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Ex-Red Wing James Reimer Heating Up

James Reimer (Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)

Goalies are the most critical players on the ice.

Scoring goals is nice – but it doesn't mean anything if your netminder is not up to snuff.

Former Detroit Red Wings goalie James Reimer has had a strange season. He started with the Buffalo Sabres, was put on waivers, claimed by the Anaheim Ducks, placed on waivers again, and finally claimed by the Sabres.

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Although Reimer hasn't played much this year, he's started four consecutive games. Despite starting the year terribly, things are turning around for him.

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He's posted a save percentage (SV%) of .900, .917, .938, and .920 with a 3-1 record in four consecutive starts.

He’s hovering around league average for the season. In 17 games, Reimer has a record of 5-8-2, a 2.94 goals against average (GAA) and a .901 SV%. 

Digging into MoneyPuck numbers gives us a few more observations. Reimer leads all Sabres goalies in Goals Saved Above Expected with 8.1. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi have GSAx of -5.6 and -8, respectively.

Cam Talbot (Tim Fuller-Imagn Images)

Amongst all NHL goalies who have played at least 15 games, Reimer ranks 26th in GSAx. The only Red Wings goalie who has done better in this metric is Cam Talbot, who ranks 22nd with 10.6. 

In his last season with the Red Wings, he had similar numbers. Reimer boasted an 11-8-2 record with a 3.11 GAA, a .904 SV%, and two shutouts.

While it wasn’t a mistake to let Reimer go, his recent hot streak is proof that he still has some game to bring to the table. But, just like all things, it probably won’t last very long.

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Former-Bruin Brad Marchand makes debut with Panthers in game against Utah

SUNRISE, Fla. — Brad Marchand has made his Florida debut.

The Panthers had Marchand — who, because of an upper-body injury, hasn’t appeared in a game with Florida since being acquired in a trade with Boston three weeks ago — in the starting lineup Friday night when the team played host to the Utah Hockey Club.

Marchand, who was greeted by plenty of fans around the ice during warm-ups and even flicked a puck into the stands toward one group as a souvenir, got the loudest reception of any of Florida’s skaters when the game-opening unit was announced.

It was the first time in 1,091 NHL games, 1,248 when adding in playoff contests, that Marchand took the ice in something other than a Bruins sweater. Marchand was on Florida’s second line with Sam Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich — who grew up in New England watching Marchand play for the Bruins.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Samoskevich said of playing with Marchand. “He’s such a good player. So silky. I feel like when he has the puck, he sees you — he’s got eyes in the back of his head. It’s a lot of fun. Excited for the future with him. He’s such a good guy off the ice, too.”

Marchand had 21 goals and 26 assists in 61 games with the Bruins this season, and Panthers coach Paul Maurice said when the deal got done that Marchand, he believes, helps fill what Florida will need in its playoff run and its quest to win a second consecutive Stanley Cup.

“He’s had an incredible career,” Maurice said. “He’s a Stanley Cup champion, 1,000 games, 1,000 penalty minutes, lots of points. I don’t want to see it all in one game. ... You know how tenacious this guy is, how physical he is, how hard he plays. Then you get him in practice and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, he’s got hands on him.’ And you start to realize how good the skill level is there.”

It may have been strange at first, with the former captain of the Bruins wearing Florida colors after those teams had tough playoff battles — both won by the Panthers — in 2023 and 2024. But by all accounts, Marchand has fit perfectly into the Florida mix.

“He brings a lot of energy to the locker room, a lot of compete on the ice,” Panthers defenseman Gus Forsling said. “A huge veteran that’s going to be big for us.”

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Peter Lever obituary

Lancashire and England opening bowler who played in the victorious England Ashes side of 1971

Peter Lever, who has died aged 84, was a fast-medium bowler for Lancashire for 17 years and for England in 17 Test matches. In many ways he was the epitome of the staunch English professional cricketer, dedicated, modest and devoted to the game he loved. And yet throughout his career he experienced moments way beyond the norm, one of which was harrowing in the extreme.

He toured Australia twice, under the captaincy of Ray Illingworth in 1970-71 when England regained the Ashes with Lever playing in five of the six Tests, and then on the less successful expedition under Mike Denness four years later, during which an unsuspecting England team was confronted by the combination of Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson for the first time. It was just after that series when a battered England side had moved on to New Zealand that Lever had the most traumatic experience of his life.

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Alex Ovechkin leads Capitals in tribute to Wild’s Marc-Andre Fleury with postgame handshakes

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Alex Ovechkin didn’t score for Washington, staying at 889 career goals and six away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record.

