The Anaheim Ducks are placing forward Chris Kreider on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, according to multiple reports.
The move will help both the player and the team.
The Massachusetts native wants to return east, according to Sportsnet, which first reported the waiver move. If he clears waivers and has the final year of his contract terminated, that makes him a free agent and a new team can sign him for less than his current $6.5 million cap hit. He already received a $1 million signing bonus.
Kreider, 35, had played the first 13 years of his career with the New York Rangers before being traded to the Ducks in June 2025.
They have a little more than $9 million left with Carlsson averaging $18 million. But they still have to sign restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier, who led Anaheim with 41 goals and 69 points last season.
Taking Kreider off the books would give them a lot more room to play with in a new Gauthier contract.
Chris Kreider stats
Though Kreider's numbers have gone down, he has scored 22 goals the past two seasons and scored 17 of his 50 points on the power play last season.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: The sneakers worn by Tyrese Samuel #17 of the Brooklyn Nets during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2025 NBA Summer League game on July 18, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Tom O'Connor/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MAY 20: Will Brennan #7 of the San Francisco Giants gets ready in the batters box against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Four games for the San Francisco Giants Minor League Baseball affiliates on Tuesday, and half of them were playoff games. Let’s dive into the action!
All listed positions in the roundup are the position played in that particular game.
News
Just a little bit of news, as catcher Jesús Rodríguez (No. 16 CPL) and outfielder Victor Bericoto (No. 35 CPL) are scheduled to begin rehab assignments with AAA Sacramento.
AAA Sacramento (77-59)
Sacramento River Cats beat the Las Vegas Aviators (A’s) 11-1 Box score
This was about as dominant of a baseball game as you’ll see, and it certainly didn’t feel as close as the not-close-at-all score would suggest.
It was a stunning offensive performance which, well … tends to happen in Las Vegas, though that doesn’t negate the impressiveness of the day for Sacramento’s offense, which featured 18 hits, half of which went for extra bases.
There were a trio of offensive stars, but none bigger than right fielder Will Brennan. The lefty was tasked with hitting cleanup, and he played the role perfectly.
All in all, a 3-5 day with a trio of home runs and a strikeout, which brought Brennan’s OPS all the way up to .820 … a single-game raise of 31 points, which is pretty darned impressive this late in the season! It also raised his wRC+ to 111.
While Brennan was the biggest star, it’s understandable if you’re not as excited seeing him succeed as you are with some of the other players on Sacramento’s roster, given that Brennan is a 28-year old with MLB experience who was designated for assignment earlier in the year and will almost certainly be playing for a different organization next year.
So, if prospects are what you’re looking for, then allow me to introduce you to a pair who joined Brennan on the podium of offensive stars on Tuesday: center fielder Scott Bandura and left fielder Bo Davidson (No. 4 CPL). The 2026 season has been an unequivocal success for the pair of outfielders from the 2023 draft class, the former a 7th-round pick and the latter an undrafted free agent. And they’re making sure to end the year on a high note, following brief dips in performance as the season neared an end.
For Bandura, it was a game where he did a little bit of everything, as he hit 3-5 with a solo home run, a double, a sacrifice fly, and a stolen base. My word!
As for Davidson, he went a sensational 4-5 with both a triple and a double, with 1 strikeout. As we’ve grown accustomed to, the contact for Davidson (who is 93rd percentile in both average exit velocity and 50th percentile exit velocity), was loud: a 107.3-mph single, a 102.7-mph single, a 95.9-mph double, and a 101.3-mph triple.
It seems unlikely that Bandura (who has a .901 OPS and a 136 wRC+) or Davidson (who has a .912 OPS and a 135 wRC+) will debut this year, as we’re running out of time and the Giants are wanting to take a long look at Jonah Cox, Turner Hill, and Drew Gilbert, to make no mention of Grant McCray or Victor Bericoto (No. 35 CPL), the latter of which is starting a rehab assignment. But I certainly expect both players to be rostered as Rule 5 protections, and to show up to Spring Training (if it occurs) with a chance to win an Opening Day job.
Also nice days for designated hitter Eddys Leonard, who hit 2-4 with a walk and a strikeout; shortstop Aeverson Arteaga, who went 3-5 with 2 strikeouts; and catcher Fernando Gonzalez, who hit 1-3 with a triple, 2 walks, and a strikeout. It was a particularly impressive performance from Gonzalez, given that he’s been called up from Low-A San Jose for emergency duty (he’ll likely head back to San Jose now that Zach Morgan has been optioned to AAA).
Unfortunately, all those hits couldn’t find the bat of third baseman Parks Harber (No. 17 CPL), whose recent scuffling continued. Harber was the only player in the lineup who failed to record a hit, as he went 0-5 with a walk. Over his last 11 games, the righty has hit just 4-46 with 1 double, 6 walks, and 17 strikeouts, which came after a red-hot start to his AAA tenure. Hopefully he can find a little rhythm and end the year on a high note, because he’s dipped down to a .739 OPS and a 97 wRC+.
So, I mentioned earlier that the game was in Las Vegas, where baseballs tend to fly. It’s easy to use that as a reason to pump the brakes on any strong performances … but what happens when those performances are on the mound?
