MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 15: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Alex McFarlane (71) delivers during the eighth inning of the MLB game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins on August 15th, 2026, at Target Field in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
We asked a question about the Phillies promoting Alex McFarlane and here were the results.
Crazy enough, the Phillies promoted McFarlane that exact day the poll went live, so maybe the fans know what they are talking about.
The idea of keeping McFarlane down as long as they did was probably married to needing a long reliever in the bullpen. Starters weren’t going long in starts and someone had to lock up a few innings here and there, meaning it couldn’t be a bullpen full of one inning guys. Alan Rangel came up when needed and gave the team a few innings, after which McFarlane was summoned.
However, there were several games in which McFarlane was a better option than, say, Chase Shugart or Kyle Backhus during this season. The stuff is clearly better, yet the team continued to prefer he hone his craft in the minor leagues. That craft is likely due to shoddy command, as evidenced by his rolling out walk rates consistently over 11% in the minors. By this point, the team seems to just rather his electric stuff be used in the major leagues, living with the occasional walk if needed, but working with the major league pitching staff to maybe help with that particular issue.
The colour scheme. Burnley are in claret and blue, naturally. West Ham are in their third strip, which is pale, swirly and makes each player look like a box of washing powder.
The players are out there and a lot of fists are being bumped.
After being primarily owned by the Buss family – first Dr. Jerry Buss and then his children, led by Jeanie Buss – for 46 years, which was the longest majority ownership tenure in the NBA, the Lakers were entering a dawn of a new era.
The Lakers, the league’s glamour franchises, were going from a mom-and-pop operation to a more traditional, corporate infrastructure under Walter.
And Lakers fans didn’t need to look far to see the success that could be accomplished with Walter leading the franchise.
Mark Walter, chairman and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, acknowledges a fan prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in Chicago. AP Photo/Melissa TamezMark Walter sits courtside during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 118-116 win over the San Antonio Spurs on November 5, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. Getty Images
The Dodgers, who Walter has been the majority owner of since 2012, have been one of the most successful MLB franchises in the last 14 years: Thirteen consecutive playoff appearances; 12 of the last 13 NL West division titles; five World Series appearances in the last nine years; three World Series titles in the last six years, including being the reigning back-to-back champs.
Even with the understanding that Walter’s deep pockets wouldn’t impact the Lakers’ payroll for players in the same way it did for the Dodgers, there was optimism that modernizing and restructuring the Lakers in other ways – such as building out the franchise’s front office and investments in the infrastructure – would pay divendends.
Mark Walter and Jeanie Buss talk as the Lakers play the Chicago Bulls at Crypto.com Arena on March 12, 2026. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
The Lakers made the type of expected progress in those areas over the last year.
The succession plan for Walter to own the Lakers was essentially put in place when he became a minority owner in 2021, when he received a right of first refusal on the majority share of the team.
Why Walter chose to sell the Lakers now, just 14 months after agreeing to purchase the Lakers and 10 months since he officially became the majority owner, isn’t clear.
The Lakers logo is displayed outside Crypto.com Arena. Getty ImagesLeBron James reacts to a call during the second half against the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 26, 2026. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Walter hasn’t publicly commented on the sale outside of this statement: “Owning the Los Angeles Lakers has been one of the great honors of my life – an extraordinary investment, but what I will carry with me is the community, the fans, and a city that treats this team as family. I am grateful to Jeanie Buss, the Buss family, the players, and the staff for welcoming me into this chapter. The Lakers belong to Los Angeles, and I have every confidence the best is still ahead.”
Regardless of why Walter ultimately decided to sell now, his short tenure as the Lakers majority owner, whenever it officially ends, will be remembered as a disappointment.
In fairness, Walter didn’t have the time to make the impact on the Lakers like he has the Dodgers.
It took the Dodgers five years into Walter’s ownership to make a World Series appearance, and eight to win the title.
The Lakers didn’t even have a full year under the 66-year-old’s guidance.
But in that year, very few remarkable things happened.
Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Company, attends the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” at Dolby Theatre on Monday, April 28, 2025, in Hollywood. Getty Images for Disney
Maybe Walter’s legacy as the Lakers’ owner will be remembered for how he set up the Kushner-Iger era.
Josh Kushner leaving for the Time 100 Gala Christopher Peterson/Splash News
The Lakers were revamping their basketball operations under Walter, and already started making more investments into their practice facility, which included medical equipment.
There’s little-to-no evidence of what a Kushner-Iger-led NBA operation looks like.
But the valuation they paid for the Lakers, including their combined net worth, suggests they’ll be able to pick up where Walter left off with modernizing the franchise.
But so much more was hoped for under Walter, whose tenure with the Lakers will be remembered for much less than expected.
The Columbus Blue Jackets have 46 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Today, we look at the history of jersey #46.
