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Canadiens’ Hutson Excels In Puck Possession

While Montreal Canadiens' blueliner Lane Hutson had a slow start to the season amidst the contract negotiation talk, once the matter was sorted, his play noticeably picked up, and he’s now on pace for an 82-point season. In 42 games, the 5-foot-9 rearguard has a plus-13 rating, and in his last five games, he’s gathered seven points. Three of his previous four games were multi-point efforts, and it’s easy to understand what Kent Hughes meant when he said he didn’t expect Hutson to be so good, so fast, in his mid-season review.

Much of the reason for Hutson’s success is just how good he is at puck possession. Despite his small frame, when he has the puck, it’s hard to take it away from him, as evidenced by his puck possession numbers. On Tuesday, Meghan Chayka published a telling Stathletes table highlighting NHL leaders in the percentage of time on ice with the puck, and the 21-year-old comes in second place.

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Newly minted Minnesota Wild blueliner Quinn Hughes comes in first at 14.52%, while Hutson gets second place with 12.40%. New York Islanders star rookie Matthew Schaefer is third at 11.95%, which is quite impressive given how limited his NHL experience is.

Hutson’s dominant puck-possession numbers are hardly surprising, given how often we’ve heard coach Martin St-Louis say the defenseman wants to be the guy, wants to have the puck when a big play is needed. The ease with which he can escape opponents is also part of the reason why he spends so much time with the puck on his stick.

His mobility and creativity make him unpredictable for his opponents, and sometimes even for his teammates, who cannot believe the plays he pulls off, a clear sign of his high hockey IQ. This is part of the reason he can link up so well with Ivan Demidov, who also has that same kind of instinct for the game.

When the Canadiens have a 5-on-3 power play, and they try to go without Hutson, using Noah Dobson instead, the man-advantage is too static and predictable. Dobson has a rocket of a shot, but he’s not as creative a passer as Hutson, and it shows.

At such a young age, it’s impressive to see just how patient Hutson can be with the puck; he doesn’t rush his plays. He either waits for the perfect opportunity or creates it from scratch, but he’s not a Hail Mary kind of guy. He might have taken more risks when he came into the NHL, but he’s become much more calculated and better at both reading and managing the game.

Whatever the mission, Hutson can do it. At even strength, on the power play or on the penalty kill, he’s always ready to report for duty. St-Louis may try to avoid using him on the PK, but when Mike Matheson had to miss some time, Hutson showed he could do it all.

The eight-year contract he signed with the team has a cap hit of $8,850,000, and the more he plays, the clearer it becomes that it’s a team-friendly deal. Over the next eight years, the youngster will be worth every single cent of those $70.8 million. While he wasn’t named to the Team USA roster last week, it’s only logical to think that he will be one day, even if it’s not for Milan.

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Winnipeg Given Second-Best Odds To Land First Overall Pick in Latest Model

The Winnipeg Jets are enduring a season to forget as they sit with the league’s worst record at 15-21-5, and Tuesday night offered another painful reminder of how quickly things have unraveled. Winnipeg appeared poised to snap its skid after a late goal from Kyle Connor gave the Jets the lead, but the Vegas Golden Knights responded with a late Reilly Smith tally to force overtime before winning the game on a point shot.

The loss extended Winnipeg’s winless streak to ten games, and the frustration continues to mount. With each passing week, it is becoming increasingly clear that this season may be better served as a reset rather than a rescue mission. The focus is shifting toward evaluating prospects, assessing long term pieces on the roster, and beginning the groundwork for a retool aimed at next season and beyond.

That outlook is echoed by a new prediction model from online hockey analytics site MoneyPuck, which outlines each team’s chances of reaching the postseason and advancing through it or in Winnipeg’s case, the odds of landing the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. MoneyPuck is well known for its in depth statistical analysis, tracking metrics such as expected goals, goaltending results in high danger situations, individual line combinations, and team statistics like even strength goal differential above expected.

The model estimates each team’s probability of winning a game using historical NHL data and three primary factors. Those include how often a team wins, the quality and quantity of scoring chances it creates and allows, and the strength of its goaltending. Contextual adjustments are made for shooting talent, recent performance without over weighting it, home ice advantage, rest, and goalie usage. Expected goals based simulations are then used to account for luck and uncertainty. Over time, the model has proven accurate by correctly identifying game winners roughly 60 to 64 per cent of the time.

According to MoneyPuck, the Jets currently have just an 8.4 per cent chance of making the playoffs, the second lowest odds in the league behind the Vancouver Canucks. Winnipeg’s chances of advancing in the postseason fall well below one percent, with the model projecting the Jets to finish the season with roughly 79.6 points.

