A certain energy has crackled in the air at City National Arena throughout training camp and the preseason. There is a hunger, a sense of urgency that has nothing to do with the shortened preseason. And everyone in the Vegas Golden Knights organization, from the players to the head coach to the general manager, speaks of unfinished business.
By now, everyone knows the story of the 2025-26 Vegas Golden Knights. After a regular season full of struggles that led to a late-season coaching change, they went on an improbable Cinderella run in the playoffs. With John Tortorella at the helm, the Golden Knights dispatched the Utah Mammoth, breezed by the Anaheim Ducks, and swept the President’s Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche.
Winning their second Stanley Cup in franchise history would have been the perfect ending to an unbelievable story; ultimately, the Golden Knights fell just two wins short of the ultimate goal.
“The belief of our organization is there’s unfinished business,” said first-year head coach Ryan Craig at the start of training camp. “When I use the words starting over, it’s because we don’t get back to that point without starting at zero again in the regular season and earning our way back to having that opportunity.
“When I say we’re starting over, we are,” Craig continued. “We started over today. But the guys that were on this team last year have unfinished business; our organization has unfinished business in the sense of where our standards are and what we hope to accomplish.”
Summer is over now, and while the pain of losing is no longer raw, it left scars that can only be healed by the joy of winning.
“Obviously, it was disappointing last year to go as far as we did and not come out victorious,” said Golden Knights captain Mark Stone on Monday. “It’s the first time I’ve been that far without winning.”
Monday morning marked the first official practice of the regular season, and the sense of urgency only increased. The Golden Knights host the Chicago Blackhawks for their home opener on Tuesday night, and they know that they have to start strong to reach the top of the summit once more.
“Every year is a new challenge, and this year’s no different,” Stone said following Monday’s practice. “We’ll have to try and dial in a good start to the season, to bank points, because they all matter at the end of the day. If you can get off to a good start, those lulls in the middle of the season that you’re gonna have are less magnified.”
Saying that players want to play games that matter isn’t anything new. But this year, for the Golden Knights, the start of the regular season isn’t just an end to meaningless preseason hockey.
It’s a shot at redemption.
“We’re starting at game one,” said head coach Ryan Craig on Monday. “So, how are we going to build ourselves back to… an opportunity to take care of business? I want to see the group continue to play to their strengths and understand who they are. To figure that out, we’re gonna have to go through the highs and lows of the season.
“There’s lots of stuff for us to figure out as a group,” Craig continued. “It’s a long journey that we’re excited about. We’re gonna learn a lot about each other individually and then as a group… I’m excited to see the urgency level rise from exhibition to game one. I think it’s gonna jump here quite a bit because, you know, even though we’ve only been in camp for 11 days, the guys are ready to play. I’m happy that we’re playing game one.”
SAN DIEGO — The last time the Chicago Cubs laid eyes on the San Diego Padres they had to refrain from laughing aloud in their faces.
It was July 1 at Wrigley Field.
And the Cubs humiliated the Padres, winning 23-3, with No. 9 hitter Dansby Swanson hitting three home runs and driving in eight runs, handing the Padres their worst loss in the 58-year history of the franchise.
It was the Cubs’ fifth consecutive victory, and the Padres’ fifth consecutive loss, leaving the Padres’ season on the brink.
Well, here they are meeting again, and, oh, how so much has changed.
The Padres these days just so happen to be the hottest team in baseball, winning 17 of their last 20 games, to not only storm into the postseason, but clinch the top wild-card spot, hosting the Cubs in the best-of-three wild-card series.
It’s a rematch of the wild-card series a year ago, only this time the games will all be played at raucous Petco Park and not Wrigley Field.
The Padres (91-71) are in the postseason for the third consecutive year, fifth time in the last seven years, and believing this time around they could go where they have never gone before in franchise history.
That’s winning a World Series.
They’ve been to the big stage twice, back in 1984 when they knocked off the Cubs in the NLCS before losing in five games to the Detroit Tigers, and again in 1998 when they were swept by the New York Yankees.
They’re ready to give it another go.
The Padres might have a rotation held together by duct tape, but they have the nastiest bullpen in all of the land. No team can shorten games like the Padres with All-Star closer Mason Miller, setup man Adrian Morejon, and rookie Bradgley Rodriguez.
“We played them in a playoff series last year and understand how their bullpen is going to work and how they're going to use Miller and Morejon,’’ Cubs manager Craig Counsell says, “and this year Bradgley Rodriguez has been added to that group as somebody who is pretty darn good.
“We've got to have good at-bats. We've got to make ourselves tough outs, and we're going to have to score against the bullpen, too, and we have scored against their bullpen. So I think we're confident.’’
The Padres, who keep knocking on the playoff door without getting through, still are haunted by not putting away the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. They were up two games to one in the best-of-five division series, had Game 4 at home, and were shut out in the next two games. They lost in three games to the Cubs last year at Wrigley Field in the wild-card round.
But this time around, they truly believe their fate will be different.
“I think we're firing on all cylinders,’’ says Padres ace Michael King, who will start Game 1 against Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. “I think the last two months, two and a half months, the offense has possibly been the best in baseball. We've really come together as a starting rotation, and the bullpen is obviously a strong piece.
“I think that, when you look at us, we don't really have many weaknesses. ... We're very confident in what we've been doing the last few weeks, and we're very happy that this is the time that we got hot, and we've just got to continue it throughout all this postseason.’’
Padres star third baseman Manny Machado, who produced his lowest OPS (.711) in his career, batting just .217, still managed to hit 30 homers and drive in 91 runs. Fernando Tatis Jr., who didn’t homer until May 30, still hit .289 with 25 homers and 83 RBI. And they got huge production out of first baseman Ty France, signed to a minor-league contract this spring, who hit 21 homers with 72 RBI.
This is why Machado believes this version of the Padres is the best since his arrival in 2019, and could finally be the one that knocks off their mighty neighbors to the north, the Dodgers.
Machado might already have his sights set on the Dodgers. He asked a reporter on Monday, Sept. 28 why he was wearing a bright blue suit that resembled Dodger colors.
“Are you for San Diego,’’ he asked the local reporter.
Reporter: “I am.’’
Machado: “Why are you wearing blue?
Reporter: “Do you like it?’’
Machado: “Obviously not. I'm just asking.’’
So why does Machado believe this team has its best chance to be playing in late October?
“I mean, experience,’’ he said. “At the end of the day, it goes back to experience. We have a lot of the same group that was here last year. Hopefully we get a lot further. But ultimately, I think it's just believing in ourselves, believing in the group that we have in there and go out there and just continue to do what we've been doing.’’
Even though the Cubs ended the Padres’ season last year, and beat them up during the season by winning five of six games, Machado insists there will be no carry-over effect.
“It's a new year, it's a different year,’’ Machado said. “Obviously, that stung last year for us. They played better ball than us last year. This year's going to be a little bit different.
“Playing in front of our home crowd and playing in front of these fans here, I think it's going to be a lot different. Definitely looking forward to that rematch for sure.’’
The Padres enjoy one of the greatest home-field advantages in baseball, playing in front of fans that pack the joint nearly on a nightly basis. The Padres went a sizzling 26-6 in their last 32 home games this season.
“I think being at home is huge,’’ Machado said. “We love playing here, playing in front of this crowd, playing in the stadium. Obviously sleeping at home and being at home is a big advantage, but I think the biggest one is playing in front of the home crowd. They've brought the energy all year. They're going to continue to do it.
“To have a postseason here at home in front of them, they're definitely going to bring the energy, and I think we all feed off of that.’’
The Cubs realize what a difference it can make playing at home themselves at Wrigley Field, but instead of being intimidated, plan to embrace the hostility.
“They have a great atmosphere,” Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner told reporters in Tampa Bay on Sunday after their regular-season finale. “It’s probably one of the places that’s changed the most over the last 10 years or so. They have a great fan base. It’ll be electric, a lot of fun and challenging.”
The winner of the series will face the Milwaukee Brewers, who won an MLB-leading 103 games, and ended the Cubs’ season a year ago.
This time around, the Padres want to be the ones to take a crack at the powerful Brewers, but first, they’ve got to get past the Cubs, who will have third Alex Bregman back in the lineup who suffered eight fractured bones in his face when hit by foul ball standing near the on-deck circle a week ago.
Bregman, who took a ground ball for the first time in a week on Monday, showed that he was ready with the bat Sunday when he went 4-for-4 with two homers.
“He's the man, to be honest,’’ Cubs reliever Jacob Webb said. “That's tough to do. That's really cool and shows the kind of character that he has going through such a crazy injury. I mean, you're putting your career on the line at that point, but he's always prepared.
“He's a good dude. He knows what he's doing. He has his plan, and I think that's the biggest thing, is he wants to be here. He wants to win.’’
No offense, the Padres say, but they would love to send Bregman home early, giving him all winter to heal.
“We're steady,’’ King said. “We're confident. And we're going to go play Padres baseball.’’
Bronny James wanted to make it clear who came out on top the last time he played his father in golf.
"I won," James told reporters as he cracked a smile at Los Angeles Lakers media day on Monday, Sept. 28. "He's pretty pissed about this."
It was a quick, lighthearted moment that drew laughs from those in attendance, but it also helped address the elephant in the room: for the first time in his now three-year NBA career, Bronny won't be sharing a locker room with LeBron James.
