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Orioles promote top prospect Samuel Basallo for MLB debut

HOUSTON (AP) — Baltimore’s top prospect Samuel Basallo will make his MLB debut Sunday after the Orioles selected his contract from Triple-A Norfolk.

Basallo, rated Baltimore’s No. 1 prospect and the No. 8 prospect in baseball by MLB.com, is a catcher and first baseman, but was batting sixth and serving as the team’s designated hitter Sunday in the series finale against the Astros.

“This is the first big Latin American signing that we’ve had that shows up and it’s a really good one,” Baltimore interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “So we’re excited about him. We expect him to be competitive and do well.”

His promotion comes a day after the team brought up No. 3 prospect outfielder Dylan Beavers.

Basallo, a 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic, hit .270 with 23 homers and 67 RBIs in 76 games for Norfolk this season. He will be the team’s backup catcher behind star Adley Rutschman and get work at first base.

“Adley will function as our No. 1 catcher because that’s what he is,” Mansolino said. “He’s a really good catcher. Basollo will function as the No. 2 catcher, catch day games, Adley won’t catch four in a row, things like that.”

Mansolino added that Basollo would start at catcher Monday night at Boston and that he’d get him in the lineup at first base during the team’s next homestand.

Also on Sunday, the Orioles reinstated OF Colton Cowser from the 7-day concussion list and optioned OF Daniel Johnson and 1B/OF Ryan Noda to Norfolk. They also transferred right-hander Zach Eflin (low back discomfort) to the 60-day injured list.

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Astros' Yordan Alvarez to start rehab assignment at Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday

HOUSTON (AP) Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez will begin a rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday, moving him closer to a return after sitting out for more than three months.

“It’s really good news,” manager Joe Espada said. “The fact that he’s feeling better and we’re getting to a point where we can see him back is awesome.”

Alvarez has been out since May 3 with a small fracture in his right hand that was initially diagnosed as a muscle strain.

Alvarez was in Houston on Sunday before the team’s series finale against Baltimore after returning from the Astros’ spring training facility in Florida, giving Espada a chance to talk with him.

“He is feeling better,” Espada said. “Good enough to start a rehabilitation assignment.”

Espada said Alvarez would need “a few games before joining our club” but when pressed about exactly how many games or at-bats the left-hander would need, he declined to give further details.

“We’re going to start with Tuesday and then we’ll go from there,” he said.

Espada said Alvarez would serve as the team’s designated hitter Tuesday.

The return of Alvarez would be a major boost to the Astros as the postseason approaches after he led the team in batting average (.308), home runs (35) and RBIs (86) last season. Houston entered Sunday leading the AL West with a 1 1/2-game lead over the Mariners.

The 28-year-old Alvarez hit .210 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 29 games this season before his injury.

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Five NHL Goaltenders With The Most To Prove In 2025-26

With the skill level and speed at which the current game is played, NHL goaltenders have struggled to perform at a high level season-to-season.

On several occasions, goaltenders have recorded seasons with save percentages above .900, and in other years, they are well below the mark. Finding that consistent level is the goal, and there are many goaltenders looking to do so.

Here are five goaltenders with the most to prove in the 2025-26 season.

Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins

Swayman and the Bruins agreed to a monster, eight-year, $8.25-million contract extension last off-season after they traded Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators. At the time, the move made sense despite Ullmark taking home a Vezina Trophy during his stint with the Bruins. Swayman was younger and looked far better in the playoffs.

Whether the long negotiations affected Swayman or not, the 2024-25 season started poorly for the 26-year-old, and he never really recovered. Swayman had never recorded a save percentage under .914, but he finished last season with a .892 SP. The Bruins fell far from the playoffs after trading several players away at the deadline and finished 28th in the NHL standings.

Swayman featured on Team USA's 4 Nations Face-Off roster and was the starting netminder in the Americans' first world championship win since 1933. Swayman will want to retain his spot on the Olympic roster, but he needs to start the season well to hold off his competition. 

John Gibson, Detroit Red Wings

Gibson had been rumored to be traded out of Anaheim for a long time, and it finally came to fruition this off-season. The Red Wings sent goaltender Petr Mrazek, a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a fourth-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft to acquire the 32-year-old. 

