Lawyers for BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff deny a woman's allegations of sexual assault in response to a lawsuit in May 2025.
'We’re Thrilled With The Players That We Have': 3 Takeaways From Penguins' Day One Draft
Day One of the 2025 NHL Draft is officially wrapped, and the Pittsburgh Penguins were certainly one of the more active teams in the first round.
But, maybe just not in the way you might think.
Heading into Friday's first round, GM and POHO Kyle Dubas and his Penguins were slated to select back-to-back at 11th and 12th overall after receiving the New York Rangers' 12th overall pick to satisfy the condition of the Marcus Pettersson and J.T. Miller trades. It gave them a ton of flexibility in terms of direction, and it also guaranteed them two quality players within the top-12.
But Dubas and vice president of player personnel Wes Clark saw a different opportunity. They went ahead and selected center Ben Kindel with their own 11th overall pick, but - with the Philadelphia Flyers wanting to trade up - they saw an opportunity they couldn't pass on.
So, they traded the 12th overall pick to the Flyers in exchange for the 22nd and 31st overall picks, which guaranteed them three first-rounders instead of two. Pittsburgh selected center Bill Zonnon with the 22nd pick, and they traded their 59th overall pick and the 31st pick to the Los Angeles Kings to move back up and draft Will Horcoff at 24th overall.
And Dubas feels pretty good about the three players they got.
“We’re excited about the results for us," Dubas said. "For us to come out of the first round with the three players that we did – I think they’re all very different player types – we’re extremely excited and look forward to tomorrow.”
It may not have been the popular, consensus path for the Penguins, but Dubas certainly got creative and defied outside expectations a bit.
Here are three takeaways from the Penguins' first day of the NHL Draft.
NHL Draft Live Reaction: Join The Chat For The Round 1 RecapDay 1 of the 2025 NHL draft included some surprises, steals and moving moments. The Hockey News is here to react to it all.
1. The overall focus on centers was a very serious thing.
If one thing was made abundantly clear in the first round of this year's draft, it's that center depth was certainly being prioritized.
Of the top-15 picks in the draft, 13 were forwards. And of those forwards, 11 were centers.
There was a lot of chatter ahead of the draft that some names could fall because of the high volume of centers projected to go in the first round. Even some centers, by most accounts, not being projected as selections until at least the 20s - such as Kindel, Jack Nesbitt, and Cole Reschny - were taken before 20.
The center position was a strength in this draft class, and teams certainly took advantage of it - and, in some cases, moved up to ensure they got their guy. It did push a few really good players back to the 11th overall slot for the Penguins, and it gave them options.
But they decided to take the same road as the others did.
Reaction: Penguins Select Center Ben Kindel 11th Overall In 2025 NHL DraftThe 2025 NHL Draft is finally upon us.
2. Whether intended or not, the Penguins drafted for positional need.
On a related note: Dubas stressed in his post-first-round press conference with the media that the Penguins didn't exactly go in with the intention of drafting three centers.
But, at some point, it became clear that they were drafting for positional need.
The Penguins have goaltending prospect depth as well as defensive prospect depth. They also have several players who are capable of slotting in on the wing. But Dubas and Clark were aware that their center prospect pool was pretty dry, so they took advantage of the high volume of centers in this draft class.
"It was just a quality-of-player thing and where they came out on our board and how they graded out for us," Dubas said. "We were fortunate we got some 'D' last year that are already signed and ready to come in, plus [Emil] Pieniniemi from the class before, which we’ll develop. Especially with the varying style from all three of them, we were very excited about it.”
Reaction: Penguins Select Forward Bill Zonnon With 22nd Overall PickThe Pittsburgh Penguins have officially made their second of three first-round selections in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
3. Three is better than one.
Perhaps the most interesting tidbit to come out of Dubas's presser was his response when asked about whether or not they considered trading up in the draft.
“If we would have moved up, we would have ended up with just having one player tonight as well," Dubas said. "Which, we would have been happy with. But we’re thrilled with the players that we have.”
There was a lot of buzz about the Penguins being interested in moving up, and there was even some trade talk surrounding veteran forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Dubas and the Penguins obviously thought the price was too hefty to move up, and they pounced on the opportunity to, instead, select three first-rounders by moving down with the New York Rangers' 12th overall pick.
#LetsGoPens select Benjamin Kindel 11th. I ranked him 8th.
— Patrick Bacon (@TopDownHockey) June 28, 2025
Kindel is a bit undersized, but you usually need to make a compromise somewhere to get a player who scored 99 points in the WHL in his draft year outside the top 10. pic.twitter.com/rQd3DZlRWh
Dubas understands the discourse surrounding the "quality v. quantity" approach. But, in this case, he believes they hit on both.
