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Big winger with ‘really good top-end speed' might be around Flyers at No. 22

Big winger with ‘really good top-end speed' might be around Flyers at No. 22 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The 2025 NHL draft is a huge one for the Flyers’ rebuild.

Not only does Danny Briere have a lot of high-round picks at his disposal, but he also could be creative in how he uses them.

“There are all kinds of possibilities here,” the Flyers’ general manager said in April. “I think it’s really exciting going into it. It’s powerful to have so many picks like that. I think a lot of teams will be wanting to have discussions with us to make some things happen — teams that don’t have picks or teams that want to tweak things.”

So it’s a busy time for the Flyers leading up to the draft, which will be held June 27-28. The first round is Friday at 7 p.m. ET, while Rounds 2-7 are Saturday starting at noon ET.

“There are really good players in this draft,” TSN director of scouting Craig Button said May 27 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Maybe people say it’s not a good draft; I’m not buying it. I think this draft has got lots of good players.”

The Flyers are slotted to make 11 picks, including three first-rounders and four second-rounders. Their first-round selections will come at No. 6 (own pick), No. 22 (Sean Walker trade) and No. 31 (Oilers trade).

Before the draft arrives, we’re breaking down first-round targets for the Flyers.

Next up:

Lynden Lakovic

Position: Winger
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 200
Shoots: Left
Team: Moose Jaw

Scouting report

An excellent skater for a big body, Lakovic offers a dangerous package in transition. He’s imposing off the rush because he can separate and score with a smooth stride and plus shot.

Despite missing over a quarter of the 2024-25 campaign with a lower-body injury, the 18-year-old still led the Warriors in goals (27), points (58) and shots (183). Those numbers came in 47 games — 21 fewer than some of his teammates — on a rebuilding team.

“He has got that size,” Dan Marr, the vice president of NHL Central Scouting, said June 11 in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. “And he’s really appealing because he can skate, he has got really good top-end speed, a good pull-away gear. Teams like that appeal about him because when he uses that speed to pull away and get the opportunity, he has got a good touch around the net, where he can finish.”

Lakovic is the 14th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He’ll need to round out his game as he develops and prove he can grind for his offense, as well.

“He’s just one of the big guys that needs a little more time, but he could end up being, out of this draft class, better than some of the players that get taken ahead of him,” Marr, who worked in scouting and player development for over 20 years, said. “I don’t know that he realizes what his top end is.”

EliteProspects.com has Lakovic pegged as the 14th-best player in the draft, while Button has him at No. 23.

“This is what our opinion is, that he has a pretty high ceiling,” Marr said. “Down the road, he may be one of these guys that when you do a re-draft, he could go a little higher.”

Lynden Lakovic
(Nick Pettigrew/Moose Jaw Warriors)

Fit with Flyers

Lakovic could intrigue the Flyers if he’s within their reach at No. 22. Not many 6-foot-4 wingers can move like him and there’s scoring potential to go along with it.

If the Flyers were to draft him, they’d add to a good mix of left winger prospects that includes Alex Bump, Nikita Grebenkin and Denver Barkey.

While it’s very difficult to read how wingers with size and finesse will translate to the pro level, Lakovic seems to have middle-six upside.

More targets

• Hagens is ‘Matt Duchene type of player’ who could be on Flyers’ radar at No. 6

• Flyers would probably love if Barkov-like prospect is available at No. 6

• ‘Fascinating,’ 6-foot-5 center has tons of intrigue for Flyers at No. 6

• Younger brother of Flyers prospect is ‘complete’ center and option at No. 6

• ‘David Krejci-like’ center with plenty of upside would give Flyers good decision

• Could a 6-foot-6, ‘just blossoming’ defenseman be a fit for Flyers at No. 6?

• Will Flyers grab prospect with ‘really, really unique’ combination at No. 6?

• Reschny’s performance vs. 2024 top prospect should have Flyers’ eye in first round

• Flyers could have three shots at ‘dynamic, explosive skater’ on the wing

• Finding another Foerster? Flyers may have one if they draft Bear in first round

• Martone would offer Flyers ‘pretty complete package’ if he’s there at No. 6

• Flyers’ future power play QB? 6-foot-4 defenseman has ‘offensive punch’

• ‘That’s how tight it is’ — Eklund could interest Flyers among international prospects

• A center with ‘really, really strong’ upside could be first-round sleeper for Flyers

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2025 NHL Draft: 10 Players Who Won't Go Undrafted Again

Every year, good prospects go undrafted, and they have two choices: feel sorry for themselves or prove people wrong and force a team to call their names next NHL draft.

