The former world snooker champion Graeme Dott is to stand trial next year over allegations of child sexual abuse. The 48-year-old is accused of two charges relating to primary school age children.
The allegations span between 1993 and 1996 involving a girl, and 2006 to 2010 involving a boy, both in the Glasgow region. A virtual hearing at the high court in Glasgow on Thursday was told Dott, who was not present, denies the charges.
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon’s next big splash is likely coming in the NBA.
Dundon has reached a tentative agreement to buy the Portland Trail Blazers from Paul Allen’s estate.
While Dundon declined to provide the terms of the proposed sale, he emphasized that he’s “very excited.”
According to ESPN’s NBA insider Shams Charania, Dundon has agreed to buy the Trail Blazers from the estate of Paul G. Allen for a valuation of over $4 billion.
Dundon purchased a stake in the Hurricanes in 2017 and became the team's majority owner in 2018, as the franchise has seen unparalleled success since his arrival.
The 2025-26 Boston Celtics season is just around the corner, and we now know their full schedule for what should be a rather interesting campaign.
Though Jayson Tatum’s injury might be a severe hindrance to the Celtics making a championship run, the team still has plenty of talent to compete in the East. And what is perhaps a change from recent years, there will be an added emphasis and importance on the regular-season results for Boston.
With that in mind, NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics broadcast team of Drew Carter and Brian Scalabrine spent some time pointing out what they’re looking forward to and expecting in the upcoming 2025-26 schedule in the latest Celtics Talk Podcast.
Opening Night vs. Philadelphia
Scal’s immediate reaction was noticing that the Celtics won’t be involved in a premier opening night game.
“Interesting not being on the main where we’re raising a banner or we’re going to a place that’s raising a banner. It does seem interesting we’re not playing on official opening night,” Scal said. “But we [NBC Sports Boston] get opening night, which is great.”
That game will take place against the 76ers on Wednesday, Oct. 22, with a 7:30 tip at TD Garden. Neither Carter nor Scalabrine sees the Sixers as a real title contender, though Scal is excited to see their backcourt in action.
“I do think their backcourt is young and dynamic. Tyrese Maxey has grown into a pretty good player and they have some young guys,” he said. “To me, I think those guards are going to be must-see TV. I think V.J. Edgecombe is a serious high flyer and could be really fun to watch.”
No Christmas game for C’s; tough trip around New Year’s
Not only are the Celtics not involved with the NBA’s opening night, they’re also not playing on Christmas Day for the first time since 2015. The injury to Tatum (who was still two years away from being 19 years old in 2015) is likely why the C’s will be spending Christmas morning in their own homes instead of playing on national TV.
And right after Christmas, the Celtics will head out on a five-game road trip that will take them through Indiana, Portland, Utah, Sacramento and L.A. to face the Clippers. With the tough timing and a New Year’s Day matchup with the Kings out west, Drew asked Scal if that will be a tough one for the players.
“I don’t think NBA players look at it like that,” Scal said. “I don’t really remember what day it is. I know you play on Christmas Day [or] you don’t, whatever. But once that’s over, you’re back into it. It is what it is. So I think, I feel like this team will be fine. And I don’t think a lot of guys got kids or anything like that. So you know, [not playing on Christmas] might be a nice little break.”
Welcoming back old friends
It’s obviously been an offseason of change for the Celtics, most notably with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis being traded away. Those two players will be returning to Boston in back-to-back games in January, with Holiday’s Trail Blazers visiting Boston on January 26 and Porzingis’ Hawks arriving two nights later.
“The nostalgia of these guys winning a championship is awesome,” Scal said. “And it’s great when you get a chance to watch the tribute videos and then you remember the moments. You know, a lot of times you’re covering a team, it all gets blended together. But Holiday had some big moments and so did Porzingis.
“So, I’m excited about seeing those guys back, and it’s just different. When a guy has won a championship and he comes back to the Garden and he gets a tribute video, I think those moments are really gonna be special.”
