The Rangers got their draft day started with a prospect swap.
Pending restricted free agent Brett Berard was traded to Montreal in exchange for defenseman William Trudeau on Friday, according to a source.
Trudeau, 23, is a 2021 fourth-round pick who spent the last four seasons in the American Hockey League. The left-handed blueliner has yet to make his NHL debut.
Rangers left wing Brett Berard (R) fights for the puck New York Islanders defenseman Travis Mitchell. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
A fifth-round pick in 2020 (134th overall) under the Jeff Gorton regime, Berard appeared in 48 games for the Rangers over the last two seasons. Despite an encouraging 2024-25 campaign, in which he posted six goals and 10 points in 35 games with the Rangers, Berard didn’t do much with his opportunities this past season.
The 23-year-old, the final cut of training camp, went scoreless through 13 contests.
Montreal drafted Trudeau 113th overall out of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, where the young Canadian collected 90 points (20 goals, 70 assists) over three seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders.
Laval Rocket defenceman William Trudeau (84) defends the puck against Cleveland Monsters left wing Mikael Pyyhtia (82). Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Rangers are pleased with the forward prospects who emerged as options despite the lost 2025-26 season.
Berard had fallen down the depth chart amid strong showings from Gabe Perreault, Noah Laba, Jaroslav Chmelar and Adam Sykora.
This short line is influenced by the standings, which fail to mention that L.A. has a +144 run differential while San Diego lags behind at -5.
The Padres have been one of the most fortunate teams in the league, so I’m fading them and quantifying them as an overvalued asset. Their 37-42 BaseRuns record indicates they really could be five wins worse off.
Walker Buehler (15th percentile xBA, 12th percentile whiff rate), similarly, has been lucky.
COVERS INTEL:Roki Sasaki has stepped up a level, posting the eighth-best Stuff+ (113) among starters in his last six outings. His patented splitter should play nicely against a Padres lineup with -3.58 runs above average per 100 splitters seen — the worst mark in the league.
Dodgers vs Padres Over/Under pick: Under 7.5 (-105)
Since May 18, San Diego has ranked dead last in AVG (.216), and second-last in OPS (.652) and runs scored per game (3.5).
While Buehler’s underlying metrics are somewhat questionable, the on-field results are not. He’s allowed just a single run in each of his last four starts.
Buehler rarely has an off day, surrendering no more than three earned runs in any of his last eight starts, and no more than four earned in any of his 15 starts this season.
Both bullpens have an ERA below 3.00 across the last 14 days and are fully rested.
JD Yonke's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 23-22, -3.08 units
Over/Under bets: 32-14 +17.40 units
Dodgers vs Padres weather
Partly sunny with winds at 9 mph.
Dodgers vs Padres odds
Moneyline: Dodgers -148 | Padres +123
Run line: Dodgers -1.5 (+119) | Padres +1.5 (-144)
Over/Under: Over 7.5 | Under 7.5
Dodgers vs Padres trend
The Dodgers have won 13 of their last 18 road games against the Padres. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Padres. Find more MLB betting trends for Dodgers vs. Padres.
How to watch Dodgers vs Padres and game info
Location
Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Date
Friday, June 26, 2026
First pitch
9:45 p.m. ET
TV
Apple TV
Dodgers starting pitcher
Roki Sasaki (3-4, 4.77 ERA)
Padres starting pitcher
Walker Buehler (4-3, 3.96 ERA)
Dodgers vs Padres latest injuries
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.
It’s going to be a lucrative winter for major league managers.
The New York Mets’ firing of Carlos Mendoza on Friday, June 26 marks the third major-market manager to get canned this season, as the third-year skipper took the fall for the club’s poor performance in the face of huge expectations that come with carrying the major league's biggest 2026 payroll.
As for the Mets, this is a pressure-packed hire. President of baseball operations David Stearns has taken considerable heat for offseason moves that largely went awry once the lights came on this season; Mendoza was under fire almost immediately, received an April stay of execution and then became easily disposable once the Mets fell to 34-47.
Now, it will be Stearns facing more heat should the club not turn it around in 2027, and owner Steve Cohen will closely scrutinize this hiring.
Here are seven potential fits in New York as the club looks toward the future:
Alex Cora
No wonder the man felt more blessed than stressed when a dysfunctional Boston Red Sox organization kicked him to the curb after just 27 games.
Cora’s firing was shortly followed by Rob Thomson’s dismissal in Philadelphia, prompting speculation Cora and former Boston boss Dave Dombrowski might consummate a shotgun wedding and bring Cora to Philly.
Yet Cora opted to chill, and now he might enjoy something resembling a bidding war for his services. And the Mets are probably the best fit of all.
Cora is an excellent manager in the dugout and the clubhouse and would excel in handling the New York media, as he did in Boston when he served under three general managers yet established himself as an organizational cornerstone — at least until he and current boss Craig Breslow got sideways.
