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2025 NHL Draft: The Eight Best Players To Go Undrafted

At every NHL draft, countless talented hockey players go undrafted.

Oftentimes, teams have their list of players, and they didn’t get to a player further down the list. Other times, a player may be undersized, and it’s a long shot that they reach the NHL. Sometimes, it’s simply that teams overlooked them during the draft year. 

Regardless of the reason, some of these players will bounce back and put themselves in the conversation the way Charlie Cerrato or Ludvig Johnson did this year. As we take a look at some of the top names to go unselected, remember that we may see them get their name called at the 2026 NHL draft. 

Topias Hynninen, C, Jukurit (Finland)

One of the top overage names in this year’s NHL draft, Hynninen produced at an impressive level in the Liiga this year as he became one of his team’s most important players. He was consistently involved in driving their offensive game. He may be undersized at 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, but he’s a highly intelligent player who’s proven he can play at the men’s level as a teenager. Now that he’s been passed over twice, maybe he signs as a 24-year-old to join an NHL club. 

Luka Radivojevic, D, Muskegon (USHL)

The shifty, skilled and highly mobile defender went undrafted because he’s small. At just 5-foot-10 on the blueline and a defensive game that was questionable at best, it’s not entirely shocking, but I thought some team would draft him late as a project. His puck-moving and offensive instincts were on display at the World Men’s Under-18s. Radivojevic might end up being a name we hear from again next year. 

Lev Katzin, C/W, Guelph (OHL)

He’s small, but he’s incredibly feisty, and his playmaking was impressive in the OHL. Katzin started the year in the United States League but jumped to the OHL as the eligibility rules changed regarding the NCAA. His production at the OHL level was impressive with 48 points in 44 games. He’s active at both ends of the ice, never stops moving his feet and seems to understand he has to outwork his physical limitations. He’ll head to Penn State in the fall and could be a coveted NCAA free agent in a few years.

Matej Pekar (Brian Liesse / Seattle Thunderbirds)

Matej Pekar, C/LW, Seattle (WHL)

A personal favorite of mine, Pekar was a bet on skill and intellect. He played with impeccable timing, consistently popping into zones right as the puck arrived or swooping in to scoop up a loose puck. Pekar played with a swiftness that saw him excel as an off-puck play connector. He wasn’t ever the best on the ice, but he helped make his linemates' lives easier in a very understated way in the WHL.

Bruno Osmanis, RW, Bjorkloven (Swe.2)

A late-2006 born forward, Osmanis has stood out for Latvia in international events over the past couple of years. That usually bodes well for players from smaller nations, but unfortunately for Osmanis, he didn’t have his name called this weekend. He’s an intelligent playmaker who reads and reacts quite well. He’s always been able to elevate his game against better competition at events like the world juniors or U-18s. 

Nicolas Sykora, LW, Sioux City (USHL)

After a solid Hlinka Gretzky Cup, Sykora had a slow start with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers and eventually found his footing in Sioux City. He is a crafty puckhandler with a very good shot. He’s not big or bruising, but he can throw his weight around at times. When he’s on his game, he is intense and driven to get pucks on net. Consistency was his big issue.

NHL Draft: Boston Bruins Steal James Hagens In 'A Dream Come True'NHL Draft: Boston Bruins Steal James Hagens In 'A Dream Come True'LOS ANGELES – The Boston Bruins pulled off a great feat at the 2025 NHL draft: they got a super-talented player lower than expected, while adding another chapter to the rivalry between Boston sports fans and New York sports fans by snapping up center James Hagens.

Carson Cameron, D, Peterborough (OHL)

A defense-first blueliner, Cameron doesn’t blow the doors off with the puck. He cuts play down, seals off the opposing player along the wall and battles through opposing puck carriers. His play isn’t flashy, but it’s effective. He played for one of the OHL’s bottom-dwellers, but he always found ways to show something positive.  

Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, D, Univ. of Michigan (NCAA)

Another defensive defenseman, Rheaume-Mullen was an NCAA freshman this season. He played a sound defensive game with solid gap control and incredible mobility. There’s a good base of physical tools to work with, and he should have been drafted, but people will keep an eye on the defender going into next season. An expanded role on a very good NCAA team will be something to watch.

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Mets manager Carlos Mendoza 'protecting the players' after fourth inning ejection vs. Pirates

Mets managerCarlos Mendoza was ejected from Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth inning for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Roberto Ortiz.

With one out and New York down 3-1, Brandon Waddell threw a ball inside and off the plate to Adam Frazier for ball one. The pitch was close, but clearly a ball. However, Mendoza's gripe with Ortiz was an inning prior, Ortiz called the exact same pitch a strike against Mark Vientos on a 3-0 count.

With a runner on first, a walk would've put two runners on for Juan Soto. Instead, Vientos ended up lining out to end the inning.

After the game, the skipper recounted what happened.

"Especially after that 3-0 call on Mark, you know, I thought it was ball four," Mendoza said. "You got one of the best hitters in the league coming up with two on and that changed, completely, the whole inning there. I just thought it was time for me to go out there and protect the players as well."

So, when Waddell's pitch wasn't also called a strike, Mendoza voiced his displeasure from the dugout and got rung up. After that, he came firing out from the dugout and gave Ortiz an earful for his inconsistency. It was the first time this season that Mendoza had been tossed from a game.

Bench coach John Gibbons took over the managerial duties after that in what was ultimately a 9-2 loss.

Mendoza was asked if his ejection was meant to rally up his team whose offense has struggled during the two games in Pittsburgh.

"No, I mean, look at that time, all I was doing is just protecting the players," the skipper said. "I thought it was ball four, again, it was probably a different inning there with Soto at the plate, and two runners on. But also understanding that they're human. They’re not going to be perfect, but I just thought at that time, I needed to express my frustrations."

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Washington Capitals Trade Chase Priskie To Minnesota Wild For Declan Chisholm

The Washington Capitals announced they have traded defenseman Chase Priskie and the 123rd pick in the NHL draft to the Minnesota Wild for defenseman Declan Chisholm and the 180th pick in the draft. 

Priskie recorded 35 points in 61 game with the Hershey Bears in the regular season before adding five points in eight games in the Calder Cup Playoffs. 

The 29-year-old notched 14 points in 20 games while helping the Bears win back-to-back Calder Cups last season, he played big minutes and powerplay time during the run. 

A native of Pembroke Pines, Fla., Priskie has no points in four career NHL games with the Florida Panthers and 164 points in 314 career AHL games. He also has 20 points in 35 career AHL playoff games. 

It will be interesting to see if Priskie sees any time with Minnesota or if he will anchor the Iowa Wild blueline. 

Chisholm put up 12 points in 66 games with Minnesota this season, he had five points in six AHL games with the Manitoba Moose last season. 

The 25-year-old has 21 points in 99 career NHL games and 91 points in 146 career AHL games. He has 11 points in 10 career AHL playoff games. 

He represented the Central Division at the AHL All-Star Game while a member of the Moose in 2023. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.    

Photo Credit: © Travis Boyd/Special to the Daily News / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Shohei Ohtani hits 102 mph in another sharp pitching start, but Dodgers fall to Royals

El lanzador abridor de los Dodgers de Los Ángeles, Shohei Ohtani, lanza durante la primera entrada de un partido de béisbol contra los Reales de Kansas City, el sábado 28 de junio de 2025, en Kansas City, Misuri. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Shohei Ohtani delivered the fastest pitch of his career — 101.7 mph — during the second inning against the Royals on Saturday in Kansas City. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)

Three batters into his third start of the year on Saturday, Shohei Ohtani showed some brief frustration.

With one out in the first inning — on a day he was trying to pitch into the second for the first time this year — Ohtani gave up a line drive single to Kansas City Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. Then, he walked Maikel Garcia on five pitches in the next at-bat, pulling four straight throws low and to the glove side to put two aboard.

As Ohtani received the ball back from catcher Dalton Rushing, he wore a stoic look, seemingly displeased with his lack of execution.

