued by a hip injury in 2003-04, which forced him to miss most of the year, Mogilny became a free agent and signed with the Devils. He played a combined 71 games during the final two seasons of his career, scoring 55 points in that span.
His career finished with the Cup, a Lady Byng and the Rocket Richard Trophy, and is a part of the triple-gold club (an Olympic gold medal, a World Cup gold, a World Junior gold). Mogilny’s career finished with 473 goals and 559 assists for 1,032 points in 990 games, plus 86 points (39 goals and 47 assists) in 124 playoff games.
Although his time in Toronto was brief, Mogilny will be remembered for his speed, tenaciousness, and skill, all while helping the Maple Leafs win three playoff rounds from 2002 to 2004.
Devers, who joined the Giants last Tuesday, started the series going 0-for-5 on Friday night before going 2-for-7 with one home run and two runs scored in the following two games.
Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow on Monday joined KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” and gave his and Duane Kuiper’s thoughts on Devers, which surprisingly included a comparison to Giants legend and home run king Barry Bonds.
“Kuip said, ‘You know, after that swing of the bat, I anticipate him hitting a home run every other at-bat,’ ” Krukow said, relaying his broadcast partner’s comments after Devers hit his first home run as a member of the Giants. “And we haven’t felt that way since Barry Bonds.”
KRUKOW: "The one word that comes to mind when I watch [Devers] hit is THREAT."
Kruk and Kuip agree that they haven't felt a looming presence like Rafael Devers' in the batter's box since the GOAT. pic.twitter.com/ysEFA7OIqX
Any time someone mentions a player in the same light as Bonds, eyes raise and the fact that the pair of commentators feel that way is incredibly telling.
Krukow says that, as a former big leaguer, analyzing a player who’s so tough to face like Devers can be a challenge for pitchers and that’s something that makes the game of baseball so special.
“Every game I’ve ever watched since [playing], I look at the hitter facing the pitcher, figuring out ‘How the hell am I going to get this guy out?’ ” Krukow said. “To me, that’s just the greatest puzzle in the game of baseball. It’s the essence of the game.”
Devers and his career .278 batting average have proven to be a tough out for opposing pitchers and for Krukow, there’s a word that defines Devers to a T.
“The one word that comes to mind when I watch him hit is threat,” Krukow said. “He’s not an easy guy to pitch to.”
For opposing pitchers, Devers certainly is a threat, but for a Giants lineup that was searching for runs, they’re hoping he can be the offensive boost they desperately needed.
HOUSTON — It does not sound like Bryce Harper will be activated in Houston but he went through his full pregame routine Tuesday at Daikin Park, swinging more than he has since being placed on the injured list June 7 with right wrist inflammation.
Harper hit off a tee and did soft toss, swinging about 50 times. He fielded grounders at first base and went through a throwing program.
If the wrist responds well overnight, the Phillies hope to have him take batting practice in the indoor cage Wednesday.
Manager Rob Thomson said he doesn’t think Harper will be activated against the Astros and responded, “I don’t know,” when asked about the Atlanta series this weekend. But the two-time MVP is headed in the right direction.
“Good, a lot better,” Thomson said. “Just keep progressing intensity, volume.”
The Phillies have gone 10-5 since Harper’s injury, averaging 4.9 runs. The offense struggled the weekend he went down but has hummed since, with Trea Turner maintaining a .300 batting average, Kyle Schwarber homering twice a week, Alec Bohm hitting .346 in June and Brandon Marsh — .385 at the bottom of the order during Harper’s injury — finally heating up.
The Phils arrived in Houston with a 47-31 record, 1½ games ahead of the Mets in the NL East and a half-game behind the Dodgers for the top mark in the National League.
Buddy Kennedy started at first base on Tuesday night against Astros left-hander Framber Valdez. The Phillies will see another lefty on Wednesday in Colton Gordon before facing tough right-hander Hunter Brown on Thursday. The Phillies faced David Peterson on Sunday and had Monday off, so it could be four full days between starts for Bryson Stott, Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler.