Let's take a look.
Tim Jackman - 2003-04 - Jackman was drafted by the Blue Jackets in the 2nd round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
Jackman made his debut in December of 2003 after spending the previous year and the start of the 2003 season with the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL.
After playing just 19 career NHL games with Columbus, Jackman was traded to the Arizona Coyotes on October 8, 2005. Jackman went on to play 12 NHL seasons and 483 games. He played 288 AHL games and had 138 points for five different teams. Jackman retired in 2023.
After retiring, Jackman moved into coaching, where he would coach for
Minnesota State Univ. (Mankato) as an Assistant, and for
Northstar Christian Academy at different levels.
Filip Novák - 2006-07 - Novák was picked in the second round of the 2000 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers. He is described as "an offensive defenseman. He can pass and move the puck very well and is a good skater. He needs to make the simple play more, though, and not try to force things."
On August 8, 2006, Novák signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets as an unrestricted free agent. During the 05-06 season, Novák would spend most of the season playing for the Syracuse Crunch, appearing in 67 games and scoring 37 points as a defenseman. He would only play in six games for Columbus and collect zero points.
Novák left North America to play in his home country of Czechia. He would remain in Europe until he retired in 2018.
Tomáš Káňa - 2009-10 - Káňa was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2006 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues.
On December 8, 2009, Tomas was traded by St. Louis, along with Brendan Bell, to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Pascal Pelletier. After coming to Columbus, he was sent to Syracuse, where he would play 50 games for the Crunch and total 28 points. He also played 11 games for the Alaska Aces of the ECHL and collected 6 points in 11 games.
Káňa was called up by Columbus after having a very good year in Syracuse and would play in six games for the Blue Jackets and total 2 points.
After playing the 2010-11 season for the Springfield Falcons, he left North America for Europe. He has played in various leagues in different countries ever since. He is signed to play for HK Opava in Czechia's 3rd-tier league in 26-27.
Dean Kukan - 2015-22 - Kukan is undrafted out of Volketswil, Switzerland.
Dean Kukan made his NHL debut in March of 2016 after playing the majority of the season with the Lake Erie Monsters. After playing in 8 games near the end of the season, he was sent back to Lake Erie and would help the Monsters win their first-ever Calder Cup. He had 5 points in 17 playoff games.
Kukan would bounce up and down between Columbus and Cleveland until 2022. He would play a total of 153 games for the CBJ and total 30 points. Where he excelled was in the minors, though. He played in 142 games for Lake Erie/Cleveland and totaled 59 points as a fairly skilled two-way defenseman.
After the 2022 season, Kukan made the decision to return to Europe. He returned to his home country of Switzerland to play for his original club, the ZSC Lions, on a five-year contract.
Kukan is also routinely chosen to represent Switzerland in international competitions. He played in the 2025 IIHF Worlds, where he scored 9 points in 10 games, and played five games in the 2026 Olympics.
Joona Luoto - 2022-23 - Luoto is undrafted out of Tampere, Finland.
Joona Luoto was signed by the Blue Jackets in June of 2022 as a free agent. Before signing in Columbus, he had played in the Winnipeg Jets organization in 2019-20.
A Finn playing for the Jets and Blue Jackets. Sound Familiar? Well, it should, because Luoto and fellow Finn, CBJ, and Jet Patrik Laine are good friends. They also hail from the same town in Finland. There were rumors that former GM Jarmo Kekäläinen signed him to make Laine more comfortable in Columbus.
Luoto would wind up playing 45 games for Cleveland, scoring 14 goals and totaling 25 points. He played a total of seven games for the CBJ and had 1 point, a goal.
Luoto returned to Europe in 23-24 and signed on to play for SC Bern of the Swiss National League. He is signed on to play for HV71 of the Swedish Hockey League and is an assistant Captain.
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MAY 15: Anthony Edwards #5 celebrates with Mike Conley #10 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter of a game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Six of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Target Center on May 15, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The people have spoken.
When posed the question of adding veterans to fill out the roster, the majority of voters (59%) felt it wasn’t necessary. This offseason has seen the loss of Mike Conley (Boston), Kyle Anderson (Toronto), and Joe Ingles (Australia) already, thus leaving Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, and newly added Trey Lyles as the lone 30-year-olds on the roster.
Since Anthony Edwards joined the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2020-2021 season, there have been various “key locker room voices” that have helped guide the young star.
