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Former Avalanche Fan Favorite Returns To Rival Stars After Injury-Plagued Season

Joel Kiviranta's time with the Colorado Avalanche has officially come to an end.

After three seasons in Denver, the versatile forward is heading back to familiar territory, as the Dallas Stars announced Wednesday that they have signed Kiviranta to a one-year contract worth $1 million. The move reunites the 30-year-old with the organization where he began his NHL career before joining Colorado in 2023.

For the Avalanche, Kiviranta's departure marks the loss of one of the club's most reliable depth forwards.

Fresh off a career-best 16-goal campaign in 2024-25, there was optimism that Kiviranta could build on his breakout season and provide another wave of secondary scoring. Instead, injuries never allowed him to establish any real momentum.

A lower-body injury early in the season sidelined him for several months, and he battled additional ailments after returning to the lineup. By year's end, Kiviranta had missed 31 of Colorado's 82 regular-season games, finishing with three goals and six assists for nine points in 51 appearances.

The offensive numbers represented a significant drop from the previous season, but they hardly told the full story.

Even while battling injuries, Kiviranta remained one of Colorado's most trusted defensive forwards. He continued to play an important role on the penalty kill while bringing the relentless forechecking, physicality, and dependable two-way game that earned the coaching staff's trust.

According to Natural Stat Trick, the Avalanche outscored opponents 20-12 during five-on-five play with Kiviranta on the ice while controlling 59.5 percent of the shots. He also averaged 1:03 of shorthanded ice time per game, marking the fourth consecutive season in which he averaged more than a minute per game on the penalty kill.

Kiviranta appeared in five Stanley Cup Playoff games for Colorado this past spring, bringing his career postseason total to 56 contests between the Avalanche and Stars.

Now, he'll return to the franchise where his NHL journey began.

Originally signing with Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Finland, Kiviranta spent the first four seasons of his NHL career with the Stars before revitalizing his career in Colorado. Across 349 regular-season games, he has totaled 38 goals and 31 assists for 69 points, with his 16-goal breakout in 2024-25 remaining the best offensive season of his career.

"We are excited to welcome Joel back to the Stars organization," Stars General Manager Jim Nill said in a statement. "Our familiarity with Joel made signing him an easy choice, and his versatility as a player gives us some added flexibility to our lineup."

The move also reunites Kiviranta with a strong Finnish contingent in Dallas that includes Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell, Arttu Hyry, and former Avalanche star Mikko Rantanen.

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The Lakers used their leverage to finally land Walker Kessler from Jazz

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 4: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz arrives to the arena before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 4, 2022 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

The pressure was on Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka to land an A-list center this offseason.

It was reported that Luka Dončić wanted one. The fans clearly desired it, and with the carousel of starting centers, it was clear the front office had been searching for years.

Pelinka got his guy, reportedly trading for Walker Kessler. It was expensive, but the Lakers think they got what they paid for: a starting center that fits perfectly with Luka and Austin Reaves.

This trade was far from a foregone conclusion. With Kessler as a restricted free agent, the Jazz could’ve matched any contract agreed upon between the Lakers and Kessler. Utah’s reported offer of a five-year, $140 million extension indicated they wanted to keep their big.

However, the Lakers prepared for this summer. They held onto assets at the February trade deadline, saying no to deals. This allowed them more draft picks and cap space in the offseason to permanently fill holes in their roster.

As Dave McMenamin of ESPN illustrated in his recent story, this set up an opportunity for the Lakers to finally acquire Kessler via a trade.

In the past when the Lakers reached out to the Jazz, Kessler was on a cost-controlled rookie contract, making under $3 million. This time around, Kessler was a restricted free agent — and seeking a massive raise.

The Jazz ultimately decided that building around this year’s No. 2 draft pick, Darryn Peterson, while armed with a bevy of draft assets from L.A. would be a better path than overpaying Kessler over the long term.

Utah offered Kessler a five-year, $140 million extension, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, or about $28 million per year. The Lakers offered a four-year deal worth $130 million, sources told Charania, or about $32.5 million per year, and they emptied their war chest to send their unprotected 2031 and 2033 first-round picks — plus pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 — to Utah in the deal.

In negotiations, whoever has leverage has the advantage.

With the Lakers holding onto their assets and setting up a situation where they’d have a ton of cap space this summer, they were able to make the Jazz an offer they couldn’t refuse. Add in that the Lakers reportedly had a contract richer than what Utah offered, and that’s how Kessler got to LA after so many rumors of the team’s interest in him.

Clearly, the Lakers feel that Kessler will lead to sustainable Lakers excellence. They gave up their 2031 and 2033 first round picks and pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 to acquire Kessler. That’s far more draft capital than they gave up for Luka.

The cost was high, but if it makes Dončić happy and, most importantly, works on the court, then that’s the price of doing business.

