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Jeff Blashill gets his first win as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks

CHICAGO — Jeff Blashill’s first three games with the Chicago Blackhawks were one-goal losses decided in the third period or overtime.

His fourth one was a long-awaited victory.

Blashill directed Chicago to a 3-1 win over Utah on Monday night for his first victory since he was hired by the Blackhawks in May.

“It was really disappointing over the first three games that we had moments of good hockey and put ourselves in position to win and didn’t,” Blashill said. “So to get the win is nice. For me personally, it’s, you know, it’s a good feeling. You want to get that first one out of the way, and hopefully there’s many more to come.”

Blashill, 51, is beginning his second stint as a head coach in the NHL after he went 204-261-72 in seven seasons with Detroit. He was an assistant with Tampa Bay for the previous three years.

The Michigan native is hoping to lead the Blackhawks out of a painful rebuilding project that had the team in last place in the Central Division in each of the previous three years.

This season just started, but there have been some encouraging signs.

“I like him as a coach and a person,” goaltender Spencer Knight said. “I really appreciate his eye for details, for building a style that is sustainable over time to win not just one hockey game in October, but to build a system that can win continuously over the course of a season and then hopefully into the postseason. That’s what really matters.”

The Blackhawks were tied at 2 after two periods in each of their first three games. They lost 4-3 in overtime at Boston on Thursday night. They dropped their home opener on Saturday on Kaiden Guhle’s goal with 15.7 seconds left, lifting Montreal to a 3-2 win.

Blashill’s team had a 1-0 lead over Utah before JJ Peterka scored for the Mammoth 1:02 into the third period. But Andre Burakovsky scored a power-play goal for Chicago at 8:55, and Ilya Mikheyev helped close it out with an empty-netter in the final seconds for his second goal of the night.

“We’ve been in this situation four times now where you know they’re one-goal games late,” Blashill said. “That’s a good thing. But you have to find ways to win. You can’t just be close in those games. You have to continue to find ways to win, which we did tonight.”

Like Knight, the 30-year-old Burakovsky also praised Blashill’s attention to details, and he said it played a role in the victory over the Mammoth.

“I think today, even though we maybe didn’t have so much puck the whole time, I think our details on the defensive side were really good,” he said. “And that’s something we’ve been working on. So good job by him to help us get through there.”

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New Blackhawks Forward Is Already Impressing

Andre Burakovsky (© Matt Marton-Imagn Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks did not have the busiest of off-seasons this year, but they still did add a few players to their roster. The most notable of their newcomers is forward Andre Burakovsky. 

The Blackhawks acquired Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken back in June in exchange for Joe Veleno. However, Veleno did not end up staying with the Kraken, as the Pacific Division club bought him out shortly after the trade. Now, Veleno is playing for the Montreal Canadiens. 

Early on this season with the Blackhawks, it is clear that Burakovsky is making an impact. In four games on the year, the 30-year-old winger has recorded two goals and one assist. This includes him scoring the Blackhawks' game-winning goal during their Oct. 13 matchup against the Utah Mammoth on the power play. 

Burakovsky also had a solid game against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 9, as he scored a goal and recorded an assist in the Blackhawks' 4-3 overtime loss. With this, Burakovsky has been giving the Blackhawks decent offensive production early on this season.

It will now be interesting to see if Burakovsky can keep this kind of play for the Blackhawks from here. So far, the 2013 first-round pick is certainly doing his job for the Blackhawks. 

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Sabres Scrambling To Find Their Offensive Mojo

It may not have been possible for the Buffalo Sabres season to have gotten off to a worse start, as the club struggled to maintain any level of consistency in a 3-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on a holiday Monday matinee. The Sabres have started the campaign at 0-3, lost center Josh Norris to an upper body injury, and have struggled to generate any consistent offensive attack.

"The start the season is not where you want to be at all, and we've just got to find a way to win here." Sabres winger Tage Thompson said after the game.  "We're struggling to score, which in turn means we're not winning. That's what it is right now, and that's it's on me. I gotta find ways to score more and bear down, generate more chances. But that's a situation where we're in right now and we've got to find a way out."

