The Mets and Padres are "engaging" in trade talks, according to a report Saturday by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Dennis Lin and Will Sammon.
Right-handed starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, outfielder Ramón Laureano and three relievers -- right-handers Jeremiah Estrada and Mason Miller and left-hander Adrian Morejon -- are San Diego's reported players in discussions with New York.
The Padres, meanwhile, are reportedly inquiring about the Mets' younger MLB players and all top prospects.
The Mets had "substantial" trade talks with the Athletics about Miller, whom the Padres ultimately landed at the 2025 deadline in a July 31 deal.
Miller was a 2024 All-Star with the Athletics. In his 22 regular-season games with the Padres this past campaign, he allowed two runs on seven hits (one homer) while striking out 45 and walking 10 across 23.1 IP. The 27-year-old is under club control through the 2029 season.
Meanwhile, Pivetta, 32, signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Padres after splitting his career's first leg on the Philadelphia Phillies (2017-20) and Boston Red Sox (2020-24).
In his 31 regular-season games this past campaign, Pivetta went 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA over 181.2 IP. He had a career-high 5.3 WAR and personal-best 0.985 WHIP.
Pivetta has an opt-out clause after the 2026 season, and a player option following the 2027 campaign.
The Baltimore Orioles originally signed Laureano, 31, last February on a one-year, $4 million contract with a team option for the 2026 season. The Padres landed him in a July 31 trade and exercised his club option in early November.
Laureano logged 50 regular-season games with the Padres this past year, slashing .269/.323/.489 while adding nine home runs and 30 RBI. He totaled 24 home runs, 76 RBI and a /.281/.342/.512 slash line in 132 games (82 with Baltimore).
Morejon, 26, was a 2025 All-Star and has been with the Padres for the past decade. He defected from Cuba in October 2015 and signed with San Diego the following July, working through the minor leagues before making his MLB debut July 21, 2019.
In 75 regular-season games this past year, Morejon totaled a career-best 2.08 ERA and 0.896 WHIP across 73.2 IP.
Estrada, 27, has been with the Padres since they claimed him off waivers in November 2023. In two seasons with the Padres, he has a 3.22 ERA and 1.119 WHIP over 139 games (134 IP).
The Detroit Red Wings will conclude their long road trip on Saturday in Chicago against the Blackhawks, who will be without star Connor Bedard due to a shoulder injury. Bedard, the 2023 first overall pick, has been sensational this season with 44 points in 31 games, ranking third in the NHL in scoring. His absence comes at a time when the Blackhawks have struggled offensively, winning just three of their last 12 games.
Detroit, meanwhile, is regaining momentum after a brief setback, and recent contributions from veterans Andrew Copp and James van Riemsdyk have bolstered their scoring depth. Copp has thrived alongside Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, while van Riemsdyk has scored six goals in his last eight games, however he's expected to get a day off Saturday. Detroit’s defense has still been an issue, conceding an average of three goals per game, highlighting the importance of strong goaltending from John Gibson, who has recently posted back-to-back standout performances.
Chicago’s offense has cooled without Bedard, placing more pressure on veteran winger Tyler Bertuzzi, who has 19 points over his last 16 games. The Blackhawks’ defensive struggles persist, allowing 3.67 goals per game over the recent slump. Historically, these teams’ matchups have been high-scoring, with seven of the last nine meetings totaling six or more goals.
Detroit’s DeBrincat-Kane duo will be central to the offensive battle, while Bertuzzi remains Chicago’s primary threat. Goaltending could play a pivotal role, with Gibson aiming to maintain his hot streak and Arvid Soderblom having previously delivered a standout 45-save performance against Detroit. The game promises to be a compelling clash of Detroit’s surging offense and Chicago’s efforts to overcome the loss of their breakout star.
Detroit Red Wings’ Expected Line Combinations vs. Chicago (Saturday):
Finnie – Larkin – Raymond
DeBrincat – Copp – Kane
Soderblom – Danielson – Kasper
Rasmussen – Compher – Berggren
Edvinsson – Seider
Chiarot – Sandin-Pellikka
Johansson – Benard-Docker
Gibson
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
The Ottawa Senators moved quickly to address their growing injury concerns at forward.
Sens head coach Travis Green announced on Friday that Lars Eller will "be out for a little while" with a lower-body injury. So on Saturday morning, the club bolstered their roster for games in Minnesota (Saturday) and Winnipeg (Monday) by calling up winger Olle Lycksell from their AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators.
