According to The Athletic, the Edmonton Oilers' goaltending situation is beyond not pretty. This shouldn't come as a huge surprise, but to see them ranked 31st out of 32 teams might be a bit of a shocker.
A recent article that ranked all NHL goalie tandems examined several factors while also weighing changes over time. For example, because the NHL is tracking shots differently -- and NHL shooters are just more skilled -- the leaguewide average save percentage this season is down to .896, the lowest it has been in 33 years.
One would think that an overall lowering of save percentages, even among the NHL's elite backstops might help the average goalie. That didn't help the Oilers, however.
The New York Islanders ranked at the top of the list with the best goaltending tandem. Ilya Sorokin and David Rittich were seen as the cream of the crop. At the bottom were the Ottawa Senators. Jesse Granger, the author of the article, wrote: "Ottawa’s Linus Ullmark and Leevi Meriläinen have combined for -36.3 GSAx. Not only is that the worst in the NHL, but it’s also more than twice as bad as the next closest tandem."
"The Oilers have started four different goalies this season, and none have a save percentage north of .900 or positive goals saved above expected. Edmonton’s defending certainly plays its part in that, but the goalies haven’t played well enough themselves either."
The goaltenders Granger speaks of are Stuart Skinner, Calvin Pickard, Tristan Jarry, and Connor Ingram.
Skinner was traded because the Oilers felt he couldn't be relied upon to get them through a grueling playoff run. Pickard's numbers were so poor at the start of the season, he was eventually placed on waivers and went unclaimed. Jarry came in as part of the Skinner trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ingram was traded for when the Utah Mammoth decided to move on because personal off-ice health issues led to the need for a fresh start.
Granger adds, "Since he was traded to Edmonton, Tristan Jarry has posted a .900 save percentage or better in only four of his 14 starts. For comparison, he did it eight times in 14 starts with the Penguins prior to the trade."
This isn't all on the goalies. The Oilers' defense has been hideous for much of the season. It's been an issue the team has tried to address with the additions of Connor Murphy and a strong defensive forward in Jason Dickinson. Edmonton even brought former assistant coach Paul Coffey back to help right the ship on the blue line.
Unfortunately, until all that is sorted out, the Skinner-for-Jarry swap hasn't looked like a win for the Oilers. Skinner has played well in Pittsburgh: interestingly, they ranked 18th on this list.
Does this 31st-place ranking feel fair? Or is the goaltending better than that in cities like Vancouver, where Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen have struggled? What about in St. Louis, where Joel Hofer has played OK, but Jordan Binnington has been the subject of trade rumors most of the season?
It certainly has to be better than the mess in Toronto, where Anthony Stolarz, Joseph Woll, and Dennis Hildeby have contributed to a disaster of a season for the Maple Leafs.
One thing is clear: if the Oilers don't get better goaltending and Jarry and Ingram don't find another gear, seeing the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final for a third-straight season is likely a pipe dream.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: ESPN reporter and analyst Stephen A. Smith is seen on the set of "First Take" on February 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re in an era of sports hot takes. Want to yell about sports on TV (or for you younger folks, on social media), have a hot take!
But some hot takes have the benefit of being true. We’re still a few weeks from the Royals season opener against the Braves. Do you have a different take than the conventional wisdom on this team? Thoughts on the lineup? Young hitters Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen? Superstar Bobby Witt Jr.? The pitching depth? Or maybe a hot take on J.J. Picollo or Matt Quatraro? Maybe you even have a hot take on owner John Sherman or the stadium saga, or the TV deal.
Here are a few hot takes I’ve been saving:
The Royals should not trade any starting pitching, they’ll probably need it (there is high injury risk in this rotation!) and they can reevaluate the outfield situation this summer.
Lucas Erceg concerns me way more than Carlos Estévez.
Bobby Witt Jr. should be hitting leadoff.
Matt Quatraro is actually a good manager.
Kyle Isbel is way underrated.
You can squint and see the Royals as serious contenders for a pennant.
What is your hot take on the 2026 Royals? I can take the heat, make those takes spicy.
