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Bruins interested in moving up in draft? What to make of latest rumor

Bruins interested in moving up in draft? What to make of latest rumor originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney is not afraid to make bold moves. Could we see one ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft?

The Bruins currently own the No. 7 overall pick in the first round. It’s their highest pick since 2011 and it comes after the Original Six franchise finished tied for the fourth-worst record in the league this past season.

The B’s should be able to get a very good player at No. 7, but what if a prospect they really like might not be available at that spot in Round 1? Could they try to trade up?

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler published his latest 2025 NHL mock draft Tuesday, and it includes an interesting piece of intel on the Bruins.

“Sounds like Bruins also have interest in moving up,” Wheeler wrote. “My sense is the Flyers and Bruins at 6-7 like the same three players: Martin, O’Brien and Hagens. Everyone keeps telling me those three won’t get past 6-7. And yet, there appear to be eight players for seven picks.”

It’s a very good year to need a center in Round 1, which is great for the Bruins because that’s the position they most need to upgrade in this draft. We could potentially see as many seven centers selected in the top 10 picks.

The problem for the Bruins is that several other teams in the top seven picks also need a center.

Based on recent expert mock drafts, one of Jake O’Brien, Brady Martin and Roger McQueen should be available at No. 7. James Hagens could fall to that range, too, but most mock drafts have him coming off the board before No. 7.

Hagens was the No. 1 rated prospect on TSN reporter Bob McKenzie’s draft rankings before the 2024-25 season. Hagens played well for Boston College, but he didn’t dominate offensively as some expected, so he’s been slotted a little lower in recent rankings. Hagens came in at No. 7 in McKenzie’s final pre-draft list.

The Bruins could have as many as five first-round picks and four second-round picks over the next three drafts, so if they want to trade up this week, Sweeney does have some good assets to potentially use in deals.

The first round of the draft is Friday night. Rounds two through seven take place Saturday afternoon.

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The Calgary Flames Can Build A Better Long-Term Team By Trading Rasmus Andersson

The Calgary Flames are in a familiar position – the “mushy middle,” where they’re not good enough to be a playoff team and not bad enough to get high-enough NHL draft picks.

It looked like the Flames were about to escape that position this season when they were in a playoff spot for a long time and added some players at the trade deadline, but they ended up falling short anyway.

To that end, the Flames are better off building for the long term. Staying in the mushy middle won’t lead anywhere.

Calgary can acquire top draft picks and prospects if they’re willing to part ways with key veterans in trades and avoid being a mushy-middle squad once again.

That leads to Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson – a minute-munching blueliner who is in his prime at 28 and has one year left on his contract at a $4.55-million cap hit. With rumors that contract extension talks for Andersson aren’t going well, the prospect of Calgary GM Craig Conroy dealing Andersson becomes more tantalizing by the day.

The Flames don’t need to trade Andersson immediately. Conroy can still be patient for a few more days. But if a situation arises on July 1 – the opening of free agency – where Florida Panthers blueliner Aaron Ekblad re-signs or heads elsewhere, Andersson could easily be the best D-man available to acquire. At that point, the Flames could set a high price for Andersson that many teams should line up to pay.

Wouldn’t that make a heck of a lot of sense for Calgary than hanging onto Andersson and embracing the status quo? It’s not as if Andersson was going to put the Flames on his back and singlehandedly deliver Calgary into the 2026 playoffs. So why not trade him for what could be a terrific package of picks and prospects and be patient as Flames youngsters develop into a core that will be with the Flames for the long haul?

Rasmus Andersson (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

It’s not like the Flames don’t have any other veterans, either. Defenseman MacKenzie Weegar is signed through 2030-31. Jonathan Huberdeau, Mikael Backlund, Blake Coleman and Nazem Kadri are all around on offense for now, although it would be worth seeing if there’s a good return for Kadri as well.

You can argue that Calgary was only two regulation wins out of making the post-season last year, and a slight tweak of improvement would make the Flames a playoff team in 2025-26. But that’s the best possible development. 

It’s just as likely, if not more likely, that the same group misses the playoffs again. If they do narrowly miss out yet again, it will be another missed opportunity, and they’ll yet again fail to be low enough in the standings to acquire a foundational piece in the draft.

