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Surging Sharks refuse to take ‘foot off the gas' in gritty win over Jets

Surging Sharks refuse to take ‘foot off the gas' in gritty win over Jets  originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

This isn’t a flash in the pan. These Sharks are hungry and in the midst of a feeding frenzy.

Coming off a resounding 6-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, the Sharks followed up with a signature 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets that had SAP Center rocking like the days of old.

NHL point leader Macklin Celebrini had an eventful first period, getting his teeth knocked out by a stick to the face before responding with an incredible breakaway goal to even things at 1-1.

Winnipeg and San Jose remained deadlocked through the next 41:53, before Will Smith’s clutch game-winning goal with 4:21 left in the third period.

Friday’s win is the Sharks’ fourth in their last five games, with all four victories coming against teams currently holding playoff spots. That includes wins over the New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche, who hold the first-place spots in each conference.

Winnipeg, sitting at the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, offered a tough test for San Jose, coming off its biggest margin of victory this season after dispatching Seattle in the Pacific Northwest.

Goalie Alex Nedeljkovic had 32 saves in Friday’s win over the Jets, and the nine-year veteran had plenty of praise for San Jose’s opponent but even more for the Sharks’ ability to remain focused and avoid complacency after Wednesday’s feel-good win.

“Great test. Obviously, a top team in the league,” Nedjelkovic told reporters. “Lot of firepower up front and very solid defensively. I thought it was great. Coming back from a big win like that in Seattle, I think there might be a tendency to maybe take your foot off the gas a little bit. We stuck with it, picked up right where we left off, and we had a pretty solid first period. Coming out of there with a 1-1 score, we’ll take it.

“We just kept going, kept pressing. Couple weird bounces and we responded really well every time and we made the most of the opportunities that we got.”

The Sharks have made it clear they aren’t the lovable losers of years past, and part of that mentality shift stems from entering games like this against tough opponents with having the confidence and belief that you’re capable of going toe-to-toe with the NHL’s best.

“I think you have to have that mentality. You can’t go into a game scared of anyone, but you obviously have respect but anyone can beat anyone in this league,” Smith said after his pivotal goal.

Center Alex Wennberg highlighted San Jose’s play in the second period, when neither team scored as a crucial factor in the Sharks finding a way to secure a late win over a quality opponent.

“I feel like it was a good played game by us. Winnipeg is a really good team but I feel like our second period especially was really good,” Wennberg said. “Kept pushing them back didn’t really give them any energy. We just kept going at it, obviously we talk about this game, it was going to be a tight one. Have to find a way to score a goal, rebound, whatever it is. Today Smitty came up big and had one. Got to give a shoutout to [Alex Nedeljkovic] in net who made some really good saves and kept us in the game as well.”

The energy is shifting in a major way around this Sharks team, and the raucous crowd at SAP Center gave this young team a glimpse into what the glory years in that building were like when San Jose was a perennial contender firmly situated among the NHL’s best.

That infectious enthusiasm was on full display during the final minute of the third period as the Sharks put up a heroic stand against the Jets’ last-gasp efforts to net a game-tying goal.

“It gives me goosebumps at the end of the game when the crowd is this loud,” Smith told NBC Sports California’s Drew Remenda rinkside after the win.

Smith wasn’t the only one in that building with goosebumps. It’s too early to definitively say the Sharks are all the way back, but it’d be damn hard to overlook what this group is building together.

Hockey is better off when the Sharks are good. And to the rest of the NHL, I have tremendous news.

They are.

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Draymond Green takes blame for Warriors' ‘s—-y' defense in loss: ‘I've failed'

Draymond Green takes blame for Warriors' ‘s—-y' defense in loss: ‘I've failed' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

DENVER – Draymond Green takes defense personally. It’s his pride and joy, an extension of his growing family.

In a second straight loss without Steph Curry, Green was the Warriors’ best offense in an ugly trouncing from the Denver Nuggets, 129-104, Friday night at Ball Arena.

Green led the Warriors with 17 points and made five 3-pointers, two fewer than the rest of his teammates combined. That was long forgotten, watching how the Nuggets scored with ease against the Warriors.

The only finger Green pointed regarding the Warriors’ defensive letdowns was at himself. 

“I’ve failed,” Green said. “If our defense looks as s—-y as it does, I’ve failed. You can send as many messages as you want. Until we do it, I’m failing them.” 

The Warriors opened the game with a corner three from Green and then forced the Nuggets into a shot clock violation. It was almost all Nuggets the rest of the way. They responded with an immediate 12-0 run, forcing a Golden State timeout. 