Fans have complained during other trade windows that the Lakers didn’t do enough, but this season that won’t be possible to say. Pelinka went all-in and landed his star big.

He used his assets to make a player a team didn’t necessarily want to part with into a Laker, and now the franchise is ready to fully enter the Luka Dončić era with the center they need for success.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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After 15 NHL Seasons, Mats Zuccarello Is Finally Living His Dream

For Mats Zuccarello, signing with the Los Angeles Kings wasn't simply another stop in a long NHL career. It was the chance to fulfill a dream that had been years in the making.

The 38-year-old veteran had other offers on the table in free agency, but none carried the same appeal as pulling on a Kings sweater. More than a decade after facing Los Angeles in the 2014 Stanley Cup Final with the New York Rangers, Zuccarello now gets the opportunity to wear the crest he once battled against.

"L.A. Kings is a team that I think is a dream to play for, for any player. I played against them in the Final many years ago and lost. It's a team that's always been up there," Zuccarello said.

The move represents another chapter in one of the most remarkable careers ever produced by Norway. No Norwegian-born player has come close to matching Zuccarello's NHL success, as he has accumulated nearly seven times as many career points as anyone else from his home country.

Even so, he believes his legacy may ultimately be measured by what comes after him.

Norwegian hockey has begun producing a wave of young talent, highlighted by players like Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygård and Anaheim Ducks prospect Stian Solberg. The country's national program has also taken significant steps forward, giving Zuccarello optimism about where the sport is headed.

"We have some really talented players coming up, which is really nice to see, and a bunch of people getting drafted, some in the first round. Our national team this year got bronze at the World Championships with a young core group and a couple of veterans. It's on the rise, for sure, Norwegian hockey, which is really, really exciting to see," Zuccarello said.

For someone who has spent more than 15 years representing Norwegian hockey on the NHL stage, watching the country's growth has become just as rewarding as his own accomplishments.

"We're a small country with only five million people and about 30 or 40 rinks in total," Zuccarello said. "It's really exciting for an older hockey guy like me who's been in the game for many years to see that there's progress and a youth movement happening in Norway."

That success has also made Zuccarello one of Norway's most recognizable athletes, though he admits another superstar currently owns the spotlight.

When asked if joining one of the NHL's marquee franchises might be enough to knock soccer sensation Erling Haaland off the front pages back home, Zuccarello laughed.

"I'm pretty sure I'm gonna make Page 2 right now, because the Norwegian national team is doing really well at the World Cup and they deserve every front page they can get, for sure."

While the attention in Norway may fluctuate, Zuccarello's focus is firmly on helping the Kings take another step forward.

He signed a one-year contract worth a $1 million base salary with an additional $5 million in performance bonuses, saying several teams expressed similar interest during free agency. Ultimately, Los Angeles stood apart because of the opportunity it presented and how strongly the organization made him feel wanted.

When asked what role he expects to fill, Zuccarello joked before giving a more thoughtful answer.

"I think I'm gonna be the captain and the GM and the president," he said with a smile.

"I know there's a good opportunity for me to prove myself, and that's the most important thing. I like (Coach Peter Laviolette's) vision of how to play and how to go about the business every day."

Zuccarello arrives in Los Angeles after another productive season in Minnesota. Despite battling injuries and nearing his 39th birthday, he recorded 54 points in 2025-26, including 21 on the power play, continuing to show the elite vision and playmaking ability that have defined his NHL career.

Now, after years of admiring the Kings from across the ice, Zuccarello finally gets the opportunity he always hoped would come — playing for one of the league's most iconic franchises instead of trying to beat it.

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Jaylen Brown releases statement following shocking trade to Philadelphia

Jaylen Brown released a statement on social media following his stunning trade to Philadelphia, which included thanking the fans in Boston.

Here is the full text:

First and foremost, thank you to the Most High, even in the midst of adversity. I'm here with gratitude.

I’m still processing how this all went down. I’m excited and disappointed at the same time. I earned my respect from this city. I never asked for shortcuts or special treatment. I simply showed up every day, put my head down, and accepted every challenge.

The relationships I built here, the battles we fought together, the championship we brought to this city, and the connection I shared with the fans, I’ll carry on with me.

Saying goodbye isn’t easy when you’ve invested your heart into something.

I’m big on respect and actions speak louder than words. To the people of Boston, thank you. To the community I built here I love you, and to the shiftaz we are locked in for life⚡️

As one chapter closes, another begins.

I’m excited for what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to join Philadelphia. Every city has its own identity, its own passion, and its own expectation. I respect that, and I’m looking forward to earning that respect the only way I know how.. through the work.

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MLB Home Run Predictions Today: Best HR Prop Bets, Picks, Parlay & Odds for Thursday, July 2

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Tonight’s MLB player props slate is loaded with heavy hitters in strong matchups. Can guys like Yandy Diaz or Shohei Ohtani cash in and send one out of the yard for us tonight?