CHICAGO (AP) — Bruce Thornton had 24 points, John Mobley Jr. scored all 12 of his points in the second half, and No. 8 seed Ohio State held off a late rally by No. 9 seed Iowa for a 72-69 victory Thursday in the third round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Ohio State (21-11) advances to play top-seeded and third-ranked Michigan in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Thornton had a personal 10-0 run to give Ohio State its largest lead of the game at 51-35 with 13:55 remaining.
But Iowa rallied down the stretch to get within 70-69 with 38.7 seconds left.
Ohio State worked the clock down before Thornton drove into the lane for a shot that rolled off the rim. Amare Bynum's putback attempt did not go, but Ohio State secured the rebound, and Mobley was fouled before making two free throws for a three-point lead with 8 seconds left.
Iowa got past midcourt to call a timeout with 7.2 left. Brendan Hausen's 3-point attempt from the corner did not hit the rim, but Iowa got another chance after Ohio State missed the front end of a 1-and-1.
Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras missed a free throw in the closing seconds, but Isaia Howard stole the rebound and ran out to the 3-point arc for a shot that hit off the back of the rim as time expired.
Bennett Stirtz led Iowa (21-12) with 17 points.
Up next
Ohio State lost both regular-season meetings with Michigan by double figures, most recently an 82-61 contest at home on Feb. 8.
Dwight Howard has not stepped on an NBA court since 2022 and has already been inducted into the Hall of Fame.
But he never officially retired from the NBA. Until today.
Woke up today on the 12th of this month and I figured it’s time to move on from Superman! Im no super human… I cry ! I struggle! I feel like everyone else. Through the lies, the media and the hate I still show love and Smile Through The Storm.
Howard had a legendary 18-year NBA career, and younger fans who only saw Howard near the end (like his Lakers years) had no idea what they missed. Howard was the best defender of his generation, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time All-NBA player, and an eight-time All-Star who won an NBA ring in the bubble with the Lakers. For his career, he averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds a game, shooting 58.7% from the floor.
He's deserving of his spot in the Hall of Fame and of the respect of NBA fans.
The St. Louis Blues have signed defenseman Calle Rosen to a two-year, two-way contract extension.
The deal will see Rosen paid $850,000 at the NHL level and $500,000 at the AHL level in 206-27, and then $900,000 in the NHL and $500,000 in the AHL during the 2027-28 season.
The 32-year-old had spent three seasons with the Blue organization, then played the 2024-25 season with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL, and began the 2025-26 season with the Hershey Bears. The Blues acquired Rosen in a trade with the Washington Capitals on Nov. 3, 2025.
Since returning, Rosen has scored seven goals and 26 points in 47 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds. The Swedish defender has become a trusted leader for the Thunderbirds, bringing NHL and SHL experience, as well as Calder Cup-winning experience, having taken home the coveted AHL championship in the 2017-18 season with the Toronto Marlies.
Rosen has accumulated 93 games of NHL experience, scoring 11 goals and 31 points. 73 of those 93 games came with the Blues.
Rosen was set to become a UFA at the end of the season, but his contract extension will keep him with the club through 2028, when he will be 34.
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The Chicago Blackhawks and Utah Mammoth are going to play each other for the second time in under a week. This is also the third matchup since the Olympics ended. Both games ended in victory for Chicago, including a 3-2 overtime win on Monday night.
For the Blackhawks, it is two straight games against the Mammoth, who played against the Minnesota Wild in between on Tuesday night. The Mammoth suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of the Wild, so they will return home with extra hunger to get back on track.
Scouting Utah
The Utah Mammoth is going to play its first game since the announcement of a new contract extension for former Blackhawks first-round pick Nick Schmaltz. He has become quite a good NHL forward, and he plays with a ton of great talent around him.
The lines look a bit different for Utah as they are switching some things up after losing a couple in a row.
Keller - Schmaltz - Crouse
Peterka - Cooley - Guenther
McBain - Hayton - Carcone
Kerfoot - Stenlund - Yamamoto
Sergachev - Weegar
Schmidt - Marino
Cole - Durzi
Vejmelka
Instead of having Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, and Dylan Guenther on a super top line, Guenther and Lawson Crouse have switched spots. With Logan Cooley and JJ Peterka on the second line with Guenther, there is some nice depth in their top-six with these combinations.
