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Do The Maple Leafs Need To Make Alterations To Their Bottom-Six Forwards?

When the Toronto Maple Leafs' season ended in the second round at the hands of the Florida Panthers, talk immediately switched to the big forwards, Mitch Marner and John Tavares, approaching free agency.

This is an important discussion, especially given the hole Toronto must fill if, and more likely when, Marner walks out the door on July 1. Tavares seems probable to remain a Maple Leaf after he, GM Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube had positive discussions during Toronto's exit meetings.

Aside from the two big fish, and RFA Matthew Knies, who still needs a contract, nothing else needs fixing in the top-six. Of course, Toronto would probably like to add a second-line center to shift Tavares down and add another winger into the mix. That could come via free agency or a trade in the summer.

But what about the Maple Leafs' bottom six?

Seven of Toronto's 36 goals (nearly 20 percent) in the playoffs came from players from the third and fourth lines. To make it simpler: Max Pacioretty (an unrestricted free agent) and Max Domi had three, and Nick Robertson had the other.

Report: Maple Leafs Among Possibilities For Panthers’ Brad Marchand In Free AgencyReport: Maple Leafs Among Possibilities For Panthers’ Brad Marchand In Free AgencyThe Toronto Maple Leafs will reportedly be one of the teams vying for Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand's services if he hits the open market on July 1st.

Steven Lorentz, Calle Jarnkrok, Scott Laughton, and Bobby McMann went the entire playoffs without finding the back of the net. McMann had three assists; however, you'd like to see him score at least once when he had 20 goals in the regular season.

In a perfect world, Toronto would like to see more scoring from their depth, especially when you look at a team like the Florida Panthers, who's getting over 28 percent of their goals from their bottom six. The Maple Leafs could have pushed to the finals had they gotten more depth scoring.

How can the Maple Leafs give their bottom-six a makeover?

In Game 7 against the Panthers, Toronto iced this bottom-six:

McMann - Domi - Pacioretty
Lorentz - Laughton - Jarnkrok
David Kampf, Ryan Reaves, and Nick Robertson were scratches

I don't have many gripes with the third line. Although Domi has a $3.75 million cap hit for the next three seasons, which is high, he produced at key moments for Toronto in the postseason, including the overtime-winner in Game 2 against the Ottawa Senators.

He, too, is well-loved in the dressing room, which is a positive.

McMann's playoff was a bit disappointing, and I think he'd agree with you if you questioned him about it. However, at $1.35 million for another season, plus his goalscoring touch, I think it would be smart for Toronto to hold onto him.

Given it was his first-ever NHL playoffs, there's plenty to learn before Toronto gets there again next April.

Tanev, Gourde Contracts And Deferred Money Provide A Blueprint For Maple Leafs To Re-Sign John TavaresTanev, Gourde Contracts And Deferred Money Provide A Blueprint For Maple Leafs To Re-Sign John TavaresJohn Tavares wants to stay in Toronto. The former Maple Leafs captain made that clear when speaking to reporters shortly after his team was eliminated in the second round at the hands of the three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers. This desire, coupled with the Maple Leafs' cap constraints, begs the question: How can both sides find common ground? Reportedly, the Maple Leafs would welcome him back, but not at the hefty $11 million per season salary cap hit that came with his first contract in Toronto. Recent contracts signed by other players offer a compelling glimpse into potential solutions.

There doesn't have to be much said about Pacioretty. He came in on a professional tryout, signed a one-year, $873,770 contract, and did what was asked of him in the playoffs despite not playing much of the regular season. I believe you could throw Lorentz into the same category as Pacioretty. He didn't score, but he executed his role perfectly in the postseason.

This line will probably look entirely different entering next season, especially if Tavares gets bumped down to the third-line center spot. But I'd agree with bringing Pacioretty and Lorentz back.

Pacioretty is reportedly "leaning toward" a return to the Maple Leafs.

The biggest question marks, though, lie within the fourth line and the scratches. The Maple Leafs have David Kampf, a scratch for all but one game in the playoffs, signed for two more years at $2.4 million.

I'm curious whether Toronto's looking to move that money out or not.

Maple Leafs 2025 Offseason: Breaking Down Salary Cap Space and Free Agent PrioritiesMaple Leafs 2025 Offseason: Breaking Down Salary Cap Space and Free Agent PrioritiesThe calendar will soon flip to June and for the Toronto Maple Leafs, their focus will be on roster construction for the 2025-26 NHL season.

Ryan Reaves has one more year at $1.35 million. At the trade deadline, the 38-year-old cleared waivers and joined the Toronto Marlies. He didn't score through 35 NHL regular-season games. The veteran forward, though, is loved by his Maple Leafs teammates, and Toronto would only suffer a $200,000 cap hit if they were to bury Reaves in the minors.

He'd probably like to play more in the NHL next season, so I wonder if he'd ask the Maple Leafs for a trade elsewhere.

After requesting a move last summer as a restricted free agent, Nick Robertson is once again an RFA. Toronto held onto him last September, signing the forward to a one-year, $875,000 contract. The 23-year-old scored 15 goals in 69 games, setting a new career-high. His playoff time was limited, though, to just three games.