My best home run props for Thursday, July 2 certainly hope so.

  • UPDATE: Added another HR pick + parlay.

Best MLB home run props today

Player to hit a HROdds
Marlins Liam Hicks+546
Rays Yandy Diaz+542
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani+208
💲Today's HR parlay+12161

Home run pick: Liam Hicks (+546)

Rockies right-hander Michael Lorenzen has his hands full this evening against a lineup featuring five elite-rated bats. One stands out above the rest in my eyes, and that's Liam Hicks.

Hicks has been seeing the ball extremely well and, with the momentum of the offense behind him, should be in a prime spot all afternoon to do damage.

Hicks covers over 83% of Lorenzen’s pitch mix while carrying an elite rating in Batters-Box’s current season grades. In his last 60 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, he owns a .346 AVG, .538 SLG, and .955 OPS.

Rockies pitching has been tormented by lefties at Coors Field, as opponents are hitting over .350 with a .519 SLG, .409 wOBA, and a 45.7% hard-hit rate. Over Lorenzen’s last 30 left-handed hitters faced, they are producing a 66.7% hard-hit rate and a 55% elevation rate, along with a .375 expected batting average, .514 xSLG, and .337 xwOBA.

For the price, I think it is worth dabbling on Hicks to go yard in Coors.

  • Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: COLR, MIAM

Home run pick: Yandy Diaz (+542)

It is Yandy Diaz over Junior Caminero in this spot tonight.

Diaz owns an arsenal coverage greater than 80% against Royals right hander Stephen Kolek, whose arsenal grades more than 50% below league average. The only two above average pitches in his mix are the fastball and sinker. Diaz is hitting .414 against sinkers this season with a 1.066 OPS and a .479 wOBA.

Against fastballs, his expected batting average is still above .300.

The Rays veteran has also been generating an alarming amount of hard contact. In his last 30 plate appearances against right handed pitching, he owns a 71.4% hard-hit rate while batting .320 with an .840 OPS and a .369 wOBA.

At the current price tag, this feels like a better option than trying to bank on Caminero hitting a home run seven games in a row.

  • Time: 7:40 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: ROYL, RAYS

Home run pick: Shohei Ohtani (+208)

There is an argument to be made that every day is a Shohei Ohtani day. Today is certainly one of them, as he enters Thursday with an elite rating covering 82.7% of Randy Vasquez’s entire pitch mix on Batters-Box.

Tonight will mark Ohtani’s 314th elite rating over the last three seasons. In the previous 313, he has recorded a home run 29.71% of the time.

Over his last 30 plate appearances against right handed pitching, he owns a .346 AVG, .462 SLG, and .862 OPS. The Dodgers slugger is also generating a 50% hard-hit rate and a 9.1% barrel rate during that stretch.

For Vásquez, the last 30 lefties he has faced have produced a 57.7% hard-hit rate, 19.2% barrel rate, and 65.4% elevation rate. Those lefties own a .764 xSLG and .596 xwOBA in that span.

I am fully expecting the superstar to have a ball fly off the bat this evening, hopefully out of the ballpark.

  • Time: 9:10 p.m. ET
  • Where to watch: MLBN
Colby Marchio's 2026 Transparency Record
  • HR picks: 65-240, +8.7 units

Today’s HR parlay

Marlins Liam HicksBet Now
+12161
Rays Yandy Diaz
Dodgers Shohei Ohtani

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

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Avalanche To Play Two Games At The 2026 Rookie Faceoff

The Colorado Avalanche and their prospects will be heading to San Jose, California, to play two games at the 2026 Rookie Faceoff. The games will take place at Tech CU Arena and Sharks Ice in San Jose.

The 2026 Rookie Faceoff will take place from Sept. 12-15 and feature top prospects from the Sharks, Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles, Utah Mammoth, and Vegas Golden Knights, with all teams playing on Sept. 12 and 13.

The Colorado Avalanche will play on:

  • Sat. 9/12 against the Anaheim Ducks, 2 p.m. (MT) 
  • Sunday 9/13 against the Vegas Golden Knights, 2 p.m. (MT)

Last year, Colorado hosted the 2025 Rookie Showcase at the Suburban Sports Complex in Highlands Ranch. That was the last time they hosted it, back in 2016.

Predators GM Chris MacFarland Poaches Another Familiar Face From the AvalanchePredators GM Chris MacFarland Poaches Another Familiar Face From the AvalancheChris MacFarland has returned to familiar territory once again, signing former Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jack Ahcan as the Predators continue adding players with ties to their general manager's former organization.
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Alex Ovechkin returns to Capitals for possible final season after retirement rumors

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows A Washington Capitals player sprawled on the ice after falling, his stick nearby, Image 2 shows Hockey player Alexander Ovechkin holding up the Stanley Cup
Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin isn’t done yet. 

The NHL’s all-time leading scorer signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract to return to the Capitals for a 22nd season, the team announced Thursday. 

