Mayar, 22, was a graduate student who joined the Mavericks after playing two seasons for Summit League rival North Dakota.
Doing away with traditional leagues could be in MLB's not-too-distant future, Rob Manfred says
Rob Manfred normally does what many fans consider an annoyingly effective job of keeping Major League Baseball's strategic plans out of the public square.
So maybe the MLB commissioner was caught in an unguarded moment, staring down at a diamond from the ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball" booth in the cozy confines of Williamsport, Pa., and the Little League World Series.
Or maybe his comments were calculated. Either way, he spoke freely about how expanding from the current 30 teams could create an ideal chance to reset the way teams are aligned in divisions and leagues.
Manfred was asked on air for a window into the future. Expansion, realignment, both?
"The first two topics are related, in my mind," he replied. "I think if we expand, it provides us with an opportunity to geographically realign. I think we could save a lot of wear and tear on our players in terms of travel. And I think our postseason format would be even more appealing for entities like ESPN, because you'd be playing out of the East and out of the West."
Read more:Rays stadium drama and potential relocation could upend MLB's expansion plans
Taking that thinking to an extreme would put the Dodgers and Angels in a division with, say, the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Las Vegas Athletics and Seattle Mariners.
Would that collection — let's call it the Pacific Division — be part of the American or National League? Maybe neither. Instead, geographic realignment could result in Eastern and Western Conferences similar to the NBA.
Pushback from traditionalists might be vigorous. Call them leagues, call them conferences, geographical realignment would make for some strange bedfellows.
Former MLB player and current MLB Network analyst Cameron Maybin posted on X that making sure the divisions are balanced is more important than geography.
"Manfred's realignment talk isn't just about moving teams around, it tilts playoff balance," Maybin said on X. "Some divisions get watered down others overloaded and rivalries that drive October story lines we love, vanish. Baseball needs competitive integrity not manufactured shakeups."
Manfreds realignment talk isnt just about moving teams around it tilts playoff balance. Some divisions get watered down others overloaded and rivalries that drive October storylines we love, vanish. Baseball needs competitive integrity not manufactured shakeups.
— Cameron Maybin (@CameronMaybin) August 18, 2025
Yet Manfred makes a persuasive argument that grouping teams by geographic location would have its benefits.
"That 10 o'clock time slot where we sometimes get lost in Anaheim would be two West Coast teams," he said. "Then that 10 o'clock spot that's a problem for us becomes an opportunity for our West Coast audience. I think the owners realize there is a demand for Major League Baseball in a lot of great cities, and we have an opportunity to do something good around that expansion process."
Manfred said in February that he'd like expansion to be approved by 2029, his last year as commissioner. MLB hasn't expanded since the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays were added in 1998.
Expansion teams "won't be playing by the time I'm done, but I would like the process along and [locations] selected," Manfred said.
Several cities are courting MLB for a franchise, and the league is reported to be leaning toward Nashville and Salt Lake City as favorites. Portland, Orlando, San Antonio and Charlotte are other possibilities.
Read more:It's too late for buyer's remorse. Why L.A. can't back out of hosting 2028 Olympics
The Times' Bill Shaikin has pointed out that geographical realignment would be tied to schedule reform that could help kindle rivalries and encourage fans to visit opposing ballparks that are within driving distance.
The future home of the Rays is in flux, and that decision likely will precede MLB choosing expansion cities, even after the recent news that Florida developer Patrick Zalupski has agreed to pay $1.7 billion for the team.
Zalupski’s team of investors reportedly prefers to keep the Rays near Tampa. If that becomes gospel, MLB can turn its attention to choosing where new teams would call home.
And soon afterward, if Manfred's vision comes to fruition, geographical realignment would follow, and the Southern California Freeway Series could become just another series between divisional rivals.
Read more:Two arrests made after violent brawl between Angels and Dodgers fans at Angel Stadium
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Texas Tech running back Quinten Joyner suffers season-ending knee injury
Texas Tech running back Quinten Joyner suffered a season-ending knee injury during the Red Raiders' second preseason scrimmage on August 16
Five NHL Coaches With The Most To Prove In 2025-26
NHL coaches face sky-high expectations and short windows to accomplish them.
Only three active NHL coaches have been with their team for at least four years: the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jon Cooper, Colorado Avalanche’s Jared Bednar and Carolina Hurricanes’ Rod Brind’Amour. Of that trio, Cooper and Bednar brought their squads to Stanley Cup championships.
As for Brind’Amour, he’s one of five NHL coaches with the most to prove in 2025-26. He’s not necessarily on the hot seat – not every coach on this list is at an immediate risk of getting fired – but there’s a lot for them still to accomplish. Some of them are in the first season of their new role, while others have another step to take.
Here are the bench bosses in alphabetical order, beginning with a closer look at the third-longest tenured coach.
Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina Hurricanes
Brind’Amour won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s coach of the year, but that was back in 2020-21. As we know, the coaching industry in hockey’s top league is very much a “what have you done for us lately” line of work.
Brind’Amour undoubtedly faces pressure to bring the Hurricanes beyond the Eastern Conference final for the first time since 2005-06.
We’re not suggesting Brind’Amour will be fired during the season if the Hurricanes slump anytime before the Stanley Cup playoffs. He’s earned the landing strip he’s got, and Carolina’s lineup is as deep and dangerous as it’s been in nearly 20 years. But the churn-and-burn of the coaching business is a very real thing, and if the Hurricanes fail to at least win the Eastern Conference title next year, there will be questions again about Brind’Amour’s future with the squad.
Brind’Amour’s cachet will guarantee he quickly gets a new coaching job of his choice if he does move on from Carolina, but when you’ve had seven years with the same team and you haven’t won it all, your time with that team is likely nearing an end. Brind’Amour could be an exception, but either way, he would benefit greatly from showing progress with the Hurricanes.
Five NHL Wingers With The Most To Prove In 2025-26As is the case in every NHL season, certain players are coming in with something to prove. Whether it’s to justify a pay raise or a trade or to bounce back from a subpar year, some players have every motivation to improve on their results at any given time.
Adam Foote, Vancouver Canucks
Whenever you’re an assistant coach who is getting their first chance as a coach, you’ve definitely got something to prove.
That’s the case with Foote and the Canucks. Foote was an assistant from January 2023 through this past season.
Foote’s playing career as a Cup-winning defenseman has helped him earn his current coaching opportunity, and his experience with Vancouver’s roster no doubt played into Canucks GM Patrik Allvin giving Foote the chance to guide a team that was a letdown last season.
The Canucks fell from a Pacific Division-winning team in 2023-24 to a non-playoff squad last season, and bench boss Rick Tocchet chose to move on and coach the Philadelphia Flyers instead. But Vancouver’s lineup changes this summer and the potential for bounce-back seasons from star players, such as center Elias Pettersson, lay out a clear challenge for Foote – get this Canucks team back into the playoff picture immediately or face larger roster and possible management changes next off-season.
Foote must demonstrate that his experience as a head coach – including his time as the WHL Kelowna Rockets bench boss – gives him the expertise needed to turn around Vancouver’s competitive trajectory. If he can get the Canucks back into the playoffs next year, he’ll have a semblance of job security. But if Vancouver flames out and misses the playoffs for the second straight season, all bets are off.
Jim Hiller, Los Angeles Kings
Hiller joined the Kings as an assistant coach in July 2022, working under Todd McLellan. But when Los Angeles fired McLellan in February 2024, Hiller turned the interim coach role into becoming the Kings’ permanent coach.
Expectations for L.A. have risen for some time now as the team has a mix of older talent heading further away from their primes and younger players looking to take over.
Losing to the Edmonton Oilers in the first round for four straight years also shows there’s something more for the Kings to give. Hiller’s inability to get the Kings out of the first round for the past two seasons makes this next campaign a potential boom-or-bust year.
Also not working in Hiller’s favor is the fact that the man who hired him, Rob Blake, parted ways with the Kings in May. New Kings GM Ken Holland doesn’t have any connection or loyalty to Hiller, and the many changes Holland has made to L.A.’s roster are an indication of how considerable the pressure is on Hiller to show some type of progress in the post-season next year.
So long as the Kings are in a playoff position throughout the regular season, Hiller’s job is safe. But once the post-season begins, Hiller must either get Los Angeles out of the first round or be sent packing in favor of someone Holland hires himself. That may not sound fair, but that’s the reality of the NHL’s coaching business right now.
Five NHL Centers With The Most To Prove In 2025-26What makes sports, and hockey specifically, unique and intriguing are storylines. In the NHL, it's the off-ice drama, milestone-chasing and pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
Todd McLellan, Detroit Red Wings
When McLellan took over from fired Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde in late December of 2024, he initially had a stellar run with the Wings. But the longer the season played out, the worse Detroit looked, and the Red Wings failed to make the playoffs for the ninth straight season.
Needless to say, the pressure on McLellan to turn the Wings into a playoff team will be massive this coming year. McLellan has 17 seasons as an NHL coach under his belt, so if anyone has the experience to weather any storm the Red Wings will be facing next year, it’s him. But Detroit GM Steve Yzerman also is facing a ton of pressure to get this Wings team back into the post-season – and that means nobody’s job in Detroit is safe, McLellan’s job included.
Coaching in the highly competitive Atlantic Division means McLellan’s work is cut out for him. So the pressure on McLellan couldn’t be more evident, and he has just one goal – lead this group into at least a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.