Robertson is arbitration-eligible this summer, meaning he could push for more money. After a limited role and not much playing time in the playoffs, does he want to remain a Maple Leaf?

Data Suggests Veterans Outperform in NHL Playoffs—Should the Maple Leafs Follow the Trend?Data Suggests Veterans Outperform in NHL Playoffs—Should the Maple Leafs Follow the Trend?The 2025 Stanley Cup Final has served as a stark reminder: experience, that intangible quality often dismissed for youthful exuberance, can be a decisive weapon in the grind of playoff hockey. From Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand's tenacious performance to 40-year-old Edmonton Oilers forward Corey Perry, veteran players are not just participating—they're driving their teams. This raises a critical question for NHL general managers, particularly those like the Toronto Maple Leafs—perpetually searching for the missing piece: Should teams pay a premium for veteran players, banking on their experience to translate into playoff success?

Calle Jarnkrok was injured for most of the season before returning late and playing in the playoffs. He has one more year remaining at $2.1 million. Berube enjoyed having the forward, so maybe Jarnkrok finishes his contract with the Maple Leafs?

He scored one goal through 31 games this season, regular season and playoffs combined.

Finally, on the list is Scott Laughton, who joined the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. It took the 31-year-old a bit of time to find his footing with his hometown club, but you could notice him becoming more comfortable as the playoffs approached.

He finished the postseason with no goals and two assists in 13 games. Laughton, though, was engaged throughout the entirety of the playoffs. You could argue that a first-round pick and Nikita Grebenkin was a tad much for the forward, but it's not horrible value at $1.5 million for another season.

What's The Ideal Contract For Matthew Knies And The Maple Leafs?What's The Ideal Contract For Matthew Knies And The Maple Leafs?When the Toronto Maple Leafs plucked Matthew Knies out of the second round (57th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft, his potential was unknown.

Toronto's bottom-six doesn't need much of a makeover, really.

If you hold onto Domi, Laughton, McMann, Jarnkrok, Lorentz, and Pacioretty, there are six players who you could use, plus depth. You could argue a shake-up is needed, especially when looking at the goal-scoring in the playoffs.

Or you could hope that the same players in a similar scenario get it done next May.

This summer, Toronto has nearly $26 million in cap space. It could be $29.5 million if they moved on from Kampf and Reaves. Either way, the Maple Leafs have plenty of room for movement, even more so if Marner walks out the door on July 1.

That leaves opportunity for change within the top six, and if Treliving prefers, alterations in the bottom of Toronto's lineup.

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Maxim Shabanov Update: Flyers Must Guarantee NHL Role for the KHL Star?

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To give themselves the best chance of landing KHL star Maxim Shabanov, it looks like the Philadelphia Flyers are going to have to guarantee a regular NHL role for the forward right away.

Shabanov, 24, scored 23 goals, 44 assists, and 67 points for Traktor Chelyabinsk this season, finishing third in the KHL in scoring behind former NHLers Nikita Gusev (69) and Josh Leivo (80).

The undrafted forward prospect was a finalist for the KHL Golden Stick (MVP), which was ultimately awarded to Leivo.

Shabanov has been heavily connected to the Flyers since as far back as January, and despite some recent reports jumping the gun and indicating otherwise, the silky 5-foot-8 forward won't choose his next NHL team until after the 2025 NHL Draft and free agency.

From there, according to agent Alex Chernykh in an exclusive interview with Championat, he, Shabanov, and the rest of the camp will evaluate inquiring NHL teams' situations and choose the best one that will also allow Shabanov to play.

"We communicate with clubs, listen to their proposals, analyze," Chernykh said. "Utah, Vegas. Boston is interested, the Islanders are also interested.

"There is only one criterion. We just need to look at the team rosters and understand where he will really have his place, as it happened with other players. So that he comes there and plays in the NHL, so that he has time and a place in the roster.

"For us, the player’s place in the NHL plays a role. We are now thinking more about the player, not the club."

Chernykh notably did not mention the Flyers by name, but Philadelphia, with low expectations and a young team, is uniquely equipped to put Shabanov on the ice early and often right out of the gate.

And while Chernykh also represents the Islanders' Maxim Tsyplakov, he doesn't have the same draw or star power that Matvei Michkov has.

It could mean nothing, ultimately, but it should be noted that Michkov and Nikita Grebenkin follow Shabanov on Instagram, and Shabanov follows them. Grebenkin's follow came after the initial premature reports of Shabanov joining the Flyers.

Is there a recruiting effort going on behind the scenes? Who knows?

But as far as paperwork goes, Chernykh and his client will wait to see which NHL team, including the Flyers, makes the best pitch to them after the dust settles on free agency after July 1.

For more Flyers news and up-to-date coverage, visit The Hockey News and like our Facebook page. Follow us on 𝕏: @ByJonBailey,  @TheHockeyNews

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Dwyane Wade wears many hats after the NBA: Father, entrepreneur, cancer survivor

Dwyane Wade wears many hats after the NBA: Father, entrepreneur, cancer survivorDwyane Wade’s résumé could have stopped at three-time NBA champion, 13-time NBA All-Star and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer. But his basketball success has given him access to a wide range of people and opportunities, in ventures involving sports, education, entertainment, food and wine. His post-basketball duties expanded with last month’s announcement that he would join Prime Video’s NBA coverage for the 2025-26 season as an in-game and studio analyst.

