SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 13: New York Knicks fans, including Erica Ford, center, chant Go New York, Go New York, Go! as they are filmed by a television station outside of Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Saturday, June 13, 2026, before Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, (Katina Zentz/San Antonio Express-News via Getty Images)
According to FOX 5 NY, the New York City Mayor’s Office has finalized the logistics for the Knicks’ historic championship ticker-tape parade. The party hits the streets on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Here are the times and locations you need to know:
The Timeline & Route
10:00 AM ET – The Kickoff: The parade officially begins down at The Battery (Battery Park) in Lower Manhattan.
The March – Canyon of Heroes: The floats and players will march straight north up Broadway, rolling through the iconic Canyon of Heroes.
The Finale – City Hall Ceremony: The route wraps up at City Hall Plaza. Immediately following the parade, Mayor Mamdani will host the official championship ceremony on the plaza to present the team with the Keys to the City.
Pro Tip: Lower Manhattan will be completely gridlocked, and several MTA subway stations along Broadway will face temporary entrance/exit closures or heavy bypasses. If you are heading down to camp out for a spot, aim for the early morning and use stations a block or two east or west of Broadway (like the dynamic transit hubs at Fulton Street or Chambers Street) to avoid the worst of the bottlenecks.
ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider will be shut down from throwing for four weeks because of inflammation in his right elbow, the team announced.
Strider, who had been placed on the 15-day injured list, had a consultation with Dr. Keith Meister before they decided on four weeks. Strider will have another MRI at the end of that period and would begin “throwing progression” if test were to show the inflammation had cleared, the team said.
Strider left a 7-5 loss at the New York Mets in the fourth inning due to right shoulder and elbow soreness. Braves manager Walt Weiss said the team also was concerned about a dramatic decline in Strider’s velocity.
Strider has a history of arm problems. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and had the UCL in his right elbow repaired with an internal brace in April 2024.
Rookie right-hander JR Ritchie, who pitched in relief behind Strider, will move into the rotation and has been scheduled to start against San Francisco.
Strider allowed six hits, including three homers, and a season-worst seven earned runs in three innings.
Strider was making his eighth start of the season for the first-place Braves after missing the first 34 games recovering from a strained left oblique. He is 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA this season.
Strider led the major leagues with 20 wins and an Atlanta-record 281 strikeouts in 2023.
The Carolina Hurricanes are atop the NHL and their celebration just is getting started. The rest of the league is about to be hard at work trying to catch up.
The offseason is underway, with the next few weeks expected to bring a flurry of player movement via trades and signings. The salary cap is increasing to $104 million and several big-market teams with money to spend and holes to fill are eager to get better.
Here is what to know:
Buyout window opens first
Starting late Tuesday night and through June 30, clubs can buy out player contracts. There are not a ton of buyouts expected this summer, though the reigning champs have a legitimate candidate: Jesperi Kotkaniemi surprisingly got handed the Stanley Cup before leading goal-scorer Logan Stankoven or goaltender Brandon Bussi. The Finnish forward who turns 26 on July 6 was a healthy scratch all playoffs.
While Kotkaniemi has four years left on his contract, his age would allow Carolina to nearly save $4 million against the cap next season and $4.3 million the following three with a buyout, while incurring a minimal charge of under $900,000 from 2030-34. A trade also is an option for someone who might want to take a chance on his potential.
Montreal buying out 34-year-old winger Brendan Gallagher also is a possibility. Gallagher dressed for three games in the first round and not again the during his team’s run to the Eastern Conference Final. He is signed for one more season at a $6.5 million hit.
Who might get traded?
Looking back at who almost changed teams at the deadline is a good place to start.
The New York Rangers are attempting a retool on the fly, and soon-to-be 33-year-old center Vincent Trocheck could fetch a strong return from a contender looking for a dependable player who can do it all and showed it winning gold with the U.S. at the Olympics.
Century-old rivals Toronto and Montreal reportedly discussed a trade that involved big winger Matthew Knies going from the Maple Leafs to the Canadiens but did not get done. Since then, the Leafs fired general manager Brad Treliving and hired John Chayka to fill the role, so it is not clear if the new regime has any interest in moving a cost-controlled player in his early 20s.