Ovechkin will earn $9 million next year as long as he plays 10 games, according to The Athletic.

FILE – Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 14, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

In April, Ovechkin was weighing retirement and said his future would depend on health going into his age-41 season. 

“I’m back!” Ovechkin said in a release. “Thank you to everyone for giving me and my family the time to make this decision. I’m healthy. I love playing hockey and competing to win.”

“I’m excited to come back and join my teammates so we can fight for a playoff spot and have a chance to win. See you in September, DC!” 

The 40-year-old scored 32 goals and tallied 64 points while playing all 82 games last season, but the Capitals missed the playoffs for the first time in three years. 

Though the Capitals missed the postseason, the 2004 first-overall pick has little to add to his résumé entering Year 22. 

04/06/25 – Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders at UBS Arena – Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin (8) slides in celebration after he scored a goal in the second period to break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL all-time goals record against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y. on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Ovechkin scored goal number 895. Heather Khalifa for the NY Post

In addition to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most goals scored ever in April 2025, Ovechkin has helped the Capitals to three Presidents’ Trophies as the best regular season team during his tenure. 

He also helped bring the Capitals their first Stanley Cup title in 2018. 

After scoring 15 goals in 24 playoff games, Ovechkin was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals celebrates with the Stanley Cup after his team defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game 5 of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NHLI via Getty Images

Overall, Ovechkin has 929 career goals and 1,687 points in 1,573 regular-season games, while having 77 goals and 147 points in 161 postseason games. 

In what may likely be the legend’s final season, the Capitals will look to build off a 43-30-9 finish last year and return to the postseason.

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Winners and losers of the NHL offseason include teams in big markets spending and improving

NHL: Detroit Red Wings at New York Rangers

Apr 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (88) and New York Rangers defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov (44) fight for the puck during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

NHL teams committed more than $862 million in salary to 102 players on the first day of free agency, not counting entry-level or minor-league contracts.

Chicago signed Bowen Byram to the biggest contract at $75 million, making him the highest-paid defenseman in the league at $12.5 million a year, at least for now. Philadelphia spent the most at just under $90 million, though like the Byram deal much of that does not go into effect until the 2027-28 season.

Some of that money will be well spent, and other dollars will be regretted for years to come. Here’s a look at the early returns on offseason winners and losers:

NHL free agency winners

NEW YORK RANGERS: Fundamentals-first coach Mike Sullivan should be happy because his blue line got better even if No. 5 pick Alberts Smits needs another year to make the leap. General manager Chris Drury acquired defensemen Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson in separate trades, which should ease the burden on Adam Fox, Vladislav Gavrikov and goaltender Igor Shesterkin. Trading Vincent Trocheck to Utah opens a hole at center, but the addition of winger Pavel Dorofeyev makes up for a talent deficiency up front enough to say the Rangers got better.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS : New GM John Chayka acknowledged: “We did a lot of buying and selling over the last month. And at times maybe it didn’t make a lot of sense in terms of the individual moves. But as we thought about kind of the bigger picture and what we’re trying to create, it all kind of lined up for us.” It’s hard to argue with remaking the roster by adding goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, defensemen Darren Raddysh and Emil Andrae, and forwards Nick Paul, Colton Sissons, Jack Roslovic, Brandon Duhaime and Teddy Bleuger. Gone are Joseph Woll, Simon Benoit, Brandon Carlo, Nick Robertson, Matias Maccelli and more. With Auston Matthews’ future in question, Chayka is off to a good start as far as personnel goes and he also has No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna to weave into the mix.

SAN JOSE SHARKS : Mike Grier got immediate help by trading for Darnell Nurse and signing Mason Marchment and Jacob Trouba. They are veteran players who could help the team make the playoffs next season. He also kept stocking the cupboard of high-end-potential prospects by drafting Ivar Stenberg and two others in the first round. The short-, medium- and long-term future is bright now that San Jose is a destination with Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks on the rise.

FLORIDA PANTHERS: Even losing Bobrovsky, the 2024 and ’25 Cup champions added Brady Tkachuk to play with brother Matthew, brought back Radko Gudas and extended Eetu Luostarinen. The Panthers look loaded for another run and have tons of future salary cap space to play with.

NHL free agency losers

DETROIT RED WINGS: Detroit has not made the playoffs since 2016, now the NHL’s longest drought. And there is lingering uncertainty with captain Dylan Larkin wanting out. The Red Wings’ muddled path forward was evident Wednesday with the signing of Viktor Arvidsson and trade pickup of Keegan Kolesar representing their most notable additions. GM Steve Yzerman has the leverage of time in waiting for the best offer for Larkin. And yet the situation has the potential of becoming a bigger distraction and handcuffing Yzerman from building the roster further.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS: Hindsight might reveal the Flyers were smart in not spending big on assets and salary cap space to get Nurse, John Carlson (who signed with Tampa Bay) or Byram. But their biggest need was a No. 1 defenseman who could run the top power play unit, and that remains a giant void. GM Daniel Briere did make a big move for years down the road by locking up Tyson Foerster for almost the next decade.

