Mets place Mark Vientos on 10-day IL, option Max Kranick in flurry of roster moves
The Mets have made a flurry of roster moves to accommodate the promotion of Ronny Mauricio, and one of them is an unfortunate one.
New York officially placed Mark Vientos on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain he suffered in Monday's extra-innings win against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.
Before Tuesday's game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said the severity of Vientos' strain is still unknown, and he's flying back to New York for further testing and imaging.
"We don't know [the severity]," Mendoza said. "But based off of all the testing he went through last night, we know it's a strain. We've just got to wait and see."
Vientos hit a grounder in the 10th inning and collapsed running up the first base line before getting up and grabbing at his leg. He eventually hobbled back to the dugout. After the game, Vientos was checked out by the team trainers and Mendoza said the injury "didn't look good."
Mauricio will take Vientos' spot on the bench and wear No. 10.
In addition to the Mauricio/Vientos news, the Mets optioned RHP Max Kranick back to Triple-A Syracuse following last night's game. The reliever allowed one run on one hit in his inning of work on Monday while striking out two. With no days off until Monday, the Mets needed another fresh reliever and Kranick has options -- so, he was brought back down to the minors, for now.
Kranick has pitched to a 3.51 ERA in his 22 appearances this season.
"He's been a huge part of that bullpen, and that's part of the messaging," Mendoza said of Kranick. "You know, 'This is part of the business, you've got options. Just know you're a big part of this team. Go down there and work on the things you've been working on, and you're going to be back.' That was the message. He understood. He took it hard, but he understood. You have to understand they're competitors."
Replacing Kranick in the bullpen will be LHP Brandon Waddell, who returns to the team after pitching against the White Sox last week. In that series finale, the 31-year-old allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk in five innings of work. While not his best outing, Waddell's innings gave the Mets' bullpen a blow heading into their weekend series with the Rockies, a series they ultimately swept.
In Waddell's two games with the Mets this season, he has pitched to a 3.86 ERA and struck out seven in 9.1 innings of work.
Also on the pitching front, RHP Frankie Montas' rehab assignment was transferred to Triple-A. He will start Tuesday's game with the Syracuse Mets.
Shigeo Nagashima, Japanese baseball legend with ties to the Dodgers, dies at 89
Former Yomiuri Giants player and manager Shigeo Nagashima, one of the biggest stars of Nippon Professional Baseball, died early Tuesday morning of pneumonia at a Tokyo hospital, his former team said in a statement. He was 89.
Nagashima played third base for the Giants from 1958 to 1974. Along with fellow superstar first baseman Sadaharu Oh, Nagashima led the team to 11 Japan Series titles, including nine straight from 1965 to 1973. He retired with a .305 batting average, 2,471 hits, 1,522 RBIs and 444 home runs.
He was one of Japan's biggest celebrities, so much so that his 1965 marriage to Akiko Nishimura was nationally televised and was reportedly the country's most-watched program of the year.
In 1975, Nagashima became the Giants' manager but was fired in 1980 after not leading the team to a Japan Series title. He returned as manager from 1993 to 2001, however, and led the Giants to championships in 1994 and 2000, with future MLB outfielder Hideki Matsui as his star player.
Read more:John Brenkus, risk-taking host of 'Sport Science,' dies after battle with depression
Current Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani took to Instagram on Tuesday to honor Nagashima. He posted three pictures of the two of them together, including two from the Dodgers' trip to Tokyo in February for two games against the Chicago Cubs.
“May your soul rest in peace,” Ohtani wrote in Japanese.
Nagashima could have become the first Japanese MLB player, and he could have done so as a member of the Dodgers. In the spring of 1961, the Yomiuri Giants visited Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla., to train and play exhibition games.
Then-Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley is said to have been so impressed with Nagashima — who in the previous season had won the second of what would be six straight batting crowns in Nippon's Central League — that he offered to buy Nagashima's contract from Giants owner Matsutaro Shoriki.
Shoriki turned O'Malley down, and pitcher Masanori Murakami ended up becoming the first Japanese MLB player when he debuted with the San Francisco Giants in 1965. Chicago White Sox owner Bill Veeck also attempted to purchase Nagashima's contract in 1968 but also was thwarted by Shoriki.