But the resume remains unblemished — a 620-541 career record, one World Series championship and significant regard in the game.
Cora would also connect nicely with Puerto Rican baseball fans in New York, and his experience handling big-money superstars — from Mookie Betts to Chris Sale to Rafael Devers - would come in handy. Cue up the Mets fan fever dreams of Cora and Zohran Mamdani piloting a float down the Canyon of Heroes.
Carlos Beltrán, Mets special assistant
Wouldn’t this be something?
Beltrán arguably got the worst deal out of the Astros’ sign-stealing scheme, with Cora and A.J. Hinch bouncing back to managerial jobs, every other player skating freely yet Beltrán, a player at the time of the scandal, losing his impending job as Mets manager.
This might be the time to make it right.
Former Mets GM Billy Eppler re-hired Beltrán as a special assistant in February 2023 and he’s stayed aboard into the Stearns era. Lest we forget, Beltrán nearly got the New York Yankees job that went to Aaron Boone before the 2018 season.
The man has methodically climbed the ranks, from Dodgers coach to Hinch’s No. 2 in Detroit, along the way interviewing for managerial jobs in Detroit and Pittsburgh in 2020 and Miami in 2024.
He now has six years of experience alongside Hinch, helping Detroit to a pair of playoff berths, and could check both the managerial and developmental boxes.
In this scenario, sometime in 2027 Lombard would be managing the Mets while his son, George Jr., is across town manning a spot in the Yankees infield.
Omar Lopez, Astros bench coach
His star rose significantly when he piloted an underdog Venezuela squad to a stunning World Baseball Classic championship in March. Pressure? The New York media pales in comparison to the expectations of piloting his home country through two WBCs.
Lopez has been a key figure in the Astros II resurgence, beginning as a first base coach and then as Joe Espada’s bench coach the past three seasons. The Astros’ midseason rally puts them back in contention, and come October, the Mets hiring the bench coach of a playoff team wouldn’t be a difficult sell.
Rickie Weeks, Brewers special assistant
He served for two seasons as Pat Murphy’s associate manager in Milwaukee before shifting to a role as special assistant in baseball operations and domestic and international scouting. Perhaps that puts Weeks on a more executive track, but helming the Mets is one of the game’s elite jobs, and Stearns knows what he can do.
He’s the most prominent lurker among the half-dozen managers who got axed last year and haven’t returned to the dugout. Hyde saw every angle of the manager’s job in seven seasons with Baltimore, from a grim and cynical rebuild to an eventual rebirth and division title, and then unmet expectations.
Yet money and high-end talent acquisition would not be a problem in New York. Wherever he lands, Hyde will almost certainly benefit from a second-time-around hindsight that many managers enjoy. The lone bullet point missing on his resume is dealing with mega-market conditions and a clubhouse filled with highly-paid superstars.
Ryan Flaherty, Cubs bench coach
A moderate surprise Flash didn’t get one of the many openings last fall, with several clubs opting for surprise hires rather than a proverbial big league manager-in-waiting.
Yet Flaherty would bring ex-player credibility and four seasons as bench coach under his belt, working under Bob Melvin and Craig Counsell. Oddly enough, he replaced Andy Green — now the Mets’ interim manager after Mendoza’s firing — as bench coach with the Cubs.
The New York Mets have done what was long expected and fired manager Carlos Mendoza after the team got off to a 34-47 start, including a 12-game losing streak in April.
Mendoza, who led New York to the National League Championship Series in 2024 during his first year on the job, will be replaced by Andy Green, a former manager of the San Diego Padres, who will be the interim manager for the rest of the season.
Green has a tall task in front of him as the Mets have lost six consecutive games, including being swept at home by the Chicago Cubs. New York is currently 15 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.
Green is a 48-year-old former MLB infielder who played for the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2004-06, with a short stint with the Mets in 2009. In between those major-league stops, Green played for the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters of the Nippon Professional Baseball in 2007.
He finished his major-league career with a .200 batting average, two home runs and 12 RBI in 140 games.
Green's coaching career started with the Arizona Diamondbacks, first as a manager for the rookie-level Arizona League affiliate in 2011, then as manager of the advanced-rookie-level Missoula Osprey of the Pioneer League in 2012, and finally leading the Double-A Mobile BayBears in 2013-14.
The Diamondbacks made Green their third-base coach in 2015, before he was named Padres manager in October 2015.
Green compiled a 274-366 record in his four seasons in San Diego, finishing last in the NL West twice during his tenure. He was fired in September 2019 and hired a few months later as the bench coach of the Chicago Cubs, where he spent four seasons (2020-23).
Green joined the Mets in 2023 and was in the team's front office as senior vice president of baseball development before Mendoza's firing thrust him back into the dugout as manager.
