A feverish start to the 2026 NHL offseason just got a tad bit more interesting, as a former Philadelphia Flyers starting goalie, who was already traded once, finds himself on the move again.
On Friday, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that former Flyers goalie Sam Ersson, first acquired in the Joseph Woll trade, has been traded to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round pick.
The Senators have done plenty of wheeling and dealing the last two weeks, moving on from captain Brady Tkachuk and replacing him with William Eklund and two prospects.
This new Maple Leafs trade confirms two things: Toronto will be sticking with a combination of Anthony Stolarz, Dennis Hildeby, and Artur Akhtyamov, and Ottawa has found its backup goalie… at least for now.
Last season was a tough one, both for Ersson and for Senators prospect Leevi Merilainen, who were among the two worst goalies in the entire NHL statistically.
Ersson, a pending RFA, at least has some experience as a starter for the Flyers and shown his potential when the environment around him is strong.
The Flyers obviously did not feel that this kind of form was sustainable (it wasn't), prompting them to go and get Woll as an upgrade behind incumbent starter Dan Vladar.
It is interesting, though, that Ersson was included in the Woll trade, only for the Maple Leafs to turn around and flip him for a late-round draft pick.
And it is interesting that Ersson, who had a dreary end to his Flyers career, fetched a useful asset in return at all after the way last season went.
In any case, Ersson needs a new contract, and we will soon find out if he's the next successful goalie to take off after leaving Philadelphia.
DUBROVNIK, CROATIA - JUNE 13: Basketball Player and Team AlUla Co-Owner, Lebron James looks on in the E1 Owners Suite during the E1 Series Dubrovnik GP on June 13, 2026 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images) | Getty Images
To the surprise of few, LeBron James’ free agency is already off to an odd start this offseason.
A topic already of much debate before free agency has even officially started, how the Lakers and LeBron handled the coming weeks was always going to draw much attention. It turns out, however, the two sides have opted not to handle things at all yet.
Once the NBA Finals concluded, teams could begin negotiating with their own free agents. The Lakers clearly took advantage of that and reached a deal with Austin Reaves on Wednesday.
However, there has not been the same level of communication with LeBron. After checking in with him once that window opened, the two parties have not spoken since, as Shams Charania of ESPN revealed on NBA Today on Thursday.
“There was a check-in call made, to my understanding, early in free agency once teams were able to start negotiating with their own free agents. Since then, there hasn’t been much communication, from my understanding, between the Lakers and LeBron James’ side and certainly not an offer yet.”
On Friday, Charania reiterated that the Lakers had not yet offered LeBron a contract and that the discussions between the sides has been limited.
"The Lakers have not made an offer to LeBron as of yesterday."
Is this odd? Certainly. But does this rule out him returning to the Lakers? Certainly not.
To be fair to LeBron, he did just spend quite a few days reuniting with the 2016 Cavs team on the 10-year anniversary of their NBA title. Multiple of the former players in attendance, namely Richard Jefferson, chronicled online the days of golfing, cigar-smoking and, surely, wine-drinking that took place. LeBron likely had no interest in talking to the Lakers at that point.
At the same time, LeBron is no longer the Lakers’ top priority. Clearly, retaining Reaves ranked higher on the priority list this summer. Finding a center for the future is a priority. Filling out the rest of the roster is a priority.
There’s also the possibility that the Lakers know LeBron’s options are limited and will call his bluff. Perhaps they’re focused on filling out their roster and are leaving LeBron as the last part of their roster build and will present him a contract option based on what’s left for them.
It’d be a bold move and not one the Lakers typically make, but clearly this isn’t going to be a normal free agency situation for LeBron. Whatever course either the team or LeBron takes, it will be one of the team’s central focuses in the coming week.
SAN FRANCISCO – After three consecutive drafts in which the Warriors quickly introduced their second-round picks to the ways of the NBA, general manager Mike Dunleavy is ready to alter the script.