Karel Vejmelka was the first goalie off the ice for Utah at their morning skate, so he will start in goal for them as the league's leader in goalie wins. It was Vitek Vanecek in goal on Monday at the United Center. He played very well, despite the loss, but they will be going back to their number one in this game.
Unlike their first matchup and the last handful of games for Utah, they will have Mikael Sergachev back in the lineup. Paired with the newly acquired Mackenzie Weeger on the top pair, there are defensemen on this team who can make an impact.
Don't expect to see the same performance out of the Utah Mammoth in Thursday's game as they showed on Monday. With a playoff berth on the line for them, every point is crucial.
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Blackhawks had an optional morning skate on Thursday in Salt Lake City, but the lines aren't expected to change very much.
There is the possibility that they go 11/7 instead of the traditional lineup of 12/6, in which case Ethan Del Mastro will dress on defense instead of Sam Lafferty at forward, but that won't be known until warmups.
Arvid Soderblom is set to start for Chicago. He earned a shutout victory for the Blackhawks last time they were in Utah, and he is looking for a big performance again.
Drew Commesso started in goal for the Blackhawks on Monday, but he was sent down to the Rockford IceHogs in response to Spencer Knight's return. Knight will back up in this game and then likely face the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.
Greene-Bedard-Burakovsky
Bertuzzi-Nazar-Teravainen
Mangiapane-Donato-Mikheyev
Lardis-Lafferty-Slaggert
Vlasic-Crevier
Kaiser-Rinzel
Grzelcyk-Levshunov
Soderblom
Vitek Vanecek robbed Connor Bedard at point-blank range a couple of times on Monday, but Bedard had one of his best games of the season. Despite that, he walked away with just one assist.
Learning to accept that this is the reality of the NHL sometimes is part of Bedard's development, and he handles it well. Look for him to get on the scoresheet in this one as a response.
Nick Lardis is likely with the team for good now, but he is still on the fourth line at the moment. Playing well and finding the back of the net when his name is called will be his path to more ice time.
On defense, Alex Vlasic, Artyom Levshunov, and Sam Rinzel are seeing a post-trade deadline increase in role, and they are mostly thriving. On the road against a good Mammoth team, they will be tested again.
How To Watch
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found on CHSN locally. Nationally, it is available to stream on ESPN+. The puck will drop shortly after 8:00 PM CT.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The potential mayhem from league tournaments allows lower-seeded teams knocking off regular-season champs to clinch a berth to the Big Dance. And for one-bid leagues, that can be a brutal end to standout season.
According to ESPN, 51 of the 63 conference tournaments in 2023 and 2025 were won by Nos. 1 or 2 seeds. Could this year be different?
Here's a look at the No. 1 seeds that have been toppled in conference tournaments so far:
No. 1 seeds to lose in conference tournament
As of 2 p.m., Thursday, March 12, 11 No. 1 seeds have been knocked out of their respective conference tournaments.
The number can grow, with a handful of No. 1 seeds in some of the major conferences playing in their first conference tournament games over the next couple of days.
Winners of 11 of their last 13, the Thunder are hosting the Boston Celtics Thursday, March 12, just three days after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put away the Denver Nuggets with a game-winning 3 in the final seconds. With the win, Gilgeous-Alexander created separation in the race for NBA Most Valuable Player, and the Thunder maintained their hold on the top seed in the West.
And, Thursday's game presents the chance for SGA to make history. He can break the NBA record for consecutive games with at least 20 points. He tied Wilt Chamberlain for most all-time, with 126 in a row, against Denver.
The Celtics, meanwhile, have gotten a massive boost since Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles tendon rupture surgery. Boston has been rolling lately and is just 3½ games back of the Detroit Pistons for the No. 1 seed in the East.