“They’re gonna get four days at the All-Star break too,” Thomson said, “so they’ve got to deal with it, keep working and stay sharp.”
The Boston Celtics have made another significant roster move in what should be an exciting offseason for the NBA.
The Celtics are trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday. Porzingis and a second-round draft pick will head to Atlanta in exchange for Georges Niang and a second-rounder. The Hawks sent Terance Mann and their No. 22 overall pick to the Brooklyn Nets.
The C’s entered the offseason as a second apron team. They needed to shed salary, so this trade involving Porzingis isn’t surprising. Porzingis is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $30.7 million salary cap hit, per Spotrac. As a result of this deal and the Jrue Holiday trade, the Celtics are now $4.5 million under the second apron.
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Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from 3-point range this past season.
Porzingis’ tenure in Boston lasted just two seasons, but it did produce some memorable moments.
His apex with the Celtics was a 60-second stretch in the first quarter of Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks when he made a huge impact at both ends of the court. Porzingis was making his return to the lineup after missing the previous 10 games due to injury.
WHAT. A. SEQUENCE. 😱
Porzingis deep 3. Porzingis block. Hauser 3. Porzingis block.
Porzingis was unable to stay healthy for a good chunk of his career in Boston. He missed 25 games in 2023-24 and 40 games in 2024-25. He played in all 11 of Boston’s 2025 playoff games but was limited in some of them due to a mystery illness. He provided an undeniable spark when on the court, however, and was a fan favorite at TD Garden.
Niang, 32, averaged 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season with the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Massachusetts native has also had stints with the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Philadelphia 76ers.
The Boston Celtics have made another significant roster move in what should be an exciting offseason for the NBA.
The Celtics are trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday. Porzingis and a second-round draft pick will head to Atlanta in exchange for Georges Niang and a second-rounder. The Hawks sent Terance Mann and their No. 22 overall pick to the Brooklyn Nets.
The C’s entered the offseason as a second apron team. They needed to shed salary, so this trade involving Porzingis isn’t surprising. Porzingis is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $30.7 million salary cap hit, per Spotrac. As a result of this deal and the Jrue Holiday trade, the Celtics are now $4.5 million under the second apron.
Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from 3-point range this past season.
Porzingis’ tenure in Boston lasted just two seasons, but it did produce some memorable moments.
His apex with the Celtics was a 60-second stretch in the first quarter of Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks when he made a huge impact at both ends of the court. Porzingis was making his return to the lineup after missing the previous 10 games due to injury.
WHAT. A. SEQUENCE. 😱
Porzingis deep 3. Porzingis block. Hauser 3. Porzingis block.
Porzingis was unable to stay healthy for a good chunk of his career in Boston. He missed 25 games in 2023-24 and 40 games in 2024-25. He played in all 11 of Boston’s 2025 playoff games but was limited in some of them due to a mystery illness. He provided an undeniable spark when on the court, however, and was a fan favorite at TD Garden.
Niang, 32, averaged 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season with the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Massachusetts native has also had stints with the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Indiana Pacers' Tyrese Haliburton, left, quoted late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant in an X post reacting to the Achilles tendon tear he suffered during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Bryant suffered the same injury in 2013. (AP Photo / Michael Conroy, Wally Skalij / The Los Angeles Times)
A day after having to leave the biggest game of his life, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton shared his first public comments since tearing his right Achilles tendon early in Game 7 of the NBA Finals.
"Words cannot express the pain of this letdown," Haliburton wrote on X (formerly Twitter) after undergoing surgery Monday to repair the tendon. "The frustration is unfathomable. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense."
But for the majority of his five-paragraph post, which Haliburton accompanied with a photo of himself smiling and forming a heart with his hands from a hospital bed, the two-time All Star also delivered a message of optimism and determination. And he did so, in part, by quoting late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who overcame the same injury in 2013.
