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Marchand reaches 1,000 points, Reinhart scores twice as Panthers beat Capitals 6-3

Washington Capitals v Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 13: Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers blocks a plastic rat shot by Evan Rodrigues #17 following their win over the Washington Capitals at Amerant Bank Arena on November 13, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Capitals 6-3. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Brad Marchand reached 1,000 career points with two assists, Sam Reinhart scored twice and Florida Panthers beat the Washington Capitals 6-3 on Thursday.

Eetu Luostarinen, Seth Jones, Cole Schwindt and Evan Rodrigues also scored for the Panthers, who began a run of 11 of 12 games at home.

Marchand assisted on Jones’ goal that put Florida ahead 5-3 late in the third period and Luostarinen's empty-netter with 1:30 remaining.

Marchand has 335 goals and 565 assists in 1,116 regular-season games. Jones and Rodrigues each scored their 100th NHL goals.

Panthers backup goalie Daniil Tarasov stopped 37 shots for his first victory with the club.

Rasmus Sandin, Justin Sourdif and Brandon Duhaime scored for the Capitals. They were 1-3 on a four-game trip.

Goals from Reinhart and Schwindt in the second period put the Panthers ahead 3-1. Schwidnt’s goal 3:05 into the period snapped a 1-all tie.

Reinhart padded the lead with his power play goal with 5:19 left in ther period. Logan Thompson stopped Carter Verhaeghe’s shot but Reinhart tapped in the deflection.

After the Capitals narrowed the deficit on Justin Sourdif’s goal 52 seconds into the third period, the Panthers responded with goals by Reinhart and Jones.

The Panthers were again with a slew of injured players, including Aleksander Barkov, Dmitry Kulikov and Jonah Gadjovich. But coach Paul Maurice indicated that Matthew Tkachuk — who has yet to play this season following offseason surgery — might be inching toward a return in the coming weeks.

Up next

Capitals: Host New Jersey on Saturday night.

Panthers: Host Tampa Bay on Saturday.

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Fantasy Basketball Weekend Start/Sit Decisions: Derik Queen starring in reserve role

Whether you’re in a Yahoo! High Score league, a Sleeper league, a league with a games cap or simply have so many players with games scheduled that you can’t start them all, making a decision about who to start or sit can help you win or lose your matchup.

Obviously, in many leagues, having more games played each week ends up being the difference in a matchup. This is not me saying to bench a player in a points league without a games cap. Even if I’m expecting a terrible game, five points is better than zero!

The Nets, Hornets, Mavericks, Warriors, Rockets, Clippers, Lakers, Bucks, Timberwolves, Pelicans, Magic, Trail Blazers, Kings and Spurs play twice this weekend, so if you’re just looking to maximize games, prioritize those teams.

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Utah Jazz
Fantasy Basketball Minutes Report: Austin Reaves returns, Ace Bailey joins the starting lineup
Each week we’ll dig into shifting rotations, uncovering which players deserve more attention in fantasy basketball.

▶ Guards

Start: Miles McBride, New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson is dealing with an ankle injury, and while there hasn’t been any report that would indicate a long-term absence yet, getting out in front of it is a good idea. If McBride starts multiple games, he’s a valuable streamer. At minimum, he should have a strong performance against the Heat on Friday. Brunson has already been ruled out for that game, so McBride should start. Miami plays at a faster pace than anyone in the league, which should help boost McBride’s stats.

Start: Sam Merrill, Cleveland Cavaliers

It’s unclear how long Darius Garland (toe) will be sidelined, but Merrill will continue to start in his place. The Cavs only have one game this weekend, but it’s against a Grizzlies team that hasn’t defended the three-point line well this season. This is a great opportunity for Merrill to get back on track; he opened the year as a starter and averaged 4.5 triples per game across their first four games before suffering a hip injury.

Sit: Donte DiVincenzo, Minnesota Timberwolves

DiVincenzo has struggled the last three games with Anthony Edwards back (though he was good in Edwards’ return), and this weekend isn’t going to get any easier. Minnesota plays the Kings and the Nuggets. Sacramento hasn’t been great lately, but they’ve done a decent job at defending three-pointers this year. Plus, there’s the added motivation from head coach Doug Christie after their last game, which came in a threat to switch up the starting unit. Denver has been one of the best teams at defending the three-point line this year. This isn’t a great chance for DiVincenzo to get back on track.

