Major League Baseball introduced a new innovation for the 2026 season by implementing the ABS Challenge System. The All-Star break provided an opportunity to reflect on how the Automatic ball-strike system has changed the game and overall, the reception has been positive.
It is impossible to discuss the ABS system without talking about the technology behind it. T-Mobile has played a huge role in the system. Go to a baseball game or watch one from home and you will instantly see all of the T-Mobile branding throughout the ballpark. However, it is important to point out that T-Mobile’s partnership with Major League Baseball simply isn’t branding. They are powering the technology behind the ABS system.
“We have been a partner with Major League Baseball for over a decade now and I think one of the things and the reasons it’s worked so well is we’ve kept innovating together,” T-Mobile Vice President of Sponsorships Amy Azzi said during All-Star festivities at Citizens Bank Park.
Major League Baseball began testing the ABS system back in 2022 in the minor leagues. A priority was of course that it needed to be accurate but it also had to be fast so that it wouldn’t take away from the game experience. The system is powered by Hawkeye Cameras that have been installed in every Major League park. The data is transferred over a private 5G network that is provided by T-Mobile. That leads to an almost instantaneous result.
“All of that data is transmitted into a software system that we’ve developed via the T-Mobile network,” said Morgan Sword who is the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations at MLB. “That software system determines whether the trajectory of the ball matches with the strike zone we’ve loaded in. Then if it’s challenged, that produces a call.”
“That’s the call you see on the big board and then also on the broadcast. It’s a lot of technology that has to happen very quickly to keep that pace and rhythm going in the game.”
So far there have been over 6,000 challenges during the first half of the regular season. Teams start with two challenges each and lose one for every unsuccessful attempt. Sword said that the number of challenges was something that the league had tested in the minors and listened to feedback from fans. Two felt like the sweet spot.
“We decided on two challenges per team because that was the overwhelming fan feedback in the minor leagues that we started out at three. Fans told us that, you know, ABS challenges are great and exciting to a point. If you have games where there’s 12, 15 challenges, then it starts to feel a little like it’s disrupting the game a little bit. So we dialed it back to two and that’s produced about four challenges per game, which we think is kind of right on the money and fans have responded well to that.”
The overwhelming reaction to ABS from fans has been positive, but what about the players? Brewers’ Cy Young candidate Jacob Misiorowski talked about the ABS system at T-Mobile’s Club Magenta. Misiorowski said that he thinks that the system gives an advantage to the hitters.
“I mean, sure, yes, there’s an advantage for pitchers to get a corner call, but I think you have a bigger advantage to get a call reversed to a ball over a strike.”
While he thinks that ABS is tipped slightly in hitters favor, he is a fan of all of the technology that has made its way into baseball.
“All the technology that you’re getting, all the information that they throw up on the scoreboard, all that stuff is really cool. The tech comes back to us and we get that information and stuff like that to tweak pitches, tweak everything around it. There’s Hawkeye, stuff like that is huge.”
Phillies legends Ryan Howard and Chase Utley both agreed that they would have benefitted from having the ABS system.
“I think we both had a pretty good knowledge of the strike zone and I think that guys now, pitchers, catchers, and hitters are starting to get a better understanding of what that strike zone is,” Howard said. “We’ve seen pitches that are this far off, that are a ball, and then just a hair on, that are strikes.”
“Yeah, I think it would have helped. I think, right now, what we’re seeing is, calls are getting right,” said Utley. “At the end of the day, it’s about getting the calls correct.
While the ABS system looks like a success, Major League Baseball is currently looking for other ways that they can use technology to improve the game. They are testing a check swing system in the minors.
“It is the same Hawkeye tracking system. It actually tracks the bat, when a hitter swings. So you can finally, for the first time in the history of baseball, decide what a swing is,” Sword said. “We actually don’t really define that for anybody. So, we’ve made up a definition for the purpose of Triple-A just to see how it goes. But, we may tweak that.”
A lot of thought has gone into developing these systems and how they would impact the fan experience.
“It’s been really fun to watch it in the stadium, and I think I was telling Morgan before this, that some of the loudest moments in the stadium, you’d think someone hit a home run,” Azzi said of the ABS system.
“It’s really fun to see the impact it’s had on getting people to engage in even more. It supports the great momentum that the sport has right now.”
Yankee Stadium is the scene of a potential World Series preview as the Bronx Bombers (54-42) take on the Los Angeles Dodgers (61-36) in the first of a three-game series beginning tonight. The Dodgers enter the second half with the best record in baseball and a commanding lead in the NL West, while the Yankees sit second in the AL East, three games behind the Rays.
After a dismal extended stretch in late June and the first few days of July, the Yankees rebounded and went in the All-Star break winning four in a row taking the final game of a four-game series against the Rays before sweeping the Nationals in a three-game set. Over their last 10 games, the Yankees are 6-4 with a .248 team batting average, a 3.48 ERA, and a +4 run differential. It is important to note the Yankees continue to be without the services of MVP Aaron Judge.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, stumbled into the break. Los Angeles lost three straight to Arizona and four of their final five games overall. Over their last 10 games, the Dodgers are 5-5 with a .235 team batting average and a 4.21 ERA. Despite that recent slide, they still lead the NL West by 11.5 games over the Diamondbacks.
Gerrit Cole (3-4, 4.04 ERA) takes the ball for New York tonight looking to build on a pair of encouraging outings before the break. Across his last two starts, the veteran right-hander allowed just five runs over 11.1 innings while striking out 13 and walking only one batter. While his overall season numbers remain below his usual Cy Young-caliber standards, he appeared to be rounding into form heading into the break.
