As the 2026 NHL trade deadline approaches, more teams are interested in St. Louis Blues forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou, and the possibility of them being dealt has substantially increased.
On Saturday, during Elliotte Friedman’s ‘Saturday Headlines’ feature during Hockey Night In Canada, Friedman stated that there is a decent chance Thomas is moved before the March 6 trade deadline. He also linked the Utah Mammoth to Thomas.
Today, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that the Buffalo Sabres are a team to keep an eye on in the Thomas sweepstakes and that talks between the two teams are heating up.
The Sabres would be an interesting destination for Thomas, and the Sabres have both the draft capital and the prospects to make a deal. The Sabres currently sit in second place in the Atlantic Division, trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning by four points.
The Sabres are led by captain and former 2018 first overall pick Rasmus Dahlin, alongside former Blues draft pick and 6-foot-6 center Tage Thompson. They’ve improved drastically offensively this season thanks to solid seasons from several young forward prospects. They appear to be on track to make the playoffs for the first time in 14 years and are looking to be buyers.
Robert Thomas has scored 12 goals and 35 points in 43 games this season. (Jeff Le-Imagn Images)
While the talks have reportedly intensified and interest from several teams is growing, The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford reports that the Blues have not yet asked Thomas to waive his no-trade clause. He also mentioned that the Blues previously had interest in Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, but he is not expected to be included in a potential deal.
In addition to the Mammoth and the Sabres, Marco D’Amico of RG Media reported that the Canadiens have kicked tires with the Blues about Thomas, but the asking price is reportedly too high, as the Blues are looking for a package that could include prospect Michael Hage and 24-year-old defenseman Kaiden Guhle.
Ultimately, Thomas holds the power. If he wants to remain in St. Louis, he can simply decline to waive his no-trade clause. If a team he is interested in playing pulls off a deal, he agrees to be traded and moves on.
In the end, whatever team lands Thomas via trade will be better for it and will likely elevate towards Stanley Cup contenders.
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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 1: Derrick White #9 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 1, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
For the first time in his career, Derrick White has been awarded Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month. The NBA announced that White was selected as the East’s best defensive player for February, while San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembenyama was selected in the West.
White’s case for the selection was rock solid; the Celtics had the NBA’s best defensive rating in February at 105.5, and White led all NBA guards in 75 total contested shots. He also averaged 1.7 blocks per game, good for the third-most among any Eastern Conference player.
And the Celtics’ defense was elite; Boston limited its opponents to a league-low 36.7 field goals per game on a league-low 42.4 percent shooting from the field in February while also ranking second in the NBA in rebounds per game (50.0), second in opponent fast-break points per game (10.9), and third in opponent second-chance points per game (12.5).
White’s defense has increasingly been recognized in recent years; he was named to the All-Defense Second Team each of the past two seasons, and appears to be well on his way to another selection as the Celtics’ defense continues to dramatically improve.
On the season, the Celtics now have the fourth-best defense in the league (111.6 defensive rating), trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder, Detroit Pistons, and San Antonio Spurs. (That’s particularly remarkable when you realize that the Celtics had the 19th-best defense back in November).
And, White has largely anchored that defense, averaging 1.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game, both career-highs.
Everyone has taken notice of Derrick White’s defensive impact
Coaches around the NBA have long been gushing about White’s defensive abilities. Last year, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who was also a member of the USA Olympic basketball staff, described White’s shot-blocking as one-of-a-kind.
“Derrick is uncanny. He did it all summer long [in the Olympics],” Spoelstra said, hailing White as the best shot-blocking guard in the NBA. “He just has a knack for the timely blocks.”
Last month, Jaylen Brown praised White for his defensive performance this season, noting he believed White should have been named an All-Star (he’s also averaging 17.1 points and 5.8 assists per game).
“I think Derrick White has been playing at an All-Star level l, because he plays both sides of the ball,” Brown said. “And that’s no disrespect to some of those other guys that are maybe in All-Star contention — but it’s a clear difference.”
Neemias Queta — also one of the Celtics’ most important defenders — praised White’s versatility.
“I feel like it’s his savviness, just the ability to go out there and just figure out how to make plays no matter what positioning or whoever he’s guarding,” said Queta. “I feel like he’s always got a good chance of getting a stop no matter who he’s guarding, or even off the ball too… he’s a Swiss army knife, and [he] can do a little bit of everything on both sides of the floor.”
Brown also brought up another award he felt White should be eligible for: Defensive Player of the Year.
“I think Derrick is a First Team All-Defense type of ballot, or maybe even Defensive Player of the Year,” he said.
As the Celtics’ team defensive numbers continue to improve, White’s potential candidacy for Defensive Player of the Year has grown stronger, though it’s very unusual for a guard to win the award.