Any fire the Warriors came into the game with was quickly extinguished. They trailed by as many as 14 points in the first quarter, 19 in the second, 22 in the third and 28 in the fourth before an eventual 25-point loss. 

Aside from the Warriors starting the second quarter on a 10-0 run to bring the game within one while Nikola Jokić was given his first rest, the Nuggets had almost no problems slicing and dicing a leaky defense. The game became a breeze for Jokić, scoring 26 points on 12-of-15 shooting and 2 of 3 from deep. Even his backup, Jonas Valančiūnas, scored 16 points in 16 minutes, going 6 of 8 from the field and 2 of 3 on threes. 

Jamal Murray’s 23 points came on 8-of-12 shooting and 5 of 7 from three, and Aaron Gordon got up to 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting and was 3 of 4 behind the 3-point line. 

The Nuggets scored at least 30 points in all four quarters, finishing the game with a 56.1 field goal percentage and went 48.5 percent beyond the arc. They dominated around the rim and downtown. Trailing from behind for almost all 48 minutes, the Warriors were called for three more fouls than the Nuggets and saw them take 10 more free throws than them. 

“No. 1, it’s taking the challenge – a personal challenge,” Green said of the Warriors’ defense. “You’ve got to take the personal challenge to guard your man. Then if you get beat, there’s help. But I think right now we’re just relying on the help to beat everyone. When you don’t give effort, then help can’t get there. 

“It starts individually. Everybody must take the challenge individually of guarding their man, and then you build out from there.” 

Clearly, the Warriors have a point-of-attack problem. They’ve seen young players trying to make a name for themself like Ryan Rollins and Quenton Jackson drive downhill right past them in losses, and most recently, a contender in the Nuggets pick them apart without breaking a sweat. They can get back to the drawing board, but it all starts up top. 

Coach Steve Kerr sent a strong statement to his younger players, calling out a lack of purpose and hanging their heads as the problems piled up on them. Green didn’t mince his words, and neither did fellow veteran leader Jimmy Butler. Trayce Jackson-Davis and Quinten Post, a third-year center and a second-year center, respectively, took it upon themselves to follow the words of the team’s leaders. 

“There were multiple guys that came from the bench tonight that were talking about bringing the energy, and sometimes it’s tough,” Post said. “It doesn’t go your way, but the guys are in the right mindset, and this switch will be flipped. We’ll flip the switch. We got to keep bringing it, the fire, and just go out there and we’ll make it work.” 

The schedule has been a battle of its own, mentally and physically. The Warriors already have played 10 games in 18 days, including three back-to-back. And it’s not about to get any easier. 

After a flight home and a day off Saturday, the Warriors play the Indiana Pacers at Chase Center on Sunday, and then they hit the road for a six-game trip that opens with a back-to-back in Oklahoma City and San Antonio. 

“I mean, hell, every game up to this point is supposed to be one to set the tone,” Butler said. “Now what I will say is – and I say this a lot – when you win, everything’s masked and everything is covered up. So if we go out there and win, it’s going to look like we played hard, it’s going to look like we executed.

“Let’s just win, and then we’ll take it from there. Let’s learn from wins instead of from losses.”

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Yankees' Aaron Judge, Jazz Chisholm Jr. win 2025 AL Silver Slugger Awards

The Yankees are well-represented in the hitting department in MLB's offseason awards, as Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. were announced as American League Silver Slugger Award winners on Friday.

Judge was a relative lock to win his fifth Silver Slugger Award. The 2024 -- and perhaps 2025 -- AL MVP had a league-best .331 batting average to go along with an OBP of .457, slugging percentage of .688 and an OPS of 1.144. He also hit 53 home runs and drove in 114 RBI. 

The last two times Judge won the Silver Slugger, he also won the MVP (2022,24), which bodes well for his chances this season. The closest competitor to Judge's back-to-back MVP campaign is the Mariners' Cal Raleigh, who was named a Silver Slugger at catcher this season.

Judge joined Byron Buxton of the Twins and Riley Green of the Tigers as outfield Silver Slugger winners this season.

The Yankees outfielder beat a field that included Riley Greene of the Tigers, Julio Rodríguez of the Mariners, George Springer of the Blue Jays and teammate Cody Bellinger.

Bellinger made a great first impression in pinstripes. In his first -- and so far only -- season in the Bronx, Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 with an OPS of .813 to go along with 29 homers and 98 runs batted in. He was the perfect second outfielder behind Judge in 2025, giving the Yankees a versatile and dangerous left-handed bat.