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Buffalo were shutout in the season opener by Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin, but managed only a third period goal from Jason Zucker in a 3-1 loss in Boston on Saturday. On Monday, Thompson scored his first of the season, responding to Nathan MacKinnon’s opening goal in the first period, but Cale Makar and MacKinnon put the Avalanche ahead in the second period, and Buffalo showed a surprising lack of urgency in the final frame, managing only four shots on goal on Colorado goalie Scott Wedgewood. 

"I didn't like our third, I thought we were overplaying (our) top-four (defense) I don't think we got up ice enough to help our forwards out and they broke it out quicker." Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said. "Some of our execution, leaving the zone, it wasn't near as clean as it was in the first two periods."

For the second straight home game, Sabres fans booed the club for their effort and on Monday chants for the firing of GM Kevyn Adams were heard for the first time. Buffalo four of their next five games at home and has to be hoping for a quick reversal of their fortunes, otherwise the chants for change will grow louder. 

 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

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Toronto Maple Leafs Prospect Suspended Pending Review For Late Blindside Hit

Kitchener Rangers forward Matthew Hlacar. Photo credit: Natalie Shaver/OHL Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs took a flyer on Kitchener Rangers’ enforcer forward Matthew Hlacar when they selected him 217th overall in the seventh round of the 2025 NHL Draft. A new philosophy has been adopted in the way Toronto drafts under Brad Treliving compared to former GM Kyle Dubas, and the selection of Hlacar further exemplifies that. 

Hlacar plays the game in the old-fashioned style. He is aggressive, aiming to inflict pain with his hits, and is not afraid to drop his gloves and engage in a fight. This often leads him to spend time in the penalty box multiple times during a game. At times, his actions exceed acceptable limits, prompting intervention from the OHL's player safety department.

The Maple Leafs prospect finds himself in hot water already, just four games into the season. 

On October 10, Kitchener drove into Sault Ste. Marie to face off against the Greyhounds. Early in the second frame, Hlacar took a checking from behind penalty on Greyhounds’ defenseman Hunter Solomon. He was assessed a two-minute minor penalty on the play and answered the bell, shedding the gloves with Solomon’s defense partner, Spencer Evans. 

Later in that same period, Hlacar threw a blindside hit on Jakub Winkelhofer after he distributed the puck. 

The Toronto seventh-rounder was assessed a match penalty for blindsiding and kicked out of the game. Not only was the hit a clear blindside, but it also appeared to be late. Hlacar had plenty of time to let up on the hit. 

His actions have prompted the OHL’s department of player safety to suspend him indefinitely pending review. Through four games this season, Hlacar has already totaled 24 penalty minutes.

Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

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Heartwarming Support: Former OHL Teammates Celebrated Maple Leafs Prospect's Debut on the Big StageHeartwarming Support: Former OHL Teammates Celebrated Maple Leafs Prospect's Debut on the Big StageThe <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a> may have lost their Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings">Detroit Red Wings</a>, but one former OHL MVP, a two-time OHL champion, and a Memorial Cup champion experienced a special moment after spending the first two games of the season in the press box. Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseFormer London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseThe majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.&nbsp; 5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year Race5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year RaceOwen Sound Attack forward <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/owen-sound-attacks-rookie-sensation-has-truly-stepped-up-his-game-positioning-himself-as-a-strong-contender-for-rookie-of-the-year">Pierce Mbuyi</a> was awarded the Emms Family Award as <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/video/attacks-pierce-mbuyi-earns-emms-family-award-as-ohl-rookie-of-the-year/">OHL Rookie of the Year</a> last season after recording an incredible 29 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He set a new single-season points record by a 16-year-old Owen Sound rookie.&nbsp;
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NHL Rumor Roundup: Who Could The Rangers And Golden Knights Target Via Trade Or Free Agency?

The New York Rangers were expected to pursue one of the big-ticket players in next summer's UFA market.

However, the recent signings of Edmonton's Connor McDavid, Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov, Vegas' Jack Eichel and Winnipeg's Kyle Connor could change their approach.

