Lakers guard Luka Doncic has been fined $50,000 by the NBA. He's one technical foul away from an automatic one-game suspension. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Lakers star Luka Doncic was fined $50,000 on Tuesday for directing an "inappropriate and unprofessional gesture toward a game official" during the Lakers' win over the New York Knicks on Sunday, the NBA announced.
The moment came during the third quarter when Doncic didn't get the charge call after stepping in front of Knicks forward Mohamed Diawara in transition. Diawara dumped off a pass to Josh Hart for an easy layup, while Doncic, lying flat on his back under the basket, looked at the closest official and rubbed his fingers together as if flashing money.
Doncic was not penalized during the game, which the Lakers won 110-97, but he has had his battles with referees this season. With 15 technical fouls, he is just one away from a mandatory one-game suspension. He is one technical foul behind league leader Dillon Brooks.
Doncic did later draw a charge in the game. He has drawn a career-high 12 charges this season, which ranks third on the team. The Lakers lead the NBA in charges drawn with 53, led by Marcus Smart's 16 and Austin Reaves' 14.
It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Jaroslav Chmelař.
For any fifth-round pick, it’s an uphill battle to eventually crack an NHL roster, and it was no different for Chmelař, who was selected by the New York Rangers with the 144th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Over the years, Chmelař has climbed the Rangers’ prospect rankings, culminating in this season, where he earned some NHL time.
While he may have yet to carve out a permanent role with the Blueshirts, the 22-year-old forward expressed his gratitude for his time in the NHL thus far.
“Really, really special,” Chmelař said of the nine NHL games he’s played in. “If you would have told me that in the summer, I would have told you, ‘I’m going to do my best.’ Now that I've been up here a couple of times, it's a dream come true. Being around the guys, learn from them, see what they do on the ice it’s been awesome.”
Chmelař has been called up a couple of times throughout the 2025-26 campaign, as Mike Sullivan was informed earlier in the season that Chmelař was the Hartford Wolf Pack's best and most consistent player.
Spending most of his time in the American Hockey League over the course of the season, Chmelař has thrived, playing top-six minutes in a prominent role with the Wolf Pack.
In 46 games with the Wolf Pack, the Czech native has recorded eight goals, 17 assists, and 25 points.
It’s taken quite a while for Chmelař to make a name for himself, but he always knew making the NHL was within his reach.
“I think it’s just dedication,” Chmelař said of the strides he’s made. “Everybody has that goal, to come up here and stay. I’ve been doing my best the past few years to achieve that goal.”
Chmelař has been playing a bottom-six role with the Rangers, averaging 8:14 minutes in nine games.
On March 5 in the Rangers’ 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chmelař scored his first NHL goal in grand fashion on a breakaway, and the celebration said all you needed to know about the young rookie’s emotions.
“I can't really describe how special it was. It was insane,” Chmelař emphasized. “Scoring the first one at Madison Square Garden, where all the people went crazy, it’s just a feeling I will never forget.”
Given the Rangers’ current situation, in the midst of a “retool” as Chris Drury put it in his Jan. 16 letter to fans, Chmelař, along with other prospects, have a real opportunity to audition for a permanent spot in New York’s lineup moving into the future.
“Every time I step on the ice, I want to put my name up there, and put the best game for everybody to see,” Chmelař said. “I want to be helpful for teammates, so hopefully good things come out of that.”
It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Jaroslav Chmelař.
For any fifth-round pick, it’s an uphill battle to eventually crack an NHL roster, and it was no different for Chmelař, who was selected by the New York Rangers with the 144th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Over the years, Chmelař has climbed the Rangers’ prospect rankings, culminating in this season, where he earned some NHL time.
While he may have yet to carve out a permanent role with the Blueshirts, the 22-year-old forward expressed his gratitude for his time in the NHL thus far.
“Really, really special,” Chmelař said of the nine NHL games he’s played in. “If you would have told me that in the summer, I would have told you, ‘I’m going to do my best.’ Now that I've been up here a couple of times, it's a dream come true. Being around the guys, learn from them, see what they do on the ice it’s been awesome.”
Chmelař has been called up a couple of times throughout the 2025-26 campaign, as Mike Sullivan was informed earlier in the season that Chmelař was the Hartford Wolf Pack's best and most consistent player.
Spending most of his time in the American Hockey League over the course of the season, Chmelař has thrived, playing top-six minutes in a prominent role with the Wolf Pack.
