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What we learned as Willy Adames' big night powers Giants' win over Athletics

What we learned as Willy Adames' big night powers Giants' win over Athletics originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

WEST SACRAMENTO – What a difference a day makes.

Twenty-four hours after Justin Verlander absorbed another loss and received very little help on the offensive side during the Giants most lopsided loss of the season, San Francisco flipped the script on both ends and beat the Athletics 7-2 on Saturday to even the series with their former Bay Bridge rivals.

Logan Webb led the charge with another yeoman work effort on the mound while pitching about 30 minutes away from where he grew up. The right-hander scattered seven hits and two runs over 6 2/3 mostly solid innings, striking out six and walking three to get his third win in his last seven starts.

For the third consecutive day, manager Bob Melvin didn’t have to reach too deep into his bullpen.

That’s nothing new when Webb starts.

Randy Rodriguez replaced Webb and retired one batter. Tyler Rogers set down three, and Spencer Bivens worked the ninth to complete the game.

The Giants also showed signs of breaking out of their collective offensive funk in third baseman Matt Chapman’s return from the Injured List.

Heliot Ramos hit his 14th home run of the season, Willy Adames had three hits and drove in four runs and Brett Wisely added a pair of hits ad two RBIs. Rafel Devers reached base four times.

Here are the takeaways from Saturday’s win:

CHAPMAN’S RETURN

Before the game Melvin insisted Chapman’s return to the lineup was advantageous in multiple ways, and the third baseman certainly made things happen Saturday.

Batting in the clean-up spot behind Rafael Devers, Chappy was hit by a pitch and scored on an Adames single in the first inning. In the third Chapman beat out an infield single then took third on Jung Hoo Lee’s single to center and scored on another Adames’ two-out hit.

Chapman reached on a fielder’s choice in the fifth, flew out to center in the sixth then drew a six-pitch walk in the ninth.

More importantly as far as Melvin is concerned, having Chapman back in the lineup adds another experienced veteran voice in the clubhouse. That, as much as his glove and bat, is exactly what the Giants at this juncture.

ADAMES SHINES IN THE 6 HOLE

Chapman’s return enabled manager Bob Melvin to juggle his lineup a little more, including dropping Adames down to No. 6 in the batting order. That’s a spot where Adames has had some of his best production this season, and he kept that roll going against the A’s.

Just when it looked like the Giants were going to waste a huge opportunity in the first inning, Adames laced a two-out, two-run single up the middle to give Webb some early run support.

Adames came through with another two-out hit in the third that knocked in two more runs.

Adames, who has been San Francisco’s No. 2 hitter most of the season, has driven in 22 of his 42 RBIs while batting No. 6.

RAMOS REGAINS POWER STROKE

Ramos ended his second-longest power outage with his solo home run off Severino leading off the fifth. It was Ramos’ team-leading 18th homer and first since June 21, a span of 13 games.

Ramos had been ill for the final two games in Arizona and was in a 5-for-34 rut before crushing Luis Severino’s first pitch in the fifth for a 416-foot home run.

The Giants slugger, who came short of a second home run when he doubled to center in the eighth. was hit by a pitch, grounded out in his other at-bats.

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Three New Potential NHL Duos Formed Through Trades And Free-Agency Signings

Multiple high-profile players have been on the move during this off-season, and with these moves, there is the possibility of seeing new partnerships and dynamic duos come into fruition. 

Several teams across the NHL have two players who share undeniable chemistry with each other. A great example of that is with the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who always complement each other on the ice with their elite abilities.

Here are three pairs of players who have never played together before, but could dominate once they get a chance to share the ice.

Mitch Marner And Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights were the winners of the Mitch Marner sweepstakes before he was able to officially enter free agency. GM Kelly McCrimmon acquired the right winger from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a sign-and-trade in exchange for center Nicolas Roy.

Marner is one of the league’s best playmakers. He finished the season as the fifth-best scorer in the league with 102 points. Marner ranked three spots above new teammate Jack Eichel, who scored 94 points last year.

Marner and Eichel are similar in a lot of ways in how they play the game. They’re premier playmakers who recorded a combined 141 assists, 74 of those being primary helpers. In addition to their offensive skill, they take pride in the other side of the ice as they both finished top 10 in Selke Trophy voting.

Noah Dobson And Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens made a huge splash in acquiring 25-year-old Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. The defenseman was traded to the Habs for left winger Emil Heineman, as well as two first-round picks from the 2025 draft.

Dobson is coming off a down year with the Islanders, but is more than capable of taking over a game from the blueline. Two seasons ago, he recorded a 70-point campaign that saw him receive a top-10 ranking for the Norris Trophy.

There is a prime opportunity for Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis to pair Dobson with reigning Calder Trophy winner Lane Hutson. The two D-men complement each other with their contrast in size and could be a successful pairing for years to come.

Trevor Zegras And Matvei Michkov, Philadelphia Flyers

Trevor Zegras’ time with the Anaheim Ducks has come to an end after five seasons with the club. He was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for center Ryan Poehling, a second-round pick in the 2025 draft and a fourth-round pick in the 2026 draft. 

Zegras is known for his creativity, soft hands with the puck and his playmaking ability. New Flyers coach Rick Tocchet hinted at pairing Zegras and his playmaking with right winger Matvei Michkov when he spoke to The Athletic following the trade.