That projection places Winnipeg near the bottom of the league standings, a difficult reality in the present but one that could offer hope for the future. This year’s draft class is viewed as one of the strongest in recent memory. MoneyPuck gives the Canucks the highest odds to land the first overall pick at 11.6 per cent, with the Jets close behind at 11.1 per cent.

Two of the top prospects expected to go in the top three of the upcoming NHL Draft are Canadian forward Gavin McKenna and Swedish forward Ivar Stenberg. Landing either player would provide the Jets with an immediate impact option who could help elevate the offense as early as next season. When paired with a more extensive look at current prospects in the system over the remainder of this season, Winnipeg could enter the offseason with greater clarity about its core and its needs.

If the model proves accurate, the outlook is troubling in the short term but promising in the long run. Jets fans could be watching the early stages of a reset that positions the franchise for sustained success. With a potential top draft pick and the ability to target scoring help in free agency, players like Nick Schmaltz or Alex Tuch could help accelerate a fast turnaround.

After making the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons but capturing only four playoff round wins, Winnipeg may finally be forced to take a step back in order to move forward. While this season continues to test patience, it could ultimately lay the foundation for a brighter and more competitive future.

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Takeaways from the Ducks 5-2 Loss to the Flyers

The day after suffering a 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals, the Anaheim Ducks traveled to take on the Philadelphia Flyers in South Philly, a game that wasn’t short of storylines.

The Ducks entered play, hoping to snap a six-game winless streak and having only won two of their prior 12. It was to be Cutter Gauthier’s third game facing the team that drafted him and the second in the hostile environment that’s been created for him in Philadelphia since the trade in Jan. 2024 that sent him to Anaheim.

Ducks-Flyers More Than Just a Regular Season Matchup

Takeaways from the Ducks 7-4 Loss to the Capitals

This was to be Trevor Zegras’ and Ryan Poehling’s first game against their former clubs after they were traded for each other in June 2025.

The Ducks made a couple of transactions before puck drop, as they recalled goaltender Ville Husso from the San Diego Gulls of the AHL following an injury to backup Petr Mrazek, and placed forward Nikita Nesterenko on waivers.

The Ducks started this game with an 11/7 lineup, with Ryan Strome serving as the lone healthy scratch in this game. Here’s how they lined up to start:

Kreider-Carlsson-Terry

Gauthier-McTavish-Sennecke

Harkins-Granlund-Killorn

Johnston-Poehling

Zellweger-Trouba

LaCombe-Gudas

Mintyukov-Moore

Helleson

Lukas Dostal got the start in net for the Ducks. He had stopped all three shots he faced on Monday after entering in relief for the injured Mrazek. In this game, he stopped 34 of 38.

Dostal was opposed by fellow Czech Olympian Dan Vladar in Philadelphia’s net, who stopped 16 of 18 shots.

Game Notes

Anaheim started the game with 11 forwards, but that number fell to ten early in the second period when Ross Johnston received a five-minute interference penalty and a game misconduct for a collision that sent Flyers’ defenseman Jamie Drysdale out of the game with an injury.

Jansen Harkins only received 5:44 TOI, so the Ducks were effectively nine forwards deep (self-inflicted) for the majority of this game. Ian Moore’s night was also cut short after receiving a hit from Flyers’ forward Garnet Hathaway with 12:09 left in the third period.

Discipline: It seemed clear from the puck drop that Anaheim intended to set a physical tone in this game. What ensued was a parade to the penalty box, as they went down a man eight times in this game. Every opportunity to climb back into this game was thwarted by a trip to the box and postponed by at least two minutes. The most egregious offense was captain Radko Gudas' elbowing penalty with just over four minutes left in the game and down 4-2, which ended any hope of a comeback for his club.

Penalty Kill: Though they had to kill more than they would have liked, the Ducks' penalty kill went 7-8 in this game, one of the very few encouraging signs to emerge. Most of their pressure was focused high in the defensive zone, as Philadelphia elected not to work pucks low and to the front of the net, where the Ducks have struggled the most on the kill this season. Nevertheless, forwards and rotated high defensemen did well to close time and space for the Flyers on the perimeter and worked back through the middle to eliminate cross-ice seams.

Mikael Granlund (8:38), Pavel Mintyukov (8:28), Ryan Poehling (7:38), and Jacob Trouba (7:31) led the way for Anaheim in shorthanded TOI.