Roki Sasaki (3-5, 5.33 ERA) is on the bump for the Dodgers. His season has been uneven to put it kindly. After lowering his ERA to 4.03 following seven scoreless innings on June 5, he struggled badly over his final five starts before the break, surrendering 22 earned runs across 23 innings. Opponents have consistently squared him up, and he enters Friday with a 5.33 ERA and 1.36 WHIP.
Lets dive into tonight’s matchup and find a sweat or two.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch: Dodgers vs. Yankees
Date: Friday, July 17, 2026
Time: 7:05PM EST
Site: Yankee Stadium
City: New York, NY
Network/Streaming: MLB.TV, Sportsnet Los Angeles, YES
Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.
The Latest Odds: Dodgers vs. Yankees
The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-111), New York Yankees (-108)
Spread: Dodgers -1.5 (+141), Yankees +1.5 (-171)
Total: 9.0 runs
Probable Starting Pitchers – Dodgers vs. Yankees for July 17
Jasson Dominguez is 11-for-38 (.289) with 2 home runs over his last 10 games
Kyle Tucker is batting 10-for-35 (.286) over his last 10 games, but his overall season OPS (.716) has fallen far short of expectations
The Dodgers scored 3 or fewer runs in 4 of their last 5 games heading into the break
Jose Caballero is 9-31 (.290) in July
Cody Bellinger is riding a 5-game hitting streak (8-19)
Mookie Betts is 3-13 over his last 4 games
Teoscar Hernandez is hitless in his last 4 games (0-14)
Freddie Freeman is 9-26 (.346) in his career against Gerrit Cole
Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!
Top Betting Trends & Insights: Dodgers vs. Yankees
The Dodgers are 44-53 on the Run Line this season
The Yankees are 45-51 on the Run Line this season
The OVER has cashed 45 times in Los Angeles’ 97 games this season (45-52)
The OVER has cashed 42 times in New York’s 96 games this season (42-50-4)
Expert picks & predictions: Dodgers vs. Yankees
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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Yankees:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play on the Yankees on the Moneyline.
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Yankees on the Run Line.
Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 9.0
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The fans in Toronto demand to see a star. | Getty Images
The NHL has released its regular season schedule for 2026-27, a key step for arguing with friends and ticket-sharers over who gets what game and which ones will be season-ending losses.
The Islanders open in Toronto, a meeting of the two most recent first-overall picks. The home opener follows on Saturday, Oct. 3, vs. the Devils.
Islanders News
The full Islanders schedule can be found and picked apart here. Primarily 7:00 home starts, with some 7:30s mixed in here and there. [Isles]
As part of that announcement, enjoy a sequel to The Intern, with Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin. [Isles video]
What are the key games? The ones they don’t win, probably. [Newsday]
The third-jersey design contest is up to 66,000 submissions. [Newsday]
Top pick Malte Gustafsson has signed his entry level deal. [Isles | Newsday]
Henrik Tikkanen didn’t sign his qualifying offer but that’s part of anticipating a different contract. [THN]
Elsewhere
The Yzerplan comes to an end without a single playoff appearance. Here are the…highs, sure, and lows of Steve Yzerman’s tenure. [Sportsnet]
Cole Parfetti and the Jets avoided an arbitration hearing with a five-year, $30 million deal. [Sportsnet] The Blues also avoided arbitration with new acquisition Connor McMichael with a six-year, $40.5 million deal. [Sportsnet]
The Los Angeles Lakers might be on the verge of losing LeBron James, but it’s okay, because they might have found another old man hooper in Summer League and it’s breaking everyone’s brain.
Don’t worry, because I can tell you exactly who this is. The mystery old man suiting up for the Lakers is 30-year-old Jon Elmore, who played for Marshall until 2019 and has been a basketball nomad since leaving college. The journeyman has played in Italy, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Turkey and Canasa — as well as bouncing between three different G-League teams.
Now he’s getting a run with the Lakers and got people’s attention on Thursday night by scoring 11 points and registering five assists, while shooting a tidy 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. The jokes might be flowing freely, but Elmore had major game at Marshall where he averaged over 20 points-per-game, was three-time All Conference USA, and won the C-USA Tournament MVP in 2018.
Now he’s just out here on one of the brightest stages rubbing his bald head and living his best life. You gotta love the guy. If you have jokes, don’t feel bad — we do as well. Please share them over here.
Zimbabwean informed ECB this week he is not interested
Langer due to lead Manchester Super Giants in Hundred
Justin Langer is believed to have moved to the top of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s shortlist of potential coaches of the men’s Test team, after Andy Flower ruled himself out of the running for the position on Friday.
Less than a week after Brendon McCullum was sacked as red-ball coach Rob Key, the managing director of men’s cricket who is leading the ECB’s recruitment process, has made significant progress in his search for a replacement.
This year’s dominant leader shouldn’t take the boos personally – even Eddy Merckx didn’t always get red carpet treatment
Enduring the ire of French cycling fans is a rite of passage for a majority of the select group of prolific Tour de France winners, as Tadej Pogacar seems be finding out. The first catcalls came on Tuesday’s stage to Le Lioran in the Cantal, and unfortunately, although we can hope for a little courtesy, there is no reason to assume we won’t see more of the same in the Alps next week, because there are zero grounds for assuming the Slovene and his UAE team’s dominance of the race will slip. In fact, given the mountains that await, Pogi and co will probably up the ante.
Chris Froome has been there and Eddy Merckx went there. The American We Do Not Name spent two Julys hoping no one would bung urine at him, while Bernard Hinault and Jacques Anquetil had their moments too. To understand why the big winners don’t always get red carpet treatment, let’s fly back to the 60s, to the rivalry between Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor. Master Jacques and PouPou, a simple – simplistically pantomimic – duality: cold, clinical Jacques, who based his Tours on the time-trial stages, and warm-hearted PouPou, the noble peasant who tried his utmost but couldn’t quite land the big one, although he became the most popular athlete in France and the hallmark for valiant failure in every walk of French life. Let’s call it the MJPP principle.