2026: Joe Ingles (38), Mike Conley (38), Kyle Anderson (32)
2025: Joe Ingles (37), Mike Conley (37)
2024: Mike Conley (36), Kyle Anderson (30)
2023: Mike Conley (35), Kyle Anderson (29), Taurean Prince (28)
2022: Patrick Beverley (33), Taurean Prince (27)
2021: Ricky Rubio (30), Ed Davis (31)
The community believes that it’s time for Anthony Edwards himself to be the “veteran voice” now. The 25-year-old is now entering his seventh season in the league and has demonstrated some of his offseason leadership. He has been as vocal as he’s ever been about building team chemistry over the summer, and he’s put his words into action. He spearheaded a trip to visit Rudy Gobert, who’s six years his elder, for team bonding excursion.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JANUARY 24: Kon Knueppel #7 celebrates with LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets in the second half against the Washington Wizards during their game at Spectrum Center on January 24, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It should also be of note that LaMelo Ball, despite some of the negative perceptions of him, was known to be an outstanding locker room presence for the Charlotte Hornets as well. Many current players still on the Hornets have recently lamented his loss, saying that he was a great connector of people on and off the court. A bottle of optimistic energy that was a welcome presence on the team.
If the Timberwolves don’t fill out their roster with new “vets,” then who will be the final players that make the team? In the comments section, names such as Kevin Love, Ben Simmons, and Willie Cauley-Stein popped up. Even some of our own brave community members volunteered as tribute.
If you’re into sports betting and all that stuff, the Wolves odds currently sit at +1500 to win the Western Conference according to FanDuel, but that could change very quickly if CatalinaWineMixer (and his multiple aliases) makes the team.
Who ultimately rounds out the Wolves roster now becomes the final question as we barrel towards training camp next month.
SPRINGFIELD,MA - AUGUST 15: Mike D'Antoni speaks to the audience during the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on August 15, 2026 at Symphony Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts. 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
Rudy Tomjanovich is the best coach in Houston Rockets history, but there’s a pretty good chance that the best skipper you ever saw run the team was Mike D’Antoni.
He’s the best coach I’ve watched lead the Rockets, and I’m 39. Although, fun fact, that is the exact average age of a human being in North America. So, using infallible math, we can deduce that 50.0% of you are older than me, and likely saw Rudy T in action.
Otherwise, D’Antoni is the guy. Now, he’s a Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. Jeff VanGundy is unlikely to earn that distinction as a head coach. Rick Adleman (rest in peace) already has, and rightly so – but not for his work with the Rockets. Kevin McHale is the best player to ever coach the Rockets, which is meaningless. Oh, half a season of J.B. Bickerstaff.
Stephen Silas…exists. Ime Udoka is thus far a divisive figure, but he’s not in D’Antoni territory. There’s a brief, complete history of Houston Rockets head coaches after Don Chaney:
And D’Antoni stands above the rest.
Former Rockets head coach earns Hall of Fame nod
D’Antoni’s offense was like the best Lil Wayne punchlines (e.g.: “I’m colder than B-R, add another three Rs”): It was less “how did he think of that?”, and more “how has nobody else thought of that”?
D’Antoni’s revelation, reductively, was that a lead guard’s usage could be higher if they were good enough. It still sounds insane if you’re old enough, but he decided that you don’t really need plays beyond pick-and-roll and/or isolation if your ball-handler is Steve Nash or James Harden (or Jeremy Lin for a month), your big man can catch lobs, and your wings can hit threes.
And he was right.
In Phoenix with Nash, it was seven seconds or less. In time, with Harden, it became something closer to 17 seconds or more. It was a full-on metamorphosis. D’Antoni initially realized that there were more points per possession (PPP) to be found early in the clock, only to realize that when James Harden was in isolation, the points could come at any time.
So, the offense was built around Harden in isolation in unrivaled volume. In 2018-19, Harden recorded 1, 280 isolation possessions. The next leader in iso volume was Russell Westbrook, at 353.
There’s a story that I always liked about Kanye West (before the antisemitism) and Rick Rubin. When West was working on Yeezus, he was said to have brought Rubin into the studio to collaborate. He told Rubin not to add anything, but instead to take away anything he thought was gratuitous.
That’s basically what D’Antoni’s offense was. A dribble hand-off? Why, so we can get the ball into Harden’s hands? Why not just put it there in the first place? Why employ some marginal table-setting floor general type to get the ball to Harden, only to burn precious seconds off the clock when Harden could have had it anyway?
Now, those philosophies are widespread. Nobody keeps a Derek Fisher or Mario Chalmers in their starting lineup. Those are reserves.
D’Antoni was not perfect. Rockets fans can’t see the number 27 in print without having heart palpitations. When Chris Paul got hurt in the 2017-18 postseason, D’Antoni did not adjust. He ran pure Harden ball, which had not won before, and would not win then.
Although…
The second-best player on that Warriors team was either Kevin Durant or Steph Curry. In Paul’s absence, the second-best Rocket on the floor was one of P.J. Tucker, Clint Capela, or Eric Gordon. None of them would have been the third-best player on the Warriors (one of Draymond Green or Klay Thompson). Would any of them have been the fourth (Andre Iguodala)?
