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Takeaways From Maple Leafs' First Game Of Prospect Showdown Against Senators

Despite the Toronto Maple Leafs’ prospects falling to the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 at the Prospect Showdown in Montreal, there were some positives as the players became more comfortable in their first game since the summer break.

Toronto went down 3–0 early before getting two straight goals from Luke Haymes and Jacob Quillan. Ottawa would get one back later in the third period to make it 4-2 before Ryan Kirwan scored on the power play to make it a one-goal game again.

The Maple Leafs pushed for an equalizer, however, they couldn’t find one as Ottawa’s Jackson Parsons stole the show. Here are a couple of the bright spots among the Maple Leafs’ prospects in their first game in Montreal.

Ben Danford’s smoothness

Entering this mini tournament (or whatever you’d like to call it), Danford was one of the prospects I was most keen on watching. He didn’t get a rookie showcase last September after suffering a concussion, so with this being his first game in a Maple Leafs jersey, there was a lot to look for.

The defenseman is a big, strong body, and it showed on Saturday afternoon. Whenever it seemed like Danford was under pressure, he found a way to move the puck. But even without the puck on his stick, he was able to smother several chances before gaining possession and quickly moving the puck south.

Danford calms everything down, which is a positive trait to have, especially at an event like this, where each prospect is attempting to showcase themselves.

Luke Haymes continues production after strong AHL stint

Luke Haymes entered the organization last spring following three seasons at Dartmouth College. Almost immediately, the 22-year-old started producing with the Toronto Marlies, tallying two goals and six points in his first nine games.

Haymes centered Toronto’s second line on Saturday with Matthew Barbolini and Braeden Kressler on his wings, and continued his production. He scored the Maple Leafs’ first goal of the game in the second period, spinning and firing the puck past Parsons.

The Ottawa, Ontario product then added an assist on Kirwan’s power play goal in the third period to cut the Senators’ lead to one goal. As we approach Maple Leafs training camp, it’ll be fascinating to watch how Haymes handles the pace and physicality of Toronto’s top players before likely returning to the Marlies for his first pro season.

Easton Cowan continuing to get comfortable

There’ll be a lot of eyes on Easton Cowan in this tournament and for good reason. Cowan had a big summer — gaining nine pounds of muscle — following his massive Memorial Cup win with the London Knights earlier this year. 

His goal is to make the Maple Leafs out of training camp, and this game was likely the beginning of his audition. There’s a lot to like about Cowan, from the way he works to his hockey sense on the ice. However, you can still see moments where the young forward is timid going up against bigger competition.

Six of Ottawa’s eight defensemen at the Prospect Showdown were over six-foot-three, and they definitely didn’t make it easy on any of Toronto’s players. I thought that as the game progressed, Cowan became more comfortable, showcasing his skill, speed, and playmaking ability.

Cowan had an assist on Quillan's goal in the third period to make it a one-goal game.

How he’ll fare on Sunday against the Montreal Canadiens, who are pretty loaded with prospects, will likely dictate how he enters Maple Leafs training camp next week. I'd expect a strong game, especially against a team like the Canadiens, with the Bell Centre likely packed to the brim.

Other positive notes from Game 1

  • Quillan’s goal should give him confidence going into Game 2 of the Prospect Showdown. He looked fairly confident, and so he should, following a full year of pro and a taste of the NHL last season. Quillan might not make the Maple Leafs out of training camp. But he’ll be someone to watch for a call-up as the season runs on.
  • Miroslav Holinka had a strong game with plenty of chances to find the back of the net. There were countless moments where he was found on the left side of the ice for a one-timer, but couldn’t beat Parsons. He’ll look to have a strong game against Montreal.
  • Tyler Hopkins caught my eye a fair bit. He, like Holinka, had a couple of great scoring chances but couldn’t bury them. It’ll be interesting to watch him on Sunday vs. a smaller Canadiens d-core.

