If approved, the portal would open on Jan. 2.
Carmelo Anthony earned his induction into the Hall of Fame. Many times over.
This weekend, in Springfield, when Carmelo Anthony slips on the orange jacket and joins the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, he will have earned that spot. Many times over.
• He earned it by having arguably the best college freshman season ever, leading Syracuse to a national championship.
• He earned it by winning three Olympic gold medals with USA Basketball, setting 13 Olympic records along the way and being in the conversation for America's greatest international player ever.
• He earned it by being one of the most prolific scorers the NBA has ever seen, the foundation of a legendary NBA career.
Starting this fall, you can all that wisdom come into play as Carmelo Anthony joins NBC's broadcast team as the Association returns to NBC and Peacock.
‘Melo’s NBA Hall of Fame Case
That part about 'Melo's NBA Hall of Fame has gotten some odd pushback on social media, as if Anthony's NBA career alone wouldn't have made him a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Maybe that's a seed that got planted with some of his former coaches — George Karl and Phil Jackson, specifically — calling out 'Melo for dominating the ball too much or not playing enough defense during his career. Maybe there were fans who disliked Anthony's ball-dominant style and the physicality of his play. Perhaps it's because Anthony was the No. 3 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, and some tried to hype up a "Magic vs. Bird" rivalry with LeBron James that never materialized on the court (and they remain close friends off it). Maybe it's online trolls just doing what they do for attention. Whatever the reason, even Karl — the Nuggets coach who had a long-running feud with Anthony — is saying he is an unquestioned Hall of Fame.
Melo’s Hall of Fame enshrinement is well deserved this weekend.
— George Karl (@CoachKarl22) September 4, 2025
Carmelo Anthony is one of the best scorers in basketball history and should be celebrated. I’m happy for him! pic.twitter.com/1fnbtXDIuX
Look at Anthony's NBA resume:
• 22.5 points and 6.2 rebounds a game across 19 NBA seasons
• Six-time All-NBA
• 10-time NBA All-Star
• 10th all-time in points scored (28,289)
• 2013 NBA scoring champion
• Member of NBA's 75th Anniversary Team member
• Finished in the top 15 in MVP voting six times
All of that doesn't even touch on him lifting up the Knicks organization in dark times, or the cultural impact he had on the league. The only knock can be "he didn't win a ring," but that's not exclusion worthy. Winning a title takes more than just being a star player, it's about being in the right organizations at the right time with the right teammates, and a little bit of luck. Maybe that didn't all come together for Anthony, but it doesn't diminish his NBA Career.
‘Melo in Olympics, at Syracuse
Nothing dispelled the "Carmelo is a ball hog" myth like watching Olympic 'Melo.
3 Olympic golds
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) May 29, 2020
336 Olympic points
13 Olympic records
One Melo. HBD @carmeloanthonypic.twitter.com/FFq1WuKrRn
Surrounded by elite teammates she could trust, Anthony became the ultimate team player — he definitely still could get a bucket, but he also played within the up-tempo system and got his teammates going as well. He found his groove.
The debate about the greatest USA Basketball men's player ever on the Olympic stage is between Anthony and Kevin Durant. That's it. Which alone could be Hall of Fame worthy.
Then there is college, where Anthony had arguably the greatest freshman season in the history of NCAA hoops, leading Syracuse to the national title.
7 DAYS OF MELO HIGHLIGHTS
— CTRL the Narrative (@ctrlnarrative) September 3, 2025
Carmelo Anthony had the greatest CBB freshman season ever, leading the Syracuse Orangemen to their first ever NCAAB championship (h/t @Frankie_Vision)
pic.twitter.com/1O1B9cekKV
In his one season with the Orange, Anthony averaged 22.2 points, 10 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game. He put up those numbers efficiently, despite defenses throwing everything they could at him.
Combine all that, and there can be no doubt. Some NBA fans forget this is the "Basketball Hall of Fame" — what happens internationally, what happens in college and high school matters, too.
However, even if this were an NBA-only Hall of Fame, Carmelo Anthony would be voted in on the first ballot. Without question. To suggest otherwise is just being a troll.
Former Canadiens Defenseman Announces Retirement
Former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Marco Scandella announced his retirement from professional hockey. The St. Louis Blues, another one of Scandella's previous teams, announced the news through a post on X.
Scandella last played in the NHL during the 2023-24 season with the Blues, where he had two goals, eight points, 70 hits, and a plus-2 rating in 65 games.
A steady presence on and off the ice, who always repped the 'Note with pride.