Nagashima maintained a close relationship with the Dodgers and the O'Malley family, particularly with Walter's son Peter, according to Walter O'Malley's website.
The Dodgers posted a tribute to Nagashima on X, featuring a photo of the 1988 Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame inductee with legendary Dodgers manager Tom Lasorda.
The Dodgers mourn the passing of Shigeo Nagashima, Japan’s “Mr. Baseball,” who died Tuesday in Tokyo at age 89. Nagashima became a legend for the Yomiuri Giants, who have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Dodgers from as far back as the 1960s. We extend our heartfelt… pic.twitter.com/QIZQgwEmxb
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 3, 2025
"The Dodgers mourn the passing of Shigeo Nagashima, Japan’s 'Mr. Baseball,' who died Tuesday in Tokyo at age 89," the team wrote. "Nagashima became a legend for the Yomiuri Giants, who have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Dodgers from as far back as the 1960s. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and generations of fans."
Nagashima's wife, Akiko, died in 2007. They had four children, including oldest son Kazushige, a former professional baseball player who played for the Yomiuri Giants and Yakult Swallows in Japan, as well as 53 games for the Class A-Advanced Vero Beach Dodgers minor league affiliate in 1992.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Jake Walman: Do Red Wings Fans Still Care?
All eyes are on Edmonton.
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final is scheduled for Wednesday June 4th. However, on Tuesday a host of players participated in Media Day.
One of those players was former Detroit Red Wings defender Jake Walman.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
The Hockey News had the pleasure of participating in the event. I was able to speak to Walman during the event.
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He spoke at length many topics: what it felt like to be traded to the Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid, who he was cheering for last year, Stuart Skinner, a recent interaction with some Oilers fans and more.
Do Red Wings fans want to read more content on Walman? What kind of things are you interested in reading about from the availability?
Caleb Kerney (@CKerneyWriter) on XI spoke to Jake Walman today at the NHL Media Day ahead of Game 1 of the #StanleyCupFinals.
Walman said that his mom's uncle is Jake LaMotta.
Jake LaMotta is the boxing legend who was portrayed by Robert DeNiro in Raging Bull, a film directed by Martin Scorsese. #LetsGoOilersLet us know in the comments what you would like to read about. And vote in the poll to let us know your thoughts!
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Josh Hart, former players react to Knicks' Tom Thibodeau firing: 'Forever grateful'
The Knicks' firing of Tom Thibodeau shook the basketball world on Tuesday, and some current and former players joined the conversation around the fourth-winningest coach's ouster.
The most notable current player reaction came from Josh Hart. Hart joined Thibodeau's crew when the Knicks traded for the combo guard/forward in the middle of the 2022-23 season. Once the Thibodeau news was out, Hart took to social media to post a simple message for his coach: "Forever grateful. Thank you."
Under Thibs, Hart had his best seasons as a professional player. In his two-plus seasons in New York, Hart averaged 11.3 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. This past season saw Hart break the Knicks' franchise record for triple-doubles, and he even recorded the first Knicks postseason triple-double in more than 50 years.
While other current Knicks have yet to comment on the move, there were plenty of other reactions from around the basketball world. Ben Stiller, award-winning actor and die-hard Knicks fan, gave Thibodeau his flowers for making the Knicks "relevant again."
"I am a Tom Thibodeau fan. He brought this team back," he wrote on Tuesday. "I felt he gave every bit of himself and was always looking to improve. I will always be grateful for how far he brought the Knicks. They are relevant again. They are championship contenders again. The Knicks became winners again with him. Thank you COACH THIBS."
And then we had former Knicks shocked by the news.
Knicks legend Charles Oakley, who played for New York while Thibodeau was an assistant coach, was being interviewed by News10NBC in Rochester when the news dropped.
"I don't know who is gonna do a better job," Oakley said. "That's sad news, I like Thibs."
Knicks legend Charles Oakley finding out the team fired Tom Thibodeau today:
— Mat Mlodzinski (@MatMlodzinski) June 3, 2025
"I don't know who is gonna do a better job."
"That's sad news, I like Thibs." pic.twitter.com/IUABQOIyjW
WOW WOW WOW. I can’t believe the NY Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau was fired today after leading the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals! 🤯 The biggest question is why was he fired? Now, who will be the next coach of the Knicks?