Gibson had a phenomenal stretch from 2015 to 2019 when the Ducks were a competitive team, but since then, he has struggled to produce above-average numbers on a weak team. The Red Wings are far from Stanley Cup contenders, but the franchise believes they have what it takes to make the playoffs.

A lot of pressure rests on Gibson's shoulders to propel the Red Wings to the playoffs as he retakes a No. 1 role on an NHL team.

Juuse Saros, Nashville Predators

The Predators were woeful in the 2024-25 season, and Saros did not bail them out. He finished the campaign with a .896 SP, the lowest of his career. In fact, it was the first time he was ever under .900, and he has only been under .910 once before, which came in the 2023-24 season. 

The 30-year-old needs to prove himself once again and help right the ship in Nashville. The Predators have attempted to add younger players to their roster while keeping it competitive for their veterans, and just as easily as they could miss the post-season, they could make it. 

Including his performance with the Predators, Saros needs to find his game if Finland wants to go on a long run at the Olympics. His showing at the world championships was impressive, and it's a start, but like Swayman, a lot rides on his start to the upcoming season. 

Thatcher Demko, Vancouver Canucks

Demko was never healthy last year, and unfortunately, that's been his biggest issue in his NHL career. When healthy, Demko is among the elite goaltenders in the NHL, but he needs to find a way to stay between the pipes. 

The Canuck have revamped their roster and are in an excellent position to return to the playoffs. Although it doesn't all ride on Demko's performance, the Canucks will likely live or die by their No. 1 goaltender.

In addition to his success with the Canucks, Demko has a real chance to work his way onto the American Olympic roster. Proving he has what it takes to be a No. 1 goaltender isn't the issue, but proving he can do it consistently is. 

Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

Hellebuyck has virtually nothing left to prove in the regular season, but he has everything to prove in the playoffs. A three-time Vezina Trophy winner, a two-time William M. Jennings Trophy winner and one of eight goaltenders ever to win the Hart Trophy. Yet, he looks like a shell of himself in the playoffs.

Connor Hellebuyck (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

After Hellebuyck recorded a .932 SP and led the Americans to the finals at the 4 Nations, many thought Hellebuyck had figured out how to stay mentally strong in high-leverage situations. But after a dreadful post-season where he was pulled three times in the first round against the St. Louis Blues, it was clear that the mental block had not been solved. 

Hellebuyck has the pedigree to go down as one of the great goaltenders to play in the NHL, but the lack of playoff success is holding him back from truly being acknowledged in that breath. 

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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‘Catch of the decade': Watch Giants outfielder make wild play — with his knees

‘Catch of the decade': Watch Giants outfielder make wild play — with his knees originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Star Giants centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee might have made the catch of the 2025 MLB season — and decade — during San Francisco’s 7-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday at Oracle Park.

In the top of the fourth inning, Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz sent an 83-mph sweeper from Giants ace Logan Webb into Triples Alley, and Lee wildly caught the deep fly between his legs.

Yes, you read that right.

The catch kept the fans in San Francisco entertained during the 0-0 tie at the time, and it certainly will be remembered for the rest of the year and for generations to come. 

Lee explained postgame just how he pulled off the grab.

“The wind was pretty heavy and the ball was reaching out a lot, so I went for the slide,” Lee said. “I did catch it, but it felt like it was dropping down, going under my body starting from the chest. It was a funny catch for sure.

“As soon as I felt the ball dropping down my body, I felt like I had to squeeze, and in the end, I squeezed it with my calves.”

All Giants right fielder Drew Gilbert, who was next to Lee as he held up proof of the grab, could do was smile. NBC Sports Bay Area’s Duane Kuiper said it best during the game’s broadcast.

“I don’t care what anybody says,” Kuiper said. “That’s the catch of the decade. Not of the year, not of the day, not of the week, not of the homestand. The decade.”

Kuiper has been around the majors since his rookie 1974 season with Cleveland. He would know what “the catch of the decade” looks like.