"I think you're trying to find that balance between having a lot and having quality... and we have to deliver," Dubas said.
He continued: "We believe that all three are going to be very high-quality players in the NHL. So, we're excited about that, excited to get to work with them. Obviously, when you're in our position, you're accruing picks and prospects – but you have to make good on them. You have to draft good players. You have to do a great job in developing them. We'll turn them over after today to [director of player development] Tom Kostopoulos, and we'll get to work."
Reaction: Penguins Take Will Horcoff As 24th Overall SelectionAfter a long night of anticipation, the Pittsburgh Penguins made what is presumed to be their final draft selection in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft.
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Feature Image Credit: Kelsey Surmacz - The Hockey News
Canadiens: First-Round Recap
It was the worst kept secret in the Montreal Canadiens’ history that they had traded picks 16 and 17th overall to the New York Islanders, but once the Vancouver Canucks had picked Braeden Cootes, the NHL still put the Habs as “On the clock”. Commissioner Gary Bettman took to the stage with NBA champion and Montreal-Nord native Luguentz Dort, who was initially supposed to make the pick, and finally announced the trade while Dort smashed the button to set off the trade alert.
Given the fact that Carter Bear, Jack Nesbitt, Radim Mrtka, and Roger McQueen were all off the board by that time, the two first-round picks and Emil Heineman to the New York Islanders for the Noah Dobson deal looked even better. Levis native Justin Carbonneau was still on the board, but as Jeff Gorton had said on Thursday, the Canadiens didn’t feel under pressure to select a player from Quebec. Carbonneau landed on his feet in St. Louis, two picks later becoming the second Quebecer drafted after Caleb Desnoyers, who was picked fourth overall by the Utah Mammoth.
Canadiens: Noah Dobson Speaks To The Media
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Speaking to the media after his brief appearance on stage, Dortz confirmed that the Canadiens had approached him during the NBA playoffs, but he waited until the Thunder won to prove that he would be doing it. Dortz also explained that he had played hockey briefly as a kid, but that it wasn’t for him. When asked if he could potentially be the Canadiens’ next second-line center, he laughed and dismissed the possibility.
About the Dobson trade, it was widely believed that the Islanders had pulled the trigger to package the Canadiens’ pick to move up in the draft and pick James Hagens, but if that was indeed their end game, they couldn’t pull it off. Hagens, a New York native and Boston College player in the NCAA, landed with the Boston Bruins.
As for Montreal native Bill Zonnon, he was drafted 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the third player from the QMJHL selected. This first remotely held NHL draft isn’t likely to become a regular occurrence. The event dragged on much longer than when held in person, and the hype just wasn’t the same. Earlier in the day, the league had announced that teams had voted overwhelmingly in favor of this option, with 26 clubs supporting the idea and six opposing it. Judging by the reaction on social media, I expect the league to revert to the former formula swiftly.
As for the media members gathered at the Bell Centre, we were rewarded for our patience with a media opportunity with Canadiens’ GM Kent Hughes late in the evening.
Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
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Ottawa Senators 2025 First-Round Selection Says He Models His Game After Jake Sanderson
For the second time in its franchise history, the Senators were involved in a draft day deal that involved a swap of first-round picks with the Nashville Predators.
In 2008, the Senators infamously moved up from the 18th overall selection to Nashville's 15th overall pick to draft Erik Karlsson. Hopefully, the good vibes will continue since that trade worked out well. Although, there is still time for Chet Pickard to pan out.
On Friday night, the Senators moved the 21st overall selection for the 23rd overall pick and the 67th overall selection. They used their first-round pick to select defenceman Logan Hensler out of the University of Wisconsin.
Hensler is a right-shot defenceman who is listed at 6'2" and 190 lbs, and he was a product of the USNTDP. In 32 games for the Badgers, the freshman contributed two goals and 12 points. Hensler's offensive production was relatively modest for a player some analysts projected at the beginning of the season to be one of the first defencemen taken in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Our own Tony Ferrari touched briefly upon this in his 'Final Draft Rankings':
"After a slow start to his freshman season at Wisconsin, Hensler began to showcase the quality that had some believing he could be the second-best defender in the draft coming into the year. Hensler is a mobile, right-shot blueliner who showed he can be a responsible, two-way defender as the season wore on. On most shifts, he plays mistake-free hockey, but every once in a while, Hensler shows the puck skill and playmaking ability to be a catalyst from the back end."
Hensler is described as a big and mobile defenceman, which is an incredibly difficult asset to acquire around the league right now.