"I think Kobe said it best when in this same situation," Haliburton wrote. “'There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.'
"And that’s exactly right. I will do everything in my power to get back right."
Bryant's words were part of a lengthy Facebook post early in the morning on April 13, 2013, hours after tearing his left Achilles tendon while driving to the basket during a game against the Golden State Warriors the previous night. After suffering the injury, Bryant famously stayed in the game long enough to sink two free throws.
In his post, Bryant describes his raw emotions and even uncharacteristically expresses some self-doubt before his famous Mamba Mentality inevitably surfaces.
"All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I've done millions of times!" wrote Bryant, who was 34 at the time. "The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the hell did this happen ?!? Makes no damn sense. Now I'm supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
"I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me...Then again maybe not!
Kobe Bryant writhes in pain after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during a game against the Golden State Warriors on April 12, 2013, at Staples Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
"Its 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and Im wide awake. Forgive my Venting but whats the purpose of social media if I wont bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in."
That's where Bryant writes the words that Haliburton quoted.
"We don't quit, we don't cower, we don't run," Bryant wrote later in the post. "We endure and conquer."
True to his word, Bryant returned to the floor with the Lakers on Dec. 8, 2013. He dealt with several other injuries — including a knee injury that ended his 2013-14 season just six games after he returned from the Achilles — before retiring at the end of the 2015-16 season, his 20th in the NBA.
More than a decade later, a 25-year-old star is using Bryant's words as inspiration, days after being unable to help his team in a 103-91 loss to the Thunder with the NBA championship on the line.
"Man. Don’t know how to explain it other than shock. Words cannot express the pain of this letdown. The frustration is unfathomable. I’ve worked my whole life to get to this moment and this is how it ends? Makes no sense.
"Now that I’ve gotten surgery, I wish I could count the number of times people will tell me I’m going to 'come back stronger'. What a cliche lol, this s— sucks. My foot feels like dead weight fam. But what’s hurting most I think is my mind. Feel like I’m rambling, but I know this is something I’ll look back on when I’m through this, as something I’m proud I fought through. It feels good to let this s— out without y’all seeing the kid ugly cry.
"At 25, I’ve already learned that God never gives us more than we can handle. I know I’ll come out on the other side of this a better man and a better player. And honestly, right now, torn Achilles and all, I don’t regret it. I’d do it again, and again after that, to fight for this city and my brothers. For the chance to do something special.
Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton falls to the court with an injury next to Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during the first quarter of Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 22. (Nate Billings / Associated Press)
"Indy, I’m sorry. If any fan base doesn’t deserve this, it’s y’all. But together we are going to fight like hell to get back to this very spot, and get over this hurdle. I don’t doubt for a second that y’all have my back, and I hope you guys know that I have yours. I think Kobe said it best when in this same situation. 'There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.' And that’s exactly right. I will do everything in my power to get back right.
"My journey to get to where I am today wasn’t by happenstance, I’ve pushed myself every day to be great. And I will continue to do just that. The most important part of this all, is that I’m grateful. I’m grateful for every single experience that’s led me here. I’m grateful for all the love from the hoop world. I don’t 'have to' go through this, I get to go through this. I’m grateful for the road that lies ahead. Watch how I come back from this. So, give me some time, I’ll dust myself off and get right back to being the best version of Tyrese Haliburton.
"Proverbs 3:5-6 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.'"
The New Jersey Devils recently released a video taking fans behind the scenes of an amateur scout meeting ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. In the two-minute video, general manager Tom Fitzgerald stated, "We are not coming back with the same guys. We have got some decisions we have to make."
One pending unrestricted free agent who is waiting for the Devils to make those decisions is Daniel Sprong.
New Jersey acquired the 28-year-old from the Seattle Kraken on Mar. 7, 2025, for a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He appeared in 11 games for the Devils, collecting two assists.
During his end-of-season media availability, Sprong praised Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, "He is my favorite coach I have played for in the NHL so far. He is honest. He says it how it is. That works really well for me."
