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NHL Draft preview: Frondell, Hagens, McQueen emerge as favorites for Predators 5th overall pick

The Nashville Predators have a chance to place three major building blocks for the future on Friday, owning three first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

While the Predators drew the short end of the stick in May's lottery, drawing the fifth pick, they still own the 23rd and 26th overall picks, thanks to a pair of trades from 2023 and 2024.

This is the most picks the Predators have had in the first round in franchise history. The Philadelphia Flyers are the only team with three first-round picks in this year's draft.

MORE: Trotz, Predators prepared to get 'a really good player' at NHL Draft

MORE: Predators hire former Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson as assistant

MORE: Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 2017-2021

With so much top-end talent in this year's draft, it's anyone's guess as to where players will be drafted. However, no matter who the Predators end up selecting, they believe they're getting a star.

“I think we're going to get a really good player [at fifth overall],”  General Manager Barry Trotz said during a press conference on Tuesday. “We’re fortunate that there are a number of good centers in this Draft." 

Swedish center Anton Frondell, measuring 6-foot-0-inch and 196 pounds, is who many experts believe the Predators will pick with their fifth overall pick. With two strong centers on their top two lines, Nashville is looking to expand that depth down the middle into the bottom six.

Frondell has just finished his second season with Djurgårdens IF in the HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-highest professional hockey league. He had 25 points in 29 games and seven points in 16 playoff games.

Frondell could also be used as a weapon on the power play, as he has showcased his powerful, one-time shot on many occasions.

At the NHL Combine, Frondell had the highest VO2 max score, which measures the amount of oxygen utilized during a high-intensity workout. The prospect pedals on a stationary bike while a face mask measures how well their body is converting oxygen into energy.

Frondell finished with a score of 64.7. He also had the second-highest score (16.8) in the Peak Power Output test, which is measured similarly to the VO2 Max test on a stationary bike.

Boston College center James Hagens and Brandon Wheat Kings center Roger McQueen are two other names that have been thrown around as well.

Hagens is expected to go in the top three following his stellar season with the Eagles, where he scored 37 points in 37 games and helped the United States win the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

He is also from Hauppauge, New York, which is located on Long Island, so there is a slim chance that the New York Islanders could select a hometown kid with the No. 1 overall pick. 

If Hagens is still available by the time the fifth pick rolls around, it's likely the Predators will pick him up. Trotz expressed interest in the center on Tuesday, saying that he was "right in our wheelhouse." 

"He's [Hagens] a good example of a player that could go as high as two or three, but he's a tremendous player," Trotz said. "

Opposite to Hagens, McQueen could make the jump from a top 12 prospect to the top 5. With the Wheat Kings, he had 20 points in 17 games, 11 coming in the first eight games of the season, but suffered an injury that sidelined him for the bulk of the season.

McQueen's injury has him lower in the projections, but the Predators could get a steal by drafting him at fifth. He was also asked about his health and said that he "feels 100%" going into the draft.

"It was obviously huge to be able to get the sign," McQueen told NHL.com. "I kind of knew, just because, like, I've been pain-free for a while now. So, I kind of knew I was going to be cleared. Obviously, especially for me, a hurt guy, not playing all year, (it’s important) just to see that you're healthy.

The combined height, measuring 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 198 pounds, McQueen had a 112.8-inch horizontal jump and a 77.5-inch (6.45 feet) wingspan at the combine. 

While he may need to put on a bit more muscle, McQueen's 6-foot-5-inch build is a huge selling point and could be just what the Predators are looking for down the middle.

There is also the possibility that Nashville could trade the fifth overall pick. Trotz said on Tuesday that it'd be something he'd be open to if the right situation emerged. 

According to Elliotte Friedman, the New York Islanders are looking for another "high draft pick," opening the door for Nashville to trade. 

"If someone needs picks and wants to move past a really good player, I'm all in for that," Trotz said. "I'll never turn my nose up at any good player."

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Key denies Archer concerns and backs him to be ‘one of best England have had’

  • Rob Key: ‘We’ve gone slower than we could have done’

  • Fast bowler may be held back for third Test at Lord’s

Rob Key has played down concerns about Jofra Archer’s readiness for Test cricket, insisting England could have fast-tracked his comeback sooner and saying he trusts Ben Stokes not to flog such a precious commodity.

Archer, 30, was the standout name when an otherwise unchanged squad was picked for the second Test against India that starts at Edgbaston next Wednesday. But coming after a four-year absence from first-class cricket, and just 18 overs with a red ball for Sussex this past week, the selection also raised eyebrows.

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Jonathan Pintaro talks Mets debut, his inspiring journey to the majors, and what's next

Standing on the mound at Citi Field in the ninth inning on a sweltering night on Wednesday in front of 38,275 fans, Jonathan Pintaro -- making his major league debut -- met Ronald Acuña Jr., whostepped into the box with two outs and two on as the rookie looked to secure the final out for the Mets.

"Crazy," Pintaro told SNY on Friday about the moment. "As soon as I saw him step in, I was like 'alright, here it is. Here's the big time. You gotta figure out how to get out of this, facing one of the best hitters in the league.'"

Pintaro got strike one when Acuña fouled off a 92 mph cutter, and strike two by dotting a cutter near the knees on the outside corner.

That cutter, by the way? Pintaro said he modeled it after the one Corbin Burnes throws.

The third pitch to Acuña -- another cutter -- caught a bit more plate, and that one was fouled off, too.

Then came the fourth pitch, which was a 97 mph four-seam fastball that was up and in on Acuña for a bit of unintended chin music.

"It was not meant to be up and in," Pintaro said with a chuckle. "It was supposed to just be up. Ball is a little bit more slick than what I'm used to at the minor leagues. But I'll figure it out."

After that adrenaline and slick-ball-induced up-and-in pitch, Pintaro missed inside with another four-seamer before Acuña lined a cutter down the line for a two-run double.

That ended Pintaro's debut. But it was not hard to see why the Mets are so intrigued by him.

Pintaro's somewhat funky delivery and strong pitch mix means he'll likely be back in the majors sooner rather than later, where he'll look to carve out a home as a reliever -- a role he'll start to get more accustomed to beginning right now with Triple-A Syracuse after spending most of his time in the organization as a starter.