As reflected by their 60-64 record, the Giants have historically struggled in recent weeks and entered Sunday’s game with one home win in their last 15 tries. 

But perhaps Lee’s play provided the spark San Francisco needed to beat the Rays, and maybe it can help the Giants eventually survive the dog days of summer and claw back into the MLB playoff race.

Regardless, San Francisco will take the win and the ridiculous highlight. And Bob Melvin, doing his job as a manager, was just glad his center fielder wasn’t hurt.

“I was worried that he may have hurt something, like his ankle,” Melvin said postgame. “I wasn’t really sure because he was down for a while. When the replay took a while, our people were talking about it and realized he caught it between his knees.

“Haven’t seen that one before.”

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‘Catch of the decade': Watch Giants outfielder make wild play — with his knees

‘Catch of the decade': Watch Giants outfielder make wild play — with his knees originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Star Giants centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee might have made the catch of the 2025 MLB season — and decade — during San Francisco’s 7-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday at Oracle Park.

In the top of the fourth inning, Rays first baseman Yandy Díaz sent an 83-mph sweeper from Giants ace Logan Webb into Triples Alley, and Lee wildly caught the deep fly between his legs.

Yes, you read that right.

The catch kept the fans in San Francisco entertained during the 0-0 tie at the time, and it certainly will be remembered for the rest of the year and for generations to come. 

Lee explained postgame just how he pulled off the grab.

“The wind was pretty heavy and the ball was reaching out a lot, so I went for the slide,” Lee said. “I did catch it, but it felt like it was dropping down, going under my body starting from the chest. It was a funny catch for sure.

“As soon as I felt the ball dropping down my body, I felt like I had to squeeze, and in the end, I squeezed it with my calves.”

All Giants right fielder Drew Gilbert, who was next to Lee as he held up proof of the grab, could do was smile. NBC Sports Bay Area’s Duane Kuiper said it best during the game’s broadcast.

“I don’t care what anybody says,” Kuiper said. “That’s the catch of the decade. Not of the year, not of the day, not of the week, not of the homestand. The decade.”

Kuiper has been around the majors since his rookie 1974 season with Cleveland. He would know what “the catch of the decade” looks like.

As reflected by their 60-64 record, the Giants have historically struggled in recent weeks and entered Sunday’s game with one home win in their last 15 tries. 

But perhaps Lee’s play provided the spark San Francisco needed to beat the Rays, and maybe it can help the Giants eventually survive the dog days of summer and claw back into the MLB playoff race.

Regardless, San Francisco will take the win and the ridiculous highlight. And Bob Melvin, doing his job as a manager, was just glad his center fielder wasn’t hurt.

“I was worried that he may have hurt something, like his ankle,” Melvin said postgame. “I wasn’t really sure because he was down for a while. When the replay took a while, our people were talking about it and realized he caught it between his knees.

“Haven’t seen that one before.”

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Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal: Premier League – live reaction

Riccardo Calafiori punished an error from Altay Bayindir to give Arsenal victory against a lively Man Utd

We’re at home and we want to get three points. We know that everything is not going to change in four weeks but we have made steps that are really important for the future.

[On Benjamin Sesko’s role as substitute] We picked the starting XI thinking also about the end of the game, so we need to balance that. Ben had a very good week but it’s just one week. We have to remember that there’s a lot of emotion – changing countries, culture, working with new people. The first impression is really important so let the guy settle down. He’s ready to help us in the game.

I’m very excited about the season. We start with a great opportunity at Old Trafford. I know what this game will demand but I’m very excited about what’s coming. What a place to play the first game; we’re ready for it.

[On Viktor Gyokeres] Goals are his main quality. He brings a fear factor as well – it’s not just his ability to put the ball in the back of the net but the feeling he creates in the opposition.

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Calafiori strikes after goalkeeper’s error as Arsenal grind to win at Manchester United

Blazing sunshine and a busy new marquee serving craft ale behind the Stretford End: ­Manchester United began in a shiny new world and finished in the gloom of another defeat.

First look at Altay Bayindir’s howler that handed Riccardo ­Calafiori an easy header. But then zoom out and you see this: a ­crisis at No 1 for United that features Ruben Amorim going all summer not ­fancying André Onana and still turning up for the season opener without a high-end replacement. Result: Bayindir’s ricket.