Toronto’s longest-tenured player, defenseman Morgan Rielly, seems likely to get dealt. Edmonton also is looking to make a change on the blue line, and Darnell Nurse has given the Oilers a short list of places to which he would accept a trade.
Maple Leafs have the top pick in the draft
Missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade caused plenty of consternation in Toronto where there are questions about captain Auston Matthews and his long-term future.
When the lottery balls bounced the Leafs’ way in early May, the organization got a jolt of optimism. Penn State’s Gavin McKenna has been considered the likely No. 1 pick, and Chayka traveled to the young winger’s hometown of Whitehorse in the Yukon territory to meet with him and his family.
The draft in Buffalo, New York, begins with the first round on June 26. San Jose, Vancouver and Chicago have the Nos. 2-4 picks, with Swedish winger Ivar Stenberg and Canadian defensemen Chase Reid and Carson Carels among the top prospects available.
NHL free agency begins July 1
If the Buffalo Sabres do not re-sign him before the end of the month, 30-year-old forward Alex Tuch figures to be the most sought-after unrestricted free agent in a pool depleted by so many teams using cap space to keep their own players. Same goes for Tampa Bay’s nearly point-a-game defenseman Darren Raddysh, fresh off his best season.
The Islanders could part with longtime captain Anders Lee, putting him on the market for the first time (he will be 36 on July 3). Slightly younger winger Anthony Mantha may be able to cash in off his impressive season with Pittsburgh in which he set career highs with 33 goals, 31 assists and 64 points.
Perhaps the most intriguing situation this summer surrounds the Florida Panthers, who missed the playoffs after winning back-to-back championships. The goaltender who won those championships, Sergei Bobrovsky, is unsigned and he will be 38 by opening night.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 30: The sneakers worn by Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Six of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
MIAMI, FL - MAY 23: New York Mets pitcher Jonathan Pintaro (91) pitches a ball during a game between the Miami Marlins and the New York Mets on May 23, 2026 at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.(Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Prior to the start of the team’s series with the Reds, the Mets announced a bevy of roster moves. First off, the club recalled Tobias Myers, who will start tonight’s game, and Jonathan Pintaro from Triple-A Syracuse. To make room on the roster, the team optioned Daniel Duarte to Triple-A and officially placed Christian Scott on the IL, retroactive to June 12, with a right hip impingement. The club also moved Jorge Polanco to the 60-day IL and claimed old friend and now current friend Zack Short off waivers from the Tigers.
The first move of note should not come as a surprise, as Carlos Mendoza announced following the team’s win yesterday that Myers would get the nod for New York in the series opener. The right-hander was sent down to Triple-A at the end of May to stretch out as a starter and give the team a fresh arm in the pen. Since going down to Syracuse, he has thrown six innings and allowed one unearned run on one hit. Mendoza stated that he will be limited to right around 40 pitches today, so he will essentially be an opener. Prior to the news of Scott’s injury, you could have made the argument that David Peterson could serve as the bulk arm tonight, but the lefty may now be needed to fill Scott’s vacant slot. Scott last pitched on Thursday and allowed four earned runs over 4 2/3 innings before exiting.
Pintaro will provide New York with a fresh arm to back up Myers tonight, at the very least. The right-hander has made three appearances for the Mets, allowing one earned run on one hit with five strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. This will be his third stint for the Amazins this year. Duarte, who was sent down to make room for Pintaro, has also made three appearances for the Mets, allowing just one hit while striking out three over five innings of work. He pitched in each of the team’s last two games against the Braves, tossing 2 2/3 innings and throwing 20 of his 28 pitches for strikes. He did not allow a hit in either outing and struck out two while walking one, The heavy workload meant he would likely not be available for the next two games, and with the Mets likely needing to use their bullpen heavily in these outings, his demotion was essentially a given.
Lastly, if the name Zack Short sounds familiar, you may be ready to tackle and dominate the “2024 Mets Sporcle” quiz. The infielder appeared in 10 games for the 2024 club, amassing nine at-bats and picking up one hit. So, at the very least, he is ahead of Jed Lowrie on the club’s all-time hits list as he begins his second stint in orange and blue. Polanco hitting the 60-day IL functionally doesn’t change much about his recovery timeline, as the club said they expect him to appear as a DH in rehab game in the coming days.