Mike Sullivan, New York Rangers
The Rangers hired Sullivan this summer partly because of his success as a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Even that achievement didn’t stop the Pens and Sullivan from parting ways after three straight playoff misses.
Now, he’ll be the top coach of an NHL team without superstar Sidney Crosby for the first time since he led the Boston Bruins from 2003 to 2006.
Joining an Original Six team – and the spotlight that goes along with it – means Sullivan will be watched like a hawk from Day 1 of his time steering the Rangers’ boat.
He’s got an obvious mandate in Manhattan – getting the Blueshirts back into the playoffs after they missed out on the post-season last year. The Rangers plummeted after winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24, so the team has the talent to at least get back into the playoffs and potentially win a round.
Of all the coaches on this list, Sullivan might be the one who can survive missing out on the playoffs next season. But even then, if that’s the Rangers’ fate, Sullivan will face extraordinary pressure at this time next season to end the playoff drought at two years.
Drury fired Sullivan’s predecessor in NYC after only two years on the job, and that could prove to be what happens to Sullivan if he can’t turn things around. Sullivan has a veteran-laden Rangers team to look after, but he’s got to squeeze out progress from his lineup. And if he can’t do so, his job security will be tenuous.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler has surgery to remove blood clot in upper right arm
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies ace Zack Wheeler had surgery Monday to remove a blood clot in his upper right arm, and the team says a timeline for his recovery remains unknown.
Manager Rob Thomson acknowledged the uncertainty, saying, “We don’t know,” when asked whether Wheeler would pitch again this season, or if the situation was career-threatening.
The Phillies said Wheeler underwent a thrombolysis procedure by Dr. Paul DiMuzio at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Wheeler, 35, a three-time All-Star currently leading the majors with 195 strikeouts, was placed on the injured list Saturday after experiencing worsening shoulder “heaviness” following his start in Washington the previous night.
His condition fell under the realm of thoracic outlet syndrome, a known risk for overhead-throwing athletes, where compressed blood vessels or nerves near the neck can lead to clot formation.
Treatment options vary depending on the root cause. In addition to clot-dissolving procedures, athletes often undergo extended blood thinner therapy - spanning months - or even rib resection surgery to prevent recurrence, with high return-to-play rates in cases where such interventions are successful.
Meanwhile, the Phillies are left without the anchor of their rotation with six weeks to go in the regular season. The NL East leaders are leaning on a group of arms, including Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker and Jesús Luzardo, to fill the void. Aaron Nola, who missed three months with ankle and rib injuries, returned to the rotation on Sunday.
“You could always rely on (Wheeler) every fifth day, but at the same time, I have confidence in our entire rotation,” Thomson said. “As tough as it is to lose Zack, I feel really good about our staff. I really do.”
In 24 starts this season, Wheeler is 10-5 with a 2.71 ERA. He has thrown at least 192 innings in three of the previous four seasons.
Beyond the immediate baseball implications, teammates have rallied around Wheeler.
“He’s the heart of this team, the heart of the staff ... you never want to see it,” reliever Matt Strahm said, emphasizing that Wheeler’s health is everyone's priority.
Heliot Ramos' roller-coaster day ends with big homer, Giants win vs. Padres
Heliot Ramos' roller-coaster day ends with big homer, Giants win vs. Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN DIEGO — When Heliot Ramos walked up to the plate in the top of the fourth inning on Monday night, San Diego Padres fans showered him with boos. When he struck out, the cheers had a little extra juice behind them.
The Giants left fielder understood, to an extent, why he suddenly had become Public Enemy No. 1 at Petco Park. But he also thought it was a bit silly.
“It was not my fault,” a smiling Ramos said after San Francisco’s 4-3 win.
Ramos was getting booed because of an overturned call in the second inning. He had reached up for a Xander Bogaerts fly ball to the wall, but it trickled out of his glove and into the seats. A long review determined that Ramos had been interfered with. Bogaerts was called out, and in a game the Padres lost by one run, that certainly mattered.
Ramos wasn’t at all surprised that the call was overturned. He said the fan who reached directly over his head blocked his vision, and replay officials in New York ruled that the fan “clearly prevented the fielder from making the catch.” But for the fans at Petco Park, no explanation would have been deemed acceptable. The boos were there for Ramos the rest of the night.
“What am I supposed to do?” he said. “I didn’t overturn the call. Be mad at the umpire and mad at the fan that actually put the hand out there, you know? It’s not my fault.”
In an odd twist, Padres fans might not have actually been the most upset fan base on Monday. Earlier in the day, Ramos found himself in the kind of fast-moving storm that seems to be the main reason social media exists in 2025.
His comments to the San Francisco Chronicle were blown out of proportion, and Ramos, who thought he was just showing support for manager Bob Melvin, was shocked to find that some Giants fans had decided he took shots at the fan base. It didn’t help that a couple of local news outlets fanned the flames without realizing that the original story quietly had been edited to clarify Ramos’ meaning.
