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Francisco Lindor stays hot, Mets support Nolan McLean's scoreless debut in 3-1 win over Mariners

The Mets defeated the Seattle Mariners 3-1 at Citi Field on Saturday, riding an impressive major league debut by Nolan McLean, to win a game they needed badly after losing 14 of their previous 16.

The Mets scored two runs in the seventh inning and then Carlos Mendoza went to Edwin Diaz for a close it out with a six-out save.

Here are the takeaways...

-After an especially rough week for the Mets, McLean gave fans some hope with an outstanding major league debut, throwing 5 1/3 scoreless innings. The righthander gave up two hits, both singles, and four walks while striking out eight Mariners’ hitters. He threw 91 pitches.

McLean showed an impressive six-pitch arsenal, living up to his reputation for great breaking stuff as he kept the hitters off-balance with a mix of spin and speed. His four-seam fastball was clocked as high as 97 mph while he threw his slow curve, which got some key swings-and-misses, between 78-81 mph.

Along the way, Mclean made a dazzling play to escape a bases-loaded situation in the third inning. With one out, he jammed Julio Rodriguez, inducing a fairly hard comebacker, and from his follow-throw, McLean reached behind his back to stab the ball, then quickly turned and fired to Brett Baty at second to start a 1-4-3 double play as the Citi Field crowd roared.

McLean was pulled in the sixth after giving up a leadoff walk to the M’s slugging catcher Cal Raleigh, and then striking out Rodriguez. Mendoza wanted lefty Gregory Soto for the lefty-hitting Josh Naylor, and though the manager was booed by the crowd for taking out McLean, Soto got out of the inning.

The switch-hitting Raleigh was the only Mariner that McLean didn’t get out, walking him twice and giving up a rocket of a single in the third inning.

-Hot-hitting Francisco Lindor got the Mets on the board, delivering a line double into the right-field corner in the third inning, scoring Brett Baty from first base to give the Mets a 1-0 lead. Baty had singled to lead off the inning.

Lindor went 2-for-4 on the day and is now 11-for-20 (.550)  in his last five games, with three home runs, two doubles, six RBI, and seven runs scored.

-The Mets pulled away with a two-run rally in the seventh. Baty and Lindor each singled and stole a base, and Juan Soto, who has struggled badly with runners in scoring position, delivered a run with a sacrifice fly to fairly deep left-center.

After Lindor was thrown out at the plate on Brandon Nimmo’s single to left (a bad decision to send Lindor, after he had hesitated to make sure the ball fell for a hit), Pete Alonso doubled down the third-base line to score Nimmo and make it 3-0.

-With all of the problems the Mets’ bullpen has had this week, Mendoza wasn’t messing around with a 3-0 lead, going to a well-rested Diaz to start the eighth.

Diaz pitched a scoreless eighth, getting two strikeouts, while allowing a single to Raleigh. In the ninth, he gave up a one-out home run to Eugenio Suarez but closed out the win without any drama.

-Baty and Lindor each stole second base during the seventh inning, as the Mets extended their streak without being caught to 39 straight steals.

It ties the longest such single-season streak in MLB history since caught stealings were first tracked in 1951. The Red Sox had 39 straight in 2013. They have the all-time record of 40 straight, including one in the 2014 season.

Game MVP: Nolan McLean

The Mets desperately needed a boost and McLean delivered, living up to his status as a high-ceiling prospect in Triple-A.

McLean has dominated in the minors since being drafted out of Oklahoma State in 2023, rising to No. 37 in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Mariners wrap up their three-game set on Sunday night. First pitch for the Little League Classic in Williamsport, PA, is set for 7:10 p.m.

Clay Holmes (9-6, 3.71 ERA) will take the mound for New York, while George Kirby (8-5, 3.71 ERA) will be on the bump for Seattle.

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Kings Left Off NHL Network 2025 Top-20 Defenders List

Recently, the NHL Network released their list of who they thought the top-20 defenders were in the NHL at this time heading into the 2025-26 season.

While there weren’t any expectations for any Kings defenders to be on that list, some expected Drew Doughty to be there, and he wasn’t. 