In 46 games with the Wolf Pack, the Czech native has recorded eight goals, 17 assists, and 25 points.
It’s taken quite a while for Chmelař to make a name for himself, but he always knew making the NHL was within his reach.
“I think it’s just dedication,” Chmelař said of the strides he’s made. “Everybody has that goal, to come up here and stay. I’ve been doing my best the past few years to achieve that goal.”
Chmelař has been playing a bottom-six role with the Rangers, averaging 8:14 minutes in nine games.
On March 5 in the Rangers’ 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chmelař scored his first NHL goal in grand fashion on a breakaway, and the celebration said all you needed to know about the young rookie’s emotions.
“I can't really describe how special it was. It was insane,” Chmelař emphasized. “Scoring the first one at Madison Square Garden, where all the people went crazy, it’s just a feeling I will never forget.”
Given the Rangers’ current situation, in the midst of a “retool” as Chris Drury put it in his Jan. 16 letter to fans, Chmelař, along with other prospects, have a real opportunity to audition for a permanent spot in New York’s lineup moving into the future.
“Every time I step on the ice, I want to put my name up there, and put the best game for everybody to see,” Chmelař said. “I want to be helpful for teammates, so hopefully good things come out of that.”
It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Jaroslav Chmelař.
For any fifth-round pick, it’s an uphill battle to eventually crack an NHL roster, and it was no different for Chmelař, who was selected by the New York Rangers with the 144th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Over the years, Chmelař has climbed the Rangers’ prospect rankings, culminating in this season, where he earned some NHL time.
While he may have yet to carve out a permanent role with the Blueshirts, the 22-year-old forward expressed his gratitude for his time in the NHL thus far.
“Really, really special,” Chmelař said of the nine NHL games he’s played in. “If you would have told me that in the summer, I would have told you, ‘I’m going to do my best.’ Now that I've been up here a couple of times, it's a dream come true. Being around the guys, learn from them, see what they do on the ice it’s been awesome.”
Chmelař has been called up a couple of times throughout the 2025-26 campaign, as Mike Sullivan was informed earlier in the season that Chmelař was the Hartford Wolf Pack's best and most consistent player.
Spending most of his time in the American Hockey League over the course of the season, Chmelař has thrived, playing top-six minutes in a prominent role with the Wolf Pack.
In 46 games with the Wolf Pack, the Czech native has recorded eight goals, 17 assists, and 25 points.
It’s taken quite a while for Chmelař to make a name for himself, but he always knew making the NHL was within his reach.
“I think it’s just dedication,” Chmelař said of the strides he’s made. “Everybody has that goal, to come up here and stay. I’ve been doing my best the past few years to achieve that goal.”
Chmelař has been playing a bottom-six role with the Rangers, averaging 8:14 minutes in nine games.
On March 5 in the Rangers’ 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, Chmelař scored his first NHL goal in grand fashion on a breakaway, and the celebration said all you needed to know about the young rookie’s emotions.
“I can't really describe how special it was. It was insane,” Chmelař emphasized. “Scoring the first one at Madison Square Garden, where all the people went crazy, it’s just a feeling I will never forget.”
Given the Rangers’ current situation, in the midst of a “retool” as Chris Drury put it in his Jan. 16 letter to fans, Chmelař, along with other prospects, have a real opportunity to audition for a permanent spot in New York’s lineup moving into the future.
“Every time I step on the ice, I want to put my name up there, and put the best game for everybody to see,” Chmelař said. “I want to be helpful for teammates, so hopefully good things come out of that.”
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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 18: Cooper Criswell #64 of the Boston Red Sox looks on during photo day before a Spring Training workout at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida on February 18, 2025. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been an…interesting day around Mariners camp, today’s lineup notwithstanding. Righty Cooper Criswell gets the nod to continue making his case for a spot in the Mariners’ bullpen.
Lineups:
Also scheduled to pitch for the Mariners: Michael Rucker, Cole Wilcox, Casey Legumina, and Robinson Ortiz
Roster moves:
The Mariners re-assigned RHP Gabe Mosser, OF Jared Sundstrom, and INF/OF Blake Rambusch to minor-league camp.
Game information:
Game time: 1:10 PT
TV: No
Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports (delayed to 7 PM PT); Seattle Sports app, Mariners.com and Gameday
Apr 28, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner (18) pitches in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Today, the Colorado Rockies welcome the Cincinnati Reds to Salt River Fields.