“We’d be idiots not to explore it and talk about it, and try to manifest it where it can work,” Tocchet said after Philadelphia acquired Zegras. 

Trevor Zegras (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

The 24-year-old has played left wing and center with the Ducks, but because of his size, there’s a risk putting Zegras in the middle. “I definitely think it’s our obligation to see if he can play centre,” Tocchet said. “He really wants to give it a shot.”

Michkov and Zegras have shown they are confident in how skilled they are, attempting multiple ‘Michigan’ moves between them in their short careers. It could be breathtaking to see what they could potentially do together if they shared a line.

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Maple Leafs Forward Nick Robertson Files For Salary Arbitration, Timeline, Reasons And What’s Next?

For the first time in his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Nick Robertson has leverage. The forward filed for salary arbitration on Saturday, which allows a third party to decide his compensation for the upcoming season.

The 23-year-old Robertson scored a career-high 15 goals and added seven assists last season. He played in 69 games with the Leafs last season, a positive sign that the player’s history of injury is indeed in the past. However, the forward was limited to playing in just three of Toronto’s 13 playoff games this past spring, due to decision-making from Leafs head coach Craig Berube.

Robertson has been in the Leafs organization since he was drafted in the second round (53rd overall) in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Expectations were high for him to replicate his elite goal-scoring at the Ontario Hockey League level, especially when the player was fast-tracked to an NHL debut by suiting up for the club during the 2020 NHL playoffs. However, a combination of injuries and underperformance, coupled with the back-and-forth he experienced in the 2023-24 season between the Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies (AHL) as the club managed its salary cap, has stunted the player’s growth.

'I Understand It But I'm Not Going To Sit Here And Say That I'm Happy': Maple Leafs' Roster Shuffle Tests Nick Robertson's Patience Upon His Return to the Team'I Understand It But I'm Not Going To Sit Here And Say That I'm Happy': Maple Leafs' Roster Shuffle Tests Nick Robertson's Patience Upon His Return to the TeamRobertson was called up to the Maple Leafs after being sent down to help the team open up some salary cap space.

Last year, Robertson began the summer by requesting a trade away from Toronto. Instead of getting his wish, however, he signed a one-year, $875,000 deal to remain with the team. This past week, the Leafs tendered a $919,000 qualifying offer to Robertson in order to retain the forward’s rights.

Report: Maple Leafs Restricted Free Agent Nick Robertson 'Still Would Prefer A Change Of Address'Report: Maple Leafs Restricted Free Agent Nick Robertson 'Still Would Prefer A Change Of Address'Robertson reportedly requested a trade away from the Maple Leafs back in June and hasn't changed his stance.

With the departure of Mitch Marner this offseason, players like Robertson will be counted on to pick up the slack in the scoring department. This makes assessing his fair value an interesting exercise if the team and player are unable to come to an agreement beforehand.

The Maple Leafs and Robertson can continue negotiating up until their scheduled hearing begins. Once that happens, both sides will make their case based on prepared comparables (i.e., other players with similar stats, age, and roles) before a third party rules on final compensation.

'The Puzzle Has Got To Come Into Play': Maple Leafs Not Rushing Contracts Of RFAs Nick Robertson And Pontus Holmberg'The Puzzle Has Got To Come Into Play': Maple Leafs Not Rushing Contracts Of RFAs Nick Robertson And Pontus HolmbergWhile the talk of the town might be whether the Toronto Maple Leafs can sign John Tavares before July 1 rolls around, you cannot forget about their younger restricted free agents.

The “walkaway” number in the collective bargaining agreement is $4.85 million, according to Puckpedia.com. Any award exceeding that number would allow the Leafs not to be obligated to sign the California-born forward, and he would then become an unrestricted free agent.

Robertson currently has 32 goals and 24 assists in 156 NHL games. Given the history, it's not a surprise at all that the player would exercise his right to leverage for the first time in his NHL career. Finding the right value on the player will be interesting.

An arbitrator can only award a one or two-year contract for Robertson. Hearings for all 11 players announced for arbitration will run from July 20 to August 4. 

(Photo Credit, Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

'He Always Wants To Be The Best': Why Tinus Luc Koblar Could Be Maple Leafs' Biggest Steal Of The 2025 NHL Draft'He Always Wants To Be The Best': Why Tinus Luc Koblar Could Be Maple Leafs' Biggest Steal Of The 2025 NHL DraftA few weeks after being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tinus Luc Koblar is soaking up his time in the city. Maple Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz Spotted Back On Ice In New Training Video Shared by Offseason Coach George BosakMaple Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz Spotted Back On Ice In New Training Video Shared by Offseason Coach George BosakToronto Maple Leafs fans breathed a sigh of relief when Anthony Stolarz unexpectedly took the ice as Joseph Woll’s backup goaltender in their Game 7 defeat against the Florida Panthers in May, especially as the goaltender later confirmed he was fully cleared from the concussion he sustained from an incident with Panthers forward Sam Bennett in Game 1 of their second-round series. A further positive sign was seeing the goaltender take the ice in full gear with his off-season goaltending coach George Bosak, a moment shared on the coach’s Instagram account on Friday. 'What's This Horse About?': Maple Leafs Prospects React To Having Wild Colt At Development Camp'What's This Horse About?': Maple Leafs Prospects React To Having Wild Colt At Development CampThe Toronto Maple Leafs prospects didn't know what they were getting themselves into when they rolled into Exhibition Place on Friday morning.
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Notes about the Mets rotation: Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga, Luis Severino and Mitch Keller

If the Mets can survive the next week with a patched-together pitching staff, they might find their way back to relative stability before the All-Star break.