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) September 4, 2025
Congrats on a great career and enjoy retirement Scandy 👏 pic.twitter.com/gTPwiMo1xJ
After being acquired by the Canadiens from the Buffalo Sabres in 2019-20, Scandella recorded one goal, three points, 25 hits, and a plus-1 rating in 20 games with Montreal.
However, Scandella's time with the Canadiens was very brief, as the Habs traded him later on in the 2019-20 season to the Blues. From there, Scandella would play each of his final five NHL seasons with St. Louis.
In 784 games over 14 NHL seasons split between the Minnesota Wild, Sabres, Canadiens, and Blues, Scandella recorded 51 goals, 119 assists, 170 points, and a plus-11 rating.
Canadiens' Goalie Tandem Receives New RankingIn a recent article for Bleacher Report, Joe Yerdon ranked each NHL team's goalie tandem. The Montreal Canadiens' tandem of Samuel Montembeault and Jakub Dobes at the No. 20 spot. Flyers Trade J.R. Avon to the Kraken for Former OHL Teammate
The Philadelphia Flyers have traded forward prospect J.R. Avon to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for forward prospect Tucker Robertson, the team announced Thursday.
Robertson, 22, was drafted 123rd overall by the Kraken in the fourth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, but has yet to see his pro career achieve liftoff.
The Toronto, Ont., native scored four goals, five assists, and nine points in 38 AHL games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds last season, and went scoreless in three postseason contests.
In parts of three seasons, Robertson has 10 goals, nine assists, and 19 points in 77 AHL games.
Notably, he and Avon were teammates at the OHL, spending parts of four seasons with the Peterborough Petes.
Avon, 22, went undrafted, but signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers during the Chuck Fletcher era on Sept. 21, 2021.
The skilled 6-foot winger has been slightly more productive in the AHL than his old teammate, scoring 16 goals and 35 points in 125 AHL regular season games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms over the last two seasons.
Avon, like Robertson, has yet to progress much beyond that, though, making this trade one that sees two young players finding a change of scenery and hoping it helps their careers and development path.
Neither player appeared in an NHL game for their respective clubs prior to the trade.
Ex-Flyers Goalie Reportedly Begins Moving Towards Maple Leafs Extension
According to a report, former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Anthony Stolarz has begun contract extension negotiations with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On Tuesday, NHL Network and The Fourth Period NHL insider David Pagnotta reported, "In Toronto, after going the summer without negotiating, sources tell me the Maple Leafs have now started contract extension discussions with goaltender Anthony Stolarz."
Stolarz, 31, has one year remaining on his current contract with the Maple Leafs at a $2.5 million cap hit, and also carries an eight-team no-trade list.
The former Flyers draft pick would have made an ideal free agent target for the 2026 offseason, provided that players like Sam Ersson, Ivan Fedotov, and Aleksei Kolosov can't establish themselves alongside or behind newcomer Dan Vladar.
As it stands, Vladar is the only goalie the Flyers have under contract for the 2026-27 season aside from prospect Carson Bjarnason.
Flyers Should Eventually Reunite This Canucks Forward with Rick TocchetThe Philadelphia Flyers are poised for a big free agency period in 2026, and if the last season means anything, they should have one potential signing circled already.
Pagnotta also reported that Carter Hart was of interest to the Flyers, which, if proven to be true, further displays Philadelphia's dissatisfaction with the goaltending situation.
Stolarz played 34 games for ex-Flyers coach Craig Berube and the Maple Leafs last season, starting 33 games, posting a 21-8-3 record, a 2.14 GAA, a league-leading .926 save percentage, and four shutouts, establishing himself as one of the NHL's best '1B' goalies.
Should the 6-foot-6 netminder reach an agreement with the Maple Leafs, another top free agent target for 2026 will be off the board for the Flyers.
Mets claim reliever Wander Suero off waivers from Braves
The Mets added some bullpen depth on Thursday, claiming right-hander Wander Suero off waivers from the Atlanta Braves.
Suero, 33, appeared in five games with the Braves this season, pitching to an 11.37 ERA with four walks and seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings.
Breaking into the majors with the Washington Nationals in 2018, Suero pitched four seasons with the Nats, posting a 4.61 ERA with a 3.80 FIP.
The righty has also pitched in the big leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers (five games), Houston Astros (one game), and the Braves (five games).
While Suero may not be a high-leverage reliever for the Mets, he does give them another experienced arm in a bullpen that has been heavily taxed due to the starting rotation not providing enough length on a consistent basis.
EA Sports pulls offer to make college basketball video game, per report
EA Sports pulled its offer to include teams in a college basketball video game, signaling an end to any possible production.