HOOVER, AL - MAY 21: Infielder Ace Reese #3 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs hits a foul ball during the SEC Baseball Tournament Quarterfinals game between Mississippi State Bulldogs and Georgia Bulldogs on May 21, 2026, at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.(Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 2026 is just a few weeks away — the first round kicks off on July 11, 2026 — so its time to start offering capsule looks at players the Texas Rangers could select with their top picks. The Rangers’ first round pick is at #16, their second round pick is at #54, and their third round pick is at #89.
Leading up to draft day, we will be doing writeups of some of the players who could end up getting selected by the Rangers with one of their first three picks. Today we are looking at Mississippi State third baseman Ace Reese.
Ace Reese is a 6’4″, 220 lb. lefthanded hitting junior third baseman for Mississippi State. Born in Plano, Reese, who turned 21 in April, was undrafted and relatively unheralded coming out of Canton High School in Canton, Texas, county seat of Van Zandt County, in 2023. He played his freshman year for the University of Houston before transferring to Mississippi State, where he’s anchored the middle of their lineup the past two seasons.
Reese is a bat-first guy with big time power. Looking at the differing measurements out there for him, it appears he’s gotten significantly bigger in his college career, as BA lists him at 180 lbs. and B-R at 200 lbs., compared to 220 lbs. in the more updated listings. He has good bat speed and plus power, posting what Keith Law calls “elite top-end exit velocities.” He gets dinged for being overly aggressive at the plate, with reports saying he doesn’t make great swing decisions, resulting in an elevated K rate and less than ideal contact when he does make contact on pitches he should probably let go. That said, his swing is geared towards loft and power, with BP referencing “Griffey Jr. swing vibe” because of his “extreme lefty uppercut” swing. BA’s list of the best tools in the draft class has Reese third on the Best Power list for college players.
Reese currently plays third base, and there are questions about whether he can stick at the position. He is not considered particularly athletic and his arm is graded at average, so he may end up at first base, where the requirements from the bat are higher than if he can stick at third. He’s a below-average runner, which makes him a better fit at first base than in, say, left field, if third base isn’t in the cards.
As a freshman at UofH, Reese hit well while manning left field, slashing .278/.395/.506 with 29 walks against 37 Ks in 195 plate appearances. Moving up a level in competition to the SEC as a sophomore with the Bulldogs, Reese played through a toe injury that required offseason surgery, slashing .352/.422/.718 with 21 bombs in 263 plate appearances, walking 26 times and striking out 52 while being the everyday third baseman. He largely replicated that as a junior, slashing .336/.432/.721 with 63 Ks and 41 walks, putting up 24 homers. He also played in wood bat summer leagues the past two summers and performed fairly well there.
Lefthanded power is always in demand, and it wouldn’t be surprising to me if Reese is off the board before the Rangers pick. He’s put up big power numbers in the best college conference two straight seasons, which makes him attractive. Yes, there are concerns about his contact rates, and he could end up at first base long-term, but if the contact rates were better and he was a near-lock to stay at third base, he’d be off the board in the first five picks.
I’m not sure to what degree he’d be a fit for the Rangers. Texas has tended to emphasis hit tool over present power with their draft picks, looking for guys with contact ability who they think can develop power, versus someone like Reese, who needs to make adjustments to improve his contact ability and better allow his power to play at the next level.
Jake Burger went 11th overall as a power hitting third baseman in the Missouri Valley Conference in 2017 who had questions about whether he would stick at third base and about how well his hit tool would play in the pros. It is a very imperfect comparison — Reese gets better marks for being lefthanded and performing in a better conference, as well as having less concerns about his build — but that sort of low-OBP, high-power 1B/3B result is something you could see from Reese.
We use these daily posts to revisit the biographies of Yankees past, from the stars that delivered 27 World Series titles or those that have been nearly forgotten to history. Today we celebrate a player that everyone should be familiar with, the Captain that took over the mantle from Don Mattingly and led the club into a new dynasty. I’m not sure there’s anything I could write that would add to the collective biography of Derek Jeter, so instead I’ll write about how, in so many ways, he is a cornerstone of the way I experience baseball.
When you’re a kid, there are much worse role models to have than Jeter. That quote about no excuses for anyone to work harder than you must have been repeated by every single coach I had until high school — even though, when you think about it saying it to an entire team doesn’t make sense, cuz we can’t all work harder than each other. Perhaps observations like this are why I never really went anywhere in sports.
But the hustle was such a part of the Jeter narrative, that he was always just there. There’s a reason The Flip, that inconceivable out from the 2001 ALDS, is still my favorite baseball play ever:
This should never have happened. There is no reason for Jeter to be in the neighborhood where intercepting that ball is possible. But he did it, because he’s always there. Derek Jeter was the most consistent, in a sport where that’s the hardest thing in the world to find. Every year of my childhood, for whatever a nebulous timeframe that is, Jeter hit .310 from the same spot in the lineup. And yes, I just used batting average.