Heading into next season, the Kings will be without arguably their best defender in Vladislav Gavrikov, who signed a long-term deal with the New York Rangers as an unrestricted free agent (UFA), and will have to rely on the rest of their depth and newcomers to stabilize their blue line. 

As the season inches closer, the Kings' defenders, along with the rest of the roster, will be hoping they can prove everyone wrong and show they’re still an elite team with a chance to go deep into the postseason. 

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Former Red Wing Gerard Gallant Admits He’s “Pissed” Over NHL Coaching Snubs

It shouldn’t be difficult for a decorated former NHL coach and Jack Adams Award winner to find another job behind an NHL bench, but that’s the unfortunate reality that former Detroit Red Wings forward Gerard Gallant faced. 

Unable to land a new coaching gig in the NHL, Gallant recently accepted the head coaching responsibilities with the KHL's Shanghai Dragons, formerly known as the Kunlun Red Star.

They are members of the Tarasov Division of the KHL’s Western Conference and are currently based in St. Petersburg, as the club hasn't played in China since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

While Gallant expressed excitement over the new opportunity, he admitted that there was some frustration on his part over having been unable find another job in the NHL. 

"I've been out for two seasons and nothing has happened yet. Am I a little pissed off? Yes, but that's the way it goes, you wait for your turn and your opportunities," said Gallant. "I took this job with the mindset that I'm going to Russia and St. Petersburgh and I'm going to coach there. After the first year there's an out-clause and I'll look at something if something comes up." 

"Otherwise, I'm going over there with the focus on the St. Petersburgh team and get the Shanghai Dragons in the playoffs."

Gallant also indicated that he was interested in the vacated head coaching position of the Dallas Stars, who are managed by former Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill; the position ultimately went to Glen Gulutzan. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Gallant, whom the Red Wings drafted 107th overall in 1981, routinely played on a line with Steve Yzerman. He ultimately skated in 615 career NHL games, the majority of them with Detroit. 

During his time with the Red Wings, he was known by the nickname “Spuddy,” a nod to his hometown of Summerside, P.E.I., famous for potato production. 

Gallant transitioned into coaching after his playing career, working his way up through the minors before joining the Columbus Blue Jackets as an assistant in 2001.

He became head coach in 2004 following Doug MacLean’s resignation but was dismissed in November 2006. He later served as an assistant with both the New York Islanders and Montreal Canadiens before taking over the head coaching duties for the Florida Panthers in 2014, eventually. guiding them to the 2016 postseason and earning a Jack Adams Award finalist nod. However, he was let go after a slow start the following season.

Gallant then made history as the first head coach of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights, leading them to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and earning the Jack Adams Trophy. He had also been recognized by being tabbed as head coach of the Pacific Division All-Stars in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game. 

Fired by the Golden Knights in surprising fashion early on in the 2019-20 NHL season, Gallant once again found work as the head coach of the New York Rangers. He led them to an appearance in the Eastern Conference Final in 2022, and would become the first head coach to lead the franchise to consecutive 100-point campaigns.

Following their loss to the rival New Jersey Devils in the opening round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Gallant and the Rangers mutually parted ways.

He was most recently the head coach of Team Canada during the 2024 Spengler Cup. 

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2 Penguins Make NHL Network's Quarter Century Team

The NHL Network has revealed their quarter century team, and without any surprise whatsoever, two Pittsburgh Penguins have made the cut. 

Penguins longtime star centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are among the 12 forwards who made the NHL Network's quarter century team. When noting that they both have had Hall of Fame-worthy careers, it would have been shocking if they were not featured on it. 

Even to this day, Crosby is still among the NHL's best players. He just completed his 20th season in the NHL in 2024-25, where he posted 33 goals, 58 assists, and 91 points. With this, he once produced at an over a point-per-game pace, just like he has done in every single NHL season he has played thus far. 

In 1,352 career NHL games, Crosby has recorded 625 goals, 1,062 assists, 1,687 points, and a plus-197 rating. The three-time Stanley Cup champion has also recorded 71 goals and 201 points in 180 playoff games. This helped him win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in both 2016 and 2017. 