Here’s everything you need to know about Thursday night’s Celtics-Thunder game:
How to watch Celtics vs. Thunder: TV channel, live stream
Start time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City)
TV channel: N/A
Live stream: Amazon Prime
Celtics vs. Thunder injury report
Boston Celtics
Payton Pritchard, probable (neck spasm)
Baylor Scheierman, available (left thumb fracture)
Please visit our SB Nation Mariners site Lookout Landing. If you do go there to interact with Mariners fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
As we have done in the past, we’ll have a first pitch thread at five minutes to game time and one overflow thread, 90 minutes after game time. For today, that will be 3 p.m. CT and 4:30 p.m. CT.
These threads will not post individually onto the front page; instead, you can find links to them in the box marked ”Chicago Cubs Game Threads” at the bottom of the front page. There will also be a StoryStream on the front page with all the game thread links, as well as the recap after the game is over. The pitcher photos and regular-season stats will return on Opening Day.
The Philadelphia Flyers moved on from a once-promising forward prospect at the NHL trade deadline, and less than a week later, his new team has done the same.
On Thursday, in a rare post-trade deadline deal, former Flyers prospect Massimo Rizzo, who was traded to Boston alongside Alexis Gendron for Brett Harrison and Jackson Edward, was dealt again.
Rizzo, alongside fellow former NCAA standout Dalton Bancroft, were sent to Nashville in exchange for Navrin Mutter.
The Flyers originally acquired Rizzo, 24, from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Tony DeAngelo trade, but his pro career never took off as his college stats would have suggested.
Rizzo made his pro debut for the Flyers organization last season, scoring six goals, 12 assists, and 18 points in 46 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
This year, though, the former seventh-round pick played exclusively in the ECHL with the Reading Royals, where he was nearly a point-per-game player with 22 points in 29 games.
After the trade deadline, Rizzo made a one-game cameo for the AHL Providence Bruins before getting sent on the move again.
Such is the life of an NHL prospect.
Part of the appeal of Rizzo's brief Flyers career was reuniting him with University of Denver teammate Bobby Brink, who started turning the corner on his own NHL career when Rizzo arrived.
That, obviously, never came to fruition, and Brink has since headed home to the Minnesota Wild in a trade that brought David Jiricek to Philadelphia.
A 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor signed Judge card, the only one of its kind, sold for a record $5.2 million via Fanatics Collect.
It’s the highest amount ever paid for a modern-day card, breaking the $3.94 million record previously set by Mike Trout’s single-edition signed 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect superfractor, per ESPN.
BREAKING: We're excited to announce that we just brokered a $5,200,000.00 private sale for the 2013 Aaron Judge Bowman Chrome Draft 1/1 Superfractor Autograph.
This marks a new all-time record sale for any modern baseball card.
The seller and buyer both opted to remain private.
“We’re incredibly honored to have brokered this record-breaking deal and to be part of such a momentous moment in hobby history,” Fanatics Collect said in a statement, per ESPN.
“As a company, we value our deep relationships with our collectors, with both their trust and our expertise allowing us to continue to help set sale records in the months and years to come.”
This Judge card, with 2013 marking the year the Yankees drafted him with the No. 32 pick in the MLB draft, has significantly increased in value over the years.
It sold for $157,2000 in 2020 before being moved again for $324,000 in 2022, according to ESPN.
The first card reportedly had been sold by Goldin Auctions and the latter via what had then been known as PWCC Marketplace, which has since become Fanatics Collect.
Aaron Judge rounding the baes after homering during spring training 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
This card marks the most-expensive card ever sold by Fanatics Collect, breaking the $3 million mark set by a signed one-of-one Shohei Ohtani card with a game-used MLB logo patch.
While this card set a modern record, it only ranks seventh among all sports cards, according to Card Ladder statistics cited by the Worldwide Leader.
Judge also joined a rare group featuring Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle of baseball players to have a card sold for at least $5 million.
The Judge, Trout and Ohtani cards are the only ones to sell for $3 million in what ESPN labels the modern era, and it’s possible Judge and Ohtani could potentially set a new record.
