BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Sabres have agreed to a sign-and-trade deal in sending veteran forward Alex Tuch to the Washington Capitals, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
In order to make the trade, the Sabres first signed Tuch to an eight-year, $84 million contract, the person told the AP, and spoke on the condition of anonymity because the agreement and trade had not yet been announced.
The sign-and-trade option was all that was left for the Sabres to get anything in return for Tuch. Earlier in the day, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said there was no progress in contract talks with Tuch, and was anticipating the player to hit the free-agent market once the NHL’s signing period opened next week.
By signing with Buffalo first, Tuch received the benefit of landing an eight-year contract. In free agency, he would have been limited to signing a seven-year deal with another team.
The 30-year-old Tuch is a 10-year NHL veteran who has topped 20 goals in four of his five seasons in Buffalo — including scoring 33 or more in each of the past two years.
In Buffalo, he had 139 goals and 309 points in 360 games in filling a top-line role. Overall, he has 200 goals and 448 points in 615 NHL games.
Trading Tuch comes a day after Buffalo lost another key contributor from a team that led to the Sabres winning their first Atlantic Division title and win its first playoff round since 2007.
The Sabres traded defenseman Bowen Byram and checking line forward Jordan Greenway to the Chicago Blackhawks. Buffalo acquired Chicago’s No. 4 pick and a second-round selection in this weekend’s draft, along with promising defenseman Louis Crevier.
Kekalainen revealed Byram expressed no interest in wanting to remain in Buffalo after his current contract expired next summer.
Mark Pope and Rick Pitino celebrate the upcoming basketball season during Big Blue Madness on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024 at Rupp Arena. | Clare Grant/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Greetings, BBN!
It’s been quite the roller coaster of an offseason for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Basketball program. Following a 22-14 season that ended with a blowout in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. Pope watched much of his roster leave Lexington, then struggled to fill it out when the transfer portal first opened.
Thankfully, Kentucky was able to end it on a high note thanks to the addition of Iowa State star Milan Momcilovic, while also retaining a potential All-SEC center in Malachi Moreno after he tested the NBA Draft waters.
But even the best of offseasons can only do so much when it comes to a coach’s hot seat. Wins and losses are ultimately what affect that the most, and Pope is entering a critical year that could very well decide how his Kentucky tenure goes.
So, we wanted to ask the BBN their thoughts on what it will take to keep Pope off the hot seat this season.
Do the Cats need to make a run to the second weekend of the Big Dance?
Will a good regular season and one NCAA Tournament win be enough?
Does he just need to make the Big Dance to keep his job?
Or maybe you actually think Pope has done enough through his first two years to earn a fourth season so long as he doesn’t have a Kenny Payne-level disaster in Year 3.
Let us know your thoughts in the poll below and in the comments section!
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in UK fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.Be sure to add us to your “Preferred Sources” on Google to get all of the latest Kentucky Wildcats news and views! And Go CATS!
Los Angeles, CA - April 06: Lakers forward LeBron James, #23, left, goes to the basket for a shot as Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen #31 defends in the first half at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Saturday, April 6, 2024. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers will forever be linked to LeBron James. The King hasn’t played for his hometown team since 2018, but could return for the final chapter of his career if the Los Angeles Lakers agree to facilitate a trade.
The asking price? Jarrett Allen.
“I think if the Cavs were willing to do that, they’d have LeBron,” said Brian Windhorst on ESPN Cleveland. “The Lakers would kill for Jarrett Allen; they would do that deal in seventeen-tenths of a second.”
This makes sense. James is the oldest player in the NBA and will turn 42 later this year. Wherever he plays next season, there’s a good chance that it won’t be for long. If the Lakers were able to flip him for a 28-year-old center who fits like a glove next to Luka Doncic — they’d do it yesterday.
The question is, why would the Cavs even consider this?
It would take some real desperation to part ways with Allen for the final year(s) of LeBron’s career. As much as we all love James, there is no winning against Father Time. He can’t have much more gas left in the tank. This would be the definition of a short-sighted move. Especially, after Allen came up huge in consecutive Game 7’s in his most recent playoff run. This isn’t someone you want to kick to the curb for a 42-year-old.
James is still an elite player. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds last season. But, as a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t make a deal with someone who would kill to shake your hand and put ink to paper. That indicates that you’re giving up way more than you should. The Lakers would jump to make this deal for a reason.
Unfortunately, the Cavs don’t have many other options for bringing back James. He has a $52 million dollar player option this summer. It’s hard to see him declining that in favor of a much, much smaller deal in Cleveland. He’d have to be desperate to join the Cavs in that scenario. Just as desperate as they’d have to be to trade Allen for him. And if that were true, we wouldn’t be having this discussion, to begin with.