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Logan Webb's gem vs. Rays provides Giants crucial salvation amid brutal skid

Logan Webb's gem vs. Rays provides Giants crucial salvation amid brutal skid originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – There’s an old saying of any port in a storm, an idiom that basically means even in bad times some peace can be found.

For the Giants, Logan Webb has been and continues to be their port.

San Francisco’s ace was at his best Sunday at Oracle Park, putting up an absolute gem that set the tone as the Orange and Black ended their longest losing streak of the season Sunday with a resounding 7-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Webb had everything working while spinning seven scoreless innings against the Rays, an outing that was so dominant that only one Tampa Bay player made it beyond first base, and that only happened because of an error.

Otherwise, it was Webb, Webb and more Webb pacing the Giants to what he called their best game in a while.

“Changeup was good, sweeper was good, located the fastball,” catcher Patrick Bailey said while summarizing Webb’s afternoon. “That was one of the better outings of the year for sure. He gives us a chance to win every time he goes out there.”

The Giants needed every single bit of it to blend some positivity into what has otherwise been a trainwreck of a homestand.

Prior to beating the Rays the Giants had lost seven of eight at home and were on the verge of matching their worst homestand since moving West from New York in 1958.

“Honestly, probably the best game we’ve played in a long time,” Webb said. “ Sad to say but it’s kind of the truth. We gotta keep this going.”

The Giants have been pretty much a mess this season but the one constant has been Webb.

The 28-year-old right-hande, who only allowed three hits to the Rays, leads the Giants in wins (11) and ERA (3.19). He leads the National League in innings pitched with 160 2/3 (no shock there) and has 175 strikeouts this season, third most in the NL.

“With Webby on the mound you feel pretty good about your chances,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said.

For obvious reason.

Since 2021 the Giants have won 84 games started by Webb. That’s second-most in the National League behind the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler (87).

Sunday’s win marked the ninth time in 16 games that Webb has pitched his team to a victory following a loss, earning him the title of stopper.

Webb declined to go that far and instead focused on how well he pitched after getting roughed up for four runs in 6 1/3 innings during his previous start last Monday against the San Diego Padres.

“I try to win every game I go out and pitch,” Webb said. “I feel like I really haven’t done a good job lately, putting the team in a bad spot. Just wanted to go out and try to throw up some zeroes today.”

He did just that, and in doing so, Webb cemented himself as a port of calm in any storm.

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NHL 26 Be A Pro Trailer Releases Aug. 19

Pricey pond hockey is officially a thing of the past. 

EA SPORTS NHL announced that the reveal trailer for the fully revamped Be A Pro mode in NHL 26 will be unveiled at 11am EST Aug. 19 on the EA SPORTS NHL YouTube channel. 

From the initial gameplay trailer and deep dive trailer we have some idea of a few of the changes that will be coming to Be A Pro including new cutscenes, character, and ability to play in the AHL and World Juniors.

With the new X-Factor system it will give players the opportunity to define their playstyle and continue to progress through the three tiers as you move further along in your career. 

Be A Pro is an extremely popular mode within the NHL franchise and has been several years since there has been a major change.

Check back in with us on Tuesday for a full breakdown of the Be A Pro reveal trailer. 

New Heroes and Icons will be in NHL 26.

NHL 26 is set to release Sept. 12, those who pre-order the deluxe edition get access Sept. 5. 

For more NHL Gaming news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.  

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Luka Doncic diagnosed with left knee contusion, will continue to play for Slovenia at EuroBasket

This looked like it could have been much worse in the moment, with Luka Doncic's Slovenian teammate Gregor Hrovat falling and crashing into his knee during an exhibition game against Latvia.

While Doncic limped back to the locker room after this, he was diagnosed with just a knee contusion, reports Marc Stein. Doncic will return to practice with the Slovenian team on Monday as they gear up for the start of EuroBasket at the end of the month, adds Dan Woike of The Athletic.