“We’ll get him through summer league and see how things go and see what happens next year,” Dunleavy told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday. “But we like him as a long-term project in terms of the things we look for and what we value.”
Don’t expect to see Jones starting at forward two weeks into his rookie season, as second-round pick Will Richard did last season. There is very little likelihood that Jones will make his NBA debut in the starting lineup, as second-rounder Quinten Post did the year before, or appear in 68 games, as second-rounder Trayce Jackson-Davis did in the 2023-24 NBA season.
Jones’ road to the NBA has been bumpier than those of Richard, Post and Jackson-Davis. Jones began his collegiate career at Tarleton State (Texas) University, spent a year at Barton Community College, then a year at St. Bonaventure before transferring to Florida State for his senior season.
“There’s an underlying dryness, that sense of humor that he has that we appreciate,” Dunleavy said. “But he’s a kid that’s all about basketball. He’s pretty focused on the game, on getting better. He’s had a unique path, too, at multiple different schools. But we’re comfortable with him.”
It’s not that the GM is closing the door on Jones contributing as a rookie. With Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody both projected to miss at least the first half of the 2026-27 season, the Warriors currently have an acute shortage of wings.
Jones, who turned 22 last month, is 6-foot-7, 220 pounds with elite athleticism, decent shooting range, a willingness to attack the rim and a defensive mentality. His first opportunity to make his case for NBA-readiness will come next week during the California Classic Summer League at Chase Center.
Part of that comfort comes from Golden State’s familiarity with Jones’ coach at Florida State, Luke Loucks, who spent five years on the Warriors’ staff under coach Steve Kerr, beginning as an intern and eventually being elevated to assistant coach before leaving in 2021.
Between Loucks and former NBA journalist Adrian Wojnarowski – the general manager of men’s basketball at St. Bonaventure – there was plenty of intelligence available to Dunleavy and his lieutenants in the front office.
“Anytime we can do a background with people that we know and trust, it’s important,” Dunleavy said. “He was even at St. Bonaventure’s with Woj, who we have a comfort level with covering the NBA; he knows the NBA. Luke especially, too, being on our coaching staff, knowing what Coach Kerr and our group look for, we felt very comfortable with not only the player that he could be and fit in with us but the personality, too.”
The general belief among the Warriors is that Jones’ defensive development is ahead of his offense – but that his superior athleticism would stand out on their relatively unathletic roster.
Ukrainian will give up three world heavyweight titles
‘I’m not leaving the sport … I still have my last dance’
The world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has announced he will relinquish his title belts. The Ukrainian currently holds the WBC, WBA and IBF versions.
The unbeaten 39-year-old insists he is not retiring but says the “well-considered” decision will “open new opportunities”.
The Colorado Avalanche have announced they have re-signed Brent Burns to a one-year deal worth $850 thousand. Still, he can earn just over $2 million in performance bonuses, and Brett Kulak to a five-year deal worth $22.50 million with a $4.5 million AAV. Both contracts come with no trade protection.
Brett Kulak, five years x $4.5M AAV Brent Burns, one year, base salary is $850k but can earn just over $2M more in performance bonuses. Great to have Burns back for another year! https://t.co/Ceecg90PdB
After being acquired by the Avalanche from the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he had one goal and six assists for seven points, he finished with three assists in 27 regular-season games with the Avalanche. While the production was lower than his time with the Penguins, the playoffs were where he really shone. In 13 games, he had one goal and five assists, with that one goal coming against the Minnesota Wild in Game 5 as the game-winner.
Despite the offensive numbers, Kulak's game is all about what he does on the defensive side of the ice, and it really showed. Paired with Sam Malinski, Kulak delivered a quality defensive pairing that showed great offensive play from Malinski and allowed him to show off his skills while having a reliable defensive structure with Kulak in case of any mistakes, something Malinski has struggled with at times when paired with other defensemen.