Latest stories:

New And Old Look: Maple Leafs Prospects Ditch Practice Jerseys For 2025 Rookie Showcase Games

'My Work Is To Stop The Puck': Maple Leafs Prospect Artur Akhtyamov Eager To Follow In The Footsteps Of Dennis Hildeby Last Season

'My Dad Wouldn't Have Missed It For The World': Tyler Hopkins Excited To Play First Game With Maple Leafs At Prospect Showdown

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The 2007 Mets explain how current squad can avoid same late season fate

What Willie Randolph remembers most were the sleepless nights. Out of nowhere, it seemed, the division lead was slipping away from his 2007 Mets over the final few weeks of the season, somewhat like the Wild Card lead is for Carlos Mendoza and the current ballclub.

“There were nights when I just couldn’t get to sleep,” Randolph told SNY Saturday at the Mets’ Alumni Classic. “You toss and turn, and you go over so many scenarios, trying to think of anything you can do to get everything going in the right direction.

“I think this year’s team still has time to get it going again, but I feel for Mendy, because I remember it can get to the point where you feel almost helpless. You put guys in the best possible position to succeed every day, and then guys have to go out and perform. Whatever you’re going through, I remember always being sure today was the day we were going to turn it around. Right until the last day.”

For those '07 Mets, of course, it came down to the last day, when a loss to the then-Florida Marlins knocked them out of the postseason, famously blowing a seven-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies over the last 17 games of the season.

It remains to be seen how it ends for the ’25 Mets, but their current plight became something of an impromptu theme of Saturday’s alumni proceedings, with Randolph on hand and several players from that ’07 team as well.

“It’s hard to forget about what happened the day before when you’re going through it,” Jose Reyes said. “You can get caught up in feeling everything is going against you, and you really have to work at clearing your mind every day and giving yourself the best chance to win. It all happened so fast that it was almost a blur.”

Carlos Beltran said Saturday that he still can't "pinpoint what exactly happened" that fall 18 years ago.

"We were scuffling. We were not getting the job done offensively, defensively," he said. "There were days where we felt like we had opportunities, but the mentality as a team, even though we all wanted to come out of that situation, it was hard for us."

That team, remember, was sailing along until mid-September, looking as if it would repeat its 2006 NL East title, when it went 5-12 over its final 17 games to lose the lead.

This year, it has been more of a long spiral, as these Mets have played 17 games under .500 since June 13, when they entered the day with the best record in the majors (45-24), and are only four games over .500 and 0.5 game up for the final postseason spot entering Saturday.

Yet their seven-game losing streak going into Saturday’s game has created a similar feel to that fateful September ’07. Players who went through it were asked if they could give any advice to the current team.

“Going back to that time, I would say, ‘just go for it,’” Beltran said. “Be aggressive, be who you are. Don’t be timid. You’re still where a lot of teams want to be, fighting for a playoff spot. So just go out there and play hard baseball.

“If it’s meant to be, great. If it’s not meant to be, at least you go down giving it your best.”

Beltran added, "You wish you could have it back, but now thinking about this team and what they're going through, I hope that they just forget about the past and focus on these games left."

Added Carlos Delgado: “Don’t look back at what happened yesterday. Every day is a new day.”

Randolph said he still believes the ’25 Mets will start winning again and hang onto a Wild Card spot.

“They’ve got some great players, and that’s what you want in a situation like this: Great players will rise to the occasion for you," he said. “On the other hand, some things are out of your control. I remember we had some key injuries in ’07, especially to our pitching, and that made things tough. But I never really doubted that we’d pull out of it and win the division.

“That’s just the way you’re wired, as a player or a manager. In baseball, you play every day and you know how fast it can turn in either direction. I’m sure Mendy feels the same way. I’m sure he’s thinking today’s the day, today’s the day.

“When it finally ended for us that last day, it was almost like nobody could believe it. I know I couldn’t.”

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Has Martin lost backing to turn Rangers around?

"We'll see".

That was the answer Rangers head coach Russell Martin gave when asked if he was certain his board would continue to support him given what was unfolding at Ibrox.

It was far from convincing - and in stark contrast to his previous statements where certainty oozed out during what has now descended into a critical mess for the club.

"Will you resign?" he was asked in his press conference, to which he responded with a firm "no," after a fan media representative explained an overwhelming amount of the Rangers support want him to leave.

That exchange edged on hostile to say the least.

This all came after enduring the quite venomous wrath of a majority of fans, with the 2-0 defeat at home by Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts leaving Martin's side 10th out of the 12 teams after five winless games.

