RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Darrion Williams scored 23 points and Quadir Copeland scored 19 points, and NC State won its third straight game by beating Syracuse 88-68 on Tuesday night.
Ven-Allen Lubin made all eight of his shots and scored 18 points and reserve Musa Sagnia scored 10. Copeland, who made all nine of his foul shots, just missed a double-double distributing nine assists and defensively came up with four steals.
The Wolfpack (15-6, 6-2 ACC) shot 51% (33 of 65) despite a 29% effort (7 of 24) from behind the arc. NC State led the entire game.
Donnie Freeman scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and J.J. Starling scored 17 points for Syracuse (12-9, 3-5). The Orange missed 41 shots, going 26 of 67 (39%) from the floor.
NC State led 41-37 at halftime and made that margin over the first eight minutes of the second half. Freeman's layup with 11:50 left made it 55-51.
Copeland responded with a three-point play and two more foul shots to push the lead to 60-51. After a Starling layup, Sagnia threw down a dunk and Terrance Arceneaux made a layup and the Wolfpack claimed their first double-digit lead.
NC State stayed ahead by double digits over the final 5:16.
Up next
Syracuse: Will try to end its four-game losing streak when it hosts Notre Dame on Saturday.
NC State: Winners of five of six and eight of their last 10, the Wolfpack rravels to face Wake Forest on Saturday.
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Riley Kugel scored 17 points, Jordan Burks hit a late 3-pointer and finished with 15 points, and UCF rallied to beat Arizona State 79-76 on Tuesday night.
UCF used a 14-2 run to tie it 72-all with 2:30 remaining. Burks' 3 gave the Knights a 78-76 lead with 34 seconds left, and he forced a turnover on the next possession. Themus Fulks split a pair of free throws for UCF with six seconds to go before Bryce Ford missed a 3-pointer to end it.
Jamichael Stillwell added 14 points and Fulks finished with 12 for UCF (16-4, 5-3 Big 12). John Bol grabbed 10 rebounds, and Kugel and Stillwell had nine apiece.
Maurice Odum made three 3-pointers and scored 18 points for Arizona State (11-10, 2-6). Anthony Johnson scored 12 points and Ford added 11.
An Odum 3-pointer with about six minutes left in the first half sparked a 15-6 surge to give Arizona State a 33-28 advantage, and the Sun Devils took a 39-35 lead into the break. Arizona State used a 23-11 run to take its largest lead, 70-58, with 6:09 remaining.
It was Arizona State's first game at Orlando in the series.
Up next
Arizona State: Hosts top-ranked Arizona on Saturday.
UCF: At home against No. 11 Texas Tech on Saturday.
DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Kane of the Detroit Red Wings has tied Dallas' Mike Modano as the highest-scoring U.S.-born players in NHL history.
Kane matched Mike Modano by recording his 1,374th point on an assist on a goal by Alex DeBrincat late in Detroit's 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night. He got there a couple of months after turning 37, while Modano was 40 when he scored a goal to register point No. 1,374.
“Nothing really went right for us tonight, so it’s tough to really think about (the record) right now, but hopefully next game’s a better result and (I) can move past Mike next game," Kane said after the game. "That’d be nice, to do that and do it with a win.”
He will have a chance to move ahead of Modano when the Red Wings host the Washington Capitals on Thursday.
Kane has been one of the faces of American hockey since getting taken with the first pick in the 2007 draft by Chicago. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup three times from 2010-15 as a co-headliner of one of the most successful runs since the league’s salary cap era began in ’05.
Earlier this month, Kane became the 50th player and fifth American to score 500 goals, following Keith Tkachuk, Jeremy Roenick and Joe Mullen. Brett Hull, a dual citizen who was born in Canada and played internationally for the U.S., had 741 goals and 1,391 points.
Kane won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in ’07-08, the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2013 and the Hart Trophy as regular-season MVP in 2015-16, when he also led the league in scoring.
Kane has 1,374 points on 500 goals and 874 assists in 1,341 career NHL regular-season games.
Modano retired in 2011 with 561 goals and 813 assists in 1,499 games.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi on Tuesday in a shakeup of their coaching staff in the wake of their AFC championship game loss.