While not every player has the latter mindset, the players here embraced it ahead of the 2025 NHL draft in Los Angeles.

Petteri Rimpinen, G, 19, Kiekko-Espoo (Fin.)

An incredible performance at the WJC, helping the Finns to an unexpected silver medal, put Rimpinen on the radar for the 2025 draft. He played 40 Liiga games and posted the league’s second-best save percentage.

Jamiro Reber, C, 18, HV71 (Swe.)

After flashing bits of skill last year, Reber was solid in the Swedish League this season. His speed and motor meshed perfectly with some slick playmaking and a nose for the net.

Topias Hynninen, C, 19, Jukurit (Fin.)

Hynninen was Jukurit’s second-highest regular-season scorer and then went off for 10 points in five games in the relegation playoffs, carrying a massive load offensively. He’s a solid two-way forward who brings more offensive creation than he’s given credit for.

Draft Preview 2025 | The Hockey News ArchiveDraft Preview 2025 | The Hockey News ArchiveThe Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions abo...

Julius Sumpf, C, 20, Moncton (QMJHL)

Sumpf is a tactician who is better than the sum of his parts. The QMJHLer constantly moves around when he doesn’t have the puck to find space and generate scoring chances. He connects plays well and doesn’t try to overcomplicate the game with the puck on his stick.

Charlie Cerrato, LW, 20, Penn State (Big Ten)

In his freshman year, Cerrato was a top-20 scorer in college hockey, and he was a driving force on one of the NCAA’s most impressive teams. Cerrato possesses excellent speed and rush-attacking abilities.

Luke Mistelbacher (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders)

Luke Mistelbacher, RW, 19, Swift Current (WHL)

With a great shot and an understanding of how to get open in the offensive zone, Mistelbacher exploded offensively this year. He needs to clean up his skating, but his finishing and offensive skills are tantalizing. He signed a tryout deal with AHL Iowa for a taste of the pros after his WHL season ended.

Tomas Galvas, D, 19, Liberec (Cze.)

With a supremely skilled offensive game, Galvas is a player who was quite highly regarded last year but was passed over due to concerns with his own-zone play. His defensive game has improved somewhat, but it remains a work in progress. His offense, however, outweighs the worry.

Daniil Ustinkov, D, 18, Kusnacht (Sui.2)

Ustinkov plays an understated game as a defensive blueliner with solid passing on the breakout. His skating is his foundation, and he leverages it to defend in all situations.

Daniel Nieminen, D, 19 Pelicans (Fin.)

Nieminen uses his skating all over the ice and has played well against men in the Liiga. He defends with his feet, evades pressure and is comfortable carrying the puck up ice. His passing is an asset in the offensive zone.

Cole Davis, LW, 19, Windsor (OHL)

There is a lot for NHL coaches to like about Davis’ game in the OHL. He brings physicality, invites contact, crashes the net, disrupts play on the forecheck and can get under an opponent’s skin.

This article appeared in our 2025 Draft Preview issue. Our cover story focuses on the Erie Otters' star defenseman and top draft prospect Matthew Schaefer, who has excelled despite the personal losses of his past. We also include features on other top prospects, including Michael Misa and more. In addition, we give our list of the top-100 prospects heading into the 2025 NHL draft.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

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Yankees' Luis Gil faces live batters, looks 'really good' in 'important' return step

Yankees right-hander Luis Gil faced live batters before Saturday's 1:05 p.m. game against the Baltimore Orioles and "looked really good" in what was an "important" step for the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year's road to a 2025 season debut, New York manager Aaron Boone said.

"I think he was 95, 96 (mph)," Boone said of Gil's fastball velocity. "It looked every bit of that. Just the metrics on the four-seam was really good, too.

"And I thought he was in control of himself, too. So, free and easy. I thought he executed some really good changeups."

Gil has been on the 60-day injured list since March 24 with a right lat strain.

"It's important," Boone said of Gil facing live batters. "Fortunately, after the setback, it's been a slow buildup, but it's gone well, it feels like, every step of the way. So, that's been encouraging.