Wade is considered one of the best players in NBA history because of his versatility on the court. In his post-NBA career, doing a little bit of everything still defines him.

Wade is the father of four children (and the guardian of a fifth), and he advocates for LGBTQ+ youth in solidarity with his daughter Zaya, who is transgender. He is married to actress Gabrielle Union. He’s a brand ambassador, a fashionista, a podcaster.

He’s a cancer survivor, as well.

With everything, Wade has a personal mission: Help people enter spaces they might not normally have access to.

“Not everyone is going to be invited into that room, so you can hold the door open to see if others can come in,” Wade told The Athletic. “If not, make sure that you’re doing your job, giving back to the people that you hope will walk through those doors.”

It’s been a challenging 18 months for Wade. On the Jan. 30 episode of his podcast, “The Why with Dwyane Wade,” he revealed he had a cancerous tumor removed from his right kidney on Dec. 18, 2023.

Wade admitted he hadn’t been as diligent about getting physicals since his playing days ended, but he eventually saw a doctor after having urinary and stomach issues. What specialists eventually discovered was a three-centimeter mass on his kidney: Stage 1 cancer.

“That moment was probably the weakest point I’ve ever felt in my life,” Wade said on the podcast. “The moments I was by myself, I was struggling.”

Wade, 43, tries to use his private experiences to lead public conversations that could help others, and he wanted to bring awareness to men’s health issues.

Additionally, his experiences with fatherhood have been an ongoing teachable moment. Wade published a book in 2012 sharing stories about his journey as a parent. More than a decade later, Wade works to be a protector for Zaya.

Wade didn’t plan on parenting publicly, but celebrity status and social media have made it difficult — though he has been careful with Zaya. In being her biggest supporter, Wade has tried to be an example for other parents in how to handle attacks on transgender rights and vitriol aimed at their families. Wade’s basketball career is revered in Miami (the nickname “Wade County” is a play on Dade County), but his family moved to California after his playing career in part because he didn’t believe his family would be “accepted” amid Florida’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies.

Wade doesn’t allow hate to change his parenting approach.

“I’m such a proud father, and I try to post my kids,” Wade said. “So, as my child got older and got confident and comfortable with us talking more about her and talking more about her situation, that’s when we did.”



 












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Through his Dwyane Wade Family Foundation, Wade aims to provide resources to marginalized communities. The foundation also assisted in starting Translatable, a digital platform and online community — operated by both Wade and Zaya — that states it’s “a safe space for LGBTQIA+ youth to express themselves and is a resource hub for our parents, families and support systems.”

“We want to put our narrative out there, as well,” Wade said. “We know that other families, other kids, other people will be dealing with this and will go through these things. This is happening in real time.”

Since his cancer diagnosis, Wade has continued to live a busy life. His post-NBA biography includes ownership stakes in five sports franchises: the NBA’s Utah Jazz, the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club, the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, the MLS’ Real Salt Lake and the NWSL’s Utah Royals. Other business partnerships include Versace; his wine brand, Wade Cellars; and PROUDLY, which makes hair and skin products for babies and children of color.

Wade is also the founder of the production company 59th & Prairie Entertainment, and he has served as an executive producer on multiple projects, including award-winning Netflix documentaries ““The Redeem Team” and “The Dads.” Add his new Prime Video duties to his growing list of projects.

“If you see a lot of the investments and things that I’ve done, it’s in the world of entertainment, sports, the different teams I’ve invested in,” he said. “That’s how I can utilize myself, because that’s where my strengths are.

“I wanted to jump right into my strengths when I retired — and then obviously learn other things along the way.”

Wade’s interest in entrepreneurship increased after a shoulder injury briefly sidelined him during the 2006-07 season. His business manager, Lisa Joseph-Metelus, said she considers him a “unicorn.” Wade has his hands on a lot of projects but tries to be intentional about what he attaches his name to, meticulously analyzing potential ventures.

“His curiosity is what drives a lot of the work that we do,” Joseph-Metelus said. “He has no ego when it comes to understanding the process of something or learning or being put in a position where he says, ‘I want to learn.'”

Wade also takes risks, particularly with fashion. Jokes have been cracked about some of his choices. He’s attended Fashion Week events in various cities around the world. He’s worn capri pants and carried handbags when others wouldn’t.

But he doesn’t regret taking chances.

“I looked out in the space, and I didn’t see many people in this fashion space that look like me as a Black American former athlete, someone 6-foot-4 who is a little unconventional when you think of fashion,” Wade said. “No one is doing that, so why can’t I?”

He continued: “Sometimes you have to understand that if you’re comfortable in it, if you’re so confident in what you’re doing, (it’s) going to take people an amount of time before they catch up. It’s OK to be in the beginning phases of doing something. I’ve seen it in a lot of aspects of my life.”

Wade has become a fixture in fashion. He has an apparel deal with Versace. He announced a deal with Swiss watchmaker Hublot more than a decade ago.