"You don't have enough defencemen," Senators head scout Don Boyd explained after Hensler's selection. "You can never have enough defenceman. Right-(shot) defenseman are a premium.
"To select him, (there's) so much room to grow and so much potential. I think there's more offense in his game than if you look at the numbers this year, he's a real good skater. He moves pucks."
There is a good reason for optimism for more offence because Hensler demonstrated at the U17 and U18 levels with the USNTDP that he can produce. In 121 games across two seasons, he recorded nine goals and 60 points.
Does Jamie Benn's New Contract In Dallas Set A Template For Claude Giroux In Ottawa?In the wake of a Pierre LeBrun report in The Athletic describing the contract negotiations between the Ottawa Senators and impending unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux as a "grind," an intriguing domino fell that could have an impact on the talks here in the nation's capital.
There is also the added context of Hensler experiencing collegiate hockey as a true 18-year-old freshman while playing for a retooling Wisconsin program that finished second last in the Big Ten. Playing on a weaker team against older and more physically developed competition can be a challenge for any young player. Therefore, the hope is that with time and more development, Hensler can apply the consistent two-way performances that scouts grew accustomed to while he was on the USNTDP.
"The team itself in Wisconsin may have struggled a little bit," acknowledged Boyd. "He's part of the rebuilding program there. We've known him for a long time at a high level of competition."
There is confidence from Boyd and Hensler himself that he can unearth that potential in his sophomore year.
"We do (have confidence)," Boyd stated confidently with a grin. "He's going to get a lot of ice time. His coaches say he's going to get a lot of ice time. The character of the kid is tremendous."
"I'm a two-way, mobile defenseman," Hensler said while describing his skills to the media following the conclusion of the 2025 NHL Draft's first round. "I use my skating to my advantage to get up and down the ice. I also have an offensive side to me that this upcoming year will definitely be unlocked.
"I think this next year will be huge for me, just confidence-wise. I think we've got a lot of skill coming in this year for Wisconsin and I'm so excited and ready to develop (my offensive side of the game)."
One of the players who will arrive in Madison, Wisconsin, next season is Senators prospect Blake Montgomery.
Hensler believes his offensive production will continue to grow but also wants to play on the penalty kill and develop into a complete two-way player.
On the defensive side of the game, Boyd stressed how Hensler's skating ability allows him to close quickly.
"Defensively, he can he can meet the rush and stop it," stated Boyd. "He can get a puck. He can go back and get pucks very quickly, turn and move it up the ice very quickly.
"The fact of the matter is that he's, he's a right-handed shot that's that's a real good skater and can move pucks, and we have to have people with that kind of skill to get the puck out of our zone."
Interestingly, when asked which player he would model his game after, Hensler quickly dropped the name of a player Senators fans will be familiar with.
"It is Jake Sanderson. I think we have very good skating. I think just a big piece I'm trying to take is just how simple and efficient is. He's overall an elite defenceman. That's a goal I'm chasing and I think I can reach it."
That would be music to Senators fans' ears. The strongest teams seem to build from the net out and with the addition of Hensler to a group of under-30 defencemen that already includes Jake Sanderson, Thomas Chabot, Tyler Kleven, and Carter Yakemchuk, the Senators are in great shape.
By Graeme Nichols
The Hockey News/Ottawa
Banner image credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Angels manager Ron Washington to miss rest of season with unspecified medical issue
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington will miss the rest of the season because of an unspecified medical issue, the team said Friday.
Washington, the oldest manager in the major leagues at 73, has been sidelined for the past week.
He experienced shortness of breath and appeared fatigued toward the end of a four-game series at the New York Yankees that ended on June 19. Washington flew back to Southern California, underwent a series of tests and was placed on medical leave.
Angels bench coach Ray Montgomery, who has filled in for Washington for the past week, was named interim manager. Infield coach Ryan Goins was promoted to bench coach.
Washington is 664-611 in 10 seasons as a major league manager, eight with Texas and two with Los Angeles.
He led the Rangers to back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011 before stepping down abruptly in September 2014. Washington returned to the sport as a coach with the Athletics and the Atlanta Braves, who won the World Series in 2021, before landing a second managerial job in Orange County.
The Angels were 40-40 entering Friday night's game against the visiting Washington Nationals, winning three straight under Montgomery and seven of 10 overall. Los Angeles has played better than most expected from a team with major league-worst streaks of nine straight losing seasons and 10 straight non-playoff seasons.
The 55-year-old Montgomery is getting his first job as a major league manager. The native of New York's Westchester County is a former Houston Astros outfielder who served as the scouting director for Arizona and Milwaukee before joining the Angels as their director of player personnel for the 2020 season.