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 3, 2025
After the Knicks made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years, the organization will now have to find a coach who can do a better job.
Thibodeau went 226-174 in the regular season, and 24-23 in the playoffs in five seasons as the Knicks' head coach.
One former player has thrown their hat into the ring to coach the Knicks. Metta World Peace, formerly known as Ron Artest, played just one season for the Knicks but has roots in New York as a Queensbridge native. He also excelled at the college level for St. John's en route to being a first-round draft pick in 1999.
Peace broke down his resume and why he believes he's the right man for the Knicks job. Other former NBA players have also shared their preferences.
Metta is the perfect choice for head coach of the @nyknicks . Since 1999 this was suppose to happen. I’ve never ran from the city. When all the top players left NYC because it was hard , I went to @StJohnsBBall . I wanted to be drafted by the Knicks, I seemed to be the only one…
— Coach Metta (@MettaWorld37) June 3, 2025
Mike Malone gotta get that Knicks job! Who else is on the market?
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) June 3, 2025
Justice Fitzpatrick, younger brother of NFL safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, commits to Georgia
The younger Fitzpatrick brother ranks as one of the nation's top defensive backs.
Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas ‘living [his] worst nightmare’ as he starts injury rehab
BOSTON — Triston Casas isn’t happy about having to watch the remainder of the Boston Red Sox’s season following season-ending knee surgery. But he’s ready to attack the rehab from his second major injury in two years head on.
Casas spoke to reporters Tuesday for the first time since having the procedure last month to repair the ruptured left patellar tendon he injured running to first base after hitting a slow ground ball and then falling awkwardly during Boston’s win over Minnesota on May 2. He was carted off the field and taken to a hospital for testing.
He had surgery two days later.
He was still using crutches Tuesday and said he will be off them soon. He will then head to the Red Sox’s spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida, where he’ll spend most of this summer and the offseason undergoing rehab. The 25-year-old plans to be ready in time for opening day next season.
“I’m living my worst nightmare right now to go through a double-digit recovery that’s months long,” Casas said Tuesday. “But going through it now, I feel like I’m going to be better as a consequence of it. It’s just part of the game. It’s part of running hard down the line. Part of just playing the game how you feel like it should be. I wouldn’t have changed anything about it. It’s just a move that I’ve done a thousand times. ... It’s just onward from here, I guess.”
The first baseman batted just .182 with three homers and 11 RBIs prior to the injury, but the biggest void he left is on defense. The Red Sox have explored multiple options to replace him, including initially asking Rafael Devers to learn the position after he was replaced at third by offseason, free-agent acquisition Alex Bregman, and moved to DH.
Since Casas’ injury, Abraham Toro has split time at first along with Romy Gonzalez.
Casas is attacking this latest injury setback just a year removed from missing a large portion of last season with torn cartilage in his rib cage.
“I’d rather be out there helping the team win games,” Casas said. “But considering everything that’s happened I’m in a good headspace. Just focused on making a healthy comeback and progressing every day in whatever fashion it is and trying to fill my time and get better any way that I can.”
He said the recovery timeline he was given has varied in length, but hasn’t been anything over a year.
“As of right now, our goal is opening day next year,” Casas said. “So, I’m going to take it slow. Going to spend the winter in Fort Myers rehabbing and until then just try to stay in a positive mindset. I know there’s a lot of healing that’s done outside of the training table. So I think I’m trying to take it one day at a time, be positive and maintain a good headspace is going to be important as well.”
Sounders owner angrily confronts players over ‘Club World Ca$h Grab’ warm-up shirts, per reports
Sounders players are protesting a policy that prevents them from making more than $1 million, to split, from the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.
Big East Conference moving its headquarters to Manhattan’s Empire State Building
The new office will feature almost 8,000 square feet of space and put the conference even closer to Madison Square Garden, where it has held its men’s basketball tournament for the past 43 years.
Bryce Harper homers in first at-bat in return to Phillies’ lineup after missing five games
TORONTO — With Bryce Harper back in the lineup, the Philadelphia Phillies got off to a booming start against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Harper hit one of two Philadelphia home runs in a six-run first inning off right-hander Bowden Francis in Tuesday’s series opener in Toronto.
Harper was back in action after missing five games with a bruised right elbow.