I used batting average because in the early-to-mid 2000s, the summers of my childhood that’s what we had to gauge players. Around the game, Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein and Billy Beane were starting to look at new, undeveloped ways of evaluating players, but the Toronto Sun was still primarily concerned with the classic Triple Crown stats.
I remember running home from my very first job after clocking out (Swiss Chalet, morning potato peeler and cutter) because Jeter was sitting on 2,998 when I started my shift, only for my dad to text me that 2,999 came in the first inning. And of course he hit a home run for 3,000, because he’s Derek Jeter:
The first time I heard of WAR was in 2010, in a Sports Illustrated article outlining the stat and why Ben Zobrist was the second-best player in the game. I was 16 by then, I knew Jeter wasn’t number one at that point — and yet, one of the things that sold me on WAR in the first place was it was pretty bang on about how good he was. Albert Pujols was the best player in baseball and maybe I could see the value of Zobrist, but Jeter had a great 2009, finishing sixth that season with 6.7 fWAR. Ok, WAR makes some sense because yeah, Jeter was a top 10 player last season and the stat reflects that.
Of course the other elements of WAR would be less kind to the Captain. That article opened a lot of doors for me in terms of how I see baseball and what I find valuable, and what I found tied with Jeter’s inevitable decline had me in that “Jeter is incredibly overrated” internet camp that existed for a while, and presumably still does even in smaller numbers. The defense was not good, the way he seemed entrenched in the leadoff spot even as the OPS — I had a good handle on that one by now — was slipping into the .700s after a career in the .800s or better.
By that point I’m a teenager anyway, and the Class and Grace gimmick that Jeter was so known for was just less appealing. The cool ease with which Robinson Canó could drive a ball off the right-center wall or the sheer dash that Mike Trout brought in my second-favorite rookie season of all time was just more of what I wanted. The sequential retirement tours Jeter and Mariano Rivera took alternated between annoying me and leaving me with some of my favorite memories of baseball:
And then before you knew it Jeter was gone, and the Yankees had to figure out how to move on on the field, and if you remember, the off-the-field relationship wasn’t very good either. The golden boy image was at least a little bit tarnished, and Jeter went off to Miami. At the same time I’m in college, living on my own, figuring out all those little things that you have to if you want to wear clean clothes and have a functioning bathroom.
I started writing here, free and clear in the post-Jeter era while he was funking around trying to run the Marlins, and the Yankees found an immediate replacement for the face of the franchise role in Aaron Judge, a man I have written about more than anyone else. We all just, kinda stopped thinking about Derek Jeter outside of career highlights or the befuddling decisions he made in South Beach (thanks again for Stanton, Cap).
Of course he goes into the Hall of Fame one vote shy of unanimity, he liquidates his holdings in the Marlins, and he seems to patch up enough of the sore spots he had with the Yankees that he’s been re-embraced. I’m a little bit older, hopefully a small bit wiser and for all the love I have for baseball it’s no longer the most important thing in the world to me the way it was when I was eight. They are finally developing stats that are getting hard for ME to follow:
And yet I too have re-embraced Derek Jeter.
Yes, his defense could be terrible and the Yankees likely left runs on the table by not having Alex Rodriguez play shortstop after the trade. I think the strong silent stuff that he still tries to keep up on MLB on FOX in the postseason broadcasts is pretty silly. The Jump Throw was overused.
He is also unequivocally one of the finest baseball players I, you, or anyone else that has watched a game in the last half century have seen play. Nine seasons as a full-time, every day MLB shortstop while managing a 125 wRC+ is absurd. I wasn’t even a baseball fan until the year 2000 and I still get mad about the 1999 AL MVP voting. While “name the only Canadians to win an MLB MVP Award” is a great trivia question that has delivered me wins before, the 2006 award probably should have gone to Jeets, too.
I’m less interested and thus less involved in shouting at people over the Internet, which is where about 90 percent of How Good Was Derek Jeter discourse happens so I no longer have to be a part of that. Lastly, it just doesn’t matter to me whether Jeter was the sixth or the eighth or the 11th best player of an era. He was damn good.
A couple years ago we re-visited the Top 100 Yankees series, a project I loved very much. I still think my profile of Thurmon Munson might just be the best thing I’ve ever written here. Towards the end of that series we ruffled some people’s feathers by having Mickey Mantle supplant Lou Gehrig for second place, and I think there’s been some very intelligent pushback to the legacy of Joe DiMaggio that has annoyed some of the… shall we call them veterans of observing baseball. What I learned from all this is that the stack-ranking doesn’t matter. Certainly not for this team, for this franchise.