Montgomery became Los Angeles' bench coach in 2021 after general manager Perry Minasian took over the front office, and he stayed with the Angels while Joe Maddon, Phil Nevin and Washington managed the club.
Goins played eight seasons in the major leagues before Washington hired him as the Angels' infield coach before the 2024 season.
NBA free agency: What to expect from the Lakers and Clippers
The Lakers and Clippers put in the work during the NBA’s two-day draft that was completed Thursday night and now they will turn their attention to shaping their rosters.
The first key dates are Sunday, when LeBron James and Dorian Finney-Smith have to inform the Lakers and when James Harden has to inform the Clippers of their decisions to opt in or out of their contracts, and Monday, when the NBA free-agency period begins.
James has a player option for $52.6 million and Finney-Smith has one for $15.3 million.
“At that point, we’ll know the tools we have to go out into free agency and fill out the roster with the draft ending tonight,” Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations, told Spectrum SportsNet after the second round of the draft Thursday. “The work for that has already begun, but the focus now will turn from draft focus to free agency and we won’t rest until we get it right.”
Harden, who has a player option of $36.3 million, also has the same day to let the Clippers know his desires.
“He’s our No. 1 priority,” Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, told the media after the first round of the draft Wednesday night. “We’re super hopeful that James is here and he’s here for a long time. He has a player-option, so he can opt-in … or he can opt-out and hopefully we can do a deal that makes sense for both sides. But James, as you guys know, was phenomenal and we hope to continue to see his play.”
Read more:Lakers trade up again to acquire Adou Thiero at No. 36 in NBA draft
The Lakers were able to add an athletic wing player when they acquired Adou Thiero in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who picked him with the 36th pick of the second round.
The most pressing need for the Lakers remains a center, and they’ll have to look into free agency or via trade to acquire one.
The top big men are Indiana’s Myles Turner, Milwaukee’s Brook Lopez and Atlanta’s Clint Capela.
Turner, who made $19.9 million last season, is probably headed back to the Pacers and will do so at a price the Lakers can’t offer him. The Lakers have the taxpayer mid-level exception of about $5.65 million to spend.
“As I said at the end of the year, we know one of the things we have to address is the center position and that’s clearly going to be one of our focuses as we begin the free-agency period,” Pelinka said on the Lakers’ TV show. “And that’s right around the corner.
"So, we’re looking forward to just putting in the hard work and making sure we take care of all the needs on the roster to give [Lakers coach] JJ [Redick] the tools he needs for this team to be great next season.”
Though the Clippers drafted a center in the first round with the 30th pick, getting Yanic Konan Niederhausher of Penn State, Frank said his team “probably will have at least three centers.”
The Clippers can use their non-taxpayer mid-level exception that’s projected to be about $14.1 million on a player or two, and perhaps even find a center.
Read more:2025 NBA draft: Clippers select Penn State center Yanic Konan Niederhauser
They will also perform due diligence by calling other teams to see about trade opportunities.
“You’re always in constant contact with all the teams,” Frank said. “You have a good sense of the things that you can be involved with and other things that you’re not.”
Free agency begins Monday at 3 p.m. PDT, but players can’t sign contracts until July 6.
Also, Clippers wing Norman Powell is eligible for a contract extension. He has one year left on his deal that pays him $20.4 million next season.
“At the appropriate time, we’ll sit with Norm and his representatives to talk about what kind of an extension and what it would look like and how it would fit in the bigger picture,” Frank said.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sources: Gary Payton II, Warriors could part ways again in NBA free agency
Sources: Gary Payton II, Warriors could part ways again in NBA free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Gary Payton II, a fan favorite beloved by his teammates, might have played his last game with the Warriors.
Payton will become an unrestricted free agent on Monday, and his return to Golden State is in serious jeopardy, multiple NBA sources told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday and Saturday.
“It’s looking doubtful,” one source said Friday.
“Golden State still likes him, and there’s still a chance he’s back,” another source said of the Warriors. “But they have a lot of moving parts as they work through the Jonathan Kuminga situation, so Gary could land elsewhere next season.”
A key member of Golden State’s 2022 NBA championship team, Payton is coming off a season of inconsistency while battling several nagging injuries. The 6-foot-3 forward appeared in 62 games (11 starts), with per-36-minute averages of 15.5 points (on 57.4-percent shooting from the field, including 32.6 from distance), 7.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 steals.
Payton made $9.1 million in salary last season, the final year of a three-year $26.1 million contract he originally signed with the Portland Trail Blazers in July 2022. The Warriors reacquired him seven months later and he has since been a fixture in the rotation.