Starting for the Reds is Brandon Williamson.
The lefty has a 4.0 ERA in 4.0 IP. He’s struck out six and has a 1.00 WHIP.
Taking the mound for the Rockies will be RHP Ryan Feltner.
Currently, he has an ERA of 11.81 in 5.1 IP. He’s struck out 8 while giving up 39 and has a 2.06 WHIP.
DENVER — Brett Kulak won’t need much of a scouting report tonight.
Few players in the league know the inner workings of the Edmonton Oilers quite like the veteran defenseman, who spent years inside their locker room and helped them reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. Now, after a whirlwind season that has already taken him through three organizations, Kulak finds himself on the opposite side again — armed with firsthand knowledge of one of the NHL’s most explosive offenses.
This matchup carries a unique wrinkle: it will be Kulak’s third time facing Edmonton this season, and his second different team while doing it.
Kulak began the year with the Oilers before being traded in December to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the deal that sent goaltender Tristan Jarry to Edmonton. His Penguins debut came against his former club on Dec. 16, and just over a month later he lined up across from them again.
Brett Kulak speaks to the media on facing his old team yet again.
Now the journey has taken yet another turn.
Just before the trade deadline, Pittsburgh dealt Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick. The move placed him on his third team in as many months — and set up yet another reunion with the franchise he once helped push to consecutive Western Conference titles.
Inside Knowledge
Kulak knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits.
"They're a high-octane offense, obviously very dangerous; they know how to put the puck in the net. I'm just looking...to limit time and space, have good gaps, and make sure your legs are ready to work."
And that starts with the league’s most dangerous weapon.
Connor McDavid, the Oilers’ captain, leads all NHL skaters this season with a top speed of 24.61 mph, according to NHL EDGE tracking. His pace is matched only by his production: McDavid has piled up 35 goals and a league-leading 73 assists for a league-best 108 points.
Connor McDavid is one of the greatest hockey players of this generation. Credit: Neville E. Guard
Containing that kind of firepower requires a full-team effort.
If Colorado hopes to slow Edmonton down, it will take more than Kulak’s familiarity with his former teammates. Every Avalanche skater will need to stay disciplined, manage gaps, and be prepared for the relentless pace the Oilers bring every night.
Colorado’s Focus: Play Their Game
Still, even with his insider knowledge, Kulak said the Avalanche’s approach isn’t built around tailoring the game plan to one opponent — or worrying about what his former teammates might know about his tendencies.
The Hockey News asked Kulak whether facing a team so familiar with his style requires strategic adjustments. He said the focus remains largely internal.
"Lots of our meetings here is pretty much all about us and the style we want to play," he explained. "Those are the things I take from the meetings. There's a couple things you're obviously keeping in mind on the style of play, the team you're playing against brings in, but for the most part, I think we're playing our game."
No Secrets in the Modern NHL
Head coach Jared Bednar echoed that philosophy, noting that in today’s NHL, information is readily available — basically Spygate 2.0, now with 4K video and no sneaky cameras.
"There's just so much information out there," he told The Hockey News. "The best way to break down the Oilers or any other team is just watch. We have every shift of every game available to us. So you spend the time, you watch it, you learn tendencies of individuals of their team, what the structure of their team is. You give your team the pertinent information and you go from there.
"On a day like today, I go through it all and ask Brett, 'Did I miss anything that's important?' He's like, 'Pretty much nailed it.' The information is there for you to watch and learn and all the coaches kind of do the same thing in their respective areas. So there's no real secrets nowadays."
For Kulak, the situation almost feels like a spy returning to familiar territory — only now he’s wearing different colors.
And against an Oilers team built on speed and skill, that knowledge could prove valuable, even in a league where, as Bednar put it, there are no secrets left.
DENVER — Brett Kulak won’t need much of a scouting report tonight.
Few players in the league know the inner workings of the Edmonton Oilers quite like the veteran defenseman, who spent years inside their locker room and helped them reach back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals. Now, after a whirlwind season that has already taken him through three organizations, Kulak finds himself on the opposite side again — armed with firsthand knowledge of one of the NHL’s most explosive offenses.
This matchup carries a unique wrinkle: it will be Kulak’s third time facing Edmonton this season, and his second different team while doing it.