Following the Knicks’ closeout Game 5 on Saturday that gave the franchise its first title since 1973, captain and NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson made a special guest appearance on ABC’s “The View.”
Host Whoopi Goldberg asked Brunson how he resisted retaliating against Victor Wembanyama after the Spurs star shoved Brunson to the ground in Game 3.
“I think it starts, honestly, with my parents, how they raised me,” the Knicks star said. “I’ll start there.
Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles against Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in Game Four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 10, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images
“I wanted to [retaliate] but at the same time, I knew that being a leader, understanding the moment, understanding the situation, you have to keep your composure. No matter when it’s being too high or being too low, you gotta stay even-keeled. That’s something I had for a long time.”
On the play referenced in the interview, there was no call, and Wembanyama avoided a flagrant foul. He had already received two flagrant foul points earlier in the playoffs for elbowing Minnesota’s Naz Reid in the jaw. Had Wembanyama been given a flagrant foul for shoving Brunson, he would’ve been at most one foul away from an automatic suspension.
NBA champion and Finals MVP Jalen Brunson credits his composure in Game 5 to his upbringing: "It starts, honestly, [with] my parents, how they raised me." pic.twitter.com/FO68ROfBQa
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson argues that he should of been fouled to referee Scott Foster during the first half. Jason Szenes for The New York Post
Controversy surrounding officiating continued throughout the NBA Finals. In Game 1, Brunson had multiple encounters with referee Scott Foster, including one in which Brunson was seen screaming at Foster after a no-call where Brunson took hard contact from Spurs defenders.
Those that Brunson credited with teaching him to keep composure include his father Rick Brunson, the former player who is now an assistant coach with the Knicks. The father-son duo celebrated their championship together after Game 5 on Saturday.
The younger Brunson was asked in the immediate afterglow of the Game 5 win how it felt to win alongside his dad and he hesitated to answer, growing emotional as the weight of the moment overcame him.
“You can see it,” ESPN’s Lisa Salters told him in their live broadcast interview.
After back-to-back Stanley Cup Final rounds in 2024 and 2025 featuring the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, there was a new look in the 2026 NHL playoffs with the Carolina Hurricanes facing the Vegas Golden Knights for the championship.
Now that the Hurricanes have defeated the Golden Knights in six games to win their first championship in 20 years, what are the chances of a reprise next season? Both teams are deep and experienced, so it's not out of the question.
Here's a look at the decisions that await the champion Hurricanes and the runner-up Golden Knights during the offseason:
What's next for the Carolina Hurricanes?
Biggest decision:What to do with Frederik Andersen? He's an unrestricted free agent and Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov are signed for three years and one year, respectively. Andersen just completed his fifth year with the Hurricanes. He had a middling regular season and Bussi outplayed him for most of the campaign.
But coach Rod Brind'Amour started Andersen in the playoffs, and he was outstanding. The coach rode him until Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, pulling him in the second intermission with the team trailing 4-0 in an eventual 5-4 double-overtime loss. Bussi won three in a row, including a shutout in the clincher.
Andersen was dealing with an injury and has had injury issues in his career. So has Kochetkov. Could the Hurricanes bring back Andersen on a short-term deal as insurance?
Pending free agents: In addition to Andersen, Nicolas Deslauriers and Mike Reilly are unrestricted. Defenseman Alexander Nikishin is a restricted free agent.
Outlook: Most of the team is signed long term, and players have won the Stanley Cup and reached the conference finals the past two seasons. Bussi is a goalie on the rise. No reason the Hurricanes shouldn't have another playoff run.
What's next for the Vegas Golden Knights?
Biggest question: Does John Tortorella come back? He replaced Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the regular season and you can't argue with the results. He steadied the team to keep it in a playoff position, then won three rounds. But he cost the team a second-round pick when he skipped a postgame news conference.
Tortorella said Sunday he wasn't thinking yet of his future, saying he needed to absorb the Game 6 loss. But he called Golden Knights players "real pros" and the team a "first-class organization." He added: "I want to coach and to jump into this with this gang, I feel so fortunate."