A superior athlete on a roster lacking athleticism, GP2 has been the team’s best point-of-attack defender. He routinely is assigned to such stars as Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Milwaukee’s Damian Lillard and Phoenix’s Devin Booker. But availability has been an issue with Payton. He missed 20 games last season and 38 games in 2023-24.
If Payton is not re-signed, Golden State will prioritize adding an elite perimeter defender.
NBA free agency officially begins at 3 p.m. Monday, when teams can negotiate with those on the market. The direction the Warriors take with their rotational unrestricted free agents – Kevon Looney is the other — will be influenced by the outcome of Kuminga’s restricted free agency.
General Manager Patrik Allvin Explains Why The Vancouver Canucks Drafted Braeden Cootes 15th Overall In The 2025 NHL Entry Draft
The Vancouver Canucks added an intriguing prospect to their organization during the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, as they drafted center Braeden Cootes with the 15th overall pick. The Seattle Thunderbirds captain recorded 63 points in 60 games during the WHL season, before guiding Canada to a Gold Medal at the U18s. A two-way center who has what seems like a never-ending motor, Cootes became the first WHLer in over a decade to be drafted by the Canucks in the first round.
After the selection, General Manager Patrik Allvin met with the media to discuss Vancouver's newest prospect. Cootes had long been rumoured as a player who the Canucks had interest in, as he was even taken out for dinner by team representatives during the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine. Ultimately, Allvin and his management group decided that Cootes was an ideal pick for Vancouver, as they selected him with the 15th overall pick in this year's draft.
"Braeden Cootes, captain in Seattle, our guys were very excited about him leading up to the meeting today," said Allvin. "And we had a couple of guys that we were hoping were going to be available at 15. You never know when you're picking there, but when we're getting closer to the pick there, and Braeden was a guy the scouting staff was definitely very excited, and so am I to get a right-shot center, captain of Team Canada's Gold Medal team in Dallas earlier. And believe there is upside for him to be a mid-six center."
Cootes' leadership was one of his attributes that really stuck out this season. He was the youngest captain in the WHL and wore the "C" for his country at this year's U18s. According to Allvin, his ability to be a leader was one of the many reasons why the Canucks were keen to add him to the organization.
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"Well, I think his demeanor of being fairly mature 18-year-old here. How he led Seattle through a tougher year and were able to get them in the playoffs and how he was able to get a Gold Medal for Canada down at the U18. I think he's a leader by example, on and off the ice, and our staff was really impressive with him during the process of their due diligence, meeting him in Seattle and in Buffalo as well."
Vancouver Canucks 2025 NHL Draft Target: Braeden CootesThe Vancouver Canucks enter the 2025 NHL Entry Draft with a pick in each round. Leading up to the draft day, we at The Hockey News will be profiling a different prospect who the Canucks could take with each of their picks. Today's prospect is Seattle Thunderbirds center Braeden Cootes, who Vancouver could select 15th overall.
As for on-ice play, Cootes is the exact type of player Vancouver needed to add to their prospect pool. He is a right-shot center who can transition the pucks well and plays in every situation. As Allvin explained, players like Cootes are not easy to acquire, which is why the organization is pleased with their selection.
"Well, I think that along with his position, where he plays, and being a right-shot center, which is extremely hard to get in the league, and for a young player like him, what he brought to the team in Seattle and around Hockey Canada too, is impressive, young man. So, definitely for us, we felt that we have a lot of good younger defensemen in our system, so adding forwards and centers was important for us."
In the end, the Canucks made the right decision by adding Cootes to their organization. He is one of the hardest working prospects available in this draft and, as Allvin pointed out, has the potential to develop into a middle-six center. Overall, this is a prospect fans in Vancouver should be excited about, and can keep tabs on as he is expected to return to the WHL next season.
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Canadiens: Noah Dobson Speaks To The Media
The brand-new Montreal Canadiens’ player, Noah Dobson, spoke to the media on Friday night for the first time since the trade was made and explained that it was a no-brainer for him to sign a long-term contract with the Habs, even though he hadn’t played for them yet. He called it an honour to have the opportunity to play for the best hockey market in the world and added he was excited to be joining a team with so many talented players on the roster.
The blueliner was impressed by what’s been accomplished in Montreal yet and the steps they’ve taken this year, which made it impossible for him not to be excited. He comes with a great attitude and a willingness to learn and improve his game, words that will likely be music to the ears of coach Martin St-Louis. The player praised the coach’s reputation and the team’s positive attitude, as well as the joy they experience coming to the rink and spending time together as a group.