Here is reporting on current and possible future members of the Mets rotation. Information is from league sources.

-- If all goes well, Sean Manaea could make his season debut next Sunday in Kansas City, the day before the All-Star break.

Manaea has so far responded well to the cortisone shot intended to treat the discomfort caused by a bone fragment, or “loose body,” in his left elbow. He is scheduled to make a final rehab start on Tuesday for Triple-A Syracuse. The team will then decide whether to start him on Sunday or wait until after the break. The prediction here is that Manaea will close out the first half.

Kodai Senga is also a solid possibility to return from the IL next weekend in Kansas City.

-- The Mets are actively scouring the trade market for pitching. But they are unlikely to land an impact starter much before the trade deadline, because -- like all buying teams -- the Mets are at the mercy of the market. David Stearns could choose to get ripped off today, or he could wait until late July for prices to settle at their actual level.

-- The Mets have a better chance of trading for a reliever earlier in the month. Those can occasionally become more readily available than starters in mid-July. The Mets acquired Phil Maton last year on July 10.

-- As first reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Mets have expressed interest in starter Mitch Keller. The context for that is that the Mets have made a call on just about every potentially available starter. Nothing is close on any front.

Keller is making $15 million this season and $52.5 million from 2026-2028. Because of that hefty price tag, he is not expected to fetch a top prospect/young position player with years of club control, like Ronny Mauricio.

-- A reunion between the Mets and Luis Severino has to be considered unlikely -- but we wouldn’t call it impossible.

Severino left the Mets because the Mets -- even though they liked the player and person -- didn’t consider the three-year, $67 million contract he signed with the Athletics to be a reasonable deal for him. It made a bit more sense for the A’s, who had to overpay a free agent in order to convince him to play in their minor league ballpark in Sacramento.

But Severino has publicly complained about that ballpark, leading to an industry belief that the A’s would eat money to trade him. If the team absorbs enough of the contract, or takes on a bad contract in return, he could appeal to the Mets. Again, New York liked Severino and would gladly have retained him at a lower price point.

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Yankees to call up prospect Cam Schlittler for MLB debut after losing Clarke Schmidt to injury: report

The Yankees are reportedly calling on one of their young talents after losing Clarke Schmidt to an injury.

New York is planning on promoting young right-hander Cam Schlittler to make his MLB debut on Tuesday or Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners, according to Joel Sherman of the NY Post.

Schmidt left his start this week after just three innings due to elbow tightness, and after undergoing an MRI, he is expected to have season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Aaron Boone said pregame Saturday that they are still sorting through their replacement options for the rotation, but it appears they've settled on the hard-throwing 24-year-old.

Schlittler was roughed up his last time out, but he's enjoyed a ton of success this season, posting a 2.82 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 15 appearances between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

He's done a good job of consistently keeping the ball on the ground, recording a 47.8 percent groundball rate over his minor league career.

The Massachusetts native can touch 97 mph on his fastball and he's been developing a sweeper.

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Jackson Rowe fuels Warriors' summer league win in absence of 2025 draft picks

Jackson Rowe fuels Warriors' summer league win in absence of 2025 draft picks originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Warriors fans will have to wait to watch the team’s two picks from last month’s NBA draft in action for the first time. 

Alex Toohey and Will Richard did not play in Saturday’s California Classic summer league game at Chase Center against the Los Angeles Lakers. In fact, they couldn’t. 

The Warriors went into the second round of the draft with one pick at No. 41 overall. Before the round even began, they traded the pick to the Phoenix Suns for the No. 52 and No. 59 overall picks. Toohey was taken at No. 52, but the Warriors weren’t done wheeling and dealing. They then moved up from No. 59 to No. 56 in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies to select Richard. 

Neither trade has been made official, which is why Toohey and Richard couldn’t suit up Saturday, NBC Sports Bay Area was told. Sunday at 9 a.m. PT marks the first day of the new league year. The hope is that Toohey and Richard can play Sunday, if the trade is made official before the Warriors’ 3:30 p.m. PT tipoff against the San Antonio Spurs. 

In their absence, the Warriors started off slow and sloppy but came out roaring in the second half under Lainn Wilson in his head coaching debut to beat the Lakers, 89-84. 

“Our intensity level as a team really raised up after halftime,” Wilson said. “Their pressure, I think, threw us off a little bit in that first period. We struggled to make some open shots, but they did a really good job of speeding us up. They were a really physical team, so our guys after halftime really took it up a notch with their intensity as well and kind of exceeding that and broke the game open.” 

The Warriors trailed 19-11 after the first quarter as the Lakers pressured them all over the court. Slowly but surely, adjustments were made. Upping the ante themselves, the Warriors outscored the Lakers 28-24 in the second quarter to go into halftime down 43-39. 

At the half, the Lakers were whistled for 14 fouls while the Warriors totaled nine. The way the Lakers were hounding the Warriors defensively, however, led to eight turnovers – five in the first quarter and three in the second. 