To begin the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Keefe put Sprong on the third line with Paul Cotter and Cody Glass. After Game 1, Sprong was taken out of the lineup and served as a healthy scratch for the remaining four postseason games.
Despite not playing in those final games, he shared that he enjoyed his limited time with the Devils.
"I loved it here," Sprong said during his exit interview. "A great group of guys (and) great fans. I would say everything before New Jersey (this season) was pretty difficult. Mentally, I had a lot of ups and downs, mostly downs, but when I got to New Jersey, I think I fit in well."
With free agency fast approaching, The Hockey News contacted the forward's agent to confirm if Sprong was preparing for free agency and was informed that they are "waiting on New Jersey." NHL free agency will begin in one week on Tuesday, July 1, at noon ET.
Over nine seasons in the NHL, Sprong has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, and Kraken. He has 166 points in 374 games.
He is one of six unrestricted free agents that the Devils have, along with Nathan Bastian, Justin Dowling, Curtis Lazar, Brian Dumoulin, and Jake Allen.
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
The Mets announced a series of roster moves, including reinstating right-handed pitcher Frankie Montas, who will make his team debut on Tuesday night against Atlanta.
Additionally, the Mets optioned reliever Chris Devenski to Triple-A Syracuse and transferred outfielder Jesse Winker to the 60-day IL.
Signed to a two-year, $34 million contract that includes a $17 million player option for 2026, Montas suffered a lat injury just as spring training was beginning in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
The 32-year-old has had a bit of a rough go while on his rehab assignment, pitching to a 12.05 ERA with eight home runs allowed over 18.2 innings (six starts). Still, the Mets hope Montas can add some stability to a rotation that is currently down Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill, while still awaiting Sean Manaea’s season debut.
Meanwhile, transferring Winker to the 60-day IL is more of a paper move than anything else. Winker, who suffered a right oblique strain on May 4, has been on the IL for 50 days and is still a bit away from being ready to start a rehab assignment.
Devenski, 34, has been back and forth between Triple-A and the majors this season, appearing in four big league games with a 3.60 ERA in 5.0 innings of work.
Mogilny's been eligible for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame for more than a decade, and there are reasons why he keeps getting mentioned as a candidate every year.
The most crucial reason relates to his goal-scoring prowess and how he compares to his fellow players of his era and Hockey Hall of Fame candidates.
Mogilny currently sits in the top 60 in goals on the all-time list, with 473. Only 44 Hockey Hall of Famers have more.
Mogilny also has one of the five best single-goal scoring seasons ever, with his 76 goals in 77 games on the Buffalo Sabres in the 1992-93 season. A single-season feat like that cements that there should be no question Mogilny gets in, and that's before mentioning his 55 goals in 1995-96, 43 goals in 2000-01 and five other 30-plus-goal seasons.
Mogilny is also part of the Triple Gold Club, having won an Olympic gold medal with the then-Soviet Union in the 1988 Calgary Olympics, a World Championship gold medal in 1989 and a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils during the 1999-2000 season. He also won world junior gold in 1988-89.
Mogilny is one of 30 members of this exclusive club, home to many Hall of Famers.
The Khabarovsk, Russia, native also won individual accolades during his career. He won the 2002-03 Lady Byng Trophy as the player who best combined results with sportsmanlike conduct. He also shared the NHL's goal-scoring title with Finnish sensation Teemu Selanne in 1992-93, before the 'Rocket' Richard Trophy was introduced.
Beyond all the critical importance of his goal-scoring ability and his championships, he left an everlasting impact on hockey and the NHL. He was the first NHL player to defect from the Soviet Union. He built a landscape for current NHLers Alex Ovechkin, Nikita Kucherov, Kirill Kaprizov and many more to succeed. They have Mogilny to thank.
CHICAGO — Noah Syndergaard will attempt to make a comeback with the Chicago White Sox, who have signed the veteran right-hander to a minor league deal.