Playing just over 19 minutes a game last season, there were times when they needed him more to hold onto leads and help kill penalties on the penalty kill, where there were games where he played less because they were behind, so they ran Malinski and Makar more for the offensive push.
Burns joined last offseason and finished with 12 goals and 23 assists for 35 points. In the playoffs, he finished with four assists in 13 games. For what was, at the time, a relatively small signing, often seen as a 6-7 man in the defensive pairings, Burns at times showed his importance to the team.
Though at times his age did show, especially on the defensive end, where he would either be beaten by a faster player or make a defensive mistake, compared with his AAV and production, there were often bigger faults than the ones he made.
Entering his 23rd NHL season, he would tie for ninth place in most seasons played in league history, joining players like longtime teammate Patrick Marleau, Ron Francis, and Al MacInnis.
With this move, the Avalanche now round out their defense with the same players as last season and have $5.6 million in cap space to either spend in free agency or make a trade. With the 2026 NHL Entry Draft tonight, we shall see if the Avalanche make any other moves with the draft capital and cap space they have.
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 20: A close up of the diamond 2K Summer League ball and championship rings after the game during the 2025 NBA Summer League Championship game on July 20, 2025 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Sixers fans will now know the first time they’ll be able to watch No. 22 overall pick Labaron Philon Jr. play his first NBA minutes. The league announced the dates, matchups and times for this year’s Summer League. The post sent out by the league is a big jumbled mess of all the games, but thankfully Adam Aaronson of PhillyVoice.com has posted just the Sixers matchups.
2026 Summer League schedule for the Sixers in Las Vegas (they are skipping Salt Lake City this year):
It will start later this year with three less games because, as Aaronson points out, the Sixers will not be participating in the Salt Lake City Summer League. The Sixers had played in Utah over the summer for the last decade, but this year they’ll wait for Las Vegas like the rest of the league.
That game against the Pistons on the 9th will take place at 5:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on Amazon Prime Video. On the 11th they’ll take on the Pacers, also at 5:30 and on Prime. The 14th against Houston will also be on Prime at 4 p.m. ET. The 15th against the Magic will be also be at 4 but will be broadcasted on ESPNU, because all the games on one network would just be too easy.
Now it’s just time to see who else will be joining Philon on the Summer League roster. Recent second-round picks like Johni Broome and potentially even Adem Bona could see another year of reps. The Sixers have yet to announce any signings of undrafted free agents, but according to his alma mater, Bowling Green, Javonte Campbell has received an invite. Campbell was a four-year college player and reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
𝙅𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙡: 𝙉𝘽𝘼 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙇𝙚𝙖𝙜𝙪𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙
Congratulations to MAC Defensive Player of the Year Javontae Campbell on signing with the @sixers for the NBA Summer League!
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 24: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers during game three of the Eastern Conference first round playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on April 24, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Celtics defeated the 76ers 108-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons are either one of the most aggressive teams in the NBA right now or they simply have so many options in how to reshape their team that rival agents and execs are dropping their name everywhere.
The latest bit of news/speculation/rumor-mongering involves the team’s chase for a second star to put alongside Cade Cunningham. The latest name to enter the fray — Jaylen Brown.
That news comes as reporting has trickled out of Boston that the Celtics might be aggressive in trying to relocate a potentially disgruntled star, and news out of Detroit that Detroit and big man Jalen Duren are at an impasse on sealing a new long-term deal.
In the past few days, Detroit has been linked to Kawhi Leonard. The team’s interest in Leonard dates back many months, but it has never been clear whether Leonard or his incumbent team was interested in relocating.
The idea picked up steam after some NBA insiders mentioned it during the NBA Draft broadcast on ESPN, but as early as the rumor lived, it shall die. Marc Stein and Jake Fischer write on Substack that Leonard has made it clear that he would have no interest in signing an extension if traded to Detroit, and the clarity of that message has made it clear to Detroit’s brass that they should move on.