There are six games on the NBA Summer League slate this evening, with the likes of the Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks all in action.
My predictions for tonight's schedule include the Mavericks, Trail Blazers, and Cavaliers all grabbing wins.
Check out my NBA Summer League picks for Friday, July 17.
NBA Summer League predictions for July 17
Pick
Mavericks moneyline
-175
Blazers moneyline
+109
Cavaliers moneyline
-154
💰 All three parlayed
+472
Today's Summer League picks
Mavericks moneyline (-175 at Kalshi)
The New York Knicks may be the defending NBA champions, but their Summer League roster doesn't have much talent. New York has gone just 1-3 in Vegas, scoring only 69.3 PPG while allowing an average of 80.8.
The Dallas Mavericks are riding a two-game winning streak, grabbing a 97-87 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. First-round pick Sergio De Larrea dished out 14 assists, and the Mavs drained 13 threes.
Six different players finished in double figures in points. Dallas is starting to find a rhythm offensively, and the Knicks have shown little ability to truly compete in Summer League.
Blazers moneyline (+109 at Kalshi)
After starting off Summer League with two losses, the Portland Trail Blazers have responded with back-to-back wins. They've been one of the best offensive teams in Vegas, averaging 100.8 points per game.
Portland's entire starting five finished in double figures in their last victory over the Denver Nuggets, and another two bench players also had 15+ points.
The Utah Jazz are coming off a steep loss to the San Antonio Spurs where they allowed 94 points. The Blazers have great depth, and they will overwhelm Utah tonight.
Cavaliers moneyline (-154 at Kalshi)
The Cleveland Cavaliers have won back-to-back contests after losing their first two games of Summer League. Second-round pick Meleek Thomas has been balling out for Cleveland, averaging 28.3 PPG in just 30.1 minutes per contest across three appearances. That leads the tournament.
He'll spearhead the Cavs' offense tonight against a Chicago Bulls team that has been very poor defensively. They're allowing 92.3 PPG, and have gone 1-3 so far in Vegas.
Malaki Branham has been a perfect co-star alongside Thomas in Summer League as well, averaging 15.8 points. Cleveland will take this one.
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Friday’s NBA Summer League parlay
Mavericks moneyline
Blazers moneyline
Cavaliers moneyline
+472 at Kalshi
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
The 2025-26 season was another tough year for the Chicago Blackhawks. The Original Six club finished the season at the bottom of the Central Division standings with a 29-39-14 record. They also finished the campaign with the second-fewest points in the NHL.
While the Blackhawks struggled last season, they did have some bright spots. Among them was forward Tyler Bertuzzi, as he had an excellent 2026-27 campaign.
In 79 games last season with the Blackhawks, Bertuzzi scored a career-high 32 goals and posted 58 points. With numbers like these, the 31-year-old was an incredibly important part of the Blackhawks' forward group.
With how well Bertuzzi performed last season, it is clear that the Blackhawks' decision to sign him during the 2024 NHL off-season is paying off. He has been an impactful veteran forward in the Blackhawks' lineup since joining the team, as evidenced by his 55 goals and 104 points in 161 games since joining Chicago.
The Blackhawks will now be hoping that Bertuzzi can put together another season like this for them in 2026-27. If he posts another 30-goal season and multiple of Chicago's young players take step forwards with their development, the Blackhawks could end up being a far more competitive team next season.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 13: Brayden Burries #0 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball during the game against the Phoenix Suns on July 13, 2026 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Six former Arizona Wildcats players competed at NBA Summer League, which wraps up this weekend in Las Vegas. As was to be expected, Arizona’s two first round picks in this year’s NBA Draft made the greatest first impression.
Arizona’s Brayden Burries and Koa Peat had two of the better Summer League runs of this year’s draft class.
Burries, the No. 10 overall pick to the Milwaukee Bucks, averaged 22.9 points over three games. He shot 50% from the field, including 8-18 (44.4%) from three-point range. Burries had 12 assists to just one turnover and also came up with seven steals.
His player efficiency rating was highest among all newcomers at 32.8. If not for an elite rookie class, Burries would be getting even more recognition heading into the rest of the NBA offseason. Even so, Burries made a positive impression on the Bucks, who are in need of a new face of the franchise following the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
It’s only Summer League, but Burries showed he could be that guy one day.
Highest to lowest PER among top 10 picks so far in summer league:
32.8 – Brayden Burries 32.4 – AJ Dybantsa 28.8 – Morez Johnson Jr. 28.2 – Caleb Wilson 25.3 – Cameron Boozer 22.4 – Darryn Peterson 22.3 – Mikel Brown Jr. 12.9 – Kingston Flemings 11.0 – Acuff Jr. 8.3 – Wagler pic.twitter.com/su1rAYnRf0
Meanwhile, Peat put to rest some concerns about his shooting ability by averaging 16.8 points on 51% from the field across four games. Peat, the No. 30 overall pick to the Phoenix Suns, played arguably his best game in a win over Burries’ Bucks, scoring 19 points to go with six rebounds and two steals.
Perhaps the most impressive part about Peat’s Summer League performance was his consistency. He scored double digits in each game he played and never shot below 46%.
While Burries and Peat will leave Las Vegas feeling good about their situations heading into the rest of summer, Jaden Bradley may feel like he left something to prove.
The No. 50 overall pick to the Toronto Raptors, Bradley has averaged 6 points, 2.8 assists and 3.3 turnovers through four games. Bradley could play one more game in Toronto’s consolation matchup Saturday vs. Denver.