Peter Baugh of The Athletic wondered which players the Rangers could target now. He pointed out that they face a difficult decision with Artemi Panarin. The 33-year-old left winger is now the biggest name remaining in the UFA market.

Baugh noted that the Rangers have no obvious choice to replace Panarin's production if they let him go to market next July. However, signing a player who turns 34 later this month to an expensive new contract comes with risk, especially when core forwards J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck are 32 years old.

The Rangers could have several options. Baugh suggested they consider pursuing a younger UFA forward, such as Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings, Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres or Martin Necas of the Colorado Avalanche. They're not elite-level stars, but one of them could help to boost the Rangers' offense.

Turning to the trade market is another possibility. Baugh mentioned Jason Robertson as an option, depending on how his contract negotiations with the Dallas Stars progress. The 26-year-old left winger is due to become an RFA with arbitration rights this summer. The Stars could peddle him next summer if they're unable to re-sign him.

Rasmus Andersson, William Karlsson and Dustin Wolf (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights could be in the market to replace Alex Pietrangelo. The veteran defenseman is sidelined for the season and the playoffs, recovering from a nagging hip injury.

Case Keefer of the Las Vegas Sunsuggested Rasmus Andersson as a trade target. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames defenseman is UFA-eligible next July and the frequent subject of trade conjecture since the spring.

The Flames could attempt to move Andersson before the March 6 trade deadline. Keefer noted that the Golden Knights are rumored to be his preferred trade destination.

Keefer pointed out that Mitch Marner was linked to the Golden Knights last season before eventually landing in Vegas. He said it'll be financially trickier for the Golden Knights to acquire Andersson but didn't dismiss the possibility.

Vegas is pressed for cap room after placing Pietrangelo on LTIR. They'll have to shed salary if they hope to acquire the remainder of Andersson's cap hit by the trade deadline.

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Heartwarming Support: Former OHL Teammates Celebrated Maple Leafs Prospect's Debut on the Big Stage

The Toronto Maple Leafs may have lost their Thanksgiving Monday matinee game against the Detroit Red Wings, but one former OHL MVP, a two-time OHL champion, and a Memorial Cup champion experienced a special moment after spending the first two games of the season in the press box.

Easton Cowan made his NHL debut Monday afternoon in front of a packed Scotiabank Arena, which featured some familiar OHL faces. 

<i>Photo credit: @LondonKnights via X</i>

Players from the London Knights showed up to the game in support of their former OHL teammate, which the official X account of the Knights tweeted out. The group picture features: Aleksei Medvedev, Jared Woolley, Sam O’Reilly, Andoni Fimis, Henry Brzustewicz, Noah Read, Rene Van Bommel, Evan Van Gorp peaking in the back, and former London Knight — and current Toronto Marlie — Landon Sim. 

There’s no denying that there is a special bond that forms and never dies when you are part of a championship team. All nine players in the picture were members of the 2025 OHL Championship-winning team and continued the celebration with a redemption victory at the Memorial Cup. 

Easton Cowan made the Maple Leafs roster after an impressive training camp; however, head coach Craig Berube waited until Game 3 of the season to showcase Toronto’s top prospect. Instead of easing Cowan into the lineup and playing him in the bottom six, Berube situated him right beside Toronto’s superstar captain, Auston Matthews, for his debut. 

The Leafs dominated their game against Detroit, mounting a comeback from down 2-0 in the third period. Unfortunately, Red Wings forward Mason Appleton stunned the home crowd, scoring the game-winning goal with 45 seconds left on the clock. 

Looking at the silver lining of things, not only did Cowan have a strong debut, but he looked like he belonged inside Toronto’s top six. 

Cowan finished the game with 14:05 TOI, one shot, and three hits. Additionally, the Maple Leafs outshot Detroit 12-1 while he was on the ice. He was noticeably engaged and unafraid of contact. Most importantly, he displayed his offensive skills and hands to make plays to his captain, setting him up for a few scoring chances. 