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In the last season, he said it was a tough one personally and for the New York Islanders, given their difficulties in producing offensively. Speaking of the Canadiens’ blueline, he said there were many good players back there, and it would be a question of seeing who the coaches felt would be the best fit. He hasn’t given thought to his likely partner yet.
About the pressure that comes in this market, he said it wouldn’t be any harder than the pressure he puts on himself every day to perform. He also added that Montreal has always been his favourite away game and that he’s looking forward to stepping on the ice wearing the Tricolore’s jersey.
Dobson explained that once his agents started talking with the Islanders’ organization, both parties were unable to find common ground, and they decided to look for a trade instead. he had nothing but good things to say about the Islanders’ organization. He added that he had a great time on Long Island and would miss it, as well as his teammates.
Finally, he called the last few days crazy, since he knew something was in the works. Things started picking up this morning, which was a brand-new situation for him, and he’s also getting married on Monday. He was informed about the trade by Isles’ GM Mathieu Darche, but was also contacted by Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton, and St-Louis.
This trade is huge for the Canadiens, not only because of the kind of player they acquired on the ice, but also because Dobson wanted to come to Montreal. He chose to commit long-term to this town and market, despite the challenges and taxes. What that says to me is that the league is starting to notice what the Canadiens are building, and that players are willing to be on this organization.
Photo credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
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Why the Flyers Passed on James Hagens in the NHL Draft
After drafting top winger Porter Martone over center James Hagens at the top of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers will have to wait a little longer to find the No. 1 center of their future.
In fact, the Flyers themselves even insisted they needed centers after electing to choose Martone over Hagens.
So, what compelled them to do that? The answer, according to Flyers GM Danny Briere, was as simple as Martone being the better, more impactful player.
"We said it all along, yeah, we would've preferred a center, but we felt we couldn't pass up on the chance to bring a difference-maker like Porter Martone to the team," Briere explained at the end of the first round of the NHL Draft.
The 18-year-old Martone, already a captain of Canada's U18s and his Brampton Steelheads, finished second only to Michael Misa in goals (37 to Misa's 62) and total scoring (98 points to Misa's 134) amongst draft-eligible forwards in the OHL this year.
Flyers Draft Porter Martone: Pick Grade, Instant ReactionThe Philadelphia Flyers hit a home run Friday night, picking winger Porter Martone sixth overall atop the 2025 NHL Draft.
Martone's future Flyers teammate and draft classmate, Jack Nesbitt, finished seventh in goals (25) amongst OHL draft-eligibles and sixth in points (64). That's to give an indication as to how good Martone really is at his age with his natural talents and leadership.
"If there's one thing I would say, it's, in this draft, in the first round, [Martone is] pretty close to being the most ready out of that group," Briere continued. "To be able to select him at six, I don't want to say steal, but we had him higher on our board.
"We felt if Porter was there at six, even though he wasn't a center, that it would be really tough to go by him. . . Porter, in that range, was the one guy we felt we just couldn't let go by."
So, that's the story of how Porter Martone overtook James Hagens and ended up on the Flyers by the end of Friday night.
Briere knows how many right wings the Flyers have just as much as you and I, which should illustrate just how highly this team and these scouts valued this player.
It should be noted that Martone is an Oct. 26 birthday, too, which means he'll be 19 years old fairly early into the 2025-26 season.
Latest Philadelphia Flyers Depth Chart Following Trevor Zegras TradeAfter Monday's Trevor Zegras trade, the Philadelphia Flyers are going to be looking a lot different at the forward position in the 2025-26 season.
Martone aspires to make the team out of camp, while Briere, cautiously, wouldn't completely rule out the possibility of his newest top draft pick playing NHL games at some point.
After all, a barely 18-year-old Jett Luchanko played four NHL games at the start of last season.
So, by that logic, Martone is closer to the big leagues than we think both from a time perspective and from a skill perspective. Come this time next year, would there be any value in him playing nearly a full OHL season as a 20-year-old? Probably not.
This is a rare occasion where an early birthday and talent intersect to a team's advantage as the Flyers gear up to take the next step in their rebuild.
Letters to Sports: They need to turn it down at Dodger Stadium
As someone who has permanent ringing in the ears (tinnitus) as a result of hearing damage from concerts, I must take exception to how loud the music is played at sporting events these days. Despite quotes from Dodger players and executives stating how "great" the loudness at Dodger Stadium is, they are putting the paying customers and employees at risk for hearing loss with the excessive volume. Entertaining the fans is one thing, assaulting the delicate instrument that is our ears is quite another. I'm sure they could turn it down to safer decibel levels and everyone will still have a good time.