Bradley is shooting just 29.6% from the floor and has yet to make a 3-pointer. He just hasn’t looked comfortable.
Tobe Awaka, who signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls as an undrafted free agent, put together his best performance on Wednesday with a 14-point, 10-rebound double double. Awaka also had three blocks and three steals in the game.
Through four games, Awaka is averaging 7 points on 75% shooting to go with 3.8 rebounds.
Tobe Awaka with a double-double and more in the Bulls Summer League win last night 😤
The last member of the 2025-26 Arizona squad to compete in Las Vegas is Anthony Dell’Orso, who is on a Summer League deal with the Sacramento Kings.
ADO shot 3-3 from the field on Tuesday, including a three-pointer. The 11 minutes played were his most in a Summer League game.
Dell’Orso will have one more opportunity when the Kings play New Orleans on Friday afternoon.
🇦🇺 Anthony Dell’Orso Summer League G1
– 11 MIN – 7 PTS (3/3 FG, 1/1 3PT) – 1 AST
Made the most of his opportunity as we only saw him feature in the last quarter. pic.twitter.com/EsUHUlEMqI
— Luke Travers fan club (@TraversHoops) July 15, 2026
San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant made a short appearance at Summer League, playing in two games. After a tough opener, Bryant bounced back with a 19-point outing versus the New York Knicks. He made 7 of 10 field goal attempts including a pair of three-pointers.
Bryant is entering a big sophomore year after averaging 4.2 points and 2.5 rebounds as a rookie.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 16: Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2026 NBA Summer League game on July 16, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 2025 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Cameron Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies have shown they are a force to be reckoned with in NBA Summer League play, but what they did to Atlanta on Thursday night was exceptional.
Memphis went up 21-0 and outscored Atlanta 32-2 in the first quarter. They went on to win 96-64.
Yes, it’s summer league, but these are all talented players. The Showtime Lakers held the Kings to 4 points in the first quarter in a 1987 game, but other than that, we’ve never heard of such a thing in professional basketball.
For his part, Boozer had an exceptional game, with 24 points, shooting 10-13/1-1. He also had 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal in 29 minutes.
The one part of his game that we think he could improve, offensively anyway, is turnovers, and he had 4 here. Part of that though is because he is willing to take chances, and in winning time, he becomes more conservative.
Former UNC star Henri Veesaar started for the Hawks, and scored 5 points in 20 minutes.
Former Virginia and Louisville guard Isaac McKneely also started, scoring 2 points in 9 minutes.
SUNRISE, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 23: Caleb Jones #82 of the Pittsburg Penguins skates for position against the Florida Panthers at the Amerant Bank Arena on October 23, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images
The Penguins have loaded up on players this offseason, losing a few but gaining even more via trades and free agency. That’s even before getting to their young crop of players from the AHL that have NHL aspirations. That leaves a level of players lost in the shuffle that not too many are penciling into their expected starting lineups right now.
Some or most of this group might hit waivers coming out of training camp but even that won’t close the door on playing in the NHL again. The Penguins dressed 40 different skaters last season for at least one game and the prospects of going deep down the organizational depth chart in the upcoming season remains high. So let’s check in on where some somewhat forgotten players may come in.
Caleb Jones
Jones had a season out of some kind of twisted game of Mad Libs last season. He started out with the Pens, dressing for seven of the first eight games of the season, before he broke an ankle in October to cost him a significant amount of time. When he was rehabbing that issue in the AHL in January, Jones suffered a shoulder injury in the minor leagues. Then he got popped with a performance enhancing violation and suspended for 20 games, which he cited from being involved in his shoulder rehab. In April, once that suspension ended, it was announced Jones would have to undergo a shoulder surgery to address that issue after all. Thus ended one of the more wild and unexpected journeys of a season.
So where does that leave Jones now? The Pens aren’t strong at left defense but they have plenty of options. Jones was said to have a 4-6 month recovery from the April surgery, so he might not even be available for training camp or coming off a normal offseason of training, which surely won’t be helping his cause to win a spot on the roster.
Looking at last season, Jones played seven NHL games and had one assist. That seems like a good over/under for the future. Is he a player that can get healthy and get a stint of games in during the midseason? Sounds like a possibility. Then again, coming off the bum shoulder, he might fade away into being an NHL non-factor. Put this one under ‘might play 0 games, might just play 15-20’ with a reasonable chance of either outcome.
Filip Hallander
Much like Jones, Hallander was a fringe free agent signing last season that found a way onto the opening night lineup, only to miss the majority of last season due to medical reasons. Hallander came out of camp on the Sidney Crosby line, though he performed poorly enough to get demoted after only two games. Hallander still managed to find a spot on a lower line for much of the beginning of the season before a puck striking his leg caused a clot in November. Hallander went through his treatments and even played some AHL rehab games before being shutdown and iced away for the rest of the year without much fanfare or notice about the reasoning behind the decision.
Usually by now, you would think a Swedish media outlet would have a story about Hallander’s current status and outlook for the future, but not much has been said about his current situation. Last year’s stat line of 13 games, one goal and four points presents an interesting setting with an over/under. Could Hallander exceed any of those numbers in 2026-27? At this point it doesn’t look very likely, but those aren’t too high of hurdles to clear. Ideally for Hallander’s sake, his health condition is good and worries are in the rear view mirror so that he can play somewhere. Not sure that will be too much in Pittsburgh and the NHL, but just having a full season of play would be an improvement from last year.
