The FBI has arrested and charged two men, one of whom posed as a San Francisco 49ers player, for scamming at least 26 women out of more than $1.3 million. The alleged scam took place across four states – California, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
Daejon Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were arrested by federal authorities on Aug. 24 at the Boise Airport in Boise, Idaho, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY Sports. Love has been charged with wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The documents allege the duo has engaged in the scheme since Feb. 2022.
Love posed as a 49ers player while courting victims, primarily meeting middle-class women in their 20s and 30s through online through dating platforms like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Facebook Dating. He claimed to be a wide receiver for the team, as well as a wealthy real estate developer and investor from Switzerland.
Chan played the role of Love's financial advisor.
"Love convinced many of his victims that they were in sincere romantic relationships with him and that he was financially savvy and successful to gain their trust," an affidavit obtained by USA TODAY Sports read. "Love advertised nonexistent investments, which Love claimed would generate massive returns, to his victims.
"Victims sent Love and his co-conspirator, Taylor Jamie Chan, money believing they would invest the money in legitimate investments on the victims’ behalf. Some victims also loaned Love large amounts of money believing Love would easily pay the money back."
Fraud plot included posing in San Francisco 49ers gears
Love kept up that persona on social media, posting pictures of himself in 49ers gear and even wearing the team's helmet. He claimed to sign with the Niners because they "offered me the most money" and "they in hunt of winning the Super Bowl every season."
Love also claimed to attend all home games, practices and team meetings with the 49ers in addition to receiving his signing bonus.
In an effort to show some evidence of his investing prowess, Love posted fake screenshots of his bank account balance to show over $30 million in his account.
"In at least one instance, Love falsely claimed that since he began investing with Chan, Love increased his net worth from $300,000 to $17 million in a matter of a few years," the affidavit read.
For those that didn't have money to invest, the alleged fraudsters assisted their victims in taking out personal loans. Once they ran out of money or began asking too many questions, Love would cut them off and keep the money.
Investigators allege that Love used various names during the scheme including: Jon Love, Daejon Love, Avril Lyto Love, and Jordan Love.
After interviewing representatives from the 49ers and the NFL, investigators were able to confirm that Love was never employed by the team or the league.
In a press release Monday, Brooklyn’s G League affiliate unveiled its full 50-game season for 2026-27.
Long Island starts its season on Friday, November. 6 against the Greensboro Swarm, and plays two more games on the road before its home opener on Friday, November 13 against the College Park Skyhawks.
The official schedule also confirms that LI will head back to Canada for the third straight season, as Vice President of Business Operations Morgan Taylor first told us exclusively.
Long Island will play a total of four “home” games at Place Bell in Laval, Quebec. Their first slate will be against cross-country rivals, the Raptors 905 on Janiary. 8 and 9 before returning in March against the Noblesville Boom, the Pacers affiliate, on March 4 and 7.
The Nets have played to sellout crowds in the Montreal suburb six times in the past two years. Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment is unabashed about building a fanbase in French-speaking Canada and Long Island’s new head coach, Shawn Swords is a French-speaking Canadian.
So far, Long Island has filled few roster spots for the season. Their training camp opens at the end of October. Brooklyn has so far filled two of three two-way packages with forwards Chaney Johnson and Tyler Bilodeau, the UCLA product they took with the 43rd pick.
They also signed Nick Pringle, a 6’9” Arkansas forward-center to an Exibit 10 deal, meaning he too will be spending time in Uniondale. In addition, there was a report overnight in Chinese media that Grant Nelson, who played for Brooklyn and Long Island last year, has agreed to a training camp contract but there is no commitment beyond that to the 24-year-old 7-footer who’s been troubled by patellar tendonitis aka shooter’s knee. Attempts at confirming the report with the Nets failed.
Long Island also took Tidjiane Dioumassi, a 6’4” shooting guard in the G League’s international draft earlier this month.
Overall, the Nets will play 20 of their 24 home games at Nassau Coliseum, with the remaining 24 on the road, including two contests at the annual NBA G League Winter Showcase in Orlando during early December.
Once again, Long Island will have multiple season-long promotions. Headlining the promotions is “Nets Value Nights” every Monday, Wednesday and Friday home game, which accounts for 10 of the team’s 20 games at the Coliseum and features $5 concession specials.
Furthermore, students can also purchase $10 tickets in Section 19 of the Coliseum through the team’s Student Section program, which is available to all college students and fans with a valid .edu email address.
The full 2026-27 schedule can be found at longislandnets.com. Tickets for all Long Island Nets home games at Nassau Coliseum are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.
In its press release, the organization notes more information about ticket memberships and group experiences, contact info@longislandnets.com, call 934.948.2546, or visit longislandnets.com.
The Indiana Fever look to complete the season sweep of the Connecticut Sun when the teams meet for the third and final time of 2026 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, Aug. 28.
Connecticut’s “Sunset Season” has been one to forget, and Caitlin Clark will take full advantage of the visiting team’s poor defense as the Fever win in blowout fashion.
Read on in my free WNBA picks & Sun vs. Fever predictions to see why I’m taking Clark and Co. to cover a massive spread and why I’m climbing the ladder on a plus-money combo line for the superstar guard.
Sun vs Fever prediction
Sun vs Fever best bet: Caitlin Clark to Record a Double-Double +121
Caitlin Clark has been more productive at Gainbridge Fieldhouse than any other location this season, averaging 23.9 points, 9.1 assists and 3.6 rebounds at home compared to 20.4 points, 7.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds on the road.