Syndergaard has reported to the team’s spring complex in Glendale, Arizona, the White Sox confirmed.
The 32-year-old last pitched in the majors in 2023, when he was cut by Cleveland. He went 2-6 with a 6.50 ERA in 18 combined starts for the Guardians and Los Angeles Dodgers that year.
Nicknamed “Thor” for his long blond hair and 6-foot-6 frame, Syndergaard debuted for the New York Mets in 2015 and won a World Series start that season. He was an All-Star in 2016, but injuries have sidetracked his career.
Syndergaard is 59-47 with a 3.71 ERA in eight major league seasons.
There’s a lot to sort out when analyzing the New York Rangers’ move to transfer their 12th overall pick in this year’s draft to the Pittsburgh Penguins and keep their 2026 first-round pick.
The bottom line is that the Rangers made the right decision.
As part of the terms of the J.T. Miller trade with the Vancouver Canucks, the Rangers either had to give up their 2025 or 2026 first-round pick.
It may be frustrating for fans not to see the Rangers make a first-round selection on Friday, but it will be worth it in the long run.
The Rangers needed to keep their 2026 first-round pick for a couple of different reasons.
First off, according to TSN’s Pierre Lebrun, part of the thinking for the Rangers in moving this year's pick is to potentially be able to use their 2026 first-rounder for a move at the trade deadline if they are in a position to contend.
Despite missing the playoffs during the 2024-25 season, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury does not seem to be planning on tanking.
The team’s core filled with some talented veteran players is primed for a bounce-back season with the playoffs in sight.
If the Rangers are sitting in a playoff position at the time of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline and feel they are ready to compete for a Stanley Cup, it’s important that Drury has this first-round pick in his back pocket, so he can potentially explore trading it for a win-now player to help boost the roster ahead of the postseason.
Without a first-round pick, the Rangers’ competitors in the Eastern Conference will have an advantage over them to acquire talent in hopes of making a deep playoff push.
In the case that the Rangers implode during the 2025-26 season, the team will still have a quality first-round selection which they can use to draft a prominent prospect.
The 2026 NHL draft class is supposed to be better and deeper than this year’s prospect pool, which makes the Rangers 2026 pick a lot more valuable.
Drury decided to be patient instead of looking into this year’s draft. It’s a move that Rangers’ fans may actually be praising in a few months time.
Thompson has spent a considerable amount of time behind the bench of several NHL teams, most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers under John Tortorella.
New general manager Mathieu Darche made it clear during his introductory press conference that he values the minor league teams immensely and understands the important role they play in the overall success of the franchise.
So, why did Darche settle on Thompson?
“Rocky, he’s had various experiences, right? He’s won a Memorial Cup, so, coaching young players. He’s gone to the Calder Cup finals with Chicago. He’s coaching in the NHL, so he has a wide range and he’s a great, great communicator,” Darche said during his pre-NHL Draft presser on Tuesday morning. “When we had interviews with him, we’ve done Zoom, and on the phone, his communication and people skills are extremely strong, which I think is a huge asset in the AHL because you’re coaching young men that want to play in the NHL, and it’s a process.
“Obviously, every player that turns pro, they’ve been the best player in their league, and now sometimes they face adversity. You realize the pro game is a different level. You might be a top player in juniors or in college. The pro game is a different level. It’s a different animal. So players will have adversity, and I think his communication skills are going to be a huge asset to work with those kids. And he’s had success coaching younger men in the AHL and juniors, so I like that aspect of the development of the players.”
What has been absent from Bridgeport for the last two seasons is a winning culture, and Darche is actively trying to fix it.
“I want to develop a winning environment. Does it mean winning the Calder Cup every year? No, because the reality of it is you have injuries in the NHL,” Darche said. “ I always joke with Rocky, the AHL is probably the toughest league to coach in because you’re affected by your injuries. You’re affected by the parent club’s injuries. When the Islanders sneeze, well, you catch a cold, too. It’s your top player going, depending on the role, so you’re affected by it. But that’s why you need someone who’s able to communicate and move those guys forward. It’s not going to be about every young guy, it doesn’t matter how they play if they get an opportunity to play.