An autographed, single-edition card featuring the pair with a Topps Chrome Dual MVP Gold Logoman patch has a bidding price of $1.2 million with one week left for offers.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - MARCH 10: Zyhir Hope #94 of the Los Angeles Dodgers participates in a fielding drill with outfielders prior to a Spring Training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Camelback Ranch on March 10, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Thursday marks exactly two weeks from opening day for the Dodgers, and technically 51 players remain in big league camp. Let’s categorize all those players to figure out what actual decisions need to be made to get down to 26 active players on March 26.
Starting on the shelf
Evan Phillips is already on the 60-day injured list as he rehabs from Tommy John surgery last June, as is Kiké Hernández, who had left elbow surgery in November. I didn’t count there two players in the 51 players remaining in camp.
That’s six players who won’t be ready for opening day, effectively leaving 45 other players at least nominally vying for a roster spot.
A nice showing
A group of non-roster invitees have been active nearly everyday during Cactus League play. Zach Ehrhard and James Tibbs III are two outfielders a little older and further along in the minors than the quartet of top-100 outfield prospects. Zyhir Hope is the last of those top-100 prospects still kicking in camp, his combination of performance at the plate and actual competence in the field keeping him around longer than his fellow prospects.
Noah Miller has played nearly every game at shortstop and impressed in the field enough to be able to see a major league future, even though he hasn’t really hit much in the minors. Miller last year at age-22 had a 73 wRC+ for Triple-A Oklahoma City. For comparative purposes, Miguel Rojas at age 22 had a 75 wRC+ and to that point had played only 75 games in Double-A, yet to reach Triple-A.
Catchers Eliézer Alfonzo and Seby Zavala have played a ton as well.
Veteran Nick Senzel has seen time at second and third base plus designated hitter this spring. Outfielder Jack Suwinski was claimed off waivers on February 21, then cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A on March 2, knocking him down to non-roster invitee status. He has yet to appear in a game this spring.
It’s not a stretch to say none of these nine players are going to make the opening day roster, trimming the group down to 36 players.
Roster locks
Aside from Edman, the Dodgers lineup is basically set, with Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, Teoscar Hernández, and Andy Pages all secure in their positions.
Edwin Díaz, Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia, Blake Treinen, and Jack Dreyer are bullpen fixtures.
That’s 19 locks, leaving is with 17 more players vying for seven active roster spots.
Last arms standing
The two rounds ofspring roster cuts so far has trimmed the non-roster pitchers the most, going from 17 down to only four such arms remaining.
Cole Irvin is the starting pitcher of the group, in case the Dodgers need to fill a spot in the rotation at some point — spoiler alert: they definitely will need to fill spots — whether that’s on opening day or later in the year.
Chris Campos is the prospect of the group, now 25 years old and impressing in relief after four professional seasons as a starting pitcher. He’s pitched five scoreless innings in his four appearances, striking out nine of his 20 batters faced with no walks.
Ryder Ryan has allowed three runs in his nine innings, with eight strikeouts and two walks, including two innings in each of his last three appearances.
Antoine Kelly has arguably been the most impressive non-roster pitcher in camp, hovering around 96 mph and touching 99 mph with his fastball. The southpaw has allowed two walks and one hit in his six innings, with seven strikeouts in his 20 batters faced. He faces tough competition to crack the Dodgers bullpen, even before considering whether they’d want a fourth left-hander.
Position-player battles
With Espinal among the locks above, there are 11 position players set and two spots to fill. Hyeseong Kim and switch-hitter Alex Freeland are in the mix for a potential left-handed side of a second base platoon. Kim impressed early in camp but has been away at the World Baseball Classic.
The other position players on the 40-man roster previously unaccounted for are outfielders Alex Call and Michael Siani. That’s four players for two spots here, with the extra outfielder choice coming down to whether the Dodgers prefer offense or defense with this bench spot.
Pitching spots to fill
After the non-roster arms remaining and the 40-man position players still around, that leaves nine pitchers among those vying for five roster spots on the opening day roster.
After Yamamoto, Glasnow, Ohtani, and Glasnow, two rotation spots remain. Justin Wrobleski has looked great thus far, and could easily make the roster even if he’s not starting right now. Emmet Sheehan had the inside track on a rotation spot but was sidelined by illness earlier in camp. Sheehan pitched 2 1/3 innings last time out and has time for two more build-up starts before the season. River Ryan has impressed greatly in his three outings and is built up to three innings. The only question is whether the Dodgers will play things cautiously with Ryan after missing all of 2025 after Tommy John surgery. Landon Knack is still in camp.