"And now, we start to build. Now we start to build lives, pitch counts and then eventually, now, getting into rehab games. So, definitely another important box to check."

While Boone does not yet know the number of live batting practices that Gil will have as he ramps up his rehab, an end-of-July target is "reasonable."

"I think, right now, it's a little slower buildup than that," Boone said of late July. "But yes, that's reasonable. I mean, the biggest thing is when do you get him to 75, 80 pitches. And I know we'll be methodical with that and careful with that.

"I don't know the schedule yet. I haven't looked that far ahead of how they have it built to when the date is. I would assume they have it built now, but it can be adjusted, too, along the way."

Gil, 27, was 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 151.2 IP over 29 regular-season starts for the Yankees' 2024 campaign.

"It is still a ways off, but yes, obviously, what he could bring would definitely be a good shot in the arm and kind of maybe one of those trade-deadline adds," Boone said.

"Obviously coming off of a really special season last year where he was so important for us, and I just think went through a lot of really good growth moments, too -- like, for winning the Rookie of the Year and having an outstanding year, he had some struggles along the way, too, and kind of navigated those, I think grew from those things.

"And now going through an injury, too, where not necessarily a major injury or surgical injury but certainly an injury that cost him enough time -- those things that can be learning things, too, for a young player."

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NBA Trade, Free Agency Rumors Roundup: Chris Paul returns to LA or Phoenix? Bobby Portis staying in Milwaukee

Look around the rest of the NBC Sports NBA page and you can read all the big free agent stories of the day, like LeBron James and James Harden staying with their respective Los Angeles teams. Here is a roundup of other news worth noting, less than 24 hours from the start of free agency.

Chris Paul returns to LA or Phoenix?

The vibe for a while has been that Chris Paul would love to play another year in the NBA, his 21st season, and at age 40, but it has to be closer to his family in Los Angeles. Marc Stein summed it up well recently at The Stein Line:

"Chris Paul would be another Mavericks target at $5.7 million [the taxpayer mid-level exception], but there is a growing belief that Paul, after starting all 82 games last season in San Antonio as a 40-year-old newcomer to the Spurs, is determined to play closer to his home base in Los Angeles."

It's been no secret around the league that the Clippers have some interest in reuniting with CP3 as a backup guard, whether the sides are on the same page is another question. The Lakers have a lot of priorities that fall in line ahead of backup point guard, they are not a likely landing spot.

Phoenix is a team to watch if Tyus Jones leaves town in free agency, Stein added. The Suns are stacked with combo guards but not pure floor-general point guards.

Bobby Portis staying in Milwaukee

Bobby Portis isn't the best player on the Bucks, but he is their heart and soul. The fan favorite. If he had wanted to leave in free agency there would have been interest, but that was never likely.

Portis is not going anywhere.

Rapid fire round (bullet points):

• Portland buying out DeAndre Ayton. Portland has decided to take the financial hit and just buy out the final year of DeAndre Ayton's $35.6 million contract. That frees up more minutes for Donovan Clingan and first-round pick Yang Hansen of China.

Ayton is now an unrestricted free agent, and there will be interest in the big man, just for a lot less money than his last contract. Still, for teams that were thinking of Clint Capela as a fallback, Ayton looks like a much better option.

• Teams lining up for Santi Aldama. Among the big men expected to be on the move this summer is Santi Aldama of the Memphis Grizzlies. Here is what Zach Lowe said on his podcast:

"Santi Aldama has full mid-level deals, I think, waiting for him. At least that's the scuttlebutt I've heard, that he is sought after enough by a team like Detroit, for instance, with the full mid-level. There's a lot of teams with the full mid-level. He's an interesting kind of combination of skills, and I think they're going to have to pay to retain him. And when you have full mid-level deals, if you do in the open market, your incumbent team might have to pay a little bit more than that using your bird rights to do it, and then they'd have the salary cap room exception on top of that."

• Don't expect Austin Reaves to leave Lakers. The headline "Austin Reaves rejects Lakers max contract offer" is both accurate and wildly misleading. Reaves rejected the four-year, $89.2 million offer, which was the maximum the Lakers could offer this summer (140% of his current contract, way below market value), but did so only because the $22.3 million per year offer is well below what he will be offered next summer. Reaves is expected to earn over $ 30 million per season with his next contract, and teams will likely line up to pay it.