Run that simulation 100 times, and the Paul-less Rockets lose to the Warriors in 90+ outcomes. They just don’t miss 27 consecutive threes. Still, it is fair to say that D’Antoni refused to adjust, and that might have cost the Rockets the best possible chance to win the series.
But that’s what D’Antoni did – refuse to adjust. That stubbornness got him pretty far in his coaching career.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 15: Francisco Lindor #12 of the New York Mets celebrates game-winning single with pitcher Jefry Yan #84 in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 5-4 win against the Washington Nationals at Citi Field on August 15, 2026 in New York City. Yan earned his first major league win with the victory. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Meet the Mets
The Mets came from behind to walk off the Nationals in a thrilling 5-4 victory. Sean Manaea provided desperately needed length, the bullpen held firm, and the Mets mounted a ninth inning rally that culminated in a Francisco Alvarez game-tying double and a Francisco Lindor walk-off knock to win it.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been placed on the 7-day concussion IL after an awkward play at third base on Friday night when George Lombard Jr. of the Yankees was reaching for a wild throw when his knee collided with the left side of Guerrero’s head. Guerrero was able to scamper home and score, but was immediately removed from the game after that.
Aaron Judge played catch yesterday, as he continues to rehab from a fractured right rib.
Shohei Ohtani, who is hitting but has not pitched since July 3, threw a bullpen on Friday as he progresses closer to a return to the mound.
Jared Greenspan of MLB.com spoke to some of the pitchers with the lowest arm angles in the game about how their unconventional motion began and how they’ve been successful with it.
Brent Maguire of MLB.com wondered if one or more notably struggling stars could turn things around and help lift his team during the stretch run.
The Milwaukee Brewers acquired Jonathan Ornelas from the Athletics yesterday for cash considerations.
This Date in Mets History
On this date in 1987, the Mets scored 23 runs against the Cubs with Darryl Strawberry having a huge day at the plate with 11 total bases.
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 12: George Lombard Jr. #96 and Ben Rice #22 of the New York Yankees talk before the game against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on August 12, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Today, on August 16th, it feels like the Yankees’ offense is in such a hole that the prospect of a deep postseason run—this team’s ultimate goal—is as unlikely a proposition as one could hope for. Ultimately, though, no matter how real these issues are, we know that there is an element of a local low in a 162-game season that won’t last. In the meantime, these struggles could easily snowball into problems for the few healthy standouts in the Yankees lineup this season. Specifically speaking, Ben Rice and George Lombard Jr.
Carrying on the success of last season’s breakout campaign, Rice is now indisputably one of the more powerful hitters in the American League in 2026. Early in the year, with a fully healthy lineup, Rice was legitimately producing like one of the MVP candidates, but that has changed since the start of June. As much as we could dive into those struggles, assuming we’re confident of his long-term abilities, the focus here is on addressing a change in expectations and need.
Inadvertently suffering from the absence of Aaron Judge and the way pitchers can attack him because of it—from a psychological standpoint—Rice, for the first time in his career, is dealing with the pressure of anchoring a lineup. He is the one, in the current situation, the only one, in this lineup that opposing teams single out to create a plan of attack.
While the worst performers in this lineup seem to test the limits of this theory, frustration may only come from a place of expectation. Having seen what Rice can do at his best, a 4-for-40 run with which he starts August all of a sudden is under a microscope that it otherwise wouldn’t have been had the team not been slumping this badly, offensively.
Sure, Rice is the type of hitter that could go on a tear at any moment; in fact, we saw that right around the All-Star Break, but his production shined the most when inserted into a context completely different from the one he is currently in. A potential failure to raise his game even further in this moment should not be held against him, especially when you address that on paper, this lineup, even in its current construction, should not be struggling this much. Asking Helliot Ramos to mash lefties, Trent Grisham to get on base often, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. to do something are all far more reasonable requests than having Rice carry the lineup on his back. Yes, fairness is often brushed to the side in the cruel reality of high-level sports, but the healthiest course of action for this team’s success moving forward lies in acknowledging all of this.
Moving further down the lineup, another hitter who is in a separate but comparable place to Rice is George Lombard Jr. The new darling of this team, Lombard almost instantaneously made his way into the hearts of Yankees fans everywhere not only for all that he does on both sides of the ball but also in comparison with his predecessors. Already, a couple of weeks into his MLB career, Lombard probably deals with a level of expectation that’s ridiculously high even for a prospect of his caliber. As the games get more and more important, there is a balance to strike between capitalizing on what you’re receiving from this youngster and not overexposing him—not leaving the shortstop more vulnerable to the ups and downs that are natural with a rookie.
Saturday’s loss against the Jays is a good example of this, as Lombard had a fine game, reaching safely multiple times, but that didn’t generate all the action it could due to the struggles of the hitters behind him—number eight and nine in the order. There’s only so much one player, a rookie no less, can do.