The Pistons were also interested in Austin Reeves (agreed to new deal with the Lakers) and Coby White (agreed to new deal with the Hornets). The two report that Detroit remains interested in Tyler Herro, who Milwaukee is willing to move after obtaining him in the Giannis trade. They are also reportedly eyeing impending Heat free agent Norm Powell.
Earlier Friday, it was reported that the Pistons traded for Oklahoma City Thunder sharpshooter Isaiah Joe in exchange for two second-round picks. That move effectively makes the long arc of Detroit’s transactions look like this:
Pistons send:
Jaden Ivey and Isaiah Stewart, Pick 28 (Joshua Jefferson)
Anyway, with the addition of Joe, it is unclear if Detroit still feels a pressing need to add a player of the caliber of Norm Powell or even Tyler Herro. Stein and Fischer say interest remains.
Back to Brown.
Brown would be a huge addition to the Pistons, comparable to Leonard. He would also be quite expensive. The conversation surely starts with Jalen Duren in a sign-and-trade deal and continues on to include players like Duncan Robinson, probably Ron Holland as a defensive addition and young prospect, and one or two future first-round picks.
Is that palatable when it would also mean paying the $180 million over the ages 30-32 seasons for Brown? Your mileage may vary. And that doesn’t even take into full account the fact that Brown’s displeasure in Boston may begin and end with it not being his team. Would he be any more of “the guy” when trading Jayson Tatum for Cade Cunningham?
I would speculate that Cunningham would be much more apt to distribute to Brown than to make sure he’s leading the team in shots, but there is no confusion — this is and will be Cade Cunningham’s team.
It might all be moot as it should be noted that other reports with other sources are telling an entirely different story. Chris Haynes reports that the Pistons “are conveying that Jalen Duren will not be moved and are solely focused on coming to terms on an agreement to keep their All-Star center, league sources tell me.”
It looks like the battle lines are being drawn by both sides as the negotiations reach the 11th hour.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 15: Tyler Nickel #5 of the Vanderbilt Commodores warms up prior to the 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game at Bridgestone Arena on March 15, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As we patiently wait to know more about Jose Alvarado’s decision, it looks like Mitchell Robinson we’ll be gone within a week.
Sad day in this crib.
On the bright side of things, here are a bunch of quotes from and about the two newest Knickerbockers.
Vanderbilt’s Tyler Nickel on the hardest question he’s gotten during team interviews:
“Three people I would want to have dinner with, dead or alive.”
On the toughest pre-draft question an NBA team asked him:
“Somebody asked me, three people I would want to have dinner with, dead or alive, and that was tough; I didn’t expect that one. I think I ended up saying Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr., and LeBron.”
On being drafted by the Knicks:
“I feel crazy right now, just working my whole life to be in this position and obviously ultimately being drafted, it’s a dream. I feel like I’m in a dream right now.”
On going from Rockingham County to New York:
“It doesn’t even sound real. It doesn’t even sound like it would happen. It’s been a minute since it happened to anybody even in the area.”
On his mentality:
“[I’m] just fearless. Like, extremely fearless. It doesn’t matter who’s on the court, what’s going on, I’m never going to fear another man that walks this earth ever in any regard.”
On his confidence:
“Where I kind of like grew up, dude, if you didn’t believe in yourself to get to a certain level, it wasn’t gonna happen. You kind of have to have almost, to other people, a delusional sense of confidence. I trust myself so much just because of my work.”
On being himself:
“I’m never going to apologize for being myself or stop being myself just because people assume certain things or feel a type of way about it. People are going to feel some type of way about you regardless of what you do. So you might as well just be yourself in the process.”
“We are talking about a 19-year-old guy, but his mind and body aren’t those of a 19-year-old. This is the first thing that got my attention.”
Alan Ibrahimagic (Germany U19 Coach)
On Jack Kayil’s unselfishness:
“Sometimes he’s a little bit too unselfish: he always tries to find another teammate before looking at himself. He could be a much better scorer than he is right now. But with that said, he’s one of the best two-way guards in Germany.”