Wilson’s halftime message was to not back down and use spacing to their advantage. Message received. 

“I think we were getting used to the 10-foul rule,” Jackson Rowe said. “Everybody kind of didn’t want to get fouled, and then we realized we got 10 to give.” 

Summer league rules are different from standard NBA rules, including how many fouls a player can have and remain in the game. Instead of fouling out at six fouls, players are can hack away until they’re called for 10 fouls, resulting in a different product much of the time. 

After adjusting to the style of play, the Warriors needed only one minute in the third quarter to regain their first lead since it was 2-0 in their favor. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 30-17 in the third quarter and held on in the fourth to come out with a win. Rowe was a major reason why. 

As the most experienced player on the Warriors’ summer league roster, Rowe is taking on a leadership role and put the team on his back down the stretch. He led the Warriors in points (13), rebounds (eight) and blocked shots (two), also adding two assists and two steals as a game-high plus-13. Rowe scored nine points in the second half, including six in the fourth quarter. 

He proved to be a big-time scorer in the G League last season for the Santa Cruz Warriors, twice scoring at least 30 points, and exceeding 20 points seven times. It was the other side of the ball he was most proud of Saturday. 

“My favorite plays were the defensive plays,” Rowe said. “Getting some blocks and trying to change the momentum of the game.” 

The Warriors signed Rowe, 28, to a two-way contract on Jan. 28. He remains two-way eligible this season, and is well aware his calling card isn’t going to be trying to take over offensively. Rowe says he has gained 15 pounds of muscle already this offseason with an emphasis on getting his body right to be relied on more defensively as someone who can do all the dirty work for Golden State. 

Like Juan Toscano-Anderson years ago, Rowe’s journey with the Warriors began at a tryout. Rowe even admitted he never expected to be in the position he is today. The Warriors saw his talent, and as his game has grown, so has his mindset. 

“If you want to make the NBA, oftentimes you’re not going to be the guy taking 30 shots a game,” Rowe explained. “You’re going to be the guy getting rebounds, playing defense and helping those main guys score. If you just watch what I’m doing, I think it’s a good example of how you can play in the NBA, or at least get as close as possible.” 

After earning his two-way contract last season, Rowe played six games for the Warriors, seeing the floor for a total of 52 minutes. He tallied 22 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and four steals in that span. Though he wasn’t on the active roster for the playoffs, he remained with the team and continued to absorb every ounce of knowledge. 

Now, he’s the one encouraging summer league teammates for boxing out strong, running the floor and making the extra pass. Of course he’d love to drop 30 like he’s in Santa Cruz. He’d love to start the season with at least one of the Warriors’ three two-way contracts even more. 

“You’re not going to replace Stephen Curry,” Rowe said. “It’s like, big surprise, you’re not going to fill that guy’s shoes ever. You gotta think, how can you impact the game in other ways? They’ve taught me how to do that.” 

Playing and leading like Rowe did to open his summer league campaign will earn him the right to have plenty of space for his own shoes inside the Warriors’ locker room next season.

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Mets Notes: Brandon Sproat ‘turning the corner’ in Syracuse, the plan for Brooks Raley

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza provided some updates prior to Saturday’s game against the Yankees…

The plan for Brooks Raley

Raley took the next step in his rehab assignment on Friday night. 

The southpaw jumped up to Triple-A and put together another strong outing, taking home the victory after working around a hit and a walk over 1.1 scoreless innings. 

He has now punched out 11 batters and is yet to allow a run over six appearances (6.2 innings). 

Things continue to go well, but it will be a bit longer before we see the veteran back on the big-league mound. 

“We still want to see back-to-back, two out of three,” the skipper said. “So most likely it won’t be until after the break. But he’s putting himself in a good position, bouncing back well. Now it’s just preparing him for scenarios how we’ll use him.

"We don’t want the first time he’s going back-to-back to be at the big-league level, especially after what he’s been through.”

Brandon Sproat finding his groove

The young right-hander had a bit of a rough start to the season, but of late, he’s begun to find a groove down in Syracuse. 

Sproat put together his second consecutive strong outing on Friday night, allowing just two singles and a walk while striking out eight over five scoreless innings. 

He’s now gone 11 consecutive frames without giving up a run. 

“It’s really good to see,” Mendoza said. “We’re keeping an eye on all of those guys. I was talking to Dickey Scott before the outing yesterday, not only the life on the fastball but the conviction of the way he’s throwing the baseball. It looks like he’s turning the corner here. 

“Reading his report from last night it’s the same thing -- just attacking, life on his pitches, using all of his pitches, the changeup was better. That’s what we want to see out of these kids. They continue to put themselves in a position and we’ll watch them.”

David Stearns said earlier this week that the team would prefer to not bring up one of their talented young arms in a spot start situation.

Sproat certainly has been building his case, though, lowering his ERA to 5.05 on the year.

New addition to the roster

New bullpen addition Zach Pop officially joined the roster prior to Saturday’s Subway Series matchup. 

Pop is active and will be available out of the bullpen for the contest. 

In a corresponding move, Austin Warren was sent back down to Triple-A. 

Reliever Tyler Zuber was designated for assignment to make room for Pop on the roster. 

Zuber was acquired from the Rays ahead of last year’s trade deadline in exchange for relief prospect Paul Gervase, who made his big-league debut this year. 