For the three other bullpen spots, 40-man roster options include Ben Casparius likely ticketed for short relief after a hybrid role last year, Will Klein looking to build on his October heroics, Edgardo Henriquez looking better after early spring struggles, the 6’10 Paul Gervase could give the Dodgers an advantage in basketball scrimmages, and Kyle Hurt has struck out nine of his 21 batters faced (42.9 percent) this spring after missing all of last season.
This will all get sorted out over the next two weeks.
ST.
LOUIS – It’s
no secret that the St. Louis Blues are looking hard and heavy at many
of their younger players, not just for the now but also for the
future.
With
their record (25-29-10) what it is, and being seven points out of a
Western Conference wild card spot and having to jump at least five
teams with 18 games remaining, the Blues would have to be near
spotless to be in the conversation of the playoffs moving forward.
So
looking at a number of their younger players is imperative, and none
could be more imperative than seeing how two of their young, budding
players can handle playing with their top-line center.
And
it’s been all systems go when it comes to the line of Dylan
Holloway, Robert Thomas and Jimmy Snuggerud.
Let’s
just say since the return of the Olympic break, the trio has been on
a tear. And it could be quite the appetizer for what’s to come if
the numbers and metrics continue.
In
the seven games played, Holloway leads the way with 10 points (five
goals, five assists) and a plus-11 rating, which is second only to
Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin (plus-15); Thomas has played in
just five games after returning from his right leg procedure but has
nine points (four goals, five assists) and a plus-10 rating, right
behind Holloway; and Snuggerud has eight points (three goals, five
assists) in seven games and a plus-5 rating.
Snuggerud
has three straight multi-point games heading into a quick road game
on Thursday against the Eastern Conference-leading Carolina
Hurricanes (41-17-6) at 6 p.m.
“It’s
been developing,” Snuggerud
said.
“(Thomas
is)
such a skilled player. ‘Holly’ works so hard to get the puck,
too. Two really skilled players. The chemistry’s really developing.
“‘Holly’s
got speed, he can rip the puck. Thomas is such a good playmaker and I
try to find areas for those guys, but those guys are so skilled, it
makes it easier to play with them. Not just skill alone, they work
hard in the corners to get the puck back and that’s an important
trait.”
There
are elements of everything when it comes to the line. Each provides
something that boosts the other two, and the chemistry, although just
getting started, continues to ascend.
“Playing
with ‘Tommer’ and ‘Snuggy’ has been a lot of fun honestly,”
Holloway
said.
“Both players are super special players. ‘Tommer’ just see’s
the ice so well, his vision’s incredible,
he’s always trying to find a good play. He always makes a good
play. ‘Snuggy’ the same, and ‘Snuggy’ can rip the puck too.
It’s been a lot of fun playing with those guys and just trying to
keep this momentum going.”
Thomas
seems to be the glue guy, obviously, the one who has the puck on his
stick more so and can find the other two in quiet areas. But don’t
underestimate the others, and their underrated playmaking skills and
ability to hunt pucks. But Thomas seems to make the line go.
“What
he does is he gets them more looks, he gets them more energy,”
Blues
coach Jim Montgomery said.
“All three of them are feeding off each other right now. It’s
quite obvious every time out there, they’re looking to create
something, and they are.”
The
goal Snuggerud scored in a 4-0 win against the Anaheim Ducks last
Sunday is a perfect example of a right-handed player finding a
right-handed player in a quiet area, someone who’s in the right
spot and looking for the puck, but someone who has the ability of a
Snuggerud to get a shot off quick. He scored on Sunday, and there was
a similar play in the third period of Tuesday’s 4-3 overtime loss
to the New York Islanders, but on that occasion, Snuggerud ripped his
shot off the post.
“Righty-righty
can find each other for some reason really well,” Montgomery
said.