Kulak began the year with the Oilers before being traded in December to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the deal that sent goaltender Tristan Jarry to Edmonton. His Penguins debut came against his former club on Dec. 16, and just over a month later he lined up across from them again.
Brett Kulak speaks to the media on facing his old team yet again.
Now the journey has taken yet another turn.
Just before the trade deadline, Pittsburgh dealt Kulak to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for defenseman Samuel Girard and a 2028 second-round pick. The move placed him on his third team in as many months — and set up yet another reunion with the franchise he once helped push to consecutive Western Conference titles.
Inside Knowledge
Kulak knows exactly what kind of challenge awaits.
"They're a high-octane offense, obviously very dangerous; they know how to put the puck in the net. I'm just looking...to limit time and space, have good gaps, and make sure your legs are ready to work."
And that starts with the league’s most dangerous weapon.
Connor McDavid, the Oilers’ captain, leads all NHL skaters this season with a top speed of 24.61 mph, according to NHL EDGE tracking. His pace is matched only by his production: McDavid has piled up 35 goals and a league-leading 73 assists for a league-best 108 points.
Connor McDavid is one of the greatest hockey players of this generation. Credit: Neville E. Guard
Containing that kind of firepower requires a full-team effort.
If Colorado hopes to slow Edmonton down, it will take more than Kulak’s familiarity with his former teammates. Every Avalanche skater will need to stay disciplined, manage gaps, and be prepared for the relentless pace the Oilers bring every night.
Colorado’s Focus: Play Their Game
Still, even with his insider knowledge, Kulak said the Avalanche’s approach isn’t built around tailoring the game plan to one opponent — or worrying about what his former teammates might know about his tendencies.
The Hockey News asked Kulak whether facing a team so familiar with his style requires strategic adjustments. He said the focus remains largely internal.
"Lots of our meetings here is pretty much all about us and the style we want to play," he explained. "Those are the things I take from the meetings. There's a couple things you're obviously keeping in mind on the style of play, the team you're playing against brings in, but for the most part, I think we're playing our game."
No Secrets in the Modern NHL
Head coach Jared Bednar echoed that philosophy, noting that in today’s NHL, information is readily available — basically Spygate 2.0, now with 4K video and no sneaky cameras.
"There's just so much information out there," he told The Hockey News. "The best way to break down the Oilers or any other team is just watch. We have every shift of every game available to us. So you spend the time, you watch it, you learn tendencies of individuals of their team, what the structure of their team is. You give your team the pertinent information and you go from there.
"On a day like today, I go through it all and ask Brett, 'Did I miss anything that's important?' He's like, 'Pretty much nailed it.' The information is there for you to watch and learn and all the coaches kind of do the same thing in their respective areas. So there's no real secrets nowadays."
For Kulak, the situation almost feels like a spy returning to familiar territory — only now he’s wearing different colors.
And against an Oilers team built on speed and skill, that knowledge could prove valuable, even in a league where, as Bednar put it, there are no secrets left.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Pig Johnson had 19 points, Andrij Grbovic scored 14 and No. 12 seed Arizona State turned away a second-half run by Baylor for an 83-79 victory over the No. 13 seed Bears in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Tuesday.
Santiago Trouet added 13 points and nine rebounds, Noah Meeusen scored 12 points and Massamba Diop had 11 for the Sun Devils (17-15), who advanced to play fifth-seeded Iowa State in the second round on Wednesday.
Cameron Carr led all scorers with 25 points and Isaac Williams IV had 15 before fouling out for the Bears (16-16), who are staring at their first non-winning season since 2006-07. Tounde Yessoufou also had 14 points but was 0 for 5 from 3-point range.
Every indication is that Arizona State intends to move on from coach Bobby Hurley after this season, when his contract is up. But his team apparently has every intention of pushing off that coaching change as long as possible.
After a couple of late-season wins over Utah and No. 14 Kansas, the Sun Devils jumped ahead early on Baylor, which beat them just a couple of weeks ago in Waco, Texas. They built a double-digit lead midway through the first half and led 44-35 at the break.
Baylor trailed by as many as 15 in the second half before it began to chip away at its deficit, at one point scoring on nine consecutive trips down the floor. By the time Diop accidentally tipped Dan Skillings Jr.'s miss into his own bucket, the Bears closed to within 67-64 with 6:01 remaining in the game.
Trouet answered at the other end for Arizona State, though, and Williams fouled out moments later on a drive to the basket. The Sun Devils promptly ran off eight consecutive points, building a lead they could take to the finish.