It's unthinkable for Rangers and a support given renewed, and long-awaited, hope of challenging Celtic earlier this year after a US-led consortium took control.

Four draws and now this defeat is beyond a crisis given the demands of being in charge of the club. It's been 47 years since they failed to win any of their opening five league fixtures.

You then chuck in a humiliating exit in the Champions League play-off to Club Brugge.

The question now, after so much turmoil on and off the park since the former Southampton manager took charge in June, is whether he can turn this around or whether he will be given the opportunity to do so.

Ibrox turns toxic after another nightmare unfolds

It was clear at Ibrox that if things didn't go Rangers' way, there was a strong chance the support would be quick to turn, with Martin the focus of their ire.

It unfolded exactly like that. Boos were deafening at times and "sacked in the morning" was sung by some home supporters.

Many simply left, it was all too much to bear.

The build-up had been dominated by his decision to continue to omit Belgian international midfielder Nicolas Raskin despite claiming an issue with the player had been "resolved".

That issue seems far down the pecking order right now.

"Only results will convince them," Martin told BBC Scotland afterwards.

"My job is to convince the players and the staff inside the building after a difficult afternoon and give them enough support and detail to improve.

"It is not going to be an easy journey for me to win favour. It hasn't been from day one with a lot of people, but we'll keep working and make sure it does.

"Professionally, it hurts a bit because nobody sees how hard you work.

"No-one sees the stuff you have to deal with, but it is what it is and is the job of a football manager."

Victorious Hearts manager Derek McInnes felt compelled to explain how unfair he felt Martin's treatment had been during the match.

That perhaps shines a light on how toxic this became.

Former Rangers winger Neil McCann was part of Barry Ferguson's interim coaching team last season, and has doubts whether Martin can survive this latest setback.

"I'm not sure," he said. "I really felt for him and he looked really uncomfortable at the end of the game.

"I know he's not one for walking away but when the fans show their disdain and their displeasure like that then it's really difficult to come through it.

"He would have to go on an enormous run to turn that fanbase because they demand better."

Case for the defence?

Martin has only been in charge for just over three months. It is so early in his tenure and the level of change Rangers required was, and has been, drastic.

Most observers would recognise that might take time to embed, but time is one thing you don't get at Rangers. Not anymore, at least, after sustained underachievement.

Martin clearly believes the squad is now there to challenge for the title, but the horse may have already bolted in terms of taking on Celtic, or maybe Hearts given their current nine-point advantage over the Ibrox side. Brendan Rodgers' defending champions visit Kilmarnock on Sunday.

Martin spoke of "difficulty managing expectation" and players "feeling the weight of it" as they try to establish themselves.

He insisted the pace of change, with a substantial squad overhaul, was required as they were "not coming into a place that is winning a lot", referencing a lack of trophies.

There does look the basis of a strong squad, but it already seems a long road back for Martin given the level of anger he endured against Hearts and in his post-match exchange.

When you lose the fans, the outcome often becomes inevitable.

"The Rangers fans have had enough," said Billy Dodds, who was also an assistant to Ferguson last season.

"They needed to get results to dampen it all today and they've not done that.

"It's not nice when things don't go well at Ibrox. Four draws and a defeat, you're going to come under pressure."

Fan view: 'Martin could get Rangers relegated'

We asked for Rangers fans to share their thoughts after another dismal outing:

Here's a selction of their views:

Paul: This game may well be Russell Martin's last. This cannot go on any more, if there are Rangers fans still in the stands by the end of this debacle I will be surprised. The fans will vote with their feet in their droves. Martin isn't cut out for this, we need someone who knows what they're doing and we need it now!

Brian: Russell Martin could get us relegated. He's the only person on Earth who thinks this is acceptable.

Brian: Martin is deluded, heard him say before the game, "we are in a good place at the moment". What? After a draw at home with an awful Celtic team? Sack him, he is an embarrassment!

Lee: Martin surely has to go. If you don't have the players to play the way you want you have to adapt. He isn't being a manager he's being a dictator. You can't force players to play in a way that they clearly can't.