WHSV @jarvisharen: "If I'd have told you someone from Rockingham County's gonna be playing in New York City"
“He’s not taking his talent for granted, and he’s not just thinking that everything will fall in his place. He’s really working for everything he has, and that will take him a long way.”
On Kayil’s development as a point guard:
“He needs to get into the point guard mindset of running the team, controlling the next play, thinking always one step ahead: getting the ball to the ones who need it and getting others to the right spots, reading the game earlier and better.”
“‘You guys think this was all you and we’re not good enough’ … We’ve been hearing that all year and for our whole lives” — Landry Shamet on how the entire Knicks group has been written off at one point or another 🚨 NEW YM3 WITH SHAMET + JOHN TURTURRO DROPS TOMORROW 🚨 pic.twitter.com/625SpOKWC1
— TheOldManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) June 25, 2026
Fran Fraschilla
On trusting the Knicks’ scouting department:
“I trust the Knicks — they have a great scouting department. They hit on guys like this. … Let’s put it this way, I’ll say this — Walt Perrin and Brock Aller, they know what they’re doing. It’s not a given that either of these guys is gonna be a home run, but I would trust their judgment given their recent track record.”
On Jack Kayil:
“He’s a big, strong but young point guard who gained a lot of experience in a relatively high-level European league. It’s to his credit that he just led his Alba Berlin to an unexpected championship. That’s in his favor. Skillwise, he’s still a work in progress, but his athleticism and toughness give him a chance someday soon to be an NBA player. I’m guessing that the Knicks think he needs a little bit more seasoning. I would be surprised if he was on the roster, but he wouldn’t embarrass himself. But he’s not ready to be a contributor on an NBA championship team.”
On Kayil’s long-term outlook:
“He’s improving. He’s headed toward being an NBA player. I don’t know that he’s there yet, but he certainly made a big step this year, winning a championship. He was a focal point as a 20-year-old on a team with men, grown-ups.”
On Kayil’s strengths and weaknesses:
“He’s a point guard. He’s a creative playmaker who has the ability to create his own shot, but his shooting needs to improve. Having said that, he takes a lot of tough shots, because his team gets low in the shot clock. His shooting definitely needs to improve for him to be viable at some point in the future. I’m sure he’ll work on it.”
On Tyler Nickel:
“I like his size, his toughness and his shooting. He’s got the toughness to be an NBA player, and he certainly shoots it well. And I think that’s why they drafted him. He’s not a skinny, 170-pound kid. He’s well put together, very experienced, been to three schools, and was really a good player this year in the SEC. He’s got a quick release, deep range, and he’s fearless. The toughness and the fearlessness, off the bat, give him a chance to make an NBA roster.”
On Nickel’s NBA translation:
“He’s got a quick release and he is fearless. Fearlessly tough with it. He has amnesia after every shot — make or miss. …. Right off the bat, his outside shooting is very translatable. I would say lateral quickness, defensively, in the best league in the world will be his primary adjustment. But if you watch YouTube, you’ll see some sneaky athletic dunks.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: AJ Dybantsa poses on the red carpet prior to Round One of the 2026 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Washington Wizards now know when fans will get their first look at No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa.
The NBA released the 2026 Summer League schedule on Friday, with Washington set to play four games in Las Vegas beginning July 9. The Wizards will face the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers as Dybantsa makes his pre-season NBA debut.
Washington opens Summer League against the Utah Jazz on July 9 in one of the event’s marquee matchups.
The game will feature the top two selections in the 2026 NBA Draft, as Dybantsa squares off against No. 2 overall pick Darryn Petersen for the first time since both entered the league. The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 20.2 points per game as a freshman at Kansas this past season while shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc.