Clark has 12 double-doubles, reaching that milestone in eight of 17 home games but just four of 18 road games.
Clark’s 31 double-doubles are the 9th-most in the WNBA since she joined the league in 2024.
I price this one at +110, making it a profitable value at +121.
COVERS INTEL:Improved production at home isn’t a new trend for Clark. She’s recorded a double-double in 35.2% of her 88 career games, reaching that mark in 42% of home games but just 27.9% of road games.
Sun vs Fever same-game parlay
This is a monster spread, but the team disparity warrants it. The Indiana Fever lead the league with 96.6 ppg, while the Connecticut Sun are dead last at 78.8. Connecticut is 3-8 ATS as a double-digit dog, and the Fever won the last meeting 123-88 at home. Play to 19.5.
Indiana sports the league’s best Offensive Rating at home (116.9), and Connecticut’s 10th-ranked defense will have a tough time getting stops. Blowouts offer a clear Under risk, but the Fever’s offense is so potent that it can propel this line to 179+ points. Play to 179.5.
The odds are long here for a great reason — triple-doubles are hard to come by in the WNBA. Only eight players in league history have recorded multiple, and only four players have recorded 4+.
Clark is a member of the elite second group, and she ranks third all time with four triple-doubles. She reached that mark in only 88 games, becoming the fastest player in history to do so.
Clark is a strong bet to record a double-double with points and assists, but rebounds will be the deciding factor. Over the last two games, Connecticut has surrendered the third-most boards to opposing guards, and with Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Aliyah Boston banged up, more opportunities will be available on the glass.
Returning home after five games on the road and jockeying for playoff position, I expect Clark to be at her best, so I’ll take a shot on this lottery-ticket prop.
Zak Hanshew's 2026 Transparency Record
Best bet:31-36, -7.91 units
SGP:7-60, -23 units
Player prop:17-24, -9.05 units
Sun vs Fever odds
Spread: Sun +17.5 | Fever -17.5
Moneyline: Sun +1100 | Fever -2100
Over/Under: Over 178.5 | Under 178.5
Sun vs Fever trend
Indiana has won and covered in both matchups with Connecticut this season. Find more WNBA betting trends.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Brandon Staley is heading into his second season as the Saints' defensive coordinator, but his previous experience as an NFL head coach has him thinking about what a second chance in that spot might look like.
Staley earned a reputation for being ultra-aggressive while going 19-15 in his first two seasons as the head coach of the Chargers, but the weight of some of those decisions misfiring and a blown 27-point lead against the Jaguars in the playoffs put him on the hot seat when the 2023 season started badly. The Chargers wound up firing him after Week 15 and Staley spent the 2024 season with the 49ers before joining Kellen Moore in New Orleans.
Staley said "as tough and impossible as it was at the end" of his time with the Chargers, he feels he has to use them the right way to grow as a coach. He shared what he thinks he would do differently if given another opportunity to run a team.
“I would have a lot more poise and composure in terms of knowing when to push and when to pull,” Staley said, via Jeff Howe of TheAthletic.com. “I was trying to push it, and I was trying to get us there as fast as we could. When you have more experience, you know when to do both of those things. You just have a better feel and understanding, and that’s in all aspects of being a leader. That’s why the next time, I just have so much more experience now — I didn’t have any back then. I could have done a better job. I know for a fact I would do a better job just with more turns at it, living through more — little decisions and big decisions.”
There's high hopes for the Saints heading into this season thanks to a strong finish to last year after handing the offensive reins to quarterback Tyler Shough. If Staley's defense can help push the team even further this fall, he could get a chance to expand on his new coaching philosophies with teams looking for a new head coach.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 26: Jake Cronenworth #9 of the San Diego Padres is tagged out at the home by Rafael Flores Jr. #43 of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at Petco Park on August 26, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The San Diego Padres desperately needed a win to get back their momentum. After sweeping the Minnesota Twins, they were on the verge of being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates thanks to an uncharacteristically quiet offense. That offense returned just enough to edge out the Buccos and stave off the sweep.
What was more impressive was the pitching staff’s ability to navigate themselves out of some difficult jams. After starter Randy Vásquez pitched three perfect innings, he ran into trouble in the fourth, loading the bases on a single and two walks. With two outs, Vásquez struck out Nick Gonzales to end the trouble.
Then, in the sixth, Kyle Hart allowed the first two batters to reach before inducing a lineout from Bryan Reynolds. In almost any other world, Reynolds’ lineout would have been a hit. Instead, Jake Cronenworth dove and caught the ball, keeping the Pirates off the board. Hart got the final two outs to end the inning.
In the seventh, Griffin Canning walked the first batter and hit the next before striking out Rafael Flores Jr. Yuki Matsui took over and gave up a single to load the bases. He struck out the next two batters. In the eighth, Bradgley Rodriguez gave up back-to-back singles before striking out the next two batters and ending the inning on a forceout.
All in all, Pittsburgh went a ridiculous 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position, but got blanked by the Friars. It was an incredible performance that (though quite long to regale here) deserves a full explanation in order to appreciate it.
Taking the mound
Shane McClanahan (TB) v. Casey Mize (SD)
McClanahan has stormed back into the league after his Tommy John surgery in 2023. When he was rehabbing his way back, he suffered a freak nerve injury that kept him out for the 2025 season as well. That pushed his return to this year, and he has been fabulous. McClanahan has been a major part of the Tampa Bay Rays’ stellar starting rotation.