Alex: How many chances does Russell Martin need to get? It is clearly obvious he is out of his depth and cannot manage. It was doubtful before he got the position and now it is firmly confirmed that he is the wrong person for the job.

Jackie: I think Martin needs to be given more time. Can't just keep changing manager after a run of bad results. At some point we have to stick to someone and see it through to the bitter end.

Baz: I said it after the first game of the season how worried I was about Russell Martin's appointment and how long a season it's going to be. Sadly, I've been proven correct and if he isn't sacked tonight or tomorrow, the crowds will start dropping and the players confidence will get even lower if that's possible.

Garry: Martin's tactics are the definition of insanity - doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. No wins, no progress, and no prospect of being the manager by Christmas.

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Sabres Have Only Two Players Ranked In Athletic’s Top-150

The Buffalo Sabres face the challenge of snapping a NHL-record 14-year playoff drought this season and after a summer in which the club traded away their second-leading scorer in JJ Peterka in exchange for winger Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring and made only depth additions in Justin Danforth, Conor Timmins, and Alex Lyon, the onus will be on internal development and their core players playing up to expectations. 

In the Athletic’s tiered rankings of the Top 150 NHL players, the Sabres have just two players in defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and forward Tage Thompson listed. 

The 2018 top pick and team captain was listed in the “franchise player” tier after a 68-point season and an impressive performance at the 2025 NHL Four Nations Face-Off, describing him as an all-situations, everything player”, but the critique of Dahlin had little to do with his talent or performance, but his situation with the Sabres, and that he would be more appreciated in the league if he was not on in Buffalo.  

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Thompson was listed in the “all-star player” tier after bouncing back from an injury-plagued 2023-24 with a 44-goal performance last season. The main critique of the big forward is at the defensive end of the ice, which is less of a liability when playing the wing. 

Notable omissions from the Sabres on the list were winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Owen Power. Tuch, who is entering the final year of his contract, tied a career-high with 36 goals and was invited to the US Olympic Development Camp last month. Power, the top pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, achieved career-highs in goals (7), assists (33) and points (40), but the reason for that is likely the 6’6”, 226 lb. blueliner’s lack of physicality.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

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NHL Pre-Season Fan Survey: Rule Changes, Shootouts, Referees And Fighting

Welcome to part two of The Hockey News’ three-part series of the pre-season fan vote. In part one, the first set of results was revealed, including fans' favorite teams and players, predictions for the Hart Trophy and Stanley Cup, and much more.

This second part will reveal fans’ perspectives on NHL rules, and whether some should be removed or changed, including the shootout, overtime and fighting.

Which Rule Should Be Removed/Changed?

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Don't see the chart? Click here.

There was a clear top two in the results for this question – delay of game and the trapezoid rule. 

Many fans would like to remove the delay-of-game penalty when a player flips the puck over the glass in their own zone. Some said that it should be treated more like an icing, where a faceoff occurs in the offending team’s zone, and they aren’t allowed to line change. Others would like the option to carefully review the play, to see if it deserves a penalty or not.

The trapezoid rule prevents goaltenders from fishing for pucks in the corners, below the goal line. This allows a better flow of offense, and limits the goalie’s ability to enter open ice with the skaters. However, fans want to see the netminders explore beyond their crease a little more.

Other goaltender regulations were mentioned, including the red line rule that prevents goalies from passing the halfway mark, and goaltender interference – whether that means removing it entirely or changing the way coaches challenge it.

A handful of fans also voted to change the point system, including the removal of the overtime-loser point.

Remove Or Keep The Shootout?

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Don't see the chart? Click here.

If the tie isn’t broken in overtime, teams are forced to go to a best-of-three shootout. Hockey fans are split on whether to keep the shootout or remove it.

This survey tells us that the debate between fans for the shootout is as close as it can be. About 50.5 percent of fans voted to remove the shootout, versus the 49.5 percent who want to keep it. 

If the shootout were to be removed, fans made suggestions on how to replace it. The most popular answer was to extend overtime. Even Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark voiced his opinion during the NHL/NHLPA player media tour.

“We should add five more minutes of overtime, like at the 4 Nations. Because it comes down more to play.”

A handful of fans suggested the return of a tie. The NHL hasn’t had games decided in a tie since the 2003-04 season. In fact, the last tie game in the NHL was on April 4, 2004, between the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers.