Toronto is back in action Tuesday night, as they host the Nashville Predators. Will this be the game Cowan scores his first NHL goal?

Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

Latest OHL News:

Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseFormer London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseThe majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.  Sarnia Sting Strengthen Between The Pipes With Addition Of Maple Leafs Camp NetminderSarnia Sting Strengthen Between The Pipes With Addition Of Maple Leafs Camp NetminderThe North Bay Battalion had three OHL-caliber goaltenders on their roster to start the season: starter Mike McIvor, Charlie Larocque, and Jack Lisson. It’s also worth mentioning that the organization’s 2025 5th-rounder 6-foot-3 netminder Cole Vreugdenhil has also made a strong first impression with the organization.  5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year Race5 Rookies Who Could Dominate The OHL Rookie Of The Year RaceOwen Sound Attack forward Pierce Mbuyi was awarded the Emms Family Award as OHL Rookie of the Year last season after recording an incredible 29 goals and 52 points in 63 games. He set a new single-season points record by a 16-year-old Owen Sound rookie. 
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Fantasy Baseball 2025 Closer Breakdown: Aroldis Chapman’s resurgence and 2026 rankings

With the 2025 MLB regular season behind us, it’s time to review what we learned from a fantasy perspective and how we can apply it to next year.

In the coming days throughout October, we’ll be breaking down the standout seasons, the breakout candidates, the prospects to know, and our early 2026 rankings. You can see our catcher breakdownhere, and our first base breakdownhere.

In this edition, we’ll cover the 2025 closer position and take a look at some situations to monitor this winter, as well as some relievers on the rise.

2025 POSITION BREAKDOWN: RELIEF PITCHER

The closer position remains volatile as we chase saves in drafts and on the waiver wire. This season, about half of the top 20 closers by ADP failed to match their draft value. Emmanuel Clase, the top closer in drafts, finished with only 24 saves and was suspended in late July. Devin Williams, usually second drafted, managed just 18 saves for the Yankees before losing the job to Luke Weaver and David Bednar. Mason Miller and Ryan Helsley, other top-10 draft closers, were traded to setup roles.

On the other hand, Josh Hader had an incredible season despite missing the final two months. Edwin Díaz enjoyed a successful bounce-back season. Andrés Muñoz and Jhoan Duran elevated their game to new levels. And we got some incredible values from the likes of Aroldis Chapman and Emilio Pagán. With a total of 215 different pitchers recording a league-wide 1201 saves, securing the category early in drafts will always have its merits, while examples like Chapman and Pagán prove that waiting remains viable if you can identify the right situations.

2025’s Top Ten Closers

1. Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox)

61 1/3 IP, 1.17 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 85/15 K/BB, 32 SV

Year 16 in the majors may have, incredibly, been Chapman’s best yet. There was some ambiguity over who would emerge as Boston’s closer this season, and in the end, it was the 37-year-old left-handed veteran proving he had plenty left in the tank. Chapman was still averaging 98.5 mph on the fastball, still generated an elite whiff rate, and displayed some of his best control with a career-low 6.6% walk rate in a full season. The Red Sox rewarded Chapman with a one-year contract extension for 2026 at $13.3 million.

2. Andrés Muñoz (Mariners)

62 1/3 IP, 1.73 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 83/28 K/BB, 38 SV

Finally trusted with the full-time closer role, Muñoz enjoyed a breakout 2025 campaign with a career-high 38 saves for the ALCS-bound Seattle Mariners. The 26-year-old right-hander’s skills have been incredibly consistent over the last three seasons. A secured role now makes him one of the top closers going into 2026.

3. Edwin Díaz (Mets)

66 1/3 IP, 1.63 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 98/21 K/BB, 28 SV

Díaz had a relatively disappointing 2024 after missing the 2023 season with a knee injury. Another year removed, he bounced back in a big way this season for the Mets, going from a 3.52 ERA to a 1.63 ERA with outstanding strikeout numbers. While his skills haven’t fully rebounded to otherworldly 2022 levels, mainly behind a 97 mph fastball that has lagged behind the 99 mph mark he was displaying pre-injury, he remains among the best closers in the game. He has the ability to opt out of the final two years and $37 million on his contract with the Mets and become a free agent, which most expect he will do.