Though Porzingis was only a Celtic for two seasons and dealt with injuries throughout that tenure, Drew anticipates an emotional return for the Latvian big man who really embraced Boston.
“I actually think KP might cry when when his tribute video happens, because that guy like — he seems to feel, he’s got a real flair for just the city of Boston and what people appreciate,” Carter said. “And if you think about Game 1 of the Finals against Dallas, that’s about as electric of a moment as we had in the playoffs last year.”
The hope of the Dallas Mavericks and pride of Maine, Cooper Flagg, will face the Celtics twice this season. The first time will be in Dallas on Feb. 3, and the Mavericks will visit Boston a month later on March 6. It figures to be a big one, with Carter dubbing it “The Maine Event.”
“We’ve got both the Celtics-Mavericks games on NBC Sports Boston. The big one is March 6, when they are in the house and it’s Cooper Flagg. Half the population of Maine is going to be in the building,” Carter said, adding that Kyrie Irving may be nearing a return to the court around this time as he works back from a torn ACL. “So this game just has a massive feel, right?”
“Yeah,” Scal agreed. “I think as soon as the tickets are available to buy, I think people will buy — from Maine — will buy this game and it’ll sell out. And I have a direct line to the secondary market. … I think that this secondary market will end up going crazy. This might be one of those games where people buy just because they want to hold on to the ticket because it is Cooper Flagg’s debut in Boston. A family that loved the Celtics — the player, his mom, his dad.
“Cooper Flagg grew up loving the Boston Celtics. I don’t know if they’re gonna do anything for the people of Maine or whatever, but it does feel like you’ll feel like the whole state is in the Garden.”
Also in this episode:
Scal’s outlook on the Knicks after firing Tom Thibodeau and hiring Mike Brown
Drew and Scal’s read on the entire Eastern Conference
Some debate on the ageless LeBron James and whether the Lakers are a title contender
Breakdowns on the NBA Cup matchups
What to expect from Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the whole team this year
The Sixers have their schedule for what they hope is a serious bounce-back season.
After a 24-58 year overflowing with injuries, the Sixers are aiming for much better health and better results in the 2025-26 campaign.
They’ll open the season by visiting the Celtics on Oct. 22. Below is the team’s full schedule, which the NBA released Thursday:
Injury questions figure to remain prominent at the start of the season for Sixers stars Joel Embiid and Paul George. Young guards Tyrese Maxey and Jared McCain are poised to return from season-ending injuries. No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe is an important new name in the mix.
The Sixers are in East Group B of the 2025-26 NBA Cup. These are their group games:
Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. ET vs. Celtics
Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Pistons
Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. ET vs. Magic
Nov. 28 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Nets
The Cup quarterfinals are set for Dec. 9 and Dec. 10. The semifinals (Dec. 13) and championship (Dec. 16) will be in Las Vegas.
The 22 teams that don’t reach the knockout rounds will have two regular-season games added to their schedules. The four teams that lose in the quarterfinals will have one game added.
The man inside the suit playing “Rocky,” Drake Solomon, alleged in a lawsuit Wednesday that Kroenke Sports & Entertainment fired him in August 2024, months after he had hip replacement surgery, The Denver Post reported.
The lawsuit accuses the Nuggets of violating the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act through discrimination based on disability, retaliation and two claims of aiding and abetting unfair employment practices against Solomon’s supervisors. It asks for an unspecified amount of money.
“I grew up around it my entire life,” Solomon told 9News. He took on the role of Rocky from his father, Kenn, who wore the suit for three decades before retiring in 2021.
“I had a strong loyalty to this company since I was two weeks old on the court, and it was just heartbreaking, not just for me, but for my family as well,” he said.