Sit: Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets

Sheppard is starting to figure things out, but this weekend isn’t ideal for him. The Rockets play the Trail Blazers and Magic, and both teams rank in the top four in fewest three-pointers allowed per game. Sheppard has hit at least four triples in three straight games and knocked down a season-best five treys against Washington on Wednesday, but that streak could certainly come to an end.

▶ Forwards

Start: Bogdan Bogdanovic, LA Clippers

With Bradley Beal (hip) set to miss the rest of the season, John Collins has moved into the starting lineup, but it’s Bogdanovic that has been more productive. Over his last three appearances, he has averaged 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 2.3 three-pointers in 26 minutes per game. He has two games this weekend, and while the matchups aren’t ideal, he has been effective when Beal is injured.

Start: Noah Clowney, Brooklyn Nets

Clowney has been starting for Brooklyn, and he has been really productive in four of their last five games. The matchup with the Magic on Friday isn’t an easy one, but it’s an opportunity for him. However, it’s the game against the Wizards on Sunday that is intriguing. Washington has the worst defense in the league, which makes it a great opportunity for Clowney to have a productive night.

Sit: Trendon Watford, Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers only have one game this weekend, and it’s against the Pistons, who have been elite on defense this season, especially in the paint. Since that surprising triple-double, Watford has been disappointing. He may continue to start, but the return of Dominick Barlow (elbow) could cut into Watford’s minutes.

Sit: Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns

Brooks is coming off one of the best offensive performances of his career, but his lone outing this weekend will come against one of the best defensive teams in the league. The limited opportunity combined with a matchup against the Hawks makes this a suboptimal weekend for Brooks.

▶ Centers

Start: Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets

Ryan Kalkbrenner (personal) has been ruled out against the Bucks on Friday, which will be at least one start for Diabate. They play again on Saturday against the Thunder, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Kalkbrenner missed both. Diabate has been solid as a reserve, but his ceiling and minutes will both rise significantly with Kalkbrenner unavailable.

Start: Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans

It’s not really about matchups here; Queen is just playing too well to not start him. Queen isn’t starting yet, but he’s playing starter minutes. He had a career-best 26 points and played 38 minutes on Wednesday. The Lakers and Warriors aren’t easy matchups, but they shouldn’t scare managers away as Queen breaks out.

Sit: Kel’el Ware, Miami Heat

Miami only has one game this weekend, and it comes against the Knicks, who have been one of the best rebounding teams in the league this season. Ware didn’t do much against the Knicks as a starter earlier this year, but that was with Bam Adebayo available. Adebayo (toe) is still out, so Ware should play more minutes, but this isn’t an ideal matchup for Ware.

Sit: Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks

Lively (knee) will be back on Friday against the Clippers, who rank last in the league in pace. Slower pace leads to fewer shots, which leads to fewer rebound opportunities. Sunday’s matchup with Portland is more favorable, but Gafford and Lively haven’t played together yet this season. Plus, Anthony Davis (calf) could be back. It’s best to play it safe when it comes to the Dallas bigs and wait to figure things out next week; it wouldn’t be shocking if both play 15-20 minutes.

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England pumped up for chance to end 13-year wait against All Blacks

Maro Itoje and company have talked the talk and are hungry to follow through with a first win at home over New Zealand since 2012

For better or worse it has been lashing down in south-west London. Good news for restocking the reservoirs but rather less so for dry-ball rugby. Had England played New Zealand 24 hours earlier it would have resembled a game of outdoor water polo and, although the matchday forecast is less biblical, a decidedly damp, grey afternoon awaits.

Is it some kind of celestial clue that England’s on-field drought against the All Blacks might be about to break? It is now 13 years since the last men’s victory over New Zealand at what was once called Twickenham, so long ago that Maro Itoje was still at school. Troublemaker by Olly Murs (featuring Flo Rida) topped the UK charts and the nation was basking in a warm, fuzzy post-London Olympics glow that was supposed to last indefinitely.