The lefty has surged back, with a 3.10 ERA and 1.12 WHIP across 107 1/3 innings. It’s not otherworldly numbers, but for a guy who hasn’t pitched in two calendar years, it’s a fantastic comeback story. McClanahan has been even better lately, with a 2.67 ERA in his last seven starts. Hopefully the Friars will be able to turn their offense around and string some hits together.
Mize is expected to make his scheduled start after twisting his ankle on the dugout steps during his last outing. That forced him to exit his start early, but everyone in the organization felt confident that it wouldn’t affect him too much. That remains to be seen, but it seems like San Diego dodged a bullet on that front.
The righty has been fantastic this season, splitting time between the Detroit Tigers and the Padres. Since being traded to the Friars, Mize has looked electric. He’s one of the most consistent staters in the game and has looked just as good in the brown and gold. All eyes will be on Mize as he pitches his first outing since his ankle injury.
Batter up!
The lineup has been quiet lately, scoring just six runs against the Pirates after scoring 21 versus the Twins. They’ll need to regain their previous form in order to best Tampa Bay, who has been one of the best teams in baseball this season. Their rotation is lethal, and could easily sweep San Diego if the Padres aren’t careful.
Fernando Tatis Jr., RF
Jake Cronenworth, 2B
Manny Machado, DH
Ty France, 1B
Jackson Merrill, CF
Luis Campusano, C
Luis Rengifo, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Dustin Harris, LF
After a tough stretch. Merrill won the Friars the game on Wednesday afternoon. The center fielder went 2-for-3 with a double, a triple and a walk. It was a resurgent performance it what has been a two-faced second half for the Padres’ young star. San Diego will need this version of Merrill in order to get where they want to go.
Relief corps
With the off day on Thursday, the Padres should have everybody available to pitch in the series opener against Tampa Bay. That said, they used plenty of arms in the series finale against Pittsburgh, so some will be used ahead of others. Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, David Morgan and Wandy Peralta will be readily available to pitch once Mize departs.
Morgan was just called up to San Diego on Wednesday to replace Jeremiah Estrada on the roster. Estrada was sent to the injured list for the third time this season as he continues to struggle through the year. Morgan hasn’t looked great in Triple-A (5.79 ERA, 18.2 IP), but he was fantastic in his most recent stretch with the team, authoring a 2.08 ERA in his last seven big-league appearances.
Jalon Daniels will start tonight’s preseason finale against Jacksonville and will play the first half and possibly into the third quarter, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The Bucs are giving the undrafted rookie from Kansas a chance to win the backup job to Baker Mayfield.
Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak will follow Daniels tonight.
Daniels rallied the Bucs to come-from-behind wins against the Jets and Chiefs the past two weeks, and in two weeks, he is 19-of-20 for 182 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also has rushed for a score.
Daniels took the majority of reps during the Bucs' seven-on-seven period after Mayfield today, per Stroud.
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Spencer Rattler #2 of the New Orleans Saints throws during joint practice against the Dallas Cowboys at River Ridge Playing Fields on August 18, 2026 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New Orleans Saints face the Dallas Cowboys in the final game of the 2026 NFL Preseason. This game is Kellen Moore’s final chance to evaluate talent to round out the 2026 roster, so don’t expect any starters to play any type of significant time. The certified starters, who have their roster spots locked up, will likely not see any time on the field today as the Saints should be expected to protect their stars for the regular season opener on September 13th.
The Saints will need to use today’s game to decide who will ultimately round out the Week One roster as the regular season is finally upon us. Here’s to a safe game for both teams, and here’s to the end of another Saints preseason.
Here are your links to follow all of today’s preseason action:
Game time:
Friday, August 28th – 5:00pm PST / 7:00pm CST / 8:00pm EST
Location:
AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas
Weather Forecast:
80º – Clear (Retractable roof likely to be closed)
After a long off-season, Vancouver Canucks hockey is almost back. Vancouver will kick off its 2026 training camp in a few weeks, once again hosted in Penticton. This year's event will take place from September 17-20 and will include the annual blue vs. white scrimmage.
Fans who want to attend training camp can buy tickets at
ValleyFirstTix.com. As per the Canucks press release, "tickets for Thursday, Friday and Sunday practices will be $10.00. Fans can purchase tickets for Super Saturday's scrimmage for $20.00. A select number of Full Training Camp Packages, featuring tickets to all four days through the event, will also be available for $30.00."
Vancouver's training camp will take place at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Doors are scheduled to open every day at 9:00 am PT. As per the press release, there will also be "a Q & A with select members of the team's leadership group."
Apr 14, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; The Vancouver Canucks celebrate their victory against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
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It is Day 16 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff. We are looking back at the 100 most iconic games in Dallas Cowboys history. The countdown will leads us right up to the opening game of 2026. Our look back doesn’t depend on just one criteria for our rankings. We take into consideration things like how big the game was for the organization, how memorable the game was, games that had unusual events take place, games that are a part of NFL lore, Cowboys firsts, and games where the Cowboys just plain dominated. Variety is the spice of life and we have all different kind of Cowboys games to review. At the bottom, we’ll link each day of the countdown so you can go back and check out any you missed.
Strap in for Day 16 of our 100-day countdown to kickoff, when we revisit the afternoon the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty first began to feel possible. Dallas went into Soldier Field with a young roster, a backup quarterback and no playoff victory since the 1982 season. But Jimmy Johnson’s team delivered the postseason breakthrough that opened the door to everything that followed.