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3 takeaways from Nashville Predators' Future Stars Game

Nashville Predators development camp came to a close Saturday morning in the Future Stars Game at Ford Ice Center in Bellevue. 

Fans packed the stands to get a glimpse of what the Predators future could look like, and who they could potentially see on the ice this fall. 

It wasn't a traditional game, as there were two 25-minute halves, with 15 minutes of 5-on-5 play, 10 minutes of 4-on-4 play, and a five-man shootout. Goals scored in every segment counted toward the final score. 

Here are the biggest takeaways from this year's Future Stars Game. 

Future Stars Game rosters

Gold

Forwards: Brady Martin, Kalan Lind, Matthew Wood, Viktor Norringer, David Edstrom, Joey Willis, Felix Nilsson, Ryker Lee, Teddy Stiga, Erik Pahlsson.

Defense: Viggo Gustafsson, Tanner Molendyk, Jacob Rombach, Tristan Sarsland, Alex Huang. 

Goalies: Jack Ivankovic, Jakub Milota 

Blue

Forwards: Miguel Marques, Adam Ingram, Cole O'Hara, Aiden Fink, Egor Surin, Ryan Sullivan, Jack Stockfish, Hiroki Gojsic, Austin Roest, Oasiz Wiesblatt. 

Defense: Drew Hockley, Andrew Gibson, Luke Shipley, Cameron Reid, Mac Gadowsky. 

Goalies: Lawton Zacher, T.J. Semptimphelter. 

1. Veterans showed out 

There is a lot of pressure on prospects playing in their first development camp, wanting to make an good early impression. At the same time, there's pressure on veteran players to prove they're ready to contest for a roster spot and show that they are continuing to progress. 

Forward Matthew Wood highlighted that effort with a highlight reel goal and an assist. He tried to deke past Mac Gadowsky while entering the zone but hit Gadowsky's skate while trying to pull the puck.

Luckily, the puck came back to Wood, and he wristed it past Zacher for the goal. Wood played six games with Predators last season after finishing up his final college season at Minnesota. As one of the leaders at the development camp, we could see more of him in Nashville. 

Defenseman Andrew Gibson had two goals, one in 4-on-4 play and the other in the shootout. Mixed with his strong defensive performance, he could be an offensively minded blue-liner that the Predators are looking for. 

The Detroit Red Wings 2023 third-round draft pick, who was traded to the Predators in June 2024, just finished his fourth and final season in the OHL. 

2. Ryker Lee, Cole O'Hara pack an offensive punch 

The Predators, traditionally, aren't known for having the flashiest players in the world. General manager Barry Trotz's mindset has been focused on size and strength. 

However, Ryker Lee and Cole O'Hara could change that. 

The pair of forwards were extremely active in the game. Lee had a ton of chances and a shootout goal where he essentially threw a change up at TJ Semptimphelter, faking a wrist shot and a leg pump to go bardown on him.

Lee dazzled in the USHL this year, scoring 68 points in 58 games. He's headed to Michigan State this fall, which will only further strengthen his game. Lee's skill set could be even sharper come next year's development camp. 

O'Hara, who's another veteran of the development camp, had a shootout goal, an assist and the most impressive goal of the day. He caught a pass from Egor Surin, who was along the boards, pulled the puck in between his legs and went bar down on Jack Ivankovic. 

The Predators 2022 fourth-round pick played two games in Milwaukee after scoring 51 points with UMass Amherst. A full pro season, whether that be in Milwaukee or Nashville, should say a lot about O'Hara's pro skillset and his overall potential. 

3. TJ Semptimphelter had a shutout in scrimmage 

ASU Sun Devils goalie TJ Semptimphelter (35) protects the net against the Augustana Vikings at Mullett Arena in Tempe on Jan. 19, 2024.

Considering all the scoring that occurred later in the game and the fact that TJ Semptimphelter started the game, it was notable that he had a shutout before in the 5-on-5 and 4-on-4 segments he played. 

While he ended up letting in two goals in the shootout, with Gold still maintaining a 3-2 lead after that segment, he was the only netminder to not suffice a goal in live action. 

Semptimphelter was one of the two goalies invited to the development camp but not drafted by the team. 

He just completed his final college season at North Dakota, where he played 31 games, posting an 18-11-2 record, a save percentage of .910, and a goals-against average of 2.64. 

Semptimphelter made his pro debut with the Bridgeport Islanders, which was a little rougher, allowing four goals on 22 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 

Goalie development takes some time, but Semptimphelter showed the most promise out of the goalies. 

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Penguins Prospects Development Camp: Standouts From Day Three

Saturday marked day three of the Pittsburgh Penguins development camp, and there was a lot to like. 

Mikhail Ilyin made his debut after getting into Pittsburgh late Thursday night and arriving at the facility on Friday. He participated in the first group session, and his skill was evident right away. He had an excellent release and used it every time it was his turn during a drill. He was also showcasing his playmaking ability, making some slick passes to his teammates.

Some people have concerns about his skating, but I don't view it as a negative at all. He's very methodical with it, but I would like to see him use his top-end speed a little bit more. Ilyin signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins on May 31, but won't be playing for the organization yet. Penguins assistant general manager Jason Spezza told Taylor Haase of DK Pittsburgh Sports that Ilyin will stay in the KHL for the 2025-26 season. The hope is that he will come over to North America full-time for the 2026-27 season. 