Up next
Arizona State has quick turnaround before playing the Cyclones in the second round.
Baylor will miss out on the NCAA Tournament for the first time in seven editions.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 20: Jarrett Allen #31 celebrates with Max Strus #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Max Strus suffered a Jones fracture on his left foot in late August. Initially, the timeline was shaping up that he would make a return to the floor within three to four months. Well, here we are in March, and Strus is reportedly going to make his long-awaited return shortly.
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Reintegrating someone like Strus is a good problem to have, as his ability on ball combined with his perimeter shooting is a boon for any team. With the Cavaliers making serious moves at the deadline, there are a lot of things that have changed since Strus last donned the Wine and Gold.
There are many interesting lineup combinations and questions that bringing Strus back in the fold introduces. How will the Cavaliers balance ramping Strus back up to playing shape while also configuring the bench minutes for the postseason? How will Strus play with James Harden, and will it benefit Strus to have Harden setting up the opportunities?
The obvious question is whose minutes will be impacted the most by the return of Strus? The Cavaliers’ wing room currently has many players who feel they deserve playing time, with Jaylon Tyson, Keon Ellis, Dean Wade, Nae’Qwan Tomlin, and now Max Strus. Tomlin has already been weaned out of his minutes over the last month or so. Where does Strus land in that pecking order?
These are fascinating and important decisions for the Cavaliers’ coaching staff as they prepare for the postseason.
Strus has remained a frequent topic of discussion despite his absence this season. In many ways, he has been viewed as the final missing piece of this version of the Cavaliers. With his return now on the horizon, the team will finally move beyond the hypothetical scenario of what this roster could look like at full strength.
That’s always been a lot of expectation to place on the return of one player.
Still, Strus has previously established himself as an emotional and competitive tone-setter for the Cavaliers. Regardless of what his on-court production looks like over the final stretch of the season, his presence could prove to be a meaningful addition as Cleveland turns its focus toward its postseason ambitions.
The Toronto Raptors take care of business against bad teams, but against good ones... not so much.
Tonight, they visit the Houston Rockets, who would qualify as a good team, ranking sixth in the NBA in net rating.
My Raptors vs. Rockets predictions and NBA picks break down why it will be more of the same when these teams tip off at the Toyota Center in Houston, at 8:00 pm ET on Tuesday, March 10.
Raptors vs Rockets prediction
Raptors vs Rockets best bet: Rockets -5 (-110)
Despite sitting in a playoff spot, it’s clear the Toronto Raptors haven’t yet unlocked how to be a truly good team.
They play great defense (sixth in defensive rating) and have a solid starting lineup, but the team lacks depth and rim protection.
Against teams currently in the Top 10 of net rating, the Raps are 6-17 straight up and 8-15 against the spread, with five of the outright wins coming against early-season versions of Cleveland and Charlotte.
The Houston Rockets have their problems, but rank sixth in net rating, and Alperen Sengun will be a matchup nightmare.
Raptors vs Rockets same-game parlay
The Raptors will keep this game close with their Top-10 defense, and the Rockets rank eighth in defensive rating. Both teams are also in the bottom third in pace, so I like the Under here.
The Rockets' length and size will be a problem for Toronto throughout the game, allowing them to pull away late. Houston also has an edge on the glass, leading the NBA in rebounding rate.
The Raptors miss a lot of shots, so there will be a lot of boards up for grabs for the great rebounding Rockets. And with the Rockets' size, Poeltl should get more run tonight.
Raptors vs Rockets SGP
Alperen Sengun double-double
Amen Thompson double-double
Jakob Poeltl double-double
Raptors vs Rockets odds
Spread: Raptors +5 | Rockets -5
Moneyline: Raptors +165 | Rockets -200
Over/Under: Over 219.5 | Under 219.5
Raptors vs Rockets betting trend to know
The Raptors have hit the game total Under in 33 of their last 50 games for +14.30 Units and a 26% ROI. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Rockets.
How to watch Raptors vs Rockets
Location
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Date
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Tip-off
8:00 p.m. ET
TV
TSN, SCHN
Raptors vs Rockets latest injuries
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He brings snarl. He knows what it takes to win a Stanley Cup, and he plays a two-way game that makes the Islanders just harder to play against.
Serving as the No. 2 center, he was also brought in to mentor 21-year-old forward Calum Ritchie. That mentoring has already begun.