Sunday, December 29, 1991 — 12:30 p.m. ET
Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois
Final Score: Dallas Cowboys 17, Chicago Bears 13
The Cowboys, having finished 11-5, returned to the playoffs for the first time since 1985. However, Troy Aikman was still recovering from a knee injury, leaving Steve Beuerlein to start against an experienced Chicago team that had also gone 11-5. Despite the Bears producing more yardage throughout the afternoon, Dallas protected the football, created takeaways, and repeatedly stood firm near their own goal line.
Bill Bates helped create the opening points by forcing Jim Harbaugh to fumble on Chicago’s first possession. Defensive end Tony Hill recovered near midfield, and Ken Willis eventually converted a 27-yard field goal to give Dallas a 3-0 lead.
Special teams then presented another opportunity. Darrick Brownlow blocked a Bears’ punt, and Ken Norton Jr. recovered at the Chicago 10-yard line. Four plays later, Emmitt Smith scored from one yard out, extending the Cowboys’ advantage to 10-0 during the first quarter.
Chicago moved the ball effectively, but struggled to convert drives. During the second quarter, they reached the Dallas two-yard line, but Jack Del Rio and Tony Tolbert stopped consecutive rushing attempts, forcing a turnover on downs. Chicago later returned to the two-yard line but settled for Kevin Butler’s 19-yard field goal just before halftime, leaving Dallas ahead 10-3.
Butler added a 43-yard field goal during the third quarter to reduce the margin to four. Dallas answered with its most important offensive possession of the game, travelling 75 yards in 14 plays. Beuerlein kept the drive alive with two 22-yard completions to Michael Irvin before finding Jay Novacek for a three-yard touchdown on third-and-goal. The methodical response restored a 17-6 lead.
The Bears continued their relentless pressure in the fourth quarter. Another drive reached the Dallas seven, but Harbaugh’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete. However, Chicago eventually scored when Harbaugh connected with Tom Waddle for a six-yard touchdown, cutting the score to 17-13. This gave the Bears one final opportunity to secure the victory.
Mike Saxon’s 52-yard punt pinned Chicago at its own four-yard line with 1:50 remaining. Three plays later, Bates intercepted Harbaugh at the Bears’ 16, allowing Dallas to run out the clock. The veteran who connected the Landry era to Johnson’s rebuilding project had made the first and final defensive plays that shaped the victory.
This game belongs on the countdown because it was the moment Dallas’ young core gained postseason credibility. The Cowboys lost heavily at Detroit in the Divisional Round the following week, but the victory in Chicago proved the rebuilding process had reached a new stage.
In the final part of this series, we’ll take a look at the very best of what the Anaheim Ducks prospect pool has to offer. This list features four players drafted in the first round of the last three NHL Entry Drafts, as well as the 2025-26 CHL Player of the Year.
These five players are not only expected to complement the Ducks’ current young core, which includes stars like Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke, and Jackson LaCombe, but also to add to and stabilize it as the Ducks lean into their hopefully long competitive window.
These players all have top-of-the-lineup NHL potential, and if any number of them reach it, the Ducks will be in a position of luxury moving forward in their build.
Author’s Note: To qualify for this list, players must be rookie-eligible in 2026-27. Unfortunately, that disqualifies Tristan Luneau from this particular exercise.
In reverse order, let’s dive into the Anaheim Ducks’ top five prospects heading into the 2026-27 season:
5. Maxim Masse, 20, University of Massachusetts (NCAA)
RW, 6-foot-3, 198 pounds, 66th overall in 2024
Masse ended his junior career on an impressive note, leading the QMJHL in scoring with 102 points (51-51=102) in 63 regular season games and adding 24 (6-18=24) in 20 playoff games as his Chicoutimi Sagueneens won the QMJHL Championship. He was only able to add a goal in four Memorial Cup games, but he was the QMJHL Most Valuable Player and CHL Player of the Year for his performance in 2025-26.
Masse isn’t necessarily a playmaker or driver, but his off-puck skills are what will likely carry him as a college player next season and a professional in the future. He’s an effective straight-line skater and is an adept forechecker, affording him a versatile skill set. He possesses one of the better releases in the Ducks pipeline, and he finds his way to soft ice consistently to get it off.
Masse was able to manufacture more puck touches in his final junior season and will look to build on that in his first NCAA season at UMass. To thrive at the next level, he’ll need to round out his cycle game, but his knowledge of angles, lanes, and pressure raises his ceiling to that of a top-six forward.
NHL Arrival Prediction: 2027-28
4. Marcus Nordmark, 18, Djurgardens IF (SHL)
LW, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, 28th in ’26
Nordmark is the epitome of “boom or bust” and was one of the most talented forwards in the 2026 Draft, based on pure skill. The Ducks even traded a fourth-round pick to the Vegas Golden Knights to move up a single spot in the first round to draft him. He was highly productive at the J20 level in Sweden during his draft year and signed his ELC with the Ducks this summer, but it’s likely he’ll head back to play in the SHL this autumn.
Nordmark’s defining features include some of the most important attributes a scoring winger in the NHL can possess: quick, heavy release, vision, and hockey sense. His deficiencies include consistency, skating, and willingness to physically engage. If he’s not in a scoring role, he’s unlikely to succeed in the NHL. However, if the Ducks can refine his motor and tenacity, they’ll have a bona fide star on their hands. These are the kinds of gambles teams are asked to take by their fanbases in the late first round and into the middle rounds of the draft. He’ll either become a Kyle Connor-type offensive juggernaut or an Arthur Kaliyev-type inconsistent, one-dimensional player. There appears to be no in-between, but it was a good bet for the Ducks to make at that point in the draft, given the well-rounded nature of their current pipeline and young core.