"Feels like he's not here," James said matter of factly. "I don't really have an opinion on that. That's my dad, I spent 22 years, almost, with him. Just another experience that I'm gonna be a part of, and I'm excited to see how it's gonna feel during the season, too. Looking forward to it."
LeBron James left the Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency this summer, marking an end to the first father-son duo to ever take the court together in an NBA game after two years as teammates. Bronny James spent much of that time in the G League, but he made a leap in year two last season and cracked the rotation in the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
Now, with an almost entirely new cast of teammates centered around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, he sees room for even more growth as he sets off on his own path.
"It's just something that I've followed my entire life," James said. "You guys know me as Bronny, my real name is LeBron. I've been doing this for however long, so I think it's a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron."
Bronny on how it feels to be playing his first season without LeBron on the Lakers:
Bronny James has been focused on trying to be the most consistent version of himself over the offseason. The 21-year-old guard has been showing up every day to work on his dribbling, playmaking and "being relentless" on both ends of the court. He knows versatility is a priority in coach JJ Redick's new scheme, and his best chance to get minutes is as a secondary ballhandler on offense and a point-of-attack defender when Dončić and Reaves are off the floor.
He's also gotten to know his new teammates pretty well, accompanying them on the team's trip to Slovenia. There, James told reporters, is where he felt the chemistry start to take off.
"We had some runs in practice, figuring out each other's game and just chilling off the court, getting to know each other," he said. "... I think that's going to carry over into the season pretty well."
Not only does this year's Lakers squad look different, they'll be playing differently than they did in JJ Redick's first two years as head coach. Redick has already mentioned he'll be switching up the defensive scheme to more man-on-man with newly acquired Walker Kessler parked near the paint to clean up anything that may come his way. Reaves and several other players also talked about a fast-paced free-flowing offense with less pick-and-roll.
"Everyone's young," James said. "... I feel like we can feed off each other's energy and there's gonna be a lot of guys that can go out, give full effort and turn up the game."
While he got the blessing of the entire James family, Bronny said it wasn't cathartic moment by any means.
"We're men of very little words when it comes to talking about business and what we're gonna do and how we feel about each other," James said. "Wasn't really much, to be honest with you. He's got his own path and I've got my own. ... And he knows that I want to focus on that."
Those two paths are set to converge once more on Dec. 25, when the Lakers host the the 76ers at Crypto.com Arena in LeBron's return to Los Angeles.
"I'm excited to see him on Christmas," Bronny said.
Bronny James wanted to make it clear who came out on top the last time he played his father in golf.
"I won," James told reporters as he cracked a smile at Los Angeles Lakers media day on Monday, Sept. 28. "He's pretty pissed about this."
It was a quick, lighthearted moment that drew laughs from those in attendance, but it also helped address the elephant in the room: for the first time in his now three-year NBA career, Bronny won't be sharing a locker room with LeBron James.
"Feels like he's not here," James said matter of factly. "I don't really have an opinion on that. That's my dad, I spent 22 years, almost, with him. Just another experience that I'm gonna be a part of, and I'm excited to see how it's gonna feel during the season, too. Looking forward to it."
LeBron James left the Lakers for the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency this summer, marking an end to the first father-son duo to ever take the court together in an NBA game after two years as teammates. Bronny James spent much of that time in the G League, but he made a leap in year two last season and cracked the rotation in the Lakers' first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
Now, with an almost entirely new cast of teammates centered around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, he sees room for even more growth as he sets off on his own path.
"It's just something that I've followed my entire life," James said. "You guys know me as Bronny, my real name is LeBron. I've been doing this for however long, so I think it's a motivating factor for me just getting up every day and trying to prove myself as Bronny instead of LeBron."
Bronny on how it feels to be playing his first season without LeBron on the Lakers:
Bronny James has been focused on trying to be the most consistent version of himself over the offseason. The 21-year-old guard has been showing up every day to work on his dribbling, playmaking and "being relentless" on both ends of the court. He knows versatility is a priority in coach JJ Redick's new scheme, and his best chance to get minutes is as a secondary ballhandler on offense and a point-of-attack defender when Dončić and Reaves are off the floor.
He's also gotten to know his new teammates pretty well, accompanying them on the team's trip to Slovenia. There, James told reporters, is where he felt the chemistry start to take off.
"We had some runs in practice, figuring out each other's game and just chilling off the court, getting to know each other," he said. "... I think that's going to carry over into the season pretty well."
Not only does this year's Lakers squad look different, they'll be playing differently than they did in JJ Redick's first two years as head coach. Redick has already mentioned he'll be switching up the defensive scheme to more man-on-man with newly acquired Walker Kessler parked near the paint to clean up anything that may come his way. Reaves and several other players also talked about a fast-paced free-flowing offense with less pick-and-roll.
"Everyone's young," James said. "... I feel like we can feed off each other's energy and there's gonna be a lot of guys that can go out, give full effort and turn up the game."
While he got the blessing of the entire James family, Bronny said it wasn't cathartic moment by any means.
"We're men of very little words when it comes to talking about business and what we're gonna do and how we feel about each other," James said. "Wasn't really much, to be honest with you. He's got his own path and I've got my own. ... And he knows that I want to focus on that."
Those two paths are set to converge once more on Dec. 25, when the Lakers host the the 76ers at Crypto.com Arena in LeBron's return to Los Angeles.
"I'm excited to see him on Christmas," Bronny said.
Interim president of basketball operations Trent Redden opened Clippers media day with an apology.
“Our fans deserve to hear from us before this, and for that we’re sorry,” Redden said Monday. “We’ve been listening to the thoughts, the concerns, and feeling the emotions of our fan base. They mean everything to us. … We hope to fulfill our promises to them, to build their trust and move forward through this time.
“This franchise often has done its best work with its back against the wall … We hope to represent our fans the same way we always have in dark times, by coming out fighting.”
Los Angeles Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue talks to reporters during the NBA basketball team’s media day. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong
This summer marks a torrential turning point for the Clippers as the NBA punished the team for violating its salary cap circumvention rules. The Clippers were stripped of five first-round picks and fined $30 million.
Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for a year and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank received a six-month suspension. The Clippers also parted ways with its franchise player, Kawhi Leonard, who was traded to Toronto after paying a $700,000 fine for his involvement in circumventing the salary cap.
Monday’s media day signaled the team’s official effort to move forward despite the scandal.
The Clippers already have a plethora of injuries as Brandon Ingram, Bradley Beal, Jordan Miller and Yanic Konan Niederhauser are all sidelined. But the latter is progressing well.
It’s evident that rather than chasing a championship, the team will do its best to keep its head above water amid the trying season ahead.
A journalist arrives for the Los Angeles Clippers’ media day. AP Photo/Jae C. HongLos Angeles Clippers forward Brandon Ingram (7) during media day at Intuit Dome. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“It’s been difficult,” Clippers head coach Ty Lue admitted. “But I give our players a lot of credit … the leadership is great [and] the morale is great, even in these tough situations.
“That’s good to see, when you have your players coming in every day, giving everything they have; a lot of teams don’t have that.”
Rui Hachimura, former Lakers forward, had the most ironic quote of the day.
“One thing everyone says about the Clippers is how well they take care of players,” Hachimura said.
It could be argued that Leonard was indeed treated well. Franchise legend Chris Paul likely won’t say the same.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — After saying that Kirill Marchenko would be with the Columbus Blue Jackets for the start of the season, general manager Don Waddell dealt the forward as part of a major seven-player deal to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday as NHL teams were finalizing their opening week rosters.
The Blue Jackets also dealt goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and left wing Miles Wood to the Maple Leafs for left wing Matthew Knies, defenseman Emil Andrae, center Steven Lorentz and a conditional second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.
Marchenko was in the last year of his contract, but agreed to a six-year $75 million extension with the Maple Leafs. He relayed to Columbus' front office before the draft in June that he didn't intend to sign an extension with the Blue Jackets.
Waddell said the situation with Marchenko and star defenseman Zach Werenski were not the same. The Norris Trophy winner also said during the offseason he wasn't ready to sign an extension, but also vetoed a trade to the Dallas Stars.
“I’ve had discussions with his agent, which we won’t discuss right now, but Marchenko’s going to be a Blue Jackets when the season starts,” Waddell said on July 2.
The 26-year old Russian was a second-round pick by the Blue Jackets in the 2018 draft. He didn't make his NHL debut until 2022, but tied or led the team in scoring the past three seasons.
Marchenko had a team-high 27 goals last season and was second in points with 67. He had 102 goals and 208 points during his four seasons in Columbus.
In Knies, the Blue Jackets get a forward who battled injuries last season, but still finished with a career-best 66 points, including 23 goals. He is expected to be on one of the top two scoring lines.
The 23-year-old Knies was previously viewed as an important piece of Toronto’s future. He had a career-high 29 goals and 58 points in 2024-25 playing on a line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
“Matthew is a big, strong power forward who combines tough, hard-nosed physical play with outstanding offensive skills,” Waddell said in a statement after the trade was announced. “He is a young player with great character and work ethic and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the Blue Jackets family.”
Merzlikins is currently on long-term injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He had a 14-11-3 record with a 3.40 goals-against average and .993 save percentage in 30 appearances last season as a backup to Blue Jackets starter Jet Greaves.
Wood, recently put on waivers, has 99 goals and 97 assists in 567 career games with New Jersey, Colorado and Columbus.