You can decide that the offensive environment is, indeed, ludicrous, and then be extra impressed by the pitching, or you can decide that the offensive environment is more tepid than we thought, and then be extra impressed by the hitting. Or heck, do both!
That’s a long-winded way of saying that LHP Joe Whitman (No. 26 CPL) put on an absolute show in a bandbox. Just a week after an 8-inning start, the southpaw went 7 innings in this one, and didn’t allow a single run. 7 scoreless innings! In the Pacific Coast League! In Las Vegas!
The 2023 comp-round pick wasn’t overpowering, as he only struck out 3 batters on the day, but he limited the Aviators to just 5 hits, all of which were singles, and only walked 1 batter. He needed just 91 pitches to get through the day, and threw 63 of them for strikes.
Whitman, who turns 25 next week, had a bit of a rude introduction when promoted to AAA earlier this year, which resulted in spending some time operating out of the bullpen. But lately he’s really started to figure things out, which perhaps is the natural progression of adjusting to a new level, or perhaps is a chip on his shoulder after watching LHPs Matt Wilkinson and César Perdomo, and RHP Yunior Marte (No. 25 CPL) get promoted to the Majors ahead of him.
Either way, Whitman is on one hell of a 5-start run: 31 innings, 28 hits, 4 walks, 6 earned runs, and 24 strikeouts. Suddenly, his ERA in AAA is all the way down to 3.84, which is a delightful number in the PCL (his FIP is lagging behind, at 4.79). And while he’s not striking out a ton of batters (63 in 73 innings), he’s doing a magnificent job at limiting walks (21).
Unfortunately, the shutout was lost by RHP Ryan Walker, who made his Sacramento return after being optioned. Walker gave up 2 hits, including a solo home run, while striking out 2 batters in 2 innings.
AA Richmond (73-58)
Richmond Flying Squirrels lost to the Chesapeake Baysox (Orioles) 11-3 Box score
The Squirrels are really ending the season with a thud, as they’ve been piling up both losses and uninteresting performances. This game was, sadly, an exception to neither rule.
How bad was this game? Well, the best performance belonged to catcher Onil Perez … who didn’t catch at all, but instead tossed a perfect 9th inning in his role as reliever, a gig he’s now reprised thrice in the last handful of games.
That was easily the best pitching performance, as 4 of the 5 arms who came before Perez gave up runs, and the 5th (RHP Tyler Vogel) allowed 3 baserunners in 1.2 innings. Most notable, unfortunately, was how much RHP Miguel Mendez struggled, as the 24-year got knocked out in the 2nd inning after allowing 6 hits, 2 walks, and 5 runs, while recording just 5 outs (3 by way of strikeout, though). Mendez, who was part of the Robbie Ray trade, had pitched well in his 1st 3 outings for Richmond, so this game was hopefully an outlier. But it sure was an ugly outlier!
The offense mustered just 3 hits on the day, all of them singles. Only 1 player reached base multiple times, as third baseman Sabin Ceballos (No. 43 CPL) hit 1-3 with a walk and a strikeout. I think we can move on now.
High-A Eugene (0-1)
Eugene Emeralds lost to the Vancouver Canadians (Blue Jays) 8-7 Box score
Into the playoffs we go, but Eugene immediately finds themselves in a hole after losing the 1st game in the best-of-5 championship series. The good news is, after tonight, the games return to Oregon for the rest of the series.
As was the case with Richmond, this loss was largely due to a rough start by an exciting talent acquired at the deadline, LHP Henry Lalane. The 6’7 22-year old, who came over in the Heliot Ramos trade, couldn’t find the strike zone in this one, as he threw just 51 of 91 pitches for strikes, while walking 6 batters in just 4.2 innings. Lalane only allowed 3 hits in the game but, paired with those 6 walks, that put 4 runs on the board for the Canadians.
Lalane is going to be a fascinating Rule 5 decision for the Giants. He’s certainly not a player they want to risk losing, but they have to feel like the risk is fairly minimal, given that he only made it to High-A recently, and has really struggled there: in 8 official starts at the level (5 with the Giants and 3 with the Yankees, and not including this playoff outing), Lalane posted a 3.86 ERA and a 4.78 FIP and, if you include the playoffs, had just 35 strikeouts to 18 walks in 42 innings. I suspect, given those numbers and the team’s roster crunch, that Lalane will go unprotected, but you could understand if the Giants have hesitations.
Unfortunately, Lalane set the tone, as the rest of the pitchers struggled as well.
The offense was quite a bit better, and once again led by just-signed catcher Charlie Muniz. The Giants signed Muniz — college baseball’s all-time leader in home runs — out of the Pioneer League a week ago, and he put up donuts in his 1st 3 games, before ending the year with his 1st hit: fittingly, a home run.
He was back at it again in this one, hitting 2-4 with a home run and a double, while striking out twice. Muniz, who is 24, was presumably signed to fill out the catching depth when the organization had a strong need for backstops, but I’m guessing the Giants are excited to have him in the system, and look forward to seeing what he can do next year, especially since they didn’t use any of their draft picks on catchers this year.