Ovechkin did initiate a memorable moment on the ice in Minnesota on Thursday night, though.

The three-time NHL MVP, who has been in the spotlight for months amid his pursuit of Gretzky’s career goal mark, hustled over toward the tunnel behind the bench after the horn sounded on Washington’s 4-2 loss to make sure all of the Capitals came back on the ice to shake hands with retiring Wild goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Ovechkin was the first to greet Fleury at mid-ice as they shared a hug and a laugh.

Fleury, who’s in his 21st and assuredly final season in the league, was on the home bench all night while Filip Gustavsson manned the net.

Ovechkin mentioned to the team in the morning that it would be the last matchup against Fleury, who faced Ovechkin and the Capitals frequently over the first 13 seasons of his career with Pittsburgh. Ovechkin had 28 goals in 47 games against Fleury, his most against any goalie.

“He’s had so many battles with the Caps, with ‘O,’” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “Pretty classy to be able to send him off and just say how impressive a career he had.”

Capitals center Dylan Strome played briefly with Fleury in Chicago.

“Everyone knows he’s one of the best people of all time in the game, so the little respect we can show him at the end of the game I think goes a long way,” Strome said.

The Wild were impressed by the gesture, even if they weren’t surprised.

“Every team we go to, you see the signs. Everyone loves him, and everyone loves playing against him,” Gustavsson said. “I think no one really would say anything bad about him.”

At some point soon, the Wild will likely find themselves doing their own internal tribute.

“It’s awesome to see. It’s fun for him, and I am happy for him,” defenseman Jonas Brodin said. “He’s a great person and one of the best I have ever played with, so it’s pretty cool. It’s special to have that when you quit hockey someday, that you played with that guy, for sure.”

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Capitals sign defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a two-year, $1.6 million contract

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Washington Capitals signed defenseman Dylan McIlrath to a two-year, $1.6 million contract Thursday.

The 32-year-old McIlrath has two assists in 11 games this season. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.

McIlrath captained Washington affiliate Hershey’s 2023 and 2024 Calder Cup championship teams in the American Hockey League. The 6-foot-6 defender has three goals and six assists in 86 career NHL regular-season games with Washington, Florida, the New York Rangers and Detroit.

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Kelly Cup Champion Re-Signs With Everblades

Photo Courtesy of the ECHL

The Florida Everblades announced Friday they have agreed to terms with forward Josh Ho-Sang on a standard player contract (SPC).

The 29-year-old right-shot right winger won the Kelly Cup with the Everblades last season, posting one goal and 17 assists during the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Toronto native also provided two goals and 13 assists in 11 regular season games ahead of the 2024 playoffs.

Before the Everblades, the 6-foot, 174-pound Ho-Sang played 53 NHL games and 225 AHL games split between the New York Islanders, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and San Antonio Rampage.

Ho-Sang scored seven goals and 17 assists in the NHL. The Kelly Cup Champion was drafted in the first round (28th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Islanders from the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires.

Ho-Sang played 256 OHL games split between Windsor and the Niagara IceDogs, finishing with 82 goals and 210 assists.

The Everblades kick off the weekend with a big matchup in Estero against the Toledo Walleye. Puck drop is set for 7:30 Pm ET.

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The Hockey News Big Show: How Well Will Brad Marchand Fit In With Panthers?

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Kickstart the weekend with The Hockey News Big Show, where we explore some of the biggest NHL and hockey topics.

Here’s what Katie Gaus, Ryan Kennedy and Michael Traikos discussed in this episode:

How Well Will Brad Marchand Fit In With Panthers? by The Big ShowHow Well Will Brad Marchand Fit In With Panthers? by The Big Showundefined

0:36: The Philadelphia Flyers fired coach John Tortorella. What do we think of Tortorella’s comments on Tuesday and the subsequent decision by the Flyers to move on?

6:20: Who do we think should be the next coach in Philadelphia, and will Tortorella end up coaching elsewhere by next season?

8:14: The St. Louis Blues are on an eight-game winning streak. What has stood out about St. Louis during this run, and should teams be genuinely concerned about meeting them in the first round?

11:10: Brad Marchand is slated to make his debut with the Florida Panthers on Friday against Utah Hockey Club. Do we like Marchand on the second line with Sam Bennett?  

13:14: When Matthew Tkachuk returns to the Panthers’ lineup, who becomes a healthy scratch?

14:58: Alex Ovechkin is now just six goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record. Do general sports fans realize this is going on? Is the NHL doing enough to promote this Great Chase?