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Red Wings Could Add Key Defenseman from Stanley Cup Final Team Off Waivers

The Edmonton Oilers have been navigating a challenging season riddled with injuries, but as key players return, the competition for roster spots is intensifying. In a recent development, defenseman Troy Stecher was placed on waivers Friday. Serving primarily as Edmonton’s seventh defenseman, Stecher could find a larger role elsewhere, and the team had explored potential trade options before making the move, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) on XElliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) on XStecher (EDM) on waivers David Kampf clears and contract can be terminated

Stecher, 31, brings a dependable two-way game to the ice. He previously played for the Detroit Red Wings before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in March 2022 for a seventh-round pick. A return to Detroit could be mutually beneficial. The Red Wings have struggled defensively at times this season, allowing 40 goals over their last 11 games, which ranks them seventh-worst in the NHL over that span. Stecher would be an upgrade over Travis Hamonic on the bottom pairing and could stabilize the rotation alongside Jacob Bernard-Docker.

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

There’s a strong likelihood Stecher would be open to rejoining the Red Wings. He originally signed with Detroit as a free agent in 2020, and the team’s solid start to the season could make the reunion even more enticing. The organization is already familiar with his work ethic and reliable play, which could allow him to slot back into the blue line seamlessly.

Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XDetroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) on XTroy Stecher! #LGRW

Stecher brings valuable postseason experience as well as part of Edmonton’s recent Stanley Cup Final run, which the team facilitated by acquiring him and a fourth-round pick from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for a seventh-rounder. While he didn’t record a point in eight playoff games, he finished with a +2 rating and delivered steady minutes in high-pressure situations. His playoff experience also extends to the Kings, where he tallied two goals and two assists in four games after arriving from Detroit.

For the Red Wings, claiming Stecher would provide both experience and stability to a defensive unit in need of reinforcement. At a cap hit of just $787k and with ample space available, Detroit could make a low-risk, high-reward move that bolsters the blueline and strengthens their playoff aspirations.

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Report: Teams interested in possible Domantas Sabonis trade

While predicting what the Kings' front office and ownership will do is a futile mission, there is logic to their trying to trade away their veterans at the trade deadline. Sacramento is a 3-9 team — one that is frustrating its coach — with a promising young player in Keegan Murray and an intriguing rookie in Nique Clifford, but not much else to build around. The Kings control their own draft pick this season, so trading away their veterans to focus on the future makes sense.

There is interest around the league in center Domantas Sabonis, Sam Amick of The Athletic said on SacTown Sports (hat tip Real GM).

"So, as it relates to Sabonis, my understanding is there are at least a few teams that have raised their hand to say, 'Yeah, he's somebody we'd want to talk about.' I've said it on your show before — I don't have that sort of information about Zach (LaVine)."

Sabonis, a three-time All-Star and All-NBA selection in 2023 and 2024, is averaging 15.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game this season, although his efficiency has fallen off sharply, including his shooting just 17.6% from 3-point range. He is a good passer and just 29 years old; teams may think that if they get him in their system, Sabonis will return to form.

That said, Sabonis is making $42.3 million this season and is owed $94.1 million over the two seasons after this one. If a team is going to take him on, they are going to have to want him. Just matching that salary will mean giving up a player of value.

LaVine, 30, is averaging 23.9 points a game and shooting 42.3% from beyond the arc this season, but is more ball dominant than Sabonis. LaVine is making $47.5 million this season with a player option for $48.9 million next season (he would be extension eligible this summer). Considering how difficult the Bulls found it to find a LaVine trade before the deal with the Kings last February (part of a three-team trade involving De'Aaron Fox to San Antonio), it may be asking a lot to expect the Kings to find a deal.

Don't be surprised if Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan and Doug McDermott also come up in trade rumors.

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American Ex-NHL D-Man Finds Another Swedish Team

American defenseman and right winger Luke Witkowski, 35, has signed a contract to play the remainder of the current season for Brynäs IF, the Gävle-based SHL club announced on Thursday.

It is the former NHLer’s second Swedish club in as many years and third straight season playing in Europe.