Eller was apparently hurt while blocking a shot in Columbus on Thursday night during a 6–3 victory over the Blue Jackets.
“Yeah, Lars is going to unfortunately be out for a little while,” Green told Senators host Jackson Starr. “Blocked a shot. Not sure quite exactly how long, but we won’t see him the rest of this road trip for sure.”
The 26-year-old Lycksell has been a man in motion this season. This is his third call-up to Ottawa from the B-Sens. As a point-per-game player with Lehigh Valley last season, the guy is a proven AHL scorer, but he has yet to find traction at the NHL level.
With Drake Batherson injured in the preseason, Lycksell won a spot in Ottawa's opening night lineup. In all, he's played in six games and scored his first goal with the club on October 23rd, a game-winner against his old team, the Philadelphia Flyers.
In Belleville, Lycksell has four points in four games in December and six points in nine games overall. He's spent a good chunk of his season as a reserve player
Eller's spot as a fourth-line centre is likely to be taken by Stephen Halliday for now, but they could also use Nick Cousins in that spot as well. So that leaves either Lycksell or Kurtis MacDermid as the 12th forward option for the next couple of games.
As Ottawa continues its three-game road trip with a stop in Minnesota on Saturday, Belleville remains home this weekend to face the Cleveland Monsters on Saturday night and the Bridgeport Islanders on Sunday afternoon.
Steve Warne The Hockey News - Ottawa
This article was originally published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Read more:
The NHL had a wild Friday night with three significant trades that reshaped multiple franchises. One involved a Norris Trophy winner who Vancouver couldn't keep. Another saw two goalies swap teams in a change-of-scenery deal. The third was a depth move to patch a hole. All three tell different stories about where teams see themselves right now.
Vancouver Trades Quinn Hughes to Minnesota
The biggest move was Vancouver sending captain Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, and a 2026 first-round pick.
This wasn't Vancouver giving up and rebuilding. This was Vancouver accepting reality. Hughes becomes a UFA after the 2026-27 season. The writing was on the wall—he wasn't staying. So instead of watching him walk for nothing in two years, they moved him now for a package of assets while they could still get something significant back.
Hughes is one of the NHL's best defensemen. He's 26 years old, a Norris Trophy winner who had 23 points in 26 games this season before the trade. He's been Vancouver's offensive engine from the blue line for years.
The Wild, in essence, gave up three first-round picks to get him. Buium was a 2024 first-rounder who has 14 points in 31 NHL games this season. Ohgren was a 2022 first-rounder who has zero points in 18 games this season after spending time in the AHL. Rossi was a 2020 first-rounder with 13 points in 17 games this season, having just signed a new deal after being a trade target all offseason.
Here's the risk: Minnesota has received no assurances that Hughes will re-sign. They could be getting a two-year rental of an elite defenseman, which explains why Vancouver's return wasn't even more substantial. If Hughes had eight years of term, this package would look light. For a player who might walk in 2027 and has expressed interest in playing with his brothers Jack and Luke on the New Jersey Devils? It's probably fair value.
Minnesota built one of the NHL's best farm systems in recent years. Now they've cashed in those assets for a proven star who can quarterback their power play and log major minutes. Hughes led the NHL in average ice time this season at 27:26 per game. Whether he stays past 2027 is a problem for later. Right now, they're all-in on their current window.
For Vancouver, this is damage control. President of hockey operations Jim Rutherford admitted the franchise couldn't afford to lose Hughes, but ultimately it would be his decision. They read the room, understood Hughes wasn't committing long-term, and got out before the situation deteriorated further. Trading your captain mid-season stings, but it's better than losing him for nothing in two years.
The Oilers sent Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second-round pick to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry and Samuel Poulin.
"I think it's not so much a comment on Stuart Skinner, it's just really maybe time for something different here," Oilers GM Stan Bowman said.
Skinner is 11-8-4 with a 2.83 GAA, .891 save percentage and two shutouts in 23 games this season. He helped Edmonton reach the Stanley Cup Final the past two years, but they lost to Florida both times. He's a pending unrestricted free agent, and Bowman confirmed they hadn't held extension talks. The relationship had run its course.