Lombardi had been with coach Sean Payton since he took the Broncos job 2023. His tenure in Denver ended after backup Jarrett Stidham filled in for an injured Bo Nix on Sunday and the New England Patriots beat the Broncos 10-7 in a game where a snowstorm made it difficult for both offenses in the second half.
Denver also fired wide receivers coach Keary Colbert and cornerbacks coach Addison Lynch. Lombardi also was part of Payton's staff in New Orleans.
“I want to thank these coaches for playing an important role in elevating our program over the last three seasons,” Payton said in a statement. “I’ve been fortunate to work with Joe Lombardi for 15 years and am particularly grateful for his many contributions to our success as offensive coordinator.
“We sincerely appreciate Joe, Keary and Addison’s hard work and wish them all the best in the future.”
Nix led the Broncos (15-4) to a franchise record-tying 14 wins in the regular season and their first playoff victory since Super Bowl 50 a decade ago. He’s won 25 games in two seasons and boasts an NFL-best 11 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime over that span. The Broncos’ offense averaged 23.6 points per game during the regular season.
The Washington Wizards defeated the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night, 115-111 at Capital One Arena. Washington didn’t just get a win tonight. They pushed the Blazers down to a sub .500 record as well.
This game featured 19 lead changes, six ties and a long stretch in the middle of the game where the Wizards led by as many as 11 points. The Blazers on the other hand never led by more than 11.
In the fourth quarter, the Blazers started with the lead and still held it midway. Shaedon Sharpe scored 12 of his team-high 31 points and kept Washington on their toes. But Kyshawn George scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth. George even made a three off a Bilal Coulibaly assist with just under three minutes left that gave Washington the lead for good.
And it gets better. George made that three over Blazers superstar (and former Wizard) Deni Avdija.
Avdija, who is poised to make the NBA All-Star team for the first time, scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. But he also committed 6 turnovers for Portland. As for Washington, George had the biggest clutch play of the night, but Alex Sarr led Washington’s scorers with 29 points and added grabbed 12 rebounds.
The Wizards’ next game is on Thursday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks. Tip off is at 7 p.m. ET. See you then.
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The 2026 Spring Training report date for pitchers and catchers is two weeks from today. Joe Musgrove is again hosting his Camp 44 before the new season begins. San Diego Padres pitcher Yu Darvish will almost definitely be participating with the team in one capacity or another. After having his third elbow surgery following last season, Darvish is three months removed and heading into the necessary rehabilitation required to get normal function back in his elbow.
The big question regarding Darvish is what role he will take going forward. As far back as last season, it was clear that Darvish had already started contemplating ending his professional career. While rehabbing and trying to get back on the field, he said: “I did seriously consider potentially not coming back – with the injury as well as with my performance the last couple years not being up to standard. But I thought to myself to go all out and treat it as if it was my last time.”
After the surgery, Darvish stated his goal was to rehab in order to be able to have normal function again. Many thought the 39-year-old veteran was implying that he was seriously considering retirement.
Now we jump forward to January of 2026 and the month leading up to Spring Training. Darvish again implied, while appearing at an event for Ronald McDonald House in December, that his goal was health and pitching again was not in his sights at that point.
The Padres are budget constrained, the free agent and trade markets have been outrageously expensive, and Padres fans are clamoring for additions to be made to the roster to round out the team.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune published an article stating the Darvish retirement was around the corner and he would be walking away from the remainder of his contract. His exact words:
“Yu Darvish does not plan to pitch again in the major leagues.”
Acee quoted Darvish (from the Ronald McDonald House event) – “The way my rehab is going now, I am focused on getting right, not coming back. Right now, I’m not really thinking too much about the future. Just knowing the way I think, I’m sure I will one day want to throw again. All I’ve thought about in my life is baseball.”
After writing in his article that Darvish was done, there was a swift response on social media from both Darvish and his agent, Joel Wolfe.
According to Yu Darvish’s agent, Joel Wolfe, no decision has been made on the pitcher’s retirement.
Wolfe: “Yu has not made a final decision yet. This is a complicated matter we are still working through.”