After batting practice, Ramos stood in the dugout and said over and over again that he loves Giants fans and the city of San Francisco. He also stands firmly behind his manager, who has come under some fire because of all of the recent losses.
“I love the fans and they always show me love in the field,” he said. “I have nothing against them. Every time I’m walking on the streets with my family, they love me and I love them back. All I’m trying to say is in the inner circle — obviously not even you guys that are reporters know what’s going on in the clubhouse — all I want to say is that Bob is a great manager … I’m just trying to have Bob’s back. I’m just trying to support [him].”
It was an odd controversy for a number of reasons, including the fact that nobody should really be surprised that Giants players are supporting their manager when they still have 37 games left to play. Ramos, especially, has good reasons to be back Melvin. The previous staff had seemed to give up on him, but he turned into an MLB All-Star last year under Melvin, and the manager has had his back through some difficult times this season.
Ramos probably would not have taken as much heat had he been duplicating last season’s results lately, but entering Monday, he had gone 34 games without a homer. That changed in the first, when he smoked a Nestor Cortes pitch into the seats.
Ramos was still celebrating in the visiting dugout when Rafael Devers went deep. They became the first set of Giants to go back-to-back to kick off a road game since 1964, and Wilmer Flores made it 4-0 with a two-run shot later in the frame.
“I feel like we haven’t done that for a minute,” Ramos said.
It was the kind of explosion that has been missing lately, particularly at home, and it held up. Robbie Ray threw 6 2/3 strong innings and Ryan Walker got four outs to take the lead to closer Randy Rodriguez, who clinched a second straight win.
Ramos was in the middle of all of it, for better or worse. An inning after his homer, he was caught up in the play at the wall. An inning after that, he chased down a long Bryce Johnson fly ball to prevent a leadoff double. There was only one way for this game to end: With the tying run on first in the bottom of the ninth, Ryan O’Hearn flew out to Ramos.
Ramos said the leadoff homer was a relief after everything that happened beforehand. It hasn’t been the easiest 48 hours for the left fielder, but for the team, the two wins have allowed everyone to take a deep breath.
“We know what we have going on here, we know that we want to win games and just stay in the present,” he said. “At the end of the day I just want to stay present with the guys and play good baseball and try to win for the fans and everybody and for ourselves. I don’t think anybody wants it more than us. That’s all I care about.”
Former Red Wing Mark Kirton Passes After Battle Against ALS
Former Detroit Red Wings forward Mark Kirton, who enjoyed the most productive seasons of his NHL career with the franchise, has tragically lost his battle against ALS and passed away Sunday at just 67.
Known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a nervous system disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord for which there is no cure, nor is the exact cause known.
Today, the hockey world lost not only a talented player but a remarkable human being. Mark Kirton, former NHL player and tireless advocate for ALS awareness, has passed away.
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) August 18, 2025
Mark’s career in the NHL was defined by determination, teamwork, and heart. Off the ice, he brought… pic.twitter.com/clVodnnR82
Kirton, who was diagnosed with the disease in 2018, originally began his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who made him the 48th pick in the 1978 Draft.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
He was traded to the Red Wings in 1980 for goaltender Jim Rutherford, and he would go on to score 33 goals with 42 assists in 134 total games with the club. He would also play for the Vancouver Canucks after the Red Wings traded him for Ivan Boldirev; he ultimately appeared in 266 career NHL games, recording 57 goals with 56 assists.
He also racked up 123 goals and 202 assists in 458 career games in the American Hockey League.
Confound to a wheelchair in 2020, Kirton served on the board of ALS Action Canada.
“We've been living this nightmare for what, a few years now, and I can tell you, it's horrific, it's cruel, it's torture,” Kirton said in September 2024. “The challenges are not daily challenges, they’re like hourly challenges.”
Kirton is the second former NHL player to recently pass away from the degenerative illness, which also claimed the life of his former teammate, Börje Salming, a Hall of Fame defenseman who played for both the Maple Leafs and Red Wings, at age 71 in November 2022.
Additionally, the illness has recently claimed the lives of Calgary Flames assistant general manager Chris Snow along with former Senators assistant coach Bob Jones.
Kirton is survived by his wife Lisa and children Adam, Sarah and Taylor.
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New Canadiens Projected Top-Six Has Interesting Look
Recently, the NHL's official Facebook account shared what they believe each Atlantic Division club's top six will be heading into the 2025-26 season. This, of course, includes the Montreal Canadiens.
For the Canadiens' first line, they unsurprisingly have Nick Suzuki centering wingers Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky. This is certainly what should be the Canadiens' first line next season, as this trio has formed incredible chemistry. Furthermore, Slafkovsky should only continue to improve playing on a line with two legitimate stars in Suzuki and Caufield.