According to Cleaning The Glass, the Celtics’ defense is nearly 12 points better with White on the floor; only four-time DPOY Rudy Gobert is more impactful than White in that regard.
Via Cleaning The Glass, only Rudy Gobert has a bigger defensive impact that Derrick White.
For now, though, he’ll have to settle for a Defensive Player of the Month award — the Celtics’ first such selection since the award was created last year.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 26: Nolan McLean #26 of the New York Mets pitches during the game between the New York Mets and the Houston Astros at CACTI Park on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jonathan Pensiero/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
LINDOR ON THE MEND
Francisco Lindor’s rehab continues to progress on schedule, as the Mets shortstop played catch on Monday and is hoping to take batting practice on Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman. Lindor underwent surgery on February 11 to repair a stress reaction in his left hamate bone, and had stitches removed last Wednesday.
Hamate injuries, which have impacted a number of players around the league this Spring Training, typically necessitate around a four-to-eight-week recovery period. The Mets estimated a six-week timetable post-surgery for Lindor, which would bring us to March 25 — the day before Opening Day at Citi Field against the Pirates.
Lindor has been a model of availability and reliability over the past several seasons in New York. Since 2022, Lindor has missed just fifteen games, the bulk of those stemming from a back injury which he still managed to play through during the 2024 postseason. The only players with more games played in that span are Matt Olson and Pete Alonso, a pair of first basemen. If there’s anyone who can manage to work his way back into the lineup just in time for Opening Day, whether as a shortstop or designated hitter, it’s Lindor.
MCLEAN TO FACE TEAM ITALY
After dealing with vertigo-like symptoms last week, Nolan McLean is ready to go compete with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. According to USA manager Mark DeRosa, the 24-year-old right-hander is currently lined up to start against Team Italy on March 10 in what will be Team USA’s fourth and final game of pool play.
The team’s other probable starters? Two-time All-Star Logan Webb against Brazil on March 6, two-time reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal against Great Britain on March 7, and reigning Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes against Mexico on March 9. Team USA will hope to have secured a spot in the quarterfinal round by the time McLean is handed the ball, though if a team like Mexico is able to pull off an upset, it’s possible McLean’s start could become a high-profile, high-pressure elimination game. McLean is slated to throw in a Minor League Spring Training game in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, and plans to join the national team in Arizona later this week.
McLean is one of 17 Mets who will be playing in the 20-team international tournament, along with fellow major leaguers Huascar Brazobán (Dominican Republic), Alex Carrillo (Mexico), Clay Holmes (United States), Nick Morabito (Italy), Juan Soto (Dominican Republic), Mark Vientos (Nicaragua), and Jared Young (Canada). Former Mets, from Edwin Díaz (Puerto Rico) to Rubén Tejada (Panama), will also be participating in the tournament. Pool play will last from March 5-March 11, followed by the single-elimination Semifinal and Quarterfinal rounds. The Championship game will take place on March 17 at 8 PM ET at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Every NBA player has a role. That’s not to say that every NBA player has the right role.
I worked at a law firm for five years. For the first year, I worked in the file room. I did well there because it would definitely be possible to train a primate to do the job.
Eventually, I was promoted to a desk job. I struggled mightily. It was far more complex. My manager hated me.
In time, it became clear that my biggest strength was talking to the clients. I became, in a sense, the face of the company. I was responsible for client intake – I was the first person you met. Perhaps the least competent, but people seem to trust me. I was also responsible for calling clients to give them bad news.
The point? I found my role. I went from a simple role to a role I couldn’t handle, into an ideal role.
Amen Thompson needs the same transformation with the Houston Rockets.
Rockets overburden young wing
In 2024-25, Thompson had a 17.5% Usage Rate. This year, he’s up to 20.2%.
He has a 22.0% frequency as a pick-and-roll ball-handler, up from 15.8%. If you follow this team, you know what’s going on. Thompson was a wing last year, and this year, he’s the starting point guard.
That’s not all. It’s more difficult to quantify a defensive role change, but Thompson’s responsibilities have been qualitatively different in 2025-26. He is frequently tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best offensive player. Last season, that was typically Dillon Brooks’ job.
It’s all resulted in a puzzling season for Thompson. His basic counting stats are up across the board, but his Box Plus/Minus (BPM) has slipped from 4.1 to 1.8. For reference, that’s the difference between ranking between (coincidentally) Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant this year, compared to his real place tied with Santi Almada and Nic Claxton.
Now, it has potentially resulted in an injury.
Rockets may be without Thompson for a spell
Granted, the severity of his injury as of this writing is unknown.
More broadly, this could be a false correlation. Players get injured regardless of their workload. Yet, it’s hard to shake the feeling that Thompson is biting off more than he can chew.
His 36.9 minutes per game rank second in the league behind Tyrese Maxey. Thompson is being asked to do more than he’s ever done and play more in the process.