Muniz had the best game, but second baseman Kaedon Kent had the most hits, as the lefty, who just turned 23, went a nearly-perfect 4-5 with 2 runs batted in, though he did strike out once and was caught stealing. Kent, who was drafted in the 3rd round last year out of Texas A&M, spent the entire year in High-A, where he also spent his debut action a season ago. Across 86 games between the Giants and Yankees, he posted a .790 OPS and a 107 wRC+ in the regular season, with just a 16.0% strikeout rate. He’ll certainly head to AA next year, to play second next to Jhonny Level (No. 3 CPL), who struggled in this game, hitting 0-4 with 2 strikeouts and a sacrifice bunt.
Right fielder Cam Maldonado (No. 34 CPL) and third baseman Isaiah Barkett both had strong games, with the former (taken in the 7th round last year) going 1-3 with a double, 2 walks, and a strikeout, while the latter (taken in the 10th round a year ago) hit 2-3 with a double, a walk, and a stolen base. Maldonado was sensational following a late-season promotion to Eugene, as he posted a 1.023 OPS and a 154 wRC+ in 22 games with the Emeralds. Barkett quietly had a strong season as well, with an .886 OPS and a 125 wRC+ with Low-A San Jose, then a 10-game stint in Eugene where he had a .786 OPS and a 114 wRC+. Barkett posted sub-10% strikeout rates at both levels, and showed some fantastic defensive versatility.
Low-A San Jose (1-0)
San Jose Giants beat the Stockton Ports (A’s) 10-5 Box score
A great start to the playoffs for the Baby Giants, who won the lone road game in their best-of-3 series, and now will get 2 chances to finish off the Ports at home, and earn a shot in the championship series. Then again, it shouldn’t be surprising that San Jose started the playoffs on the right foot, as they ended the year having won 20 of their final 22 games.
Sometimes things in baseball can’t be explained. Or perhaps that red-hot streak by San Jose is what explains things. When you’re hot, you’re hot, and it’s contagious.
All of that is to say that center fielder Andy Polanco, an 11th-round pick in 2024, wrapped up his 2nd pro season with 2 career home runs: 1 last year in the ACL, where he played 47 games, and 1 this year in Low-A, where he appeared in 98 contests.
And so, naturally, the 21-year old homered in his 1st at-bat of this playoff game. And then he homered in his 2nd at-bat, as well.
And another one. Second two-run home run in as many innings, this one off the bat of Andy Polanco, and the Giants lead 4-0! pic.twitter.com/upDUlnJrn6
It was a star showing all around for Polanco, as he ended the day 3-4 with a stolen base and an outfield assist. Hard to do much more than that! Polanco only posted a .728 OPS and an 83 wRC+ this year, but he played incredible defense, and stole 38 bags. There’s a lot to like there, but the power-to-strikeout ratio (1 home run in 393 plate appearances with a 30.5% strikeout rate) is deeply concerning. We’ll see what improvements he can make next year.
Andy Polanco again! Two at-bats, two home runs, as Polanco doubles his regular season home run total.
Designated hitter Drew Smith, a 15th-round pick in July who only got into 3 official games (but hit a home run), had a delightful introduction to the playoffs, as he went 2-5 with a 2-run home run and 2 strikeouts. Smith had 16 home runs for Oregon this year and a .280 isolated slugging percentage, so the Giants are certainly hoping to see a lot of that next year!
Drew Smith sneaks one down the right field line for the Giants FOURTH home run of the game. Giants lead 7-0 in the fifth. pic.twitter.com/uaXdLGbP14
Meola has to feel a little disappointed that he spent the entire year in San Jose, after also playing 16 games there last season following being drafted in the 4th round. He really struggled early on, but turned his season around in the second half, which was enough to push him past league average (.821 OPS, 103 wRC+). The glove plays, even if the bat is lagging, so it’ll be fun seeing him in Eugene next year, turning two with shortstop Josuar González (No. 2 CPL). Speaking of González, he had a solid game, hitting 2-4 with a walk and a stolen base. Between injuries and beginning the year in the Arizona Complex League, González had just a 31-game sample in San Jose (plus these playoff games). And I still think that was easily enough to get him to Eugene to open 2027.
While the 4 home runs from the hitters stole the show, it was a fabulous pitching performance from RHP Argenis Cayama (No. 13 CPL). Cayama showed both the control and the electricity that make him such an exciting prospect, as he struck out 5 batters in as many innings, with just 1 walk. Cayama, who also allowed 4 hits and a hit batter, got tagged for just 1 run, which came on a solo home run.
It was great seeing Cayama have such a nice outing, because he ended the regular season with an absolute clunker of a performance. It was an odd season for the Venezuelan, who turns 20 next month, as he posted a 4.87 ERA and a 4.27 FIP, while missing a chunk of the season with an injury. But he also had 73 strikeouts in just 57.1 innings, with only 17 walks. That counts as a very nice year in my book.
RHP Eric Nachtsheim, the team’s 6th-round pick in July, made his 2nd pro appearance. He got roughed up in his pro debut, and the only official outing of the year, since postseason stats aren’t counted. But he sure responded with his playoff performance, as he retired all 5 batters he faced, with 3 strikeouts. Nachtsheim, a 22-year old out of McNeese State, threw 16 of 23 pitches for strikes.