Pending free agents: Their list is lengthy. Reilly Smith, Brandon Saad, Cole Smith and Colton Sissons at forward, plus Rasmus Andersson, Jeremy Lauzon, Dylan Coghlan and Ben Hutton on defense. The Golden Knights made a big midseason trade for Andersson, but he didn't have a strong final. There could be turnover in this group, especially with restricted free agent Pavel Dorofeyev due a big raise.
Outlook: The Golden Knights have a strong core and are aggressive going after big-name players. They should remain the class of the Pacific Division, even as the younger teams improve. Their sweep of the Colorado Avalanche was aided by injuries to Cale Makar and Nathan MacKinnon, which isn't likely to happen again. But Vegas will remain motivated after winning the Cup in 2023 and getting close this year.
"We’re a team that everyone loves to hate," captain Mark Stone said. "That fuels our fire and it’s going to fuel our fire moving forward."
With the 2025-26 season now complete, BETMGM has released betting odds for who will hoist the Stanley Cup in 2027. Among the favourites are the Colorado Avalanche and the 2026 Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. As for the Vancouver Canucks, they are way down the list and hold the 32nd-best odds of lifting the Stanley Cup next year.
As of June 15, 2026, Vancouver's betting odds to win the 2027 Stanley Cup are 501.00. This means that if a $1.00 CDN bet was placed and the Canucks won the Cup, the payout would be $501.00 CDN. There is significant separation between Vancouver and the rest of the league, as the Calgary Flames, who have the 31st-best odds, are set at 301.00.
The Canucks are projected to finish near the bottom of the standings for the 2026-27 season. Vancouver is currently in a rebuild, with most fans in the market hoping the Canucks can win the first overall pick next year and draft Landon DuPont first overall. This season, Vancouver finished 32nd in the NHL, but lost the 2026 Draft Lottery twice and will pick third overall later this month.
*Note: This article is not betting advice but rather provides information on what bets are available.
Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; The Vancouver Canucks celebrate their victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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After Aaron Judge went onto the IL, it was anyone’s guess how the Yankees would respond on the field without their captain. So far, the group has rallied, sweeping the Cleveland Guardians on the road and taking two of three against the Blue Jays with some late inning dramatics. Obviously, the team would prefer to have a healthy Judge in the middle of that lineup, but it’s encouraging that an offense that has looked very thin at times without him producing up until he went on the shelf has managed to score five or more runs in five of their last seven games and won six of them.
Now without Trent Grisham for a bit as well, it’s all on the young Yankees to fill the gaps in the outfield. Jasson Domínguez is back and starting alongside Spencer Jones with Cody Bellinger the lone mainstay from the Opening Day outfield, and that core with Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. will look to keep doing damage. Will the team’s long-debated outfield prospects bloom after finally getting a chance to start uncontested? Will the team’s bottom of the lineup pull through during this stretch? Can the team even manage to earn some separation from the Rays? If you have questions like these, or anything else on your mind, send ‘em in for a chance to be featured in our Yankees mailbag.
Answers will run on Friday afternoon. All questions received by the night of June 18th will be considered. You can leave your submissions in the comment section below or by e-mail to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.
For more on the Rockies, you can check out that series preview from last week or visit our SB Nation Rockies site Purple Row.
Fun facts
The Cubs have won nine straight games at home vs. the Rockies, sweeping three games each of the past three years. They outscored the Rockies, 51-21, including 3-1, 4-3 and 2-1 last season.
The Cubs are 21-14-2 in series at home vs. the Rockies — and 18-6-1 since 2000, including 13-2-1 in 2000-15 and 5-1 since 2019.
Their only winless series were two games each in 1996 and 1997. In 2006 and 2011, they lost two games, then won the third. In 2017, they lost three, then won the fourth.
The Cubs have swept the Rockies in seven series: four games in 2008, two in 2010 and three in 1993, 2007 and 2023-25. ….. This series is the last of three this year in which the Cubs will have played the same opponent in two series separated by one against a different opponent.
The first was April 13-23, when the Cubs won two of three at Philadelphia, won three at home vs. the Mets, then swept four vs. the Phillies.
The second was June 5-14, when they lost two of three at home vs. the Giants, lost two of three at Colorado, then won two of three at San Francisco.