Ryan Graves
Graves is going into season four with the Penguins and at this point there’s no illusions or reasons to dream about a bounce back. There’s no new coach or other situation to help offer any hope that Graves will re-find the form he last had in 2022-23 with the Devils. To make matters worse, 2025-26 was the worst season in Graves’ ignominious stint in Pittsburgh. Graves was waived on two separate occasions last year and only appeared in 22 games – only three of which after December 15th (aside from two of the games at the end of the season when the playoff berth was clinched). Prior to last year he was struggling but at least a fairly regular member of the team before taking a turn far away from that status.
That makes Graves in 2026-27 into an interesting footnote. Will Graves remain on the NHL roster? Will he get waived again? He still has three seasons left on his contract, and it doesn’t look like the team is going to find a way to part with him. It could make for another awkward season of sending an NHL-sized salary down to the minor leagues. At this point it’s hard to see Graves matching the 22 NHL games he played last season, though stranger things have happened than to imagine a situation where due to injuries to others that he might find himself playing for the Penguins at times once again this year.
Joel Blomqvist
Last year’s third string goalie in the organization played five NHL games. Would you go over or under 5.5 games this upcoming year for Blomqvist, who most figure will be in that spot as the third goalie this year? It’s an interesting question. From coaches to management and fans, all are certainly hoping and expecting big things from Sergei Murashov next year. He’s also a 22-year old goalie who still needs to prove he is an NHL goalie. From Devon Levi to Spencer Knight and Yaroslav Askarov, there are certainly plenty of examples for top young goalies not always making nice steady, smooth incremental steps in their developments. Blomqvist and Murashov both can be assigned to the AHL without needing waivers in 2026-27, the Penguins won’t want to yo-yo goalies back and forth from Wilkes if they can help it, but circumstances might dictate that Murashov needs more AHL time. There could also be an injury to an NHL goalie that opens the door for Blomqvist to get an opportunity for NHL appearances, it would be rare for two goalies to both remain healthy over a long season.
There’s a chance and scenario where Blomqvist plays as much in the NHL in 2026-27 as he did in 2025-26 (which is to say, no games). He himself has been the injured goalie at times in recent years, so injury fate would have to break in his favor. Seeing Blomqvist in the NHL isn’t a pleasant thought due to the underlying cause likely being that Murashov or Arturs Silovs is either hurt or not playing well, though it isn’t outside of the range of possibilities that Blomqvist could have the chance for some sort of role in the Pens’ season this year.
The dog days of summer. Always liked that expression. Life is probably pretty good as a dog.
The word takes a different meaning when it comes to the Houston Rockets. You’re not in the rotation if you don’t “have that dog in you”. Dogs are anthropomorphized as both lazy and hardworking. English is funny? Dogs are funny?
Basketball. It’s rumor season. Yet, Houston Rockets rumors are few and far between. At this juncture, it seems clear that we’re “running it back”. Marcus Smart is the blockbuster acquisition. Bogdan Bogdanovic is a reasonable flyer.
Earlier in the summer (before the dog days?), there were rumors. Both Fred VanVleet and Kevin Durant were the main subjects.
Would Rafael Stone really have the audacity to move either?
Rockets must keep an open mind
Frankly, I think there are several worlds in which trading Durant is beneficial.
The only suitor who seems marginally serious is the Pistons. The deal would presumably be Duncan Robinson, Caris LeVert, Ron Holland, and a first-rounder.
There’s an awkwardness here. Holland is a recent lottery pick, and he has the prerequisite Ime Udoka Canis lupus familiaris (dog) qualities. He’s the centerpiece of this deal in theory, but he’s probably the least useful piece from the Rockets’ perspective. He’s a defense-first wing who can’t shoot:
So Udoka will probably start him at the two and call it a day.
Jokes aside (and let me be clear that, contrary to the entire comments section, I like our identity and Udoka while recognizing his flaws), Robinson would be a great addition to this roster. The first-round pick is necessary for the Rockets to get fair value. Yet, I’m advocating for this deal for a broader reason:
The Rockets can’t be afraid to reset.
The Rockets can afford a step back
There was a comment during Rafael Stone’s end-of-season presser where he alluded to “a strategic step back”.
Stone, of course, is beholden to the stakeholders. Owners do not like temporary regression. Ime Udoka signed up for a gradual but steady progression to championship viability.
Yet, linear upward progression cannot be this organization’s impetus. If the right superstar trade presents itself, yes, you take the deal. Anthony Edwards. Jayson Tatum (however unlikely).
Not Jaylen Brown (thankfully) or an aging Kawhi “Aspiration” Leonard. Being hasty to stimulate the rate of improvement would be a potential disaster.
Losing five extra games in service of the future would be perfectly fine.
That could mean trading Durant. It could even mean trading one of the “young core” for assets if fit issues result in another first-round exit next year. Whatever it means, winning 45 games in 2027-28 shouldn’t be viewed as an unacceptable outcome if the team has more future picks, and more potential via their 2027 draft selections.
Got to close this one by return. Something about dogs, or summer, or rumors. Or maybe not. We don’t have to progress linearly to our objective:
On Thursday afternoon, the NHL announced schedules for all 32 teams, giving Calgary Flames fans a chance to look ahead to the 2026-27 season, which will feature 84 games and, of course, the final year of professional hockey at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Earlier on Wednesday, the NHL announced that the Seattle Kraken would be the opponent for the final home opener. With the latest schedule revelation, barring a playoff run, the Vancouver Canucks will be the last visiting team to skate on Saddledome ice.
Of course, those are just two of many games the Flames will battle through between October and April, so today we wanted to give fans a handful of games to circle on their calendars in the coming weeks and months.