4. Jhoan Duran (Phillies)

70 IP, 2.06 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 80/19 K/BB, 32 SV

Duran, much like Muñoz, excelled this season as he was trusted with the full-time closer role, posting a career-high 32 saves. The save total saw a boost after he was acquired by the Phillies at the trade deadline, converting 16 of his 32 saves over the last two months in Philadelphia. The team has its locked-in closer over the next several seasons with three more years of team control, giving him the job security behind the elite skills that make him one of baseball’s top pitchers in the ninth inning.

5. Robert Suarez (Padres)

69 2/3 IP, 2.97 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 75/16 K/BB, 40 SV

There was some concern going into the season surrounding Suarez and the way he ended his 2024 season. He put those questions to rest with an excellent campaign, leading the National League with 40 saves while maintaining outstanding ratios and an improved strikeout rate. The threat of Mason Miller behind Suarez may keep his draft price suppressed once again, but there’s speculation that Miller could potentially be stretched out as a starter. Still, there’s little reason to believe Suarez’s role would be in any jeopardy unless the team decides to cash in on a trade this winter.

6. Josh Hader (Astros)

62 2/3 IP, 2.30 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 86/19 K/BB, 28 SV

Hader might’ve finished atop the rankings had he not suffered a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the final two months, with his last appearance coming on August 8. Before that, he had converted 28 saves while displaying some of the best skills of his career, including a 7.8% walk rate and 21.1% swinging-strike rate.

7. David Bednar (Yankees)

62 2/3 IP, 2.30 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 86/19 K/BB, 27 SV

Bednar was briefly demoted by the Pirates early in the season before returning in mid-April and putting together a strong bounce-back campaign, following a 5.77 ERA in 2024. He converted 17 saves for Pittsburgh and was the best reliever for the Yankees after joining New York at the trade deadline, converting ten more saves. With another year of team control, Bednar is in line to open the 2026 season as the Yankees’ closer.

8. Trevor Megill (Brewers)

47 IP, 2.49 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 60/17 K/BB, 30 SV

After converting 21 saves for Milwaukee in 2024, filling in for Devin Williams, Megill opened the season as the team’s closer with Williams traded to the Yankees over the offseason. He ran with the opportunity, converting 30 saves with outstanding ratios before a right flexor strain landed him on the injured list in late August. Megill made just one more appearance on the final day of the regular season before Milwaukee’s postseason run.

9. Carlos Estévez (Royals)

66 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 54/22 K/BB, 42 SV

Estévez was a big regression candidate as he seemed to pitch well above his peripherals in 2024. Instead, he posted a nearly identical season, including a carbon copy 2.45 ERA on his way to leading baseball with 42 saves. Still, the red flags remain, as Estévez saw a sharp dip in his swinging-strike rate while issuing more walks, a ratio he’ll have to correct if he’s to repeat his success next season.

10. Kenley Jansen (Angels)

59 IP, 2.59 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 57/19 K/BB, 29 SV

The 2025 top ten is bookended by a pair of 16-year veterans. And like Chapman, Jansen proved he can still get it done with an outstanding 16th season. The 38-year-old right-hander should certainly get another chance to add to his 476 career saves in 2026.

2026 Rising Relievers

Braydon Fisher (Blue Jays)

Fisher had an outstanding rookie season for the Blue Jays, earning a call-up after posting a 1.62 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 16 2/3 innings in Triple-A. The 25-year-old right-hander made an impact in the Toronto bullpen, recording a 2.70 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 62/19 K/BB ratio across 50 innings. His 22.3% K-BB rate was the best in the Blue Jays’ bullpen. While Jeff Hoffman remains under contract for two more seasons, he doesn’t have the longest track record as a closer, and it would not be surprising to see Fisher in the mix for saves sometime in 2026 should Hoffman struggle next season.