Lombard will slump at points as he adjusts to major league life, and as top-flight pitchers adjust to him. Rice has more of a track record, but even he shouldn’t be expected to carry an elite offense all on his own. But the current state of the Yankee offense has shifted expectations, and it’s important to not let that blur our evaluations of two players who look like cornerstones for the Yankees.
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas says he’s thinking about changing his mind on retiring, and that it’s possible he’ll stick around for another year before he plans to enter into a hybrid coaching/front office role.
“I want to help young players," Rojas told USA TOAY Sports' Bob Nightengale, “any way I can. And one day I want to manage. I believe I can do it."
Rojas, 37, played hero for the Dodgers in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series with a game-tying home run in the ninth inning, forcing the game to extras. Los Angeles won it in the 10th inning, the team's second consecutive championship.
Los Angeles, - August 15: Starting pitcher Justin Wrobleski #70 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after hitting Gary Sanchez (not pictured) of the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning of a baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 15, 2026. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
During the first half of the season, Justin Wrobleski was one of the most reliable pitchers in the Dodgers rotation, earning him the first All-Star selection of his career. Since the beginning of the second half of the regular season, Wrobleski has not been able to carry over the same success he had in the first half.
Over his last four starts, Wrobleski has allowed 19 earned runs over 19 2/3 innings and his ERA has shot up from 2.62 to 3.56 over that span. After allowing just eight home runs over his first 16 starts, the southpaw has allowed 11 home runs since July 28, including two consecutive starts of allowing four home runs against both the Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs.
Although Wrobleski allowed another two home runs in Saturday’s loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, he was able to go a full six innings while walking just one hitter and striking out six. Despite the loss, both Wrobleski and Dave Roberts noted that the left-hander had a decent outing outside of the home run pitch to Joey Ortiz, per Joaquin Ruiz of the Los Angeles Times.
“I even told him … it was one bad pitch for me, the Ortiz pitch,” Roberts said. “I thought he did a really nice job.”
Tyler Glasnow is reaching the last legs of his rehab assignment after tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings with Oklahoma City on Friday, and the right-hander will need just one more rehab start before he’s set to rejoin the big league squad, reports Dylan Hernandez of the California Post.
“It was a good one yesterday,” Roberts said. “I think our thought is going to do another one, five (innings) and 75 (pitches), and then he’ll join us.”
Tarik Skubal is set to make his second start at home with his new team on Sunday, and he will be facing right-hander Logan Henderson. Those same two pitchers found themselves in trade talks for each other just weeks ago, as both Sonja Chen and Adam McCalvy of MLB.com discuss the trade conversations between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Detroit Tigers that ultimately fell by the wayside.
Welcome to The Hockey News - Vancouver Canucks site’s 2026–27 player preview article series. This series will outline the expectations for every player projected to play for the Canucks during the 2026–27 season. Today’s player is Canucks forward Jonathan Lekkerimäki.
Lekkerimäki’s 2025–26 Season
Let’s revisit the summer of 2025, when Brock Boeser was expected to hit unrestricted free agency, and Vancouver was looking to get back to the playoffs. Much of the discussion was around who could replace Boeser’s goal-scoring prowess in the lineup, with many eyes on Lekkerimäki. If there was anyone who could potentially replace Boeser in the Canucks’ lineup, it would have been Lekkerimäki.
Of course, that’s not how the story went. Vancouver managed to re-sign Boeser on July 1st, and as it turned out, it was a good thing that they didn’t have Lekkerimäki jump straight into his role in the lineup. The 22-year-old started the season on a good note, scoring in the season opener, but suffered an injury that sidelined him until the middle of November. After that, he was sent down to Abbotsford to resume his season in the AHL.
Once sent down, Lekkerimäki played his best hockey of the season, and perhaps his best hockey during his time in the Canucks organization, finishing his AHL season with 20 points in 21 games, including 13 goals. He was called up for two more brief stints in Vancouver but couldn't replicate his AHL production. Lekkerimäki scored twice and recorded only three points in 13 games with the NHL club. He was sent back down on February 4 and, on February 21, underwent shoulder surgery that ended his season.
Lekkerimäki’s 2026–27 Predictions
Lekkerimäki is heading into a huge year. He just turned 22 and, so far, has played only 37 NHL games, recording just nine points. He has dealt with injuries, but other players from his draft class, such as Frank Nazar, Jimmy Snuggerud, and Danila Yurov, are already making an impact in the NHL. Ultimately, Lekkerimäki needs to find a way to become a full-time NHLer during the upcoming campaign.
Lekkerimäki has expectations coming into this season, not just because of his draft position, but because players drafted near him are developing faster. With Manny Malhotra as head coach, he should be familiar with the new system. Developing Lekkerimäki should be a priority for the Canucks this season.