Yet, things get more interesting when it comes to the second line. The Canadiens will have multiple different options to consider for this trio, but NHL.com sees the Habs going with Kirby Dach as their 2C, with Patrik Laine and Ivan Demidov as his wingers.
The possibility of this trio being the Canadiens' second line is certainly there, but there are other players who should compete for a spot in Montreal's top six. Off-season addition Zack Bolduc is undoubtedly the most notable omission from this projected top six. When noting that the young winger took a big step forward this past season, he certainly could get a shot on Montreal's second line over a player like Laine. Furthermore, the possibility of Alex Newhook or even Jake Evans landing the 2C spot instead of Dach should also not be ruled out.
Nevertheless, the Canadiens certainly have some different options to consider with their top six for this upcoming season. It will be fascinating to see if the NHL's projected top six for the Habs ends up being what they go with.
Canadiens Important Defender Facing Big YearThe 2025-26 season is a big year for Montreal Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson. Evan Bouchard Cracks Top 6 In New NHL Defenseman Rankings
When it comes to NHL blue lines, Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard is among the more polarizing players. For every fan who thinks he plays no defense and is merely a power play guy, outlets like The Athletic, TSN, and others are crediting him for being among the league's best.
Another outlet has given Bouchard his props, as a new Bleacher Report ranking of every team’s top defenseman has Bouchard ranked at No. 6 overall.
The post was meant to list every team's top defenseman and rank them from 1-32. As such, it's logical to assume the rules would have left players off the list and given other teams two defensemen in the Top 32.
Still, the point remains. Another outlet believes Bouchard is better than 80% of the defensemen in the NHL.
Considering only Miro Heiskanen (Dallas), Josh Morrissey (Winnipeg), Zach Werenski (Columbus), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver), and Cale Makar (Colorado) were ranked higher, that's pretty good company to be in.
Related: McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 1: My Introduction to the Oilers
Bouchard outranked names like Jaccob Slavin, Adam Fox, Victor Hedman, Rasmus Dahlin and Charlie McAvoy.
Are More People Start To Recognize Bouchard's Impact?
Long labeled as more of an offensive specialist than a complete defender, is Bouchard finally starting to silence critics with these rankings? This is now at least three major outlets playing him in elite company, and not just as a puck-moving, power-play specialist.
The next step might be him shaking the reputation that he's little more than a product of playing with a partner like Mattias Ekholm, or being on the ice with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
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Where Former Carolina Hurricanes Have Ended Up This Summer
We're well into the NHL offseason now and, for the most part, the majority of free agents have found new homes.
Last month, we looked at where last year's Carolina Hurricanes roster players ended up this offseason, but now we'll take a look at where former Canes have all wound up.
Where Have Last Year's Carolina Hurricanes Ended Up?We're two weeks into what is officially the start of the new NHL season and we've seen quite a bit of movement on the player front.
Canes of Yesteryear
Jeff Skinner
33, LW
The former star winger and Calder Trophy winner played for Carolina from 2010 to 2018. Now, he's onto his fourth team, the San Jose Sharks, following a one-year stint with the Edmonton Oilers.
Dylan Coghlan
27, RD
The former Canes depth defender was with the organization for two seasons, joining as part of the Max Pacioretty deal. After a year in Winnipeg, he'll now be rejoining his old squad, the Vegas Golden Knights.
Ethan Bear
28, RD
The Hurricanes acquired Bear for Warren Foegele in 2021-22. He played one season with the Canes before joining the Vancouver Canucks. After two years with the Washington Capitals organization, he's now joining the New York Islanders.
Sheldon Rempal
30, RW
Rempal played three games with the Hurricanes in 2020-21. He signed a two-way deal with the Washington Capitals this offseason after a 31 goal, 61 point campaign in the KHL last season.
Mackenzie MacEachern
31, LW
MacEachern didn't spend a long time with the Hurricanes (just one season in 2022-23) but his first game came during the playoffs where he registered a goal and two points. After another two seasons with the St. Louis Blues organization, MacEachern signed a two-year deal with the Vancouver Canucks.
Jesse Puljujarvi
27, RW
The Finnish winger returned from double-hip surgery and played for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Florida Panthers last season. He signed a deal with Geneve-Servette HC in the Swiss National League.
Alex Lyon
32, G
The journeyman netminder played for the Hurricanes organization in 2021-22. After two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, Lyon signed with the Buffalo Sabres.
Anton Forsberg
32, G
The goaltender was traded to the Hurricanes and played during the 2019-2020 season. He then spent five seasons with the Ottawa Senators and is now moving on to the LA Kings.
Former Canes Who Extended With Current Teams
Tony DeAngelo
29, RHD
After a brief stint in Russia last year, the offensive defenseman joined the New York Islanders mid-season and since forth, signed a one-year extension to stay this summer. DeAngelo spent two seasons in Carolina (2021-22 and 2023-24).