If you haven't started putting at least some stock into defensive prospect Finn Harding, I suggest you do so. He was all over the ice on Saturday, showcasing his superb skating and his ability to walk the blue line. I know these are only drills, but he looked super calm and composed each time he had the puck. He was one of two players the Penguins selected in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL Draft, and is already looking like a steal. 

Harding has developed his offensive game since being drafted, finishing the 2024-25 season with seven goals and 57 points in 67 games with the OHL's Brampton Steelheads. He will play for either the Wheeling Nailers or the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this year after signing his ELC in March.

Will Horcoff was a little quiet during the first two days of development camp, but that changed on Saturday. The 2025 first-round pick was showcasing his release, specifically his one-timer, during drills, and it's pretty impressive. He roofed one over Justin BriseBois during a drill before going top shelf with two more goals a short time later. 

He's a bit more of a "project" compared to fellow first-rounders Ben Kindel and Bill Zonnon, and Michigan is the perfect place for him to keep developing. He will have the opportunity to play with the Wolverines for a full season this year after appearing in 18 games for them last year, where he compiled four goals and 10 points. 

Development camp will resume on Sunday, concluding with a tournament on Monday.

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Featured Image Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

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Are The Sharks Hunting For Byram?

Most of the speculation surrounding the Buffalo Sabres continues to be on restricted free agent defenseman Bowen Byram. Earlier this week, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported that interested clubs were contemplating an offer sheet and that could still be the case if Byram does not opt for salary arbitration by 5 pm Saturday. The St. Louis Blues according to Jeremy Rutherford of the Athletic are in hot pursuit of the blueliner, but the Blues may have company.

According to the Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, the San Jose Sharks are also interested in the 24-year-old defenseman. Sharks GM Mike Grier has been busy over the last week adding to his blueline and getting over the cap floor with the signings of veterans Dmitri Orlov, John Kingberg, and the waiver claim of Nick Leddy, but Grier is undoubtedly looking for long-term stability on the blueline, as San Jose has five defensemen in the final year of their contracts.  

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Byram is two years away from unrestricted free agency, but if he elects for salary arbitration, he could sign a long-term extension.  

“We believe Bo is an excellent hockey player that can help our team win,” Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said on Wednesday. “I've maintained the same position that if there's a deal out there that makes sense for us that we think is going to improve our roster we're open to it. If there's not, we're not in a situation where we're looking to move him out or looking to move him for futures and stuff like that, for me we want to help our team win hockey games and he helps us do that.”

The issue with the Sharks is that they do not have many players who fit the need of what the Sabres are looking for, which is young NHL players under team control. San Jose will not move core pieces like Macklin Celebrini or Will Smith, and the Sabres are reportedly not interested in picks or top prospects like defenseman Sam Dickinson, who was selected with Buffalo’s pick at the 2024 Draft in Las Vegas. Former first round pick William Eklund is the only player who would seemingly fit GM Kevyn Adams criteria, and the 22-year-old forward just signed a three-year contract extension for $16.8 million.   

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Suárez eases into yet another tremendous outing, Phillies even series with Reds

Suárez eases into yet another tremendous outing, Phillies even series with Reds originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The ease in which Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez approaches his profession brings to mind many past and current athletes whose results seem to far outweigh their efforts.

Like a Fred Couples golf swing or a Steph Curry 35-foot jumper, Suárez goes about his business as if every outing is just a 60-foot, six-inch game of catch with J.T. Realmuto. 

Suárez wanders off the mound with all the non-hastiness as if he’s been called to the principal’s office. After a foul ball is corralled by one of the ball girls, he’ll make sure they are all set before he throws his next pitch. He flips the ball in the air to himself before a pitch, seemingly oblivious to the fact a runner could advance if he misses his own toss. He doesn’t really wind up, more like he steps forward to the rubber and begins his pitch there.

No one is complaining about the ways Suárez goes about his business, of course, as he has been one of the best pitchers in baseball the past couple of months.

Not much changed with him on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park against the Cincinnati Reds, as the left-hander strolled through five innings and 80 pitches using a curveball in the mid to low 70-mile-an-hour mark, a changeup that hovered around 80 and a rarely used four-seam fastball that was low 90s. His pitches don’t pop Realmuto’s mitt the way his fellow starters do, rather his balls kind of land.

Saturday’s performance by Suárez was slowed even more due to him being on an 85-pitch count because of some soreness after his last outing against Atlanta. Still, in his limited time, he allowed just one run on a Will Benson home run and struck out six. Three of the Phillies five hits left the yard en route to a 5-1 victory.

“I felt it in my last start in Atlanta, my body wasn’t feeling 100 percent so the pitch limit was because of that just to see how we progress and how we go forward, said Suárez. “It’s my shoulder and my back overall. I felt a little bit better, that’s why they told me we were going to have a pitch limit. But today was good overall. I felt way better.”

It’d be hard to tell if he had no feeling at all with the nonchalant, robotic way he goes about his business. Now in his last 11 starts, Suárez has a 1.23 ERA over his last 11 starts and hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in his last five games.

To say he’s earned a little bit of a break at this point of the season is a huge understatement.