NHL free agency jury’s out

BUFFALO SABRES: The Sabres lost more proven talent than they brought in during the past two weeks, trading Byram to the Blackhawks and Alex Tuch to Washington. Landing defensive prospect Daxon Rudolph with the fourth pick in exchange for Byram helps down the road, as do the acquisitions of promising young blue liners Olen Zellweger and Louis Crevier. Buffalo has so far struck out in trade talks to get Winnipeg goalie Connor Hellebuyck this summer, after St. Louis D-man Colton Parayko declined to a move at the deadline. That leaves Jarmo Kekalainen banking on Buffalo’s talented pipeline of youth to step up to build on a season in which the Sabres won their first Atlantic Division title and snapped a league-record 14-year playoff absence.

DALLAS STARS: This all depends on what happens with Jason Robertson, a restricted free agent in need of a new contract and one that could exceed $100 million. Jim Nill traded Mavrik Bourque to Nashville for picks and cleared cap space by including Ilya Lyubushkin in that deal. He also acknowledged he had something worked out with Seattle in a trade Robertson vetoed. Reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski declined to join Dallas. Everything hinges on making sure Robertson is signed or somehow recouping assets for a player in his prime coming off a 45-goal, 96-point season.

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Last Call from the road for the first half

SACRAMENTO, CA - JULY 01: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on from the dugout during the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Jacob Soriano/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

While the Dodgers have had a dud to close out their series in West Sacramento, there are three important things to take away from the experience:

  1. The Dodgers will likely never play at Sutter Health Park again, barring something extremely unexpected this October, something unexpected happening with labor negotiations, or the Athletics fumbling their new planned stadium in Las Vegas, which would probably require even more baseball adjacent to River City. Honestly, I am not sure which scenario the Commissioner would hate more;
  2. The Dodgers will be homebodies until the All-Star Break. The Dodgers don’t hit the road again until after the All-Star Break, when they will live in New York and Philadelphia for the better part of two weeks; and
  3. The Dodgers have led MLB in road attendance every season since 2021. If you thought the past two series in San Diego and Sacramento felt more like home games than usual, you’re not alone.

Last call to Dodger Stadium South in 2026

Barring something unexpected this season, the Dodgers have made their final visit to San Diego in 2026. Unlike Ferris, Walker Buehler and the Padres had a day to forget against the Chicago Cubs as the death knell for their season continues to chime, before coming to Los Angeles for One Piece Night.

Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune broke the story on the Dodgers’ impact at Petco Park after the Dodgers left San Diego:

…[Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove] is a season-ticket holder now, too, so he understands why the crowds this weekend at Petco Park felt a bit more like the pre-2020 era of this rivalry than a team ranking second in average attendance this season and last season.

“I think it’s our season-ticket holders selling the tickets,” Musgrove said Sunday morning. “I’m not going to tell somebody that can make a lot of money or get some of their money back by selling tickets not to, but I think that’s the main reason. It seems like all of our fans that show up for every other series of the year and fill it out seem to sell their tickets when these series come around.”

Musgrove said Saturday night “was out of control. It was like the most I’ve ever seen Dodger fans in our stadium — 90% Dodgers fans.”

Petco Park averaged 42,434 fans per game last year and was sitting at 41,439 per game coming into Sunday. Both figures rank behind only Dodger Stadium (49,536 and 50,872 in 2025 and 2026, respectively) for most in the majors.

Crowds of 43,153 and 45,159 on Friday and Saturday easily trumped attendance for the Dodgers series here in mid-May, when neither crowd topped 42,000 and one (39,788) didn’t even register as a sellout.

[Emphasis added.]

Dodgers fans travel well, from Japan to Toronto and all points in between. It’s not exactly newsworthy, but further confirmation is always welcome. Once again, Mr. Sanders:

“If I lived in L.A., I would want to come down to San Diego too,” Padres reliever Jason Adam said.

Added Musgrove: “It’s just how it is, man. They’re so close. They got a lot of Dodger fans down here in San Diego already, and I know they’re always looking to fill out our stadium. I think partially because the atmosphere is awesome. It’s a great ballpark, good food, a fun place to watch a game, but also it’s close enough to (L.A.) to try to trump the Padre fans and fill it out with their fans.”

A larger population that’s nearish to a smaller population? It’s basic geography, people. Folks in Milwaukee get used to Cubs’ fans showing up all the time. Although reporter Jeff Passan seemed not to get that memo.