For the first time since April 22, Francisco Lindor will be in the Mets' lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said before the first game that the Mets "anticipate him being active for tonight's game" following his stint on the injured list as he recovered from a calf strain, and he confirmed after the 10-3 loss that Lindor will indeed start.
In 24 games this season, Lindor owns a .226/.314/.355 slash line with two home runs, five RBI, and 14 runs scored.
"We missed him, obviously," Mendoza said. "His presence in the lineup everyday, on and off the field, how much he connects with guys in that locker room, the defense the bat -- he's been missed, obviously. We need him."
With Lindor returning as the starting shortstop, Bo Bichette will slide over back over to third base, but the Mets will need to take things slow with Lindor, likely giving him a day off on Thursday.
"There are going to be some off days here. If he plays today, he's probably going to be down tomorrow," Mendoza said. "... We'll see where we're at, but there are definitely going to be some off days here in the early going as we continue to build him up."
This game looked tough due to the Mets young ace Nolan McLean starting. And in fact, it did not start out that way, with the Mets taking a 3-0 fourth-inning lead with two homers off Javier Assad.
But these are the suddenly offensively surging Cubs, and they hit three home runs and won the opener of the split doubleheader against the Mets, 10-3. Dansby Swanson led the home-run barrage with a pair, including a grand slam. It was the Cubs’ eighth win in their last 11 games.
Assad matched McLean with zeroes over the first three innings, though Assad got himself in trouble with a couple of walks in the second. He got out of that with a double play and then a strikeout of former Cub Jared Young [VIDEO].
The Mets got on the board against Assad in the bottom of the fourth. After a single by Bo Bichette, Young homered, followed by a long ball from Francisco Alvarez to give the Mets a 3-0 lead.
Michael Busch’s fifth-inning home run was the Cubs’ 93rd of the year but 12th that tied the score.
It was just the fourth of those with a runner on base. Seiya Suzuki and Michael Conforto homered with two aboard, at home vs. the Reds and at the White Sox, respectively. Pete Crow-Armstrong did it with one on at home vs. the Reds. All came between May 4 and 17.
The last four had been with the bases empty.
Busch’s today was his third game-tying shot, matching PCA for the most. Alex Bregman and Ian Happ have hit two. The three-run blasts were the only ones by Conforto and Suzuki.
The Cubs have hit 25 go-ahead homers.
Assad finished five innings, allowing five hits and three runs. Really, the only mistakes he made were the home-run balls.
More on Assad’s outing from John:
Javier Assad’s start was the first by a Cub since 1901 of exactly 5.0 innings in which the pitcher gave up three runs on five hits, walked two and struck out five.
Ferguson Jenkins had two games with all the criteria except the two walks. They came a little more than three months apart, May 20 and Aug 23, 1983, both at home vs. the Reds, and he walked none in both.
Sixteen Cubs had starts with all the criteria but not five strikeouts. The most recent was by Edwin Jackson, at home vs. the Pirates, on June 20, 2014. He struck out eight, most in any of the 16 starts. Chris Volstead, with six on April 9, 2012, vs. the Brewers, was the only other one with more than four.
The Cubs then took the lead in the top of the sixth. With one out, Nico Hoerner doubled (good to see him hitting again!). One out later, Miguel Amaya singled, with Nico stopping at third.
Ryan Rolison threw a scoreless sixth and Caleb Thielbar, who has scuffled lately, threw a scoreless seventh.
Then Swanson and the Cubs put the game away in the eighth. Ian Happ and Hoerner led off the inning with walks. Pedro Alvarez laid down a successful sac bunt, moving the runners to second and third. Then Miguel Amaya was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
For Swanson, this was the second seven-RBI game of his career and first as a Cub. More on Swanson’s slam from John:
Dansby Swanson’s grand slam was the fourth of his career and second as a Cub. The first was Aug. 26, 2024, at Pittsburgh.
It was the Cubs’ fourth this season and third in two weeks, after Seiya Suzuki on June 11 at Colorado and Carson Kelly on June 19 at home vs. the Blue Jays.
The Cubs hit five last year. Swanson’s was the last of six in 2024.
They have hit 365 in the regular season since 1876 and 341 since 1901. Swanson’s was No. 155 on the road. They have been hit by 213 different players.
As noted on the Marquee broadcast, Swanson is the third Cub to have a three-run homer and grand slam in the same game. The others: Kyle Schwarber on July 28, 2019 against the Brewers and Derrek Lee on July 2, 2009, also against the Brewers. Perhaps this is a good sign for the upcoming Brewers series.
Through the game of last Tuesday against the Rockies, Swanson was batting .175/.281/.306. Over his last five games since then: .444/.500/1.222 (8-for-18) with two doubles, four home runs, 14 (!) RBI and just two strikeouts. He’s raised his season BA to .194 and his season OPS to .670 over that five-game span. Here’s hoping that hot streak continues.