Chisholm Jr. had his best season in pinstripes in 2025, securing his second-career All-Star selection in the process and now, his first Silver Slugger. The infielder slashed .242/.332/.481 with an OPS of .813, but hit a career-high 31 homers and drove in 80 runs. He also stole 31 bases this season, becoming just the third player (fourth overall) in franchise history to achieve the 30-30 mark in a season.

He beat out fellow second base finalists Brandon Lowe of the Rays and Jorge Polanco of the Mariners.

Ben Rice was also a finalist for the 2025 Silver Slugger as a utility player. The part-time first baseman/catcher enjoyed his best offensive season as a pro, slashing .255/.337/.499 with an OPS of .836 to go along with his 26 home runs and driving in 65 runs in 138 games. He fell to the Tigers' Zach McKinstry. 

Maikel Garcia of the Royals was also a part of the field.

The Yankees, as a team, were also a finalist for the team Silver Slugger Award and beat out the Mariners and Blue Jays.

 

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Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia and his wife mourn death of their baby daughter

Los Angeles, CA October 16, 2025 - Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia (51) pitches.
Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia pitches against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the NLCS on Oct. 16 at Dodger Stadium. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia and his wife, Kayla, announced on Instagram on Friday that their baby daughter, Sterling, died on Oct. 26 — a tragic loss that caused Vesia to miss the Dodgers’ appearance in the World Series last week.

“Our little angel, we love you forever & you’re with us always,” the Vesias wrote. “There are no words to describe the pain we’re going through but we hold her in our hearts and cherish every second we had with her.”

The Vesias had been expecting the birth of Sterling, their first child, during the Dodgers’ postseason run. Her death came during the World Series, forcing Vesia to step away from the club.

The day before Game 1 of the World Series, the Dodgers publicly announced Vesia was not with the team because of a “deeply personal family matter.” The Dodgers left him off their World Series roster, as well as the family medical emergency list, so as not to pressure him into feeling he needed to return.

“This is so much bigger than baseball,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said at the time. “And for us, it was doing whatever small part we could to just 100% be supportive.”

The Dodgers’ bullpen honored Vesia in Game 3 of the World Series, with each reliever writing his No. 51 on the sides of their caps for the rest of the series. The Toronto Blue Jays’ relievers did the same in Games 6 and 7, a gesture several Dodgers publicly recognized and deeply appreciated.

“I think it really speaks to the brotherhood of athletes, major league baseball players,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ahead of Game 7. “Baseball is what we do, but it's not who we are. And for these guys to recognize Alex and what he and Kayla have gone through — 'heartbreaking' is not even a good enough descriptor.”

“For those guys to do that, it's incredible,” outfielder Kiké Hernández added. “They're trying to win a World Series, but they understand that this is — life is bigger than baseball, and baseball's just a game. For them to do that with the stakes where we’re at, hats off to them, and I want them to know that we appreciate 'em.”

The Vesias also thanked the Dodgers, Blue Jays and baseball fans for their support.

“Our baseball family showed up for us and we wouldn’t be able to do this without them,” they wrote. “We have seen ALL your messages, comments and posts. It’s brought us so much comfort.”

Vesia was a key part of the Dodgers’ bullpen in both the regular season (when he had a 3.02 ERA in a career-high 68 appearances) and the first three rounds of the playoffs (when he allowed just two runs in seven outings).

On Thursday, the Dodgers picked up Vesia’s $3.65-million option for next season, avoiding arbitration before what will be his final year before reaching free agency.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Former Blackhawks Superstar Coming Back From Injury

Patrick Kane (© Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images)

Former Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane had a strong start to the 2025-26 season. In his first five games of the season with the Detroit Red Wings, he recorded two goals, three assists, and five points.

Unfortunately for Kane, his hot start to the year had to be paused due to an upper-body injury. Now, after missing each of the Red Wings' last nine games, Kane is set to return to the lineup for the Atlantic Division club against the New York Rangers on Nov. 7. 

This is undoubtedly good news for the Red Wings, as Kane is a very important part of their forward group. Furthermore, No. 88 returning to the lineup should help the Red Wings' chances of keeping their good start to the season going. 

The Blackhawks will soon be seeing Kane, too, as they will be facing off against the Red Wings on Nov. 9. 

In 1,161 games with the Blackhawks over 16 seasons, Kane recorded 446 goals, 779 assists, 1,225 points, and a plus-20 rating. He also posted 52 goals, 80 assists, and 132 points in 136 playoff games for the Blackhawks, where he won the Stanley Cup three times. 

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Bradley Beal says how coaches used him was problem in Phoenix.