The longtime mascot of the Denver Nuggets is suing the NBA team’s parent company, claiming wrongful termination after he underwent hip replacement surgery. (Getty Images)
Following his father’s retirement from the high-energy costume character role, Solomon said he was the only person invited to try out to play the beloved Rocky.
However, issues started to rise soon after taking on the physically demanding role. Solomon developed hip pain and was diagnosed with avascular necrosis, a disease caused by the loss of blood supply to the bone, according to the lawsuit.
Solomon underwent two surgeries to try and fix the issue, one in March 2023 and then a hip replacement in April 2024, according to the filing.
He was told there would be an open tryout for the position “regardless of the outcome” of his surgery — even though Solomon told his supervisors his doctors expected him to make a full recovery in a matter of months, the suit claims.
When Solomon returned to work on May 20, he was met with hostility, according to the lawsuit. Even though he performed the duties of his job that summer, management still held tryouts for the position ahead of the 2024-2025 season.
Drake Solomon, the man inside the Rocky costume, says he was wrongfully terminated from his role as the Denver Nuggets’ mascot following issues with his hip. (Getty Images)
Solomon claims in the lawsuit that during auditions, he completed all the physical requirements — and even taught other applicants how to dunk in the Rocky costume.
He was fired soon after tryouts, and management did not provide a reason at the time, the lawsuit alleges. The NBA team’s parent company later claimed he was let go because he did not score first in the tryouts.
Solomon’s complaint also calls for a potential class action lawsuit, stemming from the severance agreement he was offered upon firing.
“It was not easy to go ahead with this because I love the Nuggets,” Solomon told the Colorado Sun. “They’ve been my whole life and my family. For things to end the way they did it was pretty heartbreaking.”
“We loved Rocky our entire lives,” he added. “We always looked at the Nuggets as a second family and Rocky as a second dad. For it to end so cold … it’s kind of like losing a family member. My dad was pretty devastated when he heard. He was the one that suggested I look into seeing what I can do to make some wrongs right.”
Solomon claims management offered the same severance agreement, which he claims is unlawful, or a similar one to several other employees.
The Denver Nuggets did not immediately respond to a request for comment fromThe Independent .
Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer and the City of Belleville have confirmed a three-year lease extension to at least the end of the 2029-2030 season. In effect, since Andlauer owns both versions of the Senators, the extension also applies to the NHL-AHL affiliation between the two clubs.
The deal includes a five-year option that could extend the AHL club’s stay through the 2034-2035 season.
That means Ottawa's top prospects will continue their development just a couple of hours down the road at the CAA Arena, an ideal location that allows for convenient player movement and an easy trip for Ottawa fans looking to catch future Sens stars in action.
“It’s great news for hockey fans around the Bay of Quinte,” Andlauer said in a press release on the B-Sens website. “The connection between the City of Belleville and the Senators Hockey Club is truly a mutually beneficial one that will only continue to improve and prosper in the years to come. We are committed to seeing hockey thrive in this ‘613’ market as well as being good corporate citizens in the community we serve – and Belleville plays an important role.”
“The City of Belleville is thrilled to extend our partnership with the Belleville Senators,” said Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis. “We are proud to be the home of the Senators and to continue to host them at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre for years to come. Since they arrived in 2017, their presence and involvement in our community has made a significant impact.”
Back in January, there were rumours that Andlauer might be kicking the tires on a relocation of his AHL club. Andlauer had moved a team out of the city once before, buying the OHL's Belleville Bulls and moving them to Hamilton ten years ago. But times change, and he put those rumours to rest during a TSN intermission interview with Clare Hanna last season.
“When I hear things that are not right, I like to speak up. I owe it to the fans,” Andlauer said. “613 is Sens Country, as far as I’m concerned. When I bought the Belleville Bulls, I was loyal to my community in Hamilton, and today, that’s a different story.”
In 2023, Andlauer moved the Hamilton Bulldogs to Brantford and then sold them earlier this year to Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman and his family.