Lorentz, a Stanley Cup winner with the Florida Panthers in 2024, had 15 goals and 22 assists over two seasons in Toronto.
Andrae ended a very short tenure in Toronto. He was acquired in a June trade with Philadelphia. Andrae had three goals and 17 assists over 107 games with the Flyers, who selected him in the second round of the 2020 NHL draft.
With only days separating them from the start of the 2026-27 NHL campaign, the Detroit Red Wings continue to face more questions than answers.
In the first place, defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains a restricted free agent and, despite having reported to Training Camp and taken part in non-scrimmage drills, is ineligible to play without a contract.
Secondly, former captain Dylan Larkin remains with the club despite his trade request that became public knowledge in early June.
Larkin, who suffered an off-ice training injury just before the start of Training Camp, has skated with his teammates the last few days, but did not appear in any of Detroit's four preseason games (neither did Edvinsson).
While his status for Detroit's regular season opener on Oct. 2 has yet to be decided, Larkin has participated in the last handful of practices, something his teammates say is a positive.
"It's good," said defenseman Moritz Seider about having Larkin on the ice in practice. "Obviously, he's still dealing with his injury, that's why he's probably not in the regular lines right now. But it's good to see him out there. He brings a lot of energy, and everyone is excited."
According to head coach Todd McLellan, Larkin's presence is a positive, while also noting he has some work to do to get back up to speed after missing all of Training Camp and the entire preseason slate of games.
"It's good to have him on the ice; I think that's where it's the most comfortable for everybody," McLellan said. "He's a hockey player and a really good hockey player. He's looked like he's had some time off, and he needs to skate a little bit more."
"I paid a little more attention to him today; with his injury, the training part of it isn't quite where it would normally be, and we're two weeks ahead of him now," he continued. "So, like any injury, even if it's during the middle of the season, you have to get back up to pace. And we'll help him with that."
As far as his status for Friday's season opener, McLellan said that's still up in the air.
"He has - I believe he has a doctor's appointment today at some point, and we'll get more of a feedback from the physicians at that time to see where he's at," McLellan said.
Larkin is coming off his fifth-straight season of reaching at least 30 goals scored. But he is no longer the club's captain, a role he'd held since being named the official successor to Henrik Zetterberg in January 2021.
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"I'm always under pressure," Stearns said. "My job is to put a winning team on here, on the field, every single year. That hasn't changed from the day I sat up here for my introductory press conference to when I'm sitting up here right now."
What other key topics did Stearns discuss? From the Mets' roster to New York's retooled coaching staff and front office, here is a closer look.
Bichette has time to opt in or out of his contract with the Mets. He and Stearns "have not had those discussions."
"I have not had those discussions with Bo," Stearns said of Bichette, who slashed .260/.312/.390 with 18 home runs and 78 RBI in 160 games. "He's got the right now to take some space, discuss with his family and his agent, and I'm sure he'll get back to us."
Baty slashed .333/.417/.608 with three home runs and 16 RBI in September, capping his fourth full season since his Aug. 17, 2022, debut. Will he take another step in 2027?
"The truth is we won't know," Stearns said of Baty, who slashed .236./.309/.371 with 11 home runs and 56 RBI in 143 games. "I do think, having been around Brett for multiple years now -- I think where he is from a mindset perspective, his level of belief in himself and how he works through an at-bat, is different right now. But as with any player, until you see it for an extended period, very difficult for me to sit here right now and have complete certainty on that."
Mauricio, who broke out with two home runs this past weekend to cap a 20-game sample size with the Mets this season, has a pivotal offseason entering the 2027 campaign.
"He's among them," Stearns said of Mauricio, who slashed .220/.258/.441 with four home runs and eight RBI. "Ronny goes into next year out of options. We saw the flash of potential over the last couple days. That was exciting for us to see -- I think great for him to experience going into the offseason, and so he's among them. I think he comes into spring training next year competing for a spot."
Alvarez slashed .233/.311/.399 with 16 home runs and 43 RBI in 113 games but left Stearns impressed elsewhere.
"Probably up and down," Stearns said of Alvarez's fourth MLB season. "But we've seen, I think -- again, the second half Francisco behind the plate was really encouraging. I think his defense took a step forward behind the plate. His command of the pitching staff and game-calling took a step forward in the second half. Really a credit to him for not getting down and frustrated, and a credit to our coaching staff for getting him there."
Senga started 8 of 31 games and moved to the bullpen. Will he remain a reliever or return to his role in the starting rotation?
"I think we'll make that determination as we get into spring training and see where we are," Stearns said. "We know where Kodai's passion is. He's been very honest with that. We also understand that we need a level of production, in whatever role he's going to be in, to contribute to a winning team. And so, we'll ultimately make that role determination as we get into next year."
Bullpen options
Whether or not the Mets' bullpen includes Senga, Stearns sees options among the returning arms.
"I give Devin (Williams) a lot of credit for working his tail off to getting back here and being able to pitch a couple games in September," Stearns said of Williams (right shoulder strain) returning from a late-season stint on the injured list to make two relief appearances. "I think that was important for us. It was important for Devin. He's now going to have a completely normal offseason. He's healthy, he feels great and we expect him to be a big part in the back end of the bullpen going forward.
"We also feel really good about some of the younger guys who stepped up in a big way over the last two months, whether that's aNate Lavenderor (Dedniel Núñez) coming back or (Daniel) Duarte taking some leverage innings. We saw flashes from (Jefry) Yan that make you believe that there's a level in there that he can be one of the better left-handed relievers in baseball. Again, we need to see consistency, and we recognize that, and there's inevitable volatility in bullpens. But I think what we saw out of that group collectively was very encouraging."
Garrett and Megill are set to enter the spring at 100 percent after missing the 2026 season due to surgeries in 2025, Stearns said.
"They've both been around the team over the last couple weeks," Stearns said. "Great to see them. We expect them to be full go in spring training."
Stearns did not say whether Megill, a starter before he went down with his injury, would be a reliever when asked.
"I think he's going to come and compete, and we believe he can contribute on the team," Stearns said of Megill, who is a career 26-26 with a 4.46 ERA in 88 games (81 starts). "He'll ramp up for starter workload over the offseason and come to spring training, compete."
Young, who sustained a concussion in the past two weeks, is doing "well" after the "scary" incident against the Philadelphia Phillies.
"Concussions are serious, and obviously that was as ugly as it gets on a baseball field and scary," Stearns said of Young, who slashed .266/.330/.429 with nine home runs and 39 RBI in 103 games. "Right now, everything seems to be going well. But concussions are serious, and we've got to see how this goes."
The Mets added to the front office this past week when they hired Falvey as their senior advisor for baseball operations.
"Derek's in the office today," Stearns said. "He's up and going. Derek, in my estimation, is one of the better executives in our sport. He's got a tremendous amount of experience. He's touched every aspect of baseball operations over the course of his career. He ran the business side in Minnesota as well. So, I think he's going to help us everywhere. He's a great thought partner, can provide some different life experiences and different perspectives, and I'm thrilled that he's on board right now."
Falvey's career includes stints in the front offices of the Cleveland Guardians (2008-16) and Minnesota Twins (2017-26).
"I think you can add to front offices in a variety of different ways," Stearns said. "I think the important part is getting people here who are ready to contribute and want to contribute and can offer us perspectives that will help."
Stearns did not "close the door on" adding to the front office further.
"There's always executive movement in October," Stearns said. "I'm open to adding, as I've always been, if we find the right complements and the right people. So, I wouldn't close the door on anything right now."
Staff movement
Andy Green is the Mets' full-time manager, and "conversations on" his coaching staff will come in the near future.
"Andy and I are going to have conversations on that this week, and we'll get to a decision point here over the next week or so," Stearns said.
"I think the manager is always an integral part of that, and I think Andy did a really nice job creating an environment that facilitated that level of connection," Stearns said. "I also think players are responsible for that, and both the players we had here and the younger players and the Triple-A players who joined after the deadline made real effort of that and I'm appreciative of that."
October baseball always has a funny way of bringing old enemies together, only this time there’s a change of address.
One year after the Chicago Cubs eliminated the San Diego Padres in three games at Wrigley Field in the 2025 National League Wild Card Series, the two teams will meet again in a rematch Tuesday night at Petco Park.
The Cubs won five of six meetings between the teams this season, including a football score of 23-3 back in July. The Cubs also bring baseball’s most productive offense, an extraordinary defense, and the likely NL MVP in Pete Crow-Armstrong.
But July 1 is in the past. The Padres caught fire during the final two months of the season, finishing with the best record in baseball over their final 59 games at 41-18, earning the right to have the sequel held at Petco Park.
Shota Imanaga celebrates in the clubhouse after clinching a National League wild card postseason spot following a baseball game against the Miami Marlins. AP Photo/Melissa TamezChicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong acknowledges the crowd after stealing second base during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Here’s how the California Post views the matchup this season:
Cubs offense vs. Padres pitching
Advantage: Padres
The Cubs can rake. They led the majors in OPS and the NL in homers this season. Crow-Armstrong was a gold glove-caliber centerfielder and a 40-40 wrecking ball on offense. Alex Bregman, in his first season with the Cubs, has been bludgeoning opponents. He returned from taking a foul ball off the face by going 4-for-4 with two homers in Chicago’s final game of the regular season on Sunday.