“It was designed,” said manager Rob Thomson. “In June he had six starts. Five of them were seven innings, one of them six innings, all of them 94 pitches or more. So we went in today just trying to pull back a little bit. So we had an 85-pitch limit today.” 

Before finding out that the pull back was planned, there was wonder if something more was wrong. In his last few outings the velocity of Suárez’ pitches had gone down a little bit and yesterday it still wasn’t peak. But that doesn’t seem to matter to the pitcher nor his boss.

“I’m just looking up at the board but I saw a 93. So that was a good sign,” Thomson said. “I don’t really concern myself with that because he pitches. That’s what he did today. He threw strikes, first pitch strikes. The changeup was really good. A lot of soft contact, other than the (Will) Benson home run. He just missed location on that. I thought Ranger was really good today and I thought the bullpen was outstanding as well.”

Effortless without result was much of the Phillies offense early in the game and the reason Suárez departed without a decision. The only mustered two hits off Reds’ lefty starter Nick Lodolo, both by Trea Turner, in the first four innings. But Edmundo Sosa deposited a home run into the right field seats to tie it at 1-1, then Alec Bohm drove in Kyle Schwarber with a 400-foot bomb to left-center for a 3-1 lead. Not to be let out of the home run fun, Schwarber went the opposite way off Reds lefty Brent Suter on a 2-0 count in the 8th with Turner on first and the Phillies busted it open to a 5-1 lead.

It helped that Thomson was able to use his high-leverage guys out of the pen as Jordan Romano, Tanner Banks, Orion Kerkering and Matt Strahm kept the Reds off the board for the final four. Though things got a little dicey in the eighth when Kerkering enticed Austin Hays into a tailor-made double play that was bobbled by Turner. But on the very next at-bat, Turner made a solid play to his left, stepped on second and threw to first for the rally-killing double play.

As for Suárez, there will be one more start before next week’s All-Star break and probably him going to Atlanta as part of the National League pitching staff. If he does get the nod, he said he’d love it and that he’d want to pitch in the game. But you just get the feeling that if he doesn’t, he’ll still have the same demeanor either way.

For now, the health of him and the other starters who have been so great in this “first half” of the season is a major focus of Thomson’s. Asked if any other starters might get some pitch limitations in the coming week, Thomson responded, “you’ll know when you see it.”

What we do know is that when we see Suárez take the mound of late, there is nothing but goodness that comes out of it.

“Last season during the second half I got hurt, so the pitch limit was to see how we can progress to keep feeling better going forward,” Suárez said. 

“I think I’ve felt pretty good overall throughout the season. I didn’t feel as good during my last start in Atlanta but it’s just that one thing that’s holding me back. I think we’re going to be able to go forward without (pitch limits). I think it’s more about being careful and not trying to rush it to the end of the season.

“I felt really good today. Great, actually. My changeup was great, the curveball and cutter too. Overall I think all of my pitches were fantastic today.”

And again, so was he. 

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Top Seven Remaining NHL UFAs

After the first four days of the NHL’s free-agent frenzy, most of the available talent is now off the market. But for the right price, there are still decent-enough players looking for work. What players of note are left? That’s the focus of this column. 

Here are our picks for the top players remaining as UFAs, listed on their most recent teams:

1. Ilya Samsonov, G, Vegas Golden Knights

We have Samsonov at the top of our list not because we believe he’ll get the most money out of all the players we’ve listed here, but rather, because the goaltending market is not at all deep, guaranteeing Samsonov will get a solid shot at earning playing time somewhere. 

The 28-year-old’s numbers last year with Vegas – including a 2.82 goals-against average and a .891 save percentage – aren’t going to knock anyone’s socks off, and his next salary won’t be much more than the $1.8 million he made as a Golden Knight last year. But if he’s part of a tandem where his playing time is somewhat limited to 40 games or fewer, Samsonov could prove to be a smart investment.

2. Jack Roslovic, C, Carolina Hurricanes

Roslovic has bounced around the league in recent years, playing on the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers and Hurricanes since 2022-23. But Roslovic tied his personal best in goals this past season, with 22 markers to his credit. 

Any team seeking offense could do much worse than signing Roslovic, who earned only $2.8 million in 2024-25 and may aim to get back to the $4-million per season he was making in 2022-23 and 2023-24. He’s still relatively young at 28 years old, and Roslovic’s soft hands and nose for the net are valuable skills he’s looking to parlay into a multi-year deal.

3. Matt Grzelcyk, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

Just about all defensemen of consequence are off the board, leaving Grzelcyk as the best available option. The 31-year-old had a career year on offense with the Penguins last season, posting 39 assists and 40 points. 

Any team seeking help on offense should be taking a long look at Grzelcyk, who earned only $2.75-million last season and is likely aiming for a two or three-year contract with a slightly higher annual payday. But after suffering through misery in Pittsburgh last season, Grzelcyk may choose to sacrifice some money to play on a team that’s a virtual lock to make the playoffs in 2025-26.

4. Victor Olofsson, LW, Vegas Golden Knights

Only three years ago, Olofsson was earning $4.75 million and generating 28 goals in a single season for the Buffalo Sabres. But he had a down season for Buffalo in 2023-24, and accepted a pay cut to only $1.075-million with the Golden Knights last season. 