Since the B-Sens moved from Binghamton to Belleville for the 2017-18 season, their attendance has fluctuated. Their rink seats 4,365 fans, and the numbers have slowly crept upward since the COVID-19 pandemic. Last season, according to HockeyDB.com, the club averaged 2908 a night, their best in six years. The Cleveland Monsters, playing in an NHL-sized rink (Rocket Arena), lead the AHL with an average attendance of 11,438.
The B-Sens will open the new season on Saturday, October 11, 2025, with a road matchup against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers). They return home to CAA Arena for their season opener on Saturday, October 18, 2025, against the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs).
It is fair to say that the Montreal Canadiens have had a strong off-season so far. They notably boosted their blueline by acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. They also acquired a young forward in Zack Bolduc, who has the potential to emerge as a top-six winger for them.
Yet, when looking at the Canadiens' current forward group, it is clear that they could use an upgrade at their second-line center spot. Due to this, one player who could make a lot of sense for the Canadiens to pursue is Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann.
McCann has been in the rumor mill this off-season, just like he was leading up to the 2025 NHL trade deadline. With the Canadiens' top six needing a boost, he would be a major addition to their roster if brought in.
While McCann has played on the wing more often in recent years, he also has plenty of experience playing center. Due to this, he would have the potential to provide the Canadiens with a much-needed upgrade down the middle if acquired. He would also give them another skilled player to work with on their power play if brought in.
McCann is coming off a strong season with the Kraken, as he scored 22 goals and set a new career-high with 39 assists. With this, it was the third season in a row where McCann recorded at least 61 points. This includes his best NHL season in 2022-23, as he set career highs with 40 goals and 70 points in 79 games with the Kraken.
McCann's contract also adds to his appeal, as he has a $5 million cap hit until the end of the 2026-27. Thus, he would have the potential to benefit the Canadiens for more than one year, which would be a nice plus.
Predicting how well the New York Rangers will play during the 2025-26 season is difficult.
Just one year removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy and making it to the Eastern Conference Final, the Rangers regressed and missed the playoffs, capping off a dreadful year for the organization.
Since winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2024, Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury has traded multiple members of the team’s core including, Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko, Ryan Lindgren, and Chris Kreider.
The Rangers enter the 2025-26 campaign with lower expectations given last year’s poor play, but the Blueshirts have the potential to bounce back in a major way.
What’s undeniable about this Rangers team is that they have multiple All-Star caliber players who can propel the franchise to great heights.
A core of Igor Shesterkin, Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, and Adam Fox, on top of their supporting pieces, should not be overlooked.
One NHL insider believes the Rangers will surprise a lot of people this upcoming season.
“I don’t think the Rangers should sell off and acquire valuable prospects and draft picks. I think the Rangers are a playoff team. I think they’re bouncing right back into it,” Seravalli said on Tuesday’s Insider Notebook for Bleacher Report.
The hiring of Mike Sullivan also adds a whole new dimension to the Rangers that the franchise didn’t have before.
“They’re going to have new blood with a new coach, new energy,” Seravalli said. “They have to defend better as a team, but maybe the coaching will help with some of that… I’m bullish on the Rangers. I think they’re in a prime spot to compete.”
The Rangers are not a slam-dunk pick to make the playoffs by any means, but the Blueshirts have the talent to blossom into a true contender in the Eastern Conference.
With that, here are a handful of reunion games Green Teamers will want to circle on their calendars now that the 2025-26 NBA schedule has been released. (All games on NBC Sports Boston unless otherwise noted, and home games are listed in bold.)
Atlanta Hawks (Porzingis)
Jan. 17, 2026:Celtics at Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Jan. 28, 2026: Celtics vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
March 27, 2026: Celtics vs. Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
March 30, 2026: Celtics at Hawks, 7:30 p.m. ET
Porzingis, who was traded to the Hawks in a three-team deal on June 24, was a fan-favorite during his two seasons in Boston. The 30-year-old big man played a pivotal role in helping the Celtics win their long-awaited Banner 18 so fans are sure to show their support when he steps on the parquet.