Last year, he earned his first (of many) All-Defense selections. He joined Dyson Daniels, Luguentz Dort, Draymond Green, and Evan Mobley. Where do Thompson’s All-Defense peers land in usage this year?
2024-25 All-Defensive Usage Rates in 2025-26
Evan Mobley (22.1%)
Amen Thompson (20.2%)
Draymond Green (16.9%)
Dyson Daniels (16.0%)
Luguentz Dort (14.1%(
So, Thompson is behind Mobley. Yet, in all likelihood, he isn’t really behind Mobley.
Thompson gets 73.4 touches per game to Mobley’s 66.5. Mobley does sometimes create for Cleveland, but he’s more of a play finisher, which factors into Basketball Reference’s measure of Usage. Simply put, Thompson is the only All-Defensive selection from 2024-25 operating as a primary ball-handler in 2025-26.
Given that the second All-Defensive squad was comprised of Toumani Camara, Rudy Gobert, Jaren Jackson Jr., Jalen Williams, and Ivica Zubac, Thompson likely is the most or second-most (Williams) used offensive player between each squad. If Ime Udoka wants Thompson to continue making All-Defensive First Team appearances, he may need to lighten Thompson’s offensive load.
There seems to be a false dichotomy when we talk about “on” vs. “off” ball NBA players. To suggest that Houston should move Thompson to an “off-ball role” is an oversimplification. It would be more accurate to say that the Rockets should simply reduce his time on-ball:
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 9: Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Kevin Porter Jr. #7 of the Milwaukee Bucks talk during the game against the Orlando Magic on February 9, 2026 at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. 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 Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A sneaky part of the Bucks’ now-dead hot streak that Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins seemingly clicked better together than earlier in the season. During Giannis’ last injury layoff in December, Doc Rivers talked about how he preferred to split the two up: “I like [Rollins] and Scoot together when Giannis plays. But when Giannis doesn’t play, I don’t like him and Scoot together. We need that separation.” During Milwaukee’s eight-wins-in-10-game stretch, they were +4.8 in net with that duo on the floor. Prior to then, they were +3.3. Here’s what Doc said about them on Sunday:
“In the games we play well, that means they play well together, that the ball was moving, they were getting downhill, making plays. In the games we struggle, that means the ball was usually stuck in those two guys’ hands. You don’t have that problem as much with Giannis, obviously.“
Doc also thought that Rollins’ improvement as a facilitator and a playmaker over the last month was a big reason for the combo’s newfound success. Well, sure enough, Rollins was the one benched last night as the Bucks moved away from the three-guard starting lineup. To be fair, Rollins has had a rough go of it over the last few games, particularly with regard to turnovers, averaging 4.0 per game since February 1st.
In this week’s Tuesday Tracker, we want your opinion on the starting backcourt and small forward spot now that Giannis is back. Let’s also see how much your projected playoff seeding for Milwaukee has changed over the past couple weeks.
As always, this poll will be open until midnight Central on Friday, and we’ll post the results later that day. Thanks for voting!
SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Tony Vitello, looking across the field Tuesday at the greatest U.S. baseball team ever assembled, made sure to pay his respect to the Team USA player that has quietly been a monumental help to him making the transition from being a collegiate coach to manager of the San Francisco Giants.
Yes, Philadelphia Phillies All-Star first baseman Bryce Harper.
“Bryce, he’s a friend, and he's gone out of his way to help me out,’’ Vitello said. “In particular with the transition at the job and all that, but just other circumstances, too. But a lot of guys just went out of their way.
“Instead of it being like, wait a minute, you're not invited to the club. You didn't, you didn't play or do anything like that, it was like, almost a sense of urgency. 'Hey, when you get there, make sure you do this, this and this.’
“And one thing Bryce was adamant about is just a way to handle players and talk to players, but also to lean on players, because at this level, there's guys that you know. …. And there's a give and take there that doesn't really exist as much at the college level.’’
Harper, who lives in Nashville, has gotten together several times in person with Vitello, who lived in Knoxville when he coached Tennessee. Vitello also saw him on recruiting trips when Harper lived in Las Vegas, and knows his family.
“His dad and I have had good baseball conversations,’’ Vitello said. “I don't think Bryce would be who he is without his whole family, but especially the way his dad worked with him. Just some good baseball conversations with him.’’
Vitello, who was an analyst during the MLB draft last July with Team USA manager Mark DeRosa, also says that the exposure played a vital role in him landing the Giants job, becoming the first person to be hired as an MLB manager directly from the college ranks.
“DeRosa helped me a bunch on the draft,’’ Vitello said. “I don't think I'd be sitting here right now without the MLB Network people being the way they were to me.’’
Vitello also was a little star-struck seeing DH Kyle Schwarber and bullpen coach David Ross, who were instrumental in the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship. Vitello, raised in St. Louis, took his father, Greg, to Game 7 of the World Series to witness the Cubs' first title since 1908.