5 Biggest Games on the Flames' 2026-27 Schedule
5. October 22, 2026 vs Minnesota Wild
Former Flames forward and alternate captain Blake Coleman will not have long to wait before returning to the Saddledome, as his new team, the Minnesota Wild, visits on October 22. During his five seasons in red, Coleman, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, scored 99 goals and 199 points, serving as a veteran voice for the young prospects now in the lineup. At just 34, he's got another year left on his current deal and will be part of a contender in Minnesota.
4. December 5, 2026 vs Washington Capitals
At first glance, no one would notice or care much that the Washington Capitals were visiting the Saddledome. But with the NHL's all-time goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin, playing another season, his 22nd, this could be one last hurrah for fans to see one of the game's greatest. Surprisingly, only nine of Ovechkin's 929 career goals have come in The Dome, with his first occurring in 2010 and his latest on January 23, 2026.
3. October 1, 2026 vs Seattle Kraken
Obviously, the Flames organization will go out of its way to ensure the ceremonies surrounding the team's final home opener at the Saddledome are special. Although many on social media disagree that the Seattle Kraken will be the visiting team on opening night, the NHL's newest team gets to be a part of history as Calgary ushers in the final season of its 43-year-old building. Surprisingly, Seattle boasts a 5-3-1 record at the Saddledome.
2. March 23, 2027 vs Edmonton Oilers
Of course, any Flames matchup against their provincial rival, the Edmonton Oilers, will be special in 2026-27. Despite each franchise going in opposite directions in the standings, these two have hosted legendary battles on Saddledome ice over the decades. This year, the Oilers, along with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, will make their final appearances at The Dome on March 3 and March 23, 2027, marking the end of an era in the Battle of Alberta until the teams relocate to Scotia Place across the street.
1. April 10, 2027 vs Vancouver Canucks
Besides the longtime rivalry with the Oilers, there's one other Western Canadian team that the Flames have gone to war with for decades, the Canucks. Whether in the regular season or the playoffs, the rivalry runs deep, making Vancouver a fitting opponent for the Saddledome's final game. Historically, the Canucks have struggled in Calgary, posting a 44-68-10-2 record in 124 games. The Flames welcome Vancouver to town for a Boxing Day matchup before the season finale on April 10, 2027.
Which Flames games are you most looking forward to this season, let us know in the comments.
While the Penguins acquired him at the beginning of the month as an RFA, he signed a new contract with Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The 24-year-old inked a two-year contract at $3.25 million per season. This is the longest contract Robertson has had in his NHL career since his entry-level deal.
As a guest on TSN's OverDrive, Robertson revealed how important it was for him to get some term on this latest deal.
"For my full time playing in the NHL, I've yet to have another season under contract," he said. "That was a really big focus for me, was to get some term and to settle in and give me time to get some runway in Pittsburgh. I'm happy the way it turned out. I'm really excited."
Across 234 appearances for Toronto, he averaged 11:52 of ice time during his tenure and logged a career-high average of 12:40 this past year. Despite his limited ice time, he's shown great promise, particularly in the department of scoring goals, including 16 tallies and 32 points in 2025-26.
Even with the lack of playing time and a true opportunity to play in the team's top six, Robertson took away a positive learning experience from his time with the Leafs.
"Always be ready," Robertson said of what he learned. "Toronto had such a talented team… and I had to be on my game all the time, whether that was with (Craig Berube) or (Sheldon Keefe).
"But I think it's always a blessing in disguise because you can't get complacent. Whether you're up and down the lineup, you got to work your way to either get up in the lineup or to stay there," he added.
Of course, with signing his new deal recently and avoiding arbitration, he's met with Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, whom he knew from his days with the Leafs, and drafted him with the 53rd pick in the 2019 draft.
Robertson shared what his first interactions were like with Dubas, meeting his new coach, Dan Muse, and the message they portrayed to him about joining the team.
"I had a great conversation with Muse and Kyle, and basically the message was, it's a new opportunity, a change of scenery," he said.
He also pointed out that recently there have been other players who have made a stop in Pittsburgh in a move that was a change of scenery and were able to have some success.
A recent example of that would be Anthony Mantha. Mantha signed a one-year contract with the Penguins ahead of this past season, and he went from a player who missed plenty of time the year prior with injury but also didn't produce strong production.
But after his one season in Pittsburgh, he marked the best campaign of his 11-year NHL career. Mantha scored 33 goals and 64 points in 81 games in 2025-26. That campaign earned the veteran right winger a two-year contract with the New Jersey Devilsat $4.75 million per year.
Ultimately, Robertson is looking to replicate that type of success with his new team.
"My job is to go in and be ready, so I look forward to that," he said.
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 10: Caleb Wilson #8 of the Chicago Bulls is guarded by Cameron Boozer #27 of the Memphis Grizzlies in the second half of a 2026 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NBA Summer League is never going to make or break the career of an incoming rookie. A year ago, Cooper Flagg shot 5-of-21 from the floor in his Las Vegas debut, and failed to make my annual list of the most impressive rookies in summer league. It’s important to tell yourself not to overreact to everything you see.
The good news for this year’s rookie class is that most of the top picks absolutely delivered on the hype. AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson each had flashes of brilliance that showed why the 2026 draft class was so highly regarded. Read my story on six rookies who looked underwhelming in summer league this year, but remember there’s plenty of time for them to turn things around. Jalen Brunson wasn’t very good in summer league, either.
Check out my list of the young veterans already proving to be too good for summer league this year. Now, let’s rank the most impressive rookies in Las Vegas. Apologies to Koa Peat, Labaron Philon, Cam Carr, Chris Cenac, Mikel Brown Jr., Henri Veesar, and Jack Kayil, who were all really good in their own right, but these 11 players stuck out.