“You may have seen an article, and although I am leaning towards voiding the contract, there’s still a lot that has to be talked over with the Padres so the finer details are yet to be decided. Also I will not be announcing my retirement yet. Right now I am fully focused on my rehab for my elbow, and if I get to a point where I can throw again, I will start from scratch again to compete. If once I get to that point I feel I can’t do that, I will announce my retirement.”
“Since there are reports about my retirement, I’ll explain briefly,” he posted. “I’ve been discussing with the Padres since last year about terminating the contract, but I haven’t decided to retire yet. My own intention has been consistent since the start of the offseason, but at this point, discussions with the Padres, the players’ association, and my agent haven’t been finalized.
“As for me, if I can thoroughly complete my rehab and feel confident that I can pitch in games both mentally and physically, I’d like to start over and compete from scratch again. As for this year, I plan to go to Petco Park for rehab as well, and also attend a bit of Spring Training.”
Two things are true as you read what Darvish stated. He intends to walk away from his contract with the Padres and, if he decides to pitch again, it will be starting over from scratch and earning a spot on a roster. The details of the first fact are complicated and involve legal and financial issues for both the player and his representatives.
The second point is that he must complete his rehab before even thinking about pitching again. Darvish will be 40 when that process is completed. This is his third elbow surgery and his second UCL surgery. His intention appears clear. He does not want to take any more money from the Padres as a professional pitcher. There will be a negotiation that settles on an agreement for all parties but it seems clear Darvish would prefer to walk away.
Any announcement of a retirement is not immediately forthcoming. If he voids his contract he will owe no one anything and can take his time deciding about his professional future. If he stayed under contract he would have to proceed as the team required but on his own he can do it his way.
Acee was interviewed on Monday, Jan. 26, on San Diego Sports 760 radio with Jon Schaeffer clarifying his reporting. He acknowledged that using the word “retired” or “retirement” was a mistake. Although he stands by his statement that Darvish is fully intending on walking away from his Padres contract, the end of his professional career has not necessarily arrived and that is a call only Darvish can make.
Despite the premature jump that Acee took in announcing this development, it should be noted that Padres fans have probably seen the last of Darvish in a Padres uniform in a professional game. Even if his contract is converted into a personal services agreement or a front office job, Darvish as a Padres starter is probably a done deal.
As is his tendency, Darvish will refuse to take money he didn’t earn. The same as when he had to walk away in 2024 to deal with family issues, the team will not have to pay him money that he hasn’t worked for. He was quoted in December – “As far as leaving lots of money, I look at it as that was never mine to begin with. Especially considering the money I haven’t physically earned yet.”
A man of high principles and honor, Darvish will hopefully remain a part of this organization even after his playing days are over. He has already begun the transition into another role as he sat in on talks with free agents and was present during the negotiations for Michael King’s re-signing. He also attended the news conference after that signing.
Darvish is known to be close to Padres president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller and it would make sense that a special assistant role would be a good fit for him. No matter the final deal that is struck, Darvish should be admired for the ethics and principles that he brings to his career. All Padres fans should appreciate what he has meant to this team professionally and as a rolemodel for his teammates.
Like Musgrove, who stayed with the team as a mentor and cheerleader all through his rehab time last season, Darvish intends to spend time with the team during Spring Training. There is no doubt he will do what he can to support the rest of the team and the pitching staff as they prepare for the new season.
At an event on Saturday, Jan. 25, for the new Miracle League field, Musgrove was quoted:
“I know Darvish, I know his passion for the game, about his desire to help people around him get better, but I have no expectation as far as what we’re going to get out of him this year. I don’t say that in a negative way, I say that as this is a decision for Yu. He’s got his reasons why he’s doing it; I think it is extremely admirable what he’s doing, but I don’t want to put any of my opinions out there. It’s his decision to make 100 percent and I don’t feel a certain way about it.”
Staying out of the controversy is a wise choice for Musgrove but it seems clear that his teammates know what Darvish is intending and appreciate him for who he is.
Padres fans should do the same.
Even though this is likely to take some time to finalize, don’t become so wrapped up in the money side that we forget to appreciate the man who is doing it. Yes, the extra payroll flexibility will go far to helping with the roster this year and in coming years. No doubt, that is exactly what Darvish intended.
But with the unprecedented contracts we are seeing in professional sports, it is refreshing to be in the company of an athlete who puts his team, his adopted city and his fans ahead of himself.