Crosby has also won an array of awards over his career, as he has won the Art Ross Trophy (twice), Hart Memorial Trophy (twice), Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (two times), Mark Messier Leadership Award (twice), and Ted Lindsay Award (three times).

Malkin has also had a truly spectacular career, too. In 1,213 career NHL games, all with Pittsburgh, he has recorded 514 goals, 832 assists, and 1,346 points. Like Crosby, he has had plenty of success during the playoffs, as he has recorded 67 goals and 180 points in 177 post-season games. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2009. 

In addition to his Conn Smythe Trophy win, Malkin has won the Calder Memorial Trophy (2007), Hart Memorial Trophy (2012), Ted Lindsay Award (2012), and Art Ross Trophy (twice). With this, Malkin undoubtedly was one of the most dominant players in the NHL during his prime, so his spot on the NHL Network's quarter century team was certainly earned. 

Should Penguins Reunite With Top Free Agent Left?Should Penguins Reunite With Top Free Agent Left?Last off-season, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed defenseman Matt Grzelcyk to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency. In the end, it is fair to say that the Penguins got good value in this move, as Grzelcyk fit in nicely with the Metropolitan Division club. 
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Moses Itauma stuns Dillian Whyte with devastating first-round knockout

  • Winner extends perfect record and closer to world title shot

  • Veteran sent crashing to canvas within two minutes

Moses Itauma blew away Dillian Whyte with a devastating first-round knockout in their all-British heavyweight clash in Riyadh. The 20-year-old extended his perfect record through 13 professional fights as he sent veteran Whyte sprawling to the canvas inside two minutes.

The 37-year-old Whyte, a former WBC interim heavyweight champion, was not given any time to settle as Itauma – who had been made to wait in the ring by a delayed walk-in from his British rival – immediately went on the front foot.

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Projecting Sabres Trade Cost – Owen Tippett

The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan. The opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed last month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. With just over a month before training camp, the odds are that an addition like that will have to happen during the season. 

Owen Tippett has been mentioned off and on in trade speculation over the last few years. That chatter seemed to calm down after the 26-year-old winger signed an eight-year max deal, but it may begin to percolate after his production dropped from 28 to 20 goals in the first year of the extension. Tippett was originally a Florida Panthers first-round pick, who was acquired by the Flyers in the Claude Giroux deal in 2022. 

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Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

At 6’1”, 209 lb. Tippett would be a more than adequate replacement for JJ Peterka in the Sabres top-six, and a realistic get since his 10-team modified no-trade clause does not kick until after this season. 

 

What Would It Cost?

The Flyers are in the midst of a rebuild, but for a young player under team control for another seven seasons such as Tippett, GM Danny Briere is going to expect a comparably aged forward in return, or a young top prospect that is close to being NHL-ready. Philadelphia has reportedly long been interested in Sabres forward Peyton Krebs, but Briere would probably want a Sabres first round pick along with Krebs in a Tippett deal. The Flyers are going to expect a much bigger return for a three-time 20+ goal scorer, which most likely would include Zach Benson or Konsta Helenius.  

 

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Astros’ All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña out of lineup for 2nd straight game due to illness

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston Astros All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña is out of the lineup for the second straight game against the Baltimore Orioles due to illness.

Astros manager Joe Espada said Saturday that Peña was feeling better and at the ballpark.

“He’s here. He’s going to do some baseball activities and sweat some of that stuff off,” Espada said.

Peña was sent to the doctor on Friday after reporting to Daikin Park feeling ill. He was not seen in the Astros dugout during their 7-0 loss to the Orioles.

In 93 games, Peña is batting a team-leading .318 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs. Mauricio Dubón has started at shortstop for the Astros in his absence.

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Astros' Hader hopes to pitch in 2025, likely in postseason, after going on IL with shoulder issue

HOUSTON (AP) Houston Astros All-Star closer Josh Hader said he hopes to pitch again in 2025, even if it means in the postseason, after being shut down because of a left shoulder issue.