The first Boston-Atlanta matchup is on the road, but Porzingis will play at TD Garden twice in late January and late March.
Portland Trail Blazers (Holiday)
Dec. 28: Celtics at Blazers, 6 p.m. ET
Jan. 26, 2026: Celtics vs. Blazers, 8 p.m. ET
Holiday was the first member of the 2024 championship team to go when the veteran guard was dealt to Portland on June 23. Boston acquired Anfernee Simons in what ultimately was a 1-for-1 player swap, though the financial savings were the driving factor for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens.
Holiday will make his return to Boston two days before Porzingis in late January.
San Antonio Spurs (Kornet)
Jan. 10, 2026: Celtics vs. Spurs, 8 p.m. ET
March 10, 2026: Celtics at Spurs, 8 p.m. ET
Kornet agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the Spurs on June 30. Stevens hoped to retain the rim-running big man, but ultimately Boston couldn’t match the green.
Kornet was a favorite in the locker room and in the media during his three-plus seasons with the Celtics, and is sure to receive a warm welcome when he returns to TD Garden on Jan. 10.
Golden State Warriors (likely Horford)
Feb. 19, 2026: Celtics at Warriors, 10 p.m. ET
March 18, 2026: Celtics vs. Warriors, 7 p.m. ET
Horford hasn’t finalized any agreement, but rumors have linked the 39-year-old to Golden State since the start of NBA free agency six weeks ago. While Stevens hoped to re-sign the veteran big man, he admitted it was “unlikely” Horford returns.
It’s been reported Horford could consider retirement, but we’re going to pencil him in for a spot alongside superstar Steph Curry and a return to TD Garden in March.
Utah Jazz (Niang)
Nov. 3: Celtics vs. Jazz, 7:30 p.m. ET
Dec. 30: Celtics at Jazz, 9 p.m. ET
Who could forget the Georges Niang era, right? Boston acquired Niang and two second-round picks when Porzingis was traded to Atlanta. Niang, a Massachusetts native, was mentioned in trade speculation pretty much as soon as he arrived in Boston given the team’s financial standing.
The Boston Celtics will look a whole lot different in 2025-26.
After falling to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs and losing Jayson Tatum to a ruptured Achilles tendon, the Celtics made significant roster changes: Out are 2024 NBA champions Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Luke Kornet and (presumably) Al Horford, and in are the likes of Anfernee Simons, Luka Garza, Josh Minott, RJ Luis Jr. and first-round pick Hugo Gonzalez.
Considering Boston will be without five members of last season’s eight-man rotation to start the season, expectations have been lowered for Joe Mazzulla’s club. But with Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard set to assume larger roles, it’s certainly possible the C’s could exceed those expectations while embracing the role of underdog.
We’ll start finding out in just over two months, as the NBA’s regular season begins the week of Oct. 20. Here’s everything you need to know about the Celtics’ 2025-26 schedule, including links to download a PDF version of the schedule and how to watch the Celtics on NBC Sports Boston:
When does the Celtics’ regular season begin?
The new-look Celtics begin their journey on Wednesday, Oct. 22, when they’ll open the 2025-26 regular season against the Philadelphia 76ers. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Boston.
Where can I watch Celtics games this season?
NBC Sports Boston will broadcast a majority of Boston Celtics games during the 2025-26 NBA season, in addition to full pregame, halftime and postgame coverage of every game. Tune in an hour before each game for Celtics Pregame Live, at halftime for Celtics Halftime Live and immediately after the game for Celtics Postgame Live.
Select games also will air on NBC, Peacock, ESPN and Amazon Prime.
How can I watch the Celtics on NBC Sports Boston?
For information on how to watch NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics coverage on television, click here.
For information on how to stream NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics coverage, click here.