However, the Padres possess the weapon that everyone in the postseason wants: a lights out bullpen. It essentially shrinks the game from nine innings to six when you have three relievers capable of dominating the opposing lineup.
If San Diego has questions, it’s their starting pitching. Michael King is expected to start Game 1 on Tuesday after a 3.21 ERA this season. The Padres just need him to get through six innings with the lead so they can hand the ball to Adrian Morejon, Bradgley Rodriguez and Mason Miller to close it out.
The Cubs’ offense has a simple mission: damage the Padres starter and knock him out of the game before the bullpen door swings open with any of the aforementioned relievers.
Mason Miller of the San Diego Padres earns a save in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Getty Images
Padres offense vs. Cubs pitching
Advantage: Padres
San Diego’s offense lacked a spark in the first half of the season. At one point they were 50-53 on July 23 and on the outside looking in of the MLB Playoffs. But then Fernando Tatis Jr. found his power, and Jackson Merrill started to look like the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year runner-up again.
At the same time the Padres offense flipped the power switch, the Cubs starting rotation started to sputter. Kevin Gausman, acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline, has an injury to his non-throwing shoulder and his availability is in question. Matthew Boyd offers stability, as does Shota Imanga, but the Cubs’ greatest weapon might be their defense behind their starters. Chicago’s defense this season has been spectacular and that can only breathe confidence into their starting staff as the series develops.
Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres celebrates with Fernando Tatis Jr. after hitting a three-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Getty Images
Four keys to the series
1. It’s Miller Time!
The absolute worst place the Cubs want to find themselves is trailing going into the top of the ninth inning. Because that’s when Miller, one of baseball’s most overpowering relievers, is at his absolute best.
On the bright side, the Cubs have had previous success against Miller, but voluntarily making him the obstacle standing in the way between you and advancing to the NLDS is not the best way to spend the end of September.
2. PCA’s MVP season needs to turn into October stardom
Crow-Armstrong’s 2025 postseason was forgettable: .185 with no extra-base hits in 29 plate appearances against San Diego and Milwaukee.
His 2026 regular season saw him become a 40-40 superstar and the likely NL MVP. PCA is a game-changer with his bat, legs, or glove. The playoffs is now his opportunity to introduce this year’s version of himself to the world. For the Cubs to advance, PCA will need to be the MVP of the series.
3. Throw away the regular season
The Cubs can have confidence going into the Wild Card series knowing that they dominated the Padres during the regular season, but it can’t give them false security.
As we’ve seen in the past, including when the Brewers swept the Dodgers in six games in the 2025 regular season, only to see Los Angeles sweep Milwaukee in four games in the NLCS, regular season success doesn’t translate to the postseason.
The Padres team that lost five of six to Chicago before the All-Star break is not the same team that will be waiting at Petco Park.
San Diego’s lineup improved dramatically, the pitching staff stabilized and the Padres arrive playing their best baseball.
The rearview mirror is useful. You just can’t drive while staring into it.
4. Make home field matter
This is the most significant reversal from last October.
San Diego had to win at Wrigley. Now Chicago has to survive a Petco Park crowd that has turned the Gaslamp into one of baseball’s loudest October stages.
Home field doesn’t swing a bat, but in a three-game series, familiarity matters. So does adrenaline.
San Diego Padres players acknowledge the fans after the Padres beat the Diamondbacks at Petco Park in San Diego, California, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Prediction:
The Cubs are talented both offensively and defensively to win this series, but the Padres arrive as the hotter team and have the better bullpen and home field advantage.
Chicago took the series in three games last season, but the sequel feels like it’s San Diego’s turn.
Prediction: Padres in three
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 28: General Manager Chris Young of the Texas Rangers looks on prior to Game Two of the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Globe Life Field on October 28, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Texas Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young addressed the media today in the wake of the team’s disappointing 80-82 finish.
I am not sure if this was broadcast live or not, but if it was, I didn’t hear it, because I was busy working. I haven’t seen the DMN or the Rangers website put up any stories about Young’s comments yet, as I’m typing this, but the beats did live-tweet things.
Young said, per the beats, that the Rangers have not exuded enough “toughness and [] grit” the past few seasons, and that has shown in the team’s poor road performance. Young said, per the beats, that “[t]here are some things we need to change in terms of bringing out that grit and toughness . . . that it takes for a team to go on the road, into an opposing city and play in front of opposing fans.”
This year, across MLB, home teams won 52.9% of games, and away teams won 47.1% of games. Last year, it was 54.3% and 45.7% across MLB. The Rangers in 2025 won 59.3% of their home games and 40.7% of their road games, and in 2026 won 55.6% of their home games and 43.2% of their road games. I’m not sure if the issue is grit or toughness or something else, but the Rangers have underperformed on the road the past two years (or overperformed at home).
Something else that jumped out at me is Young saying that the team needs to be more athletic, needs be better defensively and on the basepaths, needs to be younger. I thought that was an interesting comment.
Back in June, I wrote about how the Rangers were epically unsuccessful in going from first to third in the first half of this season. The extreme station-to-station aspect of their baserunning, along with their miserable performance in bases loaded situations (a 549 OPS in 139 plate appearances with the bases loaded, compared to a 746 OPS leaguewide) were two of the biggest reasons why the Rangers’ run scored lagged behind what their overall offensive performance would have suggested that they should have scored.
But its worth asking how it is that the Rangers ended up with a group of position players that are not particularly athletic or good defensively or on the basepaths.
Let’s look at the position player moves the team has made over the past two years, since the end of 2024.
In December, 2024, they signed catcher Kyle Higashioka. Higashioka turned 35 in April of 2025, and wasn’t (and still isn’t) particularly fast or athletic, even for a catcher — he was 62nd out of 83 catchers in sprint speed in 2025, and 76th out of 87 catchers in sprint speed in 2026.
Also in December, 2024, they traded three players for Jake Burger to replace Nathaniel Lowe at first base, desiring more power at the position. Burger is actually just a little below average in sprint speed among MLB players, but he isn’t going to be described by anyone as particularly athletic, or gifted defensively or as a baserunner, and despite how little major league experience he has, he turns 31 at the beginning of 2027.
At the end of December, they signed Joc Pederson to a free agent deal, in what was really the one major move they made in an effort to upgrade the offense. Regardless of the merits of making your big offseason position player move the signing of a platoon DH to a big contract, Pederson — signed for his age 33 and age 34 seasons — is near the bottom of the league in terms of athleticism, defense, and baserunning.
They did add the 36 year old Kevin Pillar as a bench player. He was, once upon a time, a very athletic player, a quality defender and baserunner. There was still some athleticism there, I think, but it was hard to notice when he was slashing .209/.209/.256. I don’t think I realize until now he never ended up drawing a walk in 2025.
There was also Sam Haggerty off the bench, and he had a little of that speed and athleticism Young was talking about, but he was also a role player, and though he came back in 2026, he got quickly released because he couldn’t hit.
When Jake Burger got hurt, and the team needed to get someone to play first base, they signed free agent Rowdy Tellez, who, well…let’s put it this way. In 2025, there were 579 players with at least 10 opportunities for Statcast to measure their sprint speeds. Tellez was faster than two of them — Sam Huff and Martin Maldonado — and tied with Giancarlo Stanton. The other 575 players were ahead of Tellez.
Come the 2025-26 offseason, once again, the Rangers only made one really big move in regards to the lineup: they traded Marcus Semien to the Mets for Brandon Nimmo. Again, whatever the other motivations and positives that deal provides, its a downgrade in terms of speed, athleticism and defense.
And they added 39 year old Andrew McCutchen, who once upon a team fit the speed/defense/athleticism mold, but not in 2026.
They did add Danny Jansen, who probably has above-average athleticism for a catcher. Then when Jansen and Higashioka got sidelined they signed Einar Diaz out of the free agent scrap heap. Fun fact — Diaz was 80th in sprint speed out of 87 catchers in 2026, one of the few catchers actually slower than Higashioka.
No wonder the organization was so excited about Nicky Lopez’s presence — he’s not, at this stage in his career, someone who is elite in terms of speed or athleticism or defense, but he’s average to a little above in those categories, and on this team, it makes him look like Jim Thorpe.
If you’re identifying position players who you think of as regulars or semi-regulars on the Rangers, Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, and Ezequiel Duran are the only three who you fit that triumvirate of attributes Young says the team needs. Of course, Carter and Langford also have not been able to stay healthy — and one of the other things that Young said that the team needed to improve upon is its health.
Otherwise…Corey Seager is Corey Seager. You know what he is. Josh Jung is not particularly athletic, is slow, has regressed defensively, and can’t stay healthy. Justin Foscue is much the same.
Here’s the thing that kind of stuck with me when I read those quotes from Young today, though, that prompted me to sit here and pound out what is now over 1000 words on the topic.
If you feel, Chris, that the Rangers are not young enough, not athletic enough, not good enough defensively, then whose fault is that?
How did it happen?
How is it that you would put together a lineup on the position player side over the past two years with moves that have prioritized the team going after primarily older, slower, unathletic players who are limited defensively, and then act surprised that your team is not athletic enough and not good enough on the basepaths and not good enough defensively?
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Julius Randle #30 of the Brooklyn Nets speaks during a press conference at Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 2026 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If we learned anything at Media Day this year, it’s that the Brooklyn Nets aren’t very good at golf. When Julius Randle hit the links with Mikel Brown Jr. and few other Nets youngsters this summer, he came to that realization quickly.