The Wizards will then face the Brooklyn Nets on July 12, where Dybantsa could match up against former Louisville standout and No. 6 overall draft pick Mikel Brown Jr., another highly touted member of the 2026 rookie class. Brown Jr. missed 14 total games with the Cardinals as a freshman due to lingering lower back pain, but averaged 18.2 points per game when healthy.
Washington returns to the court two days later against the Chicago Bulls on July 14. The Bulls are expected to feature former North Carolina forward, and No. 3 overall draft pick, Caleb Wilson, giving Dybantsa another opportunity to test himself against one of the draft’s top prospects. Wilson is another draft pick returning from injury, after two hand/finger fractures ended his rookie campaign with Carolina before post-season play.
The Wizards wrap up their scheduled Summer League slate on July 15 against the Los Angeles Clippers, who added former Illinois guard and No. 5 overall draft pick Keaton Wagler in this year’s draft. Wagler led the Fighting Illini to the 2026 Final Four in Indianapolis this past March.
While Summer League results are secondary, the event provides an important first glimpse at Washington’s future.
After selecting Dybantsa with the No. 1 overall pick, the Wizards have made the 19-year-old the centerpiece of their rebuild alongside Trae Young, who signed a four-year extension earlier this week.
Summer League will offer the first chance to see how Dybantsa’s size, athleticism and shot creation translate against NBA competition, while also giving the Wizards an opportunity to evaluate the rest of their young roster.
Congratulations to Brett Kulak. The former Edmonton Oilers defenseman just signed a five-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche, reportedly worth $4.5 million per season.
The ex Oiler was moved as part of the trade to acquire Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was ultimately flipped by the Penugins to the Avalanche this past season.
Kulak will go down as one of the big blunders last season by Edmonton. He was essentially a throw-in on a trade that saw Edmonton and Pittsburgh swap goaltenders. Stuart Skinner went to the Penguins (along with Kulak), and Jarry came back. Part of the issue wasn't just that the Jarry trade hasn't worked out well for the Oilers, but that Kulak was overlooked.
He was an essential part of two playoff runs for Edmonton and was a depth guy who could play a bigger role if required. He had speed, hockey smarts, and wasn't afraid to chip in offensively. The Oilers badly missed him last season as they struggled and lost out in the first round to the Anaheim Ducks.
The Avalanche have recognized what they have. Given that he's 32 years old, it is a bit of risk to give him five years, but the cap hit is friendly.
With the deal, the Avalanche keep Kulak from testing the free agency market. They also locked up veteran Brent Burns to a new one-year deal.
The Toronto Maple Leafs traded away the rights to goaltender Samuel Ersson to the Ottawa Senators on Friday, in exchange for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick.
Toronto acquired Ersson in the trade with the Philadelphia Flyers earlier in the month. They also received defenseman Emil Andrae and a 2026 third-round pick while sending away defenseman Simon Benoit and goaltender Joseph Woll.
In the end, it seemed unlikely that Maple Leafs GM John Chayka was going to qualify Ersson. The Swedish goaltender is coming off the worst season of his young career, posting a .870 save percentage and a 3.12 goals-against average in 33 games last year.
With no intention of keeping the 26-year-old Ersson, Toronto recouped an asset that they had lost in a separate deal, in a sense.
Though the 2027 fifth-round pick they received from Ottawa isn't from the same draft, the value of that fifth-round pick returns to the Leafs organization and faces zero consequences with this move in the meantime.
The Maple Leafs now have three goaltenders in their main system, with Anthony Stolarz assuming the starting role, while 24-year-olds Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov are next in line for NHL jobs.
Freeing up a goaltending spot may either allow the young netminders to come through and prove themselves in the NHL, or something else could be brewing in terms of bringing in another veteran goaltender to play alongside Stolarz for the Leafs.
See more of The Hockey News on Google — Save us as Preferred Source
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Three wickets on debut from Ireland’s Matt Hollard
Ireland defeated India for the first time in men’s international cricket with an unexpected 34-run victory over the world T20 champions at Stormont.