Downloadable version of the Celtics’ 2025-26 schedule
Scan the QR code below to download a calendar version of the Celtics’ 2025-26 season schedule.
Celtics’ full 2025-26 schedule
Check out the Celtics’ complete regular season schedule below:
The relationship between a player and coach is special, but Steve Kerr is extra grateful for his bond with Warriors superstar Steph Curry and the unique situation it has put him in as an NBA coach.
“I’m well aware that the reason I’m still here is because Steph Curry is still here,” Kerr said on a recent episode of the “Glue Guys Podcast.” “And I’m not being modest, I’m just telling the truth. Gregg Popovich is one of my best friends and mentors, and every time we sit down for dinner, he holds up his wine glass and he says, ‘Here’s to Tim Duncan.’
“And everyone toasts to Tim Duncan. I love it because it’s genuine and he’s basically telling us the only reason I — and we — are all here is because the lottery fell our way, we got Tim Duncan. Other people didn’t. That’s how I feel about Steph.”
Popovich was the legendary Spurs coach for nearly three decades, but his success took over the NBA when San Antonio drafted Duncan No. 1 overall in 1997.
The two built a one-of-a-kind partnership, winning five NBA championships together and really setting the standard for what a special player-coach relationship should be.
Kerr knows he found something similar with Curry.
“If I didn’t have Steph, I would have been like every other NBA coach and lasted a few years, and then gone somewhere else and coached somewhere else,” Kerr acknowledged. “I’m incredibly lucky to have this partnership with Steph.
“He provides this stability and continuity with the organization that just makes everybody’s job easier.”
In a five minute breakdown that focuses on ICE-Q 2.0 and the revamped X-Factor system, and a change to the goalie crease control system.
80 new goalie animations were added that will allow goalies to react faster and more accurately. Goalies will use their stick more effectively and play better in tight. These additions will allow goalies to break out of an animation to respond to the play. They no longer have to complete the original animation before reacting to a tip, rebound, or play.
The trailer notes goalie play styles will be adjusted to their sizes, hopefully allowing smaller goalies to perform better than previous games.
Forehand backhand dekes and cross crease passes were specifically mentioned as moves that broke previous goaltending systems, this has been fixed.
X-Factors have received an overhaul, there are now 28 X-Factors and five categories. An example is pictured above.
There are now tiers with three levels of impact. The trailer notes new visual triggers so it will be interesting to see which animations are related to which X-Factors and how they come into effect in different locations on the ice.
This will also allow users to see exactly when the X-Factor is being used, a change from NHL 25.
As previously discussed, ICE-Q 2.0 will incorporate real NHL EDGE data to impact player AI, attributes, and decisions.
Two prominent examples used are Alex Ovechkin's tendency to set up in the face off circle and Leon Draisaitl's shots from the goal line. It will be interesting to see how these tendencies impact the AI and the players skills when being controlled by a user.
In welcome news to the community the Vision Control LT/L2 glitch will be patched, as will hip check tuning and reverse hit rebalancing. All mechanics that were overpowered and abused in NHL 25.
We will dive into all Gameplay Innovations coming to NHL 26 on Thursday.
The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash rankings are into the final stretch, as we focus on Team No. 4 – the Carolina Hurricanes.
Our summer splash rankings focus strictly on every team’s off-season additions, departures, hirings, firings and, in special cases, re-signings. From there, we’re ranking them based on who improved, worsened or stayed about the same.
The Hurricanes have been many media members’ pick to do great things in recent years, but things haven’t panned out particularly well for them in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In two of the last three seasons, the Canes made it to the Eastern Conference final, but once they got there, they have won exactly one game in those two series combined.
The Florida Panthers have had their number, and you have to look at the changes Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky has made as being influenced by their need to be specifically better than the Panthers. The Hurricanes have done very well at making an already-solid team even better.