Tyler Ferguson, who was called up as the 27th man for the doubleheader, finished up with two scoreless innings.
As you know, the injury to Ben Brown is yet another blow to a starting rotation that’s had almost nothing but injuries this year. They’ll have to scramble to find starting pitchers after Thursday (when Matthew Boyd returns from an IL stint) and Friday (when Colin Rea should go against the Brewers). But if the offense keeps clicking like this… maybe the Cubs can keep winning even while trying to cobble together a rotation.
The Cubs are now five games over .500 for the first time since May 30, meaning they’re 10-10 since then. Not great, but much better than they were in the 20 games previous to that (5-15). Things are trending in the right direction.
The rest of this post contains the particulars for the second game of today’s doubleheader. At the time of this recap lineups were not available for the nightcap, so please check BCB social media for the lineups. Here’s the pitching matchup and other info.
Shōta Imanaga, LHP vs. Sean Manaea, LHP
Shōta Imanaga’s tale of three seasons in one:
Phase 1, first nine starts: 54.1 IP, 2.32 ERA, 0.906 WHIP, 2.82 FIP, five HR Phase 2: next four starts: 21.2 IP, 10.80 ERA, 1.521 WHIP, 10.16 FIP, 12 HR Phase 3: next two starts: 10.2 IP, 0.84 ERA, 0.938 WHIP, 2.06 FIP, no HR
So which is the real Imanaga? Yes, the last two starts were against the awful Rockies, but Colorado does have some decent hitters and Shōta got out of Coors Field without allowing a home run.
So, ¯_(ツ)_/¯.
Imanaga’s last start vs. the Mets was Sept. 25, 2025 at Wrigley Field and trust me, you do not want to look at that boxscore link. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Imanaga has pitched against the Mets three times and one of those three was a seven-inning scoreless outing at Citi Field in 2024. Given his career ERA of 10.34 in those three starts, you can guess how awful the other one was.
Hopefully, Imanaga will channel that 2024 start today.
Sean Manaea has been mostly a reliever for the Mets this year until he was moved into the rotation replacing David Peterson, because Peterson had been mostly awful.
Manaea’s two starts have been pretty good — four earned runs in 11.1 innings and only one home run allowed in two games against pretty good hitting teams (Braves and Phillies).
He threw four innings against the Cubs April 17 at Wrigley Field, entering when the Cubs were ahead 7-3. By the time he was done the Cubs led 12-4 and, among other things, he had served up a two-run homer to Ian Happ.
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The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
The Calgary Flames dominated the NHL news cycle for much of Tuesday, acquiring Simon Nemec from the New Jersey Devils in a pre-Draft blockbuster. Just 24 hours later, the team is back making waves in the pond with breaking news from one of the NHL's top insiders, Darren Dreger, who says the club is actively shopping Connor Zary.
The Flames are trying to move Connor Zary. 24 year old forward has another year left on his contract at $3.775 mil. Sounds like Calgary is asking for a 2nd round pick in return.
Instead of holding on to the 24-year-old center, it appears General Manager Craig Conroy is actively seeking trade options for Zary, who is two seasons away from hitting free agency at 26.
Initially drafted 24th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, Zary has yet to reach 20 goals in a season, with a career high of 14 in 2023-24, dropping to 13 and 12 over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, he was plus-12 in his rookie season, and is now a minus player with seasons of minus-7 and minus-4.
A significant injury derailed his 2024-25 campaign, limiting him to only 54 games and 27 points. However, Zary was most likely going to post his best totals that year, but fate had other plans. Ultimately, that time off led to a slow start in 2025-26 with only two goals and four points in his first 25 games.
Between the start of January and the end of the season, Zary only collected six goals and 12 points in 36 games to finish the year.
As shocking as it is to hear that Conroy is actively shopping his young center, many amongst the fanbase have taken to social media to say they support the decision, hoping Zary can reach his potential with a fresh start somewhere else.
George Lombard Jr. of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders reacts during a Minor League Baseball game at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, United States, on May 22, 2026. (Photo by Dan Squicciarini/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Hard to believe, but the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have reached the midpoint of their season.
The New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate wrapped up first-half play in the International League with a record of 37-37. That was good for 12th in the 20-team standings, 9.5 games behind the first-half champion Memphis Redbirds (47-28). The RailRiders began second-half play Tuesday with a six-game series in Indianapolis.
There were plenty of highlights during the first half. the biggest came June 5th at NBT Bank Stadium in New York when Brendan Beck and Carson Coleman combined to no-hit the Syracuse Mets, 4-0. It was the seventh no-hitter in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre franchise history and the third done in nine innings; the other four were seven-inning games.