Should Referees Have Post-Game Press Conferences?

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Don't see the chart? Click here.

Just like the shootout riddle, the split between fans who think NHL officials should or shouldn’t attend post-game press conferences was close. While this vote wasn’t decided by 0.5 percent, 55 percent of fans would like to see the referees face the mic, versus 45 percent who don’t see a need for it.

Since it’s rare for a referee to face the media, it’s unclear how that process would work out. However, the purpose of this would likely be to address controversial calls that were made during the game, or for officials to explain their thinking and reasoning. 

Former referee Dave Jackson, who officiated over 1,500 NHL games, has been incorporated into ESPN’s broadcasts. He explains or discusses the reasoning behind a call made by a referee, controversial or not. In a way, Jackson provides the thought process of NHL referees, adding context in real time.

Should The NHL Alter Fighting Penalties?

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Don't see the chart? Click here.

For the final question related to rule changes, the survey asked fans if the severity of fighting penalties should change. In the NHL, every fight results in a five-minute major penalty, unless otherwise specified. However, other leagues, such as the QMJHL, have banned fighting.

The majority of fans voted to keep fighting penalties the same. They also had the option to vote for lighter or heavier penalties. Lighter penalties could mean shorter time in the penalty box, or even no penalty at all.

Meanwhile, heavier penalties could mean longer time in the box, such as 10 minutes, or even ejection. Along with the QMJHL, fighting in the NCAA and some European leagues results in expulsion. Nonetheless, nearly 80 percent of fans are happy with the way things are.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Canadiens: Suzuki On New Arrivals

When he attended the NHL media day, Montreal Canadiens’ captain Nick Suzuki was asked what he thought about his team’s new additions this offseason, and he made his feelings quite clear.

If the captain had asked GM Kent Hughes not to make any moves at the trade deadline, he made no such request this offseason, and with Joel Armia and Christian Dvorak’s contracts coming off the books, the GM knew precisely how he wanted to use the cap space.

Canadiens: What Suzuki Did During The 4 Nations Face-Off Break
Canadiens: Pair Of Rookies Ready To Fill The Void In Montreal
Canadiens: Rookies Getting Ready For Their Big Day

Hughes first went out and traded his two first-round picks and Emil Heineman to the New York Islanders to fill a considerable organizational need, a prominent right-shot defenseman in Noah Dobson. With David Savard retiring, the Canadiens desperately needed some help in the right-shot blueliner department, and they didn’t just replace Savard; they got an upgrade.

With Dobson filling what could have eventually been Logan Mailloux’s spot, the GM went out and traded the blueliner to the St. Louis Blues in return for Trois-Rivieres native Zachary Bolduc. The right winger was coming off a great rookie season with the Missouri outfit, putting up 36 points in 72 games on top of sporting a plus-20 rating and seeing some action on the power play, picking up seven goals on the man-advantage.

What did the captain have to say about the moves? Here you go:

I think they’re going to fit in perfectly. They both play the style that we like, and I think they’re going to love the way we play. […] It’s pretty impressive that we managed to get those two young guys in trades this summer.
- Suzuki on Dobson and Bolduc

In other words, you can add Suzuki’s name to the list of Hughes’ fans in Montreal. Those acquisitions weren’t for players who had underperformed, and the organization hoped could find their groove in Montreal, like Kirby Dach and Alex Newhook, but rather for two players who have already shown what they can do at the highest level and can help address some issues in the Canadiens’ lineup.

Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

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Former Panthers Netminder Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks

Former Florida Panthers first-round pick and goaltender Spencer Knight has signed a three-year extension with the Chicago Blackhawks. 

Knight's new contract will carry a $5.83 million cap hit, which will kick in next season. Knight has played just 15 games with the Blackhawks, but the franchise believed his performance in the short stint was more than enough to warrant an extension.

In those 15 games, the 24-year-old recorded an .896 save percentage and a 3.18 GAA.

“After joining the team in March, Spencer quickly cemented himself as a crucial piece of our future,” said Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson. “A talented, young goaltender, he brings athleticism, sound positioning and a calm demeanor to his game, and we’re excited to watch Spencer continue to flourish in Chicago over the next four seasons.”