Lukas Dostal: One of Dostal’s biggest strengths is his puck-tracking ability, especially on east-west passes and through traffic. However, on Philadelphia’s first two goals, he was late to react and get to the short side post for one-timers from Zegras. Both instances came off the rush and from the middle of the slot to the bottom of the circle, so perhaps he was a bit further out from the goal line than he’d be otherwise.

He rarely allows a goal that trickles through his body, as he’s typically quick to collapse his arms to his torso, but that wasn’t the case on Philadelphia’s fourth goal, one that he was likely disappointed with, coming off Travis Sanheim’s stick at the point. All said, he saved .17 goals above expected, and he kept the Ducks in the game as they killed for 17:49 minutes in this game. If Dostal isn’t elite and the offense doesn’t outscore their problems, the Ducks will continue to struggle finding the win column.

Alex Killorn/Beckett Sennecke: Two more bright spots on what was, overall, a very dark night for the Ducks were Killorn and Sennecke, generating chances and providing the majority of the team’s offensive impact. Sennecke continues to flourish into a complete offensive weapon, as his willingness to get to the hard areas of the ice and his ability to manipulate defenders at full speed off the rush make him a threat to manufacture a chance whenever the puck is on his stick.

Killorn’s details aren’t as flashy as Sennecke’s raw skills. Still, his ability to protect pucks, evade probing sticks, and draw defensive attention creates ample amounts of open ice for his teammates, whom he’s able to find with clever slip passes. He can create his own shot or find soft ice off the puck, where he can present himself as a passing option. He racked up 5:59 TOI on the kill as well in this game, providing a complete 200-foot impact that will likely go unnoticed given the results of the evening.

The Ducks will continue their four-game road trip on Thursday with a trip to face the Stanley Cup-contending Carolina Hurricanes.

Just following puck drop, ESPN released an article reporting that a former Ducks employee filed a lawsuit against the Anaheim Ducks and the NHL, claiming to have faced “sexual harassment, bullying, and discrimination from 2022 to 2025.”

The Ducks, NHL, or OCSE (the Ducks’ ownership group) have yet to release a statement regarding the case.

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Takeaways from the Ducks 5-2 Loss to the Wild

Biggest Questions Facing the Ducks in 2026

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Takeaways: Flyers Put on a Show Against Ducks, Secure Enthralling Win at Home

The Philadelphia Flyers’ first game against the Anaheim Ducks this season was always going to be a spectacle, from the minute the NHL released the official schedule. 

Cutter Gauthier would be back in Philadelphia, facing a sellout-crowd of Flyers fans that still haven't forgiven him for his refusal to suit up for the team that drafted him fifth overall in 2022, leading to the dramatic trade saga with Anaheim that brought defenseman Jamie Drysdale to the Flyers. 

"I don't know Cutter from a hole in the wall": The Flyers Organization Reacts to Gauthier-Drysdale Trade"I don't know Cutter from a hole in the wall": The Flyers Organization Reacts to Gauthier-Drysdale TradeJohn Tortorella and other Flyers' reactions to Cutter Gauthier trade.

It was also Trevor Zegras' first game against his former team, and although he downplayed his excitement during morning skate, he made sure to let Anaheim know that he was doing just fine on the East Coast, and that there was no love lost for the team that, as Zegras put it postgame, "kind of shoved me out the door."

Philadelphia has now won its first meeting of the season series after sweeping Anaheim last year, and another tense and spectacular chapter has been written into the budding story of the Flyers-Ducks rivalry.

1. The Flyers Controlled the Game Territorially, Not Just Emotionally.

There was no shortage of external noise surrounding this matchup, and it showed early. The crowd was loud, consistently so, and the Flyers certainly fed off the energy. Not just fueled by pure adrenaline, however, they played like a team that understood where its advantages were and stayed there.

Anaheim scored first—a goal by Gauthier, naturally—but the response wasn’t frantic. Philadelphia’s forecheck remained layered, with strong second support and little overcommitment below the goal line.

That approach paid off as the game wore on. The Flyers finished with a 38–18 edge in shots, outshooting the Ducks by 21—one of their largest margins this season—and that number reflected sustained offensive-zone time rather than a handful of flurries.

Sean Couturier brushed aside the idea that the emotion of the night, saying postgame, “I don’t know if it really factors into our preparation. It doesn’t matter who we play or what the situation is. We always try to prepare our best and prepare to play the way we want to play.”

2. The Lights Are Never Too Bright for Trevor Zegras.

Cutter Gauthier may have scored first, and for a brief stretch the Ducks had reason to believe they could dictate terms.