Beck certainly is making a case as a contender for International League Pitcher of the Year. The right-hander, who is the Yankees’ No. 21 prospect, is tied for the league lead in wins with seven with Trenton Denholm of the Columbus Clippers and Memphis Redbirds reliever Luis Gastelum. He tops the league in ERA at 3.22; innings pitched with 81.0; and strikeouts with 86. He is second in WHIP at 1.04 and opponents’ batting average at .197. Twice during the first half, Beck was named the IL’s Pitcher of the Week: May 11-17 and June 1-8.
Another highlight came May 16th when Gerrit Cole made his final rehab start in his return from reconstructive elbow surgery in March 2025. Facing the Syracuse Mets, he pitched 5.1 innings and allowed one run on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts. He threw 86 pitches, 56 for strikes, and topped out with a four-seam fastball at 99.6 mph.
On April 29th, George Lombard Jr., the No. 1 prospect in the Yankees organization, was promoted to the RailRiders from Double-A Somerset. In his first month, Lombard struggled some batting just .192 (20-for-104) in 27 games in the month of May with five doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs.
June has been a different story, however. He has hit safely in 11 of 14 games so far during the month, including his last nine, and is batting .306 (15 for 49) with seven doubles, two home runs and four RBIs. Unfortunately, he was placed on the injured list June 18 when sprained two fingers on his left hand during a game in Columbus when he had to reach into a sliding runner to field a throw on a stolen base attempt.
Several RailRiders were ranked among the league leaders at the midway point.
Right-hander Carlos Lagrange, the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect, ranks second in strikeouts (80), third in opponents’ batting average (.210), fourth in WHIP (1.29) and fifth in ERA (3.96). Lagrange is being converted from a starting pitcher to a reliever.
Relief pitcher Yovanny Cruz is tied for fourth in the league in wins with five out of the bullpen. He also has two saves.
Yanquiel Fernández is tied for seventh in home runs with 16 and tied for 13th in RBIs with 46. He is batting .253 (59-for-233) in 59 games and was the International League Player of the Week for May 18-24. With Fernández leading the way, the RailRiders hit 101 home runs in the first half to rank fifth in the league.
Despite currently being in the major leagues with the Yankees, Spencer Jones is eighth in the league with 48 RBIs. Oswaldo Cabrera leads the RailRiders with 68 hits, which is 16th in the league. In June, he has hit safely in 15 of 17 games and is batting .388 (26 for 67) and three doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs. Overall, he is hitting .266 (68 for 256) in 67 games with 10 doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 33 RBIs.
Jonathan Ornelas ranks ninth in the league in batting average at .311 (60 for 193) with 11 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 26 RBIs in 59 games.
Duke Ellis is second in stolen bases with 30, trailing only Braiden Ward of the Worcester Red Sox, who has 32.
Last season, the RailRiders won 17 of the first 20 games in the second half on their way to the second-half title and a berth in the International League Championship Series. They’re hoping that can happen again this season.
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 09: Justin Lawrence #31 of the Minnesota Twins pitches during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Izzy Rincon/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Clearly, Paul Toboni and the front office knew that they needed to shake up the bullpen in some way. It started with demoting Paxton Schultz for Carson Palmquist. Now, the Nats claimed veteran righty Justin Lawrence off waivers from the Twins. Lawrence has had a rough year, but has been successful in the past and has good stuff.
The Nationals have claimed RHP Justin Lawrence off outright waivers from the Minnesota Twins and have designated RHP Jhancarlos Lara for assignment.
— Nationals Communications (@NationalsComms) June 24, 2026
When you look at Lawrence’s stuff, it is easy to see the appeal. He averages 95.5 MPH on his fastball which comes from a side arm delivery. Having a sidearmer who throws in the mid to upper 90’s is really unique. Lawrence also has a sweeper that has a ton of break. Hitters are whiffing over 45% of the time against that sweeper.
If you look at Lawrence’s 2026 numbers, this move is a bit baffling. The right hander has an ERA over 8 and a FIP over 7. Walks and home runs have been huge issues for the righty this season. Despite his putrid performance this season, clearly the front office sees something in him.
He throws hard from a sidearm slot, gets strikeouts and was good last year… Don't look at the other numbers https://t.co/3vYrKJxFtv
Lawrence also has some success in his past. Back in 2023, he posted a 3.72 ERA in 69 outings in the Rockies bullpen. A 3.72 ERA is normally not anything special for a reliever, but that is a really good number in Coors Field. His ERA+ that year was 134, meaning he was 34% better than the league average pitcher when you account for the home field.
When he got out of Coors Field, Lawrence was outstanding when he pitched in 2025. He only appeared in 17 games due to injuries, but his ERA in 2025 was 0.51 in 17.2 innings. However, after a rough start for the Pirates this year, he was DFA’d. The 31 year old was picked up by the Twins, but things only got worse for him in Minnesota, allowing 12 runs in 6 innings.