But he climbed back atop the mound, stared down the plate as Vinnie Pasquantino dug in, and absolutely bullied the Royals' first baseman with three straight pitches.

A 99.2-mph fastball on the inside corner for strike one.

A 100.2-mph fastball on the inside black for strike two.

Read more:Why Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman have struggled at the plate lately for the Dodgers

And then, a blistering 101.7-mph fastball — the hardest-thrown pitch of Ohtani’s MLB career — that Pasquantino took a helpless hack at, grounding into a tailor-made, inning-ending double-play.

“Overall, I was happy with the fact that I was able to attack the zone,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “There’s some little things that I still need to work on. But overall, pretty happy.”

Though the Dodgers lost 9-5 to the Royals on Saturday, Ohtani turned in his best pitching performance yet this season. After escaping the first-inning jam, he retired the side in the second. Over 27 pitches, he threw 20 strikes and got three swings-and-misses, including on a 100-mph fastball and late-biting slider to strike out Jac Caglianone in the second.

Even over another small sample size, with Ohtani’s workload still limited as he works his way back from a second career Tommy John surgery, the right-hander flashed the dominant potential of his stuff, able to bully hitters with his triple-digit heat and keep them off balance with a flurry of unhittable off-speed offerings.

And that 101.7-mph fastball was Ohtani’s hardest pitch ever in an MLB game. 

“It’s nice to be able to hit that velo and see how my body reacts,” he said.

The only harder pitch Ohtani has thrown since coming to the majors in 2018: A 102-mph heater he fired in the 2023 World Baseball Classic — coincidentally, also against Pasquantino.

Things did not go well for the Dodgers (52-32) after Ohtani left the mound. Bulk man Ben Casparius who was battling an illness while pitching through the muggy Midwestern summer heat, gave up six runs in four innings after replacing Ohtani. He now has a 7.82 ERA in his three outings piggybacking with Ohtani over the last three weeks.

“I haven’t been as sharp and executing what I want to do,” Casparius said. “I don’t think it has anything to do with the [piggyback] situation.”

The Dodgers’ defense didn’t offer much help, either. In the third inning, Teoscar Hernández failed to get to a flare down the right-field line with two outs, extending the inning ahead of a two-run double from Garcia in the next at-bat. Andy Pages also booted a ball in center field during a four-run rally from the Royals (39-44) in the fifth, an inning that was punctuated by a three-run, two-out homer from Pasquantino to center.

“I think that if you look at our outfield construction, we're not fleet of foot,” Roberts said. “We knew that as we built the roster. And so there's going to be some cost.”

The Dodgers’ offense, meanwhile, never figured out crafty right-hander Seth Lugo, stranding all nine hitters who reached base against him (four hits and five walks) while striking out eight times.

Even a big day from slumping first baseman Freddie Freeman, who went three for three with two walks and a solo home run in the seventh, couldn’t drag the Dodgers back into the game late, costing them a five-game winning streak and setting up a series rubber match on Sunday.

All of that, however, paled in comparison to the impressiveness of Ohtani’s outing on the mound.

In his four innings so far this year, the 30-year-old has given up just one run and three hits. His fastball has routinely eclipsed 100 mph while his array of breaking stuff has kept opponents off balance.

And though the team remains careful with his buildup — uncertain of when, or if, he will be fully stretched out for normal-length starts — the few innings he has contributed have been promising, quickly erasing any doubts about how his arm would respond from the second reconstructive elbow surgery of his career.

“I felt pretty good about being able to come back and pitch well — especially considering, [compared to] when I first had the surgery, the second time through it was a lot better in terms of recovery,” Ohtani said. “Talking to the doctor, he was very confident that I would be able to come back in full form.”

That much, he has, looking once on Saturday like someone capable of being an impact option on the mound for the second half of the season.

“I do still feel like I have to work on little things on the pitching side in terms of mechanically,” he said. “So in terms of that, it’s still a work in progress.”