Trevor Zegras erased that idea almost immediately.

Zegras scored twice in his first game against Anaheim since being traded in June 2025, giving him four multi-goal games and nine multi-point performances on the season. But the more important part of his night was how little he forced. His reads were clean, his puck touches economical, and his decisions consistently put Anaheim’s defenders on the wrong side of the play.

“Yeah, it was cool,” Zegras said of scoring twice. “It was a tough ending with my time [in Anaheim]. I’ve been thinking about this game for a long time.”

Those goals mattered not only because they were emotional punctuation, but because of when they came. Each arrived as Anaheim was trying to re-establish itself, and each pushed the game back toward a Flyers team that was already carrying most of the play.

Zegras also spoke fondly, as he tends to do, about his fit in Philadelphia.

“This is home for me," he said. "I love being here… I think I found some good chemistry with a couple of guys; me, [Christian Dvorak], and [Travis Konecny] have been playing great together.”

3. The Flyers’ Defense Went Duck Hunting.

If the game ever felt out of reach for the Ducks, it was because their offense never found rhythm. Philadelphia’s defense limited clean entries, closed quickly in the slot, and did an excellent job eliminating second chances.

Rick Tocchet described it in practical terms, saying, “[Anaheim] started to come a little bit, and it was guarded with a good hit or somebody blocked a shot, something to stop them.”

That pushback wasn’t so much about intimidation as it was about sequence-breaking. Anaheim would generate a look, only to see the next play die on a blocked shot or a disrupted pass. Over time, those interruptions add up.

The Flyers’ blue line also contributed offensively. Travis Sanheim scored for the second straight game and now leads Flyers defensemen with 19 points. Cam York added a goal and an assist, giving him three points in his last two games and eight points in nine career games against Anaheim. Philadelphia has now scored two or more goals from defensemen in consecutive games for the first time this season.

4. The Game Crossed a Line—but the Flyers Didn’t.

The most uncomfortable moments of the night had nothing to do with the score. Bobby Brink left the game after taking a heavy hit in the first period and did not return to the game.

Jamie Drysdale’s injury was even more alarming. After being hit from behind by Ross Johnston well away from the puck, Drysdale lay motionless on the ice long enough for a stretcher to be brought out before skating off mostly under his own power.

Trevor Zegras, a close friend of Drysdale’s, was candid afterward.

“It was tough," he admitted. "I didn’t really get to watch it. I don’t know if it was intentional or not. I’m hoping, because I know Ross, that it wasn’t, but it’s scary, man. It’s dangerous. I don’t know there’s a place in the game for that type of stuff, but hopefully Jamie’s alright.”

Rick Tocchet offered only what he knew, which wasn't much: “They’re gonna evaluate. Maybe it’s concussion; I’m not sure. We’ll see tomorrow.”

What mattered in the moment was how Philadelphia responded. There was no unraveling, no prolonged loss of discipline. The Flyers tightened up and continued to play a controlled game. Emotional situations didn’t turn into structural mistakes, which is often where games like this slip away.

5. The Ducks Tried to Disrupt the Flyers. They Failed.

As Anaheim scratched, clawed, and bit on their quest for leverage, the game grew chippier. Garnet Hathaway delivered several heavy hits and fought. Noah Cates dropped the gloves in defense of his longtime linemate after Brink went down in the first. Nikita Grebenkin played with edge late. None of it pulled the Flyers out of position.

Tocchet viewed that balance as essential.

“It’s an emotional game," he said. "A lot of stuff’s happening—a lot of weird, different things. [Garnet Hathaway] had a couple big hits, a fight, and he dragged a lot of people in the fight with us. And [Noah Cates] too, give him a lot of credit for sticking up for his teammate. Grebenkin was feisty at the end, too. That’s what you’ve got to do in your building.”

Philadelphia certainly didn’t avoid the physical side of the game, but also didn’t allow it to redefine the night. The Flyers finished with contributions across the lineup: two assists from Noah Cates, a goal and an assist from Nikita Grebenkin for his second career multi-point game, assists from Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny, and steady play behind them all.

Final Thoughts

What ultimately separated the Flyers was not emotion or momentum, but control.

They dictated the pace for long stretches, defended inside their structure, and forced Anaheim to play a game that required execution rather than chaos. Zegras’ goals mattered greatly, but they were the result of sustained pressure and repeatable offensive habits, not momentary swings.