One huge variable for a Lekkerimäki breakout is how he recovers from his shoulder injury. That will indicate how well he plays this season. Shoulder injuries are a concern for players, especially those who rely on their shot as much as Lekkerimäki does.
Lekkerimäki has already proven he can score. He has the shot and the puck skills, but he’s only shown them in the AHL. Lekkerimäki has to prove that he can produce at the NHL level. If he stays healthy and is given the ice time, scoring 20 goals shouldn’t be out of the question. He’s a player entering a huge year in his career and has to prove to Vancouver that he’s going to be a key part of the future.
Bold prediction: Lekkerimäki scores 25 goals this season.
Jan 31, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki (23) during a stop in play against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA - APRIL 17: Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns reacts after scoring against the Golden State Warriors during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96. 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Yes, Jordan Goodwin is dearly loved and not taken for granted by Suns fans. Even then, I make the case for him still being criminally underrated.
A hill I will die on is that Goodwin’s absence was the most critical absence of the first round matchup against the Thunder. They missed him more than they did Mark Williams or Grayson Allen. I firmly believe he was one of their most important and impactful players last season and deserves much more credit for their turnaround season from a cultural perspective.
The man in the mask was everything they could have imagined him to be and more last season. And he is not done.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – APRIL 17: Jordan Goodwin #23 of the Phoenix Suns reacts to a three-point shot ahead of Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA play-in tournament game at Mortgage Matchup Center on April 17, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The proof is right there in the numbers. Goodwin played 70 games for Phoenix in 2025-26, appearing in nearly the entire slate while logging meaningful minutes.
His production jumped across every meaningful category. He posted a career-high 8.7 points per game, up from his career average of 7.0. But here’s where it gets interesting for anyone actually watching rotations: his efficiency spiked to 51.4 effective field goal percentage, a real jump from his career 48.7 mark. On three-point shooting, he hit 37.1 percent from distance, a significant leap from his career 33.9% entering the season. That total rose to 34.6% after this season, of course. This isn’t even his specialty we’re talking about, it’s a luxury if you get offense out of him
For a player not expected to bring much offensively, he was visibly more confident and more reliable with his jumper last season. Let’s not forget when he turned into Steph Curry against the Thunder, draining 8 threes, which led to the eventual Devin Booker game-winner.
Now the Thunder series. This is where the story breaks your heart a little. Goodwin barely appeared in one playoff game against Oklahoma City. He played five minutes total before a calf injury sidelined him for the rest of the series. The Suns got swept 4-0. Was it the only reason? Of course not. But it matters significantly more than the national narrative gives it credit for. He would have been the one shading Shai all series long. Matching Caruso’s scrappy intangibles. Diving on the floor for loose balls. Hitting timely threes. All wiped away. That stuff stacks.
This is their best point-of-attack defender we are talking about here. He was their second-best offensive rebounder. Read that again. He’s 6’3”, 6’4” on a good day. Only Mark Williams had more offensive rebounds per game, and that’s kind of his job!
People talk about the offensive firepower Phoenix was missing. They rightly point to shot creation and spacing. What they miss is the fungibility of what Goodwin was doing for 70 regular-season games: he was reliable on-ball movement, he was executing the defensive switching schemes without fouling out, and he was hitting open threes at a clip that actually opened driving lanes for others. Not to mention how terrible of a time it looked to dribble a basketball against him. He picked up full-court. He made sure it was not an enjoyable experience to play against the Phoenix Suns.
The Suns’ turnaround season in 2025-26 was built on consistency and depth. Goodwin was part of that foundation in a way that doesn’t show up in isolation. He was available. He stayed healthy until the playoffs. He shot better. He ran the offense. He defended without getting punished for it. When you’re trying to overtake the Western Conference, that’s the kind of player you lean on.
Let’s all just take a moment to collectively thank the Los Angeles Lakers for Goody again.
What makes the Thunder series loss hit different is the ripple effect of losing a guy like that mid-rotation. You don’t just lose the steady, impactful minutes he would’ve provided. You lose the rhythm of your bench unit. You lose a decision-maker on the floor. You lose a guy who doesn’t need the ball to be effective. Goodwin’s value is in making everyone else’s job easier. Against the Thunder’s suffocating defense, that matters exponentially more.
Underrated players often stay underrated because their impact is collaborative, not individual. Goodwin’s 8.7 points and 4.9 boards won’t make the top headlines any time soon. His ability to move the ball, set his man up for better positions, and execute pick-and-roll coverage won’t trend on social media. But watch the tape from the regular season, then watch the Thunder series footage, and the lack of that third-unit glue. The difference is stark. Suns fans who paid attention last season know just how vital he is to this team.
And boy, are we glad he’s back at a team-friendly rate.
