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Texas Rangers lineup for May 27, 2026 against the Houston Astros: starting pitchers are Jacob deGrom for the Rangers and Mike Burrows for the Astros.
Texas will try to keep the offense going after yesterday’s 10 run explosion, with a lineup highlighted by new infielder Nicky Lopez.
The lineup:
Pederson — DH
Osuna — LF
Nimmo — RF
Jung — 3B
Burger — 1B
Carter — CF
Duran — SS
Jansen — C
Lopez — 2B
7:05 p.m. Central start time. Rangers are -143 favorites.
This is an odd summer for LeBron James. For the first time in his Lakers tenure, he doesn’t have a contract heading into the offseason.
So now, negotiations have to begin between the Lakers and LeBron to see if he wants to return and at what number makes sense for both sides.
Apparently, LeBron is a fan of the negotiation tactic of allowing the other side to speak first.
During Wednesday’s podcast episode of “The Hoop Collective,” Brian Windhorst of ESPN said that LeBron wants the Lakers to give him the details on their plans for him and the franchise moving forward.
“The LeBron side, from what I am told, would like the Lakers to come and say, ‘LeBron, here’s our plan for you. Here’s what we’re offering.’ And if they’re offering less than the max, here’s why: ‘Because we’re going to use this cap space to sign these players, and this is where you slot in.’”
This has always been LeBron’s mindset when it comes to taking a pay cut. He did it for Miami when he was part of that Big Three and he was reportedly willing to take a pay cut for the Lakers a couple of years back when they were pursuing players such as Klay Thompson.
In that scenario, back in 2024, the Lakers didn’t land another star player, but James still took a slight pay cut so they could avoid being a second apron team.
LeBron won’t just take a discount to help the Lakers or any other team out. It has to make basketball sense for both parties.
So, it seems the Lakers actually hold all the cards in their negotiations with LeBron. They have said they’d love to have LeBron back, and he’s waiting to hear what they have in mind.
When the time is right, Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka has to pick up the phone and share his master plan with James’ representation. During that conversation, he has to convince them that the best move for James is to stay with Los Angeles and try to win it all here before he calls it quits.
That’s a good place for the Lakers to be, so we’ll see if the front office can bring back LeBron and add to the roster to give it a better chance of coming out of the West next year.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
The Texas Rangers have signed infielder Nicky Lopez to a one year deal, the team announced today. To make room for Lopez on the active roster, the Rangers have designated outfielder/DH Andrew McCutchen for assignment.
I’m really baffled by this move. McCutchen hasn’t hit well this season, slashing .192/.277/.260, including a .186/.300/.302 line against lefthanded pitching, which is especially problematic, given that McCutchen was brought in to be Joc Pederson’s platoon partner.
But Nicky Lopez doesn’t seem to really make the team better. Lopez is a light-hitting utility infielder who had a 4.4 bWAR season back in 2021, and since then has slashed .228/.298/.281 in 1220 plate appearances. He’s also a lefthanded hitter, which means that he doesn’t really replace McCutchen. Lopez was originally with the Rockies to start the season, slashing .333/.387/.519 for their AAA club at Albuquerque before being acquired by the Cubs. Lopez appeared in four games and had five plate appearances for the Cubs, and was released yesterday.
This would seem to open the door for Justin Foscue, who can play second base but who is best suited to 1B or DH, to take over the platoon DH spot from McCutchen. Lopez gives the Rangers an actual utility infielder, something that became an issue when Josh Jung was out and Michael Helman had to play shortstop. This leads me to wonder if there are concerns about Corey Seager or Josh Smith missing more time than has been anticipated.
Heading into the 2026 offseason, the Philadelphia Flyers are equipped with a ton of draft capital and assets, with various paths to explore to make good use of them.
And, although they just made the playoffs, it might be wise to continue to invest via the NHL draft.
As things currently stand, the Flyers won't be able to make too much happen with the No. 21 overall pick they own, but they could package that to acquire something greater, whether it be a player or another draft pick higher in the order.