“I’m very grateful to have another opportunity to play in the SHL,” Witkowski is quoted in the club’s announcement. “I had a very good time here last season so I’m happy to come back … I believe that we have every chance to be a winning team and that is something I want to be a part of.”

Brynäs is off to a relatively slow start this season with 20 points in 19 games and currently sits 11tho out of 14 SHL teams. However, the team is coming off a season where it finished first in the regular season before losing in the finals, and has many big names on its roster, including ex-NHLers Nicklas Backström, Jakob Silfverberg, Johan Larsson, Robert Hägg, Oskar Lindblom, Michal Kempný, Christian Djoos, Kieffer Bellows, Mattias Norlinder and goaltenders Collin Delia and (injured) Erik Källgren. It also contains Anaheim Ducks prospects Lucas Pettersson and Damian Clara.

Nicklas Bäckström Ready for a New Chapter in the SHLNicklas Bäckström Ready for a New Chapter in the SHLNicklas Bäckström continues his preparations for the SHL opener on Saturday. On Tuesday, the SHL held its annual media day, where Bäckström was in the spotlight.

“Luke is a big physical defenseman and his strengths lie in his defensive game – that, in combination with his character and experience, will be a good addition to our back end,” said Brynäs sports director Johan Alcén. “The positive impact he had on Skellefteå when he arrived last year is something that appeals to us. The desire to play for Brynäs has been great from Luke’s side and we look forward to seeing him in our colors.”

A native of Holland, Mich. and a graduate of Western Michigan University, Witkowski was chosen in the sixth round, 160th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Detroit Red Wings Prospect Eddie Genborg Strikes AgainDetroit Red Wings Prospect Eddie Genborg Strikes AgainJacob Smeds recaps SHL action as NHL prospects Eddie Genborg (Red Wings), Viggo Björck (draft-eligible), Victor Eklund (Islanders), Anton Frondell (Blackhawks) and Noah Steen (Lightning) impress across Sweden.

Between 2014 and 2022, Witkowski played 132 NHL regular-season games for the Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings, both as a defenseman and as a winger, scoring two goals and adding 11 assists and 162 penalty minutes. He also played two playoff games for Tampa Bay in 2016.

His first season in Europe was 2023-24 in Finland with Tappara Tampere, where he recorded six assists and 88 penalty minutes in 52 games, helping Tappara to its third straight Liiga title. 

Last season, Witkowski recorded four points and 48 minutes in 36 SHL regular-season and playoff games for Skellefteå.

SHL Prospect Roundup: Isles’ Victor Eklund ScoresSHL Prospect Roundup: Isles’ Victor Eklund ScoresThe Hockey News International recaps Thursday’s SHL action, as Islanders prospect Victor Eklund scores his first goal, Ivar Stenberg continues to shine, and several NHL prospects impress across Sweden.
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Count On Canucks Matching Hurricanes' Offense in Scoring Frenzy

Friday’s NHL schedule is compact with four games, loaded with excitement and the promise of fast-paced action, dramatic finishes, and plenty of highlight-reel moments. 

One of the most compelling games of the night features two teams trending in different directions as the Vancouver Canucks travel to Raleigh to play the Carolina Hurricanes. Once again this season, Vancouver has been a media circus with an increasing number of injuries and lackluster play from stars like Elias Pettersson, all contributing to four losses in their last six games. They will clash with one of the best teams in the East on Friday as the Hurricanes look to rebound from a troubling 4–1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

For those following our Pad Stack challenge, we began with a $10 bankroll and aim to grow it through smart, data-driven picks. Past runs have turned small stakes into triple-digit profits, and tonight’s focus is the Canucks–Hurricanes matchup, which offers another strong opportunity to build momentum.

Our bankroll reached as high as $264.60 before a setback earlier this season. After a successful bet on the Red Wings outlasting the Ducks on Thursday, our current bankroll is close to that previous high, now standing at $136.79, and we are ready to reach a new season high for the challenge.

All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.

Bank On Islanders Staying Hot Versus MammothBank On Islanders Staying Hot Versus MammothIslanders surge continues as hot offense meets struggling Utah defense. Bo Horvat and rookie Schaefer ignite New York's scoring spree.