Jun 25, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jonathan Pintaro (91) has a meeting on the mound with catcher Hayden Senger (30) and first baseman Pete Alonso (20) in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.
Jun 25, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher Jonathan Pintaro (91) has a meeting on the mound with catcher Hayden Senger (30) and first baseman Pete Alonso (20) in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citi Field. / Wendell Cruz - Imagn Images

Then there's the story of Pintaro's journey to the big leagues, which is truly inspiring.

"Coming from a small town in Alabama, then went to a small D2 college in Rome, Georgia that not many people have heard of," Pintaro explained. "Went to Indy ball in Montana, playing for a newer team. And then now I'm here."

While in Independent Ball pitching for the Glacier Range Riders, Pintaro began tweaking some things. And once the Mets signed him last season (after he had a 0.97 WHIP and struck out 14.4 batters per nine for Glacier) and assigned him to the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones, Pintaro continued to fine-tune his arsenal.

"We just started looking at pitch grips and adding new pitches to my repertoire," he said about his time pitching in Independent Ball. "We ended up adding a sinker, changeup. Just kind of tweaking the sweeper, but the sinker and changeup were the biggest ones to add. And then when I got to Brooklyn, the pitching coach there is who helped me get my sweeper to where it is now."

While with Double-A Binghamton earlier this season, Pintaro's velocity ticked up -- something he attributes to adjustments with his mechanics.

In Binghamton, Pintaro impressed, posting a 3.40 ERA and 1.11 WHIP while striking out 57 batters in 42.1 innings over 11 starts -- a K rate of 12.1 per nine.

And he was teammates with Jonah Tong, whom Pintaro has been friends with for a while -- going back to their time playing together in the Draft League.

As far as the biggest thing Pintaro learned during his time in Binghamton?

"Don't take anything for granted," he said. "I did six years of college, played Indy ball. Now I have the opportunity to be here and I'm grateful for it. And I love everybody in Binghamton -- the manager, the coaches, the training staff, the players -- they're all amazing. I couldn't be happier than I am being with this organization."

Now that he's in Triple-A, Pintaro will get acclimated to a more regular relief role, noting that he'll be used mostly out of the bullpen while there -- something he said comes with more of an "adrenaline rush," which he felt during his big league debut earlier this week.

As he gets used to relieving regularly, Pintaro will be striving to return to the majors. And his answer was short and sweet regarding what his focus will be.

"Just command the zone, land all five pitches, and attack hitters," he said.

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Mike Dunleavy believes Jonathan Kuminga can reach NBA potential with Warriors

Mike Dunleavy believes Jonathan Kuminga can reach NBA potential with Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The biggest question mark of the Warriors’ NBA offseason revolves around impending restricted free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga.

After the first phase of the offseason concluded with Thursday’s second round of the 2025 NBA Draft, general manager Mike Dunleavy offered insight into where the Warriors stand with the former No. 7 overall pick.

On Friday’s episode of “The TK Show,” Tim Kawakami asked Dunleavy about Kuminga’s comments earlier this week, when the 22-year-old expressed his desire to be “great” and an NBA All-Star.

“As a young player, I love the personal ambition,” Dunleavy stated. “That’s what I see, first and foremost, with the comments. He’s a guy that believes in himself, wants to see what he can do.

“I think, ultimately, if we’re able to bring him back, we see a path for him to be able to do some of those things here.”

While Kuminga will be free to negotiate with other teams once NBA free agency begins June 30, Golden State will have the chance to match any contract offer sheet he receives from another franchise.

Kuminga’s potential isn’t much of a debate, but it’s fair to wonder if he can become a consistent, high-end scorer on a team led by veteran stars Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler.

Varying from DNP-CDs to the Warriors’ main scoring threat, Kuminga’s playing time under coach Steve Kerr fluctuated greatly throughout the end of the 2024-25 NBA season. As Dunleavy recognized, Golden State will need to make a firm decision on the young forward’s role going forward — which could affect how both sides approach contract talks.

“I think that will come out in the wash. It will get figured out, honestly,” Dunleavy said of Kuminga’s unclear role with the Warriors. “And that would be the calculus on us bringing him back and him wanting to be back here. So these are all of the things we have to go through and figure out. These are all questions that just can’t really be answered until we know what the deal is.”

Whatever those answers end up being, it will be very interesting to see how Golden State continues to handle this saga with a rising star.

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Will The Rangers Trade Back Into The First Round?

James Guillory-Imagn Images

Will the New York Rangers trade into the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft? The answer is likely no. 

When the Rangers still held the 12th overall pick, it was rumored that the team could be looking to move up in the draft and land a top-ten pick. 

However, as part of a trade with the Vancouver Canucks involving J.T. Miller, the Rangers had a choice to either give away this year’s first-round pick or their 2026 first-round pick. 

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury decided to transfer the 12th overall pick and keep the team’s 2026 first-round pick.

Now, the Rangers are left without a selection in the opening round of the draft on Friday, so it may be a quiet night for the Blueshirts. 

There’s always a possibility the Rangers trade back into the first round if there’s a specific prospect Drury has his eye on, but their move to transfer the 12th overall pick kind of cancels out that possibility. 

The most likely scenario for the Rangers to get a first-round pick tonight is a trade involving K’Andre Miller. 

Since the Rangers 2024-25 season ended, Miller has been the subject of multiple trade rumors as he will become a restricted free agent on July 1 and he’s still without an extension. 

With the draft approaching in just a few hours though, Miller still hasn’t been traded and Vince Z. Mercogliano is reporting that it seems the Rangers aren't crazy about what's been offered so far. 

The Rangers' Thought Process Behind Keeping Their 2026 First-Round PickThe Rangers' Thought Process Behind Keeping Their 2026 First-Round PickThere’s one major reason the New York Rangers decided to send their 2025 12th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins and keep their 2026 first-round pick. 

The Rangers still hold eight draft picks through the 2-7 rounds that begin on Saturday.

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury decided to transfer the 12th overall pick and keep the team’s 2026 first-round pick.

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Report: Sixers declining Jared Butler's team option

Report: Sixers declining Jared Butler's team option  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers are declining Jared Butler’s $2.3 million team option for the 2025-26 season, PHLY’s Kyle Neubeck reported Friday.

The team acquired Butler last season in a trade-deadline deal that sent Reggie Jackson to the Wizards. By the end of the Sixers’ injury-decimated year, he was their starting point guard. 