If the Flyers opt to go for the latter, they won't have to look much further than the Chicago Blackhawks, who are picking fourth overall in the 2026 draft.
Despite landing young talents like Anton Frondell, Connor Bedard, Artyom Levshunov, Spencer Knight, and Frank Nazar, the Blackhawks remain in the NHL's doldrums, mired in mediocrity.
According to NHL insider David Pagnotta via the "Morning Cuppa Hockey" show, the Blackhawks would consider parting ways with that No. 4 pick if it brought them a young player who can contribute now and comes with team control.
Now, the Flyers wouldn't offer Matvei Michkov or Porter Martone for an unknown commodity draft pick that, like a car, becomes less valuable as soon as it is used.
They can however, take from their glut of wingers and defensemen to help make a useful trade package by means of diminishing returns, helping the Blackhawks put a more competent supporting cast around Bedard.
Remember When the Flyers Were Favorites to Sign Mitch Marner?The Philadelphia Flyers should have been all-in for Vegas Golden Knights superstar Mitch Marner when they had the chance.That might have to come at the cost of Tyson Foerster and/or Owen Tippett, the Flyers' own first-round pick, and someone like Emil Andrae or Oliver Bonk.
Those are the talents and ages that Chicago will need to make such a trade worthwhile from their perspective.
As for the Flyers, trading for the No. 4 pick would certainly come with its benefits.
Assuming Gavin McKenna, Chase Reid, and Caleb Malhotra are the first three players off the board, the Flyers can ease the losses of Foerster and/or Tippett with the selection of Swedish starlet Ivar Stenberg, who has a real case to go No. 1 ahead of McKenna.
Or, if the Flyers opt to go off the board a bit, they can get their top-six center in Tynan Lawrence or Viggo Bjorck, or get a blue-chip defenseman like Carson Carels, Alberts Smits, or Keaton Verhoeff.
They aren't NHL-proven talents, to be clear, but they are the high-end talents the Flyers are looking for and crave with a reasonable path to getting them.
Stenberg is the obvious cream of the crop among all those alternative names, and the Flyers having a long-term core of Stenberg, Martone, and Michkov on the wings would be absurd, to say the least.
TV: NESN
First Pitch: 6:45 p.m. ET
The Red Sox nearly came back from a three-run deficit in the series opener against the Braves. The offense has finally put together a few solid performances as of late, though there haven’t been plenty of wins to show for it.
Boston will try to get early run support for Connelly Early, who has allowed no more than three earned runs in each of his last three starts.
Here’s who the Red Sox will send to the plate Wednesday night.
Atlanta counters with a notable challenge in Bryce Elder. The righty has been virtually untouchable through two months to the tune of a 1.97 ERA as the Braves try to take the series.
Not only have the Detroit Red Wings featured some of the greatest NHL talents to have ever hit the ice throughout their history, but some of the toughest.
During his heyday, the legendary Gordie Howe was not only one of the most skilled players, but also one of the hardest-nosed and physically imposing presences on the ice, who was never shy about clearing his way through opponents.
Of course, the Red Wings also featured the iconic "Bruise Brothers" duo of Bob Probert and Joey Kocur. Additionally, Stu Grimson spent a portion of his NHL career in Detroit.
Known as one of the fiercest fighters in NHL history, the late Probert skated in over 900 NHL games between the Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, racking up over 3,000 penalty minutes.
Grimson, who fought Probert multiple times, recently recounted a story of their on-ice bouts that always made for must-see action for the fans.
"I fought Probie...we fought 14 times over the course of our careers," Grimson said while on the Ice Guardians Podcast. "Like, there was nobody I fought more than Probie. The same is true of him, God rest his soul. Probie was a handful, he was a good fighter. He didn't hit like some of the other guys did."
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Grimson played a total of 68 games with the Red Wings, during which he racked up 165 penalty minutes.
In 729 career games, Grimson accumulated 2,113 penalty minutes, a large portion of which came from fighting majors.