“You would think a righty and a lefty would find each other a
lot more,
but
they kind of open up to one-timers to each other and you have a true
passer and a true shooter, one who really wants to shoot the puck and
one who really wants to pass it. It’s just good chemistry there.
They both have high level IQ’s, which allows them to find space.
Thomas knows where he wants to put the puck and Snuggerud knows where
he wants to go to get it.”
Snuggerud
said, “Practice
helps a lot, just kind of being in the same areas that have worked.
Just keep finding the spots where the puck’s going in the net. Just
keep that ball rolling as much as possible.”
With
Brayden Schenn and Justin Faulk gone and off the roster now, the
younger generation is being thrust into roles as being those
next-step players. But Thomas, who is nursing an upper-body injury
stemming from the first period on Tuesday where it appeared he was
hit on the hand with the puck, looks so much more fluent now that his
lingering lower-body injury from last season appears to be behind
him.
“He’s
the guy here. He’s the heart of this franchise now, so obviously
you need to impact the game as much as you possibly can when you’re
playing with him and you know that he’s going to make the plays
that he is,” Snuggerud
said.
“I’d say just be ready any time your number’s called with him.
It’s been fun to learn to make plays with him.”
-
- -
The Blues will be making two lineup changes for Thursday's game, with Nathan Walker coming into the lineup on the fourth line and will replace Jonathan Drouin, who was allowed to go back to New York to grab some more of his belongings and will meet the team back in St. Louis for their game Friday when they host the Edmonton Oilers.
Also, Jordan Binnington gets the start in goal, and Joel Hofer is in line to start against the Oilers.
- - -
The
Blues had some business to take care of in Springfield of the
American Hockey League on Thursday when they announced the
signing
of
defenseman Calle
Rosen
to
a two-year, two-way contract extension starting
with the 2026-27
season($850,000
NHL/$500,000 AHL)
and for
2027-28 ($900,000
NHL/$500,000 AHL).
The
32-year-old is in
his second stint with the organization after he was acquired from the
Washington Capitals on Nov. 3, 2025.
This
season, Rosen has 26
points (seven goals, 19 assists) in 46 games with Springfield and
seven
points (one goal, six assists) in nine games with the AHL Hershey
prior
to joining the Blues’ organization.
-
- -
Dmitry
Buchelnikov, a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft acquired as
part of the package for Faulk from the Detroit Red Wings, has signed
a one-year extension to remain with CSKA Moskva of the KHL for the
2026-27 season:
The
22-year-old forward, who has 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists) in 41
games this season.
-
- -
Blues
Projected Lineup:
Dylan
Holloway-Robert Thomas-Jimmy Snuggerud
Otto
Stenberg-Pius Suter-Pavel Buchnevich
Jake
Neighbours-Dalibor Dvorsky-Jordan Kyrou
Alexey
Toropchenko-Jack Finley-Nathan
Walker
Philip
Broberg-Logan Mailloux
Theo
Lindstein-Colton Parayko
Cam
Fowler-Tyler Tucker
Jordan
Binnington
will start in goal; Joel
Hofer
will be the backup.
Healthy
scratches include Jonatan Berggren, Jonathan
Drouin,
Oskar Sundqvist, Justin Holl and Matthew Kessel. The Blues report no
injuries.
-
- -
Hurricanes
Projected Lineup:
Andrei
Svechnikov-Sebastian
Aho-Seth
Jarvis
Taylor
Hall-Logan
Stankoven-Jackson
Blake
Nikolaj
Ehlers-Jordan
Staal-Jordan
Martinook
William
Carrier-Mark
Jankowski-Eric
Robinson
Jaccob
Slavin-Jalen
Chatfield
K’Andre
Miller-Sean
Walker
Mike
Reilly-Alexander
Nikishin
Brandon
Bussi
will
start in goal; Frederik Andersen
will
be the backup.
Healthy
scratches include Nicolas Deslauriers
and
Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Shayne
Gostisbehere (lower body) and Pyotr Kochetkov (lower body) are out.