We’ve argued consistently that being a mushy-middle team is the worst place a team can be. But that’s where the Flames appear to be headed in 2025-26. So, moving a defenseman who averaged 23:59 of ice time last season would help Calgary immensely. 

NHL Rumor Roundup: Could Noah Dobson And Rasmus Andersson Hit The Trade Block?NHL Rumor Roundup: Could Noah Dobson And Rasmus Andersson Hit The Trade Block?The contract negotiations of two notable defensemen have drawn considerable interest recently in the NHL rumor mill. 

It would take guts to move Andersson, and while Conroy has shown he has guts with last year’s deal with Philadelphia that saw the Flames acquire forwards Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee, Conroy would need to be just as gutsy to move on from Andersson.

That said, what are they really doing – other than wasting time – if they’re not building a legitimately elite team to compete with the real powerhouse teams in the Pacific Division?

You can’t convince us that the Flames have the generational talents that Western Conference teams like Edmonton, Colorado and even Chicago have. And so it becomes crystal clear that Calgary has to bear down and suffer through some lean seasons to be able to draft and develop the high-end players they need to legitimately compete with the true powerbrokers in the West.

That process can kick into high gear with the trading of Andersson. If Conroy makes him available, he’s going to get a spectacular package in return. And if it means the Flames have to fall to the bottom of the Pacific for a couple years, so be it. 

The alternative – the mushy middle – is a far worse destiny for this franchise. And the sooner Conroy comes to terms with that reality, the better things will be for long-suffering Flames fans.

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Blue Jackets Release Preseason Schedule

The 2025-26 Hockey season is started to rev up.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced the 2025 preseason schedule today. 

Below are the dates and times for the 7 preseason games. 

  • Sunday, Sept. 21 vs. St. Louis Blues, 5 p.m. ET
  • Monday, Sept. 22 vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET
  • Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. ET
  • Wednesday, Sept. 24 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET
  • Saturday, Sept. 27 at Pittsburgh Penguins, 7 p.m. ET
  • Tuesday, Sept. 30 vs. Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET
  • Saturday, Oct. 4 at Washington Capitals, 7 p.m. ET

The NHL Draft will take place this Friday in LA, and then free agency opens on July 1. Before you know it, the season will be here, and the CBJ plan to look much different. 

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

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Former Columbus Blue Jackets Forward Manny Malhotra Wins Calder CupFormer Columbus Blue Jackets Forward Manny Malhotra Wins Calder CupFormer Columbus Blue Jackets forward Manny Malhotra, head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL, won the Calder Cup last night by defeating the Charlotte Checkers in six games. Former Blue Jackets Draft Pick And Calder Cup Champion Signs In EuropeFormer Blue Jackets Draft Pick And Calder Cup Champion Signs In EuropeAnother former Blue Jacket has found a new home in Europe.  2025 NHL Draft Order Officially Released2025 NHL Draft Order Officially ReleasedThe 2025 NHL Draft is this Friday, and the Blue Jacket picks are official. 
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Rush Team Up With Local YMCA For NHL Street Hockey Camp

The Rapid City Rush are teaming up with the YMCA of Rapid City to host their first-ever NHL STREET learn-to-play-hockey camp on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 9:30 – 11:00 Am.

Members of the Rush organization and the local hockey community will be in attendance to run the clinic, which will feature hands-on instruction, skills stations, and scrimmages. Registration is open for all kids aged seven through 12, with no prior hockey experience required. All equipment will be provided, and families do not have to be YMCA members to participate.

“The YMCA brings our youth together as a community to celebrate fun and wellness.” Elaina Kempin, Marketing Director for the YMCA of Rapid City, said in a statement. “Our wonderful partnership with the Rapid City Rush helps us achieve our mission of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”

Launched in 2023, NHL STREET is the official youth hockey league of the National Hockey League. It is designed to provide kids and their families with the best of what youth sports can be: having fun, staying active, making friends and creating great memories. This is the first NHL STREET initiative offered in the state of South Dakota.