“Third hole in, they were trying to take their shirts off, and it’s just like, they didn’t understand golf etiquette,” Randle said. “Mikel broke a club, a driver, on one of the holes. So I learned really fast that I’m dealing with kids.”
“Shirtless golfing? Julius said that?,” Brown Jr. later remarked. “I’m going to talk to him. Don’t worry about it. That is not true.”
“Yeah, we broke a couple of clubs just, because we got stronger this summer,” a grinning Egor Dëmin later said. “The swing is not getting better. Yeah, it’s just been kind of a struggle over there, but good thing it’s not what we do. Good thing for us and for others.”
Indeed, that’s not the sport Dëmin and his teammates specialize in. That would be basketball. Unlike golf, it’s fast, more focused on physicality, and about the team rather than the individual. That’s exactly how this year’s interview and photoshoot extravaganza was today as well.
Health & Team Building Tendencies
Sean Marks and Jordi Fernández were first to address reporters at HSS Training Center. They didn’t waste time giving up the biggest news of the day, reporting early on that Brown Jr. rolled his ankle last week. Marks said he’d need to be “ramped up” in training camp but that they “don’t expect him to miss considerable time.” He also said Nolan Traoré, who had his knee scoped this summer, would also need to ramp up, but is good to go by all other accounts. Grant Nelson, who also had a minor knee issues over the summer, is a “full go,” according to Marks. Nelson in fact has been seen scrimmaging with teammates in videos posted on social media in recent days.
“Physically, those guys are ready for camp,” he said. “Nolan will be ramped up a little bit through camp, but I don’t see him missing any days. Grant, same way. Grant is full go now.”
“My knee is completely fine now,” Traoré, who also weighed in 10 pounds heavier and an inch taller than he did last year, later said. “I’m fully here, so there’s no concern.”
A noticeably-beefed up Nolan Traore said his knee is 100% as the Nets open training camp. pic.twitter.com/LQUR6CGdGW
Once they got that out of the way, Marks and Fernández continued to echo what we’ve heard from them in the past handful of months: they value flexibility and look forward to continuing this rebuild project.
“It’s exciting that we’ve been able to add this youth to this team, watch these guys develop,” Marks said. “I think we’ve always said over the course of the last couple of years, it’s like we’re looking for the next Nets. Who are those guys? So we have a training camp and another year to figure this out as we build.”
When asked what the team needs to do warrant an “all-in,” aggressive move that elevates the roster, Marks mentioned the developmental pace of those players and how that coincides with the free agent or trade market.
“It’s going to be on how these guys develop, whether it’s Egor, whether it’s Nolan, or whether it’s Julius,” he said. “It runs the gamut, right across the whole lot of them. Who can take that next step? But then, it’s also a combination of what becomes available. I can’t predict when players from other teams become available, what free agency looks like down the road, and so forth. I think that’s where you just keep your flexibility.
“We’re always listening. I’m not sure we’re going to be any more active than we have been in the past, but it doesn’t mean we’re not listening. It doesn’t mean we’re not shaking trees and seeing what’s out there, for sure.”
MPJ’s Contract Situation
Whether or not Michael Porter Jr. will be a part of that long term plan remains to be seen. The forward coming off his best campaign as a pro is on the last year of his contract. Expectedly, Marks declined to comment on extension negotiations, only stating that they’re ongoing and in no rush to end them.
“I’ll leave the negotiations internal,” he said. “That’s obviously between the Nets, Mike and his agent, but I think they’re ongoing. The dialogue is ongoing, I think. But again, we are in no hurry to do this. I don’t think he’s in any particular hurry either.”
Marks later added that to in order commit to Porter Jr. as a long term piece, he’d like to see him round out his game a bit more by widening his skillset on the court while being a mentor off of it.
“I think for us, we’re looking for consistency from him,” he said. “We’re looking for him to take another step on the defensive end of it, and rebounding of it. Just become more of a complete player on the court. The other one is the intangibles, right? That’s important for us in the locker room. This goes for all the guys, specifically the guys who are a little bit older, who have seen it, been around a little bit, what’s their leadership look like? Mike knows that. We’re expecting big things from not only him, but Mo [Wagner], Keon [Ellis] and Julius, the guys we brought in who have seen other environments.”
“It might sound strange, but it’s literally not on my mind at all,” Porter Jr said of the contract situation. “I hired a great agent (Mark Bartelstein) and I know him and Sean, they’ve been speaking, but for me, I’m just excited to play basketball. I never was a dude who played basketball for a big contract or for the money. So for me, I’m just excited to play with these guys, be in Brooklyn, and build this organization as one of the leaders. I’ve voiced that I would love to be in Brooklyn and that I’m enjoying playing with these guys, and I think we’ll be a lot better this year, obviously.”
Porter Jr. also said he’s excited to play with Randle, viewing him as someone who’ll be able to open things up for him and vice versa in return. He also praised Dëmin for his work in the gym, as well as Brown Jr.’s maturity.
“He’s super dedicated to his craft,” Porter Jr. said. “It doesn’t feel like he’s a rookie when he’s in the locker room, when he’s on the court.”
🎙️ Michael Porter Jr. on Egor Dëmin’s growth, confidence and work heading into Year 2 pic.twitter.com/VP67VLjY1r
MPJ also mentioned that he wants to be the best off-the-ball player in the NBA this year. He wants the team to set high expectations for themselves, even if they’re well beyond what appears within their reach, and even they takes them beyond our atmosphere.
“I do genuinely believe that you’re supposed to go out on the floor every night with delusional confidence and compete to win,” said Porter Jr., who recently predicted a 50+ win season for Brooklyn. “I do think that we have the players, that every single night, our goal should be to win. Obviously, the NBA is stacked right now. The Eastern Conference is stacked. There’s a lot of good teams, but we definitely did nothing but get better last year, and I think that there were a lot of games that we were in last year that we could have won. So for me, it’s like we have no choice but to go up, and why not shoot for the stars?
“[O]f course I’m not going to say, ‘No, we can’t win 50 games.’ And I do genuinely believe that you’re supposed to go out on the floor every night with delusional confidence and compete to win. And I do think that we have the players that every single night our goal should be to win and we can win.:
He was not alone in the 50-win club either. Terance Mann, one of the team’s other veterans, revealed that 50 wins is a team goal.
“I mean, that’s the goal from day one,” said Mann. “We said our goal is to get 50 wins. So you’re going to have to go in there with the mentality that we’re going to get 50 wins. And that’s through the guys with years leading that. Most of us came from winning situations, so we know what it takes and that’s just what we’re going to do.”
Young Dogs, Old Tricks
Beyond contracts and cracked clubs, much of the conversation on Media Day continued to center around Brooklyn’s young players. Porter Jr. and Randle weren’t the only veterans to notice their youthful nature, yet mature approach to the game
“Extremely competitive, extremely hardworking,” Wagner said of the group. “This is the hardest I’ve worked in the summertime with an organization, and the young guys obviously take lead on that. It’s great timing in my career after my injury to come here, be challenged on a whole another level physically and extremely excited to build a bridge towards winning here.”
Keon Ellis shouted out Drake Powell when asked about the team’s top defensive prospects, calling him one of Brooklyn’s better prospects at that end of the floor.
“I love the way he guards,” Ellis said. “He’s picking up full, guarding with his chest and not fouling a lot.”
Joshua Jefferson seems to have found a veteran to model his game after, also Randle. Both players are 6’9” forwards who can handle, shoot the rock and make an impact on the glass. Jefferson says he’s already tried to learn as much as he can from his new, hopefully friendlier, Hal Jordan in Randle.
“I’ve been able to ask him a couple questions about what he looks for,” Jefferson said. “I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned so far is the point of emphasis on his physicality, when he’s initiating contact and then getting to what he wants to get to. Something I’ve learned, is to not do finesse every single time, just a mix of finesse and physicality within my game. I’m excited to keep on learning from him.”
Once the laughter subsided after Randle explained Brown Jr. and Dëmin’s golf etiquette, or lack thereof, he also praised for the pair and Brooklyn’s broader youth movement.
“I learned they’re kids, man, but they’re so eager to learn and get better,” he said. “They’re obviously really, really talented, extremely talented, but they have a competitive nature, being around them early, and just a hunger to get better…
“Usually when you’re a young player, you want to try to get a basket every single time, but [Mikel’s] coming off a pick-and-roll and really understands how to read and play the game. And Egor does the same. Egor can really shoot the ball. He’s 6’9″, athletic, moves really well with and without the ball. He really understands how to play the game. So, these guys are going to be great for a long time.“
Mikel Brown Jr. Begins His Journey
Brooklyn’s top pick this year got behind the podium closer to the end of the day. He sounded even less concerned over his rolled ankle than Marks.
“I’m doing everything possible to get back on the floor, and I’m back on the floor shooting and moving around a little bit,” Brown Jr. said. “It’s coming along well. I’ve progressed very fast. We’re just attacking it. We’re attacking the rehab and taking it a day at a time.”
Brown Jr. was even more confident when speaking about his transition to the NBA level, once more referring to himself as a “savant” and expressing trust in his own ability to learn and process things quickly on the court.