Picks: Canucks +2.5 & Over 4.5 Goals (-114)

The Canucks have managed to stay competitive against some of the league’s top teams this season. Notably, they forced overtime against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche and tallied three goals in a close loss to the Winnipeg Jets this past Tuesday. Despite this, many expect the Carolina Hurricanes to dominate on Friday, especially with the home team coming off three days of rest and looking to rebound from their recent loss to the Capitals. This matchup marks the 88th meeting between the two clubs, with Vancouver historically holding the edge with a 42-32-11-2 record.

Recently, this trend has persisted, as the Canucks have claimed victory in three of their last five games against Carolina, though the Hurricanes have won the last two matchups. Vancouver still appears capable of keeping Friday’s game competitive, boasting a 7-5 record against the spread as an underdog this season, along with five outright wins. 

Offensively, the Canucks have been strong, scoring 23 goals over their last seven games, ranking them in the NHL’s top ten over that stretch. Defense, however, remains the team’s primary weakness. 

During the same seven-game span, Vancouver has allowed 30 goals and has shown little improvement. Adding to the concern, captain and defensive cornerstone Quinn Hughes is listed as questionable for Friday’s game. He did, however, play the full game against Winnipeg on Tuesday, suggesting he should be available.

Injuries have also hampered Vancouver, affecting players like Filip Chytil, Nils Hoglander, Derek Forbort, Teddy Blueger, and starting goaltender Thatcher Demko, who has struggled with injuries over the past several seasons. The Canucks had hoped for stability with backup Kevin Lankinen, but overuse has impacted his confidence, mirroring situations like the Toronto Maple Leafs with Anthony Stolarz. 

Lankinen has struggled to start the season, posting a 3-5-1 record, 3.57 goals-against average, and a .885 save percentage in nine starts. He is slated to start again on Friday, carrying a 3-3-2 record, 3.85 goals-against average, and .886 save percentage in eight appearances versus the Hurricanes.

If the Canucks want to win this one or remain within striking distance, they'll need to backup their play with some offense of their own and should make this a relatively sweat-free over in goals.  A wager on the Canucks and the over at -114 odds with an $136.79 bankroll would return a profit of $120.38, for a total payout of $257.17 in return.

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Canadiens Provide Bad Newhook & Guhle Injury Updates

Alex Newhook (© David Kirouac-Imagn Images)

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that forward Alex Newhook will be out for the next four months after undergoing surgery for a fractured ankle.

In addition, the Canadiens shared that defenseman Kaiden Guhle will be out for another eight to 10 weeks after undergoing surgery on a partially torn adductor muscle. 

Newhook was injured during the Canadiens' Nov. 13 matchup against the Dallas Stars, where he was limited to only 5:54 of ice time. Now, with this update, the Canadiens are expected to be without Newhook until at least mid-March. 

This is such unfortunate news for Newhook, as he has been having a strong season for the Canadiens. In 17 games this season, he has recorded six goals, 12 points, and a plus-7 rating. 

Guhle has not played since the Canadiens' Oct. 16 matchup against the Nashville Predators. Now, with this latest update, the Habs will not have the key defenseman back until at least early January.

In five games this season for the Canadiens, Guhle has posted one goal, one assist, seven penalty minutes, and a plus-1 rating. 

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Steph Curry rocks Mambacita Kobe 6s one day after parting ways with Under Armour

Steph Curry rocks Mambacita Kobe 6s one day after parting ways with Under Armour originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steph Curry, the self-proclaimed “Petty King,” wasted no time donning a different brand of shoes, a day after he parted ways with Under Armour.

During warmups before the Warriors’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night at Frost Bank Center, Curry wore Mambacita Kobe 6 Nike shoes, a strange sight considering the 17-year NBA veteran’s history with the two shoe brands.

While the 37-year-old wore the Kobes during pregame warmups, he switched back to his Curry Brand shoes for Friday’s game.

Curry began his professional career as a Nike athlete but an uninspiring sales pitch to retain him caused the Warriors’ star to jump to Under Armour in 2013.

The Curry Brand launched in 2020 as a sub-brand within Under Armour, seemingly locking Curry in with the company. But the sides decided to part ways on Thursday, allowing Curry to become a sneaker free agent next year.