Additions
Nikolaj Ehlers (LW), K’Andre Miller (D), Mike Reilly (D)
The Breakdown: You didn’t have to make a slew of moves this summer to be this high in our NHL summer splash rankings.
In some cases, it’s the impact that one player makes that makes a team significantly better, and the Hurricanes made strategic moves at forward and on defense to make themselves a notably improved team.
While we still have some reservations about former Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers as a playoff performer, he’s a high-impact regular-season player, with a combined 49 goals and 124 points in the last two years.
Ehlers fits in rather well on Carolina’s top line with center Sebastian Aho and left winger Seth Jarvis. Although it cost the Hurricanes $8.5 million in salary for Ehlers for the next six seasons, they didn’t need to delete anyone significant from their forward group to acquire him.
On ‘D,’ the Hurricanes added one established NHL top-four defenseman, former New York Rangers blueliner K’Andre Miller.
At 25 years old, Miller is just entering his prime. With veterans Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov heading elsewhere, Tulsky had more than enough room to trade for Miller and sign him to an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million.
Even after these major acquisitions and bringing on depth defenseman Mike Reilly, Carolina still has a stunning $10.6 million in cap space. Tulsky may eventually choose to use much of that space on another defenseman, but even if no other moves are made between now and the start of the regular season, the Hurricanes have improved up front, and they’re at least as good on the blueline. Mission accomplished for Tulsky and his management team.
Departures
Jack Roslovic (C), Brent Burns (D), Dmitry Orlov (D), Scott Morrow (D), Spencer Martin (G)
The Breakdown: Somebody had to pay the price for Carolina’s letdown against the Panthers, and it turns out three Hurricanes D-men are the price-payers.
Burns is the NHL’s oldest player under contract. While he moved on to the Colorado Avalanche as a UFA, he was playing nearly 21 minutes a night at the end of his Canes days – probably a little too much for a 40-year-old.
Otherwise, Orlov was a high-priced veteran, but he was a human turnstile in the post-season. He’s now playing for the San Jose Sharks. And Morrow – sent to the Rangers in the Miller trade – hasn’t made his mark in the NHL yet, so their current roster didn’t necessarily get worse by losing him. The Rangers should be excited to have him, though, as he’s shown signs of being an effective offensive defenseman who joins the rush.
Losing Roslovic stings a little, as he posted 22 goals for the Hurricanes last season. But with Miller and Ehlers on board, the Hurricanes are stronger, and the first full NHL season from youngster Alexander Nikishin could see him quickly become a vital cog for Carolina’s defense corps.
The Bottom Line
The bar for the Hurricanes next season is firmly set at the Cup final. Anything less than that, and they may need deeper changes to break through.
But Carolina is fourth on our NHL summer splash list because it did what many teams constantly struggle to do – wisely invest without indulging the urge to make a wide array of moves, in effect throwing many things against the wall in the hope one of them sticks. While that can be beneficial for rebuilding squads, it’s not as effective for Cup contenders. Tulsky avoided that potential trap, and the salary cap space he’s managed to hold onto is going to make them even better at some point this year.
When you’re an Eastern Conference finalist in two of the last three years, you have to be doing something right. So Tulsky was entirely right to double down on his core. Whether it’s Jarvis, No. 1 defenseman Jaccob Slavin or up-and-comer right winger Logan Stankoven, the Hurricanes have elite-level talent where it counts. While they still have lessons to learn, they very well could be learning them in the Cup final this time around.
So it should be clear, then, why we’ve ranked Carolina so high. They’re a more dangerous team than the one that finished as conference final losers last year, and that’s why the Hurricanes are the envy of more than a few NHL organizations.
Canadian
goaltender Olivier Rodrigue, 25, has signed a one-year contract with
Barys Astana, the Kazakhstan-based KHL club announced on Thursday.
This
will be Rodrigue’s second time playing for an overseas club
following a 23-game stint with the Graz 99ers in Austria in 2020-21
when the start of the AHL season was
delayed by pandemic-related restrictions.