After Wednesday, the Cubs will have finished their season series vs. 10 teams: the Giants, Phillies and Rockies in the NL, and the Angels, Astros, Athletics, Guardians, Rangers, Rays and White Sox in the AL.
The only NL team they have not played is the Marlins. They will not until Sept. 4, when the teams meet in the first of three games at Miami. They will play three at Wrigley Field, the Cubs’ final three home games, Sept. 22-24.
Tuesday: Edward Cabrera, RHP (4-3, 4.86 ERA, 1.413 WHIP, 5.09 FIP) vs. Ryan Feltner, RHP (2-2, 5.20 ERA, 1.211 WHIP, 4.98 FIP)
Wednesday: Javier Assad, RHP (4-1, 3.99 ERA, 1.017 WHIP, 3.99 FIP) vs. Sean Sullivan, LHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.667 WHIP, 2.77 FIP)
Times & TV channels
Monday: 7:05 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Tuesday: 7:05 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Wednesday: 7:05 p.m. CT, Marquee Sports Network
Prediction
Well, the Cubs DID finally win a series, over the weekend in San Francisco. The Rockies have lost eight of 11, though they did win a ridiculous game in Sacramento on Sunday, 23-9 over the A’s.
But overall they are 13-25 on the road and have lost nine of their last 13 road games.
If the Cubs don’t win at least two of these three, they’re in trouble.
Up next
The Cubs finally get out of the Giants/Rockies/Giants/Rockies pattern. They have Thursday off, then will host the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-game series at Wrigley Field beginning Friday afternoon.
We are having issues with polls at this time so please just list how many games you think the Cubs will win in this series in the comments.
Think you’ve seen all the postgame Knicks celebrations?
Think again.
A series of exclusive photos obtained by The Post highlight the Knicks celebrating their NBA championship — the franchise’s first in 53 years — at Flyfish Club, the exclusive private members’ club co-founded by Gary Vaynerchuk, David Rodolitz, Chef Josh Capon and Chef Conor Hanlon, located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
A majority of the team made an appearance at the club, including Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, Landry Shamet, Miles McBride, Tyler Kolek, Mohamed Diawara, Kevin McCullar Jr., Trey Jemison III, Dillon Jones, Ariel Hukporti and Jordan Clarkson.
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns celebrate their NBA title at Flyfish Club. Justin KauperMiles McBride (r.) and Jazz Chisholm Jr. at Flyfish Club in celebration of the Knicks first NBA title since 1973.The Justin KauperKnicks celebrated their NBA Championship at Flyfish Club on Sunday evening. Justin KauperOG Anunoby, Kevin McCullar Jr, Mohamed Diawara, Miles Deuce McBride, Trey Jemison III, Mikal Bridges, Tyler Kolek pose for a picture at the Knicks’ party at Flyfish Club on Sunday night. Justin Kauper
The homecoming party brought players together with their families, close friends and loved ones for a special night that featured a performance from A Boogie Wit da Hoodie and a champagne toast led by Brunson and his fellow teammates.
Other special guests included Yankees two-time All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Vaynerchuk, who is also a New York Times best-selling author.
A Boogie performs at the Knicks championship party at Flyfish Club on Sunday night. Justin KauperJosh Hart and Gary Vaynerchuk having a glass of wine at the Knicks’ championship party on Sunday night at Flyfish Club. Justin KauperA Boogie raps as part of the Knicks’ championship party. Olav Stubberud
Entrepreneur and Karl-Anthony Towns’ fiancée, Jordyn Woods, also made an appearance at the party.
Woods has been a big part of the Knicks’ incredible playoff run towards their title. The founder of the fashion line “Woods”, she was carrying around her own orange bag that proved to be a good luck charm for the team.
She brought the bag to each game throughout the Knicks’ 13-0 playoff run until the team lost Game 3 of the Finals to the Spurs, yet Woods was not allowed to bring it into the Garden for that game due to rules surrounding President Donald Trump’s attendance.
At the end of the run, Woods’ bag went undefeated.
Brunson’s wife, Ali, was also seen at the exclusive club to celebrate.