But, Roberts countered, ever encouraged by Ohtani’s latest pitching start, “Throwing the baseball the way he did [was] certainly a positive … I thought he was still in control, and it was still good to see triple digits.”

Pitching injury updates

It’ll be a little while longer before the Dodgers get more pitching reinforcements from triple-A Oklahoma City.

On Friday night, Tyler Glasnow gave up five runs on seven hits in his second rehab outing, but more consequentially managed only 2 ⅓ innings, well short of the four-inning goal the Dodgers had targeted for his start. Because of that, Roberts said Glasnow will likely need at least two more rehab starts before returning to the majors. He has been out since April because of a shoulder problem.

Emmet Sheehan’s next start will come in triple A, Roberts said, even after the right-hander pitched six perfect innings with 13 strikeouts earlier this week. Sheehan returned from Tommy John surgery earlier this month with a solid four-inning start for the Dodgers, but was optioned ahead of this road trip to continue building up in Oklahoma City. Sheehan will be a candidate to return to the majors after his next outing, perhaps near the end of the Dodgers’ upcoming homestand.

Back in Los Angeles, Blake Snell (shoulder) and Blake Treinen (forearm) continued their progression of bullpen sessions on Saturday, and are getting closer to throwing live sessions against hitters. Roki Sasaki (shoulder) has also continued to play catch and, according to Roberts, is finally “feeling really good” almost two months into his IL stint.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Vancouver Canucks Acquire Signing Rights To Center Ilya Safonov

After a 2025 NHL Draft in which they picked four centers, the Vancouver Canucks have acquired yet another. They traded for the rights to Chicago Blackhawks forward Ilya Safonov, with future considerations going the other way. Safonov was picked in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft and had not been signed by the Blackhawks. 

Safonov, a 6'4 left-shot center, has played with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL since the 2019-20 season. In total, he has played in 263 games for the team, scoring 49 goals and 46 assists in this span of time. This includes a 19-goal, 18-assist season back in 2022-23. In 2024-25, Safonov scored seven goals and 15 assists in 51 games. He is expected to return to the KHL for the 2025-26 season, meaning he may not suit up for the Canucks in the next year or so. 

Aside from his time with Ak Bars, Safonov has also represented Russia at the IIHF U20 World Junior Championships. He skated in seven games with his country's team back in the 2020-21 season, scoring two goals in the team's fourth-place effort. 

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Safonov joins a group of centers that suddenly ballooned within the span of two days. 2025 NHL Draft selections Braeden Cootes, Kieren Dervin, Wilson Björck, and Matthew Lansing are all centers as well. 

Ilya Safonov of Ak Bars Kazan. (Photo Credit: @HockeyNewsHub/X)

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Mets' Francisco Alvarez hits first home run since Triple-A demotion

Since his return to Triple-A Syracuse, Francisco Alvarez had been hitless in his first seven at-bats. The Mets catcher broke out of that slump, though, in a big way on Saturday by crushing a three-run homer in the second inning en route to an 8-0 win.

Alvarez's home run traveled 434 feet to center field and had an exit velocity of 107.8 mph -- an absolute bomb. It was his only hit of the game (1-for-4), but the raw power that seemed to be missing from the youngster's bat in the majors this season is good to see.

The 23-year-old also threw out a base stealer behind the plate, but allowed one as well.

Meanwhile, top prospect Brandon Sproat got the start on Saturday and turned in a strong performance. The right-hander pitched six scoreless innings and allowed just two hits and three walks while striking out six. He earned his fourth win of the season and lowered his ERA to 5.43.

Elsewhere in the lineup, prospects Luisangel Acuña and Drew Gilbert eachwent 1-for-4 with a run scored. Pablo Reyes, recently signed to a minor league contract, also had a home run and finished 2-for-4 with three RBI and a stolen base. Every hitter in the lineup had at least one hit except for David Villar.

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Penguins Take Fascinating Forward With Seventh-Rounder

The Pittsburgh Penguins have selected forward Kale Dach with the 201st overall pick of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.  