Ronny Henriquez (Marlins)

The Marlins found a gem when they claimed Henriquez off waivers from the Twins before the season. The 25-year-old right-hander had a breakout season in Miami, posting a 2.22 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 98/27 K/BB ratio across 73 innings, earning seven wins and converting seven saves. His 23.4% K-BB rate was tops in the Marlins’ bullpen as he collected plenty of strikeouts behind a strong 16.7% swinging-strike rate. Henriquez worked his way into a share of saves in a closer committee and, at worst, should go into the season in the mix for saves once again.

Connor Phillips (Reds)

Phillips posted an 8.01 ERA across 19 starts in Triple-A in 2024 before reinventing himself as a reliever in 2025 after recovering from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. He posted a 2.84 ERA across 38 innings in the minors, earning himself a promotion on June 20. The 24-year-old right-hander went on to record a 2.88 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 32/12 K/BB ratio across 25 innings in Cincinnati. Flashing a 98 mph fastball and 15.4% swinging-strike rate, Phillips could be in line for a significant role in the back end of the Reds’ bullpen next season, especially if the team loses closer Emilio Pagán in free agency.

Matt Svanson (Cardinals)

Svanson is another name to watch for in 2026. The 26-year-old right-hander went under the radar this season despite a breakout performance, posting a 1.94 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 68/20 K/BB ratio across 60 1/3 innings for the Cardinals. Svanson has positioned himself for a pivotal role in the St. Louis bullpen in 2026. And while JoJo Romero and Riley O’Brien finished the season in a closer committee, neither has a large track record in the ninth inning, nor have they separated themselves from a skills perspective.

2026 Situations to watch

The main things to watch for over the offseason when it comes to closers are the vacant situations left by pending free agents and teams with ambiguous roles without established closers. The biggest name on the market will be Devin Williams. The 31-year-old right-hander had a disappointing season in New York, posting a 4.79 ERA over 62 innings while losing the closer role. Still, his underlying metrics remained strong while he maintained an elite strikeout rate. There’s a good chance he’s given an opportunity to close wherever he lands. Other big names to watch for include Emilio Pagán, Raisel Iglesias, Kenley Jansen, Luke Weaver, and Ryan Helsley. Robert Suarez of the Padres can also exercise an opt-out and enter free agency.

2026 Top 12 Closers

  1. Andrés Muñoz - Mariners
  2. Edwin Díaz - Mets
  3. Josh Hader - Astros
  4. Aroldis Chapman - Red Sox
  5. Jhoan Duran - Phillies
  6. David Bednar - Yankees
  7. Cade Smith - Guardians
  8. Robert Suarez/Mason Miller - Padres
  9. Trevor Megill - Brewers
  10. Raisel Iglesias - Free Agent
  11. Carlos Estévez - Royals
  12. Pete Fairbanks - Rays
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Warriors make NBA Finals in one of ESPN's random 2025-26 season simulations

Warriors make NBA Finals in one of ESPN's random 2025-26 season simulations originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

If the computers have their way, Warriors fans could have much to celebrate this upcoming NBA season.

Per an ESPN simulation of the 2025-26 campaign, Golden State will advance to its seventh NBA Finals under coach Steve Kerr but come up short of a fifth title, falling to the Orlando Magic.

While it’s important to note that the simulation is just one of thousands ESPN completed before the start of the season, the results speak to a retooled Warriors roster expected to make noise in the Western Conference this year. The Finals loss to Orlando is a sour ending to an otherwise impressive, simulated run that puts Golden State back among the NBA’s elite teams.

In the simulation, curated by ESPN’s Kevin Pelton, the Warriors begin the 2025-26 season with a win over the Los Angeles Lakers and never look back, compiling the league’s top record by the NBA All-Star Break.

“As the NBA gathered from Feb. 13 to 15 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the Warriors were the talk of the league,” Pelton wrote. “[Draymond] Green and Jimmy Butler III joined Steph Curry on the West roster thanks to Golden State’s league-best 42-13 record at the break.”

From there, the Warriors secure the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference by season’s end, finishing with a 63-19 record, before dispatching the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers and reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs to reach the Finals.