Bradley Beal's two seasons in Phoenix didn't exactly go as planned. Injuries limited him to 53 games each season, and while he put up numbers — 17.6 points and 4.3 rebounds a game — and he shot efficiently (60.3 true shooting), his impact was more role player than third star.

Back in Phoenix Thursday night for the first time since he was waived and stretched by the Suns, Beal was booed during introductions and when he touched the ball. Suns fans got what they wanted out of the night, Beal shot 2-of-14 from the floor as the Clippers fell to the Suns 115-102. Los Angeles was without Kawhi Leonard or James Harden in the game, which put more on Beal's plate, and he is still on a minutes restriction after having his knee scoped.

After the game, Beal said the biggest problem with his performance in Phoenix was how the two coaches — Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer — used him, speaking to Law Murray of The Athletic.

"When you allow me to be that guy, I'll be that," Beal told The Athletic. "But when you have two coaches that want you to set screens and play in the dunker, you're not Brad Beal. You're somebody else."

Phoenix gave up a lot to acquire Beal — four first-round pick swaps and six second-round picks, plus Chris Paul — in hopes of forming a championship big three with him, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker. It didn't exactly work as planned (to put it kindly). Budenholzer and Vogel were championship coaches, but they could not get an ill-fitting roster — with numerous key injuries — to mesh. Durant is now in Houston and the Suns are trying to retool their roster around Booker, but gave away a lot of building blocks to take that big-three swing.

Beal was an All-Star and All-NBA player averaging 31.3 points a game as recently as 2021. However, he hasn't played in more than 53 games in a season since then, and his efficiency has slid. The Clippers are betting on him to fill the scoring role Norman Powell did for them a season ago, but this offseason, Beal underwent knee surgery, which has the Clippers easing him back in. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said ultimately Beal is going to have to play a key role if the Clippers are going to make any noise in the West.

"[Beal] is a starter for us. He's gonna play, he has to get his rhythm, like I said, he had knee surgery in May, so just bring him back, making sure he's getting comfortable," Lue said. "We can't just move him to the side, he's a big part of what we're trying to do. We got to bring him along slow, we got to be smart about it, and we just can't rush the process."

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Russell Westbrook's continued strong play lone bright spot in Kings' loss to OKC

Russell Westbrook's continued strong play lone bright spot in Kings' loss to OKC originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SACRAMENTO – Russell Westbrook has a single focus when he trots onto the basketball court, no matter who the opponent is, even if it’s the team that drafted him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft and paid him $166 million over 11 seasons.

That was the scenario presented to Westbrook on Friday night at Golden 1 Center when the NBA’s best team so far this season rolled into town

The Oklahoma City Thunder, home to Westbrook during his early NBA days, had the look of a team very much bent on making a trip back to the NBA Finals to defend their title.

True to his word, Westbrook remained calm throughout.

There were no sentimental moments or long-ago memories to ponder over. Just straight pure hoopin’.

“I play the same way every night, compete at the highest level given the opportunity,” Westbrook said after the Kings’ 132-101 NBA Cup loss to the Thunder. “Who’s on the other side doesn’t change the energy and effort I’m going to play with.”

Westbrook has shown plenty of both in the last few weeks.

He had scored in double figures in six consecutive games heading into Friday, then extended that streak with 24 points against OKC. Westbrook was 9 of 17 from the floor, made five 3s to go with nine assists and six rebounds.

Not bad for a guy who has been playing out of position lately.

With power forward Keegan Murray still recovering from thumb surgery, Kings coach Doug Christie has tried experimenting with different players and rotations.

Westbrook had adapted fairly well and was one of, if not the only, bright spots on a night when the Kings were taken to the woodshed by the Thunder.

Oklahoma City dominated Sacramento in the paint, forcing 17 turnovers that led to 23 points, and had an easy time easing through the Kings’ defense.

Thunder 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein destroyed the Kings down low to the tune of a career-high 33 points and 19 rebounds.

He had plenty of help, too, as all five OKC starters scored in double figures, as did backup Isaiah Joe.

“If it wasn’t big fella, Hartenstein, going down the lane, the guard was getting around the corner,” Kings coach Doug Christie said. “Unacceptable. We have to make sure that we can contain the basketball.”

Westbrook said there was a combination of issues that fueled the breakdowns.

“Just (got) real stagnant offensively,” Westbrook said. “When we move the ball and play with pace it allows us to be able to cut, get to the rim, finish. We just missed a lot of our opportunities. It starts with our defense, too.“

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Checking In On The Hockey News Top 10 Nashville Predators Prospects

Oct 21, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Brady Martin (44) skates with the puck against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

In its 2025 annual Yearbook that was released in August, The Hockey News ranked the top 10 prospects for every NHL team.