NHL Arrival Prediction: 2028-29
3. Stian Solberg, 20, San Diego Gulls (AHL)
LHD, 6-foot-2, 207 pounds, 23rd in ’24
Playing for the Gulls in the AHL in 2025-26 was Solberg’s third straight season with a different team after he was drafted in 2024 from Valerenga of his native Norway’s top professional league and spent most of 2024-25 with Farjestad BK in the SHL. In his rookie AHL season, he notched 24 points (12-12=24) in 71 games and accumulated a substantial 102 PIMs.
Operating like a young, modern-day Jacob Trouba, Solberg’s signature trait is his physicality; he thrives in the tough areas of the ice while manufacturing a surprising number of goals by activating along the blueline and downhill into the high slot. He’s incredibly difficult to play against, and he forces opponents to earn inside ice in the defensive zone. He can fend off a forecheck and ignite a breakout with a crisp, accurate first pass, but he’ll need to iron out his gap control and angling to thrive as a shutdown defender at the NHL level. He’s currently firmly No. 4 on the Ducks organizational depth chart on the left side of their blueline, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s the first call-up among defensemen should Anaheim be in need.
NHL Arrival Prediction: 2026-27
2. Nikita Klepov, 18, Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
RW, 6-foot, 180 pounds, 15th in ’26
Significant pressure was placed on Klepov’s shoulders when, after he was selected with a pick acquired in exchange for Mason McTavish, general manager Pat Verbeek stated that had he been unavailable at 15th overall, the Ducks would not have made the trade.
Klepov was the OHL’s leading scorer in 2025-26, notching 97 points (37-90=97) in 67 games and adding five (1-4=5) in four playoff games. He was involved in a surprising turn of events following Ducks development camp, as he was originally committed to attend Michigan State University for the 2026-27 season to kick off his collegiate career, but the Ducks decided to ink him to his three-year ELC, rendering him ineligible for NCAA hockey. Now the options for the Ducks this season are to either keep him in the NHL or send him back to Saginaw to resume his junior career.
The Ducks also have the option to utilize the “Shane Wright Plan,” where he spends the first portion of the season in the NHL, perhaps joins the Gulls on a conditioning stint, plays in the World Junior Championship, and finishes the year in the OHL. Where he plays will ultimately be determined by how he arrives at and performs in Ducks rookie and training camps.
Klepov has an NHL-ready brain, motor, and skill set. He’s a cycle quarterback, always with the puck on his stick, working low in the zone, moving to the top of the circles, across the blueline, and initiating give-and-gos as a true offensive tactician. He consistently wins pucks back in the offensive zone and along the walls, but will need to increase his strength and add to his frame to carry that to the NHL level.
Klepov’s ceiling is that of a top-line, highly productive player who could see NHL minutes as early as Oct. 2.
Ducks director of amateur scouting and assistant general manager Martin Madden once said of Beckett Sennecke (before his rookie season) that he was one good summer of strength training away from becoming a full-time NHL player. Pat Verbeek said of Klepov that he could be on a fast track to the NHL. If the same logic applies and Klepov arrives at camp after a good summer of adding strength, there’s a real possibility he’s on the Ducks’ opening night roster. The team will certainly need a boost after a summer where they were unable to add significantly to their group, and with top-six forward Troy Terry expected to miss the first 2-3 months of the season.
NHL Arrival Prediction: Opening Night 2026-27
1. Roger McQueen, 19, San Diego Gulls (AHL)
C, 6-foot-5, 197 pounds, 10th in ’25
Of the Ducks prospects who haven’t “graduated” to the NHL, McQueen was selected the highest (10th overall) and had the talent to go top-five in the 2025 draft were it not for a back injury that cost him the majority of his draft year. It’s clear who the top two prospects in the Ducks system are, and it’s a coin flip on any given day who holds the title at the top. The reason McQueen edges out Klepov in this particular exercise is the premium position McQueen plays (center) vs. Klepov on the wing.
McQueen signed an ATO with the San Diego Gulls to finish his 2025-26 campaign, where he played his freshman season at Providence University and scored 27 points (11-26=27) in 36 games. The production wasn’t necessarily impressive, but given that he was coming off a significant injury, with significant development time lost, and played in a pro-style program in the NCAA, where he still finished third on his team in points (two points behind the leader), one would be hard-pressed to label his season as anything but a success.
Talent-wise, McQueen has it all. He’s long, powerful, has elite puck skills, a quick, heavy release, covers a lot of ice with his stride, and has the brain to make plays at high speeds or in tight spaces. Providence elevated his details and habits to the point where there wasn’t much of an adjustment period to the AHL when he made the jump to San Diego.
Like with the vast majority of prospects, adding strength will be necessary to play the style he’ll project to play at the NHL level, which is that of a player hard to defend due to his protection skills, IQ, and change-of-pace ability. In the flow of a game, he could stand to be stronger on his edges to drive more power through his lower half, as well as move his feet more consistently with the puck on his stick, dictating play to a higher degree.
Though Verbeek has mentioned his preference to give McQueen a long runway, if he proves to progress quickly in rookie camp, training camp, and/or the start of the season, he could fill an important, immediate need on the Ducks’ depth chart with Terry injured and the team’s previously relied-on secondary scoring (Chris Kreider, Alex Killorn, Frank Vatrano) either due for another subtraction or facing potential regression caused by advanced age.