Per the simulation, that is where Golden State’s luck runs out. Led by Finals MVP Paolo Banchero, the Magic claim their first NBA title in franchise history by outlasting the Warriors in seven games.

Kerr and company undoubtedly would accept a vast majority of these results in a heartbeat, but none of it matters when the real season tips off a week from Tuesday against the Lakers.

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Emma Raducanu slumps to third straight defeat after fresh injury scare in China

  • Briton went down 6-3, 4-6, 1-6 to Zhu Lin

  • Raducanu called for trainer twice for treatment

Emma Raducanu again struggled physically in a first-round exit at the Ningbo Open to China’s Zhu Lin, raising questions over the rest of her season.

The British No1 was back on court a week after retiring from her opening match in Wuhan with dizziness in hot and humid conditions. She posted a picture on social media from a doctor’s office and said she felt better but she faded after winning the opening set against Zhu and slumped to a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 defeat.

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Stay or Go: Should Yankees re-sign Cody Bellinger?

The Yankees surprised the baseball world last offseason when they made a trade with the Chicago Cubs for former MVP Cody Bellinger.

Bellinger was a part of GM Brian Cashman and his front office's Plan B after Juan Soto signed with the Mets in free agency. Did they expect Bellinger, who rehabilitated his career in Chicago, to replace the offensive production Soto gave them in their World Series run a year ago? Of course not, but after a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Dodgers, run prevention and defense were the mantra and Bellinger provided that with his elite defense. 

It was a risky move. Bellinger's end in Los Angeles was not great, and after a very good first season on the North Side, he had a down 2024. But once Bellinger donned the pinstripes, he was a revelation, complementing Aaron Judge in the outfield perfectly and providing the defense the team lacked a season ago.

With Bellinger likely to opt out of his player option this offseason -- and no one would blame him -- should the Yankees pursue a reunion with the 30-year-old?

Aug 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) celebrates with designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) after they score on Bellinger’s two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field.
Aug 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) celebrates with designated hitter Aaron Judge (99) after they score on Bellinger’s two run home run against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rate Field. / Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Why Yankees should re-sign Cody Bellinger

Bellinger had one of the best seasons of his career in 2025.

He batted .272 (third-best in his career), had an OBP of .334 (fourth-best), slugged .480 (third-best) and had an OPS of .813 (fifth-best). His 29 home runs were the third-most of his career and his 98 RBI were the second-most. He was also the Yankees' most clutch hitter, batting .348 with runners in scoring position. Next season, Bellinger will enter his age-31 year, so it's not like he's aging and the production should not be expected to dip. Similar production in 2026 is not far-fetched.

On the defensive end, Bellinger made a number of game-saving plays this season. The catch and throw double play to salvage a game against the Mets this summer and his sliding grabs in the postseason are notable, and the Yankees haven't had an elite defender in left field in years. 

According to Baseball Savant, Bellinger was in the 93rd percentile in outs above average (OAA) this season and still has a solid arm -- ranking in the 83rd percentile. Runners were also only 31 percent successful in advancing to the next base against him. 

Depending on how Judge recovers from his ailing elbow this offseason -- or if he needs surgery -- and Trent Grisham testing free agency, the Yankees need all the defense they can get.

Oct 1, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) reacts after flying out during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Oct 1, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) reacts after flying out during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / © Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Why Yankees should not re-sign Cody Bellinger

The argument for letting Bellinger walk is two-fold. The first is tied to money.

Bellinger is walking away from a player option that would have paid him $25 million. With the very good season he had, Bellinger will look to get $30 million a year with a team. And while he's expressed that he's open to returning to the Yankees, the team will have to look long and hard to see if they are willing to give Bellinger the contract he's looking for.

The other side is the young outfielders the Yankees currently have. Jasson Dominguez is still looked at as a potential everyday outfielder. However, the youngster's inconsistent production, and Bellinger and Grisham's play in 2025 prevented Dominguez from seeing a lot of playing time. How the Yankees handle Bellinger and Grisham (who is also a free agent) in the offseason could keep Dominguez out of the loop. 