Over 28 appearances as a Sixer last season, Butler averaged 11.5 points, 4.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals. He shot 42.6 percent from the floor, 35.2 percent from three-point range and 87 percent at the foul line.

The 24-year-old appreciated the opportunity to have a stable role and aimed to provide stability and poise with a perpetually changing cast of healthy teammates.

“It’s been fantastic,” Butler said on March 29. “I think people underestimate … it’s been four years and it’s my first time getting a stretch of games where I know I’m going to play. … It’s a blessing, and I’m just glad I’m healthy and able to play. I think it’s good for my career.”

When everyone’s available, the Sixers clearly have multiple guards who’d be ahead of Butler on head coach Nick Nurse’s depth chart, including Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain and Quentin Grimes. No. 3 pick VJ Edgecombe is in town, too.

We’ll see what free agency holds for Butler, who’s played for four NBA franchises since being drafted with the 40th pick in the 2021 draft. Free agency will formally begin Monday at 6 p.m. ET.

The Sixers’ other team options are Justin Edwards ($2 million) and Lonnie Walker IV ($2.9 million). 

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Sharks select OHL star forward Michael Misa at No. 2 overall in 2025 NHL Draft

Sharks select OHL star forward Michael Misa at No. 2 overall in 2025 NHL Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Another young star has entered the mix in San Jose.

The Sharks further fortified their young core by selecting standout forward Michael Misa No. 2 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday.

The 18-year-old Misa spent the previous season dominating the OHL, recording a league-high 134 points in 65 appearances for the Saginaw Spirit. Misa’s 134-point campaign is the OHL’s highest single-season total since three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane’s 145-point tally in 2007.

Misa did a little bit of everything up front for the Spirit, logging 62 goals and 72 assists in his standout 2024-25 campaign, not only living up to, but exceeding the hype after being drafted No. 1 overall in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection.

The 18-year-old center demonstrated remarkable consistency on the score sheet last season, recording multi-point games in 46 of his 65 appearances for Saginaw.

A year after selecting superstar center Macklin Celebrini No. 1 overall in the 2024 draft, once again the Sharks have capitalized on a premium draft pick by adding another blue chip prospect to San Jose’s stockpile of promising youngsters.

As the Sharks seek a return to NHL prominence, Misa joins Celebrini, Will Smith, William Eklund and Yaroslav Askarov as San Jose’s foundational building blocks moving forward.

Download and follow the San Jose Hockey Now podcast

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Edmonton Oilers Have Three Players Signed Through 2030 After Re-Signing Trent Frederic

The Edmonton Oilers announced they re-signed Trent Frederic to an eight-year contract extension.

Frederic's new deal carries an average annual value of $3.85 million and lasts through 2032-33. The Oilers turned a trade deadline acquisition into a longtime piece of the puzzle.

In fact, Frederic is now one of three Oilers players under contract through at least 2030. The other two are center Leon Draisaitl and defenseman Darnell Nurse.

Draisaitl, 29, begins a new eight-year contract on July 1 with an NHL-high $14-million cap hit. His deal also expires in 2033. Nurse, 30, has five years remaining on an eight-year deal with a $9.25-million cap hit. Both players have no-move clauses in the rest of their contract, although Nurse's clause becomes a 10-team no-trade list in 2027-28 onward.

With Frederic's signing, Edmonton has about $12.35 million in projected cap space, according to PuckPedia. A good chunk of that will likely go to defenseman Evan Bouchard, a pending RFA with arbitration rights. They also have five pending UFAs, including Corey Perry and Connor Brown.

Although only three players are signed through 2030, that could change.

If Bouchard re-signs for at least five seasons, he'll be on that list. And superstar captain Connor McDavid, 28, enters the final year of his contract and can sign an extension as of July 1. He's prioritizing family and a long window to win on his next contract, whether it's with the Oilers or elsewhere.

There were some trade rumors and speculation this week regarding Nurse, who had 33 points in 76 games and eight points in the playoffs. TSN's Ryan Rishaug reported there's nothing to those rumors at this point.  

Trent Frederic (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)

Frederic, 27, had eight goals and seven assists for 15 points in 58 games this past regular season. All those points came with the Boston Bruins, which traded him to Edmonton on March 4.

Frederic, who dealt with an injury, played one regular-season game with the Oilers before adding a goal and four points in 22 playoff contests. He ranked fourth among Oilers forwards in hits during the post-season, with 85, and fifth in blocked shots, with 15. He averaged 11:24 of ice time on the Oilers in the playoffs, although he averaged 13:50 with the Bruins before the trade.

Since the Bruins drafted the center 29th overall in 2016, he's played 338 career games and recorded 55 goals and 54 assists for 109 points.

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Yankees promoting prospect Spencer Jones to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Spencer Jonesis moving on up.

The Yankees are promoting the 24-year-old to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, according to SNY's Andy Martino.

Jones, ranked the No. 2 prospect in New York's system by MLB Pipeline, had ben lighting it up over 49 games at Double-A this year to earn his first taste of the last step between him and the big leagues. The 6-foot-7 outfielder had 16 home runs and 32 RBI with a .274/.389/.594 slash line for a .984 OPS over his first 208 plate appearances of the campaign.

He has been on a particularly hot run during 21 games in June, smacking seven homers with 15 RBI, a .321 average, and 1.039 OPS.

Jones played 124 games for Double-A last campaign and produced 17 homers and 30 doubles, good for a .452 slugging percentage and .789 OPS. But, the 84th rated prospect in baseball entering that year, continued his struggles with strikeouts as he went down on strikes 200 times over 544 times up. That after he struck out 155 times over 117 games across two levels the year prior. This year, despite his better success in the box, he has already been fanned 70 times.

Jones was the 25th overall pick (Round 1) by the Yanks in the 2022 MLB Amateur Draft after playing his college ball at Vanderbilt. He was selected in the 31st round of the 2019 draft by the Los Angeles Angels, but opted to play college ball.

Last July, the Chicago White Sox were reportedly “insisting” that Jones be included in any potential trade package for left-hander Garrett Crochet, who was dealt to the Boston Red Sox this past offseason.

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2025 NHL Draft Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins Edition

2025 defensive draft prospect Kashawn Aitcheson. (Credit: Mike Augello - The Hockey News)

The day is finally here. 

On Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET, the 2025 NHL Entry Draft will begin. Team general managers, draft prospects, and fans alike have been preparing for and awaiting this day for a long while, and there is already a ton of buzz around this, potentially, being a very interesting draft.

And one of the teams generating the most buzz? Kyle Dubas's Pittsburgh Penguins.

After the decision by the New York Rangers to give Pittsburgh their 12th overall pick in this year's draft - which officially completed the J.T. Miller and Marcus Pettersson trades - the Penguins are slated to select back-to-back at 11th and 12th overall. The team has never selected back-to-back before, and they'll have the opportunity to add two impact players who could play a big part in their future.

But, it might not go down the way you think. 

There are several reports that the Penguins are willing to either trade up in the draft or pony up one of those picks for the "right young player," as per Darren Dreger of TSN. Whatever way they decide to go, they'll be getting two good young players - but, obviously, the door is open for them to draft a game-changer, should they decide to move up.

So, with that said, here are two draft scenarios for the Penguins - and who I think they'll select in these scenarios.

2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions For Schaefer, Martone And More2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions For Schaefer, Martone And MoreThe 2025 NHL draft kicks off Friday evening, so it’s time to get in the spirit by conducting the final mock draft of the season. 

Penguins stand pat at 11 and 12

It should be emphasized that, despite all the buzz around the Penguins, they very well could play it safe and do exactly this. So, what would happen if the Penguins stay put?

Truthfully, the odds are that the Penguins are going to get a pair of difference-making players regardless. Names are bound to fall, and I believe one will. 

Given the alleged focus on centers in this draft class, it's entirely possible that the Penguins could snag Swedish left wing Victor Eklund, who is - arguably - one of the most skilled players in the draft. Eklund registered 19 goals and 31 points for Djurgardens IF of HockeyAllsvenskan last season, and he played alongside top-five draft hopeful Anton Frondell.

Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Victor EklundPenguins Draft Prospect Profile: Victor EklundWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

Drawing comparisons to NHL forwards such as Jesper Bratt and Travis Konecny, the relentless forward would be a very solid choice for the Penguins at 11 - and, seemingly, a very realistic one.

As for the 12th overall spot? There's a good chance that spot belongs to defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, who the Penguins have had conversations with.

The hard-hitting left defender - contrary to popular belief - isn't just known for his meanness, physicality, and shutdown ability. He is also known for his booming shot, ability to aid the transition game, and steady offensive production, as he finished seventh overall in OHL scoring among defensemen with 26 goals and 59 points in 64 games for the Barrie Colts last season. 

If the Penguins draft back-to-back at 11 and 12 - again - they'll be getting two good players. And they could also be getting a potential high-end forward and a top-four defenseman, which are both things they desperately need in their system.

Penguins Draft Prospect Profile: Kashawn AitchesonPenguins Draft Prospect Profile: Kashawn AitchesonWith the 2025 NHL Entry Draft approaching fast, POHO and GM Kyle Dubas and the Pittsburgh Penguins have their work cut out for them. 

Penguins trade up, draft third overall

It is, perhaps, unwise to read too much into speculation around draft day. Teams purposefully leak things, and misleading narratives are told left and right, to try to throw other teams off in hopes of a given team being able to land who they want. 

But, as Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects said, this year seems to feel a bit different. 

As mentioned before, there is a lot of talk about the Penguins potentially moving up in the draft in order to be able to select an elite talent. Having the Rangers' first-round pick gives them quite a bit more flexibility to do so.

And it's something I predict is going to happen.

It has been reported that the Chicago Blackhawks - who are currently slated to draft third overall - are trying to take a step this year and are open to dealing that pick for some NHL help. They are also one of the teams rumored to be interested in Penguins' veteran winger Rickard Rakell, who had a career season with 35 goals and 70 points in 2024-25. 

If you do the math, it's not all that difficult to see a package from the Penguins involving Rakell and their 11th overall pick to Chicago for their top-three pick. 

Can The Penguins Trade Up For Blackhawks' Third Overall Pick?Can The Penguins Trade Up For Blackhawks' Third Overall Pick?It has been rumored that the Pittsburgh Penguins would like to trade up in the 2025 NHL Draft.

It's possible that more would have to be involved to get a deal across the finish line, but - given that the Penguins would still have that 12th overall selection and that they're in the midst of a rebuild - a move like this certainly makes sense. And it will be one of the biggest storylines to watch out for on Friday.

If the Penguins do bump up to third overall, I think their guy is Frondell. Frondell has steadily climbed the draft board after his season with Djurgardens IF - alongside Eklund - that saw him put up 11 goals and 25 points in 29 games.

He was putting up such numbers after a slow start and as a 17-year-old in HockeyAllsvenskan, and this was just one season after registering 18 goals and 39 points in 29 games as part of J20 Nationell in 2023-24 - again, dominating despite his young age. He is also projected as an elite two-way centerman, which is something that certainly excites NHL clubs.

It will be interesting to see whether or not the Penguins do move up - and, if they do, how far they are interested in moving up. Dubas is known to be enamored with right wing Porter Martone as well, so it's possible that Pittsburgh could look to even just move up a handful of spots in order to land him.

Regardless, things should be interesting. And I do think they will try to move up.

NHL Trade Rumors: Penguins Have Prime Target In Utah ForwardNHL Trade Rumors: Penguins Have Prime Target In Utah ForwardThe Pittsburgh Penguins are currently retooling their roster. While there certainly is a chance that they could end up trading away some of their key players before the off-season is done, they also should not be afraid to acquire players who could help them in the long term.

Final first-round predictions

Here are my final predictions for the first-round draft order on Friday:

1. D Matthew Schaefer - New York Islanders 
2. C Michael Misa - San Jose Sharks
3. C Anton Frondell - Pittsburgh Penguins (traded by Chicago Blackhawks on draft day)
4. C James Hagens - Utah Hockey Club
5. RW Porter Martone - Nashville Predators
6. C Caleb DeSnoyers - Philadelphia Flyers
7. C Brady Martin - Boston Bruins
8. D Radim Mrtka - Seattle Kraken
9. C Jake O'Brien - Buffalo Sabres
10. C Roger McQueen - Anaheim Ducks
11. LW Victor Eklund - Chicago Blackhawks (traded by Pittsburgh Penguins on draft day)
12. D Kashawn Aitcheson - Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers)
13. C Justin Carbonneau - Detroit Red Wings
14. D Jackson Smith - Columbus  Blue Jackets
15. LW Carter Bear - Vancouver Canucks

Five NHL Draft Comparables: Will We See The Next Hughes, Hischier, Bennett, Getzlaf And Jarvis? Five NHL Draft Comparables: Will We See The Next Hughes, Hischier, Bennett, Getzlaf And Jarvis? With the 2025 NHL draft quickly approaching, teams around the league are finalizing their draft boards in hopes of landing the best young talent from around the hockey world.