What matters is your cluster. That Mickey Mantle can be mentioned in the same cluster with the Iron Horse is what matters, that Jeter is usually the first guy mentioned after the guys shot in black and white matters.
Happy birthday, Cap.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 16: Jarren Duran #16 of the Boston Red Sox looks on after hitting a solo home run in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on June 16, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Marcelo Mayer has had an ugly first full season in the big leagues. Ironically, the Red Sox general, season-long suckitude has helped him fly under the radar. If the Sox were playing well, his spot in the lineup would probably be a major topic of controversy; but as it is, he’s just one of a multitude of problems overwhelming the team. But the spotlight finally fell on him at the end of the Rockies series, thanks to a major blunder in the field that cost the Sox big time. Does it make sense to consider sending him down? Probably not, but some inside the organization are reportedly unhappy with a seeming lack of “mental toughness” from the infielder. (Sean McAdam, MassLive)
If Marcelo needs any inspiration, all he needs to do is look to his right. It’s only been 24 games, but Caleb Durbin has turned his season around after being arguably the single worst hitter in baseball for two months. “Pretty proud of him for where he was at,” Chad Tracy said. “With the expectations and the heat he was taking, he has just fought back and got up off the mat.” (Chris Cotillo, MassLive)
That Durbin – or any of the Sox – played well last night was a surprise considering the travel issues they faced getting back to Boston. The Sox didn’t land at Logan until 5 AM yesterday. (Peter Abraham, Boston Globe)
Making the late arrival even worse was the bad news the team received about Roman Anthony when they got back home:
Roman Anthony (sprained right wrist/hand) hasn’t made any substantive progress while the Red Sox have been away, Chad Tracy said.
He occasionally tries to swing a lighter bat but hasn’t gotten to a real bat/hitting progression.
Considering Anthony’s injury and Mayer’s struggles, it’s been a bad year all-around for the once vaunted Big Three. And that obviously includes Kristian Campbell. Campbell isn’t exactly making a case to come back to the big leagues, but he’s still working at it. “[Adversity] does make you better,” said Campbell. “Everybody’s route and path is different. I’m working every day to get back, and they know that I really want to get back as soon as possible. I know I’ve got some things I need to correct down here first before I go back.” (Ian Browne, MLB.com)
With Anthony out indefinitely, the Sox don’t have the outfield depth they once thought they had, and that depth could be further depleted if they trade from that group at the deadline. But in the case of uber-struggling Jarren Duran, at least, a trade doesn’t look likely. “What could Boston get back for the 2024 All-Star Game MVP? Would the return be worth it? The more likely scenario is for the Red Sox to hold Duran for the rest of this year, hope he has a strong second half to regain some value, then look to move him in the offseason.” (Mark Feinsand, MLB.com)
The Montreal Canadiens have made another minor swap.
The Canadiens have announced that they have acquired forward Brett Berard from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman William Trudeau.
Berard appeared in 13 games this past season with the Rangers, where he had zero points and 17 hits. Down in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2025-26, the 23-year-old forward posted six goals and 22 points in 41 games.
Berard also played in 35 games for the Rangers during the 2024-25 campaign, where he recorded six goals, 10 points, and 53 hits.
As for Trudeau, he played each of the last four seasons in the AHL with the Laval Rocket. In 62 games this past season with the AHL club, he posted eight goals, 12 assists, 20 points, and 54 penalty minutes.
Trudeau was selected by the Canadiens with the 113th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has yet to make his NHL debut, but will be looking to change that after being traded to the Rangers.
The Buffalo Sabres are more heavily invested in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Friday than anyone expected, as GM Jarmo Kekalainen flipped defenseman Bowen Byram to Chicago for the fourth overall pick, a 2026 second round pick, and defenseman Louis Crevier. The Sabres now have two picks in the top 20, after another blueline deal involving Michael Kesselring allowed Buffalo to move up seven slots.
The question now before Kekalainen and his scouting staff is what direction do they go with their top pick. Do they select one of the impressive crop of defensemen expected to be selected in the top 10, do they go first off the board with a center, or does Kekalainen swing for the fences and deal the fourth overall pick for an established player who can help them recover from the losses of Tuch and Byram.
At this point, it appears almost certain that the top two picks will be winger Gavin McKenna by the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ivar Stenberg by the San Jose Sharks. Vancouver is picking third and the chatter has shifted back and fourth between them taking head coach Manny Malhotra’s son Caleb or one of the top defensemen (Chase Reid, Keaton Verhoeff, Alberts Smits, Carson Carels). In a premium position such as fourth overall and with the likelihood that they will not be drafting this high in the foreseeable future, the Sabres cannot afford to make a mistake and need to take the best player available, regardless of position.