Mark Furcick
San Pedro
Dodger Stadium hosts a Military Appreciation Night, a Salvadoran Heritage Night, and a Guatemalan Heritage Night. But we will never see an Autism Spectrum Night. The ear-shattering sound system would cause fans to run from the stadium screaming in pain and terror.
I suffer from a condition called hyperacusis, where loud noises can cause ear pain lasting for days or even weeks. It's rare in the general population, but more common among autistic people. I love baseball, and used to love going to Dodger Stadium from the year it opened until 20-something years ago. But now I'd have to wear industrial-strength ear protection.
Russell Stone
Westchester
I used to like bleacher seats but won’t sit there again — way too loud right under the sound system.
Bob Wieting
Simi Valley
Sure it’s “entertainment.” Sure the players like the enthusiasm. But there are seats located beneath or near speakers that are simply painful to the ears.
Richard Melniker
Los Angeles
Pain at Pauley Pavilion
Thanks for the excellent article on loud music at Dodger Stadium, which reminded me of how annoying it was to watch UCLA basketball at Pauley Pavilion last season. Constant painfully loud rap and techno-music, measured at 90 decibels, which according to OSHA, can cause hearing damage from two hours of exposure. As an older alum, I would prefer to hear just the sound of the band playing and the cheers from the crowd.
Tony DeRiggi
Sacramento
Go to the bullpen
What genius decided to use position players to pitch in the ninth inning when the team was either way ahead or way behind in a game? It's embarrassing to see lousy pitching, bases loaded, and hitters scoring. Use a regular bullpen pitcher, and spare us, your fans, from flinching.
Deborah R. Ishida
Beverly Hills
Ace in the hole
Considering his recent outings and record, you'd have to say Clayton Kershaw is now the Dodgers’ staff ace. Great story for him, maybe even worthy of comeback player of the year, if he keeps it up. Also more than a bit ironic, given the big money paid to the Dodgers’ underwhelming three free agent starters. Kershaw might be barely hitting 90 mph on the radar gun, but he’s pitching effectively, and more important, taking his turn in the rotation — which is a noteworthy achievement on this staff.
John Merryman
Redondo Beach
Envision it
Ever since he got his vision corrected in April, Max Muncy has been on a hitting tear! Which has me wondering … when can we expect a bobblehead night for his ophthalmologist?
Nick Rose
Newport Coast
Memo to the Los Angeles Dodgers:
Find out who Max Muncy’s eye doctor is and send the rest of the team to him.
Ira M. Friedman
Beverly Hills
Thunderstruck
Congratulations to the Oklahoma City Thunder for winning the NBA title. One thing I noticed about this very young team is how mature and classy they are. They don’t make ridiculous gestures like some of the old veteran superstars i.e. "Night Night," "Ice in the Veins," etc. I hope you veterans can learn something from these young champions.
Paul Kawaguchi
Rosemead
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Email: sports@latimes.com
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
2025 NHL Draft grades roundup: How expert rate Bruins' James Hagens pick
2025 NHL Draft grades roundup: How expert rate Bruins' James Hagens pick originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
If someone told you a year ago today that the Boston Bruins were going to select Boston College center James Hagens in the 2025 NHL Draft, it would have been easy to assume that the B’s had the No. 1 pick.
But the Bruins were lucky enough to land the Eagles star with the No. 7 overall pick in the first round of Friday’s draft in Los Angeles.
Hagens tallied 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games for BC last season. Even though a point-per-game scoring rate as an 18-year-old in Hockey East is pretty impressive, Hagens didn’t dominate at the level of other recent high draft picks from college, including 2024 No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini. Hagens’ lack of size at 5-foot-11 also might have factored into his draft slide.
But there’s no doubting his offensive talents. Hagens is an elite playmaker, an excellent skater and an underrated goal scorer. He’s been a first-line player at every level he’s played, and he certainly has the potential to fill that role at the NHL level someday.
“You look back at James’ track record, he’s been a prolific point producer,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney told reporters Friday night.
What did the experts think of the Bruins taking Hagens at No. 7 overall? Here’s a roundup of grades.