16. C Cole Reschny - Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary)
17. D Logan Hensler - Montreal Canadiens
18. C Braeden Cootes - Calgary Flames (from New Jersey)
19. LW Lynden Lakovic - St. Louis Blues
20. RW Malcolm Spence - Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota)
21. C Jack Nesbitt - Ottawa Senators
22. D Blake Fiddler - Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado)
23. C Ivan Ryabkin - Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay)
24. C Cullen Potter - Los Angeles Kings 
25. RW Alexander Zharovsky - Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto)
26. G Joshua Ravensbergen - Nashville Predators (from Vegas via San Jose)
27. C Eric Nilson - Washington Capitals 
28. D Sascha Boumedienne - Winnipeg Jets
29. RW Daniil Prokhorov - Carolina Hurricanes
30. D Cameron Reid - San Jose Sharks (from Dallas)
31. C Cole McKinney - Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton)
32. RW Ryker Lee - Calgary Flames (from Florida)

Get your hands on The Hockey News' Draft Preview Issue today by clicking here.

2025 NHL Draft: Islanders, Canadiens, Penguins Hold Pivotal Points In Round 12025 NHL Draft: Islanders, Canadiens, Penguins Hold Pivotal Points In Round 1Every NHL draft, there are pivot points that affect what happens next. 

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

Feature image credit: Michael Augello-The Hockey News

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2025 NBA Draft Dynasty Rookie Rankings: Cooper Flagg leads the way

With the 2025 draft wrapped up, the next logical step is to start drafting those rookies into your dynasty league! Perhaps the best method is to wait a little bit longer to start drafting, but sometimes, the real sickos like us just need to draft. It’s the itch that can’t be scratched any other way.

So here’s my take on how to value these players in dynasty leagues, with a few thoughts on whether they’re better for rebuilding or contending teams and if they’ll be optimized in points or categories formats.

The tier names indicate where I think they have a chance to finish in redraft leagues in the future, which should give a good indication of what type of value to place on these players. We'll have a larger dynasty rankings update coming next month that will include this rookie class!

NBA: Portland Trail Blazers at Toronto Raptors
2025 NBA Draft: Deni Avdija, Thomas Sorber among the fantasy winners
Rotoworld writers Raphielle Johnson and Noah Rubin pick fantasy basketball winners and losers following a busy week that began with the Kevin Durant trade.

Tier 1: Perennial Top Five

1. F Cooper Flagg, DAL

He's in a league of his own, which we've known for a while. No matter what format you're playing in, Flagg should be the first player off the board.

Tier 2: Top 25 upside

2. G Dylan Harper, SAS

The clear No. 2 option in every format. Harper is going to have a ton of success as Victor Wembanyama's point guard for a long time.

Tier 3: Multiple Top 75 seasons ahead

3. G V.J. Edgecombe, PHI

Edgecombe's path to minutes in year one is entirely dependent on how important his defense becomes. In a large role, he can be an elite source of steals. How much the offense develops will determine just how dominant he can be.

4. F Ace Bailey, UTA

Perhaps this wasn't Bailey's preferred destination, but it checks all the boxes of a place where he'd want to be. He's just in Utah. Bailey will have a chance to start immediately and get a ton of shots. He was also a solid rebounder and good source of blocks at Rutgers.

5. G Kon Knueppel, CHA

Knueppel should immediately slot in as the starting shooting guard next to LaMelo Ball and get a ton of three-pointers, which he can provide efficiently. He can provide some other decent numbers across the board, but the value will be found in category leagues, where his strong percentages will be amplified.

6. G Jeremiah Fears, NOR

Landing in New Orleans isn't ideal for the short term, but the 18-year-old undersized guard was never going to dominate immediately. Bump him down your board if you need year one production, but Fears has the potential to be a truly dominant offensive player.

7. C Derik Queen, NOR

Does the fit next to Zion Williamson work defensively? Probably not, but it could be a ton of fun on offense. Plus, if you give up an unprotected first-round pick that is the more favorable pick between two teams in a class as stacked as 2026, you better be committed to making this thing work.

8. C Khaman Maluach, PHX

The trade for Mark Williams minutes before taking Maluach was heartbreaking, but that doesn't mean we should bump him down our boards. Williams is a gifted offensive big, but Maluach should be better defensively and is certainly an impactful offensive player as well. Plus, Williams certainly has some injury question marks. It's not an unrealistic scenario that Maluach is simply better than Williams within a year or two.

9. C Thomas Sorber, OKC

Sorber isn't a short term success pick. The absolute best case scenario is that he develops in the G League as a rookie and ends up being good enough that the Thunder decline IsaiahHartenstein's team option for the 2026-27 season and have Sorber fill that role. The more realistic scenario is it takes a bit longer for Sorber to crack the rotation, but he is a truly gifted big with a fantasy-friendly skillset.

10. F Collin Murray-Boyles, TOR

CMB would be higher if he were in a better situation. He has the statset to be a dominant fantasy producer, especially in category leagues. However, the fit next to Scottie Barnes is an interesting one. Still, talent wins out, and it's hard enough to drop him this low.

11. G Egor Demin, BKN

Regardless of how you feel about Demin as a prospect (I am lower on him), this is an ideal situation. Brooklyn had so many point guard issues last season, so they drafted three of them, and then also a seven-footer that plays like a point guard. Using the No. 8 pick on Demin means they're going to give him the keys and let him run the show. If you're looking for year one production and can deal with inefficiency, Demin could be taken earlier.

Tier 4: Potential Top 75 seasons ahead

12. G Cedric Coward, MEM

Coward could replace Desmond Bane in the starting lineup. He has a 7'2" wingspan and shoots threes. Fantasy stud potential.

13. G Tre Johnson, WAS

The scoring and shooting are great, but he doesn't contribute much else in the box score. Johnson should be a better player for the Wizards than he will be for fantasy managers.