With Doncic, Slovenia has a chance to medal at the European championships (they are sixth in betting odds to win the entire thing, according to Bet MGM). He is the heart and soul of their team, as evidenced by his 26 points, five rebounds and five assists against Latvia in the first half. With Doncic out, Latvia went on an 18-0 run and went on to win the exhibition, behind 20 points from Kristaps Porzingis and 16 from Davis Bertans.

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Reds designate outfielder Jake Fraley for assignment

CINCINNATI (AP) — Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was designated for assignment on Sunday, with catcher Tyler Stephenson’s thumb injury and a short bench contributing to the decision.

The Reds also recalled right-hander Connor Phillips and outfielder Will Benson from Triple-A Louisville and optioned left-hander Joe La Sorsa to Triple-A.

“We came to the idea of kind of giving Jake a chance to play where maybe he thinks he deserves to play, which I understand, is maybe better than him sitting the bench here,” Reds manager Terry Francona said. “Stephenson is banged up. We were a little concerned about playing short, maybe a two-man bench.”

Fraley, 30, is in his fifth major-league season, his fourth with Cincinnati. He is batting .232 with six home runs and 23 RBIs in 67 games.

He hyperextended his knee after making an error in left field to allow a run to score in the 10th inning of a 6-5, 11-inning loss to the first-place Brewers on Saturday. Francona said neither the miscue nor the injury factored into the DFA move.

Stephenson reaggravated an injury to his left thumb during the Pittsburgh series and is day to day. Jose Trevino, who was behind the plate Saturday night, got the start for Sunday’s day game.

Francona said the decision on Fraley, a popular player among fans and in the clubhouse, wasn’t easy.

“Not that I needed an excuse to lose sleep last night, but you do, because you’re thinking about it,” Francona said. “You’re making decisions that alter their life. The day when I stop thinking about it, I will re-retire.”

Cincinnati, the only team this season that hasn’t been swept in a series, has dropped the first two games of the three-game set against the Brewers, who have won 14 straight games.

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Marc Márquez reigns supreme in Austria with sprint-race MotoGP double

  • Marc Márquez takes 142-point lead over brother Alex

  • Wins sixth GP in a row for first time since 2014

Six-times MotoGP champion Marc Márquez marked the 1,000th premier class race in history by winning the Austrian Grand Prix for the first time in his career to take a mammoth 142-point lead over his brother Alex in the championship.

Having won Saturday’s sprint from the second row, Marc Márque claimed the sprint-race double for the sixth Grand Prix in a row, with the Spaniard unbeaten since the British Grand Prix in May. Not since 2014 had Marc Márquez claimed six Grand Prix wins on the bounce as he inches closer to a seventh MotoGP crown with nine rounds left.

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SEE IT: Mets arrive in Williamsport for 2025 MLB Little League Classic

The Mets touched down in Williamsport, Penn. on Sunday morning ahead of their matchup with the Seattle Mariners in the 2025 MLB Little League Classic.

The Mets took some time to meet with the players in this year's Little League World Series, taking pictures, signing autographs, and more.

Here's a look at some of the fun...

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Miami re-signs guard Dru Smith, who is coming off a torn Achilles

Dru Smith's perseverance has won him a lot of fans in the Miami Heat front office. The Heat liked him enough that right as the 2023-24 season was starting, they converted his two-way contract to a regular one, but then he ended up missing most of that season with a right knee injury (and was waived at the trade deadline). Smith bounced back and signed another two-way contract with the Heat for last season and in 14 games with the big club averaged 6.2 points a game off the bench as a sniper from 3 and strong on-ball defender, then in December he tore his Achilles and missed the remainder of last season.

Miami is bringing Smith back for this season and hoping he stays healthy.

This was announced as a three-year contract by ESPN's Shams Charania, but only the first year is fully guaranteed. All three years are at the league minimum.

Smith's recovery is reportedly going so well that there is optimism he will be ready for the start of the NBA season. Smith is going to have to earn rotation minutes on a team that is expected to start Tyler Herro and Norman Powell at the guard spots, with Terry Rozier and just-drafted Kasparas Jakucionis in the rotation behind them.