One trick to keep larger fanbases from swarming smaller locales (think Los Angeles to San Diego, New York to Philadelphia, Chicago to Milwaukee, etc.) is to use geolocking to slow ticket sales from the club. When I purchased my seats for the upcoming Dodgers/Phillies series months ago, I had to do the added step of calling the Phillies ticket office. It was a bit annoying, but I understood the logic. The Padres have employed such tactics before and are likely to do so again when they eventually return to the postseason. For a final time, Mr. Sanders:

Former Dodgers ace Walker Buehler had become accustomed to seeing Dodgers fans take over places like Petco Park, Angel Stadium and Chase Field in Phoenix over the years, but even he noted the drastic difference in the composition of the crowd on Friday and Saturday compared with even just the May series here.

“I think here and Anaheim; Arizona always big,” Buehler said of Dodgers fans in visiting parks, “but this weekend was freaking crazy.”

It won’t be that way should the two teams meet in October, as the Padres have taken to limiting postseason ticket purchasers to those in certain ZIP codes to maintain a home-field advantage.

This issue at Petco Park is likely moot for the rest of 2026, but stranger things have happened.

Making (Good) Trouble in River City

Why one would report in a narrow aisle is beyond me, but as you can see above, Sacramento showed up when the Dodgers came to the Sacramento area. As we covered in “Trouble in River City,” John Fisher was likely salivating at the start of the series.

I did try to warn everyone. As I figured, Sacramentans and others showed up, as writer Molly Knight and other journalists reported. Ohtani being in town as opposed to the other side of the state or 1-2 hours away has gravity that is hard to resist. I understand the impulse quite well; I just wish everyone did not have to pay out the nose to experience it.

Unless someone was actively ignoring the last three games or was trapped in a well, the Dodgers effectively had three extra de facto home games this week. Whether MLB will also use this fact to cudgel the Dodgers in the ongoing labor negotiation is an open tongue-in-cheek question for another day.

Reeti Malhotra and Evelyn Ronan of the Sacramento Bee noted the outpouring of Dodgers fans in Sacramento:

Downtown Sacramento was awash in Dodger blue as thousands of fans poured into the capital city for a three-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the A’s that concludes Wednesday. The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the series against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Monday, winning the sold-out opener at the minor league stadium as Dodgers fans packed the stands. By Tuesday afternoon, the Dodgers’ effect continued, as downtown and Old Sacramento more closely resembled Chavez Ravine, with fans clad in green and gold standing out amid a sea of Dodger blue baseball caps and L.A.-emblazoned jerseys…

…Ben Cove, a Los Angeles resident and Dodgers fan who flew in for the series, said his trip had been “really all about baseball” and that between games, visiting a sports bar and seeing a local sight or two, he had been hanging out in the Kimpton lobby to see players pass. “We were so fired up to see them in a minor league park, to see Shohei in a minor league park,” Cove added.

[Emphasis added.]

It is nice to know that the article confirmed my hypothesis about where the team was staying while staying in the region. Ms. Malhotra and Ms. Ronan also documented the impact the Dodgers had on local businesses during their stint in River City:

Local business owners welcomed the boost in business as Dodgers fans filled restaurants, hotels and entertainment districts throughout Sacramento and West Sacramento. “You can see it downtown, the restaurants are full, the hotels are busy, and you know, the businesses are busier during those times,” said David Eadie, chief sports and entertainment officer of Visit Sacramento. “With the Giants and the Dodgers being California-based as well, we get a lot of folks traveling in from Southern California and from the Bay Area for those games.”

Bear & Crown owner Jesse Ledin said his British pub-style restaurant in Old Sacramento was “slammed” Monday with Dodgers and A’s fans alike, with levels of foot traffic he usually sees only when the Giants or Dodgers come to town. He said he expected the crowds to continue through Wednesday, when the series concludes.

If patterns hold, one would expect Las Vegas to have similar circumstances and energy once that new venue opens in 2028. As things stand under the current system, the A’s would visit Dodger Stadium next year.

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Fixing the Guardians’ Kyle Manzardo with Runners in Scoring Position

CLEVELAND, OHIO - JUNE 30: Kyle Manzardo #9 of the Cleveland Guardians celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Progressive Field on June 30, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Kyle Manzardo has a runners in scoring position problem. How significant it is and how likely it is to last is up for debate.

For his career, the 25 year-old has a 107 wRC+, overall. At 959 plate appearances, he’s at a bit of an inflection point for the rest of this season; if he can raise that wRC+ for this season from its current 102 to something more like 115, I think we should feel pretty good about him being in the Guardians’ lineup for the future, given his youth. He has admirably worked on his atrocious defense to become a non-negative at first base, which is a point in his favor as we consider if he can work and grow on areas of deficiency.

Speaking of those trouble spots, Manzardo has a troubling split you have probably noticed at this point. For his career, with empty bases, Manzardo is a career 119 wRC+ hitter. I can’t seem to sort on FanGraphs or Savant for just runners on first, but he has a 93 wRC+ with runners on, which, given the next stat I’m about to give, has to mean he hits very well with just a runner on first. Because, with runners in scoring position, Manzardo has a career 74 wRC+ in 259 plate appearances.