When the game veered into uncomfortable territory — physical, uneven, and occasionally disjointed — the Flyers didn’t chase it. They stayed organized, kept their shifts short, and waited for the Ducks to give them openings. That restraint, coupled with a team that has each other's backs and that is more comfortable and confident in their playing style than ever, decided the night.

And safe to say, Flyers-Ducks matchups will be, ahem, circled on calendars for many seasons to come.

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Anthony Duclair has hat trick, two assists, Jacob Markstrom struggles as Islanders rout Devils 9-0

NEW YORK — Anthony Duclair recorded a hat trick for the first time in more than six years, Ilya Sorokin stopped all 44 shots he faced in his return from injury and the New York Islanders handed the New Jersey Devils a second consecutive defeat, routing them 9-0 on Tuesday night.

Back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch the past two games, Duclair scored three goals in a row during a stretch from 4:01 into the first period to 3:29 into the second and also had two assists for a five-point game. His fourth hat trick in the NHL was his first since Dec. 14, 2019, four teams ago when he was with the Ottawa Senators.

Sorokin was exceptional, showing no rust in his first game action since Dec. 19 as he became the franchise’s career shutout leader with his 26th. He had been out with what the Islanders called a nagging lower-body injury.

At the other end of the rink, Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom allowed goals on the first two shots he faced — from Mathew Barzal and Duclair — and three on five, finishing with nine on 24. His teammates had little bounce back after losing at home to Carolina on Sunday in a game in which young defenseman Luke Hughes twice put the puck into his own net.

New Jersey has lost six of its past eight games. The Islanders have won two in a row and five of seven to keep pace with the Metropolitan Division-leading Hurricanes.

No. 1 pick and rookie of the year frontrunner Matthew Schaefer has points in four consecutive games. Schaefer, still playing sick after scoring the overtime winner Saturday night while battling the flu, had an assist on Barzal’s goal 62 seconds in.

Simon Holmstrom, Casey Cizikas, Tony DeAngelo and Cal Ritchie also scored for New York.

Up next

Devils: Visit Pittsburgh on Thursday night.

Islanders: Begin a seven-game road trip Thursday night at Nashville.

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Victor Wembanyama returns from knee injury, scores 30 off bench, but sits at end of Spurs loss to Grizzlies

Missing just two games following a hyperextension of his knee, Victor Wembanyama was back on the court Tuesday night and dropped 30, but had to miss the end of a loss to Memphis because of his minutes limit.

Spurs fans — and hoops fans everywhere — held their breath after Wembanyama hyperextended his knee, something that usually results in missing considerable time with bone bruises or ligament damage, such as with Nikola Jokic. But two games later, there was Wemby on the court pregame doing things that have you shaking your head, even in warm-ups.

Wembanyama started the game on the bench but entered the game midway through the first quarter, and from there on put up 30 points with five boards in just 21 minutes of playing time.

That minutes limit came into play in the fourth quarter, when Wembanyama was subbed out with 3:45 remaining and the Spurs up by one. After some back and forth and a couple of buckets from De'Aaron Fox (who was ice cold most of the night), the Grizzlies Cam Spencer scored the final five points of the game to give Memphis the 106-105 victory. Spencer finished the night with 21 points.

Before the game, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson essentially said part of the Spurs' job was to protect the competitive Wembanyama from himself — he wanted to come back earlier, but the team is thinking long term.

"I do know his long-term health and making sure we keep that kid from himself in terms of his competitiveness [is a priority]," Johnson said. "We want him to be healthy for years, not for just trying to win the next couple of games."

Santi Aldama's block of a Fox 15-footer sealed the win, and that snapped the Grizzlies' four-game losing streak.

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Budding Oilers Prospect Joins Draisaitl On Team Germany For 2026 Winter Olympics

Edmonton Oilers prospect Josh Samanski will be joining Leon Draisaitl at the Winter Olympics. The German team announced their roster on Wednesday and on the squad is Samanski, who is currently playing extremely well for the Oilers' AHL team, the Bakersfield Condors. 

Samanski has 5-20-25/+6 in 32 GP for the Condor this season. He is earning a solid reputation for his tireless work ethic and tracking to be an impact NHL player far sooner than scouts expected. He'd been playing a lot with Ike Howard and Quinn Hutson. 

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The team, while not stacked like Team Canada or Team USA, does have a handful of very solid NHLers. Among them are Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators and Moritz Seider of the Detroit Red Wings.  

One fan wrote of Samanski, "Samanski is my favorite prospect this season. What a personality and a great range of skills. Legit 3C potential." Interestingly, the Oilers are looking for a third-line center, and have been for some time. 