Home run tracker
16 — Lorenzo Meola — [Low-A] 13 — Scott Bandura — [10 in AAA; 3 in AA] 10 — Will Brennan x3 — [AAA] 3 — Andy Polanco x2 — [Low-A] 2 — Charlie Muniz — [High-A] 2 — Drew Smith — [Low-A]
Wednesday schedule
Sacramento: 7:05 p.m. PT at Las Vegas (SP: TBD) Richmond: 4:05 p.m. PT vs. Chesapeake (SP: Charlie McDaniel) Eugene: 7:05 p.m. PT at Vancouver (SP: Jordan Gottesman) San Jose: Off day
Reminder that almost all MiLB games can be viewed on MLB TV
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 12: The Lakers logo is displayed outside Crypto.com Arena, home of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, on August 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Lakers owner Mark Walter is reportedly selling the Lakers to venture capitalist Joshua Kushner, brother of President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and former Disney CEO Bob Iger for a record $12.5 billion. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It turns out the Lakers are not in a hiring freeze.
After spending the summer searching, the team has hired its second assistant general manager. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the team is hiring Eric Amsler from the Miami Heat.
Amsler served as the vice president of player personnel in Miami.
The Los Angeles Lakers are hiring Miami Heat vice president of player personnel Eric Amsler as an assistant general manager, sources tell ESPN. Amsler – who spent over 22 years in the Heat organization starting as an intern and working his way up in various scouting, personnel…
Another source was very quick to point out that Josh Kushner is a minority owner of the Miami Heat (he'll have to divest to purchase Lakers) https://t.co/xjlaapIj39
Amsler held a number of roles in his two decades with the Heat. According to the team’s website, he oversaw the franchise’s scouting department and served as general manager of the team’s G League affiliate. While it’s unclear if he will hold the same role in regard to the South Bay Lakers, he will likely hold a similar role when it comes to scouting and player personnel.
Prior to becoming the team’s VP of Player Personnel, he held a host of jobs with the franchise. As listed by the Heat, here were his various positions over the last 22 years:
Scouting and Information Coordinator (2005-07)
Scouting and Player Personnel Coordinator (2007-14)
Director of Scouting Operations (2015-18)
Director of Scouting/Assistant Director of Player Personnel/Assistant General Manager, Sioux Falls Skyforce (2018-19)
Director, Player Personnel/General Manager, Sioux Falls Skyforce (2019-23)
Once the ownership hoopla started, namely in Mark Walter selling his majority stake to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner, many wondered or expected there to be a hiring freeze, leaving the second assistant GM spot unfilled. Fortunately for the team, that proved not to be the case and now they can move forward with a front office fitting a franchise of the Lakers’ stature.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced that second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. will be placed on the 10-day IL with a sprained right thumb.
"We just got an update that he does have a sprained right thumb that’s going to require an IL stint," Boone said Wednesday. "So, no baseball activities for the next 7-10 days, and then see where we’re at."
Chisholm was removed from Tuesday’s win over the Colorado Rockies in the top of the ninth inning after sliding head-first into second base in the previous inning when he tried to stretch a ball off the wall in right field into a double, hitting the bag hard with his thumb.
Boone did not announce any corresponding roster move, but did say that the Yankees would be comfortable with Anthony Volpe playing second base. Volpe has never played second base in the majors, but has played 19 games at second with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season since he was demoted from the major league roster.
"I know he's been a complete pro and completely got after it down there in everything they've thrown at him," Boone said of Volpe, "whether it's moving and playing some second base, obviously introducing some third base to him, making sure his swing is dialed in, and he's obviously swung the bat incredibly well. That's not an easy thing to do when you've been the guy in the big leagues and you gotta go back."
The 28-year-old Chisholm is hitting .232 this season with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, and 40 stolen bases.
Losing Chisholm is obviously a blow to a Yankees lineup that hasn't been at full strength for quite some time. Aaron Judge finally returned from a lengthy IL stint on Tuesday and is still ramping back up to being able to play every day, and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton remains on the IL after suffering a setback while rehabbing a calf injury.
After five seasons at Purdue, the first of which he redshirted, Kaufman-Renn was selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 59 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. In five NBA Summer League games, he averaged 6.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-9 forward never signed a contract with the team.
Unlike many college basketball players petitioning for an extra season of eligibility under the NCAA’s newly adopted five-for-five model, Kaufman-Renn was not part of the 2022 recruiting class. He was a top-50 recruit in the 2021 class, a group that also included the likes of Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero, both of whom are preparing to enter their fifth seasons with NBA franchises.
According to the ruling Wednesday from Clark County (Indiana) Circuit Court No. 6 Judge Kyle P. Williams, the NCAA cannot deny Kaufman-Renn eligibility based on his five years in college and four years playing for the Boilermakers, or his professional status. Additionally, the NCAA must allow member schools to recruit and enroll Kaufman-Renn while permitting him to participate with the basketball team.