Roy Jones Jr gets 1988 Olympic gold medal from the man who beat him
Korean rival returns Jones’ 1988 medal in surprise
Park Si-hun: ‘It belongs to you’ at Florida reunion
Bout’s judging remains infamous Olympic scandal
Roy Jones Jr has been handed the Olympic gold medal he was controversially denied in 1988 in an extraordinary act of sportsmanship by the South Korean fighter who beat him.
Hall of Fame boxer Jones shared a video on Wednesday from two years ago that showed Park Si-hun visiting the American’s ranch in Pensacola, Florida to present him with the light middleweight gold medal.
Continue reading...Stars' Mikko Rantanen Might Have Too High Expectations Heading Into 2025
Stars winger Mikko Rantanen is poised for a solid season with his new team but don’t count on his goal scoring to lead the way.
The NHL season will be here in no time as we look ahead to some regular season player props that we look to take advantage of just like we did last off-season. We were very successful at finding great values in these player props with some sportsbooks not fully looking into the background or history of some players besides the stats of the prior season.
We took advantage of the sportsbooks not knowing anything about Connor McDavid and that he's not a goal scorer and easily hit the under for his goal total last season, which was at a shocking 51.5 when he scored more than 44 goals just once in his nine prior NHL seasons. We also hit on nearly all of our other player prop picks like Mitch Marner, Mark Scheifele, Wyatt Johnston, Rasmus Dahlin, Teuvo Teravainen and Connor Hellebuyck to his over in wins plus take home the Vezina trophy.
More NHL: Fade Pastrnak, Ride With Geekie: Roles Set To Reverse in Boston
Up next for our deep dive on player breakdowns is someone who ended last season red hot with Mikko Rantanen of the Dallas Stars. The Finnish winger completely took over the Stars' series against his former team in the Colorado Avalanche with five goals including a game seven hat trick. He continued his hot streak with four more goals over the next three games versus the Winnipeg Jets in the second round. After this hot streak however, he went eight straight games without a goal and this reminded fans of the eight game scoring drought he had entering the season.
Going that long without scoring is quite typical for any player but since joining the Stars, Rantanen ended off his regular season with just five goals over 20 games. The sportsbooks are buying a lot into his playoff scoring frenzy and have his over/under for goals at a very high 36.5 (-115 on BetMGM) for the upcoming season.
Rantanen finished with 32 goals last season after shuffling around and playing for three different teams but this season he'll have a full training camp with the Stars and will likely be featured on a lethal line with star players like Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson. The only problem with this is that neither of them are as lethal as a 70-90 assist player like Rantanen's former linemate in Nathan MacKinnon.
Rantanen will likely see a dip in production, similar to the decline he experienced at the end of last season. While he remains a capable goal scorer, reaching 37 goals is a high benchmark that he’s only hit twice in his nine NHL seasons.
More NHL: Why A Healthy Jack Hughes Could Be the NHL's Best Betting Value
Not to mention, he won't be the only goal scorer on his line as Jason Robertson is also an elite shooter with two 40-goal seasons and a single 35-goal season. Hintz can also score a lot of goals with 30 goals in three of the last four seasons.
It will almost certainly limit Rantanen's scoring chances and will likely see him play more of a playmaker role as he's recorded four straight 50-assist seasons. His point totals could look similar to his numbers on Colorado as his linemates will still be elite although I wouldn't count on as many goals as we've seen that be the case on multiple occasions.
All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.
Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.
How the Ducks Could Benefit from CBA Changes
The days of a “flat” salary cap are in the rearview, as the NHL and NHLPA announced exactly how much the cap is projected to increase over the next three seasons. The salary cap ceiling is set at $95.5 million for the 2025-26 season, $104 million for the 2026-27 season, and $113.5 million for the 2027-28 season.
Though the current CBA won’t expire until the end of the 2025-26 season and details have yet to be completely ironed out, reports from Tuesday suggest some aspects of the next CBA will be implemented in the 2025-26 season.
Ducks Announce 2025 Rookie Camp Roster
2025-26 Anaheim Ducks Awards Preview: Joel Quenneville, Jack Adams Favorite
Most notably, a salary cap will now be in effect during the playoffs, and there will be a limit to the benefits teams can receive from placing injured players on LTIR.
Other CBA changes set for 2025-26 implementation:
-No Deferred Salaries (in effect Oct. 7, 2025)
-Player Dress Code Relaxation
-Restriction on Double Retention
-Restriction on Paper Transactions
Although the Anaheim Ducks remain $20.5 million under the salary cap ceiling (the most in the NHL), these new implications could still impact their outlook for 2025-26 and beyond.