This Olympic appearance will be a great showcase for him, and with Draisaitl there and working alongside the young forward, one has to wonder if he'll get an advocate in his corner. 

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New Model Predicts Red Wings Finish Top 3 in Atlantic Division

The Detroit Red Wings are having a season to remember as the franchise celebrates its centennial, marking 100 years of hockey in Detroit. In a season filled with nostalgia and renewed optimism, the Red Wings have also seen tangible progress on the ice, highlighted by the arrival of several top prospects who are beginning to make an impact at the NHL level.

Among the most encouraging developments has been the debut season of Emmitt Finnie and Axel Sandin-Pellikka, both of whom have stepped into professional roles and delivered strong early returns. Their performances have energized a fan base eager to see the next generation help push the team back into contention.

That excitement has been fueled by the standings as Detroit currently holds a 25-15-4 record, good for second place in the Atlantic Division. With that positioning comes the biggest question surrounding the team this season. Can the Red Wings finally end a playoff drought that has stretched close to a decade.

The path, however, is far from clear as the Atlantic Division is tightening as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs continue to heat up. Even the young and improving Montreal Canadiens remain in the mix, making the race for playoff spots one of the most competitive in the league. Every point will matter as the season moves toward its final months.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

To add perspective to the playoff race, online hockey analytics site MoneyPuck has released its latest prediction model outlining each team’s chances of reaching the postseason and advancing beyond it. MoneyPuck is well known for its detailed statistical analysis, tracking underlying numbers such as expected goals, goaltending performance in high danger situations, individual line combinations, and team metrics like even strength goal differential above expected.

The model estimates each team’s probability of winning a game using historical NHL data and three core factors. Those factors include how often a team wins, the quality and quantity of scoring chances it creates and allows, and the strength of its goaltending. The system also adjusts for context such as shooting talent, recent performance without over weighting it, home ice advantage, rest, and goalie usage. Expected goals based simulations are then used to account for luck and uncertainty. Over time, the model has shown accuracy by correctly identifying game winners roughly 60 to 64 percent of the time.

According to MoneyPuck, the Red Wings currently have a 61.4 percent chance of making the playoffs. They are given a 27.3 percent chance to win at least one playoff round, an 11.9 percent chance to reach the Conference Finals, and a 5.2 percent chance to make the Stanley Cup Final. Their odds of winning the Stanley Cup sit at 2.3 percent.

MoneyPuck projects Detroit to finish the season with 95.4 points. The Red Wings have the highest likelihood of reaching the playoffs as either the second or third seed in the Atlantic at a combined 35.7 per cent, while their chances of winning the division stand at 7.7 per cent. They are also given an 18 per cent chance to qualify through one of the wild card spots.

While those numbers may not match the outlook of teams like the Colorado Avalanche, who are given a 100 per cent chance of making the playoffs, they still reflect meaningful progress. In fact, some teams such as the Ottawa Senators hold a higher projected chance of winning the Stanley Cup despite being unlikely to reach the postseason themselves.

For Detroit, the projections are another sign that the team is moving in the right direction. As the centennial season continues and the playoff race tightens, the Red Wings remain firmly in the hunt, giving fans plenty of reason to believe that this historic year could also mark the long awaited return to postseason hockey.

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Four big moves Red Sox must make before 2026 season

Four big moves Red Sox must make before 2026 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The Boston Red Sox have made a handful of noteworthy moves this offseason, but there’s still plenty of work to be done before the 2026 MLB season begins.

There are glaring question marks all over the current roster. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said it himself: the roster remains “incomplete” after the club’s trades for right-hander Sonny Gray and first baseman Willson Contreras.

So, what moves still must be made for Boston to stay competitive in 2026? Here are four big moves the Red Sox must make before Opening Day.

Re-sign Alex Bregman

Bringing Bregman back was reportedly Boston’s top priority heading into the offseason. Yet, the veteran third baseman is still on the market as we begin the new year.

The Red Sox shouldn’t let the Bregman negotiations drag out much longer. His departure would leave a giant question mark at the hot corner and make the Rafael Devers trade look like an even bigger disaster. And outside of fellow free agent Bo Bichette, there aren’t many enticing fallback options if Bregman signs elsewhere.

Bregman, who turns 32 in March, is projected to receive a five- or six-year contract worth somewhere in the $150-$170 million range. The Red Sox have been notoriously reluctant to offer such a deal to position players in their 30s, but they should make an exception, as Bregman was key to the club’s success in 2025.

Sign or trade for a second baseman

The second base position has been a revolving door for the Red Sox in recent years. It’s time to stabilize the position with an upgrade that can help fix the less-than-stellar infield defense.