The Phillies went 1-4 without Harper and fell out of first place in the NL East.
Harper followed a two-run home run by Trea Turner with a 394-foot blast, with both homers landing in Philadelphia’s right field bullpen.
It was Harper’s first at-bat since he was hit by a 95 mph fastball from Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider during the first inning of a game last week. The home run was his ninth of the season.
Harper’s elbow, which underwent Tommy John surgery after the 2022 World Series, remains a sensitive area. In light of the injury, Harper wore a protective guard on his right elbow Tuesday.
Alec Bohm had shifted from third base to first base to replace Harper. Edmundo Sosa had taken over at third. Bohm was back at third base against the Blue Jays. He singled and scored in the first.
Knicks firing head coach Tom Thibodeau
The Knicks' Tom Thibodeau era has come to an end.
SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley reports that the Knicks are firing Thibodeau after five seasons as the team's head coach.
Begley previously reported that Thibodeau had been on shaky ground in the past and survived, with team president Leon Rose making the decision to stick with Thibodeau amid past uncertainty.
Sources tell Begley that Thibodeau will not have a role in the Knicks' front office and will be owed north of $30 million on his extension.
Begley also reports that the Knicks conducted meetings with select players, Thibodeau, and some of his staff this week to assess the season. Knicks owner James Dolan was at the meetings. The ultimate decision on Thibodeau, though, was made by Rose and supported by Dolan.
"Our organization is singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans. This pursuit led us to the difficult decision to inform Tom Thibodeau that we've decided to move in another direction," Rose said in a statement released by the team. "We can't thank Tom enough for pouring his heart and soul into each and every day of being the New York Knicks head coach. He led us not only with class and professionalism for the past five seasons, but also to tremendous success on the court with four playoff berths and four playoff series victories. Ultimately, we made the decision we feel is best for our organization moving forward. Tom will always be a part of our Knicks family and we truly wish him nothing but the best in the future."
Working with Rose, Thibodeau led the Knicks to a period of sustained regular season success that had eluded the organization, making the playoffs in four of his five seasons. But even with a talented roster that features Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and other key pieces, the Knicks couldn't get over the hump in the playoffs, falling to the Indiana Pacers in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals as questions arose about Thibodeau's rotation and substitutions.
Overall, Thibodeau went 226-174 in the regular season, and 24-23 in the playoffs as the Knicks' head coach.
The Knicks now begin a search for the 32nd head coach in franchise history.
‘Five levels below’: Kohli’s seismic Test call after IPL glory… and Ponting’s knowing response
Virat Kohli said on Tuesday he had given his “youth and prime” to land one of the best moments of his career as Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured him a first-ever Indian Premier League T20 title at the 18th time of asking.
Sabres Can't Afford To Wait For Star-Studded UFA Group Of 2026 — They Need To Spend Their Salary Cap Space Now
There are some very good players available in NHL free agency this summer. Toronto Maple Leafs stars Mitch Marner and John Tavares are looming UFAs, as is Vancouver Canucks star winger Brock Boeser. But with that said, let's be honest -- this year's group of free agents isn't particularly deep with high-end talent. And that may result in some teams waiting until the summer of 2026 to spend the bulk of their salary cap space. But the Buffalo Sabres can't afford to be patient and wait until then to improve their lineup. The change for the Sabres has to come right away.
To be sure, it will be tempting for the Sabres to punt the ball down the line and take bigger swings at free agents a year from now. The 2026 class of free agents is much more tantalizing, including superstars Connor McDavid, Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel and Artemi Panarin. But who's kidding who -- the Sabres aren't going to be a destination for players of that caliber. For various reasons -- the lack of winning paramount among them -- Buffalo will be a distant second (or worse) in the minds of star players and their agents. So pretending that waiting a year will somehow lead to a gold mine of talent is about as disingenuous as it gets.
This is why the Sabres have to get off their wallet and use every dollar available to them this summer. Buffalo currently has $23.2 million in salary cap space, and while some of that will go to restricted free agents J.J. Peterka and Bowen Byram, there will still be more than enough cap space to add more skill and experience to the roster. Whether they acquire that in free agency or trades is immaterial. The bottom line is the status quo in Buffalo is not an option. And skimping on their payroll is only going to fuel the fire of Sabres fans who believe the team will never succeed with its current ownership.