"[Ritchie] cannot have a better mentor than Brayden Schenn," Islanders head coach Patrick Roy told local reporters on Tuesday morning. "I mean, he's exactly the type of player Ritchie is. So I feel like it's going to be good for Cal. He's such a good hockey player. Great hands, great skills, sees the eyes well, moves the puck well. So, I mean, I feel like it's a great fit for him."
For Schenn, he had some great mentors show him the ropes and loves paying it forward whenever he can.
“When I was young, I had a lot of guys look after me — Danny Briere, Claude Giroux, Scott Hartnell, Wayne Simmonds, Kimmo Timonen, the list goes on," Schenn said. "When I came to St. Louis, I had a lot of guys in my corner helping me out, too.
"When you’re young in this league, you need help. It’s a man’s game, and it comes at you fast. When I got to St. Louis, I felt like I owed it to the next guy. Jake Neighbours lived at my place. Jimmy Snuggerud lived at my place. You help the young guys as much as they want help.
Schenn's locker room stall is right next to Ritchie's -- that's by design. And the mentorship has
"Playing with Cal, he’s extremely talented," Schenn said. "He’s a high pick with a lot of skill. You can tell he’s just getting his feet wet in the NHL, and there’s a lot of untapped potential there."
Quotes are courtesy of New York Islanders (@NYIslanders).
With Los Angeles Kings captain and top-line center Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of the season, there is going to be a giant gaping hole in the team's roster.
It seemed assumed that 23-year-old Quinton Byfield would be the eventual successor of Kopitar and blossom into the team's first-line center. However, to this point, the second-overall pick of the 2020 draft hasn't grown into the role like the organization probably hoped.
Therefore, Kings GM Ken Holland may need to work the phones again this summer to find some help up the middle if they want to remain a playoff contender.
Byfield has 13 goals and 33 points in 60 games, which isn't the level of a first-liner. It seems sensible to find another middleman to support Byfield, like a first-line and second-line center tandem.
Here are four centers that the Kings can look to in the upcoming off-season, in no particular order.
Nick Schmaltz, Utah Mammoth
Nick Schmaltz is the only player on this list who will be a UFA at the end of the year. He's in the final year of a five-year contract that paid him $5.85 million per season.
Schmaltz will likely require a significant raise in his new deal, as he is on pace for the best campaign of his 10-year career.
The 30-year-old has already reached a personal best with 24 goals this season, along with 35 assists and 59 points. With that production across 64 games for the Utah Mammoth, Schmaltz is on track to record 75 points, blowing his career-high 63 points from last year out of the water.
In January, there were reports about the Kings potentially pursuing Schmaltz in the off-season, and that makes plenty of sense for the organization.
There have been some soft trade rumors regarding Elias Pettersson ahead of the passing of the NHL trade deadline. However, nothing has been done on that front.
Part of the reason that Pettersson hasn't been moved by the Vancouver Canucks is likely because of his current contract. He's only in the second-year of an eight-year deal that pays him $11.6 million per season.
Elias Pettersson (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)
Taking on the rest of Pettersson's contract isn't an easy task, especially when his recent play is considered. The 27-year-old has 13 goals and 38 points in 56 games. Not to mention, he finished with 15 goals and 45 points in 64 games last season, the worst totals of his NHL career.
While Pettersson hasn't been playing to what he's worth against the salary cap, the Canucks are reportedly not interested in retaining his salary. It's not surprising that that would be a deal-breaker for GMs across the NHL, including Holland.
But in a perfect world, Vancouver's Pettersson would be a great candidate to be a top-six center on Los Angeles. Don't forget, though the Swede has struggled in the past couple of years, before that, he registered 89- and 102-point campaigns.
Maybe he just needs a change of scenery.
Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
Robert Thomas was one of the stars who was reportedly available at the trade deadline this year. Ultimately, the St. Louis Blues did not move him, which is likely because the asking price was fairly high, and he also has a no-trade clause on his contract.
With that, he's in the third year of an eight-year deal, earning an average annual value of $8.125 million. That contract lasts until the end of the 2030-31 season.
There haven't been plenty of connections or strong rumors linking the Kings and Robert Thomas together. But there was a conversation where TSN's Darren Dreger said that Thomas could be a fit in Los Angeles.
Thomas, 26, has 15 goals and 40 points in 46 appearances this season. He's on a six-game point streak, recording 10 points in that span. Last year, he registered a career-high 81 points, made up of 21 goals and 60 assists.
Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
Many expected the New York Rangers to trade away Vincent Trocheck at the passing trade deadline. However, Rangers GM Chris Drury couldn't find a deal that matched his or the player's preference.
In fairness to the Blueshirts, even though Trocheck would've fetched them a valuable return, there is no rush to move the veteran center as he has term left on his contract.
It was made clear that Trocheck prefers to stay in the Eastern Conference if he were to get traded. So even if Holland wants to circle back on the 32-year-old in the summer, the chances of agreeing on a deal seem unlikely, especially with his 10-team no-trade clause beginning July 1.
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With Los Angeles Kings captain and top-line center Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of the season, there is going to be a giant gaping hole in the team's roster.
It seemed assumed that 23-year-old Quinton Byfield would be the eventual successor of Kopitar and blossom into the team's first-line center. However, to this point, the second-overall pick of the 2020 draft hasn't grown into the role like the organization probably hoped.
Therefore, Kings GM Ken Holland may need to work the phones again this summer to find some help up the middle if they want to remain a playoff contender.
Byfield has 13 goals and 33 points in 60 games, which isn't the level of a first-liner. It seems sensible to find another middleman to support Byfield, like a first-line and second-line center tandem.
Here are four centers that the Kings can look to in the upcoming off-season, in no particular order.
Nick Schmaltz, Utah Mammoth
Nick Schmaltz is the only player on this list who will be a UFA at the end of the year. He's in the final year of a five-year contract that paid him $5.85 million per season.
Schmaltz will likely require a significant raise in his new deal, as he is on pace for the best campaign of his 10-year career.
The 30-year-old has already reached a personal best with 24 goals this season, along with 35 assists and 59 points. With that production across 64 games for the Utah Mammoth, Schmaltz is on track to record 75 points, blowing his career-high 63 points from last year out of the water.
In January, there were reports about the Kings potentially pursuing Schmaltz in the off-season, and that makes plenty of sense for the organization.
There have been some soft trade rumors regarding Elias Pettersson ahead of the passing of the NHL trade deadline. However, nothing has been done on that front.
Part of the reason that Pettersson hasn't been moved by the Vancouver Canucks is likely because of his current contract. He's only in the second-year of an eight-year deal that pays him $11.6 million per season.
Elias Pettersson (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)
Taking on the rest of Pettersson's contract isn't an easy task, especially when his recent play is considered. The 27-year-old has 13 goals and 38 points in 56 games. Not to mention, he finished with 15 goals and 45 points in 64 games last season, the worst totals of his NHL career.
While Pettersson hasn't been playing to what he's worth against the salary cap, the Canucks are reportedly not interested in retaining his salary. It's not surprising that that would be a deal-breaker for GMs across the NHL, including Holland.
But in a perfect world, Vancouver's Pettersson would be a great candidate to be a top-six center on Los Angeles. Don't forget, though the Swede has struggled in the past couple of years, before that, he registered 89- and 102-point campaigns.
Maybe he just needs a change of scenery.
Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues
Robert Thomas was one of the stars who was reportedly available at the trade deadline this year. Ultimately, the St. Louis Blues did not move him, which is likely because the asking price was fairly high, and he also has a no-trade clause on his contract.
With that, he's in the third year of an eight-year deal, earning an average annual value of $8.125 million. That contract lasts until the end of the 2030-31 season.
There haven't been plenty of connections or strong rumors linking the Kings and Robert Thomas together. But there was a conversation where TSN's Darren Dreger said that Thomas could be a fit in Los Angeles.
Thomas, 26, has 15 goals and 40 points in 46 appearances this season. He's on a six-game point streak, recording 10 points in that span. Last year, he registered a career-high 81 points, made up of 21 goals and 60 assists.
Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
Many expected the New York Rangers to trade away Vincent Trocheck at the passing trade deadline. However, Rangers GM Chris Drury couldn't find a deal that matched his or the player's preference.
In fairness to the Blueshirts, even though Trocheck would've fetched them a valuable return, there is no rush to move the veteran center as he has term left on his contract.
It was made clear that Trocheck prefers to stay in the Eastern Conference if he were to get traded. So even if Holland wants to circle back on the 32-year-old in the summer, the chances of agreeing on a deal seem unlikely, especially with his 10-team no-trade clause beginning July 1.
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.