“Getting to take him to see Game 7, as a lifelong Cubs fan,’’ Vitello said of his father, “can't put it into words. And Schwarber, you know, kind of started that whole thing. I believe it was right after the rain delay. … It was a wild game.
“It'll be neat to be on field level with all these guys.’’
The Buffalo Sabres are swinging for the fences and pursuing the NHL's top trade candidate.
According to TSN's Darren Dreger, trade talks between the Sabres and St. Louis Blues "are heating up" regarding star center Robert Thomas.
TSN's Chris Johnston also added that the Sabres are offering the "equivalent of multiple 1st-rounders" to try to land Thomas from St. Louis.
If the Sabres end up landing Thomas, they would be bringing in another legitimate star for their top six. This would be massive for a Sabres club that is looking to officially snap its 14-year playoff drought and cement itself as true contenders in the process.
However, it is also important to note that Thomas has a complete no-trade clause, so he would need to accept a move to Buffalo for the Sabres to have any chance of landing him.
Thomas would be more than a rental for the Sabres if acquired, as he has a $8.125 million cap hit until the end of the 2030-31 season.
Thomas has appeared in 43 games this season with the Blues, where he has recorded 12 goals, 23 assists, and 35 points. This is after he had 21 goals and 81 points in 70 games last season for St. Louis.
The Montreal Canadiens are spending the trade deadline week away from the noise and rumours of Montreal, as they are in California, where they’ll play three games before heading back home on Sunday. On Tuesday, they’ll take on the San Jose Sharks and phenom Macklin Celebrini.
The hosts are on the outside looking in at the playoffs picture, four points away from the wildcard spots in the Western Conference held by the Edmonton Oilers and the Utah Mammoth, but they have won their last two games. Still, they’re only 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, and every point is as important as it gets for them. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are 6-2-2 and coming off a dominant 6-2 win over the Washington Capitals.
Judging by the lines at practice on Monday, it looks like Martin St-Louis will stick with the same lineup with Joe Veleno (who’s got a cold right now), Arber Xhekaj, and Patrik Laine on the press gallery. Jakub Dobes will be back in net.
It will be be his first duel with the Sharks. As for Samuel Montembeault, he has a 3-1-0 record against the Sharks with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.
At the other end of the ice, the San Jose Sharks have yet to confirm who will start, but Alex Nedeljkovich was in the net during the Sharks’ last game on Saturday, a 2-1 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets. The netminder has played 26 games this season, while rookie Yaroslav Askarov has featured in 37 matches. Askarov has faced the Habs only once and lost; he has a 4.15 GAA and a .886 SV%. Meanwhile, Nedeljkovich has a 3-1-1 record against Montreal with a 1.74 GAA and a .947 SV.
Up front, former Canadiens Tyler Toffoli is San Jose’s most productive player against the Habs with 20 points in 22 games, followed by Dimitry Orlov with 17 points in 33 games and Alexandre Wenneberg with 16 points in 22 games. However, Montreal would do well to keep an eye on youngsters Celebrini, Will Smith and William Eklund, who are all on a two-game point streak and have all been successful against St-Louis’ men in the past. As for rookie Michael Misa, he has never faced the Sainte-Flanelle, but he’s on a three-game point streak and has 12 points in 21 games this season.
The Canadiens only have one player who has reached double-digits against the Sharks; Philip Danault, who has 11 points in 26 games. Defenseman Noah Dobeson has eight points in as many games, while Josh Anderson also has eight points, but in 14 games. However, it’s worth noting that Nick Suzuki has seven points in nine games against San Jose while Cole Caufield has six points in seven games. The sniper also has three goals in his last two games.
Interesting note, St-Louis now has a 148-148-46 record in 342 games behind the bench. With a win tonight, the coach would have more wins than regulation losses for the first time in his career. A clear sign that the Canadiens are on the right path and have turned a corner in their rebuild.
Tuesday night’s tilt will be the 50th meeting between the two sides, and the Canadiens have a 20-23-4-2 record. Montreal won the last duel with the Sharks 4-3 in overtime at the Bell Centre, but each team has won five of the last 10 games. Four of the Tricolore’s five wins came in San Jose, where the Habs have won the last four matches.
The game is set for 10:00 PM, and you can catch it on NBCSCA, TSN2, and RDS. Francois St-Laurent and Tom Chmielewski will be officiating, while Trent Knorr and Devin Berg will be the linemen. After the game, the Canadiens will head to Los Angeles right away, as they’ll face the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, trade deadline day, and the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.
Feb 23, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) dribbles in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The NBA has named Spurs guard Dylan Harper the Western Conference Rookie of Month for the month of February. The Spurs went undefeated with an 11-0 record for the month, with Harper appearing in 10 of those games (he missed their win against the Thunder) while averaging 12.5 points , 4.9 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 25.1 MPG while shooting 55.4% from the field.