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 10: Trendon Watford #12, Joel Embiid #21, and Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers sit on the bench during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 10, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Sixers are cursed. I don’t know what led us all on to this path, but it happened. The fervent dedication of the Process era that was filled with promises of titles and parades has only been matched by a series of blunders and setbacks, each one more inexplicable than the last. The Sixers, and, sadly, the fan base, have become Wile E. Coyote. No matter the schemes to get this team to a true level of contention, we’re left holding a stick of dynamite as the Road Runner and Eastern Conference Finals appearances dart away.
I’m left wondering if we all tempted fate with the basketball gods when we cheered on the Process. Do I have any regrets? No. Was it the right decision to take tanking to its logical endpoint in a league with an out-0f-whack incentive structure? Of course. Has it delivered the Sixers to the Promised Land? Clearly not. Did we fly too close to the sun? Maybe!
The Sixers, in a vague sense at least, have an MVP, a future Hall of Famer, an in-prime, multiple-time All-Star and a dude set to make the All-Rookie Team. It has culminated in a season that’s had fleeting moments of fun that have neither moved the needle in terms of immediate playoff success nor in terms of true, long-term contention. I remember being home after my freshman year of college when the Sixers hired Sam Hinkie in May 2013. Nearly 13 years later, even with the pure talent, in a vacuum, on this roster, an NBA title feels further away now than it did back then.
No Etsy witch requests nor prayer circles in FDR Park with candles bearing Hinkie’s face can fix that.
What can?
It sounds terrible, but a part of me thinks this city just needs a total basketball reboot. It’s obviously not going to happen with a new arena on the way and the market that Philadelphia is, but what if the Sixers moved to, say, Seattle or Las Vegas? Give the city about a half-decade off from the NBA, watch the Big 5 and the WNBA team that’s on the way and then have a do-over with an expansion team. I love the Sixers’ name, logos, history, etc. Would I be willing to trade that away for competent management that this fan base can trust in even if the team had a pathetically generic name like the Philadelphia Flames? Sure, as long as they didn’t do any Boathouse Row-themed uniforms.
There’s no fix for the Sixers right now. There is no way for this fan base to shift the luck that has befallen this franchise for four decades aside from the outlier that was the 2001 campaign. We will endure this for as long as the NBA exists. It sucks, but at least we’re not Wizards fans? That’s the only silver lining I can concoct at the moment.
SARASOTA, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Konnor Griffin #75 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats during the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles in a spring training game at Ed Smith Stadium on March 11, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The regular season is right around the corner for the Pittsburgh Pirates. With just a couple of games left in Spring Training, Pittsburgh has been playing well with a 12-6 record, but are those results going to be the real Pirates in the regular season ?
Their offense has been really solid so far, with first-year Pirates Ryan O’Hearn leading the team with 8 RBIs. Young shortstop Konnor Griffin and Yordany Los Santos are tied for the team lead in home runs with 3. Center fielder Jhostynxon Garcia leads the team with 12 hits. The Pirates as a team rank 11th in overall offense so far in Spring Training.
The pitching has shown some promise too with Mitch Keller and Carmen Mlodzinski both throwing well in their three games pitched. Keller has 9 strikeouts with just 1 ER and has a 1.23 ERA. While Mlodzinski also has nine strikeouts, he has also allowed two ERs and has a 2.45 ERA. The right-handed pitcher also leads the team with two wins. Their pitching is ranked 14th in overall rankings, with an average ERA of 4.18.
I have really liked what I have seen from the Bucs during Spring Training so far. I understand that this is just Spring, and they are not facing off against elite pitching yet or the best hitters in the league, but what is really exciting is the young players who are playing while for them.
I have been pretty optimistic about Pittsburgh after they made their offseason moves. For a while, I have felt like this team has the potential to break the playoff drought. The Pirates have the pitching to do so lead by former Cy Young winner Paul Skenes.
They also have an improved offense from last season and we are already seeing the young bats show up like Griffin, Los Santos and Garcia.
I don’t think the success we are seeing for the Buccos right now is a fluke. I believe with the young arms in the rotation and the underrated bats that the Pirates have that Pittsburgh will continue this success into the regular season.
Let us know in the comment section if you believe the Spring Training results are the real Bucs.
Pre-game Stats: Oilers At Stars32-25-8 | 72 PTS