There's also prospect Spencer Jones, who seemingly out of nowhere began to be very productive in Double-A before his promotion to Triple-A. With the young slugger on the cusp of a call-up, the number of outfield spots on the Yankees is limited, especially if you bring back Bellinger.

Bellinger is a solid postseason hitter, but it's nothing to write home about. In his seven trips to the postseason, Bellinger has 10 home runs and driven in 37 RBI. He was the NLCS MVP back in 2018 with the Dodgers and was a powerhouse in Los Angeles' World Series run back in 2020 when he launched four bombs. 

But lately, he hasn't gotten the job done. This postseason, Bellinger was 6-for-31 with just one home run and four RBI. At times, it looked like he was incapable of lifting the ball. Whether that had to do with his foot injury is unknown, but he couldn't deliver for the Yankees behind Judge this time around.

 

Oct 1, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) speaks to New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) after the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium.
Oct 1, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) speaks to New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) after the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Verdict

With the Yankees' perpetual win-now mentality, they need to bring in at least one veteran outfielder to pair with Judge. Bellinger's production made him a great No. 2 to the captain, especially when Giancarlo Stanton was on the injured list. His defense saved games and if New York is looking to give Dominguez a real shot, they'll need it to cover up the youngster's deficiencies.

Bellinger also gives the Yankees versatility, being able to play first base when needed. If the Yankees want to bring up Jones to get some time in the big leagues, Bellinger could slide over to first base to allow for that to happen in the outfield.

While this postseason's numbers weren't great, given another shot, Bellinger will likely deliver.

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Horford's reasoning for leaving Celtics is a perfect motivator for Boston

Horford's reasoning for leaving Celtics is a perfect motivator for Boston originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

In fairness to Al Horford, the writing was probably on the wall for his time in Boston.

But it was nonetheless painful to see the veteran big man spell out why he decided to move on from the Celtics and sign with the Golden State Warriors in free agency.

“I think that where Boston was as a team, even though I called them my home and everything was there for me, they just weren’t in a position to offer me the opportunity that I wanted,” Horford told The Athletic’s Nick Friedell.

Horford cited two specific areas where the Celtics fell short: financially and competitively. And in his view, Jayson Tatum’s devastating Achilles injury in May changed everything, transforming the C’s from a legitimate contender that may need minor offseason tinkering to a team more focused on getting under the second apron of the luxury tax ahead of the 2026-27 season.

“I think the financial part was a component, but more than that, it was the winning part of it, trying to contend for a championship,” Horford told Friedell. “And I think there was a lot of things up in the air — and it just felt like they weren’t in the same, that same vision, obviously, because JT getting hurt, that takes a big toll.

“So I think at that point I really had to — up until then I was staying in Boston the whole time.”

That’s a fair take from Horford, who admitted the Celtics’ early-offseason trades of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis made it “clear” to him that Boston “had different priorities.” Even if Tatum supercharges his rehab, a C’s team without Holiday, Porzingis and Luke Kornet probably isn’t in the NBA championship conversation.

But here’s where the motivation factor comes in: In his quest to earn one more ring, Horford chose … the Warriors. While any team with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler shouldn’t be written off, Golden State has the NBA’s second-oldest roster (average age: 29) and currently has the 10th-best championship odds (+2200) on ESPN Bet.

The Celtics? They’re 12th, with +3000 odds.

So, if a Boston team that’s already being written off without Tatum needs another reason to overachieve, why not aim for being better than the Warriors?

Golden State is the better team on paper, but any injuries on a veteran-laden roster could send its season south in a hurry. The Celtics, meanwhile, can still roll out a starting five of players who were on the 2024 title team — Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Sam Hauser and Neemias Queta — and brought in energetic role players with chips on their shoulders such as Josh Minott, Luka Garza and Chris Boucher.

Horford is entitled to his decision, and he’ll always hold a special place in Celtics history for what he contributed over seven total seasons in Boston. But now that he’s in Golden State, the Celtics should do everything in their power to prove the beloved big man wrong.