“Honestly, it hasn’t been too much of a transition for me just because of who I am. I’m a savant when it comes to that stuff,” he said, raising a few eyebrows. “So, anything that they really throw at me is not really just a surprise. It’s more about the terminology on how they word it. I’ll say that. But I mean, it’s been easy for me. It hasn’t been such a big transition just because I’m constantly studying and the coaches are helping me as well. I watch film with the coaches every single day.”
For his rookie year goals, Brown Jr. only mentioned winning, noting that as a priority above any accolades. He also wants to turn the ball over less this season.
“That’s something that I definitely looked at during this pre-draft process and something that I’m continuing to cut down,” Brown Jr. said. “And honestly, any read that I think I’m going to make, I’m thinking it’s going to be the right read and if it goes bad, it goes bad. It’s just the flow of the game…I’m a high-risk, high-reward guy. I know sometimes it’s better to hit the single, that’s what I’ve been talking to my coaches about, and I’ve gotten better at that. So, at the end of the day, it’s taking them one day at a time and one game at a time.”
Egor Dëmin & The Flatbush Five Continue Theirs
Dëmin’s development this offseason has been well-documented, primarily with his stellar play in Summer League. He touched on his growth, in terms of his on-court capabilities and physical frame, early.
“I’ve been always saying, once I get stronger, it’s going to be different for me,” Dëmin said. “It might sound as an excuse, but I truly believe that the stronger I’m going to get, the better player I’m going to be, because skill-wise, I can work on that stuff every day, but if somebody in front of me is way stronger than me, I can’t go through him.”
Dëmin came in at 212 pounds today, up just two from what he came in at last year. He said he’ll define “play bigger” primarily at the defensive end this year, where he’ll want to be able to go out and guard an opposing team’s best player. That said, he also wants to attack the rim more, like how he did in Las Vegas.
“This year, what I’m emphasizing is getting to the lane, getting to the paint, which is going to open up so much more opportunities for [catch and shoot type plays],” he said. “Being able to create, not just for myself, but for others, having opportunities for passes, playing in transition and playing fast basketball. With gravities like Mike, Julius, Mikel, and not just gravities, but also having them on the court helps a lot. Obviously, when you know that I pass, whoever it is on the floor, I know that the ball’s going to go in.”
Dëmin later called Brown Jr. “my brother,” explaining that they’ve forged a tight bond despite having only known each other for a few months.
“I think my goal is to make this group not just coworkers with each other, but being actual friends,” Dëmin said of Brown Jr., who’s only three months younger. “I’m not going to say ‘family’ because it’s a strong word to use. And when you become a family, I think that’s where you become a championship contender, but I think becoming friends is very important. So, that’s my goal for the season, not just with Mikel, but everybody else.”
Saraf and Powell echoed Dëmin’s emphasis on team camaraderie. When asked about the expanded guard rotation and the limited minutes available, they both framed the competition as an opportunity for the group to push one another.
“I think the healthy competition part only makes us better, and ready to go out and compete when we have games,” Powell said.
“For me, I think it’s only going to help for the team,” Saraf added. “It’s always good when you have a healthy competition. I think it pushes everyone to to be their best version of themselves. Then, it’s going to help us as a team, of course.
Saraf spent most of the 2025-26 campaign on Long Island. However, Traoré and Powell each had extensive stints out there as well.
“To speak for me, I feel like I’m ready for the competition,” Saraf added. “Everybody needs to fight for his minutes, and I’m ready for it.”
Nelson, asked about his summer, which was spent in rehab, said he had focused on his shooting mechanics, adding that he feels more confident now that he had.
What’s Coming Next
That’ll all begin tomorrow for Saraf and company, with Nets training camp officially kicking off Tuesday morning. A week later, they’ll play their first preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Brooklyn will play three more preseason games on October 9th, 12th, and 14th. They’ll need to shave their roster down to 15 standard contracts before the official start of the season at 5 p.m. EST on October 19th. Then, it’s game time, two days later on October 21st.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 28: Julius Randle #30 of the Brooklyn Nets speaks during a press conference at Brooklyn Nets Media Day at Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on September 28, 2026 in New York City. 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 Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If we learned anything at Media Day this year, it’s that the Brooklyn Nets aren’t very good at golf. When Julius Randle hit the links with Mikel Brown Jr. and few other Nets youngsters this summer, he came to that realization quickly.
“Third hole in, they were trying to take their shirts off, and it’s just like, they didn’t understand golf etiquette,” Randle said. “Mikel broke a club, a driver, on one of the holes. So I learned really fast that I’m dealing with kids.”
“Shirtless golfing? Julius said that?,” Brown Jr. later remarked. “I’m going to talk to him. Don’t worry about it. That is not true.”
“Yeah, we broke a couple of clubs just, because we got stronger this summer,” a grinning Egor Dëmin later said. “The swing is not getting better. Yeah, it’s just been kind of a struggle over there, but good thing it’s not what we do. Good thing for us and for others.”
Indeed, that’s not the sport Dëmin and his teammates specialize in. That would be basketball. Unlike golf, it’s fast, more focused on physicality, and about the team rather than the individual. That’s exactly how this year’s interview and photoshoot extravaganza was today as well.
Health & Team Building Tendencies
Sean Marks and Jordi Fernández were first to address reporters at HSS Training Center. They didn’t waste time giving up the biggest news of the day, reporting early on that Brown Jr. rolled his ankle last week. Marks said he’d need to be “ramped up” in training camp but that they “don’t expect him to miss considerable time.” He also said Nolan Traoré, who had his knee scoped this summer, would also need to ramp up, but is good to go by all other accounts. Grant Nelson, who also had a minor knee issues over the summer, is a “full go,” according to Marks. Nelson in fact has been seen scrimmaging with teammates in videos posted on social media in recent days.
“Physically, those guys are ready for camp,” he said. “Nolan will be ramped up a little bit through camp, but I don’t see him missing any days. Grant, same way. Grant is full go now.”
“My knee is completely fine now,” Traoré, who also weighed in 10 pounds heavier and an inch taller than he did last year, later said. “I’m fully here, so there’s no concern.”
A noticeably-beefed up Nolan Traore said his knee is 100% as the Nets open training camp. pic.twitter.com/LQUR6CGdGW
Once they got that out of the way, Marks and Fernández continued to echo what we’ve heard from them in the past handful of months: they value flexibility and look forward to continuing this rebuild project.
“It’s exciting that we’ve been able to add this youth to this team, watch these guys develop,” Marks said. “I think we’ve always said over the course of the last couple of years, it’s like we’re looking for the next Nets. Who are those guys? So we have a training camp and another year to figure this out as we build.”
When asked what the team needs to do warrant an “all-in,” aggressive move that elevates the roster, Marks mentioned the developmental pace of those players and how that coincides with the free agent or trade market.
“It’s going to be on how these guys develop, whether it’s Egor, whether it’s Nolan, or whether it’s Julius,” he said. “It runs the gamut, right across the whole lot of them. Who can take that next step? But then, it’s also a combination of what becomes available. I can’t predict when players from other teams become available, what free agency looks like down the road, and so forth. I think that’s where you just keep your flexibility.
“We’re always listening. I’m not sure we’re going to be any more active than we have been in the past, but it doesn’t mean we’re not listening. It doesn’t mean we’re not shaking trees and seeing what’s out there, for sure.”
MPJ’s Contract Situation
Whether or not Michael Porter Jr. will be a part of that long term plan remains to be seen. The forward coming off his best campaign as a pro is on the last year of his contract. Expectedly, Marks declined to comment on extension negotiations, only stating that they’re ongoing and in no rush to end them.
“I’ll leave the negotiations internal,” he said. “That’s obviously between the Nets, Mike and his agent, but I think they’re ongoing. The dialogue is ongoing, I think. But again, we are in no hurry to do this. I don’t think he’s in any particular hurry either.”
Marks later added that to in order commit to Porter Jr. as a long term piece, he’d like to see him round out his game a bit more by widening his skillset on the court while being a mentor off of it.
“I think for us, we’re looking for consistency from him,” he said. “We’re looking for him to take another step on the defensive end of it, and rebounding of it. Just become more of a complete player on the court. The other one is the intangibles, right? That’s important for us in the locker room. This goes for all the guys, specifically the guys who are a little bit older, who have seen it, been around a little bit, what’s their leadership look like? Mike knows that. We’re expecting big things from not only him, but Mo [Wagner], Keon [Ellis] and Julius, the guys we brought in who have seen other environments.”
“It might sound strange, but it’s literally not on my mind at all,” Porter Jr said of the contract situation. “I hired a great agent (Mark Bartelstein) and I know him and Sean, they’ve been speaking, but for me, I’m just excited to play basketball. I never was a dude who played basketball for a big contract or for the money. So for me, I’m just excited to play with these guys, be in Brooklyn, and build this organization as one of the leaders. I’ve voiced that I would love to be in Brooklyn and that I’m enjoying playing with these guys, and I think we’ll be a lot better this year, obviously.”
Porter Jr. also said he’s excited to play with Randle, viewing him as someone who’ll be able to open things up for him and vice versa in return. He also praised Dëmin for his work in the gym, as well as Brown Jr.’s maturity.
“He’s super dedicated to his craft,” Porter Jr. said. “It doesn’t feel like he’s a rookie when he’s in the locker room, when he’s on the court.”