Boston has been linked to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte in trade rumors, and he’d be a tremendous addition as both a big bat and a solid defender. Unfortunately, it no longer appears that Arizona plans to deal Marte this offseason. So, how should the Red Sox pivot?

There are limited options in free agency. Bichette is expected to move from shortstop to second or third base next season, and he’s undoubtedly the most intriguing option. After him, you’re looking at names like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Luis Arraez, and Willi Castro. Not exactly needle-movers.

If Bichette is off the table, Boston’s best bet is to dip back into the trade market. Perhaps Breslow could land his new second baseman by pulling off yet another deal with his favorite trade partner: the St. Louis Cardinals.

Brendan DonovanUSATSI
Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan would be a perfect fit for Boston, but he’d likely cost multiple talented young pitchers.

After acquiring Gray and Contreras in separate deals with St. Louis, the Red Sox could look to pry utility man Brendan Donovan from old friend Chaim Bloom. Donovan is a solid defender with MLB experience at all four infield spots and both corner outfield spots. The 29-year-old is coming off his first All-Star campaign, in which he slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 homers and 50 RBI.

Katie Woo of The Athletic recently reported that the Red Sox and Cardinals have discussed a Donovan trade, though no deal was close at the time. Boston would likely have to send more talented young arms to St. Louis, such as left-handed pitching prospects Connelly Early or Payton Tolle. If that’s the asking price, it may be too steep for Breslow and Co.

David Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, Ceddanne Rafaela, Nick Sogard, and Marcelo Mayer are among the second base options already on the Red Sox’ roster.

Add a left-handed reliever

Veteran closer Aroldis Chapman is currently the only reliable left-handed relief option on the Red Sox’ 40-man roster. With Brennan Bernardino, Steven Matz, Justin Wilson, and Chris Murphy no longer in the mix, adding a southpaw or two to the bullpen should be among Breslow’s priorities.

Taylor Rogers, Danny Coulombe, Jalen Beeks, and Andrew Chafin are among the top free-agent options still out there. Wilson also remains on the market after a better-than-expected debut season in Boston.

Jovani Moran and Shane Drohan could step up as the Red Sox’ go-to left-handed middle-relief options in 2026, but relying on them without bringing in reinforcements would be far too risky.

Find a solution to the outfield logjam

The Red Sox’ crowded outfield should have been sorted out last offseason, but it’s still an issue as we begin 2026. With Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Roman Anthony, Boston has four everyday outfielders on the roster. Masataka Yoshida also factors into the equation as a left fielder/designated hitter.

Moving Rafaela to second base is a potential solution, though the defense would suffer without his elite glove in center field. Another possible fix is putting Anthony in left, Rafaela in center, and Abreu in right with Duran as the DH, but Yoshida’s presence complicates things.

Given the outfield surplus, Duran and Abreu entered this offseason as obvious trade candidates. Either one could still be moved in a blockbuster deal — Kansas City Royals ace Cole Ragans was a rumored target earlier this winter — but Breslow seems comfortable rolling into the 2026 campaign with his current outfield. That would be a mistake.

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Why Draymond Green believes Steph Curry gets unfavorable calls from NBA referees

Why Draymond Green believes Steph Curry gets unfavorable calls from NBA referees originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors star Steph Curry doesn’t seem to get the same favorable calls other NBA stars tend to get. 

His teammate, Draymond Green, believes there’s a key reason why.

“Does his lack of saying things to the referee affect the whistle that he doesn’t get? I think so,” Green stated in the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show.” “Not that Steph isn’t someone that’s going to stand up for himself. He just doesn’t on the court from a referee perspective. But I do think it ultimately affects him.” 

Curry, unlike many other NBA stars, isn’t one to berate the officiating crew when he doesn’t get a call after contact. He will sometimes gesture or look towards a referee, but it’s not the same demonstrative lobbying that you would see from a player such as Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić.

Green assuredly is the opposite and will make sure the officials know his thoughts. Even though he ranks towards the top of the league in technical fouls along with Dončić, he says it works his way more often than not. 

“I think I get a better whistle than Steph,” Green noted. “A much better whistle than Steph, in my opinion. If something wrong, it’s wrong.” 

Although it may be a reason why he doesn’t get more calls his way, Green says Curry’s calm demeanor is admirable. 

“I think we all want to be like Steph Curry when it comes to that,” Green explained. “But I I do think ultimately him not saying much to the referees, they call less. And yet that’s who we would all want to be is to have that reaction that he has.” 