Free agent guard Jordan Goodwin intends to sign a three-year, $19 million deal to return to the Phoenix Suns, with a player option in the third season, sources tell ESPN. Goodwin made the Suns roster out of training camp on a non-guaranteed contract and emerged as a key reserve… pic.twitter.com/1AIhm2BuEL
Going into next season, Goodwin deserves to be in the conversation about core rotation pieces. He is not a star. But he is a star role player.
His presence or absence fundamentally shifts how the entire team functions. And in a league where depth and availability win championships, that’s the most valuable thing you can be.
The Suns know what they have. I just wish more people outside the building understood it, too.
The Mavericks just went through one of the strangest offseasons in the NBA. Dallas changed leadership, hired Dusty May, added several useful young players and role players, but never made the massive roster-altering move some expected. After months of debating what Masai Ujiri is building, whether the Mavericks have enough guards and which veterans could eventually be traded, it feels like the most important part of their entire outlook has gotten lost.
Cooper Flagg might be about to take a ridiculous leap.
It is easy to forget just how absurd his rookie season actually was. Flagg averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.2 steals while starting 70 games and winning Rookie of the Year. Those numbers alone put him alongside some ridiculous company. LeBron James averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists as a rookie. Kevin Durant averaged 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Luka Dončić averaged 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists.
Flagg did all of that while entering the season as the youngest player in the NBA.
And the counting stats almost undersell how crazy his season became. Flagg scored 51 points against Orlando, becoming the first teenager ever to score 50 in an NBA game. He finished his rookie season with the three highest-scoring games ever by a teenager at 51, 49 and 45 points and became the first teenager in league history with four 40-point games. He also became the youngest player ever to record three straight 30-point games and finished with back-to-back 51- and 45-point performances that tied Wilt Chamberlain for the fifth-most points over a two-game span by a rookie.
That isn’t just a great rookie season. That is historically great production from a player who was younger than almost everyone he played against.
And now he gets an NBA offseason.
That is the part I think people are underestimating.
Young superstars rarely develop linearly. Luka jumped from 21.2 points per game as a rookie to 28.8 in Year 2. LeBron went from 20.9 to 27.2. Durant jumped from 20.3 to 25.3. Those players entered their second seasons having already proven they belonged, then used another summer of physical development, NBA-level training and experience to take enormous steps forward.
Flagg is starting from essentially the same place.
Nobody should automatically pencil him in for 28 points per game or pretend improvement is guaranteed. But given what he was already doing at 18 and 19, a significant jump should probably be the expectation rather than some optimistic scenario.
That is why Dallas’ quiet offseason feels so strange.
We have spent months wondering if the Mavericks understand how urgently they need to reshape this roster around Flagg. Meanwhile, there is a very real chance Flagg himself speeds up their timeline.
He might not need three or four years before Dallas should worry about winning.
27 Jul 2000: Outfielder Butch Husky #35 of the Colorado Rockies runs to first base during the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Dodgers defeated the Rockies 16-11. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport | Getty Images
If you don’t remember the name Butch Huskey, I can’t say I blame you. The seventh round pick out of Eisenhower High School in Lawton, Oklahoma was mostly known for his five seasons with the New York Mets. In 1999 he played for the Seattle Mariners before being traded to the playoff-bound Boston Red Sox. In 2000 he played the first half of the season with the Minnesota Twins.
Butch Huskey only played 45 games in a Colorado Rockies uniform, and it was the last Major League playing time of his career.
The Rockies—fighting for a playoff spot in a season full of incredible performances—wanted a bench bat and extra outfielder. They sent minor league first baseman Todd Sears to the Twins in exchange for infielder Todd Walker and Huskey himself.
Although the Rockies missed the playoffs, Huskey delivered at the plate. In 111 plate appearances he hit .348/.432/.565 with eight doubles, four home runs, and 18 RBIs. He also drew more walks with 16 than he struck out with 14.
Huskey became a free agent after the season and ended up signing a minor league contract with Cleveland. After not making the Opening Day roster for the 2001 season he returned to Colorado and spent the final year of his baseball career with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox.
Over parts of seven seasons Huskey finished his career with a .267/.318/.442 line and 86 home runs. It was quietly a solid career that could have lasted much longer. He was just 29-years-old.
Huskey is also remembered as one of the final MLB players to wear the number 42 before it was universally retired by Major League Baseball in honor of Jackie Robinson.
“I told myself if I ever got a chance to play professional baseball, I would wear his number,” he once told the Daily News. “I think about it quite often.”
But this isn’t about the number on the uniform or on the stat sheet. This is about a young Rockies fan’s affection for a player most Rockies fans might not even remember.
They say to never underestimate the feelings a kid has for a random ballplayer. It’s something I’ve grown somewhat famous for throughout my life (Please ask me about my Garrett Hampson collection). I was nine when Huskey was traded to the Rockies and I immediately latched on.