While the role of players who are mostly deployed as "enforcers" has been phased out of the game, fans who watched the respective careers of the late Probert as well as Grimson look back upon those memories fondly.
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WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is planning to get an up-close look at the hottest team in basketball.
Trump told reporters on Wednesday that New York Knicks owner James Dolan has invited him to the NBA Finals, when the Eastern Conference champion Knicks host either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs next month at Madison Square Garden.
New York, which is riding an 11-game postseason winning streak after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals, is scheduled to host Game 3 on June 8 and Game 4 on June 10.
Trump, a New York native, said he initially planned to attend Game 5 of the conference finals at MSG before the Knicks finished off the Cavaliers in four games. The president called Dolan a “great guy” and marveled at New York's run.
“Boy, what a team,” Trump said. “They have some really great players.”
Trump called the club's return to the finals for the first time since 1999 “great to see.”
“The Knicks have really suffered for years," Trump said to laughter. “They're doing (well) right now.”
Trump has routinely dropped in on prominent sporting events during his time in politics. He's taken in the College Football Playoff championship and caught a prime-time NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets just days before the 2024 election.
The Knicks have a history of having high-profile celebrities sit courtside at MSG, including filmmaker Spike Lee, who has clashed with Trump in the past.
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
The Knicks are looking out for their fans.
They are donating hundreds of free tickets to underprivileged youth for their home games in the Finals, The Post has learned. Underserved New York families affiliated with the Garden of Dreams Foundation will receive 250 tickets per home game.
That means a guaranteed 500 tickets across Games 3 and 4. If there is a Game 6, that number will rise to 750.
“We are proud to create meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for underprivileged youth in our local communities,” said Rich Constable, the executive vice president and global head of government affairs and social impact at MSG Entertainment. “Making sure underserved youth are part of the Knicks Finals run is extremely important to the Knicks, ensuring the next generation of fans gets to be part of the story.”
The giveaway comes as ticket prices skyrocket on secondary markets for the Knicks’ first Finals appearance since 1999. But the Knicks want to make sure this historic moment can be appreciated by everyone.
The Garden of Dreams Foundation, since 2006, has impacted the lives of over 480,000 young people facing obstacles.
The Knicks are still waiting to learn their Finals opponent — the Thunder, after Tuesday’s Game 5 win, are up 3-2 over the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.
After completing their overpowering sweep of the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks carry a historic 11-game winning streak into the Finals. They’ve outscored their opponents by a combined 262 points in that stretch — the best point differential across 11 games in NBA history, regardless of regular season or postseason.
Knicks fever has taken over the city in the process.
“The buzz is unbelievable,” Landry Shamet said. “You could try and explain what’s going on in New York right now for Knicks fans but good luck. It’s different. Knicks fans are different.”
Despite being no-hit through seven innings, Milwaukee’s pitching staff kept the game within reach long enough for the offense to scrape together just enough support. With today’s 2-1 victory, the Brewers secured their first home sweep of the Cardinals since 2011 and widened their NL Central lead to 4.5 games.
Starter Chad Patrick worked around a couple of jams over the first three innings before finally allowing the game’s first run in the fourth. It initially looked like he might escape the inning unscathed after a Jordan Walker leadoff single, as Patrick responded by striking out Nolan Gorman and Masyn Winn back-to-back.
Patrick then worked a full count against Bryan Torres, but his payoff pitch — a 90 mph slider that hung over the heart of the plate — got punished. Torres ripped a line drive into the corner for an RBI triple, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 lead.
Despite having only thrown 61 pitches, Patrick — who’s been coming out of the bullpen since the beginning of the month — was done for the day. Shane Drohan and Aaron Ashby followed with two shutout innings each, both pitchers allowing only a single hit. The pitching staff showed up today, keeping the score close even though the offense couldn’t manage to provide any run support through the first seven innings.
Not only were the Brewers shut out for most of the game, but Cardinals starter Dustin May was absolutely dominating. May had a no-hitter going through six with zero walks, although the Brewers managed two baserunners on a Jake Bauers hit-by-pitch and a Sal Frelick catchers’ interference.