It should come as no surprise that Brady Martin was ranked No. 1 in the Nashville Predators’ Future Watch list, after the team made him the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

With roughly a month of the 2025-26 season in the books, let’s take a quick look at how each of the Preds’ top prospects are faring. Their THN rank and expected NHL arrival were as of August 2025, with some prospects seeing NHL action since then.

Brady Martin: Soo Greyhounds

After showing flashes during training camp that he deserved a spot on the Preds’ Opening Night roster, Martin appeared in just three NHL games and recorded an assist before being assigned to the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds.

The Preds made it clear they are in no rush when it comes to Martin’s development, despite the club’s lack of depth at the center position.

The 18-year-old Martin has adjusted well to his reassignment, tallying 11 points (2-9-11) and a +6 rating in five games with the Greyhounds. He scored 10 of those points over a four-game stretch, including a between-the-legs goal against the Oshawa Generals on Nov. 1.

Martin will certainly be back in the NHL at some point, but the Preds felt he needed to bulk up and get a bit more seasoning. THN’s Expected NHL Arrival was 2026-27.

Tanner Molendyk: Milwaukee Admirals

NHL Nashville Predators defense Tanner Molendyk. © Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The 20-year-old left-shot defenseman was in Preds training camp until he was assigned to Milwaukee Oct. 3, just before the club’s final pre-season game.

With the Ads so far this season, Molendyk has registered two assists in seven games with a +1 rating. He led the Medicine Hat Tigers to a Memorial Cup in 2024-25.

Scouts love his skating and hockey intellect. Drafted 24th overall by the Preds in 2023, Molendyk’s THN projection to the NHL is in 2026-27.

David Edstrom: Milwaukee Admirals

Drafted 32nd overall by the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023, Edstrom was sent to the Predators along with goaltender Magnus Chrona and the Golden Knights’ first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft (conditional) from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, forward Nolan Burke and Colorado’s third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The 20-year-old left-shot center was assigned to the Admirals during Preds training camp. He’s appeared in seven games for the Ads this season and recorded two goals.

Edstrom’s offensive numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet; he scored 19 points (7-12-19) for Frolunda in the SHL during the 2024-25 season. He has a solid 200-foot game and good net-front presence. THN projects his NHL arrival in 2026-27.

Joakim Kemell: Milwaukee Admirals

Oct 9, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Joakim Kemell (25) skates behind the net against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The 5-foot-11, 183-pound right-shot winger played in two of the Preds’ first four regular-season games before being assigned to the Ads. He logged 12:22 of ice time and 14 shifts against the Columbus Blue Jackets Oct. 9 and 9:46 TOI and 14 shifts against Ottawa Oct. 13.

Last season, Kemell made his NHL presence felt when he laid a big hit on the Carolina Hurricanes’ Andrei Svechnikov, drew a penalty and later scored the game-winner in a 3-2 overtime victory.

In four games with Milwaukee this season, Kemell has six points (1-5-6). THN projected his NHL arrival in 26-27, but don’t be surprised if he’s back up with the Preds sometime this season.

Cameron Reid: Kitchener Rangers

Reid has 13 points (1-12-13) in 14 games with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers this season.

The 18-year-old left-shot blueliner was drafted 21st overall by the Predators in this year’s draft after the team traded its 23rd and 67th overall picks to the Ottawa Senators for their 21st overall pick.

Reid led OHL defenseman under the age of 17 in points per game, scoring 54 points in 67 games and 40 penalty minutes last season.

THN has the 6-foot, 183-pound Reid projected to get to the NHL in 2028-29.

Yegor Surin: Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL

Blue team forward Egor Surin (79) celebrates his goal during the Future Stars Game at the Ford Ice Center Bellevue in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, July 5, 2025. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 19-year-old Russian center has 19 points (10-9-19) in 23 KHL games this season. The Preds took him with the 22nd pick in the 2024 draft.

In the KHL last season, Surin tallied 14 points (7-7-14) in 41 regular-season games and seven points (5-2-7) in 19 post-season contests en route to a league title. THN has his NHL arrival in 27-28.

Matthew Wood: Nashville Predators

When the THN Yearbook was released, Matthew Wood was listed as the Preds’ No. 6 prospect. He played six NHL games with the Preds, all coming last season, and recorded an assist. THN projected him to return this season, and he has done so in a big way.

After getting injured during training camp, Wood was assigned to Milwaukee to start the season, but came back to the Preds Oct. 23 and has made quite an impact.

Wood has three goals an three assists and a +1 rating in nine games with the Preds this season and appears to be in the NHL to stay, at least for the time being.