The press box at Rogers Arena on Tuesday will be full as plenty of scouts have made the trip to watch the Vancouver Canucks take on the San Jose Sharks. With Vancouver having already announced a rebuild, teams from across the league have sent representatives to watch and evaluate Canucks players. Vancouver currently sits 32nd in the NHL and is projected to finish last in the league this season.
While there are usually a healthy number of scouts in the building, Tuesday will feature 17 in total. Teams with more than one representative at the game include the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Anaheim Ducks. Below is a look at which teams will have at least one scout at Rogers Arena on Tuesday.
Anaheim Ducks (x2)
Chicago Blackhawks
Dallas Stars
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Los Angeles Kings
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Ottawa Senators
Philadelphia Flyers
St. Louis Blues
Toronto Maple Leafs (x2)
Utah Mammoth
Vegas Golden Knights
Winnipeg Jets
The Canucks continue their eight-game homestand on Tuesday against the Sharks. So far, Vancouver is 1-4 through their first five games at home. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 pm PT.
Jan 21, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (40) and forward Evander Kane (91) and defenseman Tyler Myers (57) during a stop in play against the Washington Capitals in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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But when asked about the potential of signing a contract extension, the right-hander pitched around it.
“I just got here,” he said Tuesday on an introductory Zoom call with reporters. “I think that I got to see around, I have to share time with my teammates and think about different ideas, learn about everybody, coaches, the organization in general and then we can see.”
Still, this is now the second time Stearns has traded for Peralta — the first when he was a 19-year-old acquired by the Brewers — which the now 29-year-old right-hander acknowledged “says a lot.”
This time Stearns is adding Peralta to the rotation as an established, high-end pitcher — costing the Mets prospects Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat — who should elevate their chances heading into 2026.
Freddy Peralta pitched to a 2.70 ERA across 33 starts with 204 strikeouts in a career-high 176 ²/₃ innings last season. AP
“I’m really happy to be here in New York and represent the New York Mets organization,” Peralta said. “It’s a different market [than Milwaukee], a different city, there’s a lot more fans, a lot more people watching. Being honest, I like the competition that we’re going to face here. I’ve been around, watching for years what it is to be part of that big-market team. I’m excited to be part of the team and I can’t wait.”
Peralta, a two-time All-Star, pitched to a 2.70 ERA across 33 starts with 204 strikeouts in a career-high 176 ²/₃ innings last season.
It marked the third straight season in which he has made 30-plus starts, demonstrating a durability that he said was the “most important thing” to him.
And while pitching in Milwaukee and the NL Central is not the same as pitching in Queens and the NL East, Peralta has also made nine playoff appearances, which he believes should prepare him for his new opportunity.
“I think it’s going to help a lot, because the game during the playoffs, it’s on a different level,” he said. “I think probably New York is the same level — every game feels like that. I remember Opening Day in 2025 against the Yankees, it’s how it felt. I felt the same and it was crazy, the vibes and all that, the energy of the fans. Even being the first day, I felt that. I think that’s going to feel [like it] every five days in New York.”
The Dominican Republic native — who said he was still unsure if he would participate in the WBC this spring because of “personal reasons” — said he was looking forward to pitching in front of a strong Latin community that New York offers.
“There’s a huge challenge for me because I know how we are, the Latinos,’ he said. “I know that we have that inside of us, that hunger to win every time. I think I’m going to take that as a challenge to get better, to feel better, to get better every five days, to give my best and to make adjustments quicker. I know the people there are thinking the same way that I’m thinking: we just want to win. That’s what I’m going to work for, to get better and be ready for that.”
The season series against the Islanders so far has been a microcosm of much of the regular season for the Rangers.
That is to say a low-scoring, unwatchable disaster.
After getting shut out twice by their Long Island rivals in each of the first two head-to-head meetings earlier this season, Mike Sullivan’s last-place team will look to get onto the scoreboard and perhaps into the win column with a home-and-home set against the Islanders beginning Wednesday night at UBS Arena.
Ilya Sorokin had blanked them in a 5-0 rout at the Garden in November.
“I don’t know if there’s a common thread,” Sullivan said after practice Tuesday in Tarrytown. “We played them early in the season, and I feel like we went through a stretch of games where we were producing offense, we just weren’t scoring. I don’t think it was just against the Islanders.”
Indeed, the Rangers (22-25-6 overall) had been zipped a league-high eight times over the first 41 games of the season through their most recent loss to the Islanders, which put them on pace at the time to equal the NHL record of 16 shutouts in one season by the 2006-07 Blue Jackets.
Ilya Sorokin defends the net against Artemi Panarin during the Rangers’ 5-0 loss to the Islanders on Nov. 8, 2025. Robert Sabo for New York POst
Despite winning just three of their next 14 games, the Rangers at least haven’t added to the shutout skein thereafter, including a 4-3 overtime win against the Bruins on Monday night at the Garden.
“I think our team has done a better job scoring goals at 5-on-5 and on the power play,” Sullivan added. “I think we’ve got to continue to work at getting better on the defensive side of the puck, and being stingier defensively.
“I think that’s an aspect of our game, where for a long stretch of the season, we were pretty good and we valued it, and we were committed to it. I think that’s something that we’ve gotta continue to work at.”
David Rittich makes a save during the Islanders’ 2-0 win over the Rangers on Dec. 27, 2025. Robert Sabo for New York Post
One defenseman no longer with the Rangers is veteran Carson Soucy, who was dealt to the Islanders for a 2026 third-round pick after sitting out Monday’s game against Boston.
“Those aren’t situations you draw up, but I think we have a job to do and have to stay focused and these are really gonna be two fun games to play in,” captain J.T. Miller said. “Obviously we’ll worry about [Wednesday’s game first, and we’re gonna try to keep it going with some of this good energy from last game.”
Still, barring a dramatic turnaround on either side of the upcoming Olympic break, the Soucy trade figures to be the first of many moves made by general manager Chris Drury ahead of the March 6 trade deadline, with big names such as leading scorer and pending free agent Artemi Panarin potentially on the move.
“It’s not what our standards are here. We want to win. We want to be competing in the playoffs every year, so it’s tough,” winger Will Cuylle said. “We just have to try to come to the rink and worry about the things you can control and make sure you’re bringing the best version of yourself.
“I try to focus on the present. Try to stay focused; not look too far ahead. I try to concentrate on one game at a time.”
The Mets and Yankees front offices now know when they have to put their pens down on any midseason trades.
According to multiple reports, Major League Baseball has informed teams that the 2026 trade deadline is set for Monday, Aug. 3, at 6 p.m.
MLB Trade Rumors notes that this year's date is notable in that it's the first time since the flexible deadline was implemented -- a feature included in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement -- that the league has pushed the date this late. Many baseball fans recognize July 31 as the usual trade deadline, but the flexible deadline feature allows MLB to set the deadline on any date between July 28 and Aug. 3.
On Aug. 3, all eight games start no later than 6:40 p.m. ET. The Mets are off while the Yankees host the St. Louis Cardinals on 7:05 p.m.
Last season, the Mets and Yankees had busy trade deadlines. The Mets dealt for OF Cedric Mullins along with relievers Tyler Rogers, Gregory Soto and Ryan Helsley.
The Yankees had a more impactful trade deadline. They acquired INFO/OF Jose Caballero, 3B Ryan McMahon, utility man Amed Rosario, and relievers Greg Bird, Camilo Doval and David Bednar.
ST.
LOUIS – Otto
Stenberg came to the St. Louis Blues with an open mind.
A
first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, when Stenberg was called up
by the Blues and made his NHL debut on Dec. 17 against the Winnipeg
Jets, there were no real expectations at the time.
But
the 20-year-old made such a good and lasting impression on the Blues
and the organization, he lasted 18 games, and would have lasted
longer had he not been assigned to Springfield of the American Hockey
League on Monday in order to remain eligible to play games there
while the Olympic break is in play.
But
through all the firsts of not being a pro but being an NHL pro, the
trials and tribulations that go with that, including an 82-game
schedule, travel, time zone changes, etc. etc, Stenberg, who had
eight points (one goal, seven assists) and was a team-leading plus-4,
but there’s one lasting impression the young forward made.
“He
doesn’t cheat the game,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said.
Enough
said.
Stenberg
has been so defensively sound, so fundamentally sound, it was as if
he knew what he was coming into at the highest level without being
overwhelmed by what he was to face.
Sure,
there were nerves. That’s only natural. But this is a kid that has
played in the Swedish Hockey League as a teenager for two years with
grown men, and it was instilled upon him at an early age that seems
to have him at a great advantage.
“When
I played on the U-20 team, it was like close to the SHL team. That
was one of the things that the coach told me,” Stenberg
said.
“‘I need to be able to trust you in the D-zone if you want to
play.’ I think that made me think about it more. I think I just got
better and better every game there.
“I’m
just trusting my reads. ‘Monty’ told me early that he trusts my
reads so he wants me to play when I see and read the game. Of course
we have some things that we do as a team, but I would say most of the
time, it’s playing on what I see and trust my reads.”
Montgomery
gave Stenberg immediate confidence by putting him in situations that
would merit much detail in close games, and Stenberg said, “Yeah,
of course. In the beginning when he told me that, it gave me
confidence. It’s easy to play when you don’t have to think that
much about what the coaches are saying. Of course it gives you
confidence and it’s easier to play.”
Stenberg
was given many roles, including a top six role, a role on the penalty
kill, a role in 5-on-6 situations when it would merit the Blues
closing leads out.
The
kid didn’t disappoint.
“Obviously
a smart hockey player, detailed, trusts his game, knows the system
and I think he was very good in his first couple games defensively
and making the right reads and I think how you’re just kind of
seeing a little bit more confidence and with the puck,” Blues
captain Brayden Schenn said. “He’s a good, solid two-way player.
He’s going to be good for a long time in this league. One, because
he wants to learn and two, he’s willing to get better.”
Montgomery
added, “His defensive instincts are really high-end for a young
player in the league. He said that where he was in Sweden, they
really harped on D-zone details. Now, his offensive side of the game,
I think that’s going to shine more through him being more confident
that he’s an NHL player. And then that’s up to us to encourage
him to have more risk because we trust his instincts. When you trust
someone’s instincts, you can have a little more risk because we
know you’re going to go everything you can to get back on the right
side of pucks.”
As
for that offense, it will come.
And
the opportunity now to go to Springfield and play in all situations
should serve new Thunderbirds coach Steve Ott, who had Stenberg in
St. Louis as an associate coach, well. Ott wasn’t surprised what
Stenberg was able to do.
“I
wouldn’t say it surprised me at all,” Ott said. “I thought in
training camp, you could see his hockey IQ. It’s extremely high
even for an NHL guy. His play without the puck is extremely smart. As
his game progressed here in the last month or so, you could see even
the more skill coming out where he’s making the strong puck play.
His forecheck and pressure continues to improve and you’re watching
a young player gain his confidence in the NHL, which isn’t easy to
do. I think he’s got a great engine on him. He’s going to come
down here and play in all situations and continue to develop so that
when he does go back, he’ll be a player that sticks and has a great
future in the NHL.”
The
fact Stenberg is willing to check and go to those hard areas should
bode well. He needs time and reps in those areas. There was a
situation in a game in which he was on a backdoor play with Robert
Thomas, who made a high-end play getting the puck there from the slot
that Stenberg just missed on, and you could see the disappointment on
his face as he got to the bench. Again, time and reps will rectify
that. The fact he’s going there is something that one has to
instill in themselves.
“I
think it’s getting better and better,” Stenberg
said.
“I feel like I have more time with the puck. That’s something I
want to get better at and keep developing at this level. I’ve
always been an offensive player when I was young. I know I have it in
me. I just need to get more and more comfortable at this level and I
think it will come more and more.
“It
makes it easy to play when the coach trusts you.”
And
the players quickly, not only adapted, but also trusted the kid.
“I
think it’s real important, whether it’s Otto or ‘Dvo’, the
next guy that gets drafted by the St. Louis Blues,” Schenn said.
“The faster you make people feel comfortable in the environment and
the surroundings, the better off and more confident they’re going
to get with their own games and the better they’re going to play
for the organization. Guys did it to me when I was young, guys did it
to me when I came to St. Louis, so my job is to help guys and pass
things along, make them feel as comfortable as possible. Whatever
help they need, I’ll try and do my best to be there for the next
up-and-coming guy because someone did that for me when I was
younger.”
St. Louis Blues forward Otto Stenberg (28) scored his first NHL goal on Jan. 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks. (Matt Marton-Imagn Images)
To
which Stenberg said, “He’s been so good to me, since I started in
training camp and in the summer. He texted me before I came here.
He’s a great guy outside of the rink and in the locker room. He’s
helped me a lot with the game in the beginning. It was so easy to
ask him. He talked to be about things because sometimes it’s hard
to understand when (coaches) are writing stuff on the board. He just
showed me and everything was clear. He’s helped me a lot. He’s
been so good. To everybody in this locker room.
“It’s
been great. I’m pretty sure he helps ‘Dvo’ and all the other
young guys too. It’s been great.”
Stenberg
is in Springfield to play today but this is only temporary. He will
be back wearing No. 28 again, and soon.
“He’s
had a real good stint with us,” Montgomery
said. “Consistently reliable, someone that is very smart
offensively and defensively, and then offensively, he needs to expand
his game. Right now, he gets a lot of opportunities. I think working
on his shot and mindset of being more aggressive getting to the blue
paint offensively is something that’s going to let him when he
comes back to be an even better Blue for us. But he’s had a really,
really good tenure with us in his first go-around in the NHL.”
In
other words, don’t get too comfortable in Massachusetts because
Missouri will be home again, and for quite a bit.
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The Buffalo Sabres were in the final game of their five-game road swing in Toronto on Tuesday, and instead of starting Alex Lyon in pursuit of a club-record 10th straight victory, head coach Lindy Ruff opted to go with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The Sabres netminder allowed a pair of goals to Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews, and on Matthews go-ahead goal, Luukkonen appeared to injury his left leg.
The Sabres netminder left the game and was replaced by Colten Ellis. During the first intermission, it was revealed that Luukkonen would not return.
The 26-year-old was selected as one of the three goalies for Team Finland for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, and after a slow start, has gone 4-1-1 in his last six starts. Luukkonen was 11-7-2, with a 2.66 GAA, and a .905 save % in 19 starts.
The Sabres have carried three goalies on their NHL roster since the start of the season, when they claimed Ellis off waivers from St. Louis. All three goalies have spent time on the injured list this season, which has made carrying an extra netminder necessary.
And, like the Tampa Bay Lightning, Darche is now reunited with Ondrej Palat.
Less than a day after trading with one crosstown rival for Carson Soucy, the Islanders completed a deal with their other crosstown rival to bring in Palat. The full deal saw Palat, New Jersey’s third-round pick in 2026 and its 2027 sixth-round pick go to the Islanders in exchange for Maxim Tsyplakov.
Ondrej Palat of the New Jersey Devils takes a shot during the second period of the game against the Edmonton Oilers. NHLI via Getty Images
The third-round pick essentially gives the Islanders back the pick they gave to the Rangers for Soucy, and came as the cost of taking on Palat’s $6 million annual cap hit, with the Czech winger’s contract expiring in 2027. Tsyplakov, who looked in need of a fresh start having struggled to crack the Islanders lineup, will get just that in New Jersey.
Tsyplakov also has another season left on his deal at a $2.25 million annual cap hit, so the net add to the Islanders books is $3.75 million. If they max out their long-term injured reserve space, the Islanders still have a hair over $6 million available, so by no means does this trade indicate they are done adding.
Palat, who has 10 points in 51 games this season, struggled for much of his 3¹/₂- year stint in New Jersey, but looks likely to slot into the Islanders lineup as a middle-six winger.
Whether the acquisition works out or not will likely depend on whether the Czech winger can recover the form that saw him be a key contributor for the Lightning as part of an extended run that included two Stanley Cup wins and two more appearances in the Cup Final.
It’s been believed for some time that Palat could be on the move, and Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald’s inability to accommodate the winger’s 10-team no-move clause came to the fore when the Wild beat New Jersey to the Quinn Hughes sweepstakes.
If Palat is the same player for the Islanders he was for the Devils, then his cap hit will become the same weight on Long Island as it was on New Jersey.
Darche, however, knows the player well from his days in Tampa, and presumably believes he can help him find what’s been missing from his game.