Ireland recovered from 51 for four to post 182 for nine, before an attack inspired by debutants Matt Hollard and Jai Moondra left India all out for 148 with seven balls remaining. This was the tourists’ first defeat since winning a second successive T20 World Cup in March.
The Chicago Blackhawks no longer hold a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. They traded the 4th overall pick to the Buffalo Sabres earlier in the week as part of a deal to acquire Bowen Byram.
That doesn't make the first round irrelevant for them, however, as there are still plenty of reasons to stay locked in. For one, there has to be knowledge about where other top prospects are going around the league.
Also, Kyle Davidson has traded into the first round every single year that he's been the GM of the Blackhawks.
The opening round will take place on Friday night. The rest of the draft will be on Saturday morning into the afternoon.
Over the course of the event, which takes place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, the Blackhawks have picks 34, 37, 66, 119, 194, and 200. Despite not being first-rounders, these are all lottery tickets that could turn into regular NHL players with good development. With a little bit of luck, they could be more than just regular NHL players.
More Trades
There are plenty of trade conversations taking place around the league. The Chicago Blackhawks, according to multiple reports, have a seat at the table for a lot of these players on the market, including Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson.
Over the course of the entire draft, these trade possibilities are ones to monitor. If the Blackhawks are serious about continuing to build a winning team, making bold moves is a must.
How To Watch
For people in the United States, the 1st round can be seen on ESPN and ESPN+. It begins on Friday at 6:00 PM CT. Rounds 2-7 can be seen on NHL Network or ESPN+, beginning at 11 AM CT. In Canada, Round 1 is on Sportsnet while the rest is on Sportsnet+.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
Are the Warriors one move away from giving Steph Curry one last NBA championship run?
Kendrick Perkins thinks the answer is yes — and he has a very specific move in mind.
The former NBA champion and ESPN analyst made his case on Friday’s episode of First Take, urging Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. to pursue Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown before Curry’s window closes.
Perkins pointed out that five of the NBA’s 25 oldest players currently reside on Golden State’s roster — a “senior citizen group,” in his words — and argued that the Warriors need to respond the same way they did after blowing a 3-1 lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016, when then-GM Bob Myers aggressively pursued and landed Kevin Durant.
“You go out, you make a move, it may not be the perfect piece, but you add Jaylen Brown to this roster,” Perkins said. “We don’t know when Jimmy Butler is going to come back, and when he does, we don’t know what he’s going to look like. That’s why you go get a young 29-year-old Jaylen Brown, who is playing at his highest level right now.”
Perkins was equally blunt about the Warriors’ current supporting cast. He acknowledged Draymond Green can still be an elite defender, but questioned whether Butler — returning from a significant knee injury — still is capable of being the second star this team needs alongside Curry.
“Jimmy Butler — I don’t know if he’s still that dude at this stage of his career,” Perkins said. “If I’m Mike Dunleavy, if I’m [owner] Joe Lacob, I’m definitely picking up the phone and calling Brad Stevens and saying, ‘What the hell do I need to do to get Jaylen Brown over here?’ Because also you get Jaylen Brown for now and the near future, after Steph Curry.”
The idea is provocative for a reason. Boston is not rebuilding; the Celtics were the 2023-24 NBA champions, with Brown locked into a supermax deal through the 2028-29 season. Any package that would move him almost certainly would require a significant haul of first-round picks, and Golden State’s draft capital is not exactly overflowing after years of contention-mode roster building.
But Perkins’ underlying point is hard to dismiss. The Warriors are running out of time, Curry is running out of prime years and the current supporting cast has done little to inspire confidence that Golden State can compete for a title as currently constructed.
Whether Dunleavy Jr. agrees is another question entirely. The call, according to Perkins, is long overdue.
NHL Mock Draft: Flyers Projected to Make Massive Choice... LiterallyThe Philadelphia Flyers select the 2026 NHL Draft's most aggressive defender in the latest expert mock draft.