Now, I think it is, first of all, fair to note that 259 plate appearances is still not even half a season’s worth of opportunities. Perhaps this is only an article I should write three years down the line when Manzardo has 600 plate appearances with RISP. But, I don’t think either he or the Guardins have that long to wait, given Ralphy Velazquez’s near advent. Manzardo and the Guardians need to consider the possibility that he has some kind of block once a runner reaches second base.

In looking under the hood, a couple things stand out right away. With no runners on or just a runner on first, Manzardo has a 26% chase rate on pitches out of the zone. With runners in scoring position, that chase rate rises to 34%. With no runners on or just a runner on first, he swings at the first pitch 27% of the time. With runners in scoring position, he swings 33% of the time. I think these numbers show he is getting antsy when there are RBI opportunities, perhaps feeling the pressure of performing as a middle of the order hitter. Now, overall, Manzardo has a 105 wRC+ in high leverage situations. He’s not afraid of pressure, he can handle to a reasonable level the elite relief pitching he sees late in games, and he even displays a cool demeanor. I just think he literally needs to tell himself “No one is on base, and I’m going to approach this at-bat as if it was any other.”

You may be laughing at this simplistic conclusion, but Manzardo has the ability to recognize when most pitches are out of the zone. He has the ability to be selective when deciding which pitches to damage. But, a noticeable portion of these abilities are unaccountably deserting him when a runner reaches second base. Since there’s no logical reason for that, I would argue that it indicates a mental block that needs a mental solution.

Finally, there’s one other stat that stands out about Manzardo, overall. While in the upper levels of the minors, Manzardo ran opposite-field hit rates steadily over 30%. In the majors, he’s at closer to 25%. Manzardo needs the pulled-ball ability to get to his power, but I do think it is reasonable for him to begin thinking in terms of “If all I’m gonna get is pitches on the outside of the plate, I am going to need to serve a few into left field to earn myself pitches to hit on the inside part of the plate.” This is easy for me to type, and hard to do, but I think it’s, again, a slight mindset shift. Yes, you need to get pitches over the middle and inside and pull them in the air. BUT, to get those pitches, you need to make people realize they can get hurt by your good eye and decent contact ability if they insist on going outside, outside, outside. He has flashed a 75% contact rate and a swinging strike rate as low as 11% last season. Those kind of metrics should enable him to discover a few more opposite field hits and make pitchers respect his ability to do harm to stuff thrown on the outside part of the plate.

I love Kyle Manzardo and I still believe he can be a middle of the order hitter for the Guardians. The time for him to put the pieces together and make it happen is now.

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Examining All Moves Made By Panthers Over Past Few Days, Exploring How Roster Could Shake Out

It’s been quite a couple days for the Florida Panthers.

As the calendar flipped from June to July and a new league year began, the Panthers kept very busy both signing and trading for new additions to the franchise.

Over the past several days, Florida seemed to get progressively busier, culminating in a wild July 1 that saw them make nearly a dozen moves to fortify their roster for what the team expects to be a return to Stanley Cup contention.

The fun started on Monday, when Florida traded the rights of A.J. Greer to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange to the rights of defenseman Radko Gudas, both of whom were set to hit free agency two days later.

Later that night, the Panthers picked up their first goaltender, acquiring Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2028 third-round pick.

It was maybe 12 hours later that Florida completed their goaltending tandem, trading for former Cats tendie Jacob Markstrom, along with forward Angus Crookshank, and sending Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves to the New Jersey Devils.

That leads us to Wednesday, the first of July and the start of a new NHL league year.

To say that the Panthers were busy despite having the majority of their NHL roster being accounted for would be an understatement.

By the time the day was done, the Cats had fortified their depth at the NHL level while adding several pieces that will help their AHL squad who are also prime candidates for call-ups if and when the Panthers need it.

Here are the moves Florida made on Wednesday:

Sign forward Eetu Luostarinen to an eight-year extension

Sign forward Sandis Vilmanis to an eight-year extension

Sign defenseman Radko Gudas to a six-year contract

Sign forward Cole Schwindt to a two-year contract extension

Sign defenseman Alexander Petrovic to a two-year contract

Sign forward Lars Eller to a one-year contract

Sign defenseman Donovan Sebrango to a one-year contract extension

Sign defenseman Toby Bjornfot to a one-year, two-way contract extension

Sign forward John Beecher to a one-year, two-way contract

Sign forward Sam Lafferty to a one-year, two-way contract

Sign forward Boko Imama to a one-year, two-way contract

Sign defenseman Casey Fitzgerald to a one-year, two-way contract

There could be more moves coming, including a new contract for goaltender Akria Schmid, which Zito indicated would be coming at some point. 

“I’m not anticipating real difficulty," he said when asked about Schmid on Wednesday. "I’ve spoken to him, he’s excited to be here.”