Jarry is 9-3-1 with a .909 save percentage in 14 games this season. The 30-year-old cleared waivers last January after struggling, then spent time in the AHL before rebounding this year. He's been a big part of Pittsburgh's surprising start, but the Penguins are selling high on a goalie who was in the minors nine months ago.
The cost of doing business? Brett Kulak, a reliable defenseman whom Edmonton didn't want to move but had to include to make the cap math work. That's the price of swapping goaltenders mid-season when both carry significant cap hits.
"We certainly weren't trying to trade Brett Kulak," Bowman said. "He's a great person and a great player on our team. We're going to miss him. But in order to make the transaction work and the money going back and forth, that had to be part of it."
In a separate move, Edmonton also acquired defenseman Spencer Stastney from Nashville for a 2027 third-round pick. Stastney has nine points in 30 games this season and helps replace Kulak's departure on the blue line.
This is a straightforward depth move. Kulak left a hole, Stastney fills it. He's not flashy, he's not even as good as Kulak, but he keeps the defence corps functional while Edmonton figures out if Jarry is the answer in net. The 25-year-old has been a steady presence for Nashville over four seasons, and the Oilers needed a body to slot in after losing Kulak in the goalie swap.
The Mets are signing veteran infielder Jorge Polanco on a two-year deal, according to multiple Saturday reports.
The Athletic's Will Sammon first reported the agreement, which is worth $40 million, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Passan added that Polanco is expected to play first base and designated hitter.
Polanco, 32, slashed .265/.326/.495 with 26 home runs and 78 RBI in 138 regular-season games for the Seattle Mariners this past season.
"There's also somebody like a Jorge Polanco, who I think is a creative choice actually," Sammon said this week on SNY's Baseball Night in New York. "Everybody thinks of that guy as a third baseman, maybe a second baseman in this market. I think he could play some first base, too. And that's not really the name that jumps to people's minds, but he's a pretty good offensive player and I feel like his defense is a little bit underrated. I know he's taken some groundballs at first base. It's just a possibility."
He rebounded from his 2024 campaign with Seattle in which he slashed .213/.296/.355 while adding 16 home runs and 45 RBI across 118 games.
Polanco spent the first 10 years of his career with the Minnesota Twins. He slashed .269/.334/.446 with 112 home runs and 447 RBI in 832 regular-season games.
The Twins originally signed Polanco, who is from the Dominican Republic, as an international free agent in 2009.
Back during the 2024 NHL off-season, the San Jose Sharks acquired goaltender Yaroslav Askarov from the Nashville Predators in a big deal. With the young netminder having a high amount of potential, there was naturally plenty of excitement about his arrival in San Jose.
Askarov played in 13 games this past season for the Sharks, where he posted a 4-6-2 record, a .896 save percentage, and a 3.10 goals-against average. Overall, he experienced some growing pains in his first season with the Sharks but also showed promise.
Down in the AHL with the San Jose Barracuda in 2024-25, Askarov thrived, posting an 11-9-1 record, a 2.45 goals-against average, and a .923 save percentage.
Now, Askarov has earned a full-time spot on the Sharks' roster this season, and there is no question that the young netminder is showing signs of improvement. In 19 games so far this season with the Pacific Division club, he has posted a 10-8-1 record and a .903 save percentage.
Askarov also recently put together a strong performance against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 28, as he stopped 34 out of 36 shots. With this, he had a .941 save percentage on the night.
Overall, while Askarov has had some tough games this season, it is clear that the 23-year-old is getting better as he continues to gain more NHL experience. He is a big part of the Sharks' future, and it will be fascinating to see how he builds on his 2025-26 season from here.
On Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings close out their lengthy road trip by traveling to the Windy City to take on the Chicago Blackhawks without breakout star Connor Bedard, who was sidelined after suffering a shoulder injury in Friday's contest versus the St. Louis Blues. This original six clash will be one to remember as the Red Wings have played the Blackhawks more than any other team in the league with Saturday being their 757th all-time meeting.
The 2023 first overall pick has lived up to expectations, recording a stunning 44 points in 31 games this season and ranking third in the NHL in scoring, tied with San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini. Bedard is one of two Blackhawks near or over a point-per-game over their recent 12-game dry spill and will really miss him versus a surging Detroit team.