Ryker Lee: Michigan State

Taken by the Preds 26th overall in 2025, the 18-year-old right-shot winger has a goal and two assists in six games for the Spartans this season.

While playing for the Madison Capitols of the USHL last season, Lee collected 68 points (31-37-68) in 58 regular-season games. In the playoffs, he had three goals and three assists in six contests.

The Preds like him for his offensive instincts, but it could be a while before fans see him in the NHL; THN’s projection is for 2029-30.

Jacob Rombach: University of Minnesota

Rombach is currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota after being drafted by the Preds in the second round (35th overall) in 2025. The 18-year-old left-shot defenseman has appeared in 10 games for the Golden Gophers with no points and a +4 rating.

The Preds love Rombach’s size (6-foot-6) and his defensive instincts, which are still developing. THN’s NHL projection is 2030-31.

Reid Schaefer: Milwaukee Admirals

Milwaukee Admirals left wing Reid Schaefer (49) flips the puck off his stick while skating toward the goal in a shootout during a practice open to season ticket holders Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. © Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 22-year-old left-shot winger has five assists in seven games thus far with Milwaukee this season. He was assigned to the Ads Oct. 1 after recording a goal in the Preds’ 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes during the pre-season.

Schaefer was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers 32nd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, but was traded to the Predators in the 2023 off-season. He suffered a shoulder injury last season and appeared in 19 games with the Admirals, scoring 14 points. THN has him projected to reach the NHL in 26-27.

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.

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Flyers Call Up New Forward From AHL

Carl Grundstrom (© Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)

The Philadelphia Flyers have made a roster move, as they have recalled forward Carl Grundstrom from their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Grundstrom was acquired by the Flyers ahead of the 2025-26 season as a part of the deal that sent Ryan Ellis' contract to the San Jose Sharks. Following this, he was placed on waivers by the Flyers and started the season with Lehigh Valley after not getting claimed. Now, he is getting a chance on Philadelphia's NHL roster with this latest roster move. 

Grundstrom has appeared in 11 games this season with Lehigh Valley, where he has recorded three goals, three assists, six points, and a plus-4 rating. This is after he posted three goals, six assists, nine points, and 172 hits in 56 games this past season with the Sharks. 

In 292 career NHL games split between the Los Angeles Kings and Sharks, Grundstrom has recorded 43 goals, 33 assists, 76 points, 108 penalty minutes, and 736 hits. 

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"I'm Getting More Comfortable": Red Wings Rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka On Biggest Adjustments To NHL Play

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There was nothing short of a collective feeling of excitement and anticipation amongst the Detroit Red Wings fan base when it was announced that defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka was among the three rookies that made the final roster cut out of Training Camp and the pre-season. 

While fellow rookie Michael Brandsegg-Nygård has been returned to the American Hockey League, both Sandin-Pellikka and Emmitt Finnie continue to ply their trade at the NHL level representing the Red Wings. 

Naturally, there's been a bit of an adjustment period for Sandin-Pellikka, who has been utilized in all situations by head coach Todd McLellan. 

"I've learned it's a tough League, the best in the world," Sandin-Pellikka explained following Friday's practice. "You learn something every game, and you can't always be perfect. I try and tell myself that when Im pissed off at myself after a not-perfect game."

Sandin-Pellikka, who was arguably the most highly-regarded prospect in the Red Wings system and who enjoyed tremendous success while playing in his native Sweden, said he's still adjusting to the speed of the top hockey League in the world. 

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

"The defensive part is one thing, the gaps and picking your guy up early, that's one thing I've learned," he said. "And in the offensive zone, it's not as easy to get pucks through as it has been before. I'm still learning and I'm getting more comfortable each game." 

McLellan acknowledged that there have been improvements in Sandin-Pellikka's ability to anticipate the play and put himself in the best position, while there is still always room for improvement. 

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"He gave the answer that in my opinion he should give, because there is the pace of the play and the puck has been really good," McLellan said. "He makes some really good plays, but the play away when he's away from the play or something is going to happen, he needs to get used to that pace of reading and reacting a bit quicker."

"It's gotten better from where it was during exhibition, and he's improving," McLellan continued. "But the League is improving with him at the same time. He's hard on himself, but he's also a really good self-evaluator, so the answer he gave is a pretty accurate one."

Sandin-Pellikka has averaged just under 19 minutes of ice time per game so far in the 14 games that he's skated in, during which he's scored a goal while adding three assists. His plus/minus rating of -8 isn't what he'd like it to be, but that will change in time. 

While it's still early in his NHL career, there's tremendous untapped potential still inside of the Swedish-born defenseman, who could ultimately become a building block down the line for the Red Wings. 