Smith is Miami's 14th contract. It's interesting that after the reports of reserve big men working out for the team recently — Kai Jones and Trey Lyles — and now will enter the season with just Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware as centers on the roster.

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Alexander Burmistrov & Adam Clendening Latest To Sign With Chinese KHL Team

Ever since a major rebranding a week ago, the Shanghai Dragons have hired a high-profile head coach and signed 14 new players, including several ex-NHLers. On Saturday, five new signings were announced, including Russian center Alexander Burmistrov and the re-signing of American defenseman Adam Clendening.

Other players announced on Saturday include Croatian winger Borna Rendulić, 32, who played 15 NHL games with the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks, Russian winger Vladimir Kuznetsov and Russian goaltender Andrei Tikhomirov.

“Burmistrov is a talented, fast center who excels in the faceoff circle and brings important contributions on the penalty kill,” said Dragons CEO Igor Varitsky.

Originally from Kazan, Tatarstan, Burmistrov, now 27, came up through the local Ak Bars club, playing one KHL game with the team in 2007-08, and then spent one season with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. He was chosen eighth overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Between 2010 and 2013, he spent three seasons with the Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets franchise, then returned to Russia in 2013. Burmistrov then returned to North America in 2015 and played for the Jets, Arizona Coyotes and Canucks before returning again in 2018.

Burmistrov had 101 points and 139 penalty minutes in 348 NHL games. He also has 170 points in 492 KHL regular-season and playoff games with Ak Bars, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Spartak Moscow and Dynamo Moscow. After not playing the first half of last season, he only played eight games last season for Dynamo, going pointless.

Internationally, Burmistrov played for Russia in two IIHF World Championships, winning a gold medal in 2014 in Minsk and a bronze at home in Moscow in 2016.

Alexander Burmistrov Signs With Dynamo MoscowAlexander Burmistrov Signs With Dynamo Moscow Russian center Alexander Burmistrov, 33, has signed a contract to play the remainder of the current season with Dynamo Moscow, the KHL club announced recently.

“Clendening brings valuable NHL experience and plays an important role both defensively and on the power play,” said Varitsky. “We consider him one of our leaders, and last season he showed he has the ability to guide his teammates on and off the ice.”

Clendening, 32, was born in Niagara Falls, N.Y. and became a pro via the U.S. National Team Development Program and Boston University. He was selected in the second round, 36th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Between 2014 and 2019, Clendening played 90 NHL regular-season games for the Blackhawks, Canucks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers, Coyotes and Columbus Blue Jackets, recording 24 points and 42 penalty minutes. The last NHL games he ever played were seven playoff games for Columbus in 2019, picking up one assist and one minor penalty.

Clendening spent the 2023-24 season in Finland with Ilves Tampere and last season in the KHL with Kunlun, recording 22 points and 65 penalty minutes in 61 games.

Internationally, Clendening won two gold medals for the USA at the U-18 World Championships and a bronze at the 2021 Worlds in Riga.

Gerard Gallant Takes Over KHL’s Shanghai DragonsGerard Gallant Takes Over KHL’s Shanghai Dragons Gerard Gallant is the new head coach of the Shanghai Dragons, the KHL club announced on Wednesday.

A busy week just keeps getting busier for the Chinese-based KHL club, which was previously known as Kunlun Red Star.

On Monday, defenseman Jake Chelios announced his retirement. On Wednesday, the club announced the signing of new head coach Gerard Gallant, and on Friday and Saturday, the club announced the signings of nine new players, including Slovak Olympic bronze-medal-winning goaltender Patrik Rybar and Canadian forwards Ryan Spooner and Nick Merkley.

The Kunlun-Shanghai franchise has played its home games in suburban Moscow since early 2020 and will play in St. Petersburg this season, but plans to return to China in either 2026 or 2027.

The team has not made the playoffs since its inaugural KHL season in 2016-17.

Ex-NHLers Spooner & Merkley Sign With ShanghaiEx-NHLers Spooner & Merkley Sign With Shanghai Canadian former NHL forwards Ryan Spooner and Nick Merkley have signed one-year contracts to play for the Shanghai Dragons, the Chinese-based KHL club announced on Saturday.