For a Nats bullpen that desperately needs stuff, Lawrence can provide that. Even this season, he is striking out over 25% of hitters. When he is in the zone, Lawrence can be nasty. However, throwing strikes and missing barrels has been a problem this year.
I wonder what kind of tweaks the Nats will try and make with Lawrence. Maybe they see something mechanically that could help him find the zone more. His side arm delivery is probably tough to repeat when things aren’t going well. The Nats could also up his sweeper usage. Last year, he threw the pitch 50% of the time, but that number is down to 41% this year. The issue is, it is tougher to spam sweepers when you are constantly behind in the count.
Lawrence is out of options, so he will be joining the big league club right away. I would assume he will arrive tomorrow. This is another low risk flier from Toboni, but if Lawrence continues to be as wild as he has been, this experiment could be short lived. Hopefully the Nats can get Lawrence back to his best because his ceiling is high.
NEW YORK — Ben Brown and Edward Cabrera were placed on the injured list, delivering two more blows for the pitching-depleted Chicago Cubs.
Cabrera was expected to get imaging after straining his left hamstring/adductor stretching for a throw at first base during a 9-6 win over the New York Mets.
Brown has a neck strain. He is 4-2 with one save and a 1.85 ERA for the Cubs, including 3-1 with a 1.70 ERA in eight starts since joining the banged-up rotation May 8.
The Cubs have six starters sidelined, though opening day starter Matthew Boyd (left meniscus) is scheduled to come off the injured list and start in Brown’s spot.
“We’re getting a guy that pitched opening day back for us, so that’s a big deal,” Craig Counsell said. “Those are important players to get healthy and get in your rotation.”
Jameson Taillon (strained left hamstring) is on the 15-day injured list. Counsell said the 34-year-old is progressing well and could throw off a mound soon.
Cade Horton is out for the year after having Tommy John surgery, while Justin Steele is on the 60-day IL recovering from his 2025 Tommy John surgery and a left flexor strain. General manager Jed Hoyer said Steele likely won’t return to the rotation this year.
Prior to their game against the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night, the Yankees placed Ryan McMahon on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 22) with throat infection.
In a corresponding move, the team recalled utility man Oswaldo Cabrera from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Wednesday's game will be Cabrera's first in the major leagues since he suffered a season-ending left ankle fracture on May 12, 2025.
Working his way back to the bigs, Cabrera was optioned to Triple-A at the end of spring training and has played 68 games with the RailRiders this season, hitting .271 with seven home runs, 10 doubles, and 35 RBI. Although, the switch-hitter has been on fire as of late -- hitting .331 with an .858 OPS over his last 45 games in the minors.
He will likely take over McMahon's spot at third base for the time being, having played a majority of his minor league games at the position (30). If manager Aaron Boone opts to use him in a different spot, it shouldn't be much of a problem as Cabrera has also seen action at first base, second base, shortstop (13 games), left field, and right field this season.
McMahon last played on June 21 and had been struggling at the plate, hitting just .176 with a home run and two RBI over his last seven games. Overall, he's hitting .210 with eight home runs, four doubles, and 23 RBI over 69 games.
Alex Tuch #89 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates after scoring a goal on Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena October 22, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Alex Tuch is heading to the nation’s capital — and getting a massive contract in the process.
The Capitals are acquiring Tuch from the Sabres in a sign-and-trade that will see him get an eight-year, $84 million contract, per multiple reports.
Buffalo, where Tuch spent five seasons and served as an alternate captain, will get a third-round pick as part of the deal, The Athletic reports.
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) is stick checked by Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, March 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes
Tuch, 30, was sent to Buffalo in 2021 as part of the trade that sent Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights. The hometown kid grew up in Baldwinsville, N.Y., about two hours from Buffalo, rooting for the Sabres.
In 360 games for Buffalo, he recorded 309 points, with three 30-goal seasons. His career with the Sabres was highlighted by a 79-point season in 2022-23.
This past season, when the Sabres broke their 14-year playoff drought, Tuch put up 33 goals and 66 points. He recorded seven points in six games in the first round of the playoffs against the Bruins, a series the Sabres won in six games. His production slowed down significantly in the second round against the Canadiens, being held without a point. The Sabres lost a heartbreaking Game 7 in overtime.
Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates after scoring a goal on Thatcher Demko #35 of the Vancouver Canucks during their NHL game at Rogers Arena October 22, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Getty Images
Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen said earlier Wednesday that he expected Tuch’s time with the team to come to a close. Tuch was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year on July 1. Both sides publicly expressed their desire to negotiate a new contract, but the gap was too wide.
On the other side, the Capitals have had an active week. They acquired forward Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. They now await Alex Ovechkin’s decision on whether he will retire before next season, a decision he is not expected to announce before July 1, per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun.