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Rangers Vs. Red Wings Preview, Projected Lineup, Notable Storylines

Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers are set to play the Detroit Red Wings tonight at 7 PM EST at Madison Square Garden. 

Here’s all you need to know ahead of this matchup: 

Projected Lineup:

Forwards:

Artemi Panarin-Mika Zibanejad-Taylor Raddysh

Will Cuylle-J.T. Miller-Alexis Lafrenière

Conor Sheary-Noah Laba-Jonny Brodzinski

Juuso Parssinen-Sam Carrick-Jaroslav Chmelar

Defensemen:

Vladislav Gavrikov - Adam Fox

Carson Soucy - Will Borgen

Connor Mackey - Braden Schneider

Goaltenders: 

Jonathan Quick 

Igor Shesterkin 

Notable Storylines: 

  • Jonathan Quick is set to start for the Rangers. 
  • The Rangers are coming off of a 3-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
  • Jaroslav Chmelar will make his NHL debut with Adam Edström serving as a healthy scratch.
  • Vincent Trocheck and Urho Vaakanainen made the road trip to Detroit but won’t play as they both deal with their own respective injuries.
  • The Rangers currently hold a 6-6-2 record.
  • The Red Wings are coming off of a 1-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
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What we learned as Steph Curry-less Warriors sputter in NBA Cup loss to Nuggets

What we learned as Steph Curry-less Warriors sputter in NBA Cup loss to Nuggets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

DENVER – Cards were stacked high against the Warriors to begin NBA Cup play Friday night against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena, and they couldn’t pick up the pieces enough without Steph Curry. Not even close.

Draymond Green began the game draining a three from the right corner, and the Warriors then forced a shot clock violation on the Nuggets’ first offensive possession. The sequence wasn’t a sign of things to come. The opposite, in fact.

The Nuggets responded with a 12-0 run, and outside of a short stint in the second quarter, the Warriors were completely outclassed in an uncompetitive 129-104 loss.

Green (17 points) and Jimmy Butler (16 points) provided the only offense for the Warriors’ starters. The rest of the starting five scored two points in the first half, and 15 overall. 

Quinten Post was a bright spot off the bench, scoring 14 points on a perfect 6-of-6 shooting and made his two 3-point attempts. 

Nikola Jokić in 28 minutes barely missed a triple-double. The three-time NBA MVP scored an easy 26 points on 12-of-15 shooting and also had nine rebounds and nine assists with one turnover.

The play of the game belonged to Bay Area native Aaron Gordon. The 30-year-old stepped into a time machine and channeled his Archbishop Mitty days, crossing Buddy Hield at the 3-point line and throwing down a monstrous dunk on Post.

Along with Curry’s second straight game missed to an illness, the Warriors also were without Al Horford. The veteran center was a late addition to the injury report with left foot soreness. Horford was seen at shootaround getting shots up, but he was icing his left foot pregame in the locker room, something that has been seen frequently to start the season.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors dropping to 5-5 overall and 1-5 on the road.

Future Trio Drops Dud

With Butler and Green playing through pain, the Warriors’ starting five still featured two eventual Hall of Famers flanked by three players who want to lead the franchise into the future. Well, the future looked bleak in Denver. 

The Warriors got absolutely nothing out of Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski in the first half as the Warriors went into halftime down 66-49. Kuminga and Moody were both scoreless on a combined 0-of-7 shooting and missed all four of their 3-point attempts. Podziemski added a whopping two points, the same number of turnovers he had.

Kuminga’s one turnover in the first half came from simply dribbling the ball off his leg and out of bounds. He settled for bad shots, got stuck offensively and defensively and was a whopping minus-22 through two quarters. Podziemski was a minus-18 at the time, and Moody was a minus-4.

Steve Kerr had a long talk with Kuminga when he first came out of the game where the two didn’t seem to be on the same page, and he was deep in conversation with Podziemski going to the tunnel at halftime.

Another five minutes passed in the third quarter before Kuminga scored his first points. Moody finally did in the first minute of the fourth, and Podziemski ended with seven points – the most between the three of them. Their 15 points came on 7-of-29 shooting (24.1 percent), and they were 1 of 12 on threes. 

The Non-Jokić Minutes

After playing the entire first quarter while dropping 11 points, three rebounds and six assists, Jokić took a seat to begin the second quarter. This was the Warriors’ time to make a run and cut an 11-point deficit. They did exactly that, going on a 10-0 run in the first two minutes and 15 seconds to make it a one-point game, forcing a Nuggets timeout.