Dach spent this season with the Sherwood Park Crusaders of the BCHL and put together a strong season. In 54 games, the 5-foot-11 forward posted 22 goals, 65 assists, and 87 points. With numbers like these, there is no question that he has offensive skill.

 Dach is expected to play with the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL next season and will then play for Penn State after that. Thus, the Penguins will be able to keep a close eye on him once he plays at the collegiate level. 

Overall, there is no harm in the Penguins taking a shot on Dach with their seventh-round pick. The young forward will certainly be a long-term project for the Penguins, but he has shown promise. It will be interesting to see how much of an impact he makes for the Penguins later down the road from here.

Penguins Select Pair Of Forwards, Defenseman In Fifth RoundPenguins Select Pair Of Forwards, Defenseman In Fifth RoundWith Day Two of the NHL Draft winding down, the Pittsburgh Penguins made three selections in the fifth round. 

Photo Credit: © Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

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Philadelphia Flyers Leave NHL Draft with 2 Fatal Flaws

The Flyers failed to address two key needs in the 2025 NHL Draft. (Photo: Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)

The Philadelphia Flyers did well at the 2025 NHL Draft, but they were painfully close from going from good to great.

Flyers brass refused to give into their temptations, opting for star winger Porter Martone instead of a highly-coveted center prospect.

No big deal, said the Flyers, as they moved the 22nd and 31st picks to move up to 12th to draft Jack Nesbitt. They hope that, with the right improvements, the burly 6-foot-5 center can become a top-six center for the Flyers someday.

A hot start quickly faded on Day 2, as the Flyers' draft selections became redundant rather quickly.

Energetic wingers like Jack Murtagh and Shane Vansaghi will provide a much-needed physical boost along the flanks, and 6-foot-6 defenseman Carter Amico will ensure the Flyers never lack size, speed, and strength on the right side of their defense.

But, what about goalies? No left-shot defenders?

By the end of proceedings Saturday, the Flyers ended up with three centers, two right wings, two left wings, and two right-shot defenders.

This means that, in terms of prospects, the Flyers have only Emil Andrae, Adam Ginning (if you still consider him a prospect at age 25), Hunter McDonald, and Ty Murchison.

Plus, Egor Zamula, Andrae, Ginning, and McDonald are all out of contract at the end of the season. What's Plan B if none of these players pan out? The Flyers don't appear to be banking on that, but they should be at least considering it.

Why the Flyers Passed on James Hagens in the NHL DraftWhy the Flyers Passed on James Hagens in the NHL DraftAfter 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.

As for goalies, no additions there mean that it's still down to Sam Ersson, Ivan Fedotov, Aleksei Kolosov, and Carson Bjarnason.

Egor Zavragin is under contract in Russia with SKA St. Petersburg for two more seasons, so the Flyers have no control over his development path until 2027 at the earliest.

Bjarnason will be playing pro hockey for the first time this season, while Ersson, Fedotov, and Kolosov have all flattered to deceive in their relatively short NHL tenures thus far.

Oh, and Ersson, Fedotov, and Kolosov are all on expiring contracts, too. So, not only do the Flyers not have an immediate solution in goal, but they have all their eggs in the basket of two guys for the future at this point in time.

The Flyers traded up for Nesbitt, optimistically a second-line center by their own admission, rather than taking a chance on Jackson Smith, a Penn State commit and a potential No. 1 defenseman who ultimately went 14th to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Kashawn Aitcheson, who also fits the Flyers' identity, went 17th to the New York Islanders.

The Flyers added a solid winger prospect in Murtagh at the 40th slot, but the Carolina Hurricanes started the run on goalies one pick later with their selection of Semyon Frolov.

After the Vancouver Canucks took Aleksei Medvedev at Pick 47, the Flyers were left with Vansaghi as their best remaining option.

Fast-forward to the end of the round, and the Flyers added another high-floor, low-ceiling center in Matthew Gard, only for two-time U18 World Juniors champion goalie Jack Ivankovic to go to Nashville with the following pick.

A few picks later, at the top of the third round, left-shot defenders like Kurban Limatov and Mace'o Phillips came off the board, as did goalie Michal Pradel.