The Red Wings seem to be rounding back into form, even after Thursday’s loss to the Edmonton Oilers ended a six-game point streak. That result sets the stage for an intriguing matchup, particularly after the Blackhawks handed Detroit a lopsided 5–1 loss in their last meeting at Little Caesars Arena, with the Red Wings now aiming for payback in Chicago.
Lineup Storylines
The Red Wings have faced a two-headed monster all season within their lineup with depth scoring issues, clashing with problems on the backend all season long. One issue has appeared to resolve itself as of late while the backend issues continue to persist as the Red Wings have gotten timely scoring from throughout their lineup.
Veterans Andrew Copp and James van Riemsdyk have both found their games as of late with Copp recording two goals and four assists for six points over his last five games since joining the second line with red hot forwards in Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane, who Copp has picked up some momentum off.
The Michigan native has made some great plays in the last few games like making great passes for primary assists as well as working as a solid netfront presence for the two lethal shooters in DeBrincat and Kane. The former Blue Jackets winger in van Riemsdyk has also been sensational as of late with six goals over his last eight games.
At the same time, Detroit has still averaged three goals against per game since the start of their recent surge with 21 goals allowed over their last seven games. The hope is that they can continue to ride the hot hand of starting goaltender John Gibson, who has picked up his play as of late with four straight wins and back-to-back stellar starts entering Saturday with a 39-save shutout over the Vancouver Canucks this past Monday, followed by a 34-save effort on the road versus the Calgary Flames. If he can keep his current pace and finally tap into that level of play that the Red Wings traded for this past off-season, they may finally have the answer to their debate between who the routine starter should be.
The Blackhawks, on the other hand, are starting to see their early-season momentum, fueled by Bedard’s efforts, slow down, as they have managed just three wins over their last 12 games. Their offense has quietly averaged 2.25 goals per game during that span, while the defense has also struggled, allowing 3.67 goals against per game, which ranks fifth worst in the NHL.
Without Bedard, the focus will shift to veteran winger Tyler Bertuzzi, who is in the midst of a recent surge with 19 points over his last 16 games. The rest of the lineup, however, has struggled to produce, with only three players besides Bedard and Bertuzzi recording multiple goals during the 12-game dry spell. The Red Wings’ surging backend will look to further slow a sputtering Blackhawks offense and secure a much-needed bounce-back win in this matchup.
Earlier this season, the Blackhawks ended Detroit’s five-game winning streak in this matchup with a decisive victory. Despite that, the Red Wings will enter this contest having won four of their last six road trips to the Windy City, with most of these games being high-scoring affairs. In fact, seven of the last nine meetings between these two clubs have seen six or more total goals, though that streak could be challenged in this matchup.
Both goaltenders could play pivotal roles. John Gibson will be looking to recapture his recent All-Star form, while Chicago’s Arvid Soderblom has previously faced Detroit just once, delivering a standout performance with 45 saves and only one goal allowed.
Offensively, the spotlight will likely fall on former Blackhawks second-round pick Alex DeBrincat. Reuniting with Chicago legend Patrick Kane in Detroit, the pair has quickly become one of the NHL’s most dangerous duos. DeBrincat has been red-hot lately, recording four goals and four assists for eight points over his last six games. He has also thrived against his former team, tallying three goals and five assists in seven career games versus Chicago, including three multi-point games in his last four meetings with the Blackhawks.
Chicago has a similar storyline with former Red Wings second-round pick Tyler Bertuzzi. Alongside Bedard, Bertuzzi has been a key contributor for the Blackhawks and has also excelled against his former team, recording two goals and four assists for six points in his last six games versus Detroit.
Goalie Matchup
Detroit: John Gibson (Season: 8-7-1 record, 3.32 GAA, .884 | VS CHI: 6-10-1 record, 3.48 GAA, .891 SV% in 18 games)
Chicago: Arvid Soderblom (Season: 3-5-1 record, 3.92 GAA, .876 SV% | VS DET: Win, 45 Saves on 46 Shots in only game)
Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
Jovon Makama scored twice in the second half as Norwich battled to a 2-1 victory over Southampton at Carrow Road. Leading the line in the absence of Josh Sargent, who was missing due to concussion protocols, Makama struck in the 48th and 61st minutes to sink a Saints side who had won five out of six going into the lunchtime kick-off.
Ryan Manning had swiftly equalised for the visitors with a fine long-range effort but summer signing Makama had the final say with his sixth goal of the season.