By the time the free-agency race kicks into high gear on July 1, the Sabres have to be aggressive and persistent when it comes to the players they target. Nobody wants to hear excuses about the things that hamstring Buffalo management in making the team better. This rebuilding plan cannot wait another year, or another minute, for that matter. There has to be legitimate progress, right away.
Maybe that means kicking the tires on someone like Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri. Maybe it means checking on the availability of Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras, or maybe it means pursuing New York Rangers RFA defenseman K'Andre Miller. We're not suggsting any of those players would welcome a deal to Buffalo.
But doing nothing? That's bordering on an unforgivable offense. The Sabres aren't going to end their 14-year-playoff-free streak by sitting back and hoping their current cast can get the job done. They need to alter the chemistry and show players that losing will no longer be tolerated. And you don't do that by bringing back the same group of players to try again.
Stars Veteran Forward Would Be Solid Pickup For SabresThe Buffalo Sabres need to be a significantly different team next season. Whether it's via free-agency or trades, the changes to Buffalo's roster have to be extensive. And Mikael Granlund -- a veteran center who revitalized his NHL career with the Dallas Stars this season -- should definitely be a free-agent target for the Sabres.
Sabres fans have been through enough calls for patience. The NHL is a results-driven business, and positive results are the only metric Buffalo supporters will be happy with.
And while throwing money at a problem isn't a guarantee that the problem is going to be addressed, doing something on the cheap isn't a guarantee things will get better, either. And waiting for the class of 2026 isn't an assurance of anything. Many of the aforementioned superstars could sign long-term contract extensions long before then.
It may be a comfort to some to envision a day where the Sabres will be an attractive destination for NHL players. But that day isn't going to be in 2026, and it definitely isn't going to be today. Buffalo has to take the bull by the horns, own where they are in the NHL food chain, and do whatever possible to improve right away.
Minnesota Wild Youngster Is Going To Be Well-Paid This Summer -- But It Shouldn't Be By The SabresThe Buffalo Sabres have their own collection of restricted free agent players to deal with this summer -- most notably, defenseman Bowen Byram and left winger J.J. Peterka -- and although the Sabres have more than enough salary cap space to make a splash ($23.2 million, as per Puck Pedia), one looming RFA who is getting a lot of attention of late is one they should absolutely steer clear of.
Any other philosophy will almost assuredly going to lead to more disappointment and more fan anger. And whatever money they save in the short term by not spending to the cap ceiling will be lost in the areas of public relations and customer content.
The Sabres need to spend their money right away, and any argument to the contrary is not going to go over well with those long-suffering Buffalo fans. The team's pocketbook needs to be wide-open, and it needs to be so until further notice.
Giants still confident in Doval despite blown save in loss to Padres
Giants still confident in Doval despite blown save in loss to Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO — In a series of unfortunate events for the Giants, things came crashing down quickly for Camilo Doval in the top of the ninth inning Tuesday night.
San Francisco held a 2-0 lead and was one inning away from securing its first win of the season against the San Diego Padres. But Doval, who replaced a struggling Ryan Walker and reclaimed his role as the Giants’ closer last week, ran into trouble with consecutive walks to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Arraez before giving up the tying hit, a two-run single, to Padres star Manny Machado.
The Giants couldn’t score in the bottom of the ninth or 10th, and the Padres’ lone run in the top of the 10th was enough to secure their seventh straight win against San Francisco.
Doval blew his first save since re-entering the closer role and allowed his first earned runs since April 7 as the Giants collapsed to the Padres 3-2 in extra innings Tuesday at Oracle Park. The blown save erased a great start by Landen Roupp, who pitched 6 1/3 shutout innings and lowered his ERA on the season to 3.18.
Still, the Giants’ confidence in their closer hasn’t wavered.
“Yeah, he just had a little off night with the couple of walks,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said postgame. “Look, we feel great every time he’s in the game. He’s had quite the run. We shut them [the Padres] down for eight innings. They scored two in the ninth. Ball off the end of the bat, it’s a hit, but a good at-bat by Manny.
“But it’s the walks that got him the most.”
Doval’s 20 2/3-inning scoreless streak ended Tuesday, and despite the rough outing, he has a 1.67 ERA across 27 innings this season with seven saves, seven holds and three blown save opportunities.