Karl-Anthony Towns and Jordyn Woods smile while at Flyfish Club for the Knicks’ championship party. Justin KauperJordyn Woods, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns seen laughing at Flyfish Club. Olav StubberudJalen Brunson and Ali Marks Brunson pose for a picture at Flyfish Club. Olav StubberudJosh Hart pours a drink at the Knicks’ title party at Flyfish Club on Sunday. Olav Stubberud
She was seen in the immediate aftermath of the championship win, joining in on a big group hug with her husband, Brunson’s parents, Rick and Sandra, and sister Erica.
Once he met his assistant coach and dad for a hug, the emotions started to pour out of Brunson.
“Honestly, it was like a lifetime, honestly, that’s what it felt like. I knew I had to because I knew that face would look crazy on TV,” Brunson said on “Good Morning America” Monday. “I think the best part about it is that these guys have my back night in and night out. Made that moment 10 times more special.”
The partying won’t end on Sunday night.
The Knicks have their championship parade through the Canyon of Heroes set for Thursday, which begins at Battery Park and ends at City Hall.
Jun 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (5) celebrates his solo home run while wearing a welders hood in the dugout against the Miami Marlins during the eighth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
In another edition of polls conducted by Bucs Dugout the results are in as fans were asked to vote on who they think the Pittsburgh Pirates’ team MVP would be through the early part of the season. The player that gathered the most votes was the Bucco’s slugging second-baseman, Brandon Lowe, as 67% of those who participated in the poll chose “Bam Bam” as the team’s MVP. The margins were not close as second place vote getter, Braxton Ashcraft, was only chosen by 10% of the fans that voted.
It is undeniable that Lowe has been on a tear in his first season with Pittsburgh. He was already big news when the Pirates traded for him this past offseason, but now that he’s blasting baseballs left, right and center, it may go down as one of the best trades in Pirates’ history. On the season Lowe is slashing .240/.325/.512 with 17 home runs, 46 RBIs and an .837 OPS. The 31-year-old second-baseman is currently tied for the 12th most home runs in baseball.
Ashcraft gathered the second most MVP votes from fans at Bucs Dugout, but there was a large margin between himself and the leader Lowe. Still though Ashcraft has emerged as maybe the best pitcher for the Pirates in 2026. The 26-year-old righty has a 5-3 record with 90 strikeouts and a respectable 3.30 ERA. Ashcraft now looking fully healthy has been very efficient in his outings this season, and could be a potential All-Star for the National League.
Newcomer Ryan O’Hearn and second year Pirate Spencer Horwitz both made up 6% of the fan votes as they have been great sources of offensive consistency for the club. Horwitz has settled into the best option at first base for the Pirates, as his .281 average and nine homers have been bright spots for the team. Even with some injury struggles, O’Hearn too has been one of the best hitters for Pittsburgh as well with his 10 homers, .275 average and veteran leadership all helping this be one of the best teams the Pirates have fielded in a decade.
Brandon Lowe showing off his hops to pick a ball out of the air
Rounding out the list was Paul Skenes who got 5% of all votes for team MVP while Oneil Cruz got 4%. Skenes is undeniably one of the best pitchers in baseball but he is admittedly having a bit of an off year. With that being said an off year for Skenes is still great for the most part. Oneil Cruz has really seemed to turn a corner this season at the plate as he’s already knocked in 14 homers this year. On the base pads Cruz has been very active once again as he’s stolen 21 bags so far. His move to the injured list and defensive shortcomings will hold him back from truly shining as the team’s MVP.
FanDuel Sports Network has their list compiled of the most likely players to lead the league in homers by the end of the regular season. Brandon Lowe currently has the 21st best odds as a +17500 underdog to finish the year with the most home runs in baseball. Lowe also currently sits as a +30000 underdog to win National League MVP.
It’s almost a tradition in the NHL that when a team wins the Stanley Cup, other general managers take notes and try to emulate the latest champions’ recipe. That’s how the Tampa Bay Lightning decided to adapt a more robust style of play after being eliminated twice by the much tougher Florida Panthers two years in a row, for instance. Don’t expect the Montreal Canadiens to do that, though. When Kent Hughes was appointed as the Habs’ GM back in January 2022, he was quite clear: he had a plan, and he was going to stick to it.