Spencer Knight (Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)

Knight's time as a Panther came to an end after just 80 games, due to a mix of injuries, the need to enter the NHLPA's player assistance program and the simple fact that Sergei Bobrovsky has been playing too well. As well as Knight played during his Panthers tenure, Bobrovsky left little to no space for Knight to grow, and it was time for Knight to become a No.1 goaltender. 

With those factors playing into the situation, Knight was dealt to the Blackhawks as part of the deal that sent Seth Jones to Florida. 

The former 13th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft now has an excellent opportunity to help a young Blackhawks team work their way back to the playoffs. 

The Panthers and Blackhawks will meet for the season opener this year when the Panthers raise their 2024-25 Stanley Cup banner.

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Flyers Rookie Series: Stock Up, Stock Down After Comeback Win vs. Rangers

(Photo: Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)

The Philadelphia Flyers rookies stormed back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the New York Rangers 4-3 in overtime Friday night, but no two prospects had an equal performance.

This group of Flyers prospects has one more game to play Saturday night, which will feature some lineup rotation, but we can already glean some takeaways from the early goings of camp.

The Flyers fell down 2-0 to the Rangers early thanks to two non-descript goals from Rangers forwards Brennan Othmann and Dylan Roobroeck, and while there was little structure in this game, those goals weren't great ones.

Stock down: Carson Bjarnason

Carson Bjarnason is still a promising goalie prospect, and his status amongst his peers shouldn't change, but the first two goals he allowed are ones he undoubtedly wants back.

Othmann was left uncovered near the blue paint, but he managed to score with a punchy turnaround shot rather than off a crafty tap-in or snipe.

As for Roobroeck, his goal was more of a delayed catch-and-shoot effort from the right circle, but the weak wrister managed to get through Bjarnason's right arm at the far post.

Flyers Prospects Shine in Rookie Camp Day 1, Challenged to 'Make an Impression'Flyers Prospects Shine in Rookie Camp Day 1, Challenged to 'Make an Impression'The Philadelphia Flyers prospects took the ice Thursday to kick off rookie camp, with the top dogs gaining a big head-start and leading the way.

We can chalk it up to bad luck and be fair, but those goals have consequences in real games. Fortunately, the Flyers were able to come from behind and win, and Bjarnason settled in nicely afterwards, standing tall against Gabe Perreault on a breakaway amongst other saves.

I think Bjarnason is most likely to start the season in the ECHL with the Reading Royals, assuming that Ivan Fedotov and Aleksei Kolosov split AHL duties with the AHL Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Stock up: Denver Barkey

Phantoms head coach John Snowden said that Denver Barkey plays like he's 6-foot-4 after Friday night's game, and for good reason.

The 20-year-old was all over the ice and constantly involved in the play, both offensively and defensively.

There was a moment where Barkey held on to an incredible Spencer Gill setup too long and over-passed where he should've shot, but his patience with the puck was remarkable and generated a ton of offense for the Flyers on the evening.

Barkey's already decent foot speed should improve as he gets bigger and his legs get stronger, and it's clear his standout junior performances with the OHL London Knights were no fluke.

Barkey's playmaking really flashed against the Rangers, and I'm bullish on my Brad Marchand comparison.

It's only one rookie game, but Flyers fans should feel really good about where this former third-round pick is headed.

Stock up: Samu Tuomaala and Jack Nesbitt

The line of Samu Tuomaala, Jack Nesbitt, and Alex Bump was phenomenal against the Rangers and basically never played defense due to their domination of puck possession.

3 Flyers Prospects with the Most to Prove at 2025 Training Camp3 Flyers Prospects with the Most to Prove at 2025 Training CampIf the Philadelphia Flyers are to make any noise in the 2025-26 season, some up-and-coming prospects will need to steal the spotlight and show some progress.

Bump is already earmarked for an NHL role and is really only needing to maintain his current trajectory at this point, so I've opted for Tuomaala and Nesbitt.

Playing as a weak-side left winger, Tuomaala used his legs effectively and was able to pressure Rangers puck-carriers all night long.

Offensively, the 22-year-old always got to the right spots to receive chances and was consistently aggressive and menacing with the puck on his stick.