He is joined by the Charlotte Hornets’ Kon Knueppel in the East, who has won the honor each month so far. This is the first time Harper has won the award. It has usually been Cooper Flagg in the West, who still received votes, but he only appeared in four games for the Mavericks in February due to an ongoing foot injury. Others who received votes in the West include the Jazz’s Ace Bailey, Grizzlies’ Javon Small and the Kings’ Maxime Raynaud.
As the second overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft, Harper has fit right in as the Spurs’ backup point guard despite concerns about his fit with De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. He’s a feisty defender and quick and smooth operator with the ball, often finding driving lanes and converting some amazing finishes around the rim.
Your Western Conference @Kia Rookie of the Month for February…
Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski throws in the outfield during spring training workouts Sunday, February 15, 2026, at American Family Fields of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. | Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to take on Team Great Britain at American Family Fields of Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon, in what will be a tune-up for Team GBR as the World Baseball Classic is set to officially begin on Wednesday (Team GBR’s first pool game is on Friday).
The game is one of 15 WBC exhibitions taking place on Tuesday, with 15 more set for Wednesday. You can view the full schedule of exhibitions and the WBC schedule here.
Jacob Misiorowski is slated to make his spring debut in this one, as he’ll get the start. In the lineup, Blake Perkins leads off, followed by Garrett Mitchell and Luis Rengifo. Jake Bauers bats cleanup and starts at first base, followed by Akil Baddoo and David Hamilton. Reese McGuire (at catcher), Jeferson Quero (at DH), and top prospect Jesús Made round out the lineup.
Team GBR is a mixture of minor leaguers, major leaguers, and non-MLB players. The names you’ll likely recognize from the team include Nate Eaton (batting leadoff), Jazz Chisholm (batting second), Harry Ford (batting third), and Trayce Thompson (batting seventh).
First pitch is slated for 2:10 p.m. CT with a radio broadcast available via the Brewers website.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 2: Amen Thompson #1 of the Houston Rockets dunks the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 2, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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 Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
With Houston playing good ball out of the All-Star break this a reminder that yes, you are still allowed to be mad at the Jared McCain trade.
The Rockets seem to have gotten their act together since this blog started tracking their progress and the 2026 first-round pick they owe to the Sixers. They went 3-1 over their last week of action, dropping only a matinee game in Miami to the Heat.
That’s kept their pick at 25th overall, just where it was a week ago. Houston’s schedule remains fairly easy, at least in the short term. They’ll host a banged up Golden State Warriors team this week as well as the Portland Trail Blazers before heading to San Antonio to take on the Spurs.
Anyone rooting for losses can at least take solace in the fact that those two home games are a back-to-back, and that Spurs matchup projects to be quite a battle.
Last week the tracker briefly touched on some of the draft prospects that have been mocked in that range, and this week’s will serve as somewhat as a channel guide to watch some of these guys with the college regular season winding down.
Amari Allen from Alabama remains Tankathon’s mock pick for the Sixers here. The Crimson Tide’s last two regular season games are March 3 against Georgia at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPNNEWS and Auburn at 8:30 on March 7 on ESPN.
Joshua Jefferson and Iowa State have only one remaining regular season game, that will also be March 7 at 2 p.m. ET against Arizona State.
It doesn’t feel likely that Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg would fall to them in this range, but their center Aday Mara has been mocked closer to where the Sixers might be picking. The Wolverines last two games are on March 5 at 8 p.m. ET against Iowa and on March 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET. You can catch that one on CBS.
The Detroit Red Wings have just under $13 million in cap space heading into Friday's trade deadline with many options available on the table.
Most insider reports have indicated the same when it comes to the team's desires on the open market, being a second line center and a top four defenseman being on the top of their list although, based on the team's recent play a depth forward may also be a good idea to look into.
Detroit is a destination on the rise with the Red Wings appearing to be on the upswing towards becoming a perineal contender once again and players would have the honor of representing one of the most prestigious teams in the NHL.
With that in mind, some players on the available market have come up in trade rumors linked to Detroit and could be the next big move by Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman as he looks to finally get his team over the hump and into the playoffs. Here are all of the names the Red Wings have been linked to over the last few weeks and who could be on the move to the Motor City.
Elias Pettersson, C
One of the most talked-about names connected to Detroit is 27-year-old Elias Pettersson, the former 102-point producer whose performance has dipped over the past few seasons.
Since signing his massive eight-year contract carrying an average annual value of roughly $11.6 million, the Swedish center has not matched the elite production that earned him the deal. Instead of hovering near the 100-point plateau, he is projected to finish around the 50-point mark this season while still being compensated like a franchise cornerstone.
