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Reactions: Penguins Reveal Hometown Remix Jerseys

After a lot of teasing and anticipation, the NHL finally did a league-wide reveal of each team's new Hometown Remix jerseys for the 2026-27 season. 

There were a lot of interesting designs. And the Pittsburgh Penguins certainly had one of the more interesting ones. 

In a nod to the team's history and to the city of Pittsburgh, the new jerseys are navy blue with powder blue secondary coloring in the form of stripes on the sleeves, shoulder, and pants, and they have gold accents throughout. In addition, they feature the the igloo shoulder patch that has become popularized in recent years, offset detailing on the logo and the numbers, and the different colors of Pittsburgh-area neighborhoods on the bottom in-seam of the jersey — all in the unique style of '60s pop art to represent Pittsburgh native and artist Andy Warhol.

But the most noticeable and controversial element? The polka-dots on the yellow of the Penguins' logo and in the numbers, which is designed to be a comic-style design that brings out the pop art element and general graphic design elements from the '60s. 

And, yes, the polka-dots do a lot to really bring the 60s pop art style to life, and they are quite a bit smaller and jump out in a different way than they did on the two-dimensional leaks that were circulating weeks ago. While the jersey is certainly representative of both the Penguins' history and of Pittsburgh's history, the opinion on the dots as well as the choice to go back to blue were controversial among fans and media.

Here are some of the social media reactions to the jerseys:

Patrick Damp (@synonymforwet.bsky.social)Patrick Damp (@synonymforwet.bsky.social)You can yell at me all you want, the contrasting blues, the full kit, these kick ass.Mark Lazerus (@marklazerus.bsky.social)Mark Lazerus (@marklazerus.bsky.social)Oops. My bad. But still.

ESPN ranked the Penguins' Hometown Remix jerseys as the very best at No. 1, while The Athletic had them ranked at No. 12.

Personally, I love these. It's cool that the Penguins actually did something unique here and successfully incorporated both their team history and the city's history in a coherent design. Perhaps the only thing that's missing is a gold bridge on the socks or something. 

If the captain approves, that's good enough for me. 

Here is the full Remix jersey schedule for the Penguins:

- Nov. 3 vs. Vegas Golden Knights
- Nov. 28 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
- Dec. 6 vs. San Jose Sharks
- Dec. 18 vs. Seattle Kraken
- Jan. 21 vs. Anaheim Ducks
- Feb. 2 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
- Mar. 9 vs. Ottawa Senators
- Mar. 25 vs. New Jersey Devils
- Mar. 30 at Philadelphia Flyers
- April 1 vs. New York Islanders

What do you think of the Remix jerseys? Sound off in the comments!

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!    

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Bruce Bochy, Dusty Baker headline Baseball Hall's Contemporary Era ballot

A quartet of Word Series-winning managers headline the eight Contemporary Era finalists for the 2027 Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dusty Baker, Bruce Bochy, Joe Maddon and Lou Piniella all spent at least 19 years in a major-league dugout with a total of seven World Series rings among them. They are joined on the ballot by former executives Sandy Alderson and Brian Sabean, along with broadcasting pioneer and former Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner, and eight-time All-Star and former National League president Bill White.

A 16-member panel selected by the Hall will consider those eight candidates who made their contributions to the game after 1980. The ones who receive at least 75% of the vote will be announced on Dec. 6 before the start of the Winter Meetings in San Diego.

Here's a look at the eight Contemporary Era finalists:

Sandy Alderson, executive

After two years serving as general counsel, Alderson was named general manager of the Oakland Athletics in 1983. He was the architect of an A's team that went to three consecutive World Series from 1988-90. After leaving the club in 1997 (and being succeeded as GM by Billy Beane), Alderson became MLB's executive vice president for baseball operations from 1998-2005. He also served as CEO of the San Diego Padres and general manager of the New York Mets.

Dusty Baker, player/manager

Though Baker is perhaps best known as a beloved manager for five different major league teams, he also had a 19-year career as a player. An outfielder, Baker hit .278 with 242 home runs for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and Oakland A's, earning two All-Star nods, a Gold Glove and two Silver Sluggers. He went on to manage the Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals and Houston Astros to a total of 2,143 wins (eighth-most all-time) and a .540 winning percentage. The only manager in history to take five different teams to the postseason, Baker finally won a World Series in 2022 with the Astros.

Bruce Bochy, player/manager

After nine years in the majors as a catcher, Bochy began his managerial career with the San Diego Padres in 1995, taking them to the World Series in his fourth season. He then moved to the San Francisco Giants in 2007 and guided them to World Series titles in 2010, 2012 and 2014 before retiring after the 2019 season. However, he came out of retirement in 2023 to manage the Texas Rangers and lead them to a World Series championship that season. Retiring again after the 2025 season, Bochy ranks sixth on the all-time wins list with 2,252 in 28 seasons.

Joe Maddon, manager

A three-time manager of the year with the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs, Maddon became the first skipper in 108 years to lead the Cubs to a World Series title when they accomplished the feat in 2016. He began his coaching career in the Angels organization, serving as interim manager in both 1996 and 1999. He got his first full-time managing job in 2006 with the lowly Tampa Bay Devil Rays, a franchise he turned into an AL pennant winner in his third season. After managing the Rays for nine years, he moved to the Cubs in 2015, making the playoffs in four of his five seasons. He left Chicago to return to Anaheim in 2020 for three more seasons, finishing with a career record of 1,382-1,216 (.532).

Lou Piniella, player/manager

A fiery competitor as both a player and coach, Piniella won two World Series rings as an outfielder for the New York Yankees in 1977 and 1978. The 1969 AL Rookie of the Year with the Kansas City Royals, Piniella was a .291 career hitter over 18 seasons in the majors. Two years after he retired, he was hired to manage the Yankees, but was fired by owner George Steinbrenner in the middle of Year 3. Hired by the Cincinnati Reds in 1990, Piniella guided them to a World Series championship in his initial season. He went on to manage the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Chicago Cubs − totaling 1,835 wins in 23 seasons.

Brian Sabean, executive

A former scouting director and player development director with the New York Yankees, Sabean was hired by the San Francisco Giants as general manager in 1997. He remained in that role for 29 seasons and became the architect of three World Series championship teams under Bochy from 2010-2014. Sabean was twice named Baseball America's Executive of the Year.

Ted Turner, executive

The founder of Turner Broadcasting and CNN, Turner was a lifelong baseball fan who paired his TV reach with his ownership of the Atlanta Braves to turn the franchise into "America's Team" in the 1980s. With unprecedented live coverage of every regular-season game, the Braves developed a national following as they built a National League dynasty in the early 1990s. Turner, who died earlier this year at the age of 87, finally got a World Series title in 1995 before selling the team the following year.

Bill White, player/broadcater/executive

An eight-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glover as a first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York/San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies, White joined the broadcast booth of the New York Yankees once his 13-year playing career came to an end. He teamed with Phil Rizzuto for 18 seasons before being named president of the National League in 1989. The first Black president of any major North American sports league, he served in that post until 1994. He received the Hall of Fame's Buck O'Neil Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2026.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bruce Bochy, Dusty Baker headline Baseball Hall's Contemporary Era ballot

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Grizzlies tore down their core. So how are they the NBA's last unbeaten team?

There's only one undefeated team left in the NBA, and few would have predicted it before the 2026-27 season began.

The Memphis Grizzlies are raising eyebrows across the league with a perfect 6-0 record after their front office spent the past 18 months recalibrating the team's roster by trading away Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. One more victory on Monday, Nov. 2, against the New Orleans Pelicans would set a record for the best start in franchise history.

A Grizzlies' nucleus featuring 2026 first-round pick Cameron Boozer, 2025 first-round pick Cedric Coward, 2024 first-round pick Zach Edey and guard Ty Jerome appears capable of exceeding expectations after they were the only team in the league to not have a player included in USA TODAY's top 100 player rankings prior to the season. Six games later, they could be the Western Conference playoff contender nobody expected.

During the past 20 seasons, the last remaining undefeated team in the NBA has failed to qualify for the playoffs just three times. No team since the 1998-99 Seattle Supersonics has started a season with at least six wins in a row and not made it to the NBA's postseason.

So how have the Grizzlies pulled off this early season surprise? Here are three reasons why Memphis is the last remaining undefeated team in the NBA before games played on Monday, Nov. 2:

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Cameron Boozer is Grizzlies' next star

Yaxel Lendeborg is suddenly the trendy pick to be the NBA's rookie of the year thanks to a batch of big early season performances, but Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer is the only rookie with a game-winner and a triple-double so far. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft has quickly become a hub for the Memphis offense, distributing the ball on offense and forming a fearsome pairing inside with Edey.

Though his overall shooting numbers are lagging and he won't wow you with athletic feats, Boozer is still shooting nearly 37% from 3-point range and looks to be a potential cornerstone in the mold of Tim Duncan with his diverse skill set. Perhaps more importantly, his promising production in the first six games have helped shift the narrative after an offseason of uncertainty about the changing roster.

NBA misjudged Grizzlies' depth

The Grizzlies might not have a star with the commercial crossover potential Morant once had, but the roster was in much better shape than many NBA prognosticators expected after the team traded away Morant, Jackson, Bane and Santi Aldama in various deals. Memphis currently has 13 players averaging at least 12 minutes per game as coach Tuomas Iisalo often uses an 11-man rotation.

Jerome, who missed most of last season after being signed by the Grizzlies, was the league's leading scorer during the first week of the season. Coward and Jaylen Wells have shown growth as 3-point shooters and Edey, despite being on a minutes restriction, has been a dominating rebounder and defensive anchor based on advanced metrics. Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart, acquired in trades this past offseason, have provided a veteran presence off a bench that seems to come in waves.

That approach might not work in the postseason, and it caused issues when Morant clashed with Iisalo last year. But it's proving effective during the first month of an NBA season that's been defined by the number of injuries impact players have already suffered.

Grizzlies' schedule has been soft

Memphis has shown undeniable signs that it was overlooked heading into the 2026-27 season and swept a four-game road trip as part of this hot start. But it also hasn't beaten a team expected to contend for either conference title.

The Grizzlies have beaten the NBA's only winless team twice (Sacramento Kings) and have two wins over a team with a 1-5 record heading into Monday (Utah Jazz). They'll be favored against the struggling Pelicans.

But Memphis also orchestrated a comeback over the Golden State Warriors and handed the Portland Trail Blazers their first loss of the season. Morant played against his former team for the first time in Portland and left with a hamstring injury that will sideline him for at least a month.

Six games don't validate a rebuild, and the schedule toughens in the coming weeks. But as Morant faces another extended absence and the Grizzlies keep piling up wins, the franchise's decision to dismantle the roster built around him looks less like a gamble and more like foresight.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grizzlies tore down their core. So how are they the NBA's last unbeaten team?

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‘Right now a top-10 player’: This NBA insider says it with his chest about Cooper Flagg’s arrival

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 26: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives to the basket against Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat during the first quarter at Kaseya Center on October 26, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

If you’ve been locked in for the Dallas Mavericks’ first six games of the 2026-27 season, you already know. The proof is in the dominance-flavored pudding.

And ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon has been. So he knows.

That’s why MacMahon had no reservations when he declared flatly on Monday’s episode of the Hoop Collective podcast that Cooper Flagg has already arrived. He’s not going to be one of the best in the league. He is one of the best in the league. Right now. Today.

This is no longer something opposing teams can put off until some future point in Flagg’s development. He will wreck your shit tomorrow. The Houston Rockets found out about it in Friday’s first and fourth quarter s of the Mavericks’ 116-111 win at the AAC to improve their record to 4-2.

“This is going to get aggregated, and I’m okay with it,” MacMahon said while discussing the Mavericks with podcast host Brian Windhorst, who himself banged a loud drum for Flagg before the start of the season. “I would not trade Cooper Flagg for Luka [Doncic], just considering age, contract, all that kind of stuff. Cooper Flagg I believe right now is a top-10 player.”

Then he said it once more, with vigor.

“I think he’s a top-10 player. … There’s only one guy in the league I’d trade him for.”

I don’t know why there’s a need to commingle this discussion with who one would or wouldn’t trade for Flagg, because the Mavericks ain’t trading Flagg, just as much as the San Antonio Spurs ain’t trading Victor Wembanyama any time soon. Irrelevant.

What’s relevant is that Flagg’s development has curved toward the exponential in the tail end of what are still his teen years, which should be a horrifying proposition for the rest of the league, and the Mavericks’ roster is showing signs that the same may be true of the team surrounding the young superstar.

Flagg and Kyrie Irving went off for 35 and 33, respectively, in Friday’s upset of the Rockets, who were admittedly playing without Alperen Sengun. MacMahon also stressed on the podcast that it is becoming less and less likely that the team trades Irving this season as the team’s fortunes seem to be turning this year.

“Cooper being this good at bringing the ball up and initiating the offense takes a lot of pressure off him and takes a lot of strain off him. Kyrie, I think, is very, very happy and comfortable with his situation in Dallas,” MacMahon said. “My educated guess is that this is probably a situation that plays out this summer, but we’ll see.”

Irving has a player option for 2027-28 at just north of $42 million before he becomes an unrestricted free agent after next season.

Irving and Flagg work well on the court for the same reason that Irving and Doncic worked, and for the same reason that Irving and LeBron James worked during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ championship season in 2015-16. Having a running partner who can also bring the ball up and initiate offense gives Irving the freedom to play both on and off the ball, maximizing his ability to play-make and get into advantageous matchups for isos.

Flagg comes into Monday’s game against the Sacramento Kings averaging 26.8 points per game, which is seventh in the NBA, through six games. He’s also fifth in steals (2.6 per game) and 21st in blocked shots (1.2), making him perhaps the most dominant force on both sides of the ball this side of Wembanyama.

And he won’t turn 20 for six more weeks.

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Jacob Markstrom Returns To Panthers Lineup For Hometown Remix Matchup With Red Wings

Things have been looking up for the Florida Panthers lately.

Florida will look for a season-high fourth consecutive victory on Monday night when they host the Detroit Red Wings at Amerant Bank Arena.

The Panthers will also have a different look to them when they hit the ice.

Monday, the Cats will debut their new Hometown Remix uniforms, which every team throughout the NHL will be showing off at some point this week.

We’ve got photos and all the details on Florida’s new threads here.

As for the game itself, there will only be one change in the Panthers lineup from their previous outing, a 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Friday night.

Florida will welcome starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom back between the pipes after he was forced to miss the past five games.

Markstrom suffered an upper-body injury during practice on Oct. 19 but has been seen back on the ice in recent days, which signaled his imminent return.

So far this season, Markstrom holds a 5-1-1 record to go with a 2.21 goals against average and .897 save percentage.

He’ll be matched up against former Panthers puck-stopper Daniil Tarasov, who is expected to get the nod in net for the Red Wings.

Here are the Panthers projected lines and pairings for Monday’s meeting with Detroit:

Brady Tkachuk – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Reinhart – Sandis Vilmanis

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Lars Eller

Boko Imama – Cole Schwindt – Garnet Hathaway

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones

Dmitry Kulikov – Radko Gudas

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Alex Mitchell out of Nations Championship opener in fresh England injury blow

  • Scrum-half out of game against Australia on Sunday

  • Wallabies match followed by New Zealand and Japan

The Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell has been ruled out of England’s November opener against Australia on Sunday, with Bristol’s Harry Randall and Bath’s Ben Spencer called into the squad named by the head coach, Steve Borthwick.

Mitchell, established as the first‑choice No 9 under Borthwick, damaged a hamstring in Northampton’s Prem win against Gloucester on Saturday and will have a scan on Tuesday to determine the extent of the injury.

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Week in Review: Wembanyama explodes back into form to lead Spurs to undefeated week

SAN ANTONIO, TX -OCTOBER 31: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks over Trey Lyles #41 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Frost Bank Center on October 31: 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to Week in Review: a Monday feature that looks back at the week that was for the San Antonio Spurs, takes a look at the week ahead, and more. Enjoy!

Week 1: It wasn’t the ideal start to the season for the defending Western Conference Finals champions. With Victor Wembanyama not looking like himself (among other issues), they got throttled at home by a fleetingly healthy Thunder squad and lost a heartbreaker in Austin to the Rockets before finally getting their first win of the season against a depleted Mavs team in Dallas.

Week #: 4-2 (3-0, 6th in West)

130-113 win vs. Sacramento Kings

There may be no better team to “get right” against than the Kings, and the Spurs made quick work of the annual cellar dwellers (which was a good thing considering it was the first night of a back-to-back). Wemby began his bounce-back by dominating the paint on his way to 29 points, and Julian Champagnie tied his franchise record for three-pointers in a half with 8 in the first.

117-111 OT win at Utah Jazz

The Spurs looked lethargic the next night against a shorthanded Jazz team, although they had the excuse of a rest disadvantage and not having time to acclimate to the elevation change. Regardless, after enduring another big game from noted Spurs killer Keyonte George, they woke up and dominated in overtime, with Devin Vassell hitting several key shots down the stretch and Wemby dominating his way to 36 points, including finally hitting some threes.

121-111 win vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Not to be outdone, Geralt if Rivia Wemby took it another step further on Halloween night with 43 points and 6 blocks against a Timberwolves squad that was missing Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert (not that the latter has proven to a Wemby stopper). As with all four wins so far, the Spurs left a little something to be desired on the consistency front and weren’t as dominant has they could have been considering the opponents/injuries, but you accept the baby steps (for now).

Power Rankings

John Schuhmann, NBA.com — N/A (last week: 6)

coming soon

Law Murray, The Athletic — 4 (last week: 12)

The Spurs handled their business in three spots where they should have handled their business: a woeful Kings team, a short-handed Utah team and a short-handed Timberwolves team traveling on zero days’ rest. Still, San Antonio got impressive performances from Victor Wembanyama, culminating in a career-high 34 field goal attempts against the Timberwolves. The Spurs will look much deeper whenever Tobias Harris can get back.

Kurt Helin, NBC Sports — 7 (last week: 8)

San Antonio has found its footing somewhat after a slow start, and now boasts a top-10 offense and defense. And it has done that without the Spurs big off-season acquisition, Tobias Harris, who is nearing a return but there is no official timetable. The Spurs have stretches where they look like the best team in the league: Defending with ferocity, moving the ball, and getting easy buckets around the rim. Then the next quarter they fall in love with isolation basketball and things go cold, which happened too much against Minnesota on Halloween, but they got bailed out by 43 points from Victor “The Witcher” Wembanyama.

Brett Siegel, Clutch Points — 4 (last week: 9)

Victor Wembanyama was not about to let the San Antonio Spurs be below .500 for too long. Following a 0-2 start to the season, the Spurs have rattled off four straight wins and look like the team they were several months ago en route to the 2025 NBA Finals.

Over their last four games, the Spurs have averaged 122.5 points per game, led by Wembanyama, who has averaged 32.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 4.3 blocks per game during this win streak. Wemby says he is aiming for the MVP award, and these are definitely MVP-like numbers.

One of the more underappreciated players on this roster has been Julian Champagnie, who has shot 16-of-31, or 51.6 percent, from 3-point range in this span. He is shooting 47.6 percent from 3-point range on the season and proving to be one of the most impactful forwards off the bench in the entire NBA.

Coming up

  • Mon. 11/2 vs. Utah Jazz (7:30 PM CT)
  • Wed. 11/4 vs. Dallas Mavericks (8:30 PM CT)
  • Fri. 11/6 at Sacramento Kings (Emirates Cup, 9:00 PM CT)
  • Sat. 11/7 at Portland Trail Blazers (9:00 PM CT)

Prediction: 3-1 — I really want to go 4-0, but we need to see more consistency from the Spurs first. The Mavs with Cooper Flagg and noted Spurs killer Kyrie Irving, who both missed the first match-up, are a different animal, and strange things always happen in Portland, especially on the second night of a back-to-back. I believe the Spurs will ultimately split those games, but I’m more than ready to be proven wrong.

Bonus content

Not really Spurs related, but there has been so much drama in the NBA in the first two weeks alone — from injuries, to current and former teammate arguments, and scuffles — that it makes you appreciate the drama-free Spurs (outside of the first two games, of course). Here is a quick summary of all the craziness, in case you need catching up.

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Late Closeouts, Empty Glass: Breaking Down the NBA’s Worst Defense

Last year, this defense was the whole identity of the team. We watched a roster nobody believed in become a problem every night because they chased, they swiped, they dove on the floor, and they made you earn every bucket. Four games into this season, that team is gone.

The Suns are 1-3 and have allowed 122 points or more in all four games.

Dillon Brooks stood at the podium and called it what it is: “We’re 30th in defense, so that’s not great. That’s terrible.” Then they spent three days drilling it in practice, came home, and let Denver rain threes in their own building.

The fanbase is past the “small sample size” stage. We are watching the same breakdowns repeat.

This stat from Cody Hunt on X/Twitter blew my mind. How much is it bad luck? How much is it real? I believe it’s a bit of both, personally. And small sample sizes can blow stats like this out of proportion. But it is clear that this is a massive issue that needs correcting, ASAP.

Tactical Breakdown

Rotations to shooters are late, every time.

Murray and Braun combined for 14 threes, and Brooks and others kept rotating or closing out too late on kick-outs to Braun. Ott pointed out that Braun was “a guy that’s made five all year.” Credit to Braun, but when you leave a shooter wide open, he gets hot.

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The switching scheme leaves too few defenders on the back side.

About a dozen times, the aggressive switching and double-teams on Jokic left one help defender covering two Nuggets on the perimeter. That scheme only works with perfect timing, and right now nobody is in sync. And we saw it snowball.

Off-ball attention in the corners.

Brooks and Bridges are often stationed in the corner, where they tend to doze off, whether that means losing a backdoor cutter, reacting late, or failing to rebound. Booker’s league-worst 137.2 individual defensive rating gets the headlines, but the leaks are coming from every spot on the floor.

Again, the problem I have with all of this is that they had a full three days to talk about this and work on it. And while they looked much sharper offensively (outside of Jalen Green), the defense stuck out like a sore thumb yet again.

The Size/Athleticism Filter

This roster was built to be long and nasty, and the length is not showing up where it matters. At 27.7 defensive rebounds per game, only Golden State has been worse at ending opponent possessions. With Mark Williams out and Oso Ighodaro missing a couple of games, the frontcourt has been thin and young, and Khaman Maluach is taking on a big role early.

Ott explained the trade-off himself: the team is “so concerned on the glass” that players retreat to rebound instead of pressuring the ball, and without stops they end up inbounding after made baskets. Last year the athleticism produced steals and transition buckets. This year it is being spent cleaning up misses that should have been contested in the first place.

The defense was the engine for everything else. The Suns ranked third in steals last season, and that pressure is what made the chaos offense work. Without it, this is a half-court team with spacing problems. The front line defense is vital not only for containing penetration that leads to clean looks, but also for stopping guys like Jamal Murray from going supernova and dropping 39 with ease, which I talked about in my latest episode of Suns Hit.

The lineup questions are already here. Jalen Green’s defensive rating sits at 130.7, while Collin Gillespie’s is 120.3, and Ott went with Gillespie next to Booker down the stretch instead of Green.

They will need the defense to step up against a Warriors team that can shoot the basketball well from deep. They hunt three-point looks. And have some guy named Stephen Curry who is pretty good at shooting the basketball. Golden State drilled 22 threes on 45% shooting in a win over the Clippers on Sunday night, and have won 4 straight games since their loss to the Suns.

That decision (starters) is going to get louder every week the defense stays at the bottom of the league. The lone cure to that is winning, and even that may be a band-aid if they can’t figure out how to make this group work long-term.

Closing Thought

The talk is already done. The film is there.

Close out on shooters. Box out the man in your area. Defense should be the priority. If the Booker-Green-Brooks-Bridges core can’t defend together, Ott has to stop forcing it and play the lineups that get stops.

Last year’s top-10 defense came from effort and execution, and right now this team has neither.

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Ranking the Rockies, 2026: No. 30, Victor Vodnik

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 14: Victor Vodnik #38 of the Colorado Rockies reacts after a two RBI single in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on May 14, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welcome to the 2026 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for the Rockies in 2026. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the lowest rWAR and end up with the player with the highest.

No. 3o, Victor Vodnik (0.1 rWAR)

RHP Victor Vodnik first arrived in Denver via trade at the deadline in 2023 when the Colorado Rockies traded pitcher Pierce Johnston to the Atlanta Braves.

At the time, Vodnik was Atlanta’s #10 prospect as ranked by MLB Pipeline. As Skyler Timmins wrote,

Vodnik, 23, was originally drafted by the Braves in the 14th round of the 2018 draft out of Rialto High School in California. In five minor league seasons, he has a 3.48 ERA in 99 games and has primarily worked specifically out of the bullpen since 2022. Vodnik is currently having one of his best seasons so far with the Double-A Mississippi Braves, posting a 3.10 ERA across 40 2⁄3 innings in 30 games. He boasts a 12.4 K/9 this season but can struggle with walks at a 5.5 BB/9 rate. He features a primary mix of a fastball and changeup, with his fastball able to occasionally reach triple digits.

In his three years with the Rockies, Vodnik saw plenty of action. After pitching just 8.2 innings in 2023, he had 73.2 IP (4.28 ERA) in 2024, 50.2 IP (3.02 ERA) in 2025, and 36.0 (5.25 ERA) in 2026 before being traded to the Miami Marlins. (He spent more than a month on the Injured List early in the season with right ulnar nerve inflammation and returned to the Rockies on June 15.)

Cory Cohen wrote, “The hard-throwing right-hander has shown glimpses of closer-like stuff but has struggled with consistency in parts of four seasons for Colorado.”

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According to Baseball Savant, Vodnik features a six-pitch mix, relying most heavily on his four-seam fastball (45.6%), his slider (27.7%), and his changeup (14.8%). In 2026, he began using his slider more, a pitch with a 33.6% Whiff%. As James Riggenbach explained in July, Vodnik’s slider evolved at the expense of his changeup.

He also finished the season with a 56.5% GB%.

No one doubted the stuff — Vodnik regularly hit 98.5 mph with his four-seamer. However, the control was erratic. A 6.50 K/9 (the worst of his career) could not outweigh his 4.75 BB/9.

Presumably, the Marlins hoped they could fix what altitude and Rockies player development could not.

It helps, too, that Vodnik saw significant improvement over the course of the season. In March-April, he tallied a 7.82 ERA that rose to 8.44 in May. However, June and July saw significant improvement as Vodnik posted a 2.84 and a 2.53 ERA, respectively, in both months. Given that his road ERA was 3.82 compared to 6.31 at Coors, it’s easy to see what the Marlins are hoping for.

After arriving in Miami, Vodnik wracked up 22.2 IP and earned a 4.37 ERA — so better but not amazing.

Put him down as a work in progress.

Why did the Rockies trade him? Probably for two reasons. First, Vodnik’s trade value was high — less high than it was in 2025 but high enough that moving him in August made sense. Second, his inconsistency was never going to play with a team committing to not giving up walks.

Now to see how things go with Miami.

The trade deadline is a strange time in an MLB clubhouse. The players, like everyone else, are on edge, waiting to see if they will be moved and where that place might be. Everything is distraction.

Vodnik’s trade was announced just as the clock was running out. After a player is traded, their things are removed almost immediately from the clubhouse. When media entered the Rockies clubhouse following the Rockies game against the Tampa Bay Rays, no trace remained of Brenton Doyle, Antonio Senzatela, or Victor Vodnik, and their lockers were already occupied by former teammates.

I wondered how it had happened so quickly.

That night as I was leaving Coors Field, I waited at the light to cross 20th Street. The Rockies had lost to the Rays, 13-9, and a thin crowd was long gone. Across the street, I saw someone else waiting to cross. The light changed, and we started across. Then I realized as I was leaving Coors, Victor Vodnik was headed back, presumably to collected this things and officially finish his time as a Rockie.

In the middle of the street, we said, “Hello,” exchanged fist bumps, and I wished him good luck in Miami.

Then it was over — just like Vodnik’s time with the Rockies.

Such is baseball.

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The Viva El Birdos Podcast: Episode 89 – Interview with Bernie Miklasz

Bernie Miklasz on the Cardinals’ Future: Insights and Speculations

What Randy Flores’ departure means for St. Louis baseball.

As the off-season unfolds, the chatter around the St. Louis Cardinals intensifies, especially following the recent news of Randy Flores leaving for the Houston Astros’ General Manager position. In this episode, Jake Wood is joined by Bernie Miklasz, a seasoned sports writer, to dissect the ripple effects of this significant shift in the Cardinals’ front office.

Randy Flores’ Departure

Bernie expresses his excitement for Flores, stating, > “I’m thrilled for Randy Flores. He certainly earned this and is worthy of it.” His transition from player to front office executive has been impressive, and while Bernie acknowledges Flores’ contributions, he admits uncertainty about the impact of his departure.

“It’s too early to say whether this is a blow to the Cardinals.”

Bernie points out that the Cardinals have a capable team in Zach Mortimer overseeing scouting and drafting, assuring fans that the organization remains in good hands.

The Implications for Talent Pursuit

The discussion shifts to whether Flores’ exit will alter how the Cardinals pursue amateur talent. Bernie believes that the team’s reputation is on the rise, noting, > “It’s a great indication that the Cardinals are back in play as an organization that other organizations kind of look to or look up to.”

Scott Plaza adds to this sentiment, reflecting on how being coveted by other teams signifies the organization’s solid standing in baseball.

Possible Coaching Changes

A captivating topic emerged regarding potential coaching shifts, with Jake Wood probing if Flores might take former Cardinals like Daniel Descalso or Jon Jay with him. Bernie acknowledges the possibility, stating, > “If Randy Flores would be interested in either one of those guys, it makes perfect sense.”

Jake and Scott discuss the intriguing idea of Yadier Molina stepping into a coaching role. Bernie raises valid concerns about the dynamics this could create with current manager Oli Marmol, saying, > “Bringing Yadier Molina as a bench coach could complicate things, especially considering the pressure Marmol is already under.”

Conclusion

As the Cardinals navigate this transitional period, the insights from Bernie and the team illustrate a thoughtful approach to change. With new opportunities on the horizon, the fanbase watches closely, eager to see how these developments will shape the future of their beloved team.

For more detail and to dive deeper into the conversation, check out the full episode of the Viva El Birdos Podcast.

YouTube:

Spotify:

-Thanks for reading

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Preview: Blackhawks to debut Hometown Remix jerseys tonight against the Avs

Frank Nazar get’s the first wear of the Chicago Blackhawks Hometown Remix jersey. Photo via Chicago Blackhawks X. 11-2-26.

Tonight, the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks will meet for the first time in the 2026-27 regular season. The Avalanche come in on a two-game winning streak after victories over the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames last week. Conversely, the Blackhawks are on a two-game losing streak with losses to the Red Wings and Bruins. Will the Hawks buck the trend, or will the Avalanche stack another win, this time a divisional one?

Colorado Avalanche: 8-5-1

The Opponent: Chicago Blackhawks (4-9-1)

Time: 6:00 p.m. MT

Watch: Altitude, Altitude+, ESPN+ (0ut-of-market)

Listen: Altitude Sports Radio, 92.5 FM

Colorado Avalanche

The Avalanche got back to a relatively healthy lineup against the New Jersey Devils, but it lasted about 2 periods as defender Josh Manson struggled to leave the ice, and he was later announced as missing at least 8 weeks with a lower-body injury. Colorado has recalled Keaton Middleton from the Colorado Eagles, but Evan Rawal reports it’s strictly to have an extra defender for the back-to-back.

Colorado has looked better since Nic Roy returned to the lineup, as his arrival has created a more balanced forward group. Moreover, the first power-play unit scored last time out on a nice shot from Martin Necas. The goal came with Necas inhabiting the flank that we are used to seeing MacKinnon on. Let’s see whether his staying on that dot is a focused approach or a one-off.

This is a game the Colorado Avalanche should win (on paper), so it will be interesting to see how they come out, as the Avalanche have struggled to start on time, especially in road contests.

Artturi Lehkonen’s 12 goals in 14 games put him on pace for 66 goals this season. Obviously, the chances of that happening are slim to none, but it’s reasonable to track whether he reaches 30 goals for the first time in his pro career, and he’s on a torrid pace. Speaking of 30-goal seasons, Gabe Landeskog is also on track toward the third of his 13-year career.

Projected Lineup:

Artturi Lehkonen — Nathan MacKinnon — Martin Necas
Gabriel Landeskog — Brock Nelson — Nicolas Roy
Jaden Schwartz — Nazem Kadri — T.J. Hughes
Logan O’Connor — Parker Kelly — Fedor Svechkov

Devon Toews — Cale Makar
Brent Burns — Sam Malinski
Brett Kulak — Noah Juulsen

Note: Tonight’s lineup is still hard to pin down. The Avs sent Gavin Brindley back to the AHL after the Calgary game, and Logan O’Connor out for personal reasons. It’s unclear if LOC made the trip, as he’s still listed as day-to-day with no word otherwise.

Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago will be without former Avalanche defenseman Bowen Byram tonight, so he will miss out on rocking the new Hometown Remix kits officially announced this morning. Chicago’s is all green, and I know the history and all, but to me it just looks like a practice jersey.

It looked like the addition of Byram, accompanied by the existence of Connor Bedard and the Patrick Kane reunion, might be enough to get Chicago back to being a playoff team, but with Byram unavailable for most of October and Bedard missing the first six games of the season, they haven’t been able to garner any early-season returns.

The Hawks felt like their last game was their best performance, that being the OTL to the Boston Bruins, so perhaps they are building toward something now that Bedard is back. The first overall pick in 2023 had a goal and an assist against the B’s and will have a tough test tonight against Colorado.

Projected Lineup:

Roman Kantserov — Connor Bedard — Ryan Donato
Tyler Bertuzzi — Anton Frondell — Andrew Mangiapane
Oliver Moore — Frank Nazar — Patrick Kane
Cole Smith — Ryan Greene — Teuvo Teravainen

Alex Vlasic — Ian Cole
Wyatt Kaiser — Artyom Levshunov
Ethan Del Mastro — Sam Rinzel

Goaltenders

It’s looking like Mackenzie Blackwood vs. Spencer Knight, but only Spencer’s start has been officially confirmed. With Colorado on a back-to-back, the divisional game feels more important, so you go with your starter, Blackwood, who’s looked better and better as the season has gone on. How about that glove save against Calgary?

Editor’s Note: Imagine I almost published this article without sharing the Avalanche Hometown Remix announcement!

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How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Cleveland Cavaliers: TV/live stream info for tonight's game

Peacock NBA Monday returns tonight, as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers take center stage.

See below to find out how to watch both games as well as additional information on how to live stream NBA games on Peacock.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

Thunder vs. Cavaliers Game Preview:

Oklahoma City Thunder:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder looked to be back to their championship form after starting the season with four straight wins, but injuries have plagued them and they come into this matchup against Cleveland losing two in a row.

With Chet Holmgren out for several weeks due to a knee injury, the Thunder turn to rookie big man Aday Mara to man the paint against Cleveland's formidable inside presence of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Mara has been a force in the middle blocking eight shots over his last three games, but he's only had double digits in points or rebounds once each this season. Can he fill up the stat sheet as OKC's main big man?

With Mara filling in, the depleted Thunder will have to rely on SGA even more and it remains to be seen if he can return to his same scoring prowess we've become accustomed to. It's still early in the season, but the two-time MVP is -only- averaging 26 points per game, while he's averaged over 30 per game for the last four seasons.

Phoenix Suns v Oklahoma City Thunder
Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 3: Aday Mara is ready to shine
Rookie big man Aday Mara headlines our top fantasy basketball adds ahead of Week 3.

Cleveland Cavaliers:

The Cavs enter this matchup having only lost two games on the season and those were by a combined 11 points.

While the Thunder have decimated by injuries, Cleveland's core has remained on the floor for much of the season. That core has allowed the Cavs to remain balanced on offense through the early part of the season with four players — Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Mobley, Allen — all averaging at least 15 points per game.

All eyes will be on the superstars in this matchup as SGA and Mitchell battle to light up the scoreboard. Or will Mara steal the show and have his "welcome to the NBA" moment?

How to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs Cleveland Cavaliers:

  • When: Tonight, Monday, November 2
  • Time: 7:00 PM ET
  • Where: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, OH
  • TV: NBCSN
  • Live Stream:Peacock

How to watch 2026-27 NBA games on NBC and Peacock?

The NBA is back on NBC and Peacock for the 2026-27 season with 100 regular-season games across its three marquee nights of the week: Peacock NBA Monday, Coast 2 Coast Tuesday, and Sunday Night Basketball, beginning Jan. 24, 2027.

All NBA games presented by NBC Sports will stream live on Peacock and all Peacock-exclusive games on Monday nights will also be presented on NBCSN. Telemundo, NBCUniversal’s Spanish-language broadcast network, will present 10 Sunday Night Basketball games as well as the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 21, 2027.

What is the full 2026-27 NBA on NBC and Peacock schedule?

You can see the full schedule of 2026-27 NBA games airing on NBC, Peacock, NBCSN, and Telemundo here.

How do I sign up for Peacock to watch NBA games?

Peacock is available across a variety of devices. To get started, find or download the Peacock application on your device or head directly to PeacockTV.com to create a Peacock account. Then, you’re ready to watch!

Sign up here to start streaming.

What other sports can I watch on Peacock?

Peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service.

What devices does Peacock support?

You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.

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Avalanche Recall Hard-Hitting Defenseman Ahead of Busy Stretch

The Colorado Avalanche have recalled defenseman Keaton Middleton from the Colorado Eagles, adding another option to their blue line ahead of a busy stretch of games.

According to Evan Rawal of The Denver Gazette, there are no reported injuries prompting the move. Colorado is bringing Middleton up to have an extra defenseman available for its back-to-back, which begins Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks at 6 p.m. and continues Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 5 p.m.

The recall comes as the Avalanche continue adjusting to the loss of Josh Manson, who is expected to miss eight weeks with an ankle injury. Manson was injured during Wednesday's 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils, going down near the Colorado bench late in the first period. He struggled to get off the ice and needed assistance from a trainer before heading down the tunnel. He did not return.

Manson's absence has already forced Jared Bednar to make changes to his defensive pairings. Against New Jersey, Colorado deployed Brent Burns alongside Sam Malinski for the first time, hoping Burns' experience and communication could help the young defenseman find his game. The early results were encouraging, particularly after the Burns-Manson pairing had struggled in recent games.

Noah Juulsen has since stepped into Manson's spot, while Middleton gives the Avalanche another defenseman to turn to if needed.

Middleton has appeared in 47 career NHL games with Colorado, recording three assists. He played in just three games with the Avalanche last season before spending most of the year with the Eagles.

Through his first 11 appearances with Colorado's AHL affiliate this season, Middleton has recorded one assist, seven penalty minutes and a plus-2 rating.

Last season, the 30-year-old defenseman finished with four goals and 10 assists in 66 regular-season games with the Eagles. He added six points (one goal, five assists) in 17 playoff appearances as Colorado advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

Middleton is also familiar with Burns, having spent considerable time training alongside the veteran defenseman during the offseason. Should Colorado need to use him, that familiarity could come in handy.

The Avalanche will have another defenseman available as they work through Manson's extended absence. With Juulsen currently filling the opening in the lineup, Middleton's recall gives Bednar a little more flexibility without necessarily signaling another change to the blue line.

Image
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Raptors looking for consistency against Clippers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 1: Gradey Dick #9 of the LA Clippers drives to the basket during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 1, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The Toronto Raptors will continue their Western Conference road trip on Monday night when they take on the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome.

Toronto enters the matchup looking to put together a more consistent performance after facing the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday.

The Raptors have shown plenty of encouraging signs early in the season, particularly on the offensive end, but will be looking to maintain that level of play against their Western Conference opponent.

Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett continue to provide the team with scoring and playmaking, while Immanuel Quickley has given Toronto another option to create offence in the backcourt. The offence has clicked early on this season, a very promising sign.

TORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 30: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates scoring against the Orlando Magic during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup game at Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bailey McLean/Getty Images) | Getty Images

However, Monday’s matchup carries an additional storyline following the blockbuster trade between the two organizations in September.

Toronto acquired Kawhi Leonard from Los Angeles in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and future draft compensation, bringing the former Raptors Finals MVP back to Toronto for a second stint with the franchise.

Unfortunately, neither Leonard nor Ingram will get the opportunity to face their former teams on Monday night. Leonard has been ruled out with a knee injury, while Ingram remains sidelined with a heel injury and a partially torn Achilles tendon.

While the two former All-Stars will be watching from the sidelines, Toronto will still get a look at one familiar face in Gradey Dick, who joined the Clippers as part of the deal.

Dick will have an opportunity to face the organization that drafted him in 2023, adding another interesting storyline to an already intriguing matchup.

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: Gradey Dick #9 of the LA Clippers dribbles upcourt during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Intuit Dome on October 28, 2026 in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Looking at how these two teams match up, Toronto should have an advantage when it comes to its defensive intensity and ability to create opportunities in transition.

The Raptors have built much of their identity around forcing turnovers, getting out in the open floor and using their athleticism to create easy scoring opportunities. With Barnes leading the way, Toronto has the personnel to put pressure on the Clippers defensively and make things difficult for them in the half court.

However, one area that could give Toronto some trouble is the centre position. While Jakob Poeltl provides the Raptors with an established presence in the starting lineup, he has struggled massively this season. Toronto will need contributions from its other frontcourt options to help manage the minutes behind Poeltl.

The Clippers could look to take advantage of that situation. Isaiah Jackson’s athleticism and ability to finish around the rim, combined with Brook Lopez’s size and perimeter shooting, give Los Angeles different ways to attack Toronto’s interior defence.

Lopez, in particular, could create problems by pulling Toronto’s bigs away from the basket, opening up driving lanes for the Clippers’ guards. Rebounding and protecting the paint will be important areas for Toronto to address throughout the game.

Los Angeles also has some strengths on the perimeter. Darius Garland gives the Clippers an established playmaker who can create opportunities for himself and his teammates, while the team’s perimeter shooting could present challenges for Toronto’s defence.

The Raptors will need to communicate defensively, limit open looks from beyond the arc and avoid allowing Garland to dictate the pace.

TORONTO, CANADA – OCTOBER 30: Head coach Darko Rajakovi of the Toronto Raptors celebrates with Collin Murray-Boyles #30 against the Orlando Magic during the second half of a Emirates NBA Cup game at Scotiabank Arena on October 30, 2026 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bailey McLean/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Despite those concerns, the Clippers have their own issues to work through. With Ingram, Bradley Beal and other rotation players dealing with injuries, Los Angeles has had to rely on different combinations to generate offence. The team has struggled to find consistency early in the season, and Toronto needs to take advantage of that.

For the Raptors, the biggest priority should be putting together a complete performance on both ends of the floor. They have shown they can score with some of the better teams in the league, but their defensive lapses and inconsistent stretches have made it difficult to string together strong performances. They cannot afford to give the Clippers easy baskets or allow the game to become a back-and-forth shooting contest.

Ultimately, Toronto needs to win this game. The Raptors have been too inconsistent through the opening stretch of the season, and opportunities against short-handed opponents are games they need to take advantage of if they want to establish themselves as a legitimate playoff team.

A road win would provide some much-needed momentum, but another inconsistent performance would only add to the concerns surrounding this group.