19:11: Day 1 of the NCAA men’s hockey national championship is in the books. These eliminations mean we have many players who could turn pro now that their seasons are done, but one of the biggest names to watch is MSU goalie Trey Augustine. Do we think Augustine will sign to go pro or return for his junior season at MSU?

20:51: What other prospects are you keeping an eye on now that their seasons are over?

23:17: We return to our weekly look at Ryan and Michael’s top eight Stanley Cup contenders. Starting with Ryan's list, which squad moved the most on his list and why?

24:55: Michael shares which team moved the most on his top eight Cup front-runners list and why.

29:10: What series in the Western Conference will be the toughest?

30:35: True or false: do we think Matvei Michkov is secretly happy Tortorella is fired?

32:52: Without looking, who has a better save percentage for the Dallas Stars: Jake Oettinger or Casey DeSmith?

34:22: Which fan base should be more concerned about their team next season: Boston or Detroit?

36:22: Is Kadri the Calgary Flames' best-ever free-agent signing? 

37:55: Sidney Crosby is the first player in NHL history to record 20 point-per-game seasons. Will anyone currently playing in the NHL ever beat this?

Watch the full episode here.   

Subscribe to The Hockey News Big Show on your preferred platform.

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Top 2 Tiers of UFA Forwards Blackhawks Must Target

Nikolaj Ehlers (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)

The longer the Chicago Blackhawks suffer at the bottom of the standings, the worse it gets for some of the young players like Connor Bedard who is already at a higher level and is ready to start getting in the mix of a playoff chase. That being said, there has to be some upgrades externally. That is what is going to take this team with a lot of young and talented players to the next level.

The additions like Teuvo Teravainen, Tyler Bertuzzi, and even Ilya Mikheyev have done well for the Blackhawks, and there is lots more cap space to go use this summer, even factoring in that some of the young players will have to be paid.

Chicago needs to land at least one of the free agent forwards this summer in the top two tiers of UFAs. Let's dive deeper.

Mitch Marner is in a league of his own in terms of being the top UFA forward this summer after Mikko Rantanen was signed by the Dallas Stars. This means that many teams are going to do what they can to convince and target Marner if he hits free agency. The majority think that Matthew Knies is the player the Toronto Maple Leafs should be prioritizing, and I'm in agreement.

The Blackhawks will be able to take a good run at a UFA Marner as they have the funds, they are an Original Six team, and he will be able to play alongside Bedard. This might incentivize the Blackhawks even more to up the dollar amount and signing bonus to get Bedard a winger like this.

The next tier is interesting, but it also isn't that big. The Blackhawks can't put all of their eggs in one basket as Marner might re-sign in Toronto or go to a different team. If that's the case, Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser, and Sam Bennett have to be seriously looked at.

Five Questions That Blackhawks Must Answer In Final 10 GamesFive Questions That Blackhawks Must Answer In Final 10 GamesThe Chicago Blackhawks have ten games left. At 21-42-9, their playoff chances were gone by the time November started. That’s the reality for a team going through a long, grueling rebuild. 

Ehlers and Boeser would be top line, top power play right away for the Blackhawks while Bennett would give the team a solid number two centerman behind Bedard. I don't expect Chicago to pull a Nashville and be able to bring in or try to bring in multiple of these players, but one would get things rolling in the right direction.

All three of those forwards will be looking for bigger contracts than what they are currently signed to, but once again, the Blackhawks have the cap space to accommodate. We are patiently waiting for Chicago to take the next step in this new era.

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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Why Draymond advised Kuminga to ‘embrace' GP2-type of role

Why Draymond advised Kuminga to ‘embrace' GP2-type of role originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors forward Draymond Green offered teammate Jonathan Kuminga stern advice about how to approach his ever-changing role in the relatively newfound absence of Gary Payton II (thumb).

Here’s what the four-time NBA champion had to say on Friday’s edition of the “Draymond Green Show” podcast with co-host and ex-Golden State guard Baron Davis:

“I think there’s been so much chatter about JK and what he needs to do and how he needs to find his lane and this, that and other,” Green prefaced to Davis. 

“What I will say with GP being out is, if I’m Jonathan Kuminga, forget what everybody’s talking about, forget what everybody’s saying, I’m saying, ‘GP, I want to guard the best guard when I come in the game. I want to be the point-of-attack defender. I’m [going to] hawk this guard. I’m going to change the momentum of the game. I’m going to embrace that.’”

Green wants the 6-foot-8, 210-pound Kuminga to use his frame and two-way potential to emerge as the lockdown defender the Warriors need with Payton out for a lengthy period.