Karim López arrives for the first round of the NBA basketball draft on Tuesday in New York. (Adam Hunger / AP Photo)
Until Tuesday night, only one Mexican-born player had been an NBA draft pick. Eduardo Nájera was selected 38th overall in the second round by the Houston Rockets in 2000 and enjoyed a 12-year career as a backup forward with five teams.
Karim López joined him when the Detroit Pistons snapped him up at No. 21, making him the first Mexican-born first-round draft selection.
Lopez donned the Pistons’ cap handed to him by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, then was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.
López, a 19-year-old 6-foot-9 forward, became emotional when Silver announced the pick. He sobbed beneath the cap.
“It’s just super special,” he said. “I’m blessed. I mean, I have no words.”
Born in Hermosillo in the Mexican state of Sonora, López joined the prestigious Joventut Badalona youth academy in Badalona, Spain, at age 14 to accelerate his development. The academy counts former NBA players Ricky Rubio, Rudy Fernández and Raül López among its alumni.
During his post-draft television interview, he displayed a custom design inside his suit jacket: Mexico’s tricolor flag.
“I just wanted to represent my culture, represent where I’m from, represent my faith, and just represent myself, basically,” López said. “Show who I am.”
Memphis clearly targeted López while adroitly obtaining five second-round picks in the process. They received three picks from the Pistons and two from the Oklahoma City Thunder in return for moving back from the No. 16 draft position.
Whether López fulfills his potential and becomes the fifth Mexican-born player to take the court with an NBA team remains to be seen. Reviews are mixed.
“I had Karim López rated quite a bit higher than [the No. 21 pick] and was surprised to see him slide this far,” Hollinger wrote, giving the pick an “A” grade partially because the Grizzlies also collected the five second-round picks.
Vecenie pointed out that López doesn’t shoot well and has defensive deficiencies, saying that his game might be better suited for European leagues than the NBA.
“I’m not sure how he gets on an NBA court early in his career,” he wrote. “I love his frame and physicality. I love that he rebounds and attacks with aggression. But I’m not sure he’s good enough without the ball to make an early impact in the NBA.”
Should López make the Grizzlies’ roster, he would join Horacio Llamas, Gustavo Ayón, Jorge Gutiérrez and Nájera as the only NBA players born in Mexico.
“It means a lot to me,” Lopez said. “It’s just a great opportunity for me and my country to have this platform and have this opportunity. So super blessed and definitely take it with a lot of pride.”
Noteworthy NBA players of Mexican descent born in the United States include former UCLA standout Jaime Jaquez Jr. and former Lakers reserve Juan Toscano-Anderson.
Jaquez averaged 15.4 points a game in 2025-2026, his third season with the Miami Heat. Toscano-Anderson played five seasons in the NBA — including winning a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2022 — and now is with Pallacanestro Trieste of the top Italian league. López is already a veteran of international basketball, having spent the last two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers in Australia’s top pro league. He averaged 11.9 points and 6.1 rebounds last season.
He will join No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer with the Grizzlies, who are rebuilding after finishing 25-57 and 13th in the Western Conference last season.
“A goal of mine is to hopefully reach young people in Mexico,” Lopez told ESPN in March when he declared for the draft. “Trying to grow the sport and inspire athletes and people in general to follow their dreams. Show people that it doesn’t matter where you’re from.”
PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - MARCH 17, 2026: dOswaldo Cabrera #95 of the New York Yankees in the field during the first inning of a spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park on March 17, 2026 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
Waldo is officially back.
Yankees utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera, who hasn’t played a major-league game since fracturing his ankle early last season, is being called up by the organization to pitch in as third baseman Ryan McMahon was placed on the injured list with an throat infection. YES Network’s Jack Curry revealed the information on Wednesday morning. It will be the 27-year-old’s big chance to prove he is fully behind that gruesome injury suffered on May 12, 2025 in Seattle.
The capable yet inconsistent Cabrera is hitting .271/.330/.397 (88 wRC+) in 68 games with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders in 294 plate appearances. He has seven home runs and six stolen bases. It took the switch-hitter a while to get going, which is understandable after such a long layoff. In his first 23 games, he hit a highly disappointing .143/.207/.238 with a 13 wRC+.
In Cabrera’s last 45 games, however, he is hitting a robust .331/.386/.472 with a 123 wRC+. Evidently, he needed some time and reps to get into a rhythm, and the Yankees are taking advantage of his good run of form in Triple-A to promote him and have him help out in The Show.
Cabrera, who is sporting a phenomenal .397 batting average with a .967 OPS and three round-trippers in June, is also hitting .385 with a .965 OPS against southpaws, so he figures to get a lot of playing time in those situations in the Bronx. This also helps explain why Cabrera was selected for the promotion.