I thought his name was cool and I loved watching him hit. I went out of my way to make sure he was in a Rockies uniform when I played Triple Play 2000 on my dad’s computer. I was incredibly sad when he wasn’t a member of the 2001 Rockies roster.
26 years later, I still remember Butch Huskey with immense fondness. When I heard of his passing, I mourned a part of my childhood.
Following his death, I’ve started to learn more about the man himself. From an outpouring of statements from those that knew him or from fans like me, I have seen only positivity and fondness. Huskey also worked with the Player’s Alliance and promoted youth baseball in his Native Oklahoma.
Huskey’s passing is another reminder that our childhood heroes are with us here forever. However, they exist forever so long as they are remembered with fondness and joy. I feel like this is especially important when it comes to the rank and file members of Major League Baseball. For every superstar making $400 million with their faces everywhere, there are dozens of everyday players that will escape the memories of most fans.
I think what I’m trying to say is how important I think it is to remember those players that made your childhood special even if they weren’t the face of the franchise or the national superstar. Support those players of today on and off the field. Remember and support the Butch Huskeys of the game.
SARASOTA, FL - MARCH 20: Aron Estrada #75 of the Baltimore Orioles leaves the field during the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Sarasota, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Tides went to extra innings in a 6-6 tie, but a three-run top of the 10th for Gwinnett spelled defeat. The rarely scored-upon lefty Andrew Magno gave up all three runs to raise his ERA to 1.26. Before that, erstwhile Orioles Dietrich Enns and Anthony Nunez each worked two scoreless innings. Starter Cade Povich was unimpressive in his first start since his demotion from the Orioles. He gave up six runs (four earned) and eight hits in five innings.
Norfolk looked good offensively. The Tides had 12 hits and went 6-for-17 with runners in scoring position. Leadoff man Enrique Bradfield Jr. set the table by reaching base all five times, with four hits and a walk, and also stole two bases. Now that’s the type of performance that can get EBJ in the conversation for a call-up. His OPS is up to .693. Creed Willems also had two hits.
Now here’s the bad news: the Tides’ defense was absolutely atrocious. They committed five (5!) errors in this game. At least it wasn’t any legitimate prospects making the misplays. Catcher Sam Huff had two throwing errors, and three of the four infielders — Ryan Noda, Luis Vázquez, and José Barrero — were charged with a miscue apiece.
It’s Aron Estrada’s world, and we’re all just living in it. The Orioles’ infield prospect had the game of his life for the Baysox, going 5-for-5 and crushing two home runs to lead Chesapeake to a blowout win. Batting leadoff, Estrada set the tone for the night by smashing the first pitch of the game for a dinger, and followed with a two-run blast in the third. A double and two singles completed his superb performance. He boosted his OPS by 33 points to .823.
Estrada’s double-play partner Wehiwa Aloy also had a fine night at the plate with three hits, and Victor Figueroa and Dom Keegan both homered. Eight different batters had at least one hit as part of Chesapeake’s 15-hit outburst.
The Baysox needed just two pitchers in this game. Starter JT Quinn worked the first four innings, giving up one run and striking out six, and Trace Bright was excellent in long relief, throwing five frames and fanning seven. The only two runs Bright gave up were unearned.
High-A: Frederick Keys 8, Bowling Green Hot Rods (Rays) 3
It was a productive night at the plate for the Keys, who scored all eight of their runs on a quartet of homers. Newcomer Enddy Azocar (acquired in the Adley Rutschman trade) continued to rake, going 2-for-4 with a three-run homer. Azocar has eight extra-base hits and a 1.037 OPS in nine games since joining the O’s organization. Braylin Tavera and RJ Austin each hit a two-run homer, and Vance Honeycutt added a solo shot. Rough day for shortstop DJ Layton, who was 0-for-4 and committed two errors.
Starter Twine Palmer went two scoreless innings with four strikeouts in his return from a three-week IL stint. Bulk reliever Carson Dorsey handled the next five innings, and Braeden Sloan worked two perfect frames for the save.
Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 7, Salem RidgeYaks (Red Sox) 3
Just like the Baysox and Keys, the Shorebirds put together a solid game on both sides of the ball. Dare I say that Esteban Mejia showed signs of progress? Limited to three innings in this game, Mejia gave up three hits but impressively didn’t walk anybody. It was the first of his 19 starts this year without a free pass, a big step for a guy who’s been averaging more than 12 walks per nine innings.
The Shorebirds offense had a singles party, as all 11 of their hits in this game were one-basers. Jhomnardo Reyes, the Dean Kremer trade return, had two hits and an RBI, as did second baseman Elvin Garcia. Bulk reliever Brayan Orrantia notched the win with five innings of two-run ball.