The Buffalo Sabres could go a number of different ways as the NHL is in the midst of trade season following the NHL Draft and the opening of free agency on July 1. With the departure of winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram, GM Jarmo Kekalainen is expected to seek out offensive reinforcements to make up for the 44 goals lost by their departures.
We are continuing to look at potential options for the Sabres, now that veteran Patrick Kane has returned with Chicago. Some of the possibilities are not going to match Tuch’s stats, but any additions could provide some relief to the pressure that youngsters Konsta Helenius, Jiri Kulich, or Noah Ostlund will be under to make up the deficit.
Kekalainen ideally is looking for someone who could make up as much of the 60-to-70 point production that he lost with Tuch, or someone who can fill the leadership gap and/or add some snarl and sandpaper to the middle-six, with the trade of Jordan Greenway to Chicago.
Where will Connor Hellebuyck end up?
Forward Rickard Rakell, similar to teammate Bryan Rust, was expected to be a trade commodity last season, but the Pittsburgh Penguins unexpected run to the playoffs nixed that plan. This season, many are expecting the Pens to compete for the playoffs again, but with veterans Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Erik Karlsson another year older, GM Kyle Dubas could become a seller closer to the trade deadline if Pittsburgh falls behind in the playoff race.
Rakell was acquired as a deadline addition in 2022 from Anaheim, and except for a subpar season in 2023-24, has scored 20 or more goals each season in the Steel City. After scoring a career-high 35 goals in 2025, the 33-year-old Swede notched 48 points (24 goals, 24 assists) in just 60 games.
As with Rust, Rakell is an enticing option for Kekalainen since he would not be a rental (with two years left at $5 million AAV entering the season), but unlike his teammate, he has an eight-team no-trade clause for the rest of his contract. Dubas would likely be looking for young prospects in a trade since the Penguins are attempting to reset while keeping their aging veterans.
Buffalo has enough in their prospect pipeline to acquire Rakell, but his availability likely would not be until the All-Star break, when it is firmly ascertained whether the Pens are in the playoff mix or not.
Give team president Tim Connelly and the brain trust in Minnesota credit: They realized that the road they had gone down, a road that took them to consecutive Western Conference Finals, had reached a dead end. They made a U-turn and reshaped the roster this summer. Dramatically.
The Timberwolves that take the court in October will be radically overhauled in style and key personnel from just a season ago. Check out this likely starting five:
LaMelo Ball. Anthony Edwards. Jonathan Kuminga. Jaden McDaniels. Rudy Gobert.
It's a roster a lot of fans — not just in Minnesota — are excited about. LaMelo Ball next to an MVP-level two guard in Edwards could be dynamic. Fans believe in the potential of Jonathan Kuminga — and so do the Timberwolves, who struggled to slow him in a 2025 playoff series against the Warriors. Rudy Gobert is still a defensive force in the paint.
But are the Timberwolves really improved? Or just different?
Questions Minnesota must answer
That high-profile starting five comes with a lot of questions:
• Ball and Kuminga are immensely talented, and both have frustrated coaches and teammates in previous stops by not playing within the system and doing too much on their own.
• Kuminga took less money this season with a shorter deal so he could get back on the free agent market as soon as next season and get the payday he feels he deserves (which was not out there for him this summer). The Timberwolves need his athleticism at the four, but they also need him to play within the team system. Will he do that, or at times try to put up numbers at the expense of what is best for winning?
• LaMelo Ball is untested in the playoffs. In the play-in games last season, he scored 30 against Miami and hit the game-winner in overtime, but could/should have been ejected for taking Bam Adebayo's leg out, knocking him to the ground and out of the game. In the next play-in game, a loss to Orlando, Ball scored 23 points but on 7-of-17 shooting, had five assists and three turnovers, and was -9 (by far the best +/- of all the Hornet starters).
• With Gobert and Kuminga (and some questions about McDaniels' consistency), is there enough shooting?
• Ball is a defensive target for other teams. While he is surrounded by other quality defenders (and they can hide him some), can he step up more on that end?
• Edwards, Ball and Kuminga are all guys who prefer to operate with the ball in their hands, breaking guys down, then scoring or setting up the assist. At any moment, two of them have to play off the ball.
Overall, this is a Minnesota team that went from being huge, physical, and relying on defense, with hopefully just enough offense, to a much more dynamic offensive team but without the same depth and at least some questions about fit and defense.
Fans are excited about this team, but after talking to people in league circles over the past couple of months, there is plenty of skepticism. There is doubt Minnesota really improved after last season's 49 wins and second-round exit.
In the West, the Thunder and Spurs are the proven powerhouses we know will be elite. Then comes a group of four teams with a lot of potential but also a lot of questions: The Timberwolves, the Lakers, the Rockets and the Nuggets. Teams that are going to be good, but just how good? Can one of them break out and join the upper tier?
If the pieces fit...
Connelly and the Timberwolves front office gambled big on all those changes, but saw it as a bet worth making because more of the same wasn't going to work (and could have led to an increasingly frustrated Edwards, who is extension-eligible next summer).
Sometimes big bets pay off.
An Edwards and Ball backcourt has the potential to be one of the best in the league, a high-octane offensive engine that drives a lot of wins. Kuminga may thrive as an athletic four in the role Chris Finch and the Timberwolves lay out for him. Defense and shooting may be questions we wondered why we asked about in the first place.
If Connelly's bet pays off, if all the puzzle pieces fit together, this is at worst the third-best team in the West and one that is a threat to the existing powers in Oklahoma City and San Antonio. A return to the Western Conference Finals for the third time in four years would absolutely be on the table (and maybe more).