Tuomaala isn't likely to have a long-term role with the Flyers as a scorer; Matvei Michkov, Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett, Tyson Foerster, and perhaps Bobby Brink are all ahead of him at this time.

He'll need to continue to adopt good defensive practices and further round out his game, like he's shown already, to establish himself.

This was just a rookie game where he was one of the most experienced professional players on the ice, but Tuomaala is off to a great start to camp. Good for him.

As for Nesbitt, he's a lot like Sean Couturier where he lumbers around the ice, but the IQ allows him to get to where he needs to go anyway.

I think Nesbitt has more offensive skills, and he didn't look out of place against the Rangers at all. As a bonus, the 2025 first-round pick was mixing it up physically as well.

If the legs can become even average, Nesbitt could be a second-line center at the NHL level and a power play contributor in some capacity.

Stock down: Ty Murchison and Andre Mondoux

No Flyers defenseman really excelled against the Rangers aside from Ethan Samson and Gill, though the latter was paired with Ty Murchison for most of the night.

Murchison wasn't bad, necessarily, but there wasn't much there in terms of making a big hit or creating offensively. The Arizona State product did block some shots and disrupted plays with his stick, but was otherwise just there.

Flyers' Jett Luchanko No Longer Guelph Storm Captain; OHL Trade Coming?Flyers' Jett Luchanko No Longer Guelph Storm Captain; OHL Trade Coming?In an interesting new twist, top Philadelphia Flyers center prospect Jett Luchanko is no longer the captain of his junior team, the OHL Guelph Storm.

His performance could have been greater, but he'll get another opportunity Saturday.

The same is true of camp invite Mondoux, who looked overmatched and struggled with his passing and pace of the game.

This is not a great surprise given he played only six OHL games last season, but it is a big opportunity potentially going to waste with Austin Moline and Oliver Bonk likely drawing in for Saturday's game.

For Mondoux to truly get on an NHL team's radar, a full OHL season should help him achieve that; he's simply playing from behind compared to the other players on the ice.

Stock up: Nikita Grebenkin

The Flyers are going to have a hard time leaving Nikita Grebenkin off their opening night roster if this continues.

The overtime hero scored his goal off the bench, receiving a drop pass from Karsen Dorwart, driving at the net, and using a defender as a screen to beat Hugo Ollas from the high slot.

Aside from the shot, though, Grebenkin was always in the right position to support his teammates on the cycle, and his puck protection is top notch. You almost think of Michkov sometimes.

The 22-year-old Russian isn't the most agile at 6-foot-2, but he did say that he dropped around 4 kilos (from 220-215 pounds to 210-205 pounds) this summer.

Grebenkin is moving smoother than I remember, and he played an all-around great game against the Rangers.

If Nick Deslauriers isn't going to be an every-night player for the Flyers this season, the LW4 position is Grebenkin's to lose as I currently see it.

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Mets alumni share advice for 2025 club fighting for postseason berth: ‘Just go for it’

On the day 40 former Mets players returned to Flushing for the first annual Alumni Classic game, the legends of the franchise had some advice for the current team.

And with the 2025 squad sputtering through a rough stretch of seven straight defeats as they look to hang on to the final NL Wild Card spot, any pointers should be seen as little shards of gold dust. 

Carlos Beltran pointed to a similar situation he experienced during the 2007 season, which painfully saw the Mets’ seven-game lead in the NL East evaporate as they dropped 12 of the final 17 games and missed the postseason entirely.

“Thinking about what I can say to a team that is going through the same, I would say, ‘Just go for it,’” Beltran said. “Don’t limit yourself, don’t be timid. Just be aggressive. Be who you are. Think about what has put you in a position where you at today, because you are fighting for a playoff opportunity. 

“Do you know how many teams would love to sign up for that opportunity, to be in exactly this position?”

Beltran, a World Series champion with the Astros in 2017, added, "Just go out there and play hard baseball. And if it’s meant to be, it’s gonna be for you. And if it’s not meant to be, at least you’re gonna go down giving your best.”

Carlos Delgado agreed with his former teammate.

“I like to focus more on the positive,” Delgado said. “If you told me in February, by September 13, you are gonna be holding a Wild Card spot, I’d take that any time.