If Kaufman-Renn continues his college career, it won’t be with the program he called home the past five years. In a post on Instagram, Kaufman-Renn said he will not return to Purdue.
“Four truly unforgettable years,” he wrote. “Grateful for my teammates, Coaches, Coach (Matt) Painter, the Paint Crew, and Boiler Nation. My chapter in black and gold has come to an end, but Purdue will always be part of me.”
Kaufman-Renn told reporters on Tuesday, Sept. 8 that “six or seven” teams had expressed interest in the Sellersburg, Indiana native playing for them for the upcoming 2026-27 season. He said multiple programs told him he could earn "significantly more" than what he would have as a late-second round NBA draft pick.
Whoever ends up with Kaufman-Renn will be getting a potential difference-maker at an extraordinarily late stage in the transfer portal process.
Kaufman-Renn started every game as a sophomore for a Purdue team that made the national championship game in 2024, where it lost to UConn. As a junior in 2024-25, he averaged 20.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, and was named an honorable mention All-American. Last season, he averaged 14.2 points and a career-high 8.3 rebounds per game as the Boilermakers advanced to the Elite Eight for a third-consecutive season.
Knoxville Smokies pitcher Edward Cabrera (11) pitches against the Rocket City Trash Pandas during a Minor League Baseball game on Aug. 11, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
A rare day in the minors where it’s all day games today.
Jordan Wicks started this game and took the loss after allowing four runs on six hits over 3.2 innings. Three of the four runs came on a three-run home run by Carlos Pérez. Wicks struck out five and walked three.
Edward Cabrera threw two innings of relief in a rehab appearance. Cabrera gave up one run on two hits. He struck out one and walked no one.
Catcher Owen Ayers went 2 for 4 with an RBI double. He also scored once.
First baseman Kevin Alcántara went 2 for 4 with an RBI double and an RBI single for two total runs batted in.
Starter Kevin Valdez gave the Smokies five solid innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Both runs scored on solo home runs. Valdez struck out four and walked one.
Frankie Scalzo Jr. came on to pitch the eighth inning and got out of that unscathed, but then he stayed in the game in the bottom fo the ninth. Scalzo gave up a one-out single and the runner then stole second and went to third on a bad throw. The winning run then scored on a wild pitch.
The final line on Scalzo was one unearned run on two hits over 1.1 innings. He walked one and did not strike anyone out.
Left fielder Andy Garriola was 2 for 4. He had an RBI single in the first inning and scored on a wild pitch in the fourth.
Center fielder Kane Kepley went 1 for 4 and was hit by a pitch. He stole two bases and scored once.
South Bend Cubs
Traveling back from Iowa. South Bend has to win tomorrow and Friday in South Bend to continue their season.
"I'm very excited to be an Oiler and look forward to trying to make the most of this opportunity," said Alex Formenton as he spoke to the press on his first day with the team. After thanking the Katz family, Stan Bowman, and Jeff Jackson, along with the coaching staff, Formenton was as ready as he could be for a very curious Edmonton-based media on Thursday.
He didn't give direct answers to some fairly direct questions, but he talked about the process that led him to Edmonton and emphasized that he'll do his best to show he has no intention of wasting this chance he's been given.
The news of his signing -- a one-year, one-way deal worth $850K -- dropped just before today's on-ice session, so media scurried to the Downtown Community Arena to catch a glimpse of Formenton on the ice. A good dozen or so gathered to ask him questions after the session (an unusually long one) was over.
Upon first glance, Formenton looks fast. That was always his talent: being speedy. Before he was forced to leave the league, that's where most analysts believed he'd be able to carve out a solid NHL career. A few years later, whether that speed can translate into success at the NHL level remains to be seen.
Formenton has been out of the league for some time now. Following a very public trial in which he and other members of the 2018 Hockey Canada team were charged with sexual assault, it wasn't clear he'd ever get back to the NHL. He played the past three seasons playing in Switzerland with HC Ambri-Piotta.
As much as the Oilers might take some heat from fans for their decision to sign a forward who was acquitted of sexual assault charges, there will be some scrutiny over the fact Formenton wasn't necessarily a difference-maker overseas.
What makes the Oilers feel like he can get his game back?
"I think being away from the NHL for the past four seasons, I've been eager to get back, working hard to become the player I was and slash, taking a step forward. I'm going to do everything I can on and off the ice, in whatever role that I need to to help this organization."
Penalty killing and a depth forward role seem to be the most logical assigments early. He was skating with Trent Frederic and Mathieu Joseph at captains skates.
"I'm very excited to be an Oiler & look forward to trying to make the most out of this opportunity."
Clearly, the Oilers think there's something there. They could have signed any number of UFAs still out there on the market. Many might have been more obvious choices and come with less baggage. Management knew about the potential backlash.
According to TSN's Ryan Rishaug, Stan Bowman described the process behind signing Formenton. He noted that Hockey Canada's recent support for reinstatement was a factor.
“I think that played a big role for us in our decision-making. They were certainly the closest to this; they had the most information, so for them to single Alex out as the one deserving of reinstatement immediately, we did feel like that played a large role.”