Reaves wants that deal to be with the Lakers, and the Lakers want it as well. However, Los Angeles just can't offer it until next offseason. Whether that deal happens or not depends on several variables and how the next season plays out, but it's clear that both sides want to make it work. There is no ill will, this is just business.

• Kelly Oubre picks up option with 76ers. Kelly Oubre will be back in Philadelphia next season after picking up his $8.4 million player option. This was both expected and welcomed by both sides.

• The Thunder lock up Ajay Mitchell with a new contract. Shams Charania of ESPN broke the news and explained this one.

• Orlando declines option on Mo Wagner. Franz Wagner is a cornerstone of what the Orlando Magic are building, but his brother, Mo Wagner, did not have his $11 million option picked up by the team for next season. The smart money is on the two sides working out a new, smaller contract going forward.

• Duncan Robinson declines $19.9 million option. Duncan Robinson did the Miami Heat a favor, declining his $19.9 million early termination option, making himself a free agent. This was a win for the Heat because it moved them about $5 million below the luxury tax line. The Heat and Robinson will work together on what's next, whether that involves staying with the Heat or a sign-and-trade deal elsewhere.

• No trade market for Jordan Clarkson. The Utah Jazz already traded Collin Sexton to free up their backcourt, but they are also testing the market for Jordan Clarkson. And finding no interest, reports Andy Larson at the Salt Lake Tribune. Clarkson averaged 16.2 points a game last season, shot 36.2% from 3, and is on an expiring $14.3 million contract. There should be some interest around the league.

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Ian McLauchlan, Scotland and British & Irish Lions ‘Mighty Mouse’, dies at 83

  • ‘Mighty Mouse’ led his country 19 times, winning 43 caps

  • Part of successful Lions tours in 1971 and 1974

The former Scotland and British & Irish Lions prop Ian McLauchlan has died at the age of 83. The Ayrshire-born McLauchlan, who was known throughout the rugby world as Mighty Mouse, won 43 caps for Scotland between 1969 and 1979, captaining the side 19 times.

McLauchlan’s legacy was cemented on the victorious Lions tours of New Zealand and South Africa in 1971 and 1974, being one of only five players to feature in all eight Test matches.

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What we learned as Rafael Devers' first Giants home run powers win over Red Sox

What we learned as Rafael Devers' first Giants home run powers win over Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO – It took a few days but it finally happened. Rafael Devers notched his first home run with the Giants, a solo blast in the third inning that helped pace the Orange and Black to a 3-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

It was the only hit Devers had but it was a pivotal blow on an afternoon where offense was scarce for both teams.

Heliot Ramos also went deep to even the series between the two teams.

Devers has been welcomed with open arms since the Father’s Day trade landed his powerful bat in the Bay. The slugger had put together some strong at-bats but hadn’t been able to really get into one until Saturday when he hit a two-run drive off Red Sox starter and former teammate Brayan Bello.

Devers’ homer came two batters after Andrew Knizner reached base on an error.

The Giants didn’t do much else offensively but made the scoring stand up with a solid day from their bullpen.

After starter Landen Roupp pitched six strong innings, manager Bob Melvin used three relievers to mop things up.

Randy Rodriguez and Tyler Rogers each threw a scoreless inning before closer Camilo Doval pitched in and out of a jam in the ninth.

Here are the takeaways from Saturday’s win:

Devers Drives It

Of course Devers’ first home with the Giants came against his former ballclub. It was straight out of a Hollywood movie script.

Six days after being acquired from Boston in a deal that included Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks, Devers gave Giants fans what they had been eagerly waiting for since his arrival with an opposite-field home run.

It was Devers’ second extra-base hit and second RBI in five games with the Orange and Black. Predictably, he received a standing ovation from the Oracle Park crowd as he crossed home plate.

Roupp Rebounds Nicely

Nearly two weeks after his worst outing of his career Roupp bounced back with one of his best stats of the season.

The Giants’ right-hander pitched six scoreless innings and allowed only three hits – the fewest Roupp has given up in any of his 15 starts this season. He has six strikeouts and three walks before giving way to reliever Randy Rodriguez.

It was exactly the type of game that the Giants needed from Roupp after he gave up six runs and retired only five batters in an 11-5 loss to the Dodgers on June 8.

Dicey Day For Doval

The days of Torture are back whenever the Giants’ close takes the mound. Saturday was just the latest chapter in Doval’s roller-coaster season.

Doval gave up three consecutive hits to open the ninth, allowing the Red Sox to score a pair of runs and avoid being shut out.

Just when things looked like they were going to go the wrong way, Doval gathered himself and recorded three consecutive groundouts to earn his 12th save of the season.

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Canadiens: A Potential Right-Shot Defenseman Target

According to Frank Seravalli, the Calgary Flames and right-shot defenseman Rasmus Andersson have begun discussing a contract extension, and the parties are far apart in terms of money. The 28-year-old right-shot defenseman is about to enter the final year of his six-year pact with a team-friendly $4.55 cap hit.

The veteran was a second-round pick at the 2015 draft and has been a mainstay on the Flames’ blueline for the last seven years. From a primarily defensive defenseman, he has evolved into a two-way rearguard with an offensive upside. In 2021-22, he recorded a career-high 50 points in 82 games. The following season, he maintained his production with 49 points in 79 games, but his last two campaigns have been less productive with 39 and 31 points, respectively. This past season, he also posted a career-low minus-38.

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A real Swiss-knife on the blueline, the 6-foot-1 and 201-pound defenseman does it all for the Flames, averaging nearly 24 minutes of ice-time per game. He plays on the top pairing, the power play (spending an average of two minutes per game on the ice with the man-advantage), and the penalty kill.

Given the decline in production, it’s not surprising that the two sides are far apart from a monetary standpoint. Part of the decline could be down to his playing with a broken fibula in the last 12 games of the season. A stretch in which he put up four points while the Alberta outfit was desperately trying to qualify for the playoffs. They finished with the same amount of points as the St. Louis Blues, but the Missouri side had the tie-breaker and got to face the Winnipeg Jets in the first round.

With David Savard’s retirement, the Montreal Canadiens could benefit from an experienced blueliner on the right side of defense, and acquiring Andersson could be a worthy avenue to explore for GM Kent Hughes.

The Habs have made significant progress this past season, qualifying for the playoffs, and it might just be time to add some impactful veterans to help the Tricolore’s young core. Hughes has already made three trades with the Flames since his appointment in 2022. He sent Tyler Toffoli their way in February 2022, acquiring Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman, a conditional first-round pick in 2022 (which became the 26th overall pick and was used to pick Filip Mesar), and a fifth-round pick at the 2025 draft. He also sent Michael McNiven their way for future considerations. Finally, in August 2022, he acquired Sean Monahan and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 draft, which will be the 16th overall, for future considerations.

However, those deals were made when Brad Treliving was at the helm of the Alberta side; he has since moved on to the Toronto Maple Leafs and been replaced by Craig Conroy, a former Canadiens’ draft pick in 1990 and a Flames alumnus. Since taking over, Conroy has pulled the trigger on a dozen deals, none of which were with the Canadiens. Last Summer, he traded Andrew Mangiapane away as he was about to enter the last year of his contract. The GM wanted more draft capital and cap flexibility. In March 2024, he also traded defenseman Noah Hanifin to the Vegas Golden Knights in a deal. The left-shot defenseman who was about to command a raise, which he got days later, signed a new pact with the Knights.

In other words, if the financial gap between the two sides cannot be bridged, Conroy has been known to trade assets rather than let them hit the market. The Flames’ pick cupboard is not bare; they have seven selections in each of the subsequent three drafts, but it’s not exactly overflowing either. The Canadiens currently have 12 picks at the upcoming draft, nine in 2026 and seven in 2027. Montreal has two first-round picks and two second-round picks in next week's draft, which could be in play to fill one of their needs.

If Calgary moves Andersson, it won’t be for cheap; it took a first-round pick, a third-round one, and right-shot defenseman Daniil Miromanov for Vegas to acquire Hanifin back at the 2024 trade deadline.

If Conroy is still interested in future assets and prospects, there’s no doubt Hughes has got plenty to work with and could put together a very enticing package, but Montreal likely won’t be alone in the running. Right-shot defensemen are hard to come by on the market, and there will be plenty of other bidders.

Hughes has accustomed us to plenty of action around the drafts, acquiring Kirby Dach at his first one, Alex Newhook on the eve of his second one, and flipping picks to move up in the first round at the 2024 one. What does he have in store for us this time around? Time will tell…

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

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This Is What The Perfect Chicago Blackhawks Off-Season Would Look Like

The Chicago Blackhawks have a few directions they can go in over the summer. They could be realistic and understand that 2025-26 is another important development year for their young pros. They could also think pushing for a playoff spot in a deep Western Conference is the way to go. 

Having the perfect off-season would be Kyle Davidson continuing to look at the bigger picture, which he has been great at since taking over as the full-time General Manager. 

It starts with the buyout period. Although TJ Brodie is one of the nicest men you’d ever come across in the NHL, he was the 10th-best defenseman in the organization last season. In 2025-26, he’d be even lower than that. Having him on the roster doesn’t make any sense from a hockey standpoint. 

The Blackhawks must start the off-season by buying him out. It won’t clear much cap space, but there will be more room for young players to get a chance. He will also have an opportunity to go find work somewhere that won’t healthy-scratch him most of the time. 

After that move, the focus will solely turn to the 2025 NHL Draft. The Blackhawks will make the 3rd and 25th overall picks. First-round selections get way more attention and hype than the rest of the draft, and rightfully so. However, Stanley Cups can be won in the later rounds. 

Chicago needs to select a forward with the third overall pick. It is also likely a target throughout. Michael Misa will likely be off the board, so that leaves one of Porter Martone, James Hagens, Caleb Desnoyers, or Anton Frondell for Chicago to consider. If they keep the pick, they will be drafting a difference maker who can turn into a star. As long as they land one of those four, their perfect off-season quest doesn’t depend on one specific selection. 

After the draft is over, the focus will turn to free agency. Unless the Blackhawks are landing one of Mitch Marner or Nikolaj Ehlers, they probably aren’t going to make many impactful signings that move the needle in 2025-26.

It may not even keep it from being a perfect off-season if they made a move like that. Adding a star-level player like that with lucrative money does not fit the team’s current window. If anything, they are one year away from that being a good idea. 

Throughout all of this, making trades is Kyle Davidson’s best way of adding talent to the roster. On Saturday, Andre Burakovsky was acquired from the Seattle Kraken for Joe Veleno. That’s a middle-six forward coming to town to stabilize the forward group. 

It isn’t about competing for the playoffs. It is about getting the young players into good habits and getting them to produce at a high level. Where they fall in the standings as a result doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. 

Not long after the season ended, the Hawks searched for a new head coach. They landed on Jeff Blashill, who has experience coaching at all levels across hockey. 

By the end of next season, he could be seen as the marquee addition to the team. As long as the young players, including the players they select in the first round of the draft, have what they need to develop for the long term, the offseason will be considered a win. 

To summarize, buying out TJ Brodie, making a strong selection at forward with the third overall pick, not getting themselves into a bad contract in free-agency, and a strong trade or two would make this a perfect off-season for Chicago. 

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

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Blackhawks Trade Veleno To Kraken For Burakovsky

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired Andre Burakovsky from the Seattle Kraken in exchange for Joe Veleno on Saturday.

The trade clears cap space and a winger logjam for the Kraken while giving the Blackhawks a two-time Stanley Cup champion who's still only 30 years old.

Burakovsky has two years left on his five-year contract with a $5.5-million cap hit and a 10-team no-trade list, according to PuckPedia. The left winger had 10 goals and 27 assists for 37 points for the Kraken this past season. Before that, he had 16 points in 49 games in 2023-24 and 39 points in 49 games in 2022-23.

Burakovsky's career-high 22 goals and 61 points came with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22, when he added eight points in 12 playoff games en route to his team's Stanley Cup win.

In 2017-18, Burakovsky won his first Stanley Cup championship with the Washington Capitals, the team that selected him 23rd overall in the 2013 NHL draft.

With Burakovsky, the Blackhawks get another potential top-six winger to improve their scoring and competitiveness in their rebuilding years. Burakovsky saw his ice time decrease with the Kraken, going from 16:33 per game in 2022-23 to 14:25 this past season, but that could improve in Chicago.

Andre Burakovsky (David Banks-Imagn Images)

After the Kraken acquired left winger Mason Marchment earlier this week, they had five wingers earning at least $4.5 million. Trading Burakovsky for Veleno, a center, tweaks the depth at each position.