Wade also has made inroads — for himself and others — in the food and beverage industry. He visited Napa Valley during harvest season in 2014 and connected with the Pahlmeyer family, then partnered with them to create Wade Cellars. He then started Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon and Three by Wade Red Blend in 2015, to be sold in China.

George Walker III is a Wade Cellars brand ambassador and was the company’s first full-time employee. Walker worked in hospitality in Michigan but wanted to learn how to actually make wine. In 2020, he emailed Wade Cellars to ask about internships.

While there were no internships, Wade Cellars told Walker there was a position available to run day-to-day operations. Walker pivoted and moved to Napa. He’s now been with Wade’s company for five years, and his role has grown to include marketing, social media and market share.

When Walker started, Wade Cellars was in 10 states. By the end of 2021, it was in 44 states.

“(Wade has a) passion for creating space for people that aren’t always represented,” Walker said. “What convinced me was hearing his passion for that, but also just for connectivity in general.”

Walker isn’t the only person in Wade’s orbit who credits the NBA Hall of Famer with providing an opportunity. Chef Richard Ingraham once was a hairstylist for Joseph-Metelus, and also taught culinary arts at Miami Northwestern High School.

Joseph-Metelus reached out to Ingraham because Wade was looking for a personal chef. That connection allowed Ingraham — a non-sports fan who admittedly didn’t know who Wade was at the time — to eventually quit his teaching job and live out a culinary dream. Ingraham credits Wade and Union with helping to start his first company, Chef RLI, a network to connect chefs with celebrities and sports figures.

“One day, (Wade) walked in the door and he was like, ‘Hey, Chris Bosh asked if we knew of any chefs; we told him that you had a company and you put chefs in people’s homes,'” Ingraham recalled. “I was like, ‘Yo, I don’t have that.'”

But neither Wade nor Union took no for an answer. That unexpected nudge was a springboard for Ingraham’s business, and his work with Wade also helped him write two cookbooks.



“Dwyane gave me the latitude to be able to have the time to write these books, to take pictures of food, to prepare the type of food that I’ve prepared,” Ingraham said. “Every single dish in the books is something that has been prepared in this house. … I don’t take those types of things for granted.”

Wade also puts on the When We Gather Food & Wine festivals, which highlight chefs and sommeliers of color throughout the U.S. In September 2022, Wade brought his festival to an Inglewood, Calif., establishment owned by sisters LeAnn and Leslie Jones. 1010 Wine & Events calls itself “the first and only wine bar in Inglewood.”

The Jones sisters had received media attention before, but Wade’s association took their exposure to another level.

“Every time I get to speak about him in the wine space, I love to do it,” Leslie said. “I think that he, better than anyone, has used his platform and used his celebrity (status) to push the Black wine community along.”

“He brought on all Black-owned wine brands to be the vendors,” added Leslie, referring to Wade serving as the first director of culture and vibes during the 2023 Blue Note Jazz Festival in Napa, Calif. “That’s really powerful to me, because it’s not just talking … it’s putting action to it.”



 












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In 2021, Wade was asked to join the executive leadership board for the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology, a program that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees related to the wine industry. Wade, noting the lack of diversity in the field, said he wanted to create a program “where we are able to bring in Black and Brown people so we can learn about the wine industry and understand it.”

Ben Montpetit, Ph.D., associate professor and department chair at UC Davis, said Wade has been a “great partner” for the program. The university in 2023 held an Influencers Bootcamp, a two-day event hosting faculty and advisers from schools around the country, HBCUs included, to learn more about the program and potential careers in the industry. Wade served as host.

“He’s done a tremendous amount of work to help us reach new communities and students who might not necessarily have been exposed to wine in the past (and) might not be thinking about this as a career in the future,” Montpetit said.

The idea of reshaping the culture around him has always appealed to Wade. He made nearly $200 million for his NBA career alone, per Spotrac; that doesn’t include outside endorsements and deals with other companies. Creating opportunities is fulfilling, he said.

Particularly when it can benefit others.

“You know how it is on Thanksgiving when that plate is full? You just keep adding stuff on top of it, or you go back and get another plate,” Wade said. “I’m just getting started.  So hopefully, I’m just in the middle ground and this is halftime as a 43-year-old man.”

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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Report: Kevin Durant's wish list is Spurs, Heat, Rockets

Kevin Durant does have some leverage on where he gets traded. He has one year, at $54.7 million remaining on his contract, any team that trades for him will want to sign him to an extension. Durant can always say, "I will not re-sign with you."

Durant wants to be traded to the San Antonio Spurs or Houston Rockets, reports Sam Amick of The Athletic. Shams Charania of ESPN added the Miami Heat to those two teams. Amick adds that Durant may not get his wish, the Suns are most concerned with the best return they can get and if a team is willing to risk him walking after one year — as Toronto did to land Kawhi Leonard for the 2018-19 season (which worked out well for them) — the Suns will listen. Durant is seeking a two-year extension for more than $100 million.

Both the Spurs and Rockets would be considered title contenders if they add Durant. The Spurs have Victor Wembanyama in the paint and De'Aaron Fox at the point, Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, and they are almost certainly drafting Dylan Harper with the No. 2 pick in less than two weeks. The Rockets were the No. 2 seed in the West last season, boasting a core of young players such as Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. However, the playoffs revealed that this team lacks an elite-level, go-to scorer they can trust in the playoffs, and they also need more spacing and scoring in the half court. Durant checks all those boxes.

However, both the Spurs and Rockets like their current cores, and have spent the last few years protecting their assets and building slowly. To suddenly trade some of that core for a 37-year-old Durant would be a dramatic shift, and the offers may reflect that. The Suns have been unimpressed by the Spurs' offers built around Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Harrison Barnes, reports Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

The perception leaguewide is that the Rockets and Spurs are looking for a steal of a deal, not the kind of trade haul the Suns are hoping to land for the future Hall of Famer. There have also been reports that the Spurs are not pushing hard to get any deal done. San Antonio reportedly would be willing to trade the No. 14 pick in this year's NBA draft, but not the No. 2 pick or parts of their young core. The Rockets' offer reportedly would focus around Jabari Smith Jr.

One thing to take from these latest rumors: Everyone expects Durant to be traded by or at the draft (unless it is a situation where a handshake deal is in place to make a trade after July 6, when the new NBA fiscal year begins). A Durant trade is coming, sooner rather than later. The only question is where.

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Grizzlies trade Desmond Bane to Magic for 2 players, 4 first-round picks: Report

Grizzlies trade Desmond Bane to Magic for 2 players, 4 first-round picks: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The NBA Finals is still ongoing, but the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic are already looking forward to next season.

Memphis and Orlando executed the first blockbuster trade of the 2025 NBA offseason on Sunday, with Desmond Bane reportedly heading to the Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap.

Orlando is sending to Memphis the No. 16 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Phoenix’s first-round pick in 2026, plus its own unprotected first-round picks in 2028 and 2030. The pick swap is lightly protected in 2029.

ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the news on Sunday morning.

Bane, who turns 27 later this month, will join an Orlando team that lost in the first round to the Boston Celtics, with a noticeable lack of offense holding the young roster back. He averaged 19.2 points per game for Memphis last season, shooting 41% from 3-point range over his five-year career. The Magic ranked last in 3-point percentage as a team in 2024-25 (31.8%).

While Memphis is giving up the best player in this trade, the haul of four unprotected first-round picks is a ransom. Caldwell-Pope and Anthony have been consistent veteran guards throughout their careers, too. KCP won championships with the Los Angeles Lakers (2020) and Denver Nuggets (2023), while Anthony has been with Orlando since being drafted in 2020.

The Magic will use Bane to form a strong trio with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, especially in an Eastern Conference that will be up for grabs next season. Bane has four years and $163.2 million left on the max extension he signed with Memphis in 2023.

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Verlander could return from injury in Giants' upcoming homestand

Verlander could return from injury in Giants' upcoming homestand originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LOS ANGELES — The Giants received promising news before their blowout 11-5 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.

San Francisco manager Bob Melvin told reporters that Justin Verlander, who was placed on the 15-day injured list with nerve irritation in his right pectoral muscle after a May 19 start against the Athletics, potentially could return during the Giants’ upcoming nine-game homestand at Oracle Park, which begins against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.

“Every time he throws, we see how he feels the next day, but I think there’s a chance we’re going to see him at home,” Melvin said about Verlander, adding that the 42-year-old felt good after throwing roughly 65 pitches during his latest bullpen session.

Verlander said after that start against the A’s that he was dealing with “something physically that the team was aware of” and hoped it would just be a “blip on the radar.” It seems the three-time Cy Young Award winner and the Giants are distancing themselves from said blip.

It is unclear who will be removed from the rotation when Verlander returns; when a reporter asked Melvin if it would be lefty Kyle Harrison, who most recently allowed four hits and three earned runs over five innings in San Francisco’s 6-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, the Giants skipper was blunt.

“We haven’t talked to any of those guys,” Melvin said. “I’m not going to say what’s going to happen and when until we get home, we get through this series here.”

Melvin will cross that bridge when Verlander meets him there.

Nevertheless, the nine-time MLB All-Star has a 0-3 record and 4.33 ERA during the 2025 MLB season after his first 10 starts with the Orange and Black. At 262 career wins, Verlander still has a bit to go before earning his first with San Francisco and a lot to go before reaching his end goal of 300.

But he appeared closer to both goals on Saturday, and the Giants certainly will take the good news.

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Giants notes: Schmitt makes franchise history in odd way vs. Dodgers

Giants notes: Schmitt makes franchise history in odd way vs. Dodgers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

LOS ANGELES — Logan Porter is not a pitcher. He also might be the most consistent pitcher in baseball.

The Giants’ new backup catcher took the mound in the bottom of the eighth inning of a blowout loss Saturday at Dodger Stadium and threw 15 pitches, all coming in between 34.8 and 37.9 mph. It was the type of inning that has become the norm in modern baseball, with position players being used to save bullpens late in lopsided games, but this one went off the rails when a second position player took the mound.

Utility man Kiké Hernandez already has pitched four times for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and earlier this week he threw 2 1/3 innings against the San Diego Padres in a blowout that the Dodgers were on the other end of. This time, he was asked to protect an 11-0 lead in the top of the ninth, and he couldn’t make it to the 27th out, which allowed Casey Schmitt to make an odd sort of franchise history. 

Hernandez walked the bases loaded ahead of Schmitt, who blasted a 57 mph pitch into the seats in left for his second grand slam in as many nights. The Giants lost 11-5, but Schmitt became the first player in franchise history to hit a grand slam in back-to-back games. Hall of Famer Travis Jackson did it back-to-back days in 1924, but the second one came during the second game of a doubleheader. Schmitt joined Mike Piazza as the only players ever to hit a slam in back-to-back games at Dodger Stadium.

Hernandez threw 38 pitches and only 16 were strikes. When shortstop Miguel Rojas threw away a potential game-ending grounder, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was forced to turn to an actual reliever — Anthony Banda — who got the final out. It was an ugly way to end what had been a raucous night at Dodger Stadium.

“I don’t run that. They do what they do,” manager Bob Melvin said. “I pitched a position player too, but I’ve never done it [when leading].”

Major League Baseball’s rules allow teams to use a position player when trailing by eight or leading by 10. It was an odd way to end the night, but ultimately it will count the same for Schmitt, who put himself in the franchise record books and picked up his third home run of the road trip. 

Rough For Roupp

The game was so far gone because Landen Roupp gave up six runs in the first two innings. The second-year starter recorded just five outs and walked five.

“I don’t think I had anything working for me,” Roupp said. “I couldn’t find the zone with really anything and when I did it got hit hard.”

Roupp said he takes “full responsibility” for the loss, noting that he put the offense in such a deep hole that there was no chance to fight back as they have done so often. He also put the bullpen in a tough spot. 

Spencer Bivens and Tristan Beck soaked up most of the rest of the night, with Bivens throwing 54 pitches in 3 1/3 innings. Melvin was going to take Bivens out after the fourth inning, but the durable right-hander said he could give the manager one more. That was big for a tired bullpen, which was without Randy Rodriguez, who had a marathon outing on Thursday. Bivens and Beck allowed Melvin to save Sean Hjelle as his long man for Sunday’s game, and the Giants will be off Monday, so they’ll have a chance to regroup. 

Same Old Kershaw

The stats almost seem impossible. Clayton Kershaw has thrown at least seven innings against the Giants in 37 different games. Saturday’s game was his 10th time throwing at least seven shutout innings against them.
Kershaw will go into the Baseball Hall of Fame five years after he retires, in part because of more than a decade of dominance in rivalry games. He’s well past his prime, and every start against the Giants might be his last, but they still bring something different out of him.

“We didn’t have much of an answer for him,” Melvin said. 

There’s only one player that Kershaw has faced more than 100 times, and he watched Saturday’s game from a suite reserved for the visiting team’s president of baseball operations. Sometimes, you just have to tip your cap.

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Pacers vs. Thunder Game 5 Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for June 16

It’s Monday, June 16, and the Indiana Pacers (50-32) and Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) are all set to square off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City for Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Oklahoma City took Game 4 at Indiana, 111-104, behind 62 combined points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35) and Jalen Williams (27), plus 14 points and 15 rebounds via Chet Holmgren. The OKC trio combined to shoot 24-of-51 from the field (47%) and a perfect 27-for-27 from the free-throw line.

The Thunder out-scored the Pacers 31-17 in the fourth quarter with Gilgeous-Alexander posting 15 of the final 16 points for Oklahoma City. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 20 points and 8 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton poured in 18 points and 7 assists.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

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Game details & how to watch Pacers vs. Thunder live today

  • Date: Monday, June 16, 2025
  • Time: 8:30PM EST
  • Site: Paycom Center
  • City: Oklahoma City, OK
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN / ABC

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-dayNBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Pacers vs. Thunder

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Odds: Pacers (+310), Thunder (-395)
  • Spread:  Thunder -9.5
  • Over/Under: 223.5 points

That gives the Pacers an implied team point total of 106.5, and the Thunder 116.5.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Monday’s Pacers vs. Thunder game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Thunder to win in 6 games (+105):

"Indiana had its chance to go up 3-1 headed back to OKC but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put the Thunder on his back in the fourth quarter to split the series 2-2. That could have been the nail in the coffin for the Pacers, but only time will tell.

For +105 odds and considering the Thunder are -395 home favorites in Game 5 and should be at least -180 favorites in Game 6, I like the value in the exact series score to be Thunder in 6. If you like the Pacers to win the series, I think there is value on Pascal Siakam to win NBA Finals MVP at +850 to +1000"

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Pacers & Thunder game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Indiana Pacers at +9.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 223.5.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Pacers vs. Thunder on Monday

  • Oklahoma City is 2-0 in Game 5's this postseason, while Indiana is 2-1
  • Tyrese Haliburton has recorded at least six assists in all four NBA Finals games
  • Pascal Siakam has recorded at least six rebounds in all four NBA Finals games
  • Jalen Williams has scored at least 17 points in all four NBA Finals games
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30-plus points in three of the four NBA Finals games
  • Chet Holmgren has double-doubled in the past two games
  • Alex Caruso has scored double-figures in two of four NBA Finals games

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

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Clayton Kershaw tosses a gem, Shohei Ohtani homers twice in Dodgers' win over Giants

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 14, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers during an 11-5 win over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The offense scored 11 times. Shohei Ohtani hit two home runs. And the team regained sole possession of first place in the division.

But on a night of all-around excellence from the Dodgers, no one impressed quite like the man who endures as the most familiar face on the team.

Clayton Kershaw might only throw 90 mph (on a good fastball) now. He might lack the ever-imposing aura that emanated through the peak of his career.

But at 37 years old, and in his 18th MLB season, the future Hall of Fame left-hander can still consistently locate his pitches, still instinctively mix his three-pitch arsenal and still pitch — in every meaning of the word — his way through a big league outing.

Read more:Hernández: Cowardly Dodgers remain silent as ICE raids terrorize their fans

It’s why he wanted to keep playing this season, even after a 2023 shoulder surgery and 2024 toe and knee procedures. Why he still holds a place in the Dodgers’ starting rotation, one that has counted on him to compensate for a swath of injuries in the season’s opening two months. And why, when handed a big early lead Saturday against the San Francisco Giants, he knew exactly what to do, breezing through a scoreless seven-inning, three-hit, five-strikeout gem in the Dodgers’ 11-5 win at Dodger Stadium.

Saturday was not exactly a daunting task for Kershaw.

He was facing a Giants lineup that ranks 25th in the majors in batting average. He had the luxury of a six-run lead by the top of the third inning. The assignment, at that point, was simple: Get quick outs, keep his pitch count under control, and ensure a lopsided score stayed that way in a game that put the Dodgers (42-29) one game ahead of the Giants (41-30) in the National League West standings.

All that, he had done countless times before.

The fact he can still perform, however, inspired awe throughout the ballpark, with 51,548 in attendance witnessing his 65th career start featuring seven scoreless innings.

In the lead-up to the game, manager Dave Roberts noted a few simple keys for Kershaw against the Giants. An aggressive team, Roberts expected early contact that would require precision on pitches in the strike zone. He also noted the proliferation of right-handed bats in San Francisco’s lineup.

“We're going to need the slider tonight,” Roberts said. “If he could command that fastball on both sides of the plate, and present that slider as a strike, it should be a good outing for him.”

Kershaw began executing that script quickly.

In the first, he erased a leadoff walk to Jung Hoo Lee by getting Heliot Ramos to ground into an inning-ending double-play, snapping off an outer-half slider to escape one of his few jams.

In the second, he needed just four pitches to retire the side in order, capitalizing on a string of well-located offerings for a lightning-quick inning.

By the time Kershaw returned to the mound, the Dodgers had surged ahead.

Ohtani began the onslaught with his seventh leadoff home run of the season. The Dodgers ambushed Giants starter Landen Roupp — a second-year right-hander who entered with a 3.29 earned-run average in 13 starts — for five runs in the second.

Up 6-0, Kershaw found a groove. He stranded a leadoff double in the third, collecting the first of his five strikeouts along the way; a total that leaves him just 12 shy of reaching 3,000 strikeouts for his career.

He did the same thing in the fifth, ending the inning with two vintage swing-and-miss curveballs that left Tyler Fitzgerald looking silly.

On the whole, Kershaw got eight swings-and-misses, building upon the strides he took in a seven-strikeout performance against the St. Louis Cardinals last week.

And by the time he finished Saturday’s outing with a clean seventh inning — retiring nine of his last 10 batters en route to his first seven-inning start since 2023 — he was getting a standing ovation from the Chavez Ravine faithful, and a long line of high-fives from coaches and teammates in the dugout.

Prime Kershaw, this is still not. His fastball averaged only 88.4 mph, down a tick from its already diminished average, and it generated no whiffs. Even his slider, which remains his go-to secondary weapon, was fanned on only three times in 15 swings.

Yet, he posted a string of zeroes anyway. He lowered his season ERA to 3.25. And he showed that, even now, he is capable of greatness on any given night.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Should The Penguins Deal Erik Karlsson? It May Not Be As Simple As It Seems.

With the 2025 NHL Draft just two weeks away and free agency to follow directly after, the trade market is beginning to heat up.

And the Pittsburgh Penguins seem to be near the center of it all. 

As reported by hockey insider Pierre LeBrun of TSN, the Penguins appear to be the only "true sellers" in the NHL this offseason, which puts them in a prime position to gather a lot of assets - and, possibly, some prior to and during the draft.

Forward Bryan Rust's name has been thrown around a lot over the past several days, as has Rickard Rakell's - both of whom are fresh off career years. The other guy in the spotlight is defenseman Erik Karlsson, who originally came to the Penguins via a blockbuster trade with the San Jose Sharks during the summer of 2023. 

There is an overarching sentiment from many fans and people around the organization that expect Karlsson to be dealt as soon as this summer. While the Penguins may be wise to get out of the $10 million they owe Karlsson for two more years during a period of transition - or, at least, a large portion of it - it may not be as simple as it seems.

And, really, this has nothing to do with immovability or trade value. Yes, Karlsson has a full no-movement clause, and he would have to approve any potential destination. But the 35-year-old three-time Norris Trophy winner - who recorded 11 goals and 53 points to go along with a minus-24 last season - certainly still has value to contending teams looking for a puck-moving defenseman.

Apr 8, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrates his 200th career NHL goal with the Penguins bench against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Actually, the issue lies within the Penguins' roster.

As reported by The Athletic's Josh Yohe - and as gathered from general sentiment throughout the organization - the Penguins realize that Kris Letang's role as a top-pair defenseman are likely behind him. While this is no fault of Letang's - Father Time is unbeaten - it does pose a problem for the Penguins if they truly are trying to deal Karlsson. 

Right now, they have no other defenseman on their roster or in their system who can handle top-four minutes. But - assuming Matt Grzelcyk walks in free agency - they also have no one on the left side who is capable of playing consistent top-four minutes.

Bryan Rust Is In High Demand. But Is Trading Him The Right Call?Bryan Rust Is In High Demand. But Is Trading Him The Right Call?It is sure to be an active, interesting offseason for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Therefore, if Karlsson is dealt, the Penguins - even if they're not planning to be contenders next season - would need to somehow get their hands on three top-four defenseman prior to the onset of the 2025-26 season. Again, playing top-four minutes isn't only about skill, ceiling, and ability. It's also about physically and conditionally being able to handle the demand of top-four minutes.

Even for a team in the basement, that's a steep hill to climb. Sure, Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke may be in the roster conversation next season, but neither are ready for a full-time top-four role, nor should the Penguins expect them to be.

In other words, if the Penguins are to deal Karlsson, they need to make sure they have a plan to replace him. If they don't, there's a good chance that would be a massive, massive problem for Pittsburgh.

Penguins Have Prime Opportunity To Target Lightning's Top Forward ProspectPenguins Have Prime Opportunity To Target Lightning's Top Forward ProspectOn Saturday, news about the potential departure of the Tampa Bay Lightning's top prospect from the organization became one step closer to being confirmed.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!  

Photo Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

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Mets Prospect Roundup: Jett Williams has three more hits, Kevin Parada continues recent tear

With the minor league season in full swing, let's take a look at how some of the Mets' top prospects have been doing lately.

SS/CF Jett Williams, Double-A Binghamton

After a rare 0-for-5 on Friday night, Williams roared back on Saturday with a three-hit performance while playing center field for just the eighth time this season.

The 21-year-old went 3-for-5 with a double, RBI and two runs scored from the leadoff spot to raise his batting average to .298. Williams also boasts a .404 on-base percentage and a .928 OPS while still maintaining his elite speed with 18 steals.

He's really begun to heat up lately as Williams has multiple hits in six of his last eight starts, hitting two home runs, two triples and five doubles during that stretch.

Following a lost season last year due to injuries, Williams is back to doing what he did in 2023 which earned him the Minor League Player of the Year award for the Mets.

C Kevin Parada, Double-A Binghamton

Another player on fire at the dish is Parada who went 2-for-4 with two doubles in Saturday's 8-2 win.

It hasn't always come easy for the former first-round pick, but lately the catching prospect has begun to figure things out with three straight multi-hit games.

Through 35 at-bats in June, Parada is slashing .371/.439/.800 with four home runs and 10 RBI. Over the least three games, the 23-year-old has raised his batting average from .190 to .219.

1B/OF Ryan Clifford, Double-A Binghamton

With another two hits on Saturday, Clifford extended his hitting streak to eight games and is 12-for-30 during that time. The lefty-swinging first baseman hit his 12th double and added two RBI which gives him a team-high 38 RBI this season.

Since joining the Mets organization, Clifford has been known as a power threat and has hit 30 home runs and 33 doubles in 158 games for the Rumble Ponies.

Still just 21 years old, it'll be interesting to see if New York promotes him to Triple-A sooner rather than later with this kind of production.

OF Carson Benge, High-A Brooklyn

Down a level, Benge continues to shine in his first full season in the minors.

Locked in a scoreless tie through the sixth inning with the Asheville Tourists, the Houston Astros' High-A affiliate, Benge knocked in the game's only run with a single to give the Cyclones a 1-0 win. He finished 1-for-4 and is hitting .302 over 54 games.

The game-winner improved Brooklyn's record to 42-20, good for first in their division.

RHP Nolan McLean, Triple-A Syracuse

The closest to a major league call-up, McLean had another solid outing despite a 5-1 loss for Syracuse. The right-hander went six innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks. He struck out three and threw 90 pitches (55 strikes).

McLean has now allowed two earned runs or fewer in five straight starts and has a 2.56 ERA in seven games (five starts) since his promotion to Triple-A.

After getting off to dominating start in Double-A this season (3-1, 1.37 ERA in five starts), the 23-year-old owns a 2.08 ERA (1.17 WHIP) overall.

The Mets will surely like to see more of the same from McLean this season before they even think about calling him up to the big leagues, but his continued success is nipping at the heels of teammate and fellow top prospect Brandon Sproat who has had a tough time transitioning to Triple-A, owning a 5.31 ERA (1.42 WHIP) in 13 starts.