They spoke with Formenton about it. The team, the coach, and management all came to mututal decision: this was a decision they were comfortable making, hoping the potential benefits would outweigh the risk.
“I’ve had a chance to have multiple conversations with Alex and go over lots of things…. We’ve reached the decision we think this is the right move to bring Alex in and help our group.”
Bowman added that Formenton is very determined to make a positive impact on and off the ice. "I know he has a heartfelt desire to make a good impression and we certainly hope that's the case."
As for why the Oilers did this from an on-ice perspective: "Yeah it really this kicked into gear when Matt Savoie sustained his injury and it became obvious that he was not going to be ready to start our season. You know, looking at our PK as an area that we think has to improve, Matt was one of the bright spots last year, but with him being unavailable we felt we needed to look around at our options."
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: CJ Abrams #5 of the Washington Nationals runs to the dugout during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 08, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This road trip has been absolutely miserable. Last night, the Nats made history with their 38th blown save. Now they will look to actually win a game. They are 0-5 on this west coast swing and will look to at least win one game in sunny California.
Blake Butera will be making some lineup alterations. Andres Chaparro will play third base in this one. Nasim Nunez is back at shortstop which pushes the struggling CJ Abrams to second base. Keibert Ruiz and Jacob Young are also back in the lineup. Jackson Kent will be on the mound.
With a lefty on the hill, the Padres will make some changes. Austin Hays, Samad Taylor and Jase Bowen will all be in the lineup. Fernando Tatis Jr. will go from the outfield to second base. Luis Campusano goes from DH to catcher. Veteran Walker Buehler will be on the mound.
The end of the season has been hard to watch and very discouraging. However, we still have about 15 of these bad boys left. It would be great if the Nats showed any life at all down the stretch. Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats!
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 31: Drake Baldwin #30 of the Atlanta Braves prepares to bat during the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday, August 31, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn May/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The lineups are out for tonight’s contest as the Atlanta Braves are looking to knot up the series with the Tampa Bay Rays at one run apiece. Manager Walt Weiss has decided to go with a top-of-the-order look that we last saw when the Braves were in Philadelphia, which means that Drake Baldwin is getting the nod at DH and leading off.
This’ll be the 55th time that Baldwin has led off for the Braves this season and so far through 54 games, he’s hit .305/.390/.500 in the leadoff spot, good for a wOBA of .388 and 146 wRC+. Compare that to his overall slash line for the season of .276/.352/.446 with a wOBA of .350 and a wRC+ of 121, it’s clear that Baldwin is pretty comfortable hitting in the leadoff spot.
Meanwhile, he’s swapped positions in the lineup with Michael Harris II as he’s gone from leading off on Tuesday to batting cleanup on Wednesday. There’s a bit of shuffling in the bottom half of the order but the names are the same — Mike Yastrzemski goes from eighth to sixth, Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley move down to seventh and eighth, respectively, and Sean Murphy will be the connector to the top half of the order in the ninth slot. None of these guys have an extensive amount of experience against Griffin Jax but I did mention in the preview that a handful of these guys did tag him for a few runs during a relief appearance in this ballpark for Jax back in 2025, so maybe they’ll continue that success here.
Here’s the nine (plus pitcher) for the Tampa Bay Rays this evening:
Aug 22, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Kade Anderson (13) throws against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Mariners play a rare mid-series day game to accommodate the opening of the 2026-27 NFL season happening across the street at Lumen Field later tonight. Radio folks, take note of the change.
Lineups:
Cole Young, who is batting .304 in September, gets the start at second base even with a lefty on the mound for Texas. Kade Anderson makes his fourth big-league start.
Michael Arroyo, who isn’t in the lineup despite Texas starting a lefty, was taking outfield reps with coach Eric Young Jr. pregame.
Emerson Hancock threw a bullpen today which he described as a typical mid-week bullpen as he continues to work back from his adductor strain. The strain affects his landing leg, which made putting force on it difficult when he first felt the strain. He describes it as a “day-to-day” thing and says he needs to see how he feels tomorrow. “We’re just trying to do everything we can to keep building this thing up, and hopefully get a chance to come back and pitch.”
Today’s game information:
Game time: 1:10 PT
TV: Mariners TV, with Aaron Goldsmith and Ryon Healy
Radio: KTTH 770 AM with Rick Rizzs and Gary Hill Jr.
On Tuesday, as Cole Caufield was away from the Montreal Canadiens' informal practice attending the NHL 2026-27 player media tour, Kirby Dach skated alongside Nick Suzuki and Juraj Slafkovsky in the red-vs.-white scrimmage. Don’t read too much into that line combination. A spot on the circle-of-friendship win celebration may get you a spot on the top line for a scrimmage game, but it doesn’t get you a spot there when Martin St-Louis is calling the shots.
Cole Caufield’s chair on the top line is more than safe; it’s guaranteed, and if someone ever were to unseat him, it wouldn’t be a player who has yet to manage to prove anything at the highest level. Of course, Dach has been hampered by numerous injuries, and while everyone feels for him, it doesn’t get him a fast pass to the front of the most thrilling ride in Habsland.