May kept his bid alive in the seventh by retiring the heart of the Brewers’ order — Brice Turang, William Contreras, and Bauers. Finally, Garrett Mitchell led off the eighth by busting up the no-hitter on a line drive to left field. Torres took a bit of a flat route and the ball flew over his head for a double, giving Milwaukee their first runner in scoring position all game.
Up next was Luis Rengifo, who laid down a beautifully-placed bunt to the third-base side of the mound. The bunt was good enough that he might have beat it out anyway, but neither May nor third baseman Nolan Gorman charged in on the ball. By the time catcher Pedro Pagés got to it, Rengifo and Mitchell were already standing on the corners.
With the no-hitter no longer in play, Cardinals manager Oli Marmol pulled May for JoJo Romero, who got Frelick to ground into a fielders’ choice at second that couldn’t get Mitchell home. Andrew Vaughn pinch-hit for David Hamilton, but he struck out for the second out.
It briefly appeared as if the Cardinals might escape the jam, but veteran star Christian Yelich wouldn’t let that happen. Yelich took two balls that weren’t really close, then grounded Romero’s third pitch up the middle to tie the game.
Frelick, running on contact with two outs, made it around to third, and all of a sudden the Brewers had the go-ahead run on third base for Jackson Chourio. Chourio swung at the first pitch, a low sinker, and hit what was a pretty routine grounder to Winn at shortstop. Winn, who won a Gold Glove last year after a season in which he was credited with just three errors, bobbled the ball on the exchange. By the time he picked it up, not only were both Yelich and Chourio safe, but Frelick had crossed the plate with the go-ahead run.
Turang grounded out to end the inning, but the damage was done — Milwaukee led by a run going into the top of the ninth. Trevor Megill came in for the ninth to try and pick up his first save since May 15th in Minnesota. Despite allowing a single to Winn, who stole second and advanced to third on a fly-out, Megill stuck out pinch-hitter Yohel Pozo to end the game.
While things looked pretty bleak for the vast majority of this game, Milwaukee was able to keep the game close and string together a couple hits when it mattered. Sometimes pitchers are just on, and even if that’s not the case the offense won’t always be firing on all cylinders. Good teams lose these games, but great teams grit their teeth and find a way to keep the game close and scrape out a victory. That’s what the Brewers did tonight.
Also, for those of you on Aaron Ashby Win Watch, Ashby pitched the seventh and eighth innings, so he picked up another win. He now leads the league in wins again, with nine. It’s still May.
After a 4-2 homestand, the Brewers will get a well-earned day off before heading to Houston for a weekend series against the Astros. First pitch for Friday’s series opener is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.
From LeBron James' perspective, the ball is in the Lakers' court.
LeBron may be vacationing with family and talking about not making a decision on what is next for him until July or August, but the reality is he is no longer the player the entire market will wait for. He is not the first domino to fall (that's Giannis Antetokounmpo). Instead, he and the Lakers need to work out whatever is going on between them before the NBA Draft in less than a month (June 23), so both sides can plan and make their next moves. Free agency moves fast now and, unless LeBron wants to play for the minimum, he doesn't get to watch the market play out and then make a call.
For LeBron, that all starts with the Lakers coming to him with an offer — and he wants to start talking max deal, reports ESPN's Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective podcast.
"The Lebron side, from what I am told, is would like the Lakers to come and say, 'Lebron, here's our plan for you,' or 'here's what we were offering,' and if they're offering less than the max, here's why. Because we're going to use this cap space to sign these players, and this is where you slide in."
Max is where LeBron will start negotiations, what he feels he has earned (and in terms of the revenue he drives for a team, he's not wrong). Good luck finding anyone around the league who thinks that's his salary next season. The real question is how big a pay cut he is willing to take, because — as he showed in the playoffs — he still brings real value on the court, too. Does he demand $30 million? The non-taxpayer mid-level exception of $15 million? The taxpayer mid-level exception of $6 million? Less?