During his tenure as general manager of the Ducks (Feb 2022-Present), Pat Verbeek has made minor moves to weaponize the team’s ample cap space, as they’ve been a far cry from the ceiling for the duration of their rebuild. Examples include acquiring a fourth-round pick along with Robby Fabbri in 2024 in exchange for Gage Alexander, acquiring Dmitri Kulikov in 2022 for nothing more than “future considerations,” and infamously attempting to acquire Evgenii Dadonov with a second-round pick attached at the 2022 trade deadline.
Teams often surrounding the Ducks in the standings and in their own rebuilds (San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens, Utah Mammoth, Chicago Blackhawks) were all able to acquire considerable assets (first and second-round picks) attached to albatross contracts from cap-strapped contending teams.
The Ducks will be attempting to, at long last, rise from the fog of their rebuild and contend for the 2026 playoffs. However, if injuries occur or things don’t go completely according to plan, they could find themselves in a situation where they would benefit in the long term from acquiring more draft capital and utilizing their cap space in a meaningful way.
Three teams are currently projected to open the season over the salary cap: Vegas Golden Knights, Canadiens, and Florida Panthers. Cap space will not accrue the same way it had in the past, and teams cannot use LTIR relief to accrue space.
The Canadiens have already been in search of a landing spot for the last year of Carey Price’s $10.5 million contract. The Ducks have not been linked in these talks like the Sharks, Hawks, and Pittsburgh Penguins have, but it’s merely an example of a route Verbeek could take should he desire.
Ducks owner Henry Samueli stated at Joel Quenneville’s introductory press conference that Verbeek was no longer going to be “constrained by the budget” and had the green light to spend to the cap ceiling to get the team back into the playoffs.
We’ll see if that manifests in some way between now and the trade deadline, but the Ducks could be in a rare position to benefit from these immediate CBA implementations, perhaps in unforeseen and creative ways.
2025-26 Anaheim Ducks Awards Preview: Odds Lukas Dostal Wins Vezina
Anaheim Ducks Fan Survey Series Results: Lofty Expectations Amid Skepticism of Pat Verbeek
NHL 26 Soundtrack Revealed
EA SPORTS NHL has revealed the soundtrack for NHL 26.
The soundtrack contains 36 songs for bands across multiple genres. This is six songs less than NHL 25.
Notable artists who will be in NHL 26 include Disturbed, Silverstein, New Found Glory, The Band Camino, PUP, and Spiritbox.
Those looking to dive into the soundtrack can check out EA SPORTS' playlist on Spotify.
Your Official #NHL26 Soundtrack 🎵
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) September 4, 2025
Listen now: https://t.co/WMyKCmfDVxpic.twitter.com/Cf1dFqPtJo
Per Videogame Soundtrack, Worm in the Sun by ALEXSUCKS and B.A.B.E. by Scowl also appear in EA's skate. game, and Perfect Soul by Spiritbox appears in Rocksmith+.
The full list of the player overalls and their attributes in NHL 26 can be seen here.
NHL 26 is set to release Sept. 12, those who pre-order the deluxe edition get access Sept. 5.
For more NHL Gaming news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.
Vuelta a España: Ayuso outsprints compatriot Romo to grab glory on stage 12
Stage passes without incident after abandonment
Jonas Vingegaard retains overall race lead
Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) outsprinted his Spanish compatriot Javier Romo (Movistar) to win stage 12 of the Vuelta a España, his second stage win of this year’s race, with Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) retaining the overall lead.
Palestine flags were in evidence again after protests had brought Wednesday’s stage to a premature end but the race passed without serious incident, while the Israel-Premier Tech team have said pulling out of this year’s Vuelta would “set a dangerous precedent in the sport of cycling” in reaction to the incidents on stage 11.
Continue reading...Blues Defenseman Retires From Professional Hockey After 14 NHL Seasons
St. Louis Blues defenseman Marco Scandella has retired from professional hockey after 14 NHL seasons.
The 35-year-old played 784 games in the NHL, scoring 51 goals and 179 points, spending his 14-year career playing with four teams, starting with the Minnesota Wild. The Wild drafted Scandella in the second round (55th overall) in the 2008 NHL Draft.
After 373 games with the Wild, Scandella joined the Buffalo Sabres, where he played 176 games. He then played a short stint with the Montreal Canadiens before joining and finishing his career with the Blues.
Scandella skated in five seasons with the Blues, recording nine goals and 34 points in 215 games. Scandella was a steady third-pairing defenseman with the Blues, willing to step into a top-four role if needed.
Scandella didn't play any NHL games in the 2024-25 season, and although there were reports that he was retiring last off-season, no official paperwork was submitted, but now it has been confirmed by the St. Louis Blues.