It appears the Vancouver Canucks are growing impatient waiting for Pettersson to rediscover his top form and have quietly explored moving him, though only for a substantial return.
The Red Wings are positioned better than most organizations to construct such a package thanks to their draft capital and deep pool of high-end prospects.
A report from the Ottawa Citizen’s Bruce Garrioch added fuel to the speculation last Saturday, noting, "keep an eye on Canucks forward Elias Pettersson; We’re told the Red Wings have been aggressive in their pursuit."
Detroit generated buzz recently after presenting a trade proposal to Vancouver for veteran defenseman Tyler Myers, with some reports suggesting the offer involved a second-round pick.
The 36-year-old Texas native fits the profile Detroit is seeking as a large, physical, hard-nosed presence capable of logging shutdown minutes. Myers has consistently delivered between 20 and 30 points per season.
Although Vancouver’s difficult campaign has left him sitting at minus-25 this year, he recorded a combined plus-18 rating across the previous two seasons.
At six-foot-eight, Myers would also bring leadership and experience that could benefit Detroit’s younger core. His mentorship could be especially valuable for towering forwards like Elmer Soderblom and Michael Rasmussen, while his biggest impact may come in guiding Simon Edvinsson.
The 23-year-old Edvinsson shares a similar frame and developmental trajectory, and learning how Myers has maintained longevity and effectiveness in the NHL could be invaluable.
Whether a deal materializes remains uncertain. TSN’s Chris Johnston recently reported that "at this point in time [Detroit's] not necessarily a place that Myers is looking to go", while Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos countered that Myers did not outright reject the move but is "looking over options, however, by making Detroit wait, the Red Wings could change direction and pursue Rasmus Ristolainen or another defenceman instead."
Rasmus Ristolainen, D
Among the most sought-after names ahead of the deadline is Rasmus Ristolainen, the former eighth overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft. Now 31, the once 40-point defenseman has seen his offensive totals decline but remains an imposing physical presence.
Standing six-foot-four, Ristolainen has evolved significantly over his career. Early seasons were marked by strong offensive numbers but also heavy minus ratings.
While those struggles came during difficult years with the Buffalo Sabres, he has adjusted his game. Last season, he finished plus-three, marking the first positive rating of his 13-year NHL career.
Injuries have limited the Flyers defenseman this season to 23 games, where he has six points and a minus-three rating. For Detroit, the appeal lies in adding size and a physical shutdown element to the blue line. The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta reported that the Red Wings are among several teams pursuing Ristolainen.
Justin Faulk, D
Another experienced blueliner on Detroit’s radar is St. Louis’ Justin Faulk. His offensive instincts from the back end have drawn interest, particularly for a Red Wings team that has struggled at times to generate scoring beyond its top six forwards.
At 33, Faulk is slightly younger than Myers and carries a $6.5 million cap hit through the end of next season, giving Detroit some contractual flexibility. A dependable 30 to 40 point contributor with the ability to push toward 50 points as he did in 2022-23, Faulk would immediately bolster the offensive dimension of the defense corps.
He could also aid in the development of Detroit’s younger defensemen, including Edvinsson, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, and Albert Johansson, helping refine their offensive upside. TSN’s Darren Dreger described Faulk as one of the premier right-shot options available and someone Detroit may seriously consider.
MacKenzie Weegar, D
The Calgary Flames appear poised for significant roster movement ahead of the trade deadline, with Nazem Kadri, Blake Coleman, and MacKenzie Weegar headlining potential departures. Of that group, Weegar has generated the most discussion in connection with Detroit.
Entering the season after compiling 99 points across the previous two years, Weegar was viewed as Calgary’s most valuable trade chip.
Though he has registered 21 points in 59 games during what has been a down year for the Flames, a change of scenery could reignite his production. Detroit has the assets to compete for a player of his caliber, and a move to the Motor City could restore him to 50-plus point form on the back end.
Jake DeBrusk, LW
Injecting additional scoring into Detroit’s middle six would be ideal, and Jake DeBrusk presents a consistent option. The 29-year-old winger is on pace to surpass 40 points for the fifth consecutive season and has reached that mark in seven of his NHL campaigns.
Comparable in consistency to current Red Wing James van Riemsdyk, DeBrusk offers reliable depth scoring with the ability to elevate beyond that baseline.
He could provide offensive stability during stretches when production dries up. The Fourth Period recently reported that the Bruins, Kraken, and Red Wings are among the teams expressing interest in DeBrusk.
The priciest acquisition on the list is 26-year-old Robert Thomas, a player squarely in his prime who can serve as either a first- or second-line center. Having recorded 80-plus points in each of the past two seasons, Thomas would command a significant return.
Detroit, however, possesses the prospect depth and draft capital to make a competitive offer if management believes the move accelerates their playoff push. Adding a point-per-game center would be transformative, but the true question remains whether the acquisition cost would justify the reward.