14. G Kasparas Jakucionis, MIA

He slipped to the Heat, and now Jakucionis doesn't have a ton of competition for minutes. The fit next to TylerHerro is questionable on defense, but Jakucionis in a large role should lead to a ton of production in the box score.

15. C Ryan Kalkbrenner, CHA

The Hornets added Kalkbrenner in the second round, and he'll compete for a starting role immediately. He averaged 2.7 blocks per game in college and is now going to be fed easy buckets by LaMelo Ball.

16. C Danny Wolf, BKN

Wolf is a dynamic center that should be able to create mismatches against big defenders. Also, bigs that can pass like Wolf don't come around often, and most of them are fantasy studs.

17. G Walter Clayton Jr., UTA

There's a real chance Clayton ends up being the best point guard on the team by opening night. In that role, he'll provide a ton of three-pointers and assists. Utah has said they're done tanking, and Clayton will help with that.

18. F Rasheer Fleming, PHX

He slid to the second round, but Fleming is much better than that. He can shoot threes at has a 7'5" wingspan. Fantasy goldmine on a team without much depth.

Tier 5: Top 100 upside

19. F Noa Essengue, CHI

Essengue isn't the most polished scorer, but he should get some easy looks off passes from Josh Giddey, and he's a nice upside swing on the wing for Chicago. It'll be interesting to see how he co-exists next to Matas Buzelis.

20. F Carter Bryant, SAS

Bryant is a high-level defensive prospect with offensive upside. There isn't a clear path to ample minutes at this point, but his defense will be valuable. How his offense progresses will determine how much success he has, since he should be able to get defensive stats if he's on the floor.

21. C Joan Beringer, MIN

Long-term project here. The hope is he can learn how to be Rudy Gobert from the man himself. Don't expect much production over the next few seasons, but the upside here is tremendous.

22. F Nique Clifford, SAC

A win-now piece for the Kings, and if he can get enough minutes, he's a win-now pick for fantasy managers. He's an older prospect, but he can provide well-rounded numbers in the box score.

23. C Yang Hansen, POR

I liked Yang before the draft. He's a strong passer for a big man that played well at the combine. Like everyone else, I didn't expect him to be a first-round pick, and I certainly didn't expect him to go 16th. However, Portland's management basically staked their reputation on this pick, and that means something to me. He has a fantasy-friendly skillset. How he fits with DonovanClingan is unclear, but I wouldn't let Yang fall past this spot in your rookie draft, and if you trust Joe Cronin, feel free to take a swing earlier.

24. G Jase Richardson, ORL

Orlando is the perfect fit for Richardson to thrive as an off-ball guard next to some big playmakers. May not play a lot early, but he is an efficient, cerebral guard that will make Magic fans happy.

25. F Asa Newell, ATL

In terms of playstyle, John Collins is a pretty good comparison for Newell, and Collins enjoyed some really productive seasons in Atlanta. With Jalen Johnson in front of him, Newell doesn't have the same path to minutes that Collins had, but as situations change, there is a path for Newell to be a really good fantasy option.

Tier 6: I see the vision

26. G Nolan Traore, BKN

Not sure how he fits with the other point guards they drafted, but the assist upside is intriguing.

27. G Hugo Gonzalez, BOS

Gonzelez got playing time on a talented Real Madrid team as a 19-year-old. He's effective in transition and on defense. The shot needs work, but this is an upside swing for Boston

28. F Adou Thiero, LAL

An athletic defender on the wing that can score in transition. Thiero fills a lot of needs for the Lakers and the steal upside is intriguing for fantasy managers.

29. F Will Riley, WAS

Riley has the upside to impact the game in a multitude of ways on offense, but it may be a few years. Washington will give him the chance to develop, but don't expect early production.

30. G Ben Saraf, BKN

The playmaking upside is intriguing, but I'm once again not sure how everything fits together in Brooklyn with all of these ball handlers.

31. G Kam Jones, IND

Tyrese Haliburton is likely going to miss all of next season. Jones was a productive point guard last season and could immediately provide some value for fantasy managers if they need him to start from time to time.

32. F Noah Penda, ORL

Another big playmaker for the Magic that is also a high-level defender. Penda's path to minutes isn't clear, but he's a talented player that just needs to figure out a way to score.

33. G Drake Powell, BKN

I really like Powell as a prospect, but I don't think it's going to translate to much fantasy value. He's a high-level defender and a freak athlete, but that didn't translate to many defensive stats at North Carolina.

34. C Amari Williams, BOS

Kristaps Porzingis is in Atlanta. AlHorford and LukeKornet are free agents. Somebody has to play center in Boston, and TylerZeller is not walking through that door. Williams was also a strong passing center for a big at Kentucky last season.

35. C Maxime Raynaud, SAC

I would've taken Raynaud much earlier than where the Kings got him, so it was a great value pick for them. I was hoping he'd find a situation where he could play a lot early on, but being the backup behind DomantasSabonis doesn't leave him many minutes. In a different situation, I'd take Raynaud much earlier.

36. C Yanic Konan Niederhauser, LAC

A rim-runner that can block shots is an archetype that has had a lot of success playing with James Harden, but the backup to Ivica Zubac doesn't leave Konan Niederhauser with much of an opportunity early on.

37. F Liam McNeeley, CHA

McNeeley struggled in a role for UConn that he won't play in the NBA. But even if he's better than he was in college, there isn't a lot that's going to translate for fantasy basketball in any format, unless you're really desperate for three-pointers.