Hader will not throw for three weeks after being diagnosed with a left capsule shoulder strain on Friday. He will fill that time with rest and strengthening exercises and be re-evaluated to see if he can resume a throwing program.

“We’ll see how my body recovers and how it’s taking on rehab,” Hader said. “Right now for me, I’m trying to get as strong as I can for these next three weeks and see where I go from there.”

Hader said he would need a ramp-up period of about three weeks in order to pitch in games, which would likely rule him out the remainder of the regular. But, the six-time All-Star hopes to return in the postseason for the Astros, who entered Saturday leading the American League West by a half-game over Seattle.

“Obviously, I would love to be part of a playoff push, but realistically, I’m thinking about longevity,” Hader said. "If I can get these three weeks, get healthy and start moving into a direction where I can start throwing, yeah I would be definitely optimistic.”

Hader was placed on the injured list for the first time in his nine-year career on Monday after he felt something in his shoulder he hadn’t felt before while throwing in training.

“That’s when I kind of threw up the caution signs and wanted to kind of look in deeper and kind of see what was really going on,” Hader said.

In his second year with the Astros, Hader is 6-2 with a 2.05 ERA and is fifth with 28 saves in 48 appearances this season.

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Seiya Suzuki hits a tiebreaking single as the Cubs edge the Pirates 3-1

CHICAGO (AP) Seiya Suzuki hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth inning, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 on Saturday for a sorely needed victory.

Kyle Tucker hit a leadoff single against Evan Sisk (0-1) and stole second before coming home on Suzuki's grounder into center field. Nico Hoerner tacked on a two-out RBI double following an intentional walk to Ian Happ.

Chicago (69-53) had dropped four of five, including a 3-2 loss in the series opener on Friday.

Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga pitched seven innings of three-hit ball. Andrew Kittredge (3-3) got three outs before Brad Keller handled the ninth for his first save.

Tommy Pham homered for Pittsburgh (52-72), which lost for the sixth time in seven games. Rookie Mike Burrows permitted one run and five hits in five innings.

Imanaga retired his first 10 batters before Pham connected for his sixth homer in the fourth, a 428-foot drive to left. The Cubs got the run back in the bottom half when Tucker scored on Carson Kelly's two-out single.

Imanaga struck out six and walked two. About the only thing that seemed to ruffle the lefty were the sonic booms from military jets flying nearby during the Chicago Air and Water Show. He had to pause several times to let the planes pass, including the fifth, where he waited momentarily before freezing Liover Peguero for an inning-ending strikeout.

Nick Gonzales hit a leadoff single for Pittsburgh in the ninth. But Keller responded with three straight strikeouts against Andrew McCutchen, Joey Bart and pinch-hitter Spencer Horwitz.

The Cubs have scored three or fewer runs in 10 of their 14 games this month.

Cubs right-hander Javier Assad (0-1, 9.00 ERA) makes his second start of the season in Sunday’s series finale. The Pirates will use right-handed reliever Carmen Mlodzinski (2-7, 4.20 ERA) as an opener.

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Jannik Sinner sets up Carlos Alcaraz showdown in Cincinnati Open final

  • World No 1 wins 7-6 (4), 6-2 against Térence Atmane

  • Alcaraz sees off Alexander Zverev to make final

Jannik Sinner, the top seed and defending champion, ended the French qualifier Térence Atmane’s dream run at the Cincinnati Open with a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win to reach the final of the US Open warm-up event.

Sinner, playing on his 24th birthday, won a remarkable 91% of his first-serve points, did not face a single break point during the 86-minute match and converted two of five break points in his first career meeting with Atmane, the world No 136.

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What we learned as Giants waste Justin Verlander's strong outing in loss to Rays

What we learned as Giants waste Justin Verlander's strong outing in loss to Rays originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO — It feels like every night there’s a new stunning stat about how dire things have gotten for the Giants. Here was Saturday’s: For the first time since 2008, they’ve lost six straight series at Oracle Park.

This series loss was clinched when the Tampa Bay Rays rallied for two runs in the eighth and held on for a 2-1 win. The Giants have lost seven straight games and 15 of their last 16 at home. This is just the second time in Oracle Park history that they’ve dropped six consecutive home series, although for seven innings Saturday, things were trending up. 