Vincent Trocheck, C
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Vincent Trocheck may be the most likely elite center to change teams. The 32-year-old showcased his elite two-way ability while helping Team USA capture gold, anchoring a penalty kill unit that did not surrender a single goal throughout the tournament.
Detroit is one of several clubs monitoring the situation. RG’s James Murphy reported that "the Minnesota Wild still appears to be a frontrunner" but added that Detroit "will likely be in the mix as well."
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ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 5: Jurickson Profar #7 of the Atlanta Braves walks on the field in the sixth inning during the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr./Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Jurickson Profar is currently set to miss the entire 2026 season after reportedly failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs for the second time in as many seasons. This bombshell news has rocked the Atlanta Braves organization, it’s rocked Braves Country and it has also rocked Profar’s pockets as well. Assuming the suspension becomes official (more on that below), that’s now $21 million forfeited of the $42 million that Profar agreed to collect over the course of three seasons playing for the Braves. That’s a whole lot of money to be throwing away in such foolish fashion but (reportedly) here we are and there’s not much that the Braves can do at this point other than figure out a way to utilize the now $18 million (Profar’s $15 million plus luxury tax considerations as well) that just got freed up at the very last minute.
So now there are a few questions as to what the immediate future holds for the Braves and Profar. Here’s what comes to the top of my mind:
Will Jurickson Profar’s suspension get shortened or thrown out?
Shortly after the suspension was reported by Jeff Passan, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the MLBPA was going to challenge the suspension and also file a grievance on Profar’s behalf.
The Players Association plans to challenge MLB’s intention to suspend Jurickson Profar for 162 games, source tells @TheAthletic
Is this going to go anywhere? I mean, sure it could but the odds are heavily tilted in the league’s favor that this suspension will be upheld. The obvious example here is when Alex Rodriguez appealed his initial 211-game suspension. That still ended up with A-Rod doing 162 games on the sidelines so it wasn’t like he took a decisive victory in order to return to the field.
Also, this isn’t the first time that this has been challenged. In the vast majority of PED suspension appeals, there’s one common thread amongst these suspensions: MLB has usually done a thorough job with their investigation and was able to prove intent to use PEDs instead of it being an accident. Considering this is Profar’s second go-around with PED usage, I’d imagine that it wouldn’t be too difficult for the league to find intent here.
I’d say that this is simply the Union standing behind one of their own in procedural fashion. Again, there’s a chance that the suspension could get cut down but I wouldn’t count on it and I also wouldn’t count on it being a substantial repeal as well. This is either going to be all-or-nothing and the odds of it being “all” are incredibly slim.
Will the Braves use that money immediately?
As I mentioned earlier, the Braves now have a little bit of extra money to play with since that money likely won’t be going into Profar’s bank account this year. The bad news is that it’s March 3, so good luck finding any sort of real impact player at this point. Sure, the Braves could go after an outfielder or a DH but when the most appealing options are guys like Max Kepler, Jesse Winker, Andrew McCutchen or even Jason Heyward, the Braves would clearly be doing the baseball equivalent of shopping in the clearance aisle.
Of course, they could very well just stick with what they’ve got when it comes to their hitters/fielders and go with a pitcher, instead. Lucas Giolito would be the obvious name but also we’d be assuming that the Braves actually want him and that they’re still dead serious about wanting to stick with their internal options going forward. If that’s the case then it seems more likely that the Braves could go after an outfielder or a DH option and continue to place faith in their internal pitching options.
It’s frustrating in my opinion but it is what it is — Alex Anthopoulos is on record saying that he feels like the offense improving would be a bigger key to the success than the rotation and it’s understandable considering that he’s likely banking on the entire rotation not going on the 60-Day IL for a second season in a row. Still, it’s also understandable that we’re all feeling very jumpy after the injury woes that the rotation has already had to deal with. I do not envy the position that the GM is in at the moment but hey, that’s why he’s the GM and I’m some random blogger. It’s his job to figure it out.
Then there’s also the possibility that the Braves could sit on this money for the time being and utilize it later on during the season at the trade deadline. That’s a lot of cash to have freed up to take on any potential contracts at the deadline and hopefully there would be far more appealing names once that time rolls around. There’s no telling who would be available and that would certainly be a risky strategy to play the waiting game that deep into the season since there’s also no guarantee that the Braves would be in a reasonable position to buy.
Sure, we all figure that the team will still be better (even with all of the current missing names in the field and on the mound) but if we have another season of struggling to simply stay in the Postseason race then not spending the money right now could be a decision that comes back to haunt the Braves. Again, I do not envy the position that AA is in at the moment.
Will Jurickson Profar play another game for the Braves?