“NHL STREET was created to bring the love of hockey to more kids in more communities—and this event is a great example of that mission in action,” Savannah Green, Director of Community Relations and Social Engagement for the Rush, said. “When you combine the energy of the Rush with the reach of community organizations like the YMCA, you unlock something really powerful.”

The YMCA of Rapid City is located at 815 Kansas City St., Rapid City, SD 57701. Registration is $35 per child. All participants will take home a custom NHL STREET hockey jersey.

For more information about Street Camp, click here.

The Rush will kick off their 2025-26 regular season in Independence, Missouri against the Kansas City Mavericks on Friday, Oct. 17. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 Pm MT.

(Photo Courtesy of the Rapid City Rush)

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Reds designate $45M infielder Jeimer Candelario for assignment after injury-plagued stint

CINCINNATI — Jeimer Candelario — the Reds’ highest-priced signing of the past six seasons — has seen his tenure in Cincinnati end.

The Reds designated the oft-injured infielder for assignment before their game against the New York Yankees.

Candelario signed a three-year, $45 million contract in December 2023. He is owed nearly $23 million, including $7,983,871 for the remainder of this season, $12 million for next season and a $3 million buyout for 2027.

“It was hard to get a hold of him. And (general manager) Nick (Krall) finally talked to him and said it was, as you can imagine, (difficult),” manager Terry Francona said. “I have tried to reach out to him, and he understandably, it was just going to voicemail, and I get it. But again, I will say, it’s tough. I know that’s not an easy decision, but we think it can help make us better.”

The 31-year old Candelario was batting .113 (9 of 80) in 22 games this season. He had been sidelined since late April due to a lumbar spine strain. He was on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville before returning to Cincinnati.

Candelario played 131 games for Cincinnati and batted .207.

The Reds, who have won 11 of their last 16, have been encouraged by the play of Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third base and Spencer Steer at first.

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Mets send rookie infielder Luisangel Acuna to minors in roster shuffle

NEW YORK — Rookie infielder Luisangel Acuña was sent to the minors by the slumping New York Mets amid several roster moves.

New York also signed left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady to a one-year deal and selected the contract of outfielder Travis Jankowski from Triple-A Syracuse. Both were available for the opener of a four-game series against Atlanta.

Acuña, the younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr., was optioned to Syracuse along with right-handed reliever Tyler Zuber following a 7-1 loss at Philadelphia.

Before that game, the Mets demoted another touted youngster to Syracuse: catcher Francisco Alvarez.

New York has lost nine of 10, falling 1.5 games behind the first-place Phillies in the NL East.

Acuña, acquired from Texas in 2023 for three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, has scuffled lately at the plate after hitting .308 with six steals to earn NL rookie of the month honors for March/April. The 23-year-old has slumped to a .241 batting average and largely been relegated to pinch running and defensive-replacement duties. He is expected to receive regular playing time at Syracuse.

In other news, ace pitcher Kodai Senga, speaking through a translator, told reporters his injured right hamstring feels “great” and he hopes to throw off a mound soon. Senga, injured covering first base June 12 against Washington, believes a rehab assignment is “on the horizon.”

“The good thing is that he kept throwing, even right after the injury, so he was able to keep the arm going,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “I was told that he was going to play catch off the mound. Not necessarily a bullpen, but he’s already getting on the mound and letting the ball go with some type of intensity. That’s a really good sign.”

After being limited to one start during the 2024 regular season because of shoulder and calf injuries, Senga was brilliant in his first 13 starts this year, going 7-3 with a 1.47 ERA.

“I feel great and I am recovering really well,” he said. “I want to take it day by day. Maybe some days I can push it a little bit further, while some days I need to take it a step back and take it easy. So those are the types of conversations I’m having every day and those are very helpful.”

Jankowski signed a minor league contract with New York on June 10. He is playing on his third major league team in 2025, after spending time with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He received a spring training invite from the Chicago Cubs but was released on March 12.

Jankowski appeared in 43 games for the Mets in 2022. He played college ball at Stony Brook University, located on Long Island less than 40 miles from Citi Field.