But there are a lot of questions to answer before we get to that point, and don't be surprised if this team stumbles out of the gate a little as everyone tries to settle into their roles.
Ultimately, the fans may be right — this team is going to produce highlights and should rack up a lot of wins. But are they contenders? Did they improve? Color me and a lot of people skeptical.
Either way, there may be no more must-watch team in the league this season than Minnesota.
The Dolphins have been mired in mediocrity in recent years.
But with a new General Manager in Jon-Eric Sullivan and a new head coach in Jeff Hafley, the team’s path back to prominence may be a long one.
Hafley admitted as much in an interview with Stephen A. Smith that was released this week.
“Success is not gonna be measured in wins and losses this year — and I know nobody wants to hear that,” Hafley said, via Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. “I want to see where we end and how far we can take this thing, and how much we develop these players ... Success for me is gonna be we go on that field and we play so hard that even you turn it on and say, 'man those guys are flying around.'
"I just think this year's so much about developing who we are as a football team, finding the right guys and by the end of the year saying, ‘We've got something real powerful moving forward.’”
The personnel moves the Dolphins have made over the course of the offseason signal that building the club is going to be a process. But getting some Ws along the way will make a difference, showing that Miami is moving in the right direction.
Sean McVay is looking to score with the Rams 2026 opening roster (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In the final stages of building out their 2026 roster, the Los Angeles Rams took time out to knock off their roommates, the L.A. Chargers, 20-18 in the preseason finale. In perfect Hollywood fashion, the game and roster build was shrouded in mystery, a last-minute plot twist, and a touch of drama.
For the Rams newcomers, this roster was gong to be tough to make, there were just a few positions in play. General Manager Les Snead has filled the coffers with players that fit into Head coach Sean McVay’s exacting protocols. The Rams coaching staff has put together a mentally/physically tough squad that plays hard to the whistle.
Here’s my final roster reset, an opening 53 projection (players in bold), a 17-man practice squad (PS), and individual snap counts (in parentheses) from the Rams/Chargers game.
Quarterback (3)
Matthew Stafford, Ty Simpson (48), Stetson Bennett
No changes, the only debate is the “official’ naming of QB#2. Simpson looked decisive and sharp on the short throws and it was cool to see Matthew Caldwell (26) get some play time. McVay doesn’t usually give his QB#4 camp arms that much action.
TRENDING: Ty Simpson’s BEST PASSES from his first preseason in the NFL.
All of the roster battle debate went out the window before kickoff with the trade of Jarquez Hunter. The Rams do not usually give up on draft picks, unless their just not a fit. I’m going with Dean Conners (38) over Jordan Watwers (36) for a PS berth.
Wide receiver (6)
Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, Tutu Atwell
Welcome home, Tutu. “You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.”
His addition almost assures that both CJ Daniels (34) and Brennan Presley (53) are the odd men out. Both are likely destined for the PS. I thought Presley was outstanding throughout the preseason slate, the best of the L.A. receivers. Tyler Scott (42) showed flashes over the preseason, but as is in his past, not near enough to justify a roster spot. Goodbye to Tru Edwards (38) and Alex Bachman (32).
Tight end (5)
Colby Parkinson, Terrance Ferguson, Tyler Higbee, Davis Allen, Max Klare (41)
No surprises, most fans would agree that this was always going to be the lineup. Mark Redman (24) to the PS for sure and the Rams initial monetary investment in Dan Villari (20) gets him there as well. Rohan Jones (12) only received a handful mop-up offensive reps over three games.
Offensive line (10)
Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon, Beaux Limmer, David Quessenberry, Justin Dedich, Keagan Trost, Dylan McMahon
Throwing in Dylan McMahon as the surprise 10th offensive lineman, he really played solidly in the first two games and got the night off in the finale. RG Austin Blaske, C Wyatt Bowles, LT AJ Arcuri, and RT Bryce Henderson all played every snap, 74. Bill Murray (30) was the fifth starter. In the first two drives, against most of the Chargers first teamer’s, they had their hands full, but over a body of work, all handled themselves quite well. Blake Hance stepped in for Murray.
Tough battle for the PS. As much as I liked Wyatt Bowles effort and C/G versatility, the combination of AJ Arcuri, Austin Blaske and Bill Murray offers the Rams comprehensive versatility insurance.
Special teams (3)
Ethan Evans, Harrison Mevis, Joe Cardona
No need to worry about the specialists, all three are solid. Again, double-teaming the gunner’s on punt returns, could really open things up. Upgrade onkick coverage? Well, fans will believe it when they see it.
Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Poona Ford, Tyler Davis, Ty Hamilton
The defensive interior, as a whole, has not played well in preseason. Bill Norton (30) has led the way, he’s tough to move, but doesn’t get much push. Tim Keenan (24) needs plenty of seasoning. Larrell Murchison (26) looks to be near the end. Although Payton Zdroik (27) and Jaxson Moi (27) both looked to have improved over three games, neither are ready to contend with higher grade competition.
The biggest recipient of the defensive line’s ho-hum play will be Bailey. I think the Rams will want to protect him, he strikes me as the only player at the bottom of the roster that would not clear waivers. Darryl Peterson (42) improved incrementally over his three outings and wins a PS role. Latecomers Tomon Fox (45) and Devean Deal (23) were always here as camp bodies.