Tier 7: Wild Cards

38. F Bogoljub Markovic, MIL**

39. F Micah Peavy, NOR

40. G Alijah Martin, TOR

41. F Jamir Watkins, WAS

42. G Javon Small, MEM

43. F Sion James, CHA

44. G Chaz Lanier, DET

45. C Johni Broome, PHI

46. G Koby Brea, PHX

47. F Eric Dixon, LAL*

48. C Vladislav Goldin, MIA*

49. C Rocco Zikarsky, MIN

50. G John Tonje, UTA

51. F Lachlan Olbrich, CHI

52. G Ryan Nembhard, DAL*

53. G Tyrese Proctor, CLE

54. G Mark Sears, MIL*

55. G Will Richard, GSW

56. G Kobe Sanders, LAC

57. G Kadary Richmond, WAS*

58. F RJ Luis Jr., UTA*

59. G Chucky Hepburn, TOR*

60. G Hunter Sallis, PHI*

61. G Caleb Love, POR*

62. F Alex Toohey, GSW

63. G Max Shulga, BOS

64. F Brooks Barnhizer, OKC

65. F Eli Ndiaye, ATL*

66. F Mohamed Diawara, NYK

67. G Taelon Peter, IND

68. G Jahmai Mashack, MEM

69. C Dylan Cardwell, SAC*

70. F CJ Huntley, PHX*

71. G Tamar Bates, DEN*

72. C Hunter Dickinson, NOR*

73. G Miles Kelly, DAL*

74. F Saliou Niang, CLE**

*Two-way UDFAs

**Draft-and-stashes

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Blackhawks Unveil New Centennial Home Sweater For 2025-26

Ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks revealed new sweaters for their upcoming centennial season. They will wear these during home games during the 2025-26 season. 

Chicago has always been known for having one of the most recognizable uniforms in all of sports, and this new sweater celebrates what has made it so iconic. 

Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on XChicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) on XINTRODUCING OUR 2025-26 CENTENNIAL JERSEY‼️ In 1955, we created something special—a red sweater with black and white stripes that would become the most beloved and iconic jersey in all of sports. Seventy years later, it remains largely unchanged proving that true classicsVinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) on XVinnie Parise (@VinnieParise) on X🚨 Chicago Blackhawks centennial sweaters 🚨 (Courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks via Fanatics)

There is a gold outline surrounding the crest, which is inspired by the gold-trim sweaters that the Blackhawks used to wear in their earlier days.

The new centennial patch is on the shoulder to signify it as the jersey worn by the team in its 100th year of existence. 

A new twist to the jersey is a lace-up collar, which has become popular around the National Hockey League. This is to mark a mash-up of the past and future of the franchise. 

Chicago has had Stanley Cup success over the course of their history, including recently. All six of their victorious seasons are hemmed inside the jersey. Fans can always remember the years in which the Stanley Cup returned to Chicago. 

“The Blackhawks sweater has consistently been voted the best jersey in sports by players and fans alike. For our Centennial season, we wanted to honor that iconic symbol of Chicago’s hockey heritage that has remained largely unchanged since 1955,”  Danny Wirtz said in a statement. “While the classic elements of the jersey stay the same, thoughtful design details make this jersey unique – melding past and present while proving that the best traditions transcend trends.”

Being an original six team, having an iconic sweater has always been a part of the identity for the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team. Now, for the special season ahead, there is a new twist to their home jersey for everyone to enjoy. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

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2025 NHL Draft Mailbag: Where Misa Would Rank Last Year, Hagens' Drop And More

The wait is over, and the 2025 NHL draft starts Friday at 7 p.m. ET. 

Most NHL franchises look to alter their course with big trades, draft picks and a new outlook.

There’s no better time than right before the festivities to do a mailbag, answering some questions surrounding the NHL draft and the players involved. Let’s look at some of the questions you sent my way via X, messages and in comments on THN.com. 

What’s behind everyone dropping James Hagens right at the end of the year?

I think the reason Hagens has dropped a bit in the last few weeks is that he’s been on everyone’s radar for so long, so he’s been a bit overscouted. 

This is the same player we watched at the World Men’s Under-18s two years ago as a 16-year-old before setting the scoring record at the tournament last year. Having aged out of that tournament this year as a late-2006 born player, Hagens became an effective player at the World Junior Championship. We’ve seen him on the big stage so many times in recent years that some people are just used to how he plays.

We’ve seen two elite-level talents play in the NCAA and win the Hobey Baker Trophy as freshmen: Adam Fantilli and Macklin Celebrini. Hagens didn’t put up Hobey Baker numbers, but he was a point-per-game center on one of the country's most dominant teams. He showed he can add a bit more physicality to his game on top of his silky smooth hands and slippery skating, to which we’ve become accustomed. 

Hagens finished the year at No. 3 on my board and No. 5 on The Hockey News editor in chief Ryan Kennedy’s draft board. Not everyone is underrating him, but those who do could be in for a reality check when he blossoms into one of the draft’s most impressive offensive players.

James Hagens and Luke Reid (Eric Canha-Imagn Images)

Where would Michael Misa rank in last year’s draft?

For reference, my NHL draft rankings last year were as follows: 

  1. Macklin Celebrini
  2. Ivan Demidov
  3. Berkly Catton
  4. Cayden Lindstrom
  5. Zeev Buium

Where Misa fits in there feels immediately clear to me. He’s behind Celebrini, but I would at least have the debate between the two centers. Demidov likely also slides ahead of Misa (and Schaefer), but I would easily have him ahead of Catton and Lindstrom. Matthew Schaefer would be the top defender in the class, ahead of Buium for me.

Even a year later, the order of my top five wouldn’t change, so there is no need to add in Artyom Levshunov or Zayne Parekh. The top two for this year, Misa and Schaefer, would be easily the third and fourth players in this group.

Five NHL Draft Comparables: Will We See The Next Hughes, Hischier, Bennett, Getzlaf And Jarvis? Five NHL Draft Comparables: Will We See The Next Hughes, Hischier, Bennett, Getzlaf And Jarvis? With the 2025 NHL draft quickly approaching, teams around the league are finalizing their draft boards in hopes of landing the best young talent from around the hockey world.

Why is Henry Brzustewicz not ranked on your list?

Among the players unranked on my list, Brzustewicz and David Bedkowski get asked about the most. 

The two OHL defensemen are off the list for very different reasons. To be clear, both players will be drafted and deservedly so. There is a world where I would take them in a draft if the situation called for it. Unfortunately, they are valued much lower for me than the consensus, and if I were to get to them, it would be very late in the draft. 

Let’s start with Bedkowski. The bruising blueliner is one of the more physical and intimidating players in the draft, punishing players all over the ice. His willingness to throw his weight around is admirable. The concerns I have with his on-puck game are quite substantial, though. He panics a bit under pressure and tends to just fire the puck to nowhere at times. So much of his game must come a long way to reach the point where his physicality is realistically effective. It’s not to say that it won’t come, but he’ll need to work with a skills coach and watch plenty of film. 