With Curry’s Under Armour pact ending, he can wear other shoe brands over the next year as he pursues a new deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Thursday, citing sources.

Curry’s final shoe in partnership with Under Armour will release in early 2026.

Expect Curry to rock other shoe brands over the next year as he decides on a new partner.

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Edmonton Oilers Place Stecher On NHL Waivers, Send Howard To AHL

The Edmonton Oilers placed defenseman Troy Stecher on NHL waivers and sent rookie left winger Isaac Howard to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.

Stecher, 31, has played six games for the Oilers this season but hasn’t made an appearance since Oct. 30 in a 4-3 overtime loss to the New York Rangers.

With that, the right-handed defenseman has been averaging 13:37 under coach Kris Knoblauch this season, the lowest average ice time in his 10-year NHL career.

Stecher has played parts of three seasons with the Oilers. Last year was when he made the most appearances for Edmonton, featuring in 66 contests and scoring three goals and seven points, averaging 13:52 of ice time.

If no team puts in a claim for the veteran blueliner, he will be assigned to the Condors in the AHL. Stecher has played only four career AHL games, dating back to his first pro campaign in 2016-17.

In addition to the waiver activity, center David Kampf cleared waivers, and his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs has officially been terminated. The 30-year-old is now a UFA.

Issac Howard (Simon Fearn-Imagn Images)

As for Howard, the rookie doesn’t require waivers to be sent down to the minors. The 21-year-old has played 17 games this season, recording two goals and one assist while averaging 9:30 of ice time.

This roster transaction is reportedly to make space for left winger Zach Hyman, who is expected to return from injury this weekend.

Hyman, 33, still awaits his season debut after suffering an upper-body injury during the early stages of the pre-season. He's been on the long-term injured reserve, allowing the Oilers to exceed the salary cap ceiling by up to his $5.5-million cap hit. They have about $3.24 million in cap space right now with Hyman on LTIR, according to PuckPedia.

Last season, Hyman scored 27 goals and 44 points in 73 games. In the playoffs, he registered five goals and 11 points in 15 contests before being sidelined with a different injury.

The Oilers are taking on the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, and it’s expected that Hyman will make his season debut then.

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Kansas’ Darryn Peterson to miss another game because of lingering hamstring issue

Darryn Peterson will miss another game for No. 25 Kansas this weekend because of a lingering hamstring issue, Bill Self said Friday, though the Jayhawks coach added “we don't think it's a long-term deal at all.” The nation's top-ranked recruit, and potentially the No. 1 pick in next year's NBA draft, missed Tuesday night’s 77-46 rout of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi after hurting himself in a shootaround earlier in the day. The big question is whether Peterson will be back for some high-profile games beginning next week.

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What Are the Avalanche’s Plans for Ilya Nabokov After Wedgewood's Extension?

Before the season started, the goaltender pipeline looked something like this: MacKenzie Blackwood, the bona fide starter with his five-year contract extension; Scott Wedgewood, the reliable backup for this season and maybe an extension if he plays well; and finally, Ilya Nabokov, heading over to North America with his ELC signed. Probably the backup next season, but that has all changed to start this season.

Blackwood is starting to come back from an injury he sustained this training camp, and while he's only played a couple of games, he still looks a bit rusty. Nabokov, after having a tremendous rookie and sophomore years with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, is off to a rough junior year. The most surprising of all is how Wedgewood has been one of the best goaltenders in the league. This now puts the future of Colorado Avalanche goaltending into question next season.

Quality Goaltending Being Shown

Many thought that when Nabokov signed his ELC, he would join the Colorado Eagles in the AHL and compete with Trent Miner for the team's starting position. It would be a good way to have him acclimate to the North American style of hockey without throwing him into the NHL fire and placing unreasonable expectations on him to carry the team. However, he was loaned back to the KHL for another season, as management must have had good faith in their goaltenders this season, and that faith is being shown.