Castellanos now a part of the Phillies' outfield platoon
Castellanos now a part of the Phillies' outfield platoon originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
MILWAUKEE — Since the Phillies acquired outfielder Harrison Bader at the trade deadline, the question of platooning Bader, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler and Weston Wilson has been a popular talking point.
Well, now it appears Nick Castellanos can be added to the list.
Manager Rob Thomson created his own deadline for deciding on an “everyday” outfield when Bader was gotten, saying he was going to go six days of platooning before any decision was made. That was back at the end of July and now, the rotation seems as unknown as ever.
Castellanos was out of the lineup again Thursday against the Brewers, despite getting two hits and scoring two runs in Wednesday’s 6-3 loss. Thomson’s outfield Thursday consisted of Marsh in left, Bader in center and Kepler in right. It’s the sixth time Castellanos has not started in the past 18 games.
“Yeah, well, I mean the other three are so hot right now,” Thomson said. “So I was staying with that, to tell you the truth.”
When asked about the platoon back at the trade deadline, Thomson called Castellanos an everyday player. He’s also said that matching up players against opposing pitchers is a big factor in deciding who plays. For his career, Castellanos is 7 for 19 (.368) with four doubles and five RBI against Thursday’s starter Freddy Peralta. For comparison, Bader is 4 for 19 (.211) with a homer, three RBI and eight strikeouts and Marsh 0 for 4.
“Well, it looks that way,” Thomson said on if Castellanos is now part of the platoon. “I mean, you can call it whatever you want, but at this point in the year, I’m going to put out what I think is the best lineup on any given day to win a ballgame. Yeah, there’s still a bit of a rotation, if you want to call it that. If you want to call it a platoon, doesn’t matter to me.”
Since joining the team, Bader has hit .310 with nine extra base hits, nine RBI and 13 runs in the 27 games. Kepler has hit .288 with six extra base hits, nine RBI and 11 runs over his last 14 games and Marsh is hitting .303 over his last 97 games, including 10 for his last 19.
Asked how Castellanos, who is hitting .253 with 16 home runs and 61 RBI, is handling the situation, Thomson said, “Yeah, he hasn’t said a word. He’s been good. I think he’s being a pro and understands that he’s ready to help the club whenever it’s needed.”
Painter update
Top prospect Andrew Painter struggled in his Wednesday outing for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, as he gave up 10 hits, six earned runs, three walks and two home runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. He now has a 5.62 ERA.
“Basically, the same kind of stuff,” Thomson said. “But he did get 17 whiffs, so that was good. The velocity was good. I didn’t see it this time, but just from the report, two walks in the first inning, a walk later on, kind of cruised for a bit. But, you know, it’s just a little bit of inconsistency with fastball command and I think that’s normal.”
Thomson said he hasn’t heard anything about shutting Painter down for the season, his first back from Tommy John surgery.
“There was a time earlier in the year that he was getting frustrated,” Thomson said. “And I’m sure there’s still some frustration there, because he’s always had a lot of success. But I think, overall, he’s handled it well. I know that it’s always good to end a season on a good note, especially in his case.”
Brandon Sproat coming up to start for Mets against Reds this weekend
Right-handed pitching prospect Brandon Sproat is coming up to make his major league debut against the Reds this weekend.
SNY MLB Insider Andy Martino was first to report earlier Thursday that Sproat was in "strong consideration" for a start this weekend.
The belief is that Sproat will start on Sunday.
Sproat, 24, is coming off one of his best starts of the season for Triple-A Syracuse, where he fired 7.0 shutout innings while allowing three hits, walking two, and striking out nine.
Since making a change ahead of his start on June 28 -- basically deciding to be more aggressive and let it fly -- Sproat has a 2.44 ERA in 59.0 innings.
He's also been missing bats at a higher clip, racking up eight or more strikeouts on five occasions since then after not doing so at all over his first 15 games of the season.
While he relies heavily on a four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and touches 100 mph, Sproat also has a sinker, sweeper, gyro slider, and changeup.
The Mets' rotation is in a bit of flux, with the team waiting to see if Kodai Senga will accept a temporary assignment to the minors -- where he would be able to work on his mechanics and other things that have ailed him during his recent rough stretch.
David Peterson will start Friday's series-opener against the Reds in Cincinnati, while Jonah Tong gets the ball on Saturday in what will be his second big league start.
After facing the Reds over the weekend, the Mets head to Philadelphia for a four-game series against the Phillies before returning home to open a three-game series against the Rangers on Friday, Sept. 12.
If the Mets reach the playoffs, Sproat can easily be added to the roster if he's deemed to be a fit despite not being on the 40-man roster by Sept. 1.