With Brzustewicz, it’s almost the opposite. His game with the puck is quite solid, and he showed more creativity and skill whenever he got the opportunity. 

That said, it’s tough to overlook his defensive habits and some of his often-questionable decision-making. He often tried to push play to the middle, but there were so many times a pass had no recipient, or he wasn’t patient with the puck. There could be a very good player here, but must work on getting his details right. He strikes me as a player who will have a very good CHL career, look great in the AHL but lose his game a bit in the NHL.

2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions For Schaefer, Martone And More2025 NHL Mock Draft: Final First-Round Predictions For Schaefer, Martone And MoreThe 2025 NHL draft kicks off Friday evening, so it’s time to get in the spirit by conducting the final mock draft of the season. 

Who are the top five defense-first blueliners?

This year’s defense group has different tiers and categories. Schaefer’s alone at the top, and a group of five or six players follow before getting to a bunch of what I’ve deemed specialists. When it comes to defensive hockey and shutdown defense, there are a number of players who fit that mold.

In one of my latest articles, I covered the top five, plus an underrated player and some honorable mentions for 12 categories, and best shut-down defender was one of them. Here is the top five:

1. Radim Mrtka

2. Blake Fiddler

3. Sascha Boumedienne

4. Matthew Schaefer

5. Jackson Smith

Underrated: Sean Barnhill

These six defenders all play defensive hockey in their own way. Barnhill could have easily made the list, but there hasn’t been much buzz around the big, mobile blueliner, so he fit right into the underrated slot. Mrtka has a boatload of potential as a shutdown guy, and Fiddler has an excellent floor. Boumedienne, Schaefer and Smith are all elite movers who use that to cut down play. Be sure to check out the full “Top Traits” article covering shooters, playmakers, motors, two-way forwards, and so much more here. 

Which player do you think realistically outplays his draft position the most?

This is an interesting question because I could have easily said LJ Mooney or Adam Benak. They are two of the most skilled and cerebral players in the draft class who likely would have been top-15 talents had they been six-feet or even close, but they are 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-8, respectively. If they hit, they could be wickedly good, and teams will regret not taking them before the mid-late portion of the draft. 

The question was centered around what’s realistic, though, so that slightly changes things. 

Eric Nilson comes to mind initially as a highly intelligent, tactical center who understands how to come out on top just about every shift. His biggest issue is that he needs to add some weight to his frame, but his agile, swift playmaking based on his IQ is very impressive. 

Cullen Potter also comes to mind. He’s one of the fastest skaters in the class and a slick and precise playmaker. 

Potter was a play-driving beast for Arizona State as one of the youngest players in the NCAA, but because he didn’t have much help around him, he couldn’t benefit from the playmaking side of his game. He scored as many goals as Hagens this year in the NCAA and brought an effective transition and playmaking game.

The final name I’ll add here is Sascha Boumedienne, the defenseman from Boston University. His mobility is so smooth and crisp, and he’s developed into such a solid all-around defender. His offensive game was muted a bit as he adjusted to the NCAA, but when he had the chance to play against his age group at the U-18s, he set the record for scoring by a blueliner. He’s got some things to refine, but if Boumedienne hits, he could be the second-best defender in the class.

2025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Final Top 802025 NHL Draft Rankings: Ferrari's Final Top 80The 2025 NHL draft cycle nears the end, and it’s been a unique class.

Which team makes the surprise pick that throws everyone off?

I wish I knew. The Nashville Predators have three picks in the first round, so maybe they take a chance and go off the board. The Montreal Canadiens or Pittsburgh Penguins could be the surprise of the round as they each possess back-to-back picks and could trade up to grab a top-end prospect. There is sure to be a surprise, but it’s only a surprise because no one saw it coming.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Holley: Making sense of Mazzulla's contract situation with Celtics

Holley: Making sense of Mazzulla's contract situation with Celtics originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Brad Stevens was nearing the end of his press conference Wednesday night when he made a comment that raised a few eyebrows.

“Joe and I — first of all, keep any of those discussions in-house — but we’ve got Joe under contract for multiple years right now,” Stevens said when asked if the team had begun discussing a possible contract extension for head coach Joe Mazzulla. “We certainly want Joe to be around here for a long time.”

The most recent reporting around Mazzulla’s contract suggested the 2025-26 season would be the final year of his current deal, hence the speculation that he could sign an extension this offseason. But that reporting doesn’t seem to align with Stevens’ insistence that Mazzulla is under contract for “multiple years.”

So, what’s going on here? NBC Sports Boston’s Michael Holley shared his take Thursday night on The Off C’season show during the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft.

“I think there may be a team option for Joe Mazzulla,” Holley told co-hosts Tom Giles and Tim Welsh. “So, technically … Joe Mazzulla is not in the final year of his contract if it’s up to the team. Now, I don’t think it will come to that.

“So, in other words, he’s got a year, and a team option that would make it ‘multiple years.’ So, he’s technically under contract for ‘multiple years’ with the Celtics.”

Under this scenario, Mazzulla would be under contract for the 2025-26 season, then the team could decide whether to extend his deal into the 2026-27 season or end it after the upcoming campaign. Holley believes we won’t even get to that point, however.

“What I think is going to happen is, they’re going to tear up the contract and he’s going to get an extension,” Holley added.

“… I think Brad made it clear. He didn’t like how things went down (in the playoffs), especially in those first two games against the Knicks, but he likes Mazzulla, and I’d be shocked if Mazzulla is not signed to a contract extension. … I think a contract extension is just inevitable.”

Mazzulla has built quite the impressive resume since taking over as Boston’s head coach in September 2022 following Ime Udoka’s suspension. Mazzulla currently owns the best regular-season winning percentage of any coach in NBA history (.740) and guided the Celtics to their 18th championship in 2024.

Boston won 61 games during the 2024-25 campaign — the first time the C’s have won 60-plus games in back-to-back seasons since 2008 and 2009 — before falling to the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2025 playoffs.

Mazzulla is about to face his most difficult challenge as Celtics head coach: His best player, Jayson Tatum, is expected to miss most or all of next season due to a ruptured Achilles, while two key pieces of his 2024 title team — Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis — are out the door, with the possibility of more departures as Boston looks to shed salary.

At this point, however, it sounds like Stevens still believes in Mazzulla’s ability to navigate those challenges — and he could reiterate that belief by handing his head coach a contract extension before the season begins.