“Just continue to play hard, don’t scoreboard watch, one day at a time, one at-bat at a time, let’s win today. Let’s figure it out. And give it all out for the next two weeks and, hopefully, for the next six weeks after that.”

“The advice that I can give them now is to take it one game at a time,” Jose Reyes said. “They’ve been through some tough times, but whatever happened in the game yesterday, leave it there. Just focus on the game today and try to go from there.”

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Mrtka Shines In Sabres Loss To New Jersey

The Buffalo Sabres opened up their 2025 Prospects Challenge on Friday with a 4-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils prospects at LECOM HarborCenter, but for those who attended to get their first look at 2025 first-rounder Radim Mrtka, the big 18-year-old defenseman put on an impressive performance. The Czech blueliner scored the Sabres opening goal in the first period and throttled a Devils player to the ice with a hard check in the third period.   

"He was great, I'll have to watch the game back, but you could argue that he was the best player out there." Amerks head coach Michael Leone said after the game.  "He plays really hard. I probably didn't realize how good he can move. His lateral movement at the blue line is really good. He just makes good decisions with the puck."

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Topias Leinonen started and went all the way for Buffalo, allowing four New Jersey goals on 27 shots, including a pair in the third period to snap a 2-2 tie. 

“I thought he was good. If you look at the the first (goal), it was a broken play in front of the net, really good play. Then you give up an odd man rush,' Leone said. "The other one was a turnover and an odd man rush, but those are 50/50, the one-on-ones. But I thought he did a really good job. He looked quick and it's I thought he gave us a chance."

Center Noah Ostlund missed the end of the game after taking a shot to the knee area. Leone indicated that he was hit in the area where there was a gap in the padding and that he thought the 2022 first-rounder would be alright, but that he did not return out of an abundance of caution. 

The Sabres take on the Columbus BLue Jackets prospects on Saturday at 7 pm. Scott Ratzlaff is expected to get the start in goal.  

Follow Michael on X, Instagram  @MikeInBuffalo

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How to Watch Germany vs. Türkiye EuroBasket 2025 Championship: Franz Wagner vs. Alperen Sengun

Much like we have started to see in the NBA, it's a changing of the guard in EuroBasket as a generation of stars still at their peak — Nikola Jokic (Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Luka Doncic (Slovenia) — could not lift their teams to the championship game. However, a younger generation of stars, leading deeper teams, will play for the title.

It will be Alperen Sengun and Türkiye against Franz Wagner and Germany for the EuroBasket crown, with the game on Sunday in Latvia. Here is everything you need to know about watching the game.

EuroBasket 2025 championship, Germany vs. Türkiye: How To Watch

Germany vs. Tyrkiye tips off Sunday, Sept. 14 at 2:00 PM ET (9:00 PM local time where the game is played in Riga, Latvia).

In the United States, games can be streamed on Courtside 1891, FIBA's official streaming platform. All EuroBasket games can also be viewed through DAZN on the Courtside app.

Alperen Sengun vs. Franz Wagner

While led by young NBA stars, Germany and Türkiye are playing for the EuroBasket crown because they are the best, deepest teams in the tournament. Both play strong defense, and both are 8-0, with Türkiye winning its games by an average of 19.5 points and Germany by 26.8.

That said, the stars have stood out. For Germany, Orlando's Franz Wagner has averaged a team-best 21.1 points per game plus 5.6 rebounds. He's been a force.

Wagner may not be Germany's best player in this tournament, however. Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder is averaging 20.9 points and 6.6 assists a game, running the offense like a seasoned veteran. There are a number of players on the German squad NBA fans will know, including Wagner's Orlando teammate Tristan Da Silva, as well as former NBA players Daniel Theis and Isaac Bonga.

Sengun clearly has been Türkiye's best player, averaging 20.8 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists a game — he has been at the heart of everything.

Like Germany, Türkiye has several names NBA fans will know on the roster, including current 76ers big man Adem Bona as well as former NBA players Cedi Osman and Shane Larkin.

In a friendly before EuroBasket, Germany beat Türkiye by two points. In terms of common opponents at EuroBasket, there was just one: Germany beat Portugal by 27, while Türkiye beat them by 41.