As for McMahon, Curry clarified that he hasn’t played since Sunday, so his IL stint will be backdated. He also suggested that it looks like a short stay on the shelf for him. The slick-fielding third baseman has a .210/.269/.360 line (75 wRC+) with eight home runs and 23 RBI in 69 games and 202 trips to the plate for the Yankees this year.
McMahon hasn’t played since Sunday so his IL stint will be back dated. Also, the Yankees are likely to face lefties in 5 of the next 6 games so he wouldn’t start in those games anyway. It’s expected McMahon will be ready to return as soon as the 10 days are up.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves: •Recalled INF/OF Oswaldo Cabrera (#95) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. •Placed INF Ryan McMahon on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to 6/22) with a throat infection.
ST. LOUIS -- It finally got to a point for Jordan Kyrou and the St. Louis Blues that perhaps it was best for both sides to get a fresh start.
That's what Blues general manager Doug Armstrong and Kyrou, who was a second-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, both acknowledged on Wednesday, a day after the Blues shipped Kyrou, who has five years remaining on a contract that pays him $8.125 million per season and a full no-trade clause, to the Washington Capitals for a package that brought forward Connor McMichael, 2025 forward prospect Milton Gastrin and a 2026 first-round pick (No. 16) back to St. Louis.
"Jordan and his agent and I, Dave Gagner and I go way back to Minnesota," Armstrong said. "We've become friends over the years.
"It just felt the last little while, he wasn't getting the role that he had probably wished some nights. (Jimmy) Snuggerud had taken a little bit over. We talked and they talked about a change might be good for everyone at this point. You want to make work so we waited and tried to find different avenues where everyone could get what they want out of it, but in the end, both sides just felt potentially exploring different options would be in everyone's interests, so we started down that process and got comfortable in putting Jordan in a spot ... because of his no-trade clause, he had the opportunity to make sure he was going to a team that he felt like he could have success in, and we felt we were getting a return we believe is equivalent is to the player that I believe that Jordan is, which I believe is a 30-plus goal scorer that's got excellent speed. It was just something everybody was comfortable with at this time."
Kyrou was a healthy scratch under Jim Montgomery multiple times at points last season, with the coach usually citing he needed more from the 28-year-old winger who has three straight 30-plus goal seasons under him and is one of the faster skaters in the league. And with the emergence of Snuggerud, and other players with a similar skillset in the pipeline, likely made it more of the likelihood that at some point, Kyrou would be asked to waive his NTC.
"I don't want to say we try and take longer than necessary, but I'm a big believer, I'd rather work through ups and downs with people," Armstrong said. "... The value I put in my mind on Jordan and the organization ... he's a three-time 30-goal scorer in this league. He's under contract in a league where contracts are starting to increase exponentially. He's a fixed cost. There was a lot of boxes that I thought Jordan checked and if I was another manager, I would think he has a lot of boxes that checked. He's a dynamic skater, he can score, he's got a contract, so we wanted to make sure we were hopefully getting a value in return of what we think he is and can be. As we were doing that, you always hope that things can change, and it works out here. There becomes a point where if both sides feel that to explore something, you should do it. That's our last avenue, not our first avenue."
Kyrou acknowledged himself a fresh start was probably best but in no way shape or form was he looking to get out of St. Louis.
"Not really looking," he said. "I've loved St. Louis and have loved playing there, I've said it before. I've had a great time there and a lot of great memories in my career. Sometimes just people need a fresh start and a change of scenery.
"Definitely a crazy day for me. This is my first time getting traded, so I didn't really know what to expect. But a couple of days prior, I was hearing a couple of things. Then the day of, it was kind of just 'be by your phone.' My agent was calling me and there were talks back and forth. It took me pretty much all day to make a decision. It was definitely a tough decision. I've been in St. Louis for eight years and I've had an amazing time there. It was definitely a tough decision, but I'm excited to be joining Washington and having a fresh start here."
The Blues, who were 24th in the NHL averaging 2.8 goals per game a season ago, now must find out who can pick up the slack of Kyrou, who had 378 points (168 goals, 210 assists) in 488 games with the Blues; he dipped to 18 goals and 28 assists in 72 games last season.
"People are going to get the opportunity to pick it up," Armstrong said. "It's hard to replace. One of the things we're looking to build and organization, I'm bullish on (Justin) Carbonneau and on (Dmitry) Buchelnikov, the player we think will come over next year too (acquired from the Detroit Red Wings in the Justin Faulk trade). You're sometimes dealing from surplus too. Will we score as much this year, I don't know, but we also expect McMichael to come in and score. We think he's a good player. We think given an opportunity, he can be back to that 20-plus goal scorer. We expect him pick up and grow with some of these other guys that didn't have good years last year and need to play better. Maybe we can add some form of NHL players that can contribute with some of the assets that we have. I go back to the number of assets that we have added to our group over the last three trades, with all of them being except one, being a third-round pick or higher. The other one I think is the goalie that can go anywhere and still turn out well. It's not like we just added assets. I think we've added valuable assets and I think it gives this organization a great opportunity to get creative."