After being an MLB All-Star in 2023, Doval had a down season in 2024 as he eventually lost the closer role. But aside from a rough patch in early April, Doval has been lights-out for the Giants this year. Roupp doesn’t expect one bad outing to change that.
“Yeah, a bunch,” Roupp said when asked how much confidence he has in Doval. “Things like that are going to happen. Just an unfortunate ending tonight. We want him in the ninth and that’s what’s going to happen.
“I’m just looking forward to seeing him get back out there and continue to throw the ball well.”
After Roupp’s shutout outing, Giants relievers Erik Miller and Tyler Rogers got into some trouble. After the Padres loaded the bases in the seventh, Miller escaped a bases-loaded, two-out jam after Arráez grounded out to third. The Padres’ offense was a threat once again in the eighth, but Rogers, too, escaped trouble without allowing a run.
Unfortunately for Doval, he failed to do the same.
Perhaps the blame shouldn’t all fall on Doval.
Outside of Heliot Ramos’ two-run home run in the third inning, the Giants’ offense continued to struggle. One night after being shut out by the Padres and going 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position, they were 1-for-6 with RISP on Tuesday night. They now are 7-for-63 with RISP over the last 10 games.
It’s easy to point fingers after a tough loss. But in the midst of an up-and-down career with the Giants, Doval has shown flashes of his potential to be one of the most dominant relievers in baseball.
It will just come down to how he responds to Tuesday’s tough outing. After all, Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey confirmed last week that the closer role is “fluid” between Doval and Walker.
Oilers' Trent Frederic Could Be An X-Factor In Stanley Cup Final Vs. Panthers
In any playoff series, the stars will be the stars, and the goaltending duels will be integral to wins and losses.
However, most series also have an unsung hero or X-factor that needs to step up for a team to win. In Edmonton, that could be Trent Frederic.
Frederic, who joined the Edmonton Oilers this season at the trade deadline, is no stranger to rough stuff. Against the Florida Panthers – a gritty and rough team that has the edge physically on paper in this series – that might be a critical element Frederic must embrace.
During Frederic’s time with the Boston Bruins, he attempted to reignite tensions during the NHL season opener by trying to fight Matthew Tkachuk. That moment wasn’t just about early-season fireworks – it was a clear callback to last year’s heated playoff series between the Bruins and Panthers. In that second-round matchup, Florida center Sam Bennettknocked Brad Marchand out of the series, fuelling animosity that hadn’t faded.
Ironically, Marchand now finds himself as a teammate to Bennett and Tkachuk. But for Frederic, this is a chance to prove he’s willing to light those fireworks again.
The rugged forward has already made his presence felt this post-season, especially during the Oilers’ hard-fought series against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Frederic dropped the gloves and went slightly viral when he snapped his stick over his own head like it was a twig. He wasn’t an offensive force, but his willingness to stand tall in the face of an aggressive forecheck helped push the Oilers past Vegas.
Against Florida, he might be ready to raise his impact even higher.
One incident that highlighted Frederic’s ability to get under opponents’ skin came when Vegas forward Nicolas Roy was ejected after cross-checking Frederic in the face, earning a five-minute major and a game misconduct in overtime.
That sequence showed how Frederic’s physical play and agitator style can force opponents into costly mistakes – a skill that could become even more valuable in a tightly contested Cup final.
While he hasn’t yet delivered his best offensive performance, with one goal and four points in 16 games, this series against the Panthers might be his opportunity to step up and become an unlikely difference-maker.
Edmonton needs nastiness and physicality to combat Marchand, Tkachuk and Bennett.
As for facing his former teammate, Marchand, Frederic said it was a bit weird and didn’t really know how to feel about it.
“If you asked me 10 months ago, I would have jumped on a grenade for the guy, and now, it’s the complete opposite,” he told NHL Network’s E.J. Hradek on Tuesday. “It’s very weird, but that’s the hockey world.”
Frederic will need to put past friendships aside, forget about former teammates and play a key role, one he was brought in to play.
The Oilers need him to hit and forecheck. Better yet, they need him to try to intimidate players who aren’t easily intimidated. If he can do that, he becomes an X-factor Florida will have to contend with.
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