“Andre was a valuable player for our organization during the three years he was here, and we wish him and his family the best of luck in Chicago," new Kraken GM Jason Botterill told NHL.com. "In return, we've acquired a young player with experience while also increasing our salary cap flexibility moving forward."

Veleno, 25, has 81 points in 306 career games, including a career-high 28 points in 80 games with the Detroit Red Wings in 2023-24. In 2024-25, he had eight goals and 17 points in 74 games between the Wings and Blackhawks, which acquired him at the NHL trade deadline. He has one year left on his contract with a $2.275-million cap hit. He would be an RFA with arbitration rights if he doesn't sign a contract extension beforehand.

As for this off-season, the Kraken have three pending RFAs: right winger Kaapo Kakko, left winger Tye Kartye and defenseman Ryker Evans. Michael Eyssimont is also a pending UFA. And in the summer of 2026, captain Jordan Eberle, Jaden Schwartz, Marchment, Eeli Tolvanen and Jamie Oleksiak are pending UFAs. Trading Burakovsky also helps with salary cap flexibility at that point.

More to come.

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Mets vs. Phillies: How to watch on June 21, 2025

The Mets (45-31) play the Philadelphia Phillies(46-30) Saturday at 7:15 p.m. on FOX.

Here's what to know about the game and how to watch...

Mets Notes

  • With Friday's 10-2 series-opening loss, the Mets are on a season-long seven-game losing streak. New York suffered consecutive three-game sweeps in this past week's sets against the Tampa Bay Rays and at the Atlanta Braves. Previously, the Mets' longest skid of the season was three games between May 18-20 -- losses at the Yankees (one) and Boston Red Sox (two).
  • The Phillies have a one-game lead over the Mets in the National League East Division and are 8-2 in their past 10 games. New York, meanwhile, is 3-7 in its past 10 games. The Mets' last win was a 4-3 victory against the Washington Nationals, which completed a series sweep and extended New York's six-game streak. Earlier this season, the Mets swept the Phillies in a three-game set April 21-23.
  • Right-handers Griffin Canning (6-3, 3.80 ERA) and Mick Abel (2-0, 2.21 ERA) are the probable pitchers for the series' second game. Canning looks to get back on track after allowing a season-high six runs and five walks in this past Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Rays.
PHILLIES
METS
Trea Turner, SSFrancisco Lindor, SS
Kyle Schwarber, DHBrandon Nimmo, LF
Alec Bohm, 3BJuan Soto, RF
Nick Castellanos, RFPete Alonso, 1B
Max Kepler, LFJeff McNeil, CF
J.T. Realmuto, CJared Young, DH
Bryson Stott, 2BFrancisco Alvarez, C
Otto Kemp, 1BBrett Baty, 3B
Brandon Marsh, CFRonny Mauricio, 2B

How can I watch Mets vs. Phillies online?

To watch Mets games online via FOX, you will need a subscription to a TV service provider or the FOX Sports app. This will allow fans to watch the Mets on their computer, tablet or mobile phone browser, or via the FOX Sports app.

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Islanders Bringing Back Blue & White Prospect Scrimmage To Close Out Development Camp

The New York Islanders announced on Friday that they would be holding a three-day development camp starting on Monday, June 30. On Saturday, they shared that they were bringing back the Blue & White scrimmage.

The event will be held July 2. 

To attend, you must pay $15, with the proceeds giong to the Islanders Children's Foundation.

The development camp will consist of three on-ice days, excluding July 1, the first day of NHL Free Agency.

Most other NHL teams seem to be skating on July 1, so just something interesting to note. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.

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Cal Raleigh breaks Johnny Bench's record for homers by a catcher before All-Star break

CHICAGO — Cal Raleigh broke Hall of Famer Johnny Bench’s 1970 record for home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break, hitting his major league-leading 28th and 29th in the Seattle Mariners’ 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Friday.

Raleigh put Seattle ahead and moved past Bench in the seventh inning with No. 29, a drive to the back of the left-field bleachers off Caleb Thielbar.

“Any time you’re mentioned in even the same sentence with one of the best, if not the best ever do it is a special thing,” Raleigh said. “I’m just very grateful. He’s one heck of a player or was one heck of a player. And like I said, just very, very happy about it.”