While Dach has a certain pedigree, he was drafted third overall in the 2019 draft; after all, he still finished the playoffs on the fourth line on the wing. Furthermore, the Canadiens found a way around signing him to a four-million-dollar qualifying offer by making it a two-way contract, which prompted Dach to file for arbitration; in the end, he signed a one-year, $3.6 million contract.
As things stand, Dach is not on solid ground with the Canadiens, and he won’t start the season ahead of players such as Alex Newhook and Oliver Kapanen in the depth chart; at least, he shouldn’t. While the Albertan was inconsistent in the playoffs, Newhook delivered a fantastic performance, not only putting up 10 points in 19 games but also scoring two of his seven goals in Game 7; he had both series-winning goals. One could argue that the goaltenders weren’t exactly great on those plays, but it doesn’t matter; when the Canadiens needed a goal, Newhook found a way.
As for Kapanen, who finished the playoffs centering the fourth line after being a healthy scratch at times and playing in only 10 of the 19 playoff games, he was a rookie. It’s not new for a rookie to hit a proverbial wall and lose speed towards the end of a grueling first complete season in North America. That doesn’t erase the fact that he managed to score 22 goals in his rookie season, and while some will be quick to say that it’s easy to score with a magician like Ivan Demidov feeding you the puck, one fact remains: you still need the instinct to get in the right spot and to actually put the puck in, which is much easier said than done.
If Kent Hughes had managed to get a second-line center in a trade this offseason, Kapanen’s spot would be far from guaranteed, but as things stand, you can’t erase history. The line formed by Newhook, Kapanen, and Demidov was doing very well until Newhook was injured, and it deserves another go now that everyone is rested and healthy again. It’s also worth mentioning that Newhook is entering a contract year, and he’ll be eager to prove that he deserves to be added to the Canadiens’ core for a long time. After the playoffs he’s had, he certainly deserves that opportunity.
Could Dach get another look in the top six down the line? Certainly, but he’ll have to earn that look; it won’t just be given to him, or at least it shouldn’t.
The Buffalo Sabres have yet to do anything consequential to replace the offense lost from the departures of winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram this summer. Other than adding defenseman Olen Zellweger in a trade with Anaheim, Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen seems to be relying on internal improvement from some of the club’s young forwards to make up over 100 points in production the two veterans produced last season.
Buffalo has once again been connected in rumors to Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck, but it may still be possible that they are looking to add a veteran forward to provide some insurance. One potential option became available on Wednesday, when it was announced that the Anaheim Ducks and forward Chris Krieder agreed to mutually terminate the final year of his contract.
The 35-year-old was part of the dismantling of the NY Rangers by former Sabre Chris Drury and was dealt to the Ducks in June 2025. Kreider posted 50 points (22 goals, 28 assists) in 75 games last season.
The Ducks were in cap trouble after matching the five-year, $90 million offer sheet to center Leo Carlsson and needed to clear cap space with 40-goal scorer Cutter Gauthier still unsigned. Kreider was placed on waivers on Wednesday, and if he clears, the Ducks will open up $6.5 million in additional cap space. The 35-year-old would then become an unrestricted free agent.
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, indications are that Kreider desires to return to the east, closer to his family, where he spent the first 13 years of his NHL career, and will not report to a team that claims him if it is not a place he wants to play.
Adding Kreider would make perfect sense for the Sabres. Even though he is slowing down, the big veteran can still move and is capable of playing in the top-six. Buffalo is a more attractive destination after making the playoffs and winning the Atlantic Division last season, but it is possible that the Boxford, MA native may prefer to finish his career with the Atlantic rival Bruins.
Longtime Islanders superfan and “sign guy” Patrick Dowd still inspires with his witty and motivational messages — 25 years after he played a pivotal role in post-9/11 healing with his wildly popular “always believe” sign.
“9/11 inspired my sign,” declared Dowd, well known among blue-and-orange faithful for holding his posters up on the glass when the Islanders take the ice.
“Really, it was a model of always having faith through crises in life – whether it’s on the ice or not,” he told The Post about the uplifting sign that has appeared at every major game in the decades since.
Islanders Eric Cairns was moved by the events of 9/11 and its impact on Long Island. Neil Miller for NY Post
The message struck a universal chord during the unforgettable 2001-2002 season, which brought a long-awaited playoff return and much-needed jubilation to anguished fans whose worlds had been shattered by the terror attacks.
The 9/11 devastation sank in for Islanders defenseman Eric Cairns, a Canadian who was heartbroken hearing stories of loss his Garden City neighbors suffered while living on Long Island.
It hit even harder when he and then-head coach Peter Laviolette’s promising team visited Ground Zero and saw the “emotional,” seemingly never-ending photo wall of the many missing people in Lower Manhattan.
“I think we chose to let it galvanize us as a team – and really vibed off that.”
Things started with a rare moment of unity during an exhibition game against their arch-rival Rangers, where the usual bad blood was cooled to the temperature of the ice.
Seeing the devastation of Ground Zero galvanized the Islanders in the 2001-2002 season. Paul Martinka for NY Post
“We all lined up on the blue lines as one – Ranger, Islander, Ranger, Islander,” he said.