All the sudden, the Nuggets’ offense wasn’t humming as loud and the Warriors were off to the races after a first quarter where in the halfcourt they were stuck in the mud. But just like that, the Nuggets then went on a 9-0 run of their own before a Pat Spencer 3-pointer put the Warriors back on the scoreboard. 

By the time Jokić back in the game at the 4:16 mark of the second quarter, the Nuggets held a 17-point lead, 53-36. His backup, Jonas Valanciunas, scored eight points, grabbed two rebounds and made both his 3-point attempts in the second quarter as Jokic watched from the bench.

That was the game, right then and there. As soon as the Warriors made it competitive with Jokić his rest, they couldn’t find the extra gear to power them through against the bench unit of one of the better teams in the league.

Draymond Goes Boom

Pat Spencer and Will Richard, two role players at the back of the bench, brought the biggest spark when the Warriors were getting blitzed. The most promising sight, however, was Green’s willingness to be aggressive offensively as a scorer and let it fly from deep on a sagging defense. 

The Nuggets kept begging Green to shoot, and for the most part, he kept playing into their game plan. And he made them pay on multiple occasions. 

Green made two threes in the first half, and three more in the third quarter. He connected on three from the right corner, one from the left corner and another at the top of the arc. The defensive dynamo was 5 of 10 on threes, and the rest of the Warriors were 6 of 22 (27.7 percent) when he came out of the game for good. 

Through nine games, Green now is shooting 44.7 percent from three (17 of 38) this season. Teams will keep daring him to shoot them, and he’ll have to keep showing he won’t hesitate to take advantage of that kind of defense

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What we learned as nothing goes right for Kings in ugly NBA Cup loss to Thunder

What we learned as nothing goes right for Kings in ugly NBA Cup loss to Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

BOX SCORE

SACRAMENTO – Russell Westbrook had another big game against one of his former teams, but without big man Domantas Sabonis, the Kings spent most of the night on their heels in a 132-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday at Golden 1 Center.

Westbrook racked up 24 points, six rebounds and nine assists, falling just shy of adding to his NBA-record list of triple-doubles.

DeMar DeRozan had 18 points and five rebounds, while Drew Eubanks had a respectable night with 16 points on 8 of 11 shooting. Malik Monk added 15 points with three 3-pointers in the first group-play game of the NBA Cup in-season tournament.

The Kings (3-6) lost to the Thunder (9-1) less than two weeks ago when they had a healthy Sabonis, while Oklahoma City was without Chet Holmgren.

The tables were flipped on Friday, but the result was the same.

The Thunder held a dominant 60-34 advantage in the paint, led by center Isaiah Hartenstein, who finished with a game-high 33 points on 14 of 17 shooting from the field.

It didn’t help Sacramento that OKC came to town with a chip on its shoulder. The Thunder were coming off their lone loss of the season when they lost to the Trail Blazers in Portland on Wednesday.

Here are the takeaways from the Kings’ loss:

Doing without Domas

With the 6-foot-10 Sabonis not in uniform, the Kings were without their last line of defense and the Thunder were all too willing to try to take advantage.

The plan to go right at the heart of Sacramento’s D got off to a strong start, as the Thunder easily made their way deep into the paint and scored without much resistance. At one point, they had doubled the Kings’ production down low.

Kings coach Doug Christie tried several different options to fix the situation. Eubanks started and played 24 minutes. Newly signed Precious Achiuwa came off the bench with four points and three boards while rookie Max Raynaud rounded out Sac’s group of big men.

Russ against his old team

It has been seven years since Westbrook wore an OKC jersey but it’s clear he has a little extra juice every time he faces the Thunder.

The nine-time All-Star, who played his first nine NBA seasons with the Thunder, is the franchise scoring leader and all-time leader in triple-doubles. He came out roaring against his former team at Golden 1 Center. He made three 3-pointers and had 11 points in the first quarter and made good on 8 of 16 shots after his first attempt of the night was blocked by Chet Holmgren.

That was pretty much on par with what Westbrook had done against the Thunder in the past. Going into the night, he had an average of 18.8 points, 7.1 assists and 7.5 rebounds in 19 games against Oklahoma City.

Schroder shut down

It was a rough night for Dennis Schroder, at least when it came to scoring.

The 32-year-old point guard missed all 10 shots he took, including five misses from behind the arc. A minus-25 for the night, Schroder finished with two points and eight assists.

One of the Kings’ top offseason acquisitions, Schroder had been one of the team’s most consistent scorers through the first two weeks of the season, reaching double digits in scoring for six of Sacramento’s first eight games.

But Friday wasn’t Schroder’s night.

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