The Athletic: A-
“The Bruins had a clear need for high-end talent in their farm system and a pressing need for top center talent. In Hagens, they address both. He’s an electric skater, puck handler and passer. He becomes the clear top young talent in their organization, and despite how he’s been picked apart at times for his size and physicality, he projects as a potential top-line forward.” — Corey Pronman
USA TODAY Sports: A
“It wasn’t that long ago when Hagens was considered the top prospect in this draft class. Despite his small size, Hagens has incredible skill and will likely end up as one of the better centers of this draft due to his creative and explosive play. This definitely feels like a steal for Boston, that’s for sure.” — Mary Clarke
Bleacher Report: A-
“This is a huge win for the Boston Bruins who, let’s face it, have not done a great job drafting in recent years. The Bruins are also in the middle of a rebuild (retool, whatever you want to call it), and having a brilliant facilitator like Hagens as a piece of that is a big step forward. You can trust him anywhere on the ice. Boston needs that.
“Although Porter Martone’s potential and high ceiling got him our third spot over Hagens, I feel more confident that Hagens will reach his ceiling. He was the consensus No. 1 last summer, but being No. 4 on our board is not a slight on him, just commentary on how much impressive work we’ve seen from the three players ahead of him this season. He’s going to be an excellent player with development and time.” — Hannah Stuart
Warriors extend qualifying offer to Jonathan Kuminga before 2025 NBA free agency
Warriors extend qualifying offer to Jonathan Kuminga before 2025 NBA free agency originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors made the expected move Saturday when they extended a $7.9 million qualifying offer to Jonathan Kuminga, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole confirmed.
Kuminga officially becomes a restricted NBA free agent ahead of Monday’s negotiating period, which begins at 3 p.m. PT.
The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and Spotrac’s Keith Smith were first to report the news.
Kuminga’s restricted free agency is the biggest question the Warriors have to answer this offseason.
The 22-year-old can field offer sheets from other NBA teams Monday, and the Warriors can match the offer, decline to match or work out a sign-and-trade with another franchise.
Kuminga and the Warriors were unable to agree to a long-term contract extension before the 2024-25 NBA season, and he played out the final guaranteed year of his rookie deal.
In 47 games, Kuminga averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds on 45.4-percent shooting from the field and 30.5-percent shooting from 3-point range.
Kuminga’s fourth NBA season was hampered by an ankle injury sustained in early January, sidelining him for 31 games. When he returned to the lineup, Jimmy Butler had been acquired and the Warriors had a hard time fitting Kuminga into the rotation.
By the time the Warriors reached the NBA playoffs, Kuminga was out of the rotation and received four DNPs in their first-round series win over the Houston Rockets.
But Kuminga rejoined the mix against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round when Steph Curry sustained a hamstring injury. In the final four games, the forward averaged 24.3 points on 55.4-percent shooting, showing the Warriors and the rest of the NBA what he’s capable of.
Kuminga believes he can be a “great” NBA player in the right situation, and he understands that might mean leaving the Warriors, who drafted him No. 7 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.
But the Warriors still could retain a former lottery pick whom they have invested ample time and effort into.
A decision on Kuminga will come in the next few days, and it will have a big impact on the future of both sides.
Less death, more social media: Formula One films decades apart reveal a changed world | Emma John
The new Brad Pitt F1 movie offers a glossy exhilarating ride but its 1960s predecessor Grand Prix goes beneath the bonnet
‘Let’s try to get the season off to a good start, shall we? Drive the car. Don’t try to stand it on its bloody ear.”
Have you watched the movie? It’s about a rule-breaking American Formula One driver, the kind who blows past blue flags and crashes into his own teammate. You must have heard of it. They shot it in real race cars, across some of the most prestigious circuits in the world. It even had contemporary world championship drivers making notable cameos on the track.
Continue reading...The making of Jack Draper: from teen ‘maniac’ to Wimbledon title contender
A scrappy, smart defensive player in his formative years, a late growth spurt and shrewd coaching have honed the 23-year-old Briton into an opponent others now fear
Towards the end of 2018, a relatively unknown 16-year-old British tennis player took some of his first strides on the professional tennis circuit in a $15,000 (£11,000) tournament in Lagos, Nigeria on the ITF World Tennis Tour. Earlier that summer, Jack Draper had offered a glimpse into his considerable potential with a run to the Wimbledon boys’ final and his encouraging first tussles against adult opposition had earned him a modest ATP ranking of No 623. “I was very different then,” Draper says, smiling. “A bit of a maniac, to be honest.”
Those experiences were key in his development for various reasons. He ended that tournament by winning his third consecutive title, offering him more reason to believe he was on the right path. Along the way, he gained some essential perspective. “I’d have a wet [racket] grip, because it was so humid there. I’d put it in a bin and the kids were fighting over it. Just the energy from the people there, they were really passionate about tennis,” says Draper. “To go to those sorts of places was definitely … going from the UK and having a lot of, I guess, things given to me, it definitely helped the way I saw life.”
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