So, while the Flyers went above and beyond to fill some needs, they also completely neglected others in the process. And I would argue that those others were easier to fill given the assets at hand.

Now, with a key phase of the rebuild in the books, the Flyers must pivot towards the future with other potential solutions and ideas keenly in mind.

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Canucks Have A Natural Leader In 2025 Draft Pick Braeden Cootes

12 years after the Vancouver Canucks drafted Bo Horvat, the organization selected two-way center Braeden Cootes 15th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old served as a captain for the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL in 2024–25, with this being his third year spent with the club. 

“It’s been a dream come true,” Cootes told the media after being drafted on Friday. “I had a little bit of a feeling. I went for dinner with them and had some really good conversations, and had a feeling that they liked me, and as soon as they were announcing the pick I had a bit of a feeling. Obviously when I heard my name called, I was so excited.” 

Cootes’ character and skillset have been compared to the former Canucks captain, as his leadership is one of his many standout qualities. In his draft year, Horvat drew comparisons to players such as Ryan O’Reilly and even Patrice Bergeron. Now, with Cootes now a member of the Canucks organization, it appears that this legacy lives on. 

“That’s a big part of my game, as well as leadership and how I carry myself as a person,” he explained. “In Seattle it’s just kind of something that is me, but when I went to Seattle, we have such a good culture there, and just the things we do, or I think what made me an even better leader and person. Obviously my parents as well, how they raised me and just to be a good person, carrying myself the right way.” 

Seattle’s other captain in 2024–25 was none other than fellow Canucks prospect Sawyer Mynio, who was traded in the WHL to the Calgary Hitmen earlier in the year, but was still a Thunderbird for four seasons — two of which he spent with Cootes. 

“He sent me a text congratulating me, and he’s pretty excited. It’s pretty cool having somebody that you know in an organization, and for sure makes it a little easier transition-wise, going to camp and all that, knowing somebody.” 

As well as helping lead the Thunderbirds, Cootes was Team Canada’s captain in the IIHF U18 World Junior Championship earlier in the year. At this tournament, he scored six goals and six assists in a seven-game Gold Medal effort. 

“I think he’s a leader by example, on and off the ice, and our staff was really impressed with him during the process of their due diligence, meeting him in Seattle and in Buffalo as well,” Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin said of what drew Vancouver to drafting Cootes. 

“I’m not the loudest guy in any room, that’s for sure,” the 15th overall selection added. “I for sure lead more by example and, like I said, carrying myself as a person, working hard, and making others around me better. Just being the person I am, not trying to be anybody I’m not.” 

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Cootes is from Sherwood Park, Alberta, and confirmed that he grew up an Edmonton Oilers fan. However, he insists that now that he is part of the Canucks organization, that fanship has now ended. Being in such close proximity to Vancouver without being directly from BC means that Cootes has already been exposed to the Canucks in a couple of different ways. 

“I love watching Hughes play, J.T. Miller when he was there,” Cootes noted. “Me growing up in Edmonton, I know everything about a Canadian market and the expectations and all that. It’s no surprise to me, and I’m so excited to be a Vancouver Canuck.” 

When asked who he models his game after, Cootes named Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point. Point, who is from Calgary, has become one of the NHL’s premier centers and has scored more than 40 goals in one season every year since 2022–23. Cootes named Point’s “complete game and his work ethic” in terms of what he idolizes most. 

“He kind of does everything right. He’s a really smart player too, high hockey IQ. Kind of always in the right spot, and is a good skater as well. And he’s a winner. Two Stanley Cups. It’s a pretty good resume.” 

Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Braeden Cootes is selected as the 16th overall pick to the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While he takes influence from Point’s playstyle, Cootes still sees elements of his own game that he wants to work on. Despite breaking out this season with 26 goals and 37 assists in 60 games, and tallying two goals and six assists in six playoff games, Cootes noted that he wants to bring another level of offence to his play. 