Justin Verlander has had truly unbelievable luck in his attempt to get closer to 300 career wins. He had some rough times in the first half, but he generally has pitched well in recent weeks, and he wasn’t rewarded Saturday for his best start as a Giant. 

Verlander threw seven shutout innings and left with a 1-0 lead, but three straight two-out hits off José Buttó and Brandon Lowe put the Rays on top in the top of the eighth. It was the sixth time that the bullpen blew a lead for Verlander, who also has received the second-worst run support in baseball. 

Climbing the Charts

Walter Johnson began his career in 1907, so perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that there’s some confusion about his stats. MLB.com has Johhnson at 3,508 career strikeouts, Baseball-Reference has him at 3,509 and Elias Sports Bureau has him at 3,515.

That meant Verlander either passed or approached Johnson on Saturday, depending on which statistical group you trust most. On the scoreboard the Giants went with Baseball-Reference, and Verlander got a nice ovation when he reached 3,510 in the fifth inning. 

Verlander finished with eight strikeouts, getting to 3,511 for his career. Next up after Johnson is Giants Hall-of-Famer Gaylord Perry, who is eighth all-time with 3,534. Verlander also isn’t far from No. 7 Don Sutton (3,574). 

Hall Of Fame Company

For a moment, it looked like Verlander would join another impressive list. There have been just six 42-year-olds in MLB history to reach double-digit strikeouts in a game and it’s a group of legends: Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Gaylord Perry, Rich Hill and Steve Carlton. Verlander’s season-high is nine and he came up just short Saturday.

He did, however, join some of those Hall-of-Famers on another list. Verlander allowed just two hits in his seven scoreless innings and struck out eight, something that has only been done 11 times in MLB history by a pitcher who is 42 or older. Ryan did it five times, Clemens did it three times and Johnson did it twice. 

Third Guy At Third

The Giants put Matt Chapman on the IL on Friday and then watched backup third baseman Casey Schmitt get drilled. Schmitt’s X-rays came back negative and he could be back as soon as Sunday, but the sequence forced Koss to move across the diamond on Saturday. 

Koss made an early error, but the run didn’t score. He more than made up for it in the sixth. 

With two on and two outs, Koss pulled a low fastball under third baseman Junior Caminero’s glove to push the game’s first run across. It was a rare hit with a runner in scoring position for a struggling lineup, but right now Koss is as trustworthy as anyone. 

The rookie has back-to-back multi hit games and is 6-for-19 since coming off the IL. Koss is hitting .274 and quietly putting together a very solid first big league season. 

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Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: High-Octane Oilers Will Be More Than A Handful For Buffalo

Stuart Skinner (left); Jason Zucker (right) -- (Timothy T. Ludwig , USA TODAY Images)

The Buffalo Sabres are a 14-year reclamation project, and losing so consistently is currently the norm for the franchise. But every year brings some hope that things will change for the better, and the Sabres will have 82 opportunities to show they're an improved team that's finally going to make it into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

And with that said, THN.com is breaking down each of Buffalo's 31 NHL rivalries. We've been making our way through the Atlantic, Metropolitan and Central division teams, and in this file, we're focusing on a Pacific Division team -- the Western-Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. 

The Oilers showed last year they could do it all -- at least, leading up to being owned again by the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final -- but there's been notable change in Edmonton since then. So the Sabres will be taking on a significantly different Oilers team this year. And below, we're going to break down Buffalo's chances against Edmonton. Let's get to it: 

BUFFALO SABRES VS. EDMONTON OILERS

NEW OILERS PLAYERS: Andrew Mangiapane, LW; Isaac Howard, LW; Curtis Lazar, C; David Tomasek, RW 

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-1-0, Oilers 1-1-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  November 17 at Buffalo; December 9 at Edmonton 

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Oilers proved to be the Western Conference's best team last season before falling to the Panthers in the Cup final. But Edmonton and Buffalo were even in their two-game series last year. First, the Oilers won 3-2 in their first game in late January of this year; then, the Sabres won 3-2 in their second game in early March. 