Morgan Geekie
27, C
The 2017 third-round pick spent three years with the Hurricanes organization, and his NHL debut was one to remember with two goals and three points against the Penguins. After a career year with the Boston Bruins (33 goals, 57 points), he signed a six-year extension.
Steven Lorentz
29, LW
Lorentz's story is an inspiring one, going from a seventh-round pick (2015) to the ECHL all the way to playing a consistent NHL role. He's also won a Stanley Cup and Calder Cup already in his career. After a strong year as a depth player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he signed a three-year extension.
Haydn Fleury
29, LD
The 2014 seventh-overall pick has never quite managed to carve out a consistent NHL role, but has managed to secure a role with the Winnipeg Jets, signing a two-year extension. Fleury played for the the Canes from 2017-2021.
Clark Bishop
29, C
Bishop was a 2014 fifth-round pick by the Hurricanes and played for the organization from 2016-2020. He's been with the Calgary Flames since 2022 and signed another one-year extension this summer.
Still Looking
- Jack Roslovic
- Brock McGinn
- James Reimer
- Max Pacioretty
- Jani Hakanpaa
- Brendan Smith
- Derek Ryan
- Calvin de Haan
- Dustin Tokarski
Recent Articles
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• Projecting the Carolina Hurricanes 2025 Opening Night Roster
• Will The Carolina Hurricanes Alter Their Power Play Units?
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Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte to receive raise, contract extension
Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte is set to receive a six-year contract extension through 2036 that includes a sizable raise
Suárez deals, Phillies rack up 21 hits to best Mariners
Suárez deals, Phillies rack up 21 hits to best Mariners originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
If there was ever a time the Phillies needed Ranger Suárez, it was Monday night.
With the Phils playing their 11th straight game and Zack Wheeler’s 2025 status in question, Suárez delivered a dazzling performance against the Mariners – exactly what they needed, en route to a 12-7 victory.
The lefty entered off two of his worst starts of the season, allowing 11 runs over his last 11 2/3 innings, but you wouldn’t have known it from the jump.
The weather may have felt Washington-state like, but Seattle looked far away from home. For M’s starter Logan Gilbert, he carried a 2.22 ERA in 10 home starts but a 4.86 ERA away, and the Phillies wasted little time exposing that split.
After back-to-back hard-hit singles by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the first didn’t cash in a run, the offense broke out in the second.
Brandon Marsh opened with a 105.5 mph single, Nick Castellanos followed with an opposite-field knock, and Max Kepler blooped one to score Marsh for a 1-0 lead.
Bryson Stott — who hit .296 on the road trip (8-for-27) — then laced an RBI double to bring up Trea Turner.
With runners on the corners and no outs, Turner — sitting on 1,499 career hits — crushed a three-run homer for No. 1,500, his 13th of the season and first at Citizens Bank Park.
The party didn’t stop there. J.T. Realmuto, who had worked a nine-pitch at-bat in the first, battled through 10 more before unloading on a solo homer to left. Randy Arozarena barely moved in pursuit.
The Phillies led 6-0 through two innings for a second straight game — this being the first time in franchise history that they have been able to do so.
Logan Gilbert hit the showers after 65 pitches through two frames.
“Gilbert’s a really good pitcher,” Bryce Harper said. “I thought we jumped on him pretty quickly right there.”
But if Sunday in Washington taught the Phils anything, it’s that no lead is safe. After using five relievers to hold off the Nationals a day earlier, Rob Thomson badly needed length from Suárez — and he got it.
After the Julio Rodríguez double in the first, Suárez retired 17 of his next 19 batters, before Mitch Garver stroked a solo home run to open the scoring for Seattle with two-outs in the seventh.
Suárez finished 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and striking out 10. It was his third career game with double-digit strikeouts, tying his career-high.
“His command was impeccable,” manager Rob Thomson said of his starter. “He had his curveball tonight … he was really good.”
In the sixth, Harper added insurance. Seattle reliever Casey Legumina hung a sweeper and Harper demolished his 20th homer of the season, a 440-foot shot to right.
If you thought the Phillies’ lead was safe, Cole Young proved otherwise. After Thomson pulled Suárez in the seventh, he turned to Jordan Romano with a six-run cushion and a man on. A two-out single followed by Young’s three-run homer made it 7-4 and pushed Romano’s ERA to 7.56.
Romano has allowed six earned runs over his last 1 1/3 innings, adding to what has been a rough first season with the Phils.
The Phillies responded immediately in the eighth. With two outs, Trea Turner lined an RBI double, Schwarber added an RBI single and Harper kept rolling through his power-filled August.
Seattle stuck with Legumina against Harper and paid the price. Harper launched a 448-foot three-run shot — his second homer of the night and the 30th multi-homer game of his career — to make it 11-4. This month, Harper has six homers and a .565 slugging percentage.