Raleigh needed only 73 games to break the record that Bench set in 87 games. The Seattle star shattered the mark with 22 games to spare before the All-Star game. Barry Bonds holds the overall record with 39 for San Francisco in 2001.

Raleigh sent his first homer just over the basket in the first off Matthew Boyd.

The 28-year-old slugger had three hits in his sixth multi-homer game of the season. He drove in three runs to push his season total to 63.

Bench was a 14-time All-Star in his 17-season career with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1970, at age 22, he became the youngest player to win the National League MVP award. He led the NL with 45 homers and drove in 148 runs.

Seattle's Mitch Garver, a catcher by position, hit two homers and drove in five runs as a designated hitter. The duo stole the thunder from the NL-Central leading Chicago on a day when Sammy Sosa returned to Wrigley Field for the first time in over 20 years.

Raleigh and Garver are the first pair of primary catchers for a team to each homer twice since Joe Ferguson and Steve Yeager did it for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 1979 home victory over Houston.

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Kevin Durant takes issue with DeMarcus Cousins saying there were fights in Suns' locker room

Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins were teammates on the 2018-19 Golden State Warriors, a team that reached the NBA Finals before physically falling apart in that series (including Durant's torn Achilles).

Those former teammates were respectfully disagreeing on social media in recent days when Cousins said that he was told there were fights in the Suns locker room last season. It started with Durant refuting that claim.

Cousins shot back that he got this info from one of the Suns players, but KD was not backing down from his point it didn't happen.

While it was no secret around the league that things were not great in the Suns' locker room last season, the prevailing sentiment was that it was more apathy than hostility. Things just didn't click, and that showed on the court. There is tension in every locker room over the course of a marathon NBA season, but did that rise to the level of a physical fight in Phoenix?

Durant was in the locker room and said no, we'll go with the first-hand account in this case.

Things will be very different in the Suns' locker room next season, whatever it looks like.

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Giants release statement on allegations of abuse against pitcher Sean Hjelle

Giants release statement on allegations of abuse against pitcher Sean Hjelle originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants acknowledged Saturday that Major League Baseball is investigating claims of abuse by the wife of right-handed pitcher Sean Hjelle recently on social media.

Hjelle was unavailable to comment on the post, but the Giants released a statement indicating the alleged abuse is being looked into.

“We are aware of these serious allegations,” the Giants said in the statement. “We have been in contact with MLB. These type of allegations fall under their jurisdiction and we won’t be commenting further.”

Caroline Hjelle’s post on TikTok on Friday included an on-screen caption that read: “When my MLB husband abandons us on Mothers Day a week after this once I finally found out about his affairs and stopped putting up with his abuse so I’ve been raising two boys alone.”

Manager Bob Melvin was asked about Hjelle’s situation before Saturday’s game against the Boston Red Sox at Oracle Park.

“Obviously, we’re aware of it,” Melvin said. “He told me about it last night. We talked to MLB. At this point, it’s in their jurisdiction right now so I really can’t comment on it further.”

The Giants selected the 28-year-old Hjelle in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft, and he has appeared in 87 games over four big-league seasons.

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Ex-Penguins Forward Expected To Hit Free-Agent Market

With the Pittsburgh Penguins being out of the playoff race by the 2025 NHL trade deadline, they traded away some of their players. One of them was forward Cody Glass, as they dealt him and Jonathan Gruden to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Chase Stillman, Max Graham's signing rights, and a 2027 third-round pick.

Glass had some regular-season success with the Devils after being traded by the Penguins, as he recorded two goals and seven points in 14 games. This was after he had four goals, 11 assists, and a minus-9 rating in 51 contests with the Penguins. However, he had a quiet post-season with New Jersey, recording zero points and a minus-2 rating in five games.

According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Devils are not expected to send Glass a qualifying offer this off-season. Due to this, the former Penguins forward is expected to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Given how Glass' tenure with the Penguins went, it seems unlikely that they would target him if he becomes a UFA at the start of next month. However, he would likely generate some interest around the league elsewhere, as he is a former first-round pick who is a decent bottom-six forward when playing at his best. 

Former Penguins Coach Hired By Big RivalFormer Penguins Coach Hired By Big RivalFormer Pittsburgh Penguins coach Todd Reirden has landed a new job, as he has been hired as an assistant coach by the Philadelphia Flyers. 

Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images