Regardless, officiating will always have its inconsistencies, according to Green. 

“It’s human beings involved, which means there’s emotion and feeling and judgment involved — it isn’t robots,” Green said. “And so, just that thing alone — it being human beings — is naturally and automatically going to make it inconsistent because we’re human beings. We miss things we make mistakes.” 

Unfavorable officiating came to the forefront in the Warriors’ 103-102 loss to the LA Clippers on Monday, in which coach Steve Kerr was ejected and Steph Curry fouled out in crunch time. 

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Why potential Anthony Davis-to-Warriors trade is more fantasy than reality

Why potential Anthony Davis-to-Warriors trade is more fantasy than reality originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

As the Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers were going through pregame warmups Monday before tipoff at the Intuit Dome, two NBA power brokers were sitting on the bench next to each other deep in conversation.

There was Mike Dunleavy, the Golden State general manager who is exploring myriad trade options in hopes of boosting a team mired in mediocrity.

And there was agent Rich Paul, who represents Golden State forward-center Draymond Green.

Paul also represents Dallas Mavericks forward-center Anthony Davis, a 13-year veteran the Warriors have probed from a distance for several years, with varying degrees of curiosity.

The Warriors still have an interest in Davis, according to a report in The Athletic. Two league sources contacted by NBC Sports Bay Area on Wednesday confirmed their interest.

Davis would address several of Golden State’s most conspicuous needs. He’s lengthy – 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan – an efficient scorer and an elite rim protector. On talent alone, he’s an ideal target.

Davis, 32, also comes with a gigantic caveat, as he is among the least durable stars in NBA history. Only once since 2018 has he played in more than 70 percent of his team’s games. He has played in 19 of the Mavericks’ 35 games this season.

The availability factor is, according to sources, among several reasons it is unlikely that Golden State would trade for Davis, who is making $54.1 million this season and is set to gain $58.5 million in 2026-27.

“A month ago, I would have said there’s no chance,” said one source, who asked not to be identified. “Now, I’d say there is a tiny, tiny chance. A lot would have to happen, including moving a big salary and a slew of first-round picks. It’s not impossible, but it’s very unlikely.”

It must be understood that any attempt by the Warriors to acquire Davis – or anyone with a sizable contract upward of $40 million – would require moving a comparable salary. Stephen Curry ($59.6 million this season, $62.6M next season) is off limits. Golden State so far has indicated no willingness to part with Jimmy Butler III ($54.1M, $56.8M).

Which brings us to Green, whose current salary is $25.9 million, with a player option next season worth $27.7 million. The Warriors have long been reluctant to part with Green, with Curry’s influence being a significant factor. And Draymond’s salary would have to be packaged with another sizable contract (Jonathan Kuminga makes $22.5 million, with a team option for $24.3 million next season – but has a 15 percent trade kicker that would push total value above $48 million).

Green’s play this season has declined, most visibly on offense. Opponents dare him to shoot, but he has not been able to routinely exploit their generosity. The 13-year veteran’s turnover rate is at a career high, mostly because he tends to force passes through defenses anticipating them. Draymond’s greatest value to the Warriors is that his defense remains stellar.

We are two weeks removed from Dunleavy telling NBC Sports Bay Area that he does not expect the Warriors to make a move like that which delivered Butler before the trade deadline last season.

“We’ll look to do stuff that makes our team better, but I wouldn’t bank on that type of move,” the GM said on “Warriors Pregame Live” on Dec. 22. “To get a guy like Jimmy Butler, to have the improvement we did from being a 500 team to 23-8 (last season), that’s going to be pretty unrealistic.

“I think that the key with this team frankly, right now and moving forward, is improvement from within. The biggest area we know is turnovers. We’ve got to start taking care of the ball.”

Golden State is 5-3 since that statement. Some things have changed, and some have not. 

Paul is among the league’s most daring and aggressive agents. The Mavericks, according to one source, are not looking to trade Davis but are open to the possibility if it means getting future draft picks.

The Warriors are not seeking to trade Green, either, but each loss – and each game in which he is subpar or unavailable – won’t allow them to responsibly dismiss the possibility. Remember the departure of Klay Thompson? 

Golden State is not close to a deal for Kuminga, according to sources, but all 29 possible destinations know he is on the market after Jan. 15. His contract alone would not be enough to acquire a game-changing star.

If the Warriors don’t part with one of their three core members, Dunleavy’s comments will be validated. They’ll hope this core takes them to great heights. And they won’t get anywhere near Davis – or any other perennial All-Star.

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