Windhorst is also very clear that this conversation between the Lakers and LeBron has to happen early in the summer, like before the draft. The Lakers have made it clear that they want to retool their roster around Luka Doncic and his skill set, which includes re-signing Austin Reaves. To do that remake, the Lakers want to use their estimated $50 million in cap space — but that cap space depends on LeBron not being on the roster. He has a $59.5 million cap hold, which is a little more than the max that is supposed to be around $58 million for him for one season.
The Lakers need to either reach a deal with LeBron to know how much cap space they have, or tell LeBron they are going to renounce his rights so they can spend all that money on other players.
If LeBron wants to play somewhere else — Cleveland, Golden State or any other team that might interest him — for more than the $3.9 million veteran minimum, he and his management need to work with the Lakers to find a sign-and-trade that works for everyone. Again, this is stuff that has to be agreed to, and the process started before the draft because by July 1, when free agency officially opens, most teams have two-thirds of their free-agent signings and trades already agreed to (if not public).
All of that starts with LeBron and the Lakers sitting down and having an honest conversation about what's next. And LeBron believes that the ball is in the Lakers' court.
Sometimes, star players are fouled intentionally to send a message.
It is rare, though, that the same treatment is given to a role player,
Toward the end of the Thunder’s 127-114 home win over the Spurs in Game 5 on Tuesday, Oklahoma City role player Jared McCain was fouled twice in quick succession — including a vicious elbow to the back from Mason Plumlee that knocked him to the floor.
Wemby ordered the CODE RED
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 27, 2026
He whispers something to Mason Plumlee and Bismack Biyombo as they check in during garbage time.
Both players IMMEDIATELY commit hard fouls on Jared McCain. pic.twitter.com/bcwojVDxGo
Those fouls in the last two minutes have raised some eyes, especially since the two Spurs that committed the infractions — Plumlee and Bismack Biyombo — received whispered instructions from San Antonio superstar Victor Wembanyama while he exited the floor with his team trailing by 14 with 2:20 remaining.
McCain said he was surprised by the fouls and, while at the free throw line, asked for an explanation of the harsh treatment.
“That was crazy. I didn’t expect it, obviously,” McCain explained on “The Association” following his 20-point effort after being bumped into the starting lineup.
“We were at the free throw line too, and I was like, ‘Why’d you do that man,’ and he was like, ‘I got another one for you too.’ … Wasn’t aware, my team told me after, get to the corner at the end of games.”
The first foul happened with 1:39 remaining in regulation when McCain set a pick and Plumlee ran right through him, resulting in a foul that led to McCain hitting one of two free throw attempts.
Fifty-three seconds later, Biyombo committed a hard foul when McCain drove to the basket.
NBC Analyst Reggie Miller pointed out that leaving McCain on the court in a game that all but had been decided was not a good idea after seeing the two fouls.
“See, these are two shots to McCain in here in the starting lineup in the closing moments of this game. Miller said, “He doesn’t need to be on the floor here.”
While these fouls could be explained as bad luck for the Thunder guard, a viral video from Tuesday night has some wondering about the intent.
Wembanyama gave both Plumlee and Biymobo quick remarks, and then moments later they committed hard fouls on one of the Thunder’s starters.
This has led to some unfounded speculation that Wembanyama may have given some nefarious orders due to the nature of the fouls and the time left in the game.
This chippy ending of the game could add fuel to an already competitive series that could end Thursday in Game 6 with the Thunder holding the 3-2 advantage.
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The surging Los Angeles Dodgers, who have won 11 of their last 13 games, go for the sweep of the visiting Colorado Rockies tonight.
With Cy Young-minded Shohei Ohtani taking the mound, my Rockies vs. Dodgers predictions see the Boys in Blue rolling to a comfortable victory.
See my full analysis, Over/Under prediction, and MLB picks for Wednesday, May 27.
Tomoyuki Sugano’s 3.86 ERA looks fine on the surface, but his “underlying metrics” are more like an “unmitigated disaster”.
His 7.43 xERA indicates immediate regression. That’s understandable since he ranks in the first percentile in barrel rate and xBA.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the perfect opponent to make him pay, given their league-leading .265 xBA.
On the other side of things, Shohei Ohtani (0.73 ERA) hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a start and should hold down a poor Colorado Rockies lineup.
COVERS INTEL: Tomoyuki Sigano’s 80 Stuff+ ranks dead last among starters who have thrown at least 10 innings and pales in comparison to Shohei Ohtani’s 115 Stuff+.Colorado has a measly 67 wRC+ against right-handed pitching in the last 20 days. It’s difficult to envision them crossing the plate many times against Ohtani, who suppresses hard contact (92nd percentile barrel rate) and has a masterful 21.6% K-BB%.
The Dodgers have hit the Under in seven of Ohtani’s eight starts.
That’s partly due to his utter dominance on the mound, and partly because manager Dave Roberts has opted to take him out of the lineup when he pitches. That’s likely the case after he was beaned in the hand on Tuesday.
The Dodgers have covered the run line in 10 of their last 13 games. Find more MLB betting trends for Rockies vs. Dodgers.
| Location | Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date | Wednesday, May 27, 2026 |
| First pitch | 10:10 p.m. ET |
| TV | Rockies.TV, SportsNet LA |
| Rockies starting pitcher | Tomoyuki Sugano (4-3, 3.86 ERA) |
| Dodgers starting pitcher | Shohei Ohtani (4-2, 0.74 ERA) |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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Wednesday notes…
Cubs lineup:
Pirates lineup:
Jameson Taillon had another rough outing last Friday against the Astros, though he allowed only one home run instead of five. So, progress?
The Pirates hit him hard at Wrigley Field April 12, including three home runs, though he did strike out 10.
Last year Jamo threw six shutout innings against the Pirates Sept. 15 at PNC Park. So, how about another one like that?
Bubba Chandler had a pretty good start to his 2026, but recently has begun to get hit hard. Over his last six starts: 6.00 ERA, 1.593 WHIP. The key for the Cubs might be his walks: Chandler leads MLB with 34 walks in 47 innings. Overall that’s a 16 percent walk rate, which is pretty high.
Be patient hitters tonight, Cubs. As you can see by the chart below, Chandler throws hard, but he doesn’t always know where the ball is going.
Here is the weather forecast for the area around PNC Park.
Today’s game is on Marquee Sports Network.
Here is the complete MLB.com live streaming page for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
Please visit our SB Nation Pirates site Bucs Dugout. If you do go there to interact with Pirates fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to interview Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Jay Woodcroft this week, according to hockey insider Frank Seravalli.
The 49-year-old Toronto native, also interviewed with the Los Angeles Kings last week, according to Seravalli, who says Woodcroft is “one of the front runners” for the Toronto job, positioning him as a strong candidate to return to an NHL head coaching role next season.
Toronto’s head coaching vacancy, opened after the abrupt dismissal of Craig Berube following a disappointing season and has already drawn significant interest across the hockey world. With new general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin at the helm, the organization is conducting a “wide and deep” search, according to Chayka.
This development comes as the Leafs' search process remains in its early-to-mid stages. Seravalli noted a broad field of up to 20 interviewees with varying levels of experience, with most conversations currently taking place via Zoom. The organization plans to regroup around the NHL Draft Combine next week in Buffalo before shifting focus to in-person interviews with a select group of finalists the following week.
For Woodcroft, the opportunity represents a homecoming of sorts. Born and raised in Toronto, the former University of Alabama-Huntsville player has deep roots in the city. His potential return as head coach of the Maple Leafs would carry both sentimental value and professional intrigue, especially given the high-pressure environment that defines one of the NHL's marquee franchises.
A Proven Track Record Built Through the Ranks
Woodcroft’s coaching journey is one of steady progression and notable achievements. He broke into the NHL coaching ranks as a video coach with the Detroit Red Wings in 2005, contributing to their 2008 Stanley Cup victory. He then spent seven seasons (2008-15) as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks under Todd McLellan, helping guide the team to back-to-back Western Conference Finals appearances in 2010 and 2011.
#Leafs coaching search update, per sources:
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) May 27, 2026
- #FlyTogether Jay Woodcroft scheduled to interview this week. Interviewed with #LAKings last week. Handicapped as “one of the front runners” for the Toronto job. Either spot, solid bet to be an NHL HC again next season.
- Wide swath of…
After rejoining McLellan with the Edmonton Oilers as an assistant coach from 2015-18, Woodcroft took over as head coach of the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, in 2018. Over four-plus seasons, he compiled a strong 105-71-21 record, securing two Pacific Division titles and developing numerous players who graduated to the NHL.
His big break at the NHL level came in February 2022 when he was promoted to interim head coach of the Oilers midway through the season. Woodcroft quickly stabilized a struggling Edmonton squad, leading them to a 38-26-9 record in 73 games and a playoff run that reached the Western Conference Final. The following full season (2022-23), he guided the Oilers to a franchise-best 50-23-9 record (109 points), setting an NHL record with a 32.4% power-play efficiency. The team was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
Overall, Woodcroft's NHL head coaching record stands at 79-41-13 (.643 points percentage) across 133 regular-season games, with a 14-14 playoff record. These numbers reflect a coach capable of maximizing star talent like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, while implementing structured defensive play and special teams excellence.
However, his tenure in Edmonton ended on a sour note. After a 3-9-1 start to the 2023-24 season, Woodcroft was fired in November 2023 where under new a new head coach, the Oilers advanced to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals.
Woodcroft spent time as an assistant with the Ducks under Joel Quenneville in 2025-26, He has interviewed for several openings in recent cycles, often emerging as a finalist or strong contender.
Assessing Woodcroft's Fit and Chances in Toronto
What makes Woodcroft an appealing candidate for the Maple Leafs? Several factors stand out. First, his experience turning around a high-skill, underachieving team in Edmonton mirrors the challenges Toronto has faced in recent years. The Leafs boast elite offensive talent in Auston Matthews and William Nylander, but have struggled with consistency, defensive structure, and postseason success beyond the first round.
Woodcroft's emphasis on player development, detailed systems, and special teams could address these gaps. His track record with the Condors demonstrates an ability to nurture young talent, which could prove valuable as Toronto potentially integrates prospects. Being a Toronto native might also help him navigate the intense media scrutiny and fan expectations that come with the job.
That said, the Leafs’ search is far from over. Names like Bruce Cassidy (a Stanley Cup winner with a proven track record), Peter Laviolette, and up-and-coming college coach David Carle of the University of Denver have been mentioned as potential targets. Internal options, such as assistant Derek Lalonde, are also under consideration., casting a broad net before narrowing it down.
Woodcroft's chances appear solid but not guaranteed. As a "front runner", he likely sits among a small group of top contenders. His recent interview with the Kings shows he's in demand, and his availability as an assistant (rather than a sitting head coach) gives Toronto flexibility. However, the final decision will hinge on interviews, cultural fit, and alignment with the new front office's vision for a fresh start.
The pressure in Toronto is immense. The Leafs have not advanced past the second round since 2004 and are coming off a season that saw them finish last in the Atlantic Division under Berube. Chayka’s regime, bolstered by Sundin’s hockey acumen, needs a coach who can command respect in the room, implement a sustainable identity, and deliver results in a win-now environment.
What Lies Ahead
As the process moves toward in-person interviews, all eyes will be on how Woodcroft presents his vision. For Leafs fans, the idea of a hometown coach with proven NHL success offers hope after years of playoff disappointment. Yet hockey history is littered with promising candidates who didn't quite fit the unique puzzle of coaching in Toronto.
Woodcroft has already proven he can win at the NHL level and develop players. Whether he becomes the 33rd head coach in Maple Leafs history remains to be seen. The coming weeks will be telling as Chayka and company aim to find the right voice to lead a franchise hungry for sustained success.