“Maybe a bit more dynamic offensively, a little bit. The way I play, though, it’s just a complete 200-foot, do whatever it takes to win kind of game with speed. So I’m not trying to change that at all. But I honestly just say my overall game, and to get better at everything to be the player that I want to be.” 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.

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Phillies' bats quiet, Schwellenbach dominant as Braves even series in Atlanta

Phillies' bats quiet, Schwellenbach dominant as Braves even series in Atlanta  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Spencer Schwellenbach cruised through the Phillies’ lineup and set a new career high in strikeouts Saturday night in Atlanta.

The Braves righty dominated in a 6-1 Atlanta victory at Truist Park. He logged seven innings, notched 12 strikeouts, and allowed one run, three hits and one walk. 

Jesus Luzardo started for the Phillies and fell to 7-4 this season. He went five innings, conceded two runs and seven hits, struck out seven and walked three.

The Phillies dropped to 48-35 with their fourth defeat in the past five games. They’ve totaled two runs in the losses and scored 13 runs in the lone win Friday night.

Atlanta jumped out to a first-inning lead. Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson’s singles put runners on the corners. After Luzardo struck out Marcell Ozuna looking, Austin Riley’s nubber to second base wound up becoming an RBI infield hit.

The bottom of the Braves’ order worked deep counts in the second inning. With one out, Eli White walked and Stuart Fairchild lined an opposite-field double. Nick Allen’s single to left field drove in White, but Max Kepler threw out Fairchild by a wide margin at home plate and the Phils kept their deficit at 2-0. 

Schwellenbach was very sharp all night, piling up the whiffs and troubling the Phillies with well-located off-speed pitches.  

Nick Castellanos waved at a high-quality slider to wrap up a 1-2-3 top of the fourth. Schwellenbach needed just seven pitches to retire the Phillies in order in the fifth inning. The Phils swung at 14 of his sliders and missed nine times.

Luzardo’s third and fourth innings were smoother than his first two. He then escaped damage in the fifth by recording two groundouts and a strikeout with a pair of Braves in scoring position. 

The Phils got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning. Brandon Marsh singled with one out, Kyle Schwarber reached on a two-walk, and Alec Bohm delivered an RBI single up the middle. 

The Braves broke the game open against Jordan Romano.

Sean Murphy demolished a first-pitch slider for a seventh-inning grand slam, extending Atlanta’s advantage to five runs. The exit velocity on Murphy’s blast was 114.4 mph.

The series decider will be Saturday at 1:35 p.m ET. Ranger Suarez (6-2, 2.08 ERA) is slated to face Spencer Strider (3-5, 4.07 ERA).

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Mets-Pirates game stopped in second inning after rain delay

Saturday's game between the Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates was stopped in the top of the second inning due to a rain delay.

Before the pause, New York had runners on first and second with two outs and Mark Vientos about to step up to the plate, already up 1-0 after scoring a run off Bailey Falter in the first inning.

The game is set to resume at around 6 p.m.

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Yankees' offense 'held down' by Athletics as inconsistency continues to plague lineup

The Yankees will lose their share of games during a long baseball season, but the way they lose games can magnify some of the struggles a team can have.

And right now, the Yankees' inconsistent offense reared its head in Saturday's 7-0 loss to the last place Athletics.

Entering Saturday's game, the Athletics had the second-worst ERA in all of baseball (5.42) in addition to the second-highest batting average against (.267). Those numbers didn't matter as the Yankees could only muster three hits (all singles) and through the first two games of this weekend series, have only put up three runs.

After the game, the prevailing question raised to the players and manager Aaron Boone was, what's going on with the offense?

"Yeah, just little inconsistent, going through it a little bit right now," DJ LeMahieu, who had the team's final hit, said. "But, obviously, we have all the confidence in the world in our lineup. Just haven't gotten hot at the same time... a couple guys doing their thing, but collectively, I don’t think it's enough."

"It's just baseball. We just haven't performed our best the last couple weeks, but there's going to be ups and downs, and I think the point is just to keep going," Paul Goldschmidt, who had one of the Yankees' three hits, said after the game. "Keep making the adjustments that are needed individually and as a group and have good at-bats, that we're a very capable team. Just take it every day out there. Try to win as many games as possible."