If the Canucks take Malhotra, the Sabres will have their pick of the defensive litter, which is not a bad place to be since many believe this is the best stockpile of blueliners at the top of the draft since 2008 (Drew Doughty, Alex Pietrangelo, Luke Schenn, Zach Bogosian, Tyler Myers, Erik Karlsson). The argument against this is that they already have two first overall picks in Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power in the fold, Mattias Samuelsson coming off a career year, and 2025 ninth overall pick Radim Mrtka a year or two away.
Sabres sign Zach Benson to a seven-year extension
Option 2 - Take the top center
If Vancouver selects Reid or Verhoeff, the Sabres could still take a defenseman if their top rated one is still on the board, but the temptation would be to take Malhotra, who played for OHL Brantford last season and is heading to Boston University next fall. The argument against this is that Buffalo is loaded with young centers in Konsta Helenius, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich, to go along with veterans Tage Thompson, Ryan McLeod and Josh Norris. Some of these centers can move to the wing, but there appears to be more depth up the middle than there is on the blueline.
Option 3 - Trade the #4
“I've told all the teams that have inquired about the #4 pick, that we're just going to listen for now, take notes, and see what they think is the value of #4. We value that very highly ourselves.” Kekalainen said on Wednesday. “We know there's a great prospect available there, that's going to be two, three years away, or maybe even more, before they can make an impact on our team. We want to keep getting better as a team. We had an exciting year, but still disappointing at the end, but we'll gather that information around the league and see what the values, and if we don't think it's as much as making the pick, then we'll make the pick.”
Clearly, the willingness is there on the part of the Sabres GM to make a big move to help recover from the losses of Tuch and Byram, but the move of the fourth overall would have to have a major impact. Names like Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski, Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck or Rangers center Vincent Trocheck have been rumored, but each of them would have to be asking out from Columbus, Winnipeg, and New York, and would have to be willing to come to Buffalo.
The chatter surrounding Toronto winger Matthew Knies has been popular fodder, but Leafs GM John Chayka was reportedly asking for more than what Buffalo got for Byram from Chicago, and it would likely take a significant piece besides the #4 (like Konsta Helenius to make such a deal happen.
To fill the hole on the wing or on the blueline, it could be more of a fit for Kekalainen to move the 20th overall pick, which might be enough for a rebuilding team like Vancouver to move a winger like Jake DeBrusk, or Toronto to deal right-handed defenseman Brandon Carlo.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 01: Cameron Carr #43 of the Baylor Bears reacts to scoring against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half in a first round game of the College Basketball Crown tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 01, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hours before the second round of the NBA draft, the Lakers came to terms with Austin Reaves on a max four-year extension. It gets Luka Dončić his running mate locked in early and heads the team in a clear direction of building around their explosive backcourt.
It’s no secret that to surround those two, the Lakers need to raise their athletic floor. They got off on the right foot on Tuesday. LA traded up one spot to the 24th pick in the first round, sending cash to the New York Knicks to take Cameron Carr from Baylor.
They seem to now have a type. Similar to Adou Thiero, the 36th overall selection last year, Carr is a freakish athlete with a standout highlight reel dunk package. He showed that athletic pop off at the combine, posting a max vertical leap of 42.5″, tied for second overall.
Carr measured out at 6’4.5 and 184 pounds, with a long 7’0.75″ wingspan and an 8’8″ standing reach. Offensively, he’s the prototypical modern NBA-level wing teams are looking for, living with baskets at the rim or behind the 3-point line with tantalizing fluidity.
He leverages his physical traits in a multitude of ways. One is as a monster finisher in transition, showcasing as one of the best vertical threat wings in the draft, a tailor-made athletic fit next to the playmaking savant Luka, who’s had success with similar players like the high flyer Derick Jones Jr.
The quick and agile burst allows him to blow by defenders on closeouts. While playmaking off the bounce isn’t his strength, once he gets his shoulders past a defender, he goes to his repertoire of nifty acrobatic finishes around the rim or above the basket with his length, as shown below.
It’s almost impossible to carve out a promising career as a wing in today’s NBA without the ability to shoot. Carr shot 37% on just over six 3-pointers per game. He’s armed with a smooth jumper and can fire at long range with promising mechanics.
While many of his 3-pointers were spot-ups, he’d routinely demonstrate the ability to hit shots off the bounce as the ball handler in pick and rolls and off the move.
This threat as a shooter makes him an excellent cutter, with good special awareness for lobs and finishes at the basket. Carr connected on 80% at the free-throw line on 4.9 attempts per game, one of the better predictors for success at the next level.
Defensively, there’s a clear need for development, both physically and as a tactician on and off the ball. There’s clear upside with all the physical tools he possesses, and he flashed those as a defensive playmaker and rebounder, pulling down 5.9 per game.
Carr gets his active long arms in passing lanes during ball denial and turns that into transition opportunities on the other end, as shown below, collecting a steal per game in his final college season.