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The phone call that changed everything came at an ordinary moment for Joseph Woll.
The 27-year-old goaltender, a third-round 2016 draft pick who had spent the last decade inside the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, was sorting through his hockey card collection when the news arrived that he and defenseman Simon Benoit had been traded to the Philaddelphia Flyers.
“I think my initial reaction right when I got the call, as I imagine most people, was a lot of emotion. I’ve spent a long time in Toronto, so I was pretty sad to hear the news right when it happened. And went for a walk.”
The emotion lingered as Woll processed the end of his time with the only NHL organization he had ever known. Then a call came from his close friend and now-former teammate, Simon Benoit, who had also been dealt in the transaction. The excitement in Benoit’s voice helped reframe the moment.
“I didn’t know any details of the trade or anything,” Woll recalled. “I was really just focused on. At that point, I was thinking about leaving the Leafs, and Benny called me, and just the excitement of his voice, I think, really helped for me see how an unbelievable opportunity this was. And it was almost like from that initial reaction onward, there’s been, you know, almost a surplus of excitement on my part.”
For Woll, the trade marks the close of a journey that began when he was selected by Toronto in 2016. He spoke openly about what it meant to grow up inside the organization, to chase the dream he had carried since childhood, and to experience both the highs of playoff hockey and the lows of a difficult 2025-26 season.
“From when I was a kid it was my dream to play in the NHL and to be a great goalie. And to have the opportunities to play in Stanley Cup playoff games, to play in high pressure situations, to play as a starting goalie at times,” Woll said. “Ever since I was drafted to Toronto in 2016, I think that they’ve given me that opportunity. There’s been nothing but belief, support, and really just continually helping me to push to that spot. From the city, from the organization, to all my friends that I’ve made in Toronto, to my teammates. It’s been a very special, I believe, seven years with the organization and 10 of being a part of them since I got drafted. So even with all the positive and negative memories, I think it’s been a beautiful experience playing with them.”
Woll described the past season’s disappointment as part of a larger learning process that has shaped the goaltender he is today. He reflected on the ups and downs he witnessed and experienced since arriving in Toronto, including good runs, devastating losses, and a campaign that fell short of expectations.
“I think one of those things about goaltending, and probably like anything else in life, it’s a constant process that you’re honing your game over years and the big benefits I find in goaltending are experience,” he said. “Sometimes experience leads you to have positive outcomes, negative outcomes. And I think where a lot of the growth lies is in the negative outcomes, because that’s all a learning process and learning and honing your game is a continual thing. … It’s important not to take too much of that mindset because of what I’ve learned about myself, about the goalie I want to be from these experiences. … I think they were actually sometimes more beneficial than having success. Because it really pointed me in the correct direction.”
That growth included thriving in a tandem situation alongside Anthony Stolarz in previous seasons, learning he could step up when called upon, stay healthy, and prove his belief in himself through different roles, including early NHL experience backing up Jack Campbell. Woll credited those Toronto years with giving him the perspective and resilience he carries forward.
Simon Benoit’s notification came after a workout at his cabin. The defenseman, who played three or four seasons with the Maple Leafs after arriving via trade, described the call as surprising but part of the job, and said he was happy with where it sent him.
“It was the first time I spoke with (Maple Leafs GM John) Chayka,” Benoit said. “So obviously it was kind of surprising, but at the same time, it’s part of the job. I was just really happy where he sent me. So I was pretty excited for what’s to come.”
Benoit, who has a young child with his wife in Toronto, emphasized the personal roots he put down during his time with the organization and the warmth he felt from the people around him.
“They’re a good organization. They treated me so well. I have great memories for me, my wife, and my kid. Obviously, I have my kid there. So it’s always going to be special. And the guys there were just so welcoming to me. And we really had a good group. So it’s just going to be positive. And obviously, I’m bringing that baggage with me. And I learned a lot of stuff throughout those three or four years. So I’m going to be bringing that with me.”
“That was pretty exciting, obviously,” he said. “Playoffs are always fun. And I feel like it was my, I had the chance to play in my first playoffs with Toronto. And playoff hockey is so much fun. So I think I’ll just keep those moments.”
Benoit and Woll grew close during their overlapping years in Toronto. Often going out together on the road for dinners as part of a group that included Matthew Knies and former Leafs forward Bobby McMann.
Both players framed their departures as the closing of one chapter and the beginning of another.
“I know myself, I know my game more than I ever have before,” Woll said. “I’ve got a lot of experience under my belt and I’m excited for [what comes next]. Let my work speak for itself.”
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