That will be a tough – but feasible – task for Kuminga.

Before partially tearing a left thumb ligament against the Miami Heat, Payton was a Swiss Army Knife in coach Steve Kerr’s rotation. Over 58 games, Payton averaged 6.6 points, 3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game on 58.5 percent shooting from the field with 2.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per 100 possessions.

Conversely, Kuminga is known for his scoring and has averaged a career-high 16.3 points per game on a career-low 45.3 percent shooting during the 2024-25 NBA season.

“Because we know [Kuminga] can score, right, like we know what he is capable of on the offensive end,” Green told Davis. “Imagine him embracing [Payton’s] role and saying, ‘I’m guarding the best [player]. I’m picking up [from full court]. I’m going to work myself to exhaustion because I’m going to defend so hard.’ 

“That’s how you win championships. And so, if I’m Jonathan Kuminga, that’s my mindset. And I think he’s more than capable of being that and doing that. And if he does, golly – changes everything.”

There always is plenty of chatter surrounding Kuminga’s game, potential and role. So, Green publicly advised Kuminga to ignore everyone and focus on stepping up in Payton’s absence, which is something totally up the four-year wing’s alley.

After all, Payton likely will miss Golden State’s final 10 games of the regular season.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Draymond reveals his kids cried after Warriors traded Wiggins to Heat

Draymond reveals his kids cried after Warriors traded Wiggins to Heat originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors’ trading fan-favorite wing Andrew Wiggins to the Miami Heat hit close to home for Golden State icon Draymond Green.

The four-time NBA champion  explained how Wiggins’ involuntary departure emotionally impacted his children during a segment on “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.”

“My kids cried when they found out Wiggs was gone because his kids and my kids have a great relationship,” Green told co-host and ex-Warriors guard Baron Davis. “They cried when they found out. And I told Wiggs, because I saw him right after the deadline and All-Star break, ‘Man, my kids were crying when they found out your girls were gone.’ 

“He was like, ‘Bruh, that’s the only thing Amyah (Wiggins’ eldest daughter) kept saying, “Wait, so I don’t get to see my friends anymore?”’ So, there’s so much more than just basketball there.”

The moment sure was bigger than basketball.

Green, Wiggins and their loved ones grew close after the two were teammates in Golden State from the 2019-2020 campaign until Feb. 5, the day Golden State acquired then-Miami star Jimmy Butler.

And Wiggins, an 11-year NBA veteran, shone on the court with the Warriors. He earned the lone NBA All-Star appearance and championship of his career thus far with the franchise during a thrilling 2021-22 run and averaged 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists throughout his 307-game tenure in Golden State.

Green and his children definitely will miss Wiggins. However, Green is glad Wiggins is flourishing in Miami – averaging a strong 19.9 points per game – and wasn’t too upset the ex-Golden State wing helped the Heat to a 112-86 win over the Warriors on Tuesday at Kaseya Center.  

“To see your brother on the other side, it was definitely weird,” Green said about facing Wiggins on Tuesday. “Obviously, I’m pissed off we lost a game we needed and wanted to win, but I’m also happy to see Wiggs play well. Because again, the love that’s there, it’s bigger than just a game. …”

Family comes before hoops for Green. And Wiggins is family.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

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Memphis Grizzlies shockingly fire head coach Taylor Jenkins with nine games left before playoffs

NBA: Memphis Grizzlies at New Orleans Pelicans

Mar 9, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach Taylor Jenkins looks on against the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

In a move that shocked the NBA, the Memphis Grizzlies have fired head coach Taylor Jenkins with just nine games remaining in their season. The 44-29 Grizzlies are tied with the Lakers for the 4/5 seeds in the West and head into some critical games this weekend, including against those Lakers on Saturday.

"I'm genuinely appreciative of Taylor's contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons," Memphis general manager Zach Kleiman said in a statement. "This was a difficult decision given the consistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor's leadership. I wish Taylor the very best going forward."

There had been growing frustration in Memphis with Jenkins and the team's direction. Memphis is 8-11 since the All-Star break with the 16th-ranked offense and 20th-ranked defense in the league. They had been average. While injuries to players such as Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed to that, there was some frustration that there was less buy-in from the players in Jenkins and his system.

It's still a massive leap from frustration to firing the coach with the most wins in franchise history — he went 250-214 as head coach — just before the playoffs. The Grizzlies reportedly did this in person on Friday morning.

Jenkins quickly becomes one of the top coaches on the market this summer when other teams make changes, although all those other teams will wait until the season ends to make their change.