The difference in the series last year might be Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The veteran netminder didn't play in the first game -- journeyman James Reimer played that game -- but in the second game, Luukkonen was stellar, turning aside 32 of 34 Edmonton shots.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Is Buffalo Better Than Rebuilding Flames?Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Is Buffalo Better Than Rebuilding Flames?The Buffalo Sabres were a major disappointment last season, and the 13 other seasons before that which ended without any Stanley Cup playoff action. The Sabres have been one of the NHL's worst teams, and they're now in a position where they desperately need to get into the post-season. Fans are exhausted with all the losing, and they won't be going on much longer as the same group if they miss the playoffs again next year.

Thus, Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff would be foolish not to play Luukkonen in both games against Edmonton this coming season. Until such time as Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl pick apart Luukkonen's game, Luukkonen needs to be in net against one of the league's top teams.

And it doesn't matter that the two Sabres/Oilers games this season come just three weeks apart. If Luukkonen thrives in the Nov. 17 game, you ride him again against Edmonton. Presumptive backups Devon Levi and Alex Lyon can play another day. If you're Oilers brass and you really want to build confidence as a team, you put your very best up against an elite squad, and see what happens. That's why Luukkonen needs to be The Man in net when Buffalo takes on Edmonton.

Because both games last year were low-scoring affairs, Ruff has to get his team playing well in their own zone. Because the Oilers are going to pressure opponents with their speed and skill, the Sabres need to match their intensity, and rely on Luukkonen to be sharp between the pipes.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Should Sabres Throttle Ducks Again Next Year?Know Your Enemy, Sabres Pacific Edition: Should Sabres Throttle Ducks Again Next Year?The Buffalo Sabres have failed in one consistent way in recent years -- namely, that they haven't played Stanley Cup playoff hockey in nearly a decade-and-a-half. Thus, there's an inordinate amount of pressure on the Sabres to be a playoff team this year. And as we've seen in the NHL's overtime/shootout era, teams can make or miss the playoffs by only one or two standings points, so it's not an exaggeration to say that just about every game is going to be important to Buffalo's playoff hopes.

Ultimately, the Sabres/Oilers games are going to be decided based on which team is disciplined in the heat of the moment, and which team can capitalize on the other team's errors. Buffalo doesn't have the experience Edmonton can draw upon, but the Sabres have much more to prove than the Oilers do. 

Buffalo can't be happy just splitting series after series. If they're to be a playoff team, there has to be a heightened sense of dominance, and there's no better way to send a message to the league than by beating a team that was only one of two teams still playing when games mattered most last spring.

If you're the Sabres, nothing short of a series of sweeps is probably what it will take to get back in the post-season. And they're got two great opportunities to steal the Oilers' lunch and get into the win column both times.

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6 College Hockey Teams Blackhawks Fans Must Watch In 2025-26

The Chicago Blackhawks are a young team. Almost all of their defenseman, their goalies, and their most impactful forwards are all ahead of their prime in the NHL. If they keep building, there could be some exciting hockey moments coming up for Chicago.

Kyle Davidson, his scouting team, and all of their coaches have done a great job drafting and developing talent over the years. Most of those players have yet to reach the NHL, but they all have that aspiration to one day make it there. 

A lot of their prospects are headed to American colleges in 2025-26, which is a great move for their development. Going up against smart talent with varying play styles will be good for them all. 

For different reasons, Chicago Blackhawks fans must watch these five college hockey teams a little closer than others this year: 

Boston University

One of Chicago's top prospects who won't be playing pro hockey to start the season is Sacha Boisvert. He will play for Boston University after transferring there from the University of North Dakota. 

Boisvert is a two-way center who hopes to impact the NHL once he gets there in all three zones. His competitive level and overall skill are signs that he could be a great pro. 

When BU's season is over, Boisvert is a candidate to sign his entry-level contract and make his NHL debut. Under Jay Pandolfo, he should develop his gifts into what he needs to become an NHL player. 