The good news, however, is that the Canadiens won’t have to imitate the Canes; there are already many similarities between the two teams. Perhaps the most obvious one is that both teams are led by relatively young coaches who have been in their players’ shoes and were once hard-working, highly successful players. It allows them to be closer to their players and to call them out when the effort level isn’t there. They may not do it publicly, but they are comfortable enough to speak to their players and “tell them their truth,” as Martin St-Louis would say. Although Rod Brind’Amour did it very publicly after the first game of the Eastern Conference against the Habs, calling Jacob Slavin’s game the worst he had ever seen him play.
The second similarity between the two clubs is their sound financial structure. No team has ever won a Stanley Cup with a player earning over $10 million per season. The Panthers won twice with Sergei Bobrovsky, who had a $10M cap hit, but that’s as far as it went. Winning teams have enough money to go around. Their stars don’t break the bank with no regard to how the organization will be able to surround them with the right pieces to win. The Canes’ top earners are Sebastian Aho ($9.75 M) and Nikolaj Ehlers ($8.5 M). The two highest-paid players on the Vegas Golden Knights? Jack Eichel ($13.5 M) and Mitch Marner ($12 M).
In Montreal, Hughes has been very savvy in contract negotiations. He made a big splash with the Noah Dobson trade last season and managed to keep the former New York Islanders’ blueliner’s cap hit at $9.5 M, before managing to sign Lane Hutson to a very team-friendly $8.85 M per season. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky are all signed long-term with cap hits lower than $8 M per season. Mike Matheson ($6 M) and Kaiden Guhle ($5.55 M) also have very reasonable contracts, and as veteran contracts start to expire (Josh Anderson) or be moved (Brendan Gallagher), Hughes will have money to work with to add key pieces to his roster because he has talked his players into leaving money on the table for the greater good.
It will be interesting to see whether Hughes can sell the idea to Ivan Demidov this summer. It sure sounded like the Russian winger was receptive on dressing-room clear-out day when he said he had spoken to Hutson and they both agreed it was important to sign long-term, because Montreal is building a team with the potential to win multiple Cups in the years to come.
The third similarity between the Habs and the Canes is in the way they play. The coaches do not tolerate any passengers, and both want their players to fully commit to playing both sides of the puck. As soon as they lose the puck, the switch in their head goes from attack to defense in a matter of seconds, and they apply an intense forecheck. Of course, Carolina showed that it had mastered that style of play much better than the young Canadiens have, but it takes time, and that’s perfectly normal.
Finally, both teams succeeded in the playoffs because they showed real team effort. Neither first line stole the show; Aho and Andrei Svechnikov had 12 and 11 points, respectively, in 19 games. Suzuki and Caufield had 16 and 13 in the same number of games. In the playoffs, you need all 20 guys pulling together in the same direction; it doesn’t matter whose name is on the scoresheet. What matters are the names that get engraved on the Cup at the end of the playoffs, and on there, there’s no mention of the points they got or the salary they took home; it’s about one single team: a team’s triumph.
The New York Knicks winning their first NBA title since 1973 in five games was bad for sportsbooks.
Key Takeaways
The Knicks turned into a liability for BetMGM as the Finals went along.
Bettors kept backing New York in both futures markets and live betting in games.
Jalen Brunson took home Finals MVP, a small relief for operators.
The good news for operators was that they avoided bettors unloading on the Knicks in a Game 6 or 7. Still, Jalen Brunson and the Knicks captured a massive betting audience, picking up steam throughout their playoff run, attracting betting action in both futures markets and individual games.
The Knicks took a commanding 3-1 series lead with a dramatic Game 4 win and then closed out the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 on the road in Game 5, rewarding bettors.
“Before the NBA Finals began, the sportsbook was cheering for the Knicks because the Spurs were the biggest remaining liability on the futures market,” BetMGM trader Anthony Parenti said. “However, by the time New York took a 2-0 series lead, our liability had flipped. Knicks winning the title ended up making a lot of our customers very happy."
From beginning to end
At the beginning of the playoffs, BetMGM had taken more money on the Spurs (+450) to win the NBA title than Oklahoma City, the favorite in 2025-2026.
New York was at +2,200 to win the NBA championship at BetMGM during the first round of the playoffs.