Born
in Saguenay, Que., Rodrigue played junior hockey for the QMJHL’s
Drummondville Voltigeurs and Moncton Wildcats. He was chosen in the
second round, 62nd
overall, by the Edmonton Oilers
in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Since
2021, Rodrigue has played almost entirely with the Bakersfield
Condors, the Oilers’ farm club, but he did play two NHL games in
2024-25 – one relief appearance and one start – recording an .867
save percentage, 3.10 goals-against average, and was charged with one
loss.
This
summer, Rodrigue remained third in Edmonton’s depth chart behind
Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard and, with the Oilers still looking
to upgrade their goaltending, Rodrigue no longer figured in their
plans.
Internationally,
Rodrigue played for Canada at the 2018 IIHF U-18 World Championship
and he won a gold medal with Canada at the 2020 World Juniors
although he didn’t appear in a game as the third goalie behind Joel
Hofer and Nico Daws.
Rodrigue
joins a Barys team that has missed the playoffs three straight years.
He will probably form a tandem with Kazakh national team goalie
Andrei Shutov.
Detroit’s trade discussions with Edmonton are heating up, with big names like Mattias Ekholm and Cam Talbot rumored to be in play.
NHL Insider reports indicate the Edmonton Oilers and the Detroit Red Wings are in trade talks for a new starting goaltender.
The Edmonton Oilers have a goalie problem as they've made headlines going to the Stanley Cup Finals in back-to-back seasons only to be outmatched by the Florida Panthers and netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.
Reports out of Alberta indicate they would like to upgrade at the position with Detroit being a potential trade partner. Several notable names have been thrown on the chopping block with the most credible report indicating that Detroit high-end prospect Sebastian Cossa has been named in trade talks.
Other less credible sources have began to throw out other names and trade packages that have included multiple big names like Oilers' defencemen Mattias Ekholm, Detroit's Cam Talbot and Justin Holl as well as several other prospects that would likely work as filler to get a deal done.
The Oilers were one of the teams involved in trade talks for John Gibson before the Red Wings eventually won the sweepstakes for the former All-Star goaltender. It's tough to say what deal they will decide to go with as both sides are looking to win now, meaning a deal for picks or prospects doesn't seem likely.
If Cossa is dealt to the Oilers, he will likely become a strong contender for the starting job and will almost certainly see time in the NHL next season. This deal could include immediate help for the blueline with the aforementioned Ekholm, who is still an impact player but is 35 years old and entering the final season of his four-year deal with a cap hit at $6.25 million.
They could also work out a deal to add the 31-year-old Brett Kulak, who was an impactful blueliner for the Oilers during their two Stanley Cup Finals and is also entering the final season of his four-year deal with a cap hit at $2.75 million. Red Wings defenceman Justin Holl joins the equation as a return option that could see him work as a bottom pairing defenceman to round out the Oilers blueline.
If Talbot is dealt to the Oilers, the return package would be notably cheaper with a potential option coming back being a depth forward Mattias Janmark, who the Red Wings would potentially have to give up a little bit more to acquire but would become an immediate impact player in the top nine forward group.
Janmark was a difference making player in the Oilers lineup that used his relentless pursuit of the puck to help make key plays and win puck battles. He would be a great addition to the Red Wings forward group but has not yet been mentioned in trade talk rumors.
One thing we know for certain is that Steve Yzerman and the rest of the Red Wings management team are looking to make the playoffs this season. With a deal that would include a non-factor goaltender that won't play as much as John Gibson anyway, it could be a great idea to insert another impact player or give the team more draft capital that they can then use in a later deal to improve the lineup.
Either way, these trade rumors coupled with the reports of the Red Wings continually checking in on the Anaheim Ducks and their situation with restricted free agent Mason McTavish indicate they could still be looking to make moves ahead of the start to the season.