It was also the first time in the Statcast era (since 2015) that a Phillies hitter crushed two home runs of 440-plus feet in the same game. Ironically, Harper also accomplished this back on May 6, 2015 with the Nationals.
The Phillies added insurance in the eighth when Turner lined an RBI single, marking his 16th three-hit game of the season.
“He’s having a great year,” Harper said. “He’s doing what Trea Turner does.”
The Mariners scratched across three runs in the ninth against Nolan Hoffman — making his Major League debut — but the rookie settled in to record the final outs and lock up Philadelphia’s 72nd win, extending its NL East lead to 5 1/2 games over the Mets.
Despite the uncertainty of Wheeler’s status, the Phils are optimistic with their current group.
“It’s definitely going to hurt,” Trea Turner said. “It’s a good clubhouse where we don’t have to rely on one person … I think if we all pick up a little bit of slack, I think we can get the job done.”
Looking for another series victory
The Phillies will send Cristopher Sánchez (11-4, 2.45 ERA) to the mound Tuesday night as he continues a dominant 2025 campaign. Seattle counters with veteran right-hander Luis Castillo (8-6, 3.48 ERA).
Schwarber has had the most success against Castillo, going 6-for-20 with four homers. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. ET.
Five Kraken Youngsters Who Could Make Their NHL Debuts This Season
The Seattle Kraken's youth movement begins in 2025-26, which means there will be several opportunities for young Kraken prospects to make their NHL debuts.
With injuries, poor performances and the high likelihood of veterans being moved at the 2026 trade deadline, the Kraken could witness more than five debutants, but these are the five prospects with the greatest chance of making their debuts this season.
Berkly Catton, Center
Catton is the most proven and also the most NHL-ready prospect the Kraken have in their pool. Catton has dominated the WHL in the past two seasons, notching over 100 points in each. Heading into the new season, Catton has two options: return to the Spokane Chiefs or play in the NHL.
Catton is determined to make the NHL roster, but that doesn't mean it's best for his development. What's most logical is that the 19-year-old is given every opportunity to prove himself in the pre-season and then plays nine games in the NHL before the first year his entry-level contract burns.
If he impresses and shows he fits, he'll remain with the big club; if not, he'll return to the WHL, where he is far too skilled to play in.
Jagger Firkus, Right Wing
Firkus might be the most gifted winger on the Coachella Valley Firebirds, but he needs to continue to improve at playing at a higher pace and on the defensive side of the puck. If his second AHL season starts quickly and he shows that his skill can lead to production, Firkus could earn a call-up later in the NHL season.
The Firebirds will roster a very young lineup, and although he has little experience in the AHL, he'll be depended upon to produce offense.
Ryan Winterton and Jacob Melanson have earned call-ups previously and are higher in the pecking order, but Firkus' offensive abilities could move him up.
Carson Rehkopf, Left Wing
After Catton, Rehkopf might be the most NHL-ready prospect the Kraken have. Standing 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, Rehkopf's frame is ready, and his game suits the NHL. He possesses a great shot and has playmaking instincts that will translate well to the NHL.
His skating and two-way ability are also traits that could elevate his game in his rookie season in the AHL. Last year, Jani Nyman earned a call-up to the NHL following the trade deadline, and Rehkopf can do the same if he impresses and produces.
Kraken Prospect Could Follow A Similar Path To Jani NymanSeattle Kraken forward Carson Rehkopf is gearing up for his first season of professional hockey in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and the 20-year-old could follow a similar path to a fellow Kraken prospect.
Eduard Sale, Left Wing
The Kraken's first-round pick (20th overall) in 2023 has been inconsistent since he was drafted. He's had flashes of offensive production, dominating the World Juniors and the OHL playoffs in 2024, but he's also had spells where he is unable to be a factor.
His rookie season in the AHL witnessed him notch six goals and 21 points in 51 games. A decent campaign for a 19-year-old, but the expectations were higher for Sale. If he finds his footing quickly next year, the Kraken could benefit from allowing Sale to get his feet wet in the NHL.
Andrei Loshko, Right Wing
Loshko, like Rehkopf, is entering his first season in the AHL, but his frame and track record could be worthy of at least one game in the NHL. Listed at 6-foot-1, Loshko recorded three consecutive seasons of point-per-game production in the QMJHL and the OHL. Last season, the 20-year-old scored 34 goals and 70 points in the OHL.
Loshko played one game in the AHL at the end of the season, scoring two goals. His scoring ability could be valued in a stint in the NHL.
Can Or Should Ville Ottavainen Earn A Spot On The Kraken's Roster?With the new youth movement the Seattle Kraken are embracing, Ville Ottavainen could be a quiet contender to play several games in the NHL.