11. Hannes Steinbach, F, Charlotte Hornets
Steinbach finally moved into the Hornets’ starting lineup for their fourth summer league game, and immediately showed all the things that made him special. He’s such an effective finisher (67.9% true shooting) in part because he catches everything thrown his way, and can often play through contact on his way to the basket. Steinbach’s elite hands also make him the best rebounder in this draft class, and at this point it’s possible he could be one of the best offensive rebounders in the league as a rookie after posting a comical 18.15% o-board rate in Las Vegas. His defense and three-point shooting remain a work in progress, but Steinbach is great at what he’s good at, and that should give him a foundation for success as he continues to work on his skill set over the years.
10. Bruce Thornton, G, Houston Rockets
Summer league was never going to be a big challenge for an elite college veteran like Thornton, and indeed he looked comfortable and confident from the moment he hit the floor in Vegas. Thornton has a big body for a shorter point guard, and he throws around his weight to open up offensive opportunities for himself and his teammates. He’s become a really good high-volume three-point shooter over the years, and in summer league he made 43 percent from deep on seven attempts per game. He also posted a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, which is par for the course after a college career where he rarely coughed it up. There will be questions about his defense when it’s time for the real season, but Thornton has so much command over the offense and his own scoring ability that he feels like an obvious bet to be the next second-round draft hit.
9. Morez Johnson, F, Dallas Mavericks
Johnson is an absolute hoss as a 250+ pound forward with a 7’3.5 wingspan, and he’s a truly ridiculous athlete for someone with that size. The Mavs’ No. 9 overall pick hit the ground running in Vegas by doing what he does best: finishing efficiently inside, cleaning the defensive glass, and showing a rare combination of quickness and power on defense to give him premium matchup versatility. Johnson still scored a lot of his points on dump-offs and putbacks in Las Vegas, but there were also flashes of freight train drives to the hoop and short mid-range shotmaking that weren’t as prevalent on the college tape. His 69.1% true shooting in two games is about as good as it gets. Johnson’s simple-yet-effective offense set is complemented by a more wide-ranging defensive skill set, where he can protect the rim on the backline or switch onto quicker wings or guards and stick with them for a few seconds on the perimeter. He’s going to be an enforcer next to Cooper Flagg in Dallas from day one, and if his handle and shooting keeps developing, he has the potential to be a lot more than that.
8. Allen Graves, F, Toronto Raptors
#19 pick Allen Graves FILLED the stat sheet for the @Raptors in his NBA Summer League debut:
Anyone who thought the sixth man from Santa Clara whose draft candidacy was spawned by some young online nerds was going to crash and fail in the league sure looks like they’re going to be proven wrong. Graves did his thing with disruptive defense, impressive rebounding, and a sweet three-point stroke. It seems like Graves couldn’t show the full extent of his offensive game in college, because in Las Vegas he was handling the ball on drives and initiating the pick-and-roll with a level of effectiveness that wasn’t on the Santa Clara tape. Meanwhile, Graves continues to be a monster at forcing takeaways with great hands and an elite nose for the ball. His defense is so aggressive that it’s almost easy to overlook that he shoots such an easy ball from three-point range, knocking down 44% from deep in 16 attempts. I’m already worried I had Graves too low on my board at No. 19, which is exactly where the Raptors picked him. He looks like a steal. Toronto should be feeling really good about this one so far.
7. Yaxel Lendeborg, F, Golden State Warriors
Lendeborg should have been really good in summer league considering he’s already almost 24 years old, an age when most players have graduated out of this setting. Still, it was encouraging to see the former Michigan star dominate in all the ways we’ve come to expect, showing bully-ball drives, sharp connective passing, stout defense, and a sweet three-point stroke. The shooting is the headliner from Lendeborg’s five games in summer league: he hit 56.5% of his threes on the way to immaculate 68% true shooting. He also bumped Cameron Boozer to hell on one drive to the rim, and showed his ability to play through contact on both ends. I like his defensive rebounding and his ball movement, but there were some instances where his lack of agility in the middle of the floor hurt his two-point scoring efficiency. I had Yaxel at No. 5 on my board entering the draft, and he seems like he’s going to be a perfect fit in Golden State, especially if the threes keep dropping. .
6. Darryn Peterson, G, Utah Jazz
Peterson gets off his shot so easily. The No. 2 overall pick glides into stepback jumpers, turns the corner on drives to the rim, and sprints off screens to knock down threes so effortlessly that he just looks like an NBA All-Star. Peterson had some spectacular moments with a driving poster dunk against the Clippers, and some flashes of the defensive playmaking that separates him from other elite offensive guards, but he also still has some fat to trim in his game. Peterson made some puzzling decisions with the ball whether he was settling for floaters or giving it away to the defense. He doesn’t really look like a true point guard (he finished with 26 assists to 24 turnovers through five summer league games), but that should be no big deal for a Jazz team that already has Keyonte George in the backcourt. His skill set still needs some fine-tuning, but Peterson’s talent jumps off the screen, and best of all, he wasn’t slowed down by any of the weird cramping issues that plagued him in college. He’s going to be a highly productive rookie, and a major contributor to what should be a pretty good Utah team this season.
5. Meleek Thomas, G, Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavs rookie Meleek Thomas through 3 games: 28.3 PPG/4.3 APG/4.0 RPG/2.3 SPG on 50% FG, 46% 3P, 100% FT
— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) July 14, 2026
The long history of John Calipari guards being better in the NBA than in college might have another addition with Meleek Thomas. Thomas had a solid freshman year at Arkansas, but still slipped to the No. 34 overall pick because of concerns about his frame and defensive projection. The sell was always his bucket-getting, and he basically looked unstoppable in his three games in Las Vegas. Thomas scored 85 points in 90 minutes on excellent 65.7% true shooting through three games in summer league, slicing and dicing through opposing defenses at will and splashing shots all over the court. He hit 45.8% of his threes, all of his free throws, and had no problem breaking free from the ball pressure that frustrated other guards. Thomas avoided tunnel vision despite the incredible scoring numbers, and did a good job finding teammates while avoiding mistakes with 13 assists to five turnovers. With elite quickness, a money jumper, and a pretty good feel for the game, Thomas already looks like a second round steal, and someone who should make Cavs fans very excited for his future.
— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) July 13, 2026
Dybantsa’s elite slashing and tough shot-making were fully on display in his two-game run in Las Vegas. The No. 1 overall pick is an absolute giant for a wing, but unlike most players his size, he already has the ball on a string. Dybantsa can turn the corner on most defenders, but when he’s shut off, he has plenty of counters to continue probing the defense until he can break free. Dybantsa’s mid-range heavy shot-selection is already drawing some consternation, but it’s hard to get too upset when he still posted blistering 63.8% true shooting despite shooting 1-of-11 from three-point range. That’s just what Dybantsa provides, relentless attacking that will keep hammering holes in the defense until he finally makes a crack. With the caveat that it’s only summer league, Dybantsa’s defense also looked much better than it did at BYU with a 26.6% defensive rebound rate, 5% steal rate, and 5.4% block rate. He’s going to need to be able to play off the ball a little bit more next to Trae Young during the regular season, but for now Dybantsa showed the special skills that made him the first pick in a loaded draft.
3. Caleb Wilson, F, Chicago Bulls
Caleb Wilson answered his biggest question on his very first shot in Las Vegas. Wilson took a pitch from teammate Noa Essengue, drew a switch from the defense, and took one dribble before splashing a three-pointer from the top of the key. Wilson didn’t shoot much in college, which makes sense for a player who used his best-in-class explosiveness to crush 67 dunks in just 24 games. The tape was filled with tough shot-making from mid-range, but those jump shots rarely extended behind the arc. In his summer league debut, Wilson drained seven three-pointers — the same number he made all season at North Carolina. Wilson had five months off since suffering a season-ending broken thumb in his right hand, and he clearly made the most of his time by reportedly getting up 2,000 threes per day. It takes most top prospects years to address the biggest holes in their scouting report, if they ever do it at all. Wilson already proved he’s going to shoot threes as a rookie, and that’s a great sign for his long-term development as a shooter. Read my feature on Wilson’s quest for greatness here.
A study by Owen Phillips showed that three-point rate (percentage of field goal attempts from three) is the “stickiest” stat of summer league — the one that carries over the best to the regular season. Well, Wilson moved his three-point rate from 9.1% at UNC to 47.1% for the Summer Bulls. It feels like a thrilling development for Wilson because so many other aspects of his game are already so strong. Wilson’s defensive playmaking is outstanding, and he amassed an 8.5% block rate in Vegas with a number of impressive stuffs, including a chasedown block for the ages. He hit the offensive glass at a higher rate than Cam Boozer (9.1% offensive rebound rate), and finished well when he was set up by his teammates. His poster thrunk against the Jazz was one of the most athletic plays you will ever see. There were still two big negatives for Wilson: his terrible free throw stroke (6-of-18 from the line) and his bad turnover habit, with his giveaways (21) easily outpacing his assists (7). The assist-to-turnover ratio was a positive on his college stat sheet, but that was mostly on stationary reads, and not live dribbles. Wilson was already a great prospect, but after watching him in Las Vegas, it seems possible he’s leveling up at a terrifying rate.
2. Cameron Boozer, F, Memphis Grizzlies
Cameron Boozer’s game has always been defined by steady production that won’t knock your socks off until his team wins and he finishes with monstrous box score numbers. Boozer did it again in this setting despite being one of the youngest players at summer league in his last few days as an 18-year-old. His scoring efficiency was remarkable by shooting 53.7% on two-pointers, 45% on three-pointers, and 80% on free throws for 65.8% true shooting. He continued to clean the defensive glass (18.7% defensive rebound rate), and he looked pretty quick laterally on that end even if he’s not offering much rim protection. Boozer looked a bit thinner in Vegas compared to the bulkier frame he carried at Duke, and it feels like he’s still learning how to use it. He’s not the most nimble player in the middle of the floor, but it doesn’t really matter because his passing vision is excellent and he almost always makes the right decision on time. Boozer’s top-4 contemporaries had flashier highlights, but his team impact was as great as any player in Vegas. I had Boozer as the top player in the 2026 draft in his own tier, and I think summer league only strengthened that argument.
1. Brayden Burries, G, Milwaukee Bucks
Burries’ upside was up for debate as he entered the 2026 NBA Draft, but he looked like an elite connective piece on both ends of the floor during his run in Las Vegas. He shot the hell out of the ball by hitting 44% of his threes, he hit the glass hard and forced takeaways on defense, and made smart decisions every time the ball touched his hands. Burries’ floor spacing and quick trigger from three helps fill in the gaps in the halfcourt in any lineup, but he also showed an ability to use his scoring to find open passing windows to teammates (12 assists) while suppressing turnovers (only one in three games in Vegas). Burries would be a valuable player even if he was just average defensively, but he looks better than that. His 4.2% steal rate and 3.7% block rate in Vegas are excellent numbers for a guard, and the fact that he’s such a good transition player once he yanks the ball away only makes him more effective. I only had Burries at No. 16 on my final board, so he exceeded my expectations more than any player in Las Vegas. The Bucks don’t have to try to shoehorn him into being a lead creator with Ryan Rollins and Tyler Herro on the roster; instead, he can be the ultimate backcourt sidekick who allows everyone else to be the best version of themselves while maximizing his own efficiency.
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