His length becomes enticing as a shot blocker, collecting 1.3 blocks per game, an impressively high mark for a perimeter-based player. The long wingspan allows him to recover on closeouts and take away what looked to be open 3-point attempts, as shown below.
He had a number of chasedown blocks as well, and even showed off some rim protection ability as a wing.
The Lakers still have a lot of work to do and have clearly put many eggs in this summer’s basket. How much a 24th overall pick, as promising as he projects to be, is ready to play next season remains to be seen. However, Carr fits the mold of players the team should look to add, putting it on track to build a contender around its star backcourt.
The Wolverines point guard and Final Four Most Outstanding Player posted a picture on Instagram of him celebrating during a win over Michigan State last season with a caption that reads, "I bleed blue #HAILTHEVICTORS", implying he will stay in Ann Arbor for the 2026-27 season.
Michigan shooting guard Trey McKenney, who averaged 9.9 points per game as a freshman last season, had already indicated his decision to return following May's exit.
Boynton and his staff have work to do on the rest of Michigan's roster, but have received positive news from the two most critical players for 2026-27.
Keeping Cadeau provides some stability for a program that saw three players selected in Wednesday's NBA Draft first round. Cadeau had dipped his toe into the draft waters, but decided to return to college with to a new name, image and likeness deal for his senior season. He averaged 10.5 points and 5.9 assists per game in his first season with Michigan after starting his career at North Carolina.
Michigan lost the top three scorers from its national title team. It has what 247Sports ranks as the No. 12 transfer portal class, headlined by big men Moustapha Thiam (Cincinnati) and JP Estrella (Tennessee), neither of whom have revealed their plans for next season after May left. It’s also awaiting word from sophomore guard L.J. Cason, who averaged 8.4 points per game before suffering a season-ending ACL tear in a Feb. 27 win at Illinois.
Prior to this week’s coaching change, the Wolverines were widely projected as a top-five team nationally heading into next season.
Detroit Free Press reporter Tony Garcia contributed to this story.
The possibility of the Detroit Red Wings landing Dallas Stars superstar Jason Robertson appears to have taken a major hit following a flurry of reports late Thursday night and Friday morning.
Speculation had recently picked up surrounding a potential blockbuster that would see Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin head to Dallas in exchange for Robertson. However, the latest developments suggest Robertson may not have any interest in leaving the Stars for a non-contending team.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Dallas had reached an agreement Thursday night to sign-and-trade the 26-year-old winger to the Seattle Kraken in a blockbuster sign-and-trade centered around the seventh overall selection in Friday's NHL Draft.
The trade, however, ultimately fell apart after Robertson exercised his no-move clause and refused to waive it for a move to Seattle. The proposed deal reportedly included an eight-year, $120 million contract extension worth $15 million annually.
Had Robertson accepted, it would have made him the second-highest-paid player in the NHL, trailing only Minnesota Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov.
NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported Dallas had another major transaction lined up if the Kraken deal had gone through.
The Stars were reportedly prepared to flip the seventh overall pick acquired from Seattle to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for emerging power forward Matthew Knies.
Robertson's refusal to approve the trade prevented yet another blockbuster from materializing and would've moved a major player out of the Atlantic Division.
Additional reporting by Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek also revealed the St. Louis Blues made a significant push for the star winger, reportedly offering a package that included multiple first-round draft picks.
Robertson, however, was also unwilling to commit to signing long-term in St. Louis, effectively shutting down that proposal as well.
Robertson's willingness to turn down what would have been one of the richest contracts in NHL history suggests money may not be the driving force behind the current stalemate.
Instead, it appears the California native is placing a premium on remaining with a legitimate Stanley Cup contender and that reality could create a major obstacle for Detroit.
While the Red Wings have been linked to Robertson in recent weeks, they have not made the playoffs in a decade and may struggle to convince the elite winger to commit long-term.
Even if Detroit were able to work out a trade with Dallas, they would still have to satisfy Robertson's contract demands, with reports indicating his camp is seeking a deal worth upwards of $14 million per season.
Robertson is coming off another dominant campaign, scoring 45 goals and adding 51 assists for 96 points while playing all 82 regular-season games.
There's little doubt a player of his caliber would dramatically improve Detroit's chances of ending its lengthy playoff drought, but based on the latest reports, a deal between the Red Wings and Stars appears increasingly unlikely.
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Another eventful big-league schedule means more chances to cash in on my MLB same-game parlay predictions.
Today's MLB picks are eyeing Paul Skenes to deal against the Cincinnati Reds, while I'm also targeting Walker Buehler to get revenge on his former team as he takes the ball for the San Diego Padres.
Skenes is averaging 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings over his last two starts, including a 10-strikeout performance last time out. He also owns a 2.68 FIP over the last month.