NBA champion Marco Belinelli officially announces retirement from basketball
Marco Belinelli, the Italian wing who spent 13 seasons in the NBA and won a ring with the San Antonio Spurs, officially announced his retirement from basketball at age 39, something he announced on his Instagram page.
"I gave it my heart. Every piece of me," he wrote. "Every single day. Basketball gave me everything… and I gave it everything I had. Saying goodbye isn't easy. But it's time. I carry with me every emotion, every sacrifice, every cheer. Thank you to those who always believed. To the next generation — I leave a dream. Make it count."
Belinelli was the No. 18 pick of the Golden State Warriors in 2007 and went on to play a couple of seasons in the Bay Area before stops in Toronto, New Orleans (with the Hornets), Chicago, San Antonio, Sacramento, Charlotte, Atlanta and Philadelphia. He may be best remembered for the four seasons with the Spurs, which included him being a key sixth man for the 2014 championship Spurs, averaging 11.4 points a game off the bench that season. For his NBA career he averaged 9.7 points a game shooting 37.6% from beyond the arc.
Belinelli played the last five seasons in Italy for the club he started his career with, Virtus Bologna. He was named the Lega Basket Serie A MVP in 2024, the Sixth Man of the Year for the two seasons before that, and helped lead Bologna to two Serie A titles.
What we learned as Robbie Ray deals after Giants' early outburst to beat Padres
What we learned as Robbie Ray deals after Giants' early outburst to beat Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN DIEGO — On paper, this is a week that should end the Giants’ very, very slim playoff hopes. They’ve got four games against a San Diego Padres club that dominated them at Oracle Park last week, followed by three against the Milwaukee Brewers, who seemingly don’t know how to lose.
But there’s still belief in the clubhouse that a run is possible, and on Monday, the group got a daunting road trip off to a strong start. The Giants hit three homers in the first inning at Petco Park and held on from there, winning 4-3 to take a second straight game for the first time in 10 days.
The lineup has struggled against lefties all season long and didn’t do much against Nestor Cortes last week at Oracle Park, but they hit him so hard in the first that he probably went back to the dugout and tried to figure out if he was tipping.
Heliot Ramos kicked things off with a solo homer to left, and before the visiting dugout could even finish celebrating, Rafael Devers smoked a solo shot to right-center. They became the first Giants to go back-to-back to start a road game since Chuck Hiller and Duke Snider did it to St. Louis Cardinals legend Bob Gibson in 1964.
After a Casey Schmitt double, Wilmer Flores lofted a two-run shot into the seats in left, which were busy Monday night.
The four-run lead held up, as lefty Robbie Ray took a shutout into the seventh. Here are three things to know from a tense night in San Diego …
Road Rallies
At some point in time — either over the next five weeks or at the start of the 2026 MLB season — this group of hitters is going to have to figure out how to more consistently do damage at Oracle Park. But right now, the Giants at least look like a normal offense on the road.
The four-run first included blasts to left from Ramos and Flores, who took advantage of a relatively short porch. Devers’ homer was smoked, leaving the yard at 110.4 mph, although in a funny twist it would not have been a homer at Oracle Park, according to Statcast.
All three of the first-inning blasts would not have gone out at Oracle, which is a good example of the conundrum facing the front office this offseason. They probably need to have a more athletic and bat-control-heavy lineup at home. At the same time, this is a group of players who have hit for power in the past and should do well on the road.
Digging Deep
Manager Bob Melvin said before the game that he didn’t intend to take Ray past 100 pitches since the lefty threw 113 last week, but when Ray finished six scoreless innings at 89 pitches, it was a pretty easy call to let him start the seventh.
Ray ended up allowing three runs in the inning, but they were all unearned after a play that included two errors from Schmitt. He lowered his ERA to 2.85, which ranks seventh in the National League.
Ray allowed just one hit through his first six innings, although he probably should have been charged with a solo homer. Xander Bogaerts hit a fly ball that plopped out of Ramos’ glove and dropped over the left field wall, but a long review overturned the call because of fan interference. It was a charitable interpretation, but the Giants certainly won’t complain about any breaks right now.
The Path To 27 Outs
Aside from the lineup, the biggest problem Melvin has every night is how to get from his starter to closer Randy Rodriguez. On Monday, he leaned heavily on right-hander Ryan Walker, who was fresh after missing the weekend series for the birth of his second daughter.
Walker got Fernando Tatis Jr. to ground out to end the chaotic seventh and then breezed through the top of the order in the eighth. After a Luis Arraez single, he struck out Manny Machado and got Ramon Laureano to bounce into a double play.
Walker by far is the best candidate to fill the void left by the Tyler Rogers trade, and long term, he’s also the player most likely to be able to set up for Rodriguez next season. The other top candidate, Erik Miller, has been shut down after feeling more discomfort in his elbow.