I’d imagine that if a lot of Braves fans had their way, the 2025 regular season finale would be the last time that we ever see Jurickson Profar put on the uniform and start for the Braves. There’s no getting around it: He’s let the team down for two straight seasons now due to making incredibly bad decisions with his judgment. There is no excuse at all for getting hit for using PEDs in this current era of baseball and it’s even more confounding when you consider that this has happened after he got paid in free agency. It would still be a bad idea but it’s one that’s understandable if you’re a hungry player looking to secure a big bag. Doing it now and throwing $21 million away is just plain foolish and it’s even worse since his absence leaves the team in a lurch.
I mentioned it in the initial article but it bears repeating: It made all the sense in the world to have Profar as the DH while Mike Yastrzemski hit against right-handed batters. Now, Yaz is going to be playing a whole lot more and the team’s depth (which they worked so hard on improving during the offseason) is already being strained due to losing Profar for the whole season and Ha-Seong Kim and Sean Murphy for a month or two. This was one of the last things that the Braves needed and for it to come from another PED suspension to Profar is just horrendous.
Depending on how the clubhouse and the rest of the organization feels, this could be one of those rare moments where the team just decides to eat the money and pay Profar the rest of his contract to stay home or play for whichever other team will take him. In all honesty, though, I could also see the Braves giving him a third chance for 2027.
As of right now, Profar would be the best currently-employed option to be the DH on the 2027 squad and assuming that they wouldn’t want to go out and find another expensive replacement, that would be an easy way to ensure stability heading into 2027. It would stink for all of us fans to think about and it would also require an astonishing amount of fence-mending on Profar’s part to smooth this over between now and 2027 but it is certainly a possibility.
Either way, the Braves now have a problem on their hands and it’s a crying shame. Jurickson Profar’s initial signing seemed like a perfect fit for a team that had been having a revolving door at left field for a long time. Now, the Braves are stuck wondering what they’re going to do since this relationship has been a very rocky one since the beginning.
Will the team stick with Profar now that he’s only getting $21 million of the $42 million that he signed on for? Will the Braves use that money immediately or wait until later on to utilize it? Will the suspension even be upheld? It’s a murky future and one that could’ve been avoided had Profar simply stayed clean. We’ll see what happens but this certainly isn’t a fun idea to think about.
The Atlanta Braves' Jurickson Profar tosses his bat after hitting a single against the Detroit Tigers on Sept. 20. (Ryan Sun / Associated Press)
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a suspension for a possible second failed test for a performance-enhancing drug in less than a year, multiple media outlets are reporting.
He faces a 162-game suspension and will be ineligible for the postseason, according to ESPN, which was first to report the news. Profar, a Curaçao native, had been slated to represent the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic that begins Thursday, but is no longer eligible for that event, ESPN reports.
Profar intends to ask the players’ association to file a grievance to appeal any discipline to baseball’s independent arbitrator, Martin F. Scheinman, a person familiar with the process told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, because no announcement had been made.
Profar's agent, Dan Lozano, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the AP.
Profar made his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers in 2012 and made the All-Star game for the only time in his career with the San Diego Padres in 2024. He has also played for the Oakland Athletics and Colorado Rockies.
After signing a three-year deal with the Braves last offseason, Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in violation of the league’s joint drug-prevention and treatment program. He was suspended for 80 games without pay and was made ineligible for the postseason.
“It is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it," Profar said in a statement at the time. "I have been tested my entire career, including eight times last season alone, and have never tested positive. I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”
Profar played 80 games for the Braves last year, hitting .245 with 14 home runs.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 02: (L-R) Byron Buxton #25, Kyle Schwarber #12, Roman Anthony #3 and Aaron Judge #99 of Team USA walk from the field during a workout at Papago Park Sports Complex on March 02, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Is it on TV?
Kind of. This is the first night game of Spring Training and it conflicts with a Bruins game, so it’s been bumped to NESN+. First pitch is at 6:05 PM.
What’s the lineup?
What should we watch for?
Assuming you can watch it, it’ll be nice to get another look at Kristian Campbell in centerfield. Braiden Ward, meanwhile, has been the best base-stealer in all of baseball this spring so far, so that’s pretty neat. But the most intriguing player in the lineup today is probably the pitcher, Jake Bennett, who has a huge fan in fellow Jake Jacob Roy.
Are there any other interesting games featuring Red Sox players that are on TV?
Why yes! Team USA will play its first exhibition game ahead of the World Baseball Classic this afternoon against the Giants. Roman Anthony is playing left and hitting seventh. Catch it on ESPN, first pitch at 3:05 PM.
NHL Insider Believes There Is A 'Decent Chance' Blues Robert Thomas Is Moved Before The DeadlineSportsnet's Elliotte Friedman stated that there is a "decent chance" that the St. Louis Blues move Robert Thomas prior to the March 6 NHL trade deadline. 