🎙️ Michael Porter Jr. on Egor Dëmin’s growth, confidence and work heading into Year 2 pic.twitter.com/VP67VLjY1r
MPJ also mentioned that he wants to be the best off-the-ball player in the NBA this year. He wants the team to set high expectations for themselves, even if they’re well beyond what appears within their reach, and even they takes them beyond our atmosphere.
“I do genuinely believe that you’re supposed to go out on the floor every night with delusional confidence and compete to win,” said Porter Jr., who recently predicted a 50+ win season for Brooklyn. “I do think that we have the players, that every single night, our goal should be to win. Obviously, the NBA is stacked right now. The Eastern Conference is stacked. There’s a lot of good teams, but we definitely did nothing but get better last year, and I think that there were a lot of games that we were in last year that we could have won. So for me, it’s like we have no choice but to go up, and why not shoot for the stars?
“[O]f course I’m not going to say, ‘No, we can’t win 50 games.’ And I do genuinely believe that you’re supposed to go out on the floor every night with delusional confidence and compete to win. And I do think that we have the players that every single night our goal should be to win and we can win.:
He was not alone in the 50-win club either. Terance Mann, one of the team’s other veterans, revealed that 50 wins is a team goal.
“I mean, that’s the goal from day one,” said Mann. “We said our goal is to get 50 wins. So you’re going to have to go in there with the mentality that we’re going to get 50 wins. And that’s through the guys with years leading that. Most of us came from winning situations, so we know what it takes and that’s just what we’re going to do.”
Young Dogs, Old Tricks
Beyond contracts and cracked clubs, much of the conversation on Media Day continued to center around Brooklyn’s young players. Porter Jr. and Randle weren’t the only veterans to notice their youthful nature, yet mature approach to the game
“Extremely competitive, extremely hardworking,” Wagner said of the group. “This is the hardest I’ve worked in the summertime with an organization, and the young guys obviously take lead on that. It’s great timing in my career after my injury to come here, be challenged on a whole another level physically and extremely excited to build a bridge towards winning here.”
Keon Ellis shouted out Drake Powell when asked about the team’s top defensive prospects, calling him one of Brooklyn’s better prospects at that end of the floor.
“I love the way he guards,” Ellis said. “He’s picking up full, guarding with his chest and not fouling a lot.”
Joshua Jefferson seems to have found a veteran to model his game after, also Randle. Both players are 6’9” forwards who can handle, shoot the rock and make an impact on the glass. Jefferson says he’s already tried to learn as much as he can from his new, hopefully friendlier, Hal Jordan in Randle.
“I’ve been able to ask him a couple questions about what he looks for,” Jefferson said. “I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned so far is the point of emphasis on his physicality, when he’s initiating contact and then getting to what he wants to get to. Something I’ve learned, is to not do finesse every single time, just a mix of finesse and physicality within my game. I’m excited to keep on learning from him.”
Once the laughter subsided after Randle explained Brown Jr. and Dëmin’s golf etiquette, or lack thereof, he also praised for the pair and Brooklyn’s broader youth movement.
“I learned they’re kids, man, but they’re so eager to learn and get better,” he said. “They’re obviously really, really talented, extremely talented, but they have a competitive nature, being around them early, and just a hunger to get better…
“Usually when you’re a young player, you want to try to get a basket every single time, but [Mikel’s] coming off a pick-and-roll and really understands how to read and play the game. And Egor does the same. Egor can really shoot the ball. He’s 6’9″, athletic, moves really well with and without the ball. He really understands how to play the game. So, these guys are going to be great for a long time.“
Mikel Brown Jr. Begins His Journey
Brooklyn’s top pick this year got behind the podium closer to the end of the day. He sounded even less concerned over his rolled ankle than Marks.
“I’m doing everything possible to get back on the floor, and I’m back on the floor shooting and moving around a little bit,” Brown Jr. said. “It’s coming along well. I’ve progressed very fast. We’re just attacking it. We’re attacking the rehab and taking it a day at a time.”
Brown Jr. was even more confident when speaking about his transition to the NBA level, once more referring to himself as a “savant” and expressing trust in his own ability to learn and process things quickly on the court.
“Honestly, it hasn’t been too much of a transition for me just because of who I am. I’m a savant when it comes to that stuff,” he said, raising a few eyebrows. “So, anything that they really throw at me is not really just a surprise. It’s more about the terminology on how they word it. I’ll say that. But I mean, it’s been easy for me. It hasn’t been such a big transition just because I’m constantly studying and the coaches are helping me as well. I watch film with the coaches every single day.”
For his rookie year goals, Brown Jr. only mentioned winning, noting that as a priority above any accolades. He also wants to turn the ball over less this season.
“That’s something that I definitely looked at during this pre-draft process and something that I’m continuing to cut down,” Brown Jr. said. “And honestly, any read that I think I’m going to make, I’m thinking it’s going to be the right read and if it goes bad, it goes bad. It’s just the flow of the game…I’m a high-risk, high-reward guy. I know sometimes it’s better to hit the single, that’s what I’ve been talking to my coaches about, and I’ve gotten better at that. So, at the end of the day, it’s taking them one day at a time and one game at a time.”
Egor Dëmin & The Flatbush Five Continue Theirs
Dëmin’s development this offseason has been well-documented, primarily with his stellar play in Summer League. He touched on his growth, in terms of his on-court capabilities and physical frame, early.
“I’ve been always saying, once I get stronger, it’s going to be different for me,” Dëmin said. “It might sound as an excuse, but I truly believe that the stronger I’m going to get, the better player I’m going to be, because skill-wise, I can work on that stuff every day, but if somebody in front of me is way stronger than me, I can’t go through him.”
Dëmin came in at 212 pounds today, up just two from what he came in at last year. He said he’ll define “play bigger” primarily at the defensive end this year, where he’ll want to be able to go out and guard an opposing team’s best player. That said, he also wants to attack the rim more, like how he did in Las Vegas.
“This year, what I’m emphasizing is getting to the lane, getting to the paint, which is going to open up so much more opportunities for [catch and shoot type plays],” he said. “Being able to create, not just for myself, but for others, having opportunities for passes, playing in transition and playing fast basketball. With gravities like Mike, Julius, Mikel, and not just gravities, but also having them on the court helps a lot. Obviously, when you know that I pass, whoever it is on the floor, I know that the ball’s going to go in.”
Dëmin later called Brown Jr. “my brother,” explaining that they’ve forged a tight bond despite having only known each other for a few months.
“I think my goal is to make this group not just coworkers with each other, but being actual friends,” Dëmin said of Brown Jr., who’s only three months younger. “I’m not going to say ‘family’ because it’s a strong word to use. And when you become a family, I think that’s where you become a championship contender, but I think becoming friends is very important. So, that’s my goal for the season, not just with Mikel, but everybody else.”
Saraf and Powell echoed Dëmin’s emphasis on team camaraderie. When asked about the expanded guard rotation and the limited minutes available, they both framed the competition as an opportunity for the group to push one another.
“I think the healthy competition part only makes us better, and ready to go out and compete when we have games,” Powell said.
“For me, I think it’s only going to help for the team,” Saraf added. “It’s always good when you have a healthy competition. I think it pushes everyone to to be their best version of themselves. Then, it’s going to help us as a team, of course.
Saraf spent most of the 2025-26 campaign on Long Island. However, Traoré and Powell each had extensive stints out there as well.
“To speak for me, I feel like I’m ready for the competition,” Saraf added. “Everybody needs to fight for his minutes, and I’m ready for it.”
Nelson, asked about his summer, which was spent in rehab, said he had focused on his shooting mechanics, adding that he feels more confident now that he had.
What’s Coming Next
That’ll all begin tomorrow for Saraf and company, with Nets training camp officially kicking off Tuesday morning. A week later, they’ll play their first preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Brooklyn will play three more preseason games on October 9th, 12th, and 14th. They’ll need to shave their roster down to 15 standard contracts before the official start of the season at 5 p.m. EST on October 19th. Then, it’s game time, two days later on October 21st.
Luka Dončić was nervous before his teammates came to Slovenia.
He had never hosted a mini camp before, let alone asked a bunch of 20 and 30-something-year-old men to travel to Europe for him.
But with nine new players on the Lakers’ roster and the hopes of a 17-time championship franchise on his shoulders, he decided to step outside his comfort zone.
So, he paid for his teammates to come to his home country so they could build chemistry.
Why Slovenia?
Luka Doncic signs autographs for young fans during the Los Angeles Lakers’ visit to Slovenia on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Andrej Tarfila/Shutterstock
He didn’t want to leave his two daughters (two-year-old Gabriela and nine-month-old Olivia), both of whom he shares custody with his ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, who lives in Slovenia.
“Obviously, I was with my daughters,” Doncic said at Lakers media day on Monday. “So we decided that we would bring the team to Slovenia. It was an amazing trip.”
Luka Doncic talks during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, Monday, September 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It deepened their relationships. It helped the Lakers get to know their superstar, who finished fourth in MVP voting last season.
“It was very important for me to show them where I’m from, and I think everybody liked it,” Doncic said. “We had some great time. Just, you know, it was very nice that all of them came, which I know it’s not easy. But that just showed what kind of group we are.”
When Austin Reaves was asked about the trip, he couldn’t help but trash talk Doncic a bit.
“We won the rowing, we won the golf, we won bowling,” Reaves said. “Luka tried to put on a blue shirt when his rowing team lost, which is crazy. But he did host us, so we let him hold the first place trophy for once.”