Andrew Abbott has pitched well on the surface, but his recent numbers suggest regression. He owns a 5.30 FIP over his last two outings while walking more than five hitters per nine innings.
Jacob Misiorowski has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball this season, and he continues to dominate. The Milwaukee Brewers right-hander owns a stellar 1.10 FIP across his last four starts and hasn't allowed a home run during that span.
He's also stayed Under 1.5 earned runs in four of his last five outings while pitching into the seventh inning or later in four of those starts.
Dodgers at Padres SGP: Buehler deals against ex-team
Walker Buehler has been showing shades of his former self. The San Diego Padres veteran owns a 2.33 FIP over his last two outings, and he's allowed just 0.87 HRs and BBs per nine innings during that span. Buehler has cashed the Under in earned runs surrendered in four straight starts.
The Los Angeles Dodgers send Roki Sasaki to the hill, and he is struggling. He has an FIP over six across his previous two appearances while posting a 43.3% hard-hit rate. Buehler will contain his ex-team, and the Padres will capitalize off Sasaki's struggles.
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.
Royals vs White Sox Over/Under pick: Over 8.5 (-105)
It is wheels up for the offenses.
The White Sox boast a powerful attack and will see a steady stream of relievers from a bullpen that ranks 29th in HR/FB this season.
The Royals are in a good spot themselves. They have an in-form offense that has hit .272 against righties in June.
White Sox opener David Sandlin has allowed 11 runs over 7.1 innings of work in June, and more damage should be coming his way here.
Kansas City will be forced to score to keep up, making the Over an attractive look. Bet to -120.
Todd Cordell's 2026 Transparency Record
ML/RL bets: 42-31, +2.20 units
Over/Under bets: 38-31-4, +3.24 units
Royals vs White Sox weather
Temperatures should hover in the mid-60s, with winds blowing from the east. No real impact on hitting conditions.
Royals vs White Sox odds
Moneyline: Royals +115 | White Sox -135
Run line: Royals +1.5 (-175) | White Sox -1.5 (+150)
Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-105) | Under 8.5 (-115)
Royals vs White Sox trend
Chicago has hit the moneyline in 23 of the last 30 home games (+17.40 units, 53% ROI). Find more MLB betting trends for Royals vs. White Sox.
How to watch Royals vs White Sox and game info
Location
Rate Field, Chicago, IL
Date
Friday, June 26, 2026
First pitch
7:40 p.m. ET
TV
Royals.TV, CHSN
Royals starting pitcher
TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
White Sox starting pitcher
TBD (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Royals vs White Sox latest injuries
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 Chicago Blackhawks have been searching for the right top-line winger for Connor Bedard ever since he was the number one overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
There have been some successes, but there is another level of player that can be put with him. Instead of reaching for potential 30-goal scorers, Bedard is best suited for a winger who is capable of 40 goals and 80 points without it being a career year.
It can be incredibly hard to find players like that; the Blackhawks would have one already if it were easy. However, one is available right now that teams are working to land.
Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars is going to be paid anywhere in the $12-15 million per year range, whether it's with his current team or not.
On Thursday night, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet confirmed that after permission to speak with the Seattle Kraken, Robertson turned down an 8-year deal worth $15 million annually.
There have been multiple reports that the Chicago Blackhawks have been in on this player, which makes sense from a hockey standpoint. Robertson and Bedard could each become 50-goal/100-point players alongside each other.
This wouldn’t be an example of two snipe-only players getting together. That doesn’t always work. Bedard and Robertson are both forwards who can score goals, but are also capable of driving play. They would always look to find each other, while also knowing when it’s right to just shoot the puck themselves.
There are many examples of elite players getting together on the same line and it not working, but this is different. They are both good enough at every aspect of offense to feed off each other well.
Robertson would have to see the vision that Chicago has as an up-and-coming team, and he'd have to be okay with the taxes that come with singing in Illinois as opposed to some of the no-tax states that have benefited NHL teams in recent years.
The other issue is that it would cost not only a lot to extend him, but the Dallas Stars are going to get a massive haul in return. It will likely start with the 2 1st-round picks and a good player plus more.
That is a lot for a team trying to come out of a rebuild to give up, but it is the cost of doing business in the NHL right now. Great players are fetching incredible returns on the market.
It may be time for the Blackhawks to show their players and season ticket holders that they are committed to winning. Trading for Robertson, regardless of what it costs, would do that.
At 26-years-old, Robertson is one of the best wingers in the NHL and will be for a long time. In 2025-26, he had 45 goals and 51 assists for 96 points in 82 games played on an elite Stars team. It also marked the 4th consecutive year in which he didn't miss a single game.
That level of player isn't available every day, and that is the reason that the Blackhawks are not the only team involved. He fits a lot of teams, but there is no denying the greatness that could come of him playing on Connor Bedard's wing.
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