OIofsson’s role in Vegas was smaller than it was in Buffalo, but he still managed to post 15 goals and 29 points while averaging only 14:30 of ice time in 56 games in 2024-25. Teams in need of depth on the wing should be in the race to sign Olofsson, but like Grzelcyk, he may also prioritize playing on a Cup contender.

5. Max Pacioretty, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs

The 36-year-old Pacioretty once again had difficulty staying healthy last season, appearing in only 37 games and potting five goals and 13 points in that span. But Pacioretty roared back in a major way in the playoffs, posting three goals and eight points in 11 post-season games. 

Pacioretty earned $873,770 with Toronto last season, and while he may get a slight raise into the $1-million-per-year range, his priority could be playing close to his Michigan home, and that means he may be choosing between the Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings to sign what could be his final NHL contract. Retirement could also be an option for Pacioretty, but if he does play, his professionalism and evolution into a physical forward will be very valuable to a team looking for help on its third or fourth line.

Max Pacioretty (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

6. Joel Kiviranta, LW, Colorado Avalanche

The 29-year-old Kiviranta was playing on a league-minimum contract in Colorado for the past two seasons, but in 2024-25, he had a breakout year of sorts, with 16 goals and 23 points in 79 games with the Avs. Kiviranta averaged only 12:31 of ice time in Denver last season – a modest career-best for the Finn – but as a plugger on an above-average squad, he could flirt with the 20-goal plateau and wind up being a terrific gamble for a team. 

The Avalanche have the money to bring Kiviranta back, but a lack of agreement at this point may signify they want to move in a different direction. Sooner or later, though, one team or another will bring in Kiviranta as a depth addition. 

7. Robby Fabbri, C, Anaheim Ducks

Staying healthy has been a serious challenge for the 29-year-old Fabbri, who has yet to play a full 82-game season in his nine NHL seasons. And last year, Fabbri appeared in only 44 games with the Ducks, posting just eight goals and 16 points. But the year prior, as a member of the Red Wings, Fabbri matched his career-high of 18 goals, and he did it in only 68 games. 

Fabbri earned $4 million in 2024-25, so his next contract is likely to include a significant pay cut. But if he can stay in the lineup, Fabbri has the finishing skills to get close to the 20-goal mark once again.

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Once A Knight, Always A Knight: Mitch Marner’s Return To 93

It’s never just a number, it’s a legacy. That sentiment rings true for the newest member of the Vegas Golden Knights, Mitch Marner, who will be sporting the number 93 in the upcoming season. A number that once defined his early days now returns with this new chapter in his career. 

Nearly a decade ago, Marner first wore the number 93 for the London Knights, a tribute to his father’s admiration for the famous forward Doug Gilmour. The Toronto Maple Leafs had retired that number in Gilmour’s honor, preventing Marner from having the opportunity to take it to the ice. But now, with a new beginning in Vegas, Marner finally has the chance to wear 93 again.

“The first time I actually saw it on someone was on my son,” Marner said. “My wife and I were in our hotel room and put it on him, and it was just a really special moment. It’s a jersey that I wore with the London Knights for the three years there, and had great success with it and really enjoyed the number.”

This transition holds personal meaning for Marner off the ice, but Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon also emphasized the significant impact Marner is expected to make on the ice.

“With Mitch Marner, we're getting one of the best forwards in the National Hockey League,” McCrimmon said. “Elite playmaker, tremendous passer over his past four seasons, he's averaged 30 goals and 100 points, 102 points this past year. Dynamic, our fans will love this player, he really adds to our team. He adds to our offense. It gives us another, you know, F1 star at the forward position, which we really feel is important. I think that it improves our team tremendously.”

Marner will be the first Knight to wear number 93 on the ice, already solidifying his name in the Vegas history books.  

PHOTO COURTESY: Golden Knights

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Olofsson Another Former Sabre Still Unsigned

The signings by NHL clubs have ground to a halt five days into free agency, with the most sought-after players locked up on Day 1 and the biggest fish in Nikolai Ehlers finally signing with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. A pair of former Buffalo Sabres are among the most prominent players still not signed. Jeff Skinner had 16 goals last season with Edmonton, but played sparingly in the playoffs, while Victor Oloffson had a solid injury-shortened season with the Vegas Golden Knights.   

The 29-year-old was a seventh-round pick of the Sabres in 2014 and spent four seasons in Sweden before coming to North America in 2018. After scoring 30 goals with Rochester,  Olofsson played five seasons in Buffalo, scoring 20 or more goals three times, but he was phased out by Don Granato of his role on the power play, and played mostly fourth line duty in 2024 before leaving  as an unrestricted free agent. 

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Olofsson joined the Golden Knights and former linemate Jack Eichel on a one-year, $1.075 million on the second day of free agency last July and had some success in a limited role, posting 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 56 games, and four points (2 goals, 2 assists) in nine playoff games, as Vegas lost to Edmonton in the second round.  

Vegas after the sign and trade for Mitch Marner, the signing of Kaeden Korczak, and the acquisitions of Colton Sissons and Jeremy Lauzon, are over the cap. GM Kelly McCrimmon may make some moves in addition to putting defenseman Alex Pietrangelo on long-term injured reserve to open up cap space to a make a few tweaks. It is possible that Olofsson still factors in the Golden Knights plans, but there may be other teams looking to add a scoring winger/power play specialist for a economical price.  

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