The Lakers enter training camp Tuesday already having taken an international trip together. They have inside jokes. They feel gratitude for Doncic, who paid for them to share that experience.
It’ll help expedite their biggest challenge next season: gelling.
With so many new faces, the quicker they can bond, develop trust, and learn one another, the faster they’ll be able to compete in the very crowded Western Conference.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket as Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets defends him on Feb. 3, 2026. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
As for Doncic, he made it clear that he’s looking forward to the challenge of being the Lakers’ biggest superstar after LeBron James left for the 76ers in free agency in July.
“I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me,” Doncic said. “But I feel great. I feel excited. And like I said, I’m ready to go. It’s been a long time since I played basketball, so I’m ready.”
Doncic missed all of last postseason after suffering a strained hamstring in April. He said he’s entering training camp healthy and without any restrictions.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I feel rested. Mentally I feel great, so I can’t wait just to start.”
Luka Dončić was nervous before his teammates came to Slovenia.
He had never hosted a mini camp before, let alone asked a bunch of 20 and 30-something-year-old men to travel to Europe for him.
But with nine new players on the Lakers’ roster and the hopes of a 17-time championship franchise on his shoulders, he decided to step outside his comfort zone.
So, he paid for his teammates to come to his home country so they could build chemistry.
Why Slovenia?
Luka Doncic signs autographs for young fans during the Los Angeles Lakers’ visit to Slovenia on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Andrej Tarfila/Shutterstock
He didn’t want to leave his two daughters (two-year-old Gabriela and nine-month-old Olivia), both of whom he shares custody with his ex-fiancée, Anamaria Goltes, who lives in Slovenia.
“Obviously, I was with my daughters,” Doncic said at Lakers media day on Monday. “So we decided that we would bring the team to Slovenia. It was an amazing trip.”
Luka Doncic talks during media day at the UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California, Monday, September 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It deepened their relationships. It helped the Lakers get to know their superstar, who finished fourth in MVP voting last season.
“It was very important for me to show them where I’m from, and I think everybody liked it,” Doncic said. “We had some great time. Just, you know, it was very nice that all of them came, which I know it’s not easy. But that just showed what kind of group we are.”
When Austin Reaves was asked about the trip, he couldn’t help but trash talk Doncic a bit.
“We won the rowing, we won the golf, we won bowling,” Reaves said. “Luka tried to put on a blue shirt when his rowing team lost, which is crazy. But he did host us, so we let him hold the first place trophy for once.”
The Lakers enter training camp Tuesday already having taken an international trip together. They have inside jokes. They feel gratitude for Doncic, who paid for them to share that experience.
It’ll help expedite their biggest challenge next season: gelling.
With so many new faces, the quicker they can bond, develop trust, and learn one another, the faster they’ll be able to compete in the very crowded Western Conference.
Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket as Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets defends him on Feb. 3, 2026. Corey Sipkin for NY Post
As for Doncic, he made it clear that he’s looking forward to the challenge of being the Lakers’ biggest superstar after LeBron James left for the 76ers in free agency in July.
“I was in this position in my career a lot of times, so it’s not new to me,” Doncic said. “But I feel great. I feel excited. And like I said, I’m ready to go. It’s been a long time since I played basketball, so I’m ready.”
Doncic missed all of last postseason after suffering a strained hamstring in April. He said he’s entering training camp healthy and without any restrictions.
“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I feel rested. Mentally I feel great, so I can’t wait just to start.”
With the oncoming start of a new NHL season comes the beginning of milestone countdowns for the Vancouver Canucks. 15 Canucks are currently on track to hit games-played milestones in 2026–27, with the numbers ranging from 100 to 1200.
Six Canucks Could Hit The 100-Game Mark In 2026–27
A total of six Canucks are slated to hit the 100-game mark during the 2026–27 season. The first in line to do so is defenceman Elias Pettersson, who needs only two more games to get to 100. If all goes as planned, this could mean he reaches the mark as early as Vancouver’s home-opener against the Edmonton Oilers on October 1.
After Pettersson on the 100-game trail is Liam Öhgren, who will hit the milestone in his third game of the season — the earliest being October 3 versus the Calgary Flames. Max Sasson is next, with five games to play in before reaching 100 in his career. If he plays in all of Vancouver’s first five games of the year, he’ll hit the mark on October 8 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Three of Vancouver’s young defencemen are also within striking distance of 100 career games. Zeev Buium is currently the closest of the three with 24 to go, with the earliest date of reaching the milestone being November 19 against the Seattle Kraken. Tom Willander is next, requiring 30 games in 2026–27 to hit a career-total of 100. He could hit this mark as early as December 1 against the Washington Capitals.
Finally, if Victor Mancini plays in 45 games through the 2026–27 season, he’ll reach 100 through his NHL career. Playing in all of Vancouver’s first 45 games of the year would see him collect the milestone on January 5 against the New York Islanders, though with Vancouver’s D-core already projected, this is unlikely to happen.
Marco Rossi & Paul Cotter Could Reach 300, Drew O’Connor En Route To 400 Games
The next wave of games-played milestones in regards to the number of games played would see Marco Rossi and Paul Cotter reach 300 career-NHL games and Drew O’Connor reach the 400-game mark.
Of these three, the closest to their respective milestone is Cotter, who is four away from the 300-mark. Beginning the season with the team and skating in all four of their first games would put his 300th-game date on October 4 against the Vegas Golden Knights.
A bigger distance away is Rossi, who is 65 games away from 300 in his NHL career. The forward has only played in more than 65 games twice in his career, though if he can stay healthy, it’s not unreasonable to think he could do it in 2026–27. Playing in all of Vancouver’s games would see Rossi hit this milestone on February 25 against the St. Louis Blues.
Finally, O’Connor will need to play in nearly every game of the 2026–27 season to hit 400 NHL games, as he requires 77 to reach the milestone. The forward has skated in full-seasons for the past two years, even playing in 84 games in 2024–25 due to trades and his team’s schedules. If he remains with the Canucks past the 2026 Trade Deadline, he’ll reach 400 career games with Vancouver on March 25 versus the Golden Knights.
Two Canucks Veterans Are On Pace To Hit 600 NHL Games In 2026–27
Elias Pettersson and Filip Hronek are the two Canucks looking to hit the 600-game mark in 2026–27.
If both players skate in all of Vancouver’s games, Pettersson will be the one to reach the milestone first. The forward skated in his 500th-career NHL game on December 27, 2025 against the San Jose Sharks and became the 29th player to play in all 500 games with Vancouver. If he plays in all 600 games with Vancouver, he’ll be the 17th player in franchise history to do so. Pettersson requires 55 games to get to 600, with the projected date of this mark taking place on January 28 against the Dallas Stars.
Hronek will need a little more time than Pettersson to hit the 600-game mark, as he’ll need a total of 67 before he can reach it. He skated in his 500th-career NHL game on January 19, 2026 against the Islanders. The earliest date Hronek can hit 600 games by during the 2026–27 season is March 3 versus the Chicago Blackhawks.
Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Liam Ohgren (92) and defenseman Filip Hronek (17) and forward Ty Mueller (39) and forward Jake DeBrusk (74) and forward Elias Pettersson (40) and goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) celebrate their victory against the Los Angeles Kings in overtime at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Brock Boeser & Jake DeBrusk Eyeing 700-Career NHL Games Played
If both players remain with the Canucks and skate in all games through 2026–27, Boeser and DeBrusk will hit the 700-career NHL game mark one game away from one-another. Boeser is currently 71 games away from the milestone, while DeBrusk requires one extra with 72 to go.
Boeser hit the 600-game mark on January 17 against the Oilers during the 2025–26 season, becoming the 16th player in franchise history to reach the mark entirely with Vancouver. Playing in all 71 games leading up to the milestone would see the forward reach 700 on March 13 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
DeBrusk reached 600 games only a little more than a week after Boeser did, skating in his 600th on January 29, 2026 against the Anaheim Ducks. Barring any injuries or roster moves, DeBrusk is projected to hit the 700-game mark a day after Boeser, on March 14, when the Canucks take on the Ottawa Senators.
Jamie Oleksiak Is Only 42 Games Away From 800
When Oleksiak signed with the Canucks in free-agency, he automatically became one of the team’s longest-tenured NHL players, second only to fellow defenceman Luke Schenn. Heading into the 2026–27 season, he only needs 42 more games to reach the 800-game mark in his career.
Tracing his previous season’s projections, this should be a reasonable goal for Oleksiak to reach, as he’s skated in more than 42 games throughout his past seven seasons in the NHL. Last season, the defenceman played in 78 games for the Kraken.
The earliest date that Oleksiak can reach the 800-game mark is, ironically enough, against his former team on December 30.
A Near Full-Season Will See Luke Schenn Hit 1200 NHL Games
The Canuck with the biggest potential milestone on the dockett for the 2026–27 season is none-other than now three-time Canucks defenceman Schenn. Currently at 1122 NHL games played, the defenceman is 78 games away from reaching the 1200-game mark in his career. 139 of his current game total has been spent with Vancouver throughout the two other stints he played in.
If he plays in all the Canucks’ games from the start of the season to the 78-game mark, Schenn will hit 1200 against the very team that traded him to Vancouver in his first stint with the team, the Ducks. This game is currently scheduled for March 27 in Vancouver.
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