The Knicks even began the best-of-seven series as +170 underdogs, with the Spurs at -210. After New York took a 2-0 lead, the odds shifted to Knicks -140, and by the time they were up 3-1, the Knickerbockers (-550) had 77% of the bets and 53% of the handle.
Massive wagering
A Knicks team that struggled to compete at times over the last two decades became a major driver of betting activity. DraftKings reported last week that Game 4 was the most-bet NBA contest in the operator’s history. BetMGM experienced an average 28.6% year-over-year increase in money wagered on each Finals game.
Had the series lasted longer, it might’ve done more damage to sportsbooks, but it would’ve produced incredible handles, especially in a Game 7, because of the hysteria surrounding the Knicks.
“The Knicks and the public are locked in on each other,” DraftKings Sportsbook director Johnny Avello told Covers last week.
New York also did a number on sportsbooks through live betting, as the darling trailed by double digits in every game, allowing bettors to pound even better underdog odds. The Knicks were down 29 before the incredible rally in Game 4, and they came back from 16 in the first half in Game 5.
Other Finals betting notes
The Knicks won Game 5 as 5.5-point underdogs. They were getting 67% of the spread bets and 77% of the handle. More than 50% of the moneyline handle was also backing New York at +165 to win outright and close out the series.
A BetMGM bettor cashed a $20,000 ticket at +2,200 on the Knicks, returning a $440,000 payout.
Brunson took home an NBA title and series MVP on Saturday night. He was a -110 favorite by the end of New York’s run to win the individual award at BetMGM, getting 22% of the tickets and 60% of the market’s handle.
However, teammate OG Anunoby was a bigger liability at BetMGM, with his odds getting as high as +50,000 to start the playoffs and shortening to +200 by Game 5.
With the first overall pick of the 2026 NHL draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have no choice but to take the best player available, which is also the method that GM John Chayka will be using going into the draft.
With left winger Gavin McKenna sitting at the top of several rankings and mock drafts, and not far behind him is left winger Ivar Stenberg, chances are the Maple Leafs are taking a forward with the first pick of the draft.
However, with their 60th pick, coming in the second round, there is an opportunity to still select a great defenseman. That's something the organization lacked for many years.
Liske, 18, is coming off his second full season in the WHL for the Everett Silvertips. He's become an important D-man for the Silvertips, often paired with projected 2027 first overall pick Landon DuPont on the back end.
The right-handed shot blueliner played 52 regular-season games for Everett, scoring seven goals and 24 points. Liske also registered a respectable plus-36 in the campaign, finishing sixth on the Silvertips in that category.
His production and performance in the regular season were fairly standard, but instrumental for the Silvertips to finish atop the standings. However, Liske was a different animal when it came to the WHL post-season.
The Beausejour, Man., native was a star for Everett in the playoffs, recording four goals and 17 points in 18 games en route to a WHL championship. Liske finished fifth in team scoring for the post-season, but another impressive stat is that the D-man completed the playoff campaign with the greatest plus-minus rating in the league at a plus-25.
While he wasn't exactly the superstar of the Silvertips, he was still a key contributor in an important role alongside DuPont. His role on Everett is similar to a Brent Seabrook next to a Duncan Keith - he's not the flashiest, but as a two-way defenseman, he gets the job done in pretty much all situations.
Liske didn't generate a point in five games at the Memorial Cup, earning a plus-three at the tournament. But he showed a sign of growth and promise in Everett's WHL playoff campaign.
Before this past year, Liske had his rookie season with the Silvertips, putting up two goals and 11 points in 66 appearances. That was followed by a one-point playoff campaign across 13 post-season contests.
Before that, in 2023-24, he played for Northern Alberta Xtreme at the U-18 level in the CSSHL. He scored 11 goals and 32 points in 27 outings. Following that campaign, he joined the Silvertips, who drafted him 10th overall in the 2023 draft, and played six games split evenly between regular season and playoffs. He didn't score in that post-season, but put up a goal and an assist in his three appearances of the regular season.
NHL Central Scouting has listed Liske 44th among North American skaters and the 12th-best defenseman of that same ranking. Central Scouting recorded the youngster at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds.
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