Boston University will also be one of the more entertaining teams in college hockey. They come into the year as a legit candidate to make the Frozen Four and have a chance at a National Championship. Other top prospects are there with Boisvert, like Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals) and Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders) will help make this an incredible hockey team.

UMass

The Chicago Blackhawks had three first-round picks in 2025. The middle one, Vaclav Nestrasil, is going to attend the University of Massachusetts in 2025-26. 

That makes UMass a must-watch for the Chicago Blackhawks fan, who may want to see one of their top prospects work on their skills against great Hockey East competition. 

Nestrasil has a ton of talent, and making this move from the USHL to the college ranks is smart for his development. Seeing how he can help elevate this program is going to be great television all year long. 

Minnesota Duluth

Chicago has Spencer Knight as the main guy, and he is still very young. They also have Arvid Soderblom and Drew Commesso as aspiring NHL goalies looking to earn jobs in the long term.

However, it is never a bad thing to continue goaltender development because things can change for a goalie in an instant. 

Adam Gajan is getting ready for his second season as a goaltender for the University of Minnesota Duluth. Chicago selected the Slovakian net-minder in the second round (35th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft with hopes that he can become something one day. 

With all the goaltending depth that Kyle Davidson has accumulated, they could make a trade if more than two are NHL worthy, but it also doesn't hurt to be strong at the position in Rockford. Gajan has the tools needed to be a part of that process. Checking him out at Minnesota Duluth is necessary in 2025-26. 

Penn State

Penn State is known for being a football school. They have as good a chance as anyone to be a college football playoff team this season. 

At this point, they have to be considered a hockey power as well. They've had a ton of great players over the years, but they were given a generational boost this offseason. 

After weeks of speculation over what school he was going to choose, Gavin McKenna landed on Penn State as the team he wanted to play for in 2025-26. 

McKenna is going to be the number one pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, and he has "generational" labels on him. There will be an incredible amount of hype surrounding him this season. 

Blackhawks fans may want to pay attention, because they might be a team in draft lottery contention again in 2025-26. They might be more entertaining, but their roster is likely to have a bottom-five finish one more time. Those teams will all be looking at McKenna, who would help them all turn things around. 

McKenna is going to have help, too, which will make Penn State an all-around exciting team to watch play. Stars like Jackson Smith (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Luke Misa (Calgary Flames) will also be there looking to develop into pro-ready players. 

If the Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL by American Thanksgiving, Penn State Games will be must-see TV until the end of their season. McKenna is also just worth the price of admission on his own. 

Providence College

The Chicago Blackhawks have had a handful of players from Providence College over the years, and it won't be different in 2025-26. 

Both John Mustard (67th overall in 2024) and Julius Sumpf (98th overall in 2025) will play for Providence in 2025-26. Mustard was on the team last year and played a big role as a freshman. Sumpf will be going there following a transfer from the QMJHL. 

Watching both of these players develop their games as they work toward becoming pros is something for Blackhawks fans to watch when tuning into college hockey this season. 

North Dakota

Although Sacha Boisvert is no longer going to be attending the University of North Dakota, there is still a reason for Blackhawks fans to watch them. It is similar to the reason why they should tune into Penn State as they look towards the 2026 NHL Draft. 

Keaton Verhoeff is expected to be the number two overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. He is a defenseman with an incredible amount of size and skill. He'd go number one in most years, but we already know that McKenna has that spot all but locked up. 

The Blackhawks very well could be selecting second overall in 2026, so they are going to want to keep an eye on Verhoeff with North Dakota in 2025-26. 

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Rangers INF Marcus Semien out of lineup Saturday because of sore left wrist

TORONTO (AP) — Texas Rangers infielder Marcus Semien was out of the starting lineup for Saturday’s game at Toronto because of a sore left wrist.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said Semien was going for X-rays.

Semien was hit by a 91 mph fastball from Toronto’s Chris Bassitt in the second inning of Friday’s 6-5 loss. He remained in the game and hit a two-run homer off Louis Varland in the eighth.

Semien had played in 122 of Texas’ first 123 games. The three-time All-Star last sat April 13 at Seattle.

Ezequiel Duran started at second base for the Rangers on Saturday.