Both the Avalanche and the Eagles are the number one teams in the league, with the Avalanche at 12-1-5 and 29 points, and the Eagles at 11-2-0-1 and 23 points. Wedgewood is leading the way with a record of 10-1-2, a .913 SV%, and a 2.26 GAA. He leads the league in wins, SV%, and is third in GAA among goalies who have played more than 10 games. Isak Posch has been the guy for the Eagles, posting a 7-1-1 record, a .918 SV%, and a 1.89 GAA.

This is all with Blackwood playing only two games this season and boasting a 2-0-0 record, a .870 SV%, and a 3.28 GAA. Blackwood is rusty, and head coach Jared Bednar has stated in two games that he needs to be better. So if we do get Blackwood back to the form he showed last season with Wedgewood's improved play, how come the Avalanche doesn't run this tandem back for another season?

Bednar’s Tough Love Puts Blackwood on NoticeBednar’s Tough Love Puts Blackwood on NoticeJared Bednar made it very clear that Mackenzie Blackwood needs to step up his game.

Roles Being Changed?

This has been the case recently, with Wedgwood signing a one-year extension. The team recognizes his play and, instead of waiting until free agency, when other teams will offer more money, sign him now and enjoy the fruits of his labour as he continues to play out of his mind. Though this now raises the question of Nabokov's role within the Avalanche if both spots on the main roster are taken.

Wedgewood Signs One-Year Extension With Avalanche Through 2026-27 After Stellar StartWedgewood Signs One-Year Extension With Avalanche Through 2026-27 After Stellar StartScott Wedgewood is sticking around for at least another trip around the sun.

From his first two seasons in the KHL, I thought Nabokov could come over to the Avalanche and fill the backup role, like Wedgewood did. Get into 15-20 games, start maybe 10, and be a great backup to Blackwood. Get the opportunity to grow, develop, and learn the ropes of what a full NHL season is like without being forced into the starter role, but now? A good year in the AHL might be the way.

This season hasn’t been what he has been used to seeing from Nabokov. Despite an 8-2-0 record, he boasts a .893 SV% and a 2.63 GAA with 14 games played. It is early in the season, as he finished both previous seasons with over 40 games played, so he has time to improve on those stats, but it's definitely something to keep an eye on.

A Good Problem to Have

I know, despite being on top of the league with a 12-1-5 record with 29 points, I’m still finding something to complain about, and of all things, it's goaltending? After everything this team has been through with Alexander Georgiev, we finally get quality goaltending, and we were complaining? No, just an interesting thing to look into next season, with arguably the Avalanche's top prospect being involved in this situation. Since Calum Ritchie was moved to acquire Brock Nelson, Nabokov is now the number one guy to keep an eye on, but it's hard since he plays in the KHL, and it's hard to watch games in North America, or even to remember to keep track of the scores and stats.

Goaltending has been a significant issue with the team since the 2021-22 Stanley Cup-winning team. Management has finally found/built a system where they have more than reliable goaltending to win them a Stanley Cup, but prospects in their system that continue to grow, hopefully to use one day, and that being Nabokov for one.

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https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche/latest-news/necas-throws-a-marty-party-avalanche-offense-off-the-chartsNečas Throws a Marty Party: Avalanche Offense Off the ChartsNečas Throws a Marty Party: Avalanche Offense Off the ChartsThis could be a historic season for Colorado on a number of fronts.
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Alex Bregman Free Agent Profile: Contract prediction, best fits, stats

Having failed to find the long-term deal he wanted last time around, Alex Bregman is back on the market for the second year in a row, this time without a qualifying offer hanging over his head. The three-time All-Star and two-time world champion opted out of a three-year, $120 million deal with Boston to get here and will take a lesser annual salary to receive the kind of rest-of-his-career contract he desires as he enters his age-32 campaign.

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MLB: Playoffs-Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB Free Agent Tracker 2025-26: Latest signings, top players, and biggest offseason deals
Stay up to date with the MLB free agent market this offseason, including player signings, contract details, and team fits as the 2025-26 Hot Stove heats up.
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▶ Bregman in Review

Bregman’s first and perhaps lone season in Boston couldn’t have started much better. After a first-week slump, he had a four-game span in early April in which he had two homers, five doubles and 10 RBI. He was batting .299/.385/.553 over 51 games when he suffered a strained quad on May 23. Back just before the All-Star break, his production held up initially before waning in late August. He wound up hitting .180/.273/.262 in his final 31 games, lowering his OPS from .933 to .821.