Boone said the team was "held down" by Athletics starter JP Sears, who historically hasn't pitched well against the Yankees but has shut them down this season. In two starts against New York this year, Sears has allowed just one run across 10.2 innings pitched.

What made him effective on Saturday was the change of speeds and executing his spots to both lefties and righties. But going back to his lineup, Boone understands they've been inconsistent, but he believes there've been more good games than bad of late.

However, he feels the offense has gone away from taxing the pitchers like when they are hitting well but Boone thinks it's only a matter of time.

"Last two days, been shut down a little bit more than we'd like, but you got to get a couple guys going, and in times like this, it always comes down to getting a big hit with runners out there," Boone said. "We're doing an okay job of creating some traffic, even though we haven't gotten a lot of hits the last two days. But I feel like, over the last week, 10 days, we've had our opportunities. We got to cash them in...It comes down to you gotta cash in when you get opportunities when you're going through a little bit."

On Saturday, the Yankees went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left six runners on base. Aaron Judge was the main culprit in that stat, stranding two runners in the third inning and another in the sixth. Over his last 15 games, Judge is hitting .182 with three homers and striking out 24 times.

Boone attributes this rough patch for Judge to baseball, but was encouraged by two hard-hit balls that were outs -- including a 406-foot flyball that would have been a home run in 20 parks.

But the Yankee captain isn't the only one struggling. Goldschmidt has tapered off from his hot start to the season. Over his last 30 games, the former NL MVP is slashing just .198/.267/.321 and the Yankee first baseman acknowledged he isn't helping the team as they go through this tough month of June.

"I feel good. I feel fine, but you know, I haven't played well for the last few weeks, maybe even this whole month," he said. "So, again, that's part of the game and working to see if there's, you know, adjustments to be made and trying to show up every day and perform.

"But that's hurt our team, the way I've played this month, and, again, just show up and be ready to go tomorrow and every day. Just try to help us win."

In June, the Yankees are 12-14, but they remain confident their offense will come alive again because, as LeMahieu said, they've shown who they can be already this season.

"I just saw it the first two months. And it's a long season," he said. "I hate saying that, but you want to win every game, but I know we'll be fine. We just gotta keep going, keep getting better."

The Yankees will host the Athletics for the rubber game of their series on Sunday.

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Golden Knights Select Alexander Weiermair And Gustav Sjoqvist With Back-To-Back Picks At 186 And 187

The Vegas Golden Knights wrapped up their 2025 NHL Draft in Round 6 by selecting Alexander Weiermair and Gustav Sjoqvist. 

With the 186th pick, Alexander Weiermair was selected from the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. 

Weiermair, 20, is a right-shot center known for his success in transition. He provides smooth delivery through the neutral zone with crossovers, drives to the net, and an ability to cut back when good defenders close in, yet cuts inside on poorly gapped ones.

He takes initiative to start give-and-gos and is not afraid to make contact with his opponents, enabling him to consistently find space across the ice.

With the 187th pick, Gustav Sjoqvist was selected from the AIK from the HockeyAllsvenskan League.

Sjoqvist, 19, brings his strong defensive skills to the table. His 6-foot-3 frame and weight of over 200 pounds give him a distinct advantage, making him an aggressive and calculated heavy hitter.

Known to be a heavy shooter, Sjoqvist scored 11 goals in 31 games in his final AIK Jr. season. In his time with AIK he gained experience at the professional level in Sweden's second-tier league and contributed modestly while maintaining a positive plus/minus. 

✂️ Gustav Sjoqvist Tingsryd vs. AIK 2/2✂️ Gustav Sjoqvist Tingsryd vs. AIK 2/215 seconds · Clipped by Malia Poblete · Original video "Tingsryd vs. AIK | Highlights 2/2" by HockeyAllsvenskan

With these two selections, the Golden Knights have officially concluded their 2025 NHL Draft class.