Darryl Peterson has been going crazy… someone to look at during final cuts 👀 possibly a practice squad player. pic.twitter.com/964EkMKBFQ
Nate Landman, Omar Speights, Shaun Dolac, Grant Stuard
Another position where the end result was never in doubt. Nikhai Hill-Green (49) got in a lot of work over three games and while not outstanding, showed enough for a PS berth. Elias Neal (21) is cut from the same cloth, a good guy to have on the practice squad. Monty Rice (26) was added just for preseason games.
Safety (5)
Kamren Curl, Quentin Lake, Kamren Kinchens, Jaylen McCollough, Nick Andersen (8)
I’m going to stay with Andersen (8) making the 53. He appears to be from the Rams toughness/effort/IQ mold and played generally well. Nate Valcarcel (42) doesn’t justify a opening roster bid, but is a good prospect for the PS. Alex Cook (49) could challenge for the PS, but doesn’t have as much growth potential. Coaches love Tanner Ingle (29) for his hustle and work ethic, but he still struggles to take good angles.
The Rams got Cam Lampkin (36) plenty of work both outside and in the slot, but I’m not sure his preseason play was enough to crack the billet. AZ Hamilton (44) had some flashes and will get development work on the practice squad. Didn’t see enough consistency from Alex Johnson (17) over three games, but he could sneak onto the PS. Nyzier Fourqurean (39) is in the same boat. Steven Gilmore (10) mopped up.
Practice squad (17)
RB Dean Conners
WR Brennan Presley
WR CJ Daniels
TE Mark Redman
TE Dan Villari
OL Austin Blaske
OL Bill Murray
OL AJ Arcuri
DL Tim Keenan
DL Bill Norton
E Darryl Peterson
LB Nikhai Hill-Green
LB Elias Neal
S Nate Valcarcel
CB Cam Lampkin
CB AZ Hamilton
P Jack Bouwmeester (Exchange)
The AD effect and final roster thoughts
If the Rams do come to terms and activate Aaron Donald by Monday, I would guess that edge Wesley Bailey becomes the odd man out. Bailey does strike me as the likely most sought after of the Rams final cuts and could therefore be snapped up, but 9 of 10 Rams fans would prefer Donald back in horns over a youngster who still needs a lot of development work.
The opening roster may be in line for a couple of tweaks before the opener with the 49ers, depending on a few outcomes. Fans are still in the dark about about possible suspensions to Alaric Jackson and Puka Nacua, while the severity of Keagan Trust’s hamstring also needs adjudication. And of course, the Rams Pro Personnel Department will be scouring the waiver wire and practice squads, when set, for any possible poach candidates the braintrust favors.
Tell the forum about your opening roster thoughts!
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The New England Patriots officially traded wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans this week, receiving safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028th seventh-round draft pick in return.
Boutte’s departure comes after a long offseason full of speculation over his future.
The 24-year old requested a trade this past spring as he enters a contract year and was set to see both his playing time and production dip after the Patriots upgraded their wide receiver depth chart with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. Mike Vrabel even revealed Boutte would have been inactive during the season, barring injuries.
As New England’s wide receiver room remained deep even beyond Brown and Doubs, the decision was made to move off of Boutte, who never eclipsed the 600-yard mark, to add depth elsewhere on the roster and open up more opportunities for players like Kyle Williams.
But for a Patriots team that remains Super Bowl hopeful — where they currently are tied with the fifth-highest odds on FanDuel Sportsbook to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this season — many believed the team should have kept the pass catcher, who has strong chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye.
That is why in the results of the latest SB Nation Reacts survey, 30% of participants voted the trade as a neutral C.
Much of comment section agreed, largely do to what was viewed as a minimal return:
SlotMachinePlayer
The grade for this draft depends on two things:
Brown staying healthy, since Boutte was the guy most likely to fill that role if he’s hurt.
Reed turning into a useful depth player; something Boutte was.
The draft pick was meh. Could have likely gotten a higher comp pick if Boutte went elsewhere at the end of the year. Looking like a D right now, since safety wasn’t a position of need, and Reed didn’t play much.
PatriotPapa
C. Should have gotten a much higher draft pick beyond the 1-for-1 player trade. Patriots had Houston needing to make the trade having just lost Jayden Higgins with torn ACL. Getting much needed help in run defense was a solid move, but a higher draft pick IN 2027 should have been demanded.
For Pats Sake
F- Patriots got fleeced. Should have been for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2027 3rd or 4th Round Pick. Instead we got a freaking 2028 7th and a player that has not been as productive as Boutte.
Sportsbozo52
I think they got what they wanted. A viable player and a 28 draft choice. Boutte will do well in Texas. May he continue to grow! I am a fan of his and will remain a fan of his, just not when he plays the Patriots. I don’t know much about Jaylin Reed, let’s hope he sticks with the Patriots and can be a contributor for the upcoming season.
new_phal3123
I think C+ in the sense that it’s just right down the middle. It’s the reality of the market for that type of WR. I think Boutte is a valuable player but in his role with 1 year left, there’s just not a huge market. The plus comes from getting an immediate contributor rather than just a future day 3 pick.
Todger
Thirty two teams could be looking for a replacement WR, due to a season ending injury, within one week of the season start
All in all, this week’s survey results look as follows:
Some were in favor of the trade, as 5% of voters graded the move as an A with 24% giving the deal a B. That may have to do with the potential of Jaylen Reed taking on a larger defensive role in New England and becoming the third safety the team was looking for to pair with Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson.
Most fans were on the opposite end of the spectrum, however, as 16% of voters grading the trade as a F with another 25% awarding it a D.
COVERS INTEL:
