University of Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham is stepping down after 21 seasons as head coach of the team.
The Hockey Show: Ways to make NHL even better, Oilers get their goalie, Vegas shelters Carter Heat from media
There was breaking news to break down on this week’s episode of The Hockey Show.
In addition to a busy week with the Florida Panthers, upcoming outdoor games and Rip the Ice punishments, THS co-hosts Roy Bellamy and David Dwork reacted to the news of the Edmonton Oilers trading Stuart Skinner and several other assets to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tristan Jarry.
They also discussed Carter Hart’s start in Vegas and how the Golden Knights have kept him away from the media, particularly during their visit to Philadelphia earlier this week.
Joining the show this week was the Miami Herald’s Jordan McPherson, who had some very interesting ideas on how we can make the amazing NHL even better.
Wins and fails included a beautifully colorful game between a pair of Original Six franchises, the NHL’s most punchable face, a pair of leads lost in literally the last second and a reason why players should be practicing crawling across the ice.
You can check out the full show and interview in the videos below:
LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA
Panthers struggle keeping up with speedy Avalanche, fall 6-1 in Colorado
Outdoor fan festival coming to Miami for 2026 Winter Classic
An On Form Carter Verhaeghe Is Reminding The NHL How Dangerous The Panthers Can Be
Surging Panthers continue road trip with challenging visit to face NHL-best Avalanche
Late goal by Lundell give Panthers hard-earned victory in Utah
Steph Curry incredulous after being called for foul despite getting thrown down
Steph Curry incredulous after being called for foul despite getting thrown down originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Steph Curry‘s second personal foul of the Warriors’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday might be one of the worst calls of the 2025-26 NBA season.
Curry was defending Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels midway through the third quarter, and as they fought for positioning, the Warriors’ star was yanked to the court.
McDaniels clearly pulls Curry and throws him to the ground.
But the referees called Curry for the foul.
A stunned Curry looked at the nearby refs, but the Warriors didn’t challenge the play.
Warriors fans at Chase Center saw the replay on the videoboard, couldn’t believe the call and let the referees know they disagreed with the foul.
Curry hasn’t gotten the benefit of the doubt on calls throughout his 17-year NBA career, and Friday’s call is the latest evidence.
Deion Sanders’ new offensive coordinator to earn nearly double what predecessor did
Colorado is upping its investment in football under coach Deion Sanders despite facing a projected deficit. New contract approved for assistant coach.
Report: Edmonton Checked On Availability Of Alex Lyon Before Jarry Trade
The Buffalo Sabres are attempting to salvage what earlier in the week appeared to be a disastrous Western road swing. After losses in Philadelphia, Winnipeg, and Calgary, the Sabres beat the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday and on Thursday, they bested the Vancouver Canucks 3-2.
Rasmus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, and Zach Benson scored for Buffalo, and Alex Lyon, fresh off a relief victory against the Oilers, made 30 saves in the victory. The Sabres have dealt with the roster dilemma of carrying three goalies all season, as they cannot demote Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Lyon, or Colten Ellis without clearing waivers.
Other Sabres Stories
Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere
Guerin Gathering Info On Possible Olympic Options
Head coach Lindy Ruff has commented that dealing with three goalies has been challenging, and based on the fact that a number of clubs are looking to shore up between the pipes, it would make sense that opposing GM’s would check in with GM Kevyn Adams to gauge the availability of one of his netminders.
Confirmation of that came from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in his 32 Thoughts column, as he indicated that the Oilers checked in with the Sabres on the availability of Lyon, who is in the first year of a two-year, $3 million deal, before trading with Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry on Friday. The Oilers deal with the Penguins was a money-in, money-out deal involving Stuart Skinner and Brett Kulak, which resulted in only a $25,000 difference against the salary cap.
Although the timing of the inquiry was not revealed, the fact that Colten Ellis is on injured reserve would likely not have been a factor with Buffalo since they have Devon Levi in Rochester, but the Sabres would probably not have been interested in taking back a goalie or more salary in a swap.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo
Victor Wembanyama listed as probable, expected to return Saturday in NBA Cup vs. Thunder
As Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said was likely, Victor Wembanyama has been listed as probable and is expected to make his return from a calf strain on Saturday in an NBA Cup semifinals matchup against Oklahoma City.
mood for tomorrow pic.twitter.com/xZ7869MuQq
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 12, 2025
After the Spurs advanced to Las Vegas and the NBA Cup semifinals, Johnson said, "(Wemby) had a really good day today. He had a very intense day this morning, and we have to see how he responds and reacts tomorrow." It was a positive sign that after a hard workout earlier in the day, Wembanyama warmed up before the Spurs/Lakers game, moving well and not wearing a wrap or support on his calf.
Wembanyama has been out since before Thanksgiving due to a calf strain, missing a 12. The Spurs put the ball in the hands of their three attacking guards — De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and rookie Dylan Harper — and went 9-3 in those games, including beating the Lakers Wednesday to advance to the NBA Cup semifinals. Wemby averaged 26.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.6 blocked shots a game before his injury, looking like an All-NBA player and someone who could even end up on a lot of MVP ballots. His return to the starting five will move Luke Kornet back to the bench.
Facing the 24-1 Thunder, with Chet Holmgren, is not exactly easing back into things for Wembanyama, but they will need him to have a chance in this game.
NHL Trade Rumors: Canadiens Linked To Old Friend
One of the Montreal Canadiens' biggest objectives of this season should be to improve at the center position. This is a major need for the Habs, and they are now being linked to one of their former centers because of it.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Canadiens are one of the teams interested in Los Angeles Kings forward Phillip Danault.
"One team I'd keep a really close eye on is the Montreal Canadiens on trying to bring Phillip Danault home," Seravalli said. "I know the Canadiens are one of the teams circling around Danault with the LA Kings."
Hearing that the Canadiens have their eye on Danault is not necessarily surprising. As noted above, they need help at the center position, and a player like Danault would have the potential to provide them with just that.
Danault has struggled this season, however, recording zero goals and five assists in 30 games with the Kings. Yet, he also had 43 points this past season with the Kings, so it would not be surprising if we saw his offense go back up as the season rolls on. Perhaps a move back to Montreal could be the boost he needs to turn things around.
In 360 career games over six seasons with the Habs, Danault posted 54 goals, 140 assists, 194 points, and a plus-47 rating.
Schmaltz, theatre and sharp teeth: Wrexham reveal the hard truth about football | Barney Ronay
With the arrival of US hedge funders at Wrexham, there is no pretence any more. This is just another project, as it always was
Tea and cake. Cobble-close streets. Collectivism. Sugar rush. Hollywood fairytales. And also, as of this week, a minority owner with historical links to celebrity paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Wait! Welsh cakes! Welsh tea! Aggregated tourism benefits. The sloeblack, slow, black, crowblack, fishingboat-bobbing sea. And also, at one remove, historical links to deceased celebrity paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Continue reading...Domantas Sabonis reportedly prepared to remain with Kings despite trade interest
Domantas Sabonis reportedly prepared to remain with Kings despite trade interest originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Domantas Sabonis appears unlikely to be on the move anytime soon.
The 29-year-old center is prepared to remain with the Kings for the foreseeable future, even as teams continue to gauge Sacramento’s interest ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Friday, citing league sources.
Signed through 2027-28 and owed about $94 million over the next two seasons, Sabonis carries a sizable financial commitment that narrows his trade market.
The Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls previously have shown “significant interest” in the All-Star center, per Amick, and still are believed to be on Sabonis’ short list of potential destinations. But with first-year general manager Scott Perry preaching patience as the organization attempts to reset its direction, a major move involving Sacramento’s starting big man does not appear imminent.
Sabonis has been sidelined since Nov. 19 with a partial tear of his left meniscus and is scheduled to be re-evaluated next week. Before the injury, he averaged 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as one of the central pieces of the Kings’ veteran core. His absence has only added to Sacramento’s challenge as the team continues searching for stability.
With Sacramento sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and Perry intent on protecting future draft capital, the path to a Sabonis trade remains complicated. For now, all signs point to him staying in a Kings uniform beyond the Feb. 5 deadline.
Wild acquire star Quinn Hughes from Canucks in blockbuster NHL trade
Wild acquire star Quinn Hughes from Canucks in blockbuster NHL trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Minnesota Wild have acquired Quinn Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks in the biggest blockbuster trade of the NHL season.
The teams announced the seismic move Friday night, after the 2024 Norris Trophy winner as the league’s top defenseman had been the most talked-about trade candidate over the past couple of weeks.
Minnesota sent center Marco Rossi, defenseman Zeev Buium, winger Liam Ohgren and a first-round pick in the 2026 draft to suddenly rebounding Vancouver to complete the deal. Rossi at 24, Ohgren at 21 and Buium at 20 fit the young players the Canucks were speculated to be targeting if they were to trade Hughes.
“Quinn played hard, led by example and did a lot of very good things for the Canucks,” Vancouver general manager Patrik Allvin said. “Trading away a player of this caliber is never an easy decision to make, but it was one we had to do to make our team better. We are so excited to add a solid centre in Marco, a good young blueliner in Zeev and a versatile forward in Liam. This year’s draft is a strong one, so acquiring a first-round pick was also a big part of this deal.”
Hughes, only 26 and considered the best at player at the position behind Colorado’s Cale Makar, has one season left on his contract after this one before he can become an unrestricted free agent. There has been plenty of buzz around Quinn wanting to play with brothers Jack and Luke on the New Jersey Devils.
They could potentially be teammates on the U.S. Olympic team, either in February in Milan or in 2030. Wild GM Bill Guerin runs USA Hockey’s management team.
Hughes has two goals and 21 assists for 23 points in 23 games this season with the last-in-the-NHL Canucks. He has been their captain since 2023, and his abrupt exit paves the way for more change in Vancouver 11 months since the trade of J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers and in the aftermath of coach Rick Tocchet’s departure.
“With the circumstances surrounding JT and now Quinn, we are fortunate to acquire these very good young players from Minnesota,” Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said. “They will be a key part of the rebuild that we are currently in, giving us a bright future moving forward. The hockey club will continue to build with talented young players using that as a blueprint to become a contender sooner rather than later.”
Minnesota cannot extend Hughes until July 1, and it’s unclear if he would entertain signing another contract. He had nothing in the way of trade protection on his current deal, paying him an average of $7.85 million annually, that would have allowed him to block a trade anywhere.
The Wild are taking a shot at challenging the two top teams in the NHL, Colorado and Dallas, in the Central Division, which also includes reigning Presidents’ Trophy-winningWinnipeg. Hughes vastly upgrades their blue line, which already included captain Jared Spurgeon and smooth-skating Swede Jonas Brodin. Winger Kirill Kaprizov only this past fall signed the richest deal in hockey history to stay in the “State of Hockey” for eight more years.
It was the second major trade of the day after two-time Stanley Cup Final runner-up Edmonton finally made a move for a goaltender, acquiring Tristan Jarry from Pittsburgh.
Maple Leafs Reveal Brandon Carlo Had Foot Surgery And When Will He Be Back?
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo will be out for a month after undergoing foot surgery.
Carlo hasn't been in Toronto's lineup since Nov. 13 against the Los Angeles Kings due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old defender joined the Maple Leafs on their most recent road trip and had skated before having to return to Toronto on Dec. 1 after a setback.
Two days later, on Dec. 3, Carlo underwent foot surgery, which Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube says has a recovery time of about a month. It's unknown how Carlo initially picked up the injury.
"I mean, at some point, he'll be able to get on the ice and skate," Berube added on Friday after an optional practice. "I don't know that timeline right now. It depends on the healing process, right?"
Carlo has two points and averaged 20:04 of ice time in 18 games this season.
The Maple Leafs acquired the defenseman from the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline last season. Toronto sent Fraser Minten, a conditional 2026 first-round pick, and a 2025 fourth-round pick to Boston. The Bruins also retained $615,000 of Carlo's $4.10 million salary.
William Nylander Produces In Third Line, But Costly Late-Game Blunders Sink Maple Leafs in Overtime vs. SharksWith Bobby McMann returning from suspension, the Leafs must decide if Nylander's instant chemistry on the third line is worth keeping together.The Maple Leafs are only paying the defenseman $3.49 million for the next season and a half.
Toronto is also dealing with injuries to Chris Tanev, Oliver Ekman-Larsson (who could skate on Saturday), and Dakota Mermis, who took a knee from Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gage Golcalves on Monday night.
With Tanev, the veteran defenseman is getting a second opinion. He's been out with an upper-body injury since leaving a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on a stretcher on Nov. 1. Ekman-Larsson's injury isn't as serious as once thought, and he will test out his leg at Saturday's morning skate ahead of a game against the Edmonton Oilers. Mermis will be out for at least a month.
Latest Stories:
Leafs To Wait On Second Opinion For Chris Tanev As Immediate Playing Future Remains Unclear
Penguins Waive Veteran Defenseman After Jarry Trade
When the Pittsburgh Penguins traded goaltender Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin to the Edmonton Oilers on Friday morning, the deal caused a ripple effect for the rest of the roster.
And one veteran Penguins' defenseman is a casualty of that.
Right defenseman Matt Dumba - acquired along with a second-round draft pick this summer from the Dallas Stars - was designated non-roster Friday for the purpose of being put on waivers by the Penguins, it was announced by the team. The move comes in direct correspondence to the Jarry trade, which brought back goaltender Stuart Skinner, defenseman Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick.
Dumba, 31, was a frequent healthy scratch for the Penguins this season and appeared in only 11 games. He has registered a goal and three points to go along with a minus-5, and he is expected to be optioned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) if he clears waivers Saturday in order to make room for Kulak.
The veteran blueliner is in year two of a two-year contract that pays him $3.75 million annually.
Fans React To Oilers And Penguins' Bold Goalie Trade: 'Great Move By Dubas'The Edmonton Oilers traded Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak and a second-rounder to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry and Sam Poulin. Fans were quick to point out similarities between Skinner and Jarry.Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
Steph Curry incredibly makes full-court tunnel shot before return from injury
Steph Curry incredibly makes full-court tunnel shot before return from injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Steph Curry announced his return after a five-game hiatus with a bang.
The Warriors’ superstar nailed his signature tunnel shot attempt before Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Chase Center.
Curry made the tunnel shot famous at Oracle Arena in Oakland, but when the Warriors moved to Chase Center in 2019, he had to adapt the trick shot to the new arena and he turned it into a full-court heave.
The 37-year-old missed the last five games because of a quad contusion and muscle sprain, but after two weeks off, he’s ready to roll.
If there was any doubt that Curry is ready to go, check out his sprint speed after making the shot.
Curry is averaging 27.9 points on 47.1 percent shooting from the field and 39.1 percent shooting from 3-point range this season.
The 13-12 Warriors need Curry to go on a heater as they begin an important 20-game stretch.
Friday’s tunnel shot might be an indication that he is locked in.
Claude Lemieux sees Stanley Cup potential in Avalanche, much like his title team in 1995-96
Dec 11, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates his goal with center Gavin Brindley (54) and left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) and defenseman Sam Malinski (70) and defenseman Samuel Girard (49) in the second period against the Florida Panthers at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Isaiah J. Downing/Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
DENVER — The Stanley Cup was in the building as part of the pregame celebration to honor the 1995-96 Colorado Avalanche squad.
It could be in the building again later this season, too.
At least, longtime forward Claude Lemieux believes so. He’s been on four Stanley Cup-winning teams, including the ‘95-96 Avalanche squad. This team, he surmised after watching a 6-2 win over the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers, has all the necessary ingredients.
“I love watching them play,” said Lemieux, whose squad back then won the Mile High City’s first major professional championship in their first season in town after relocating from Quebec. “They’re fun to watch.”
In a lot of ways, this version is built in the image of that squad. No real surprise there, given the architect of this team is Hall of Famer turned front office executive Joe Sakic.
Back then, Sakic, the captain, and fellow Hall of Famer Peter Forsberg helped provide the scoring punch in a season that ended with a Stanley Cup Final sweep over Florida. Colorado had a blue line that include a rugged defender in Adam Foote and a scoring defenseman in Sandis Ozolinsh. They also had another Hall of Famer in goaltender Patrick Roy.
This team has that same sort of makeup. They have an elite goal scorer (Nathan MacKinnon), leadership (captain Gabriel Landeskog), even more leadership (40-year-old Brent Burns), a scoring defenseman (Cale Makar) and reliable goaltending (Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood).
The current crew watched as the players from the ’95-96 squad were recognized. They heard the applause. They then went out and put on a show for them.
“This team knows what it takes,” Lemieux said. “They have players, quite a few of them, that were on the ‘22 Cup. I think it could be the ’26 Cup.”
The Avalanche (22-2-7) have a league-leading 51 points so far this season as they became the sixth team in the last 20 years to reach the 50-point plateau in 31 or fewer games. What’s more, they still haven’t lost a game at home in regulation (12-0-2).
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar thinks it was a valuable experience having the older players back in the building. The current roster briefly got to chat with them Thursday morning, and hear some stories.
“Obviously, they accomplished that two years before I was born,” Makar cracked. “But I’ve obviously heard a lot about it. It’s pretty cool they bring legends like that back.”
Some of the Avalanche players who made the trip to the rink for the ceremony from the 1995-96 squad included Forsberg, Stephane Yelle, Valeri Kamensky, Lemieux, Ozolinsh, Mike Ricci and, of course, Sakic.
“For them to be able to come back and get together as a group and share their stories with our guys and amongst one another, I’m sure it’s been a great couple days for them,” Bednar said. “We’ve been really happy that they were able to come and visit us.”
It gave the old-timers a chance to stroll down memory lane.
“When it’s happening, when you’re in the middle of it, you don’t quite appreciate it as much as you should,” said Lemieux, who also won Stanley Cup titles with Montreal (1985-86) and two with the New Jersey Devils (1994-5, 1999-00). “So you get to relive it now.”
How has the game has changed?
“We think we’re better — no, we’re just kidding,” Lemieux said. “The game’s change. It’s not as physical as it was, but to counter that physicality they’ve got so much more skills. So we appreciate the game. We appreciate their skills and everything they bring.”
The get-together provided a chance to remember old teammates, too. The late Chris Simon was represented during the on-ice ceremony by his children. He died in 2024 at 52.
“It’s very difficult, and especially with Chris passing at such a young age,” Lemieux said. “We have to count our blessings — be grateful for the days that we have and enjoy and appreciate those times when we get together.”
Lemieux certainly enjoyed being around this new cast of Avalanche.
“We hope we bring them good luck,” Lemieux said, “and inspire them to win another Cup.”
Charlotte reportedly not interested in trading for Chris Paul, bringing him home to North Carolina
Wherever Chris Paul plays out the rest of his Hall of Fame career, it will not be back in his native North Carolina, according to a report.
The Charlotte Hornets are not in the market to trade for Paul, reports NBA insider Marc Stein in his Substack.
"A source with knowledge of the Hornets' thinking said this week that they are not expected to pursue the 40-year-old, but Paul is said to be open-minded about destinations now to go somewhere he can assemble a final chapter with a far happier ending than his second stint as a Clipper featured."
Paul is eligible to be traded on Monday, Dec. 15 and reportedly his agent is working with the Clippers to find him a new team. However, league sources told NBC Sports that even teams with some interest in bringing Paul in as a backup would rather wait until the Clippers release him and then sign him as a free agent.
In his 21st NBA season, Paul played a limited role off the bench for the Clippers, which is part of the challenge with his voice in the locker room.
"When you are in your prime, everyone is going to follow you. But when you are the 10th man of the team... you have to kind of follow suit."
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) December 9, 2025
Brian Scalabrine and Tracy McGrady discuss Chris Paul and the Clippers parting ways. pic.twitter.com/avcb9Pup6w
Expect a lot more CP3 trade rumors in the coming weeks, although he may ultimately just find a new home as a free agent.