Lovelady had been pitching at Triple-A St. Paul in the Minnesota Twins organization before getting released. The 29-year-old reliever had a 1.31 ERA in 19 outings.

Lovelady made two appearances for Toronto in March and also has pitched for the Royals, Rays, Athletics and Cubs during a six-year career. He is 5-13 with a 5.26 ERA and three saves in 110 games, holding left-handed hitters to a .232 batting average.

“Lefty, kind of the low slot, the sinker, the slider, and now he’s got a sweeper, too,” Mendoza said. “He’s just another weapon for the bullpen that we can use to mix and match.”

Right-hander Frankie Montas is expected to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to make his Mets debut. Montas, signed to a two-year, $34 million contract in December, has been sidelined since spring training with a right lat strain.

“He’s a guy, when we signed him in the offseason, that was going to be a big part of this rotation,” Mendoza said. “I’ve seen him pitch for a lot of years at this level and have success. ... The expectation is to go out there, compete and give us a chance to win a baseball game every time he takes the ball, starting tomorrow.”

In another roster move, outfielder Jose Siri (left tibia fracture) was transferred to the 60-day IL.

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Celtics trading Kristaps Porzingis to Hawks in three-team deal: Report

Celtics trading Kristaps Porzingis to Hawks in three-team deal: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Boston Celtics have made another significant roster move in what should be an exciting offseason for the NBA.

The Celtics are trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday. Porzingis and a second-round draft pick will head to Atlanta in exchange for Georges Niang and a second-rounder. The Hawks sent Terance Mann and their No. 22 overall pick to the Brooklyn Nets.

The C’s entered the offseason as a second apron team. They needed to shed salary, so this trade involving Porzingis isn’t surprising. Porzingis is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $30.7 million salary cap hit, per Spotrac. As a result of this deal and the Jrue Holiday trade, the Celtics are now $4.5 million under the second apron.

🔊 Celtics Talk – Emergency Pod, Part 2: Celtics trade Kristaps Porzingis, and which domino falls next? | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube

Porzingis averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, while shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from 3-point range this past season.

Porzingis’ tenure in Boston lasted just two seasons, but it did produce some memorable moments.

His apex with the Celtics was a 60-second stretch in the first quarter of Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks when he made a huge impact at both ends of the court. Porzingis was making his return to the lineup after missing the previous 10 games due to injury.

Porzingis was unable to stay healthy for a good chunk of his career in Boston. He missed 25 games in 2023-24 and 40 games in 2024-25. He played in all 11 of Boston’s 2025 playoff games but was limited in some of them due to a mystery illness. He provided an undeniable spark when on the court, however, and was a fan favorite at TD Garden.

Niang, 32, averaged 9.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season with the Hawks and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Massachusetts native has also had stints with the Indiana Pacers, Utah Jazz, and Philadelphia 76ers.

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Fenway Park Workers Fret Over Aramark’s AI-Powered Concessions

It’s been more than a week since Unite Here Local 26, a local chapter of the hospitality union that represents employees at Fenway Park, authorized a strike against Aramark. The Boston Red Sox are set to begin a six-game homestand on Friday, and neither side has reported movement in negotiations, meaning unionized employees can walk away at any point.

During the lull in labor talks, chapter members are thinking about their collective value to the famed Fenway experience—specifically how automation could reduce job security. They are concerned with the use of self-checkout machines in the ballpark introduced ahead of the 2023 season.

Two years ago, Aramark installed two AI-powered self-checkout units created by Mashgin that handle beer, and four self-dispensing popcorn stations. Mashgin has machines in over 3,000 convenience stores, more than 150 sports venues, 100 hospitals and dozens of airports, colleges and resorts across the U.S., Europe and Australia.

“It reduces the amount you make,” Charbel Salameh, a 28-year employee at Fenway who has worked the beer stands for 23 of those seasons, said in a phone interview. “‘Oh, who am I tipping? This is a self-service stand, I don’t have to tip anyone.’ People still did the work, people still filled the fridge, people still made your hot dog, people still filled your soda. I think because they don’t interact with someone doing that, people look at it differently.

“The more these stands are put in, the more jobs that are taken away. That’s the hard part because in five years if they convert every one of these stands [to self-checkout], there are going to be so many lost jobs.”

In response to a request for comment, Aramark referred to the June 15 statement it sent Sportico. “We intend to keep working with the union toward a settlement that works for everyone,” the statement said. “In the event of a strike, we have contingency plans in place to ensure that services are not interrupted.”

Including Fenway, Mashgin’s machines are deployed at 20 of the 30 MLB ballparks. In an April report it conducted about the fan experience, the company said it has “delivered a median transaction time of under 15 seconds across over 3.6 million transactions and $88 million in concession sales,” during the 2024 season.

Local 26 president Carlos Aramayo said in a phone interview that he understands technology will be a part of Fenway’s future. Still, he hopes union members aren’t taken for granted.

“A lot of folks who started working there, but they were in high school even, and have been working there for 20, 30 years,” Aramayo said. “The Red Sox sell the historic baseball experience. A lot of our members see themselves as part of that. They’re Boston folks and they take a lot of pride in the work they do.”

Added Salameh: “You can’t go to ‘America’s most beloved ballpark’ and not have human interaction. A machine’s not going to love you back.”

Neither Local 26 nor Aramark have publicized when their next talks were going to be. Discussions are likely to include debate over the automation issue in addition to the union’s push for wage increases and scheduling based on seniority.

Fenway is still busy while the Red Sox are away. Irish singer-songwriter Hozier performed his first of two concerts at the ballpark on Monday, with the second scheduled for Tuesday night. The Red Sox host the Toronto Blue Jays to start a three-game series on Friday night. It remains to be seen if those will be the last working nights for unionized employees before a possible strike.

Aramayo said the 95% vote to authorize a walkout was motivated by advances made by other unionized workers throughout Boston. He expressed frustration at the Fenway situation since his union and Aramark were able to come to the table for employees in Boston-area schools and hotels.

“At Boston University, we just negotiated a first contract with them,” Aramayo said. “Nobody heard about it, right? Because we did it. We had good bargaining; we figured out a deal to get it done. We didn’t get ourselves into this situation.”

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Pittsburgh Stanley Cup Champion Changes KHL Teams

Canadian left winger Scott Wilson, 33, has signed a two-year contract with Sibir Novosibirsk, the KHL club announced on Tuesday. It will be Wilson’s fifth KHL team in five seasons.

Originally from Oakville, Ont., Wilson played junior hockey for the Georgetown Raiders of the OJHL before playing three years of college hockey at Umass-Lowell. He was a seventh-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2011 and signed with Pittsburgh in the spring of 2014 after his junior season.

Between 2014 and 2020, Wilson played 193 NHL regular-season games for the Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres, recording 51 points and 58 penalty minutes. He also played 26 playoff games, all with Pittsburgh, recording 10 points and 11 penalty minutes.

His only complete NHL season was 2016-17, and he was part of Pittsburgh’s Stanley Cup championship team that year, playing in 78 regular-season games and 20 playoff games.

RUMOR: Jesse Puljujärvi Headed To Switzerland After AHL FinalsRUMOR: Jesse Puljujärvi Headed To Switzerland After AHL FinalsJesse Puljujärvi is currently playing in the AHL’s Calder Cup finals. On Sunday, he scored an overtime goal in Game 5 keep his Charlotte Checkers alive against the Abbotsford Canucks.

After two more AHL seasons in the Florida Panthers organization, Wilson first went to the KHL in 2022. In four seasons with Vityaz Moscow Oblast, Metallurg Magnitogorsk and Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Wilson has 117 points in 188 regular-season and playoff games.

Wilson joins a Sibir team that finished seventh in the KHL’s Eastern Conference last season and was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The team also includes former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikita Soshnikov and Toronto prospect Vladislav Kara.

Photo © Brad Penner-Imagn Images: Scott Wilson playing for the Buffalo Sabres in the 2019-20 season. 

Former NHL Goalie Chris Driedger Signs In KHLFormer NHL Goalie Chris Driedger Signs In KHL Canadian goaltender Chris Driedger, 31, has signed a one-year contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the KHL club announced on Tuesday.
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Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff and Nestor Cortes move a step closer to returning from lengthy stays on IL

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers pitchers Brandon Woodruff and Nestor Cortes finally are getting closer to returning after lengthy recoveries from their respective injuries.

Woodruff and Cortes both pitched in simulated games. Woodruff, who hasn’t pitched in a major league game since September 2023, threw 60 pitches. Cortes, who made just two starts this year before going on the injured list in early April, threw 22-23 pitches in the simulated game and about 25-30 more in a bullpen session.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said the staff would work together to determine the next steps for Woodruff, who is hopeful he might need only one more rehabilitation outing before making his long-awaited return from postseason shoulder surgery in 2023.

“I’ve always been a guy, when I’m ready, I’m ready,” Woodruff said. “I kind of know that. I’m not saying that’s going to lead to results, but I know that I’m ready to go pitch and compete. I think I’m to that point now.”

Cortes says he’s aiming to start a rehabilitation appearance in early July before rejoining the Brewers just after the All-Star break as the 30-year-old left-hander recovers from a flexor strain in his throwing elbow.

“That’s when we believe is the safest — and I guess the safest and quickest way to get back — combination of both,” Cortes said.

Woodruff, 32, already has been on two separate rehabilitation stints this year.

The two-time All-Star right-hander left the first one with tendinitis in his right ankle. He was pitching for Triple-A Nashville again on June 3 when a 108-mph line drive struck him in the right elbow, leaving a bruise that delayed his return.

“It’s been the hardest thing,” Woodruff said. “If you don’t stay positive with it, it makes coming to the field miserable, to be honest. When the team’s on the road and I’m here, me and Nestor are here by ourselves, it’s a pretty lonely place.”

Woodruff said his family has helped him stay positive. That’s also worked for Cortes.

Woodruff and his wife, Jonie, have a daughter named Kyler who turns 5 in August and a son named Bowen who was born last July. Cortes’ wife, Alondra, gave birth to Nestor Cortes III in April.

“That’s been the biggest help for me,” Woodruff said. “I was thinking about it last night. Getting to feed my little boy a bottle at night before he goes to bed, you don’t get that when the team’s on the road. All these experiences, and getting to see him about to start walking, getting to see that day to day, family’s been the biggest thing for sure. That’s filled the time up until the game starts and I’m watching the games. Having two kids has definitely kept me busy.”

While Woodruff and Cortes move closer to a return, the Brewers await word on the severity of a minor league prospect’s injury.

Third baseman Brock Wilken, the 18th overall pick out of Wake Forest in the 2023 draft, hurt his knee during Double-A Biloxi’s celebration of its Southern League South Division first-half title. Murphy said Wilken had a dislocated patellar tendon and was awaiting a second opinion regarding the injury.

Wilken, 23, was hitting .230 with a .392 on-base percentage, 18 homers, 41 RBIs and 57 walks in 65 games with Biloxi.

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REPORT: 'Smoke' Surrounding Possible Golden Knights and Hurricanes Trade Involving Tomas Hertl

Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) warms up before game two of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Edmonton Oilers at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Vegas Golden Knights and the Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly working on a trade that would send Tomas Hertl to the Hurricanes. 

The report was shared by EliteProspects' Cam Robinson, who took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share what he's heard. Robinson said, "There's some smoke out there that Carolina could be bringing in Tomas Hertl. I'd like to reiterate. Smoke. Have yet to confirm anything, but the noise is loud enough and from enough places for me to try and really dig into it."

Marco D'Amico of RGmedia also shared a report that he's heard "reports he may be on his way out of Vegas this morning to the Eastern Conference."

The Golden Knights have been linked to Mitch Marner since last summer, when there were rumors that he could be made available in trades. This offseason, Marner is the prized unrestricted free agent with several insiders claiming the Golden Knights are among the favorites, if not leading the race. 

Hertl has a modified no-trade list, which states that he can approve three teams he'd be willing to be traded to. The 31-year-old scored 32 goals and 61 points in 72 games in his first full season with the Golden Knights, proving to be a valued second-line center behind Jack Eichel and in front of William Karlsson.

It was also Hertl's most productive season on the power play, scoring 14 goals and 23 points, both of which were career highs.

The Golden Knights acquired Hertl at the 2023-24 trade deadline, shocking the hockey world. Hertl was injured at the time and thought to be unavailable due to both his injury and the fact that he was in the second year of an eight-year, $8,137,500 contract he signed with the San Jose Sharks. The Golden Knights sent David Edstrom and a 2025 first-round pick to the Sharks in exchange for Hertl, at 17 percent retained, and a pair of third-round picks. 

Golden Knights Veteran Center Could Be Available In Trades; No Indications Quite YetGolden Knights Veteran Center Could Be Available In Trades; No Indications Quite YetWilliam Karlsson's name has been floated out by many insiders, and although no concrete reports have come from the Vegas Golden Knights, a trusted insider revealed fresh information.

The rumor shared by Robinson is still very fresh, so no possible returns or additional information has been given. Robinson claims that "there's some out of Carolina," which also informs us that the two teams likely haven't even begun to consider what else they would involve in the deal. What is known is that if the Golden Knights want to acquire Marner, they need to shed off cap space, and moving Hertl's $6.75-million cap hit would do just that. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Ilya Samsonov Won't Return To The Golden Knights; Testing Free AgencyIlya Samsonov Won't Return To The Golden Knights; Testing Free AgencyGoaltender Ilya Samsonov will not return to the Vegas Golden Knights and will test the free agency waters, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. 
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Cubs select contract of Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Iowa

ST. LOUIS — The Chicago Cubs selected the contract of right-hander Michael Fulmer from Triple-A Iowa and optioned right-hander Nate Pearson to Iowa ahead of a four-game series against the Cardinals.

Fulmer, 32, returns to the Cubs after going 3-5 with two saves and a 4.42 ERA in 58 appearances for Chicago in 2023.

Fulmer missed the 2024 season after undergoing UCL revision surgery on his right elbow on Oct. 18, 2023.

Fulmer, who was the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year with Detroit, had Tommy John surgery on March 27, 2019, and returned to the major leagues on July 27, 2020, just after the start of the pandemic-shortened season.

“It took me a few months to get stuff and velo back,” Fulmer said about his first Tommy John surgery. “Once I got all the game reps I needed, my stuff came back. So, I think we’re getting on that timeline now where I’m feeling good, body’s feeling great, no complaints, stuff’s starting to come back a little bit and I’m really just excited.”

Fulmer signed a minor league deal with Boston on Feb. 2, 2024, but did not play for the rest of the season. He allowed three runs on four hits in his lone appearance with Boston in April at Tampa Bay before the Red Sox designated him for assignment four days later.

Fulmer inked a minor league contract with the Cubs on April 22 and went 1-0 with a 2.96 ERA in 24 1/3 innings over 15 games with Iowa.

“You know he’s went through a lot, you know he’s sticking with it,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “It’s a sign of what you’re made of, I think. It really is. I know moments like getting back to the big leagues are important, and they validate a lot of the hard work and a lot of the rehabs and a lot of the things like that. You’re happy for guys like Michael who get a shot again.”

Pearson was recalled from Iowa and allowed five runs on five hits and two walks in two innings on versus Seattle.

Chicago (46-31) enters play with a 3 1/2 game lead over Milwaukee and a 4 1/2 game lead over St. Louis in the NL Central Division.

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Dominican prosecutors in Wander Franco trial seek 5-year prison sentence

Wander Franco

Tampa Bay Rays Dominican baseball shortstop Wander Franco, who faces an accusation of molesting an underage girl, arrives in court under heavy escort in Puerto Plata, in Dominican Republic, on January 5, 2024. The hearing was being held behind closed doors and Franco, 22, who is eligible for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in the 2023 season, did not make a statement before entering. The baseball player and the mother of the 15-year-old girl were charged with “the crimes of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering.” (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

STR/AFP via Getty Images

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — Dominican prosecutors requested that suspended Tampa Bay Rays player Wander Franco, who faces charges of sexual abuse involving a girl who was 14 years old at the time of the alleged crimes, be sentenced to five years in prison.

The prosecutors said in court there is sufficient evidence to prove Franco had a relationship with the minor for four months and that he transferred large sums of money to the minor’s mother to consent to the illegal relationship.

During raids on the house of the minor’s mother, prosecutors say they found $68,500 and $35,000 that they allege was delivered by Franco.

“We are requesting a five-year prison sentence for the proven crime of sexual abuse against a minor,” said prosecutor José Martínez.

The prosecutors also requested that Wander be sentenced to prison in Puerto Plata and that the minor’s mother be sentenced to 10 years in prison, arguing she sexually trafficked her daughter.

In a previous hearing, prosecutors described the evidence presented as “convincing” and “compelling.”

“What is Wander? Is he an accomplice of Vanessa or is he the material author of the criminal conspiracy offense?” said Irina Ventura, one of Franco’s lawyers arguing ambiguities on the part of the prosecutors.

Franco’s lawyers also asked the court to clear Franco of the charges and to dismiss the case.

After the closing arguments from both, the collegiate court of Puerto Plata, in northern Dominican Republic, where Wander Franco’s trial is being held, announced that they are going to issue the final decision on the case.

Documents that prosecutors presented to the judge last year and were viewed by The Associated Press alleged that Franco, through his mother Yudelka Aybar, transferred 1 million pesos ($17,000) to the mother of the minor on Jan. 5, 2023, to consent to purported abuse.

Franco was in his third major league season when his career was halted in August 2023. He agreed to an 11-year, $182 million contract in November 2021. He is currently on Major League Baseball’s restricted list after initially being placed on administrative leave.

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Former Bruins captains Chara, Thornton elected to 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class

Former Bruins captains Chara, Thornton elected to 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame class originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Two former captains of the Boston Bruins — Zdeno Chara and Joe Thornton — have been voted to the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2025.

“Across his exceptional 24-year career, Zdeno put forth an unparalleled combination of size, strength, and ability each time he took the ice,” Bruins president Cam Neely said in a statement released Tuesday. “He kept opponents on notice with his commanding physicality and set the tone for his teammates with a stout defensive acumen, all while having the power at any given time to unleash one of the hardest shots ever recorded.

“His legendary leadership qualities were also continually on display, particularly when it came to his renowned off-ice conditioning which set a standard for all our players to follow. To put it simply, Zdeno’s skill set stands among the most unique in the century-plus history of the National Hockey League, making him enormously worthy of enshrinement into the Hockey Hall of Fame where he will be remembered forever as one of the very best to play our sport.”

This was the first year both players appeared on the ballot, and their inclusion in this class is no surprise. They are joined in the 2025 class by Jennifer Botterill, Brianna Decker, Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny, Jack Parker (builder) and Danièle Sauvageau (builder).

The Bruins drafted Thornton with the No. 1 overall pick in 1997. He lived up to the hype as a No. 1 center and elite offensive player. He tallied 454 points (169 goals, 285 assists) in 532 career games with the Bruins.

Success in the Stanley Cup Playoffs eluded Thornton as the Bruins advanced past the first round only once in his seven-plus seasons in Boston. The B’s traded him to the San Jose Sharks during the 2005-06 season for an underwhelming return.

It was a low point for the Bruins, but the trade did free up valuable salary cap space, and in the summer of 2006 they used that cap flexibility to sign Chara as a free agent.

Chara, the tallest player in league history at 6-foot-9, immediately transformed the culture of the franchise. He was a legit No. 1 defenseman — a top-five player at the position for a long time — and a tremendous leader. He won the Norris Trophy in 2008-09 and probably deserved to win it another two or three times.

Chara’s legacy is transforming Bruins back into Stanley Cup-caliber franchise

Chara helped the Bruins win the 2011 Stanley Cup over the Vancouver Canucks — ending the team’s 39-year championship drought.

He played a total of 14 seasons with the Bruins from 2006-07 through 2019-20. The Bruins reached the playoffs 11 times over that span, including three trips to the Stanley Cup Final.

Chara is the first longtime Bruins star from the last 15 years to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Patrice Bergeron, who isn’t eligible for a few more years, could be next. Brad Marchand deserves to go in at some point, too, but he’s still playing.