That .821 OPS was good for a 128 OPS+ just below Bregman’s career mark of 132. He peaked an MVP-type performer in 2018 and ’19, finishing with a 157 OPS+ those two seasons. He suffered a big drop off immediately afterwards, but that’s still left him as one of the league’s steadiest hitters these last six seasons. He has a 123 OPS+ during the span, never finishing a season below 112.

Bregman’s defense at third is similarly steadily above average. He no longer has the range to play shortstop, as he could have done for the Astros in his mid-20s had he not been shifted off the position in favor of Carlos Correa, but he should last at the position for at least a few more years before perhaps becoming a liability towards the end of the decade.

▶ Market Outlook

Bregman is really the one player in free agency who projects as a long-term third baseman. Maybe Bo Bichette could end up there, but he seems better suited for second base after moving off short. Most teams view Japanese imports Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto as first basemen. 34-year-old Eugenio Suárez will probably stick at third for another year or two, but he’s below average there these days.

So, that’s nice for Bregman. It probably also doesn’t hurt his case that Nolan Arenado, the most prominent third baseman on the trade market, seems very clearly in decline at this point. Last winter, Arenado was put forth as a viable alternative to Bregman before ultimately declining to waive his no-trade with the Cardinals. No one will be looking at them similarly this winter, though.

Bregman’s closest recent free agency comp would seem to be Matt Chapman two years ago. Chapman, though, had to deal with the qualifying offer and overplayed his hand some in a weaker market. He signed a deal set up like Bregman’s, but with a guarantee of $54 million over three years rather than Bregman’s $120 million. He made $18 million in 2024 and then, before he could opt out, signed a six-year, $151 million extension to stay with the Giants.

▶ Best Fits

Red Sox: Boston seemed to love Bregman’s clubhouse presence and would undoubtedly like to have him back for 2026. The problem is that Bregman will want at least a five-year deal, and the Red Sox aren’t going to think that’s any better of an idea now than it was last winter, even if the exit of Rafael Devers did free up a bunch of money and end the third base controversy.

Tigers: Detroit seemed like the perfect fit for Bregman last winter, but the Tigers’ longer offer -- reportedly for six years -- didn’t come with a high enough salary to land him. There’s still a pretty obvious match here for now, but it’d be much more difficult to imagine something coming together if Gleyber Torres accepts a $22.025 million qualifying offer.

Mets: Swapping in Bregman for Pete Alonso would hopefully result in a significant defensive upgrade at two infield spots for the Mets, assuming that Mark Vientos and/or Brett Baty proves adept at first base. Still, it wouldn’t help the offense, and Bregman will probably wind up landing a bigger contract than Alonso, if only by a bit. Also, the Mets have an abundance of quality infield prospects and might be better off with a short-term solution.

Yankees: The Bombers didn’t really solve third base in trading for Ryan McMahon, who hit just .208/.308/.333 after arriving at the deadline. If they miss out on Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger, trying for Bregman or Bichette might be their best avenue to improve their lineup.

Cubs: The Cubs wouldn’t need to replace Tucker with an outfielder if they lose him; they’d probably just move Seiya Suzuki back to right, and they’d have a couple of very good outfield prospects in reserve. In fact, they don’t really have any holes at all in their lineup. Still, Matt Shaw’s weak exit velocity numbers as a rookie were pretty discouraging, and if they were going to upgrade anywhere in free agency, third base would seem to be the best option.

Mariners: Seattle knows that contact was an issue in the postseason, and Bregman’s 13.4% career strikeout rate would help out a bunch there. However, it’s hard to see the Mariners coming up with the $30 million or so per season that it would take to land him.

Contract Prediction

It’s pretty great for Bregman that a bunch of contenders are currently in flux at third base. Even the Blue Jays could make room for him if Bichette leaves. Or perhaps the Phillies could trade Alec Bohm to open up the hot corner, though they have their own free agents to deal with. Bregman’s floor would seem to be $140 million for five years, with his annual salaries potentially decreasing some if he holds out for a longer deal.

Mets - Six years, $168 million