“They’ve got to earn their ice time in the minors, too. That’s the mindset I want the players to have. That’s the culture we want to have. Like to use an expression, you eat what you kill. So I think Rocky will do a great job for that. And right now we’re working through hiring a couple of assistant coaches, hopefully in the next few days.”
It’s clear that Darche is preparing for the next wave of Islanders prospects. When Cole Eiserman, Danny Nelson, Quinn Finley, and Kamil Bednarik are ready to turn pro from college, Bridgeport needs to be a place where they can go and develop.
A successful AHL team, in terms of development, could be the difference between a prospect going back to college or joining the organization after just one season. The coach plays a vital role in that, too.
Just look at the college scene, with a guy like Boston University’s Jay Pandolfo and David Carle out of Denver. Players want to play for them, and that’s enticing.
With Bridgeport's struggles in recent years, again, someone who has not only coached in juniors, the AHL, and the NHL, but has also found success, is the perfect start to turning the page in Bridgeport on what Darche hopes to be a new era.
Bringing prospects and even fringe NHL players into a competitive environment is key for an AHL team.
For prospects, they get an early taste of what it’s going to be like to fight for every inch of ice, for every shift they get, for every win their team has. Therefore, when the time with the big club comes, they are more than prepared. For those who may not currently be NHL players, it’s about maintaining a competitive mentality and learning the proper methods to return to the NHL level.
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New Orleans sent CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 overall pick in this year’s draft, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.
The New Orleans Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick, sources tell ESPN.
McCollum is a 12-year veteran who is joining his third team since 2022, with Washington bringing him in on an expiring contract that will allow for more cap space in 2026 as it continues a lengthy rebuild process. That salary cap space could be in the $100 million range, with Olynyk also on an expiring deal.
Also the National Basketball Players Association president, McCollum reacted to the news on social media:
The funniest tweet I’ve seen today is that I’m going to get blamed for the tariffs now too 🤣🤣
New Orleans gets a younger guard in Poole who has an NBA championship under his belt with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. The splashy guard eventually had to be dealt to Washington after footage emerged of an altercation between him and Golden State star Draymond Green.
The Pelicans have struggled to stay healthy ever since Zion Williamson came in as the No. 1 pick, with Brandon Ingram also being dealt to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline. Poole is coming off a 20.5 points-per-game season on a 43/38/88 shooting split on high volume.
Saddiq Bey, a steady double-digit scoring wing since he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons five years ago, joins a wing department that includes Trey Murphy and Herb Jones.
New Orleans sent CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to Washington for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 overall pick in this year’s draft, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday.
The New Orleans Pelicans are trading CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk and a future second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Jordan Poole, Saddiq Bey and the No. 40 pick, sources tell ESPN.
McCollum is a 12-year veteran who is joining his third team since 2022, with Washington bringing him in on an expiring contract that will allow for more cap space in 2026 as it continues a lengthy rebuild process. That salary cap space could be in the $100 million range, with Olynyk also on an expiring deal.
Also the National Basketball Players Association president, McCollum reacted to the news on social media:
The funniest tweet I’ve seen today is that I’m going to get blamed for the tariffs now too 🤣🤣
New Orleans gets a younger guard in Poole who has an NBA championship under his belt with the Golden State Warriors in 2022. The splashy guard eventually had to be dealt to Washington after footage emerged of an altercation between him and Golden State star Draymond Green.
The Pelicans have struggled to stay healthy ever since Zion Williamson came in as the No. 1 pick, with Brandon Ingram also being dealt to the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline. Poole is coming off a 20.5 points-per-game season on a 43/38/88 shooting split on high volume.
Saddiq Bey, a steady double-digit scoring wing since he was drafted by the Detroit Pistons five years ago, joins a wing department that includes Trey Murphy and Herb Jones.