“Which doesn’t happen very often, if at all.”
Fans were without a doubt ready to believe in something, said Bill Kain, the Isles vice president of sponsorship that season.
“Everybody had been to a lot of funerals, a lot of services, including myself.”
“It just made it really hard to enjoy life again,” added Kain, a diehard season ticket holder in his personal life.
The Islanders played in the name of their hurting fans the season after Sept. 11. New York Post
Hockey finally returned to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in mid-October, when an eagle flew down to the American flag-draped surface before puck drop.
Newly acquired and beloved captain Mike Peca wore an NYPD uniform and an ESU pin as teammates skated out with FDNY and police gear, while famed boxing announcer Michael Buffer called their names.
Long Island native Joan Jett then introduced the NYPD and FDNY’s hockey teams, who unfurled a massive American flag on the ice to thunderous “USA!” chants – just before “Sopranos” star and Jericho’s Jamie Lynn Sigler belted out the national anthem.
“It gave me goose bumps…you could just feel the patriotism,” center Shawn Bates recalled.
Shawn Bates got chills during the Islanders home opener that season. Neil Miller for NY Post
“Just the camaraderie between everyone during that tragedy…it was inspiring,” added the Massachusetts born player.
“Even though 9/11 kind of brought you down a notch,” Dowd said, “in another way, it bonded us closer.”
The new-look Islanders, who also onboarded 32-goal scorer Alexei Yashin and quick-stick goalie Chris Osgood, became the hottest thing on ice with only one October loss in an emotional year that coincided with the team’s 30th anniversary.
It was a stark contrast to the franchise’s notorious blunders of the decade prior, which started with getting swept by the Stanley Cup-winning Rangers in the 1994 playoffs – the Isles’ most recent postseason appearance at the time.
They became the NHL’s bottom feeders by 1996 and endured the humiliation of fraudster and criminal new owner John Spano around that time.
“When they were relevant again and the [post-Spano] ownership, the new players, and renewed excitement,” Kain said, “I think that was what brought everybody back to a feeling of, ‘wow, we can have a little fun with this team.’”
Islanders superfan Patrick Dowd created his iconic “always believe sign” in the wake of 9/11. Courtesy Patrick Dowd
The 42–28–8–4 Islanders drew the Maple Leafs in first-round playoff action that reinvigorated the raucous Coliseum, nicknamed “Fort Neverlose” from the palpable energy it gave during the team’s four-straight Stanley Cup dynasty of the early 1980s.
New York was the tri-state’s only team in that postseason and put up an epic seven-game grudge match that Isles nation talks about fondly.
“We laid it on the line every shift, every game, every minute,” Bates said.
Darren Van Impe of the New York Islanders celebrates Alexi Yashin’s goal against Curtis Joseph of the Toronto Maple Leafs during game six of the Stanley Cup playoffs at the Nassau Coliseum in Hempstead, New York, on April 28, 2002. The Islanders won 5-3. Getty Images/NHLI
“People that lost loved ones who were still coming to the games, we wanted to show some appreciation for their loyalty.”
Cairns earned his iconic Isles moment of punching the lights out of Leafs Shayne Corson at the end of a must-win Game 6 that the Islanders took 5-3.
“Prior to warm-up, you could hear them cheering from the dressing room,” Eric Cairns said of that electric postseason in Nassau County.
“If you can’t get up for something like that, what can you get up for as an athlete?”
But the showstopper belongs to Bates in a heroic goal fans put up there with the dynasty days.
Deadlocked at 3-3, he drew a penalty shot in Game 4 with two and a half minutes remaining while trailing the series two games to one.
The forward buried an immortalized game-winner against sharp goalie Curtis Joseph – and “kind of almost blacked out” as the fever pitch of fans let loose and nearly shook the ground.
Lifelong fan Jonathan Ansbacher doesn’t remember all the details from 25 years ago, but will never forget, “that penalty shot was the loudest I’ve ever heard the Coliseum.”
Bates agreed.
“The old Coliseum goal horn – that thing seemed like it just kept going and going,” added Kain.
With a late lead to defend, Bates just remembers “it was just so loud – so loud.”
The Shawn Bates penalty shot became one of the most special moments in Islanders history. Neil Miller for NY PostThe Islanders 2001-2002 season has a special spot in the hearts of fans. Neil Miller for NY Post
“I was like, ‘Is this really happening?’ It certainly did.”
The Shawn Bates penalty shot turned into a moment as cathartic as Mike Piazza’s tear-jerking homer when the Mets brought baseball back to the Big Apple after Sept. 11, and touched heavy hearts similar to the Yankees’ World Series run.
“It was the highlight of my NHL career.”
Bates’ only regret is that the Islanders couldn’t beat the Leafs in the double-elimination game, bringing the moving season to a close.
Fans like Dowd say the team did its job in bringing joy and excitement back to those who needed it most, regardless of the outcome.
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 4: Starting pitcher Andre Pallante #53 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on September 4, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals wrap up their west coast swing with a matinee game Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco against the Giants. Andre Pallante gets the start for the Cardinals while it will be RHP Blade Tidwell starting for the Giants. First pitch scheduled for 2:45pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