Based off their current cast of characters, here is a projected look at their forward lines and defensive pairings could break down when Opening Night arrives.

Keep in mind that an NHL roster can only carry a maximum of 23 players, so there can only be a total of three extra players (healthy scratches). We’re listing several options for those extra spots, as the final decisions will likely come down to how each player performs during training camp.

Brady Tkachuk – Sasha Barkov – Sam Reinhart

Carter Verhaeghe – Sam Bennett – Matthew Tkachuk

Eetu Luostarinen – Anton Lundell – Brad Marchand

Jonah Gadjovich – Lars Eller – Garnet Hathaway

Gus Forsling – Aaron Ekblad

Niko Mikkola – Seth Jones

Dmitry Kulikov – Radko Gudas

Jacob Markstrom

Akria Schmid

Extra forwards: Cole Reinhardt, Cole Schwindt, Sandis Vilmanis

Extra defensemen: Uvis Balinskis, Alex Petrovic

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Panthers Signing Eetu Luostarinen To 8-Year Contract Extension

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Ivar Stenberg shines in Sharks Development Camp, signs entry-level contract

Ivar Stenberg shines in Sharks Development Camp, signs entry-level contract originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Sharks signed Ivar Stenberg to an entry-level contract on Thursday.

Terms were not disclosed.       

“I’m just super thankful and super excited to be a Shark,” Stenberg said.

The 5-foot-11 winger, the No. 2 pick of the 2026 NHL Draft, is expected to compete for a spot in the Sharks’ top nine this upcoming season.

“There’s no doubt,” Sharks director of player development Todd Marchant said about Stenberg’s NHL-readiness. Though he cautioned, “there’s a curve that each player has to go through.”

Stenberg did nothing to shake the Sharks’ confidence in development camp.

While San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy didn’t want to go as far as declare Stenberg NHL-ready right away, he did explain how both Stenberg and 2024 No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini separated themselves in their first development camps.

“Making plays in small, tight areas,” McCarthy said. “They can obviously separate with their speed, with their feet, create time and space with their hands. Smart players that see the ice well and make a lot of really good plays.”

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"An Easy Decision": Viktor Arvidsson Speaks After Joining Red Wings

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As part of their signings on the opening day of the NHL Free Agency period, the Detroit Red Wings inked veteran forward Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year contract with a salary cap hit of $5 million.

Arvidsson, who played last season with the divisional rival Boston Bruins, scored 25 goals with 29 assists, helping his club reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs after finishing fourth overall in the Atlantic, eight points ahead of Detroit. 

The Swedish-born forward, who was selected by the Nashville Predators in the fourth round (112th overall pick) of the 2014 NHL Draft, is already familiar with head coach Todd McLellan after having played under him while with the Los Angeles Kings from 2021 through 2024. 

For him, it was an "easy" decision to agree to join the Red Wings. 

"I've known Todd since before, and really liked playing under him and stuff like that," Arvidsson said on Thursday. "It was an easy decision, and I'm happy to be a Red Wing. It's going to be fun." 

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Not only is Arvidsson a quick skater who can play with an edge, but he also brings an effectiveness in five-on-five scoring that the Red Wings have sorely lacked. 

"I'm going to bring a competitive aspect to the game, and try and be a role model for the younger guys, and just to bring some leadership and try to play hard, and put my best in front and just go from there." 

Arvidsson played with fellow Swede Lucas Raymond during the Winter Olympics in Milan, and also has trained with Axel Sandin-Pellikka during the offseason. 

He's played twice now in the Stanley Cup Final, with the Predators in 2017 and with the Edmonton Oilers in 2024. Meanwhile, the Red Wings are stuck in the NHL's longest postseason drought. 

Red Wings Sign Veteran Forward Viktor Arvidsson Red Wings Sign Veteran Forward Viktor Arvidsson On the opening day of the NHL free-agency period, the Detroit Red Wings are adding some veteran talent up front with the signing of Viktor Arvidsson.

Having already skated in 91 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, Arvidsson wants to be part of the solution that brings postseason hockey back to Detroit. 

"That's always my goal, to get together as a group and win games together," he said. "Every team is saying this when Training Camp starts, that they'll be a team that makes the playoffs." 

It's a tough League to go into and make the playoffs, but second of all, go all the way. That's my goal every year: to play meaningful hockey." 

Arvidsson has scored 219 goals with 224 assists in 682 regular season games, with another 17 goals and 29 assists during the postseason. 

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ESPN analyst on Jaylen Brown trade: 'One of the dumbest trades in NBA history'

The reaction out of Boston-based and Celtics-focused NBA commentary has centered on what's perceived to be a poor return for Jaylen Brown in the team's trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Most Celtics fans aren't happy about it, and neither are the people who talk about them for a living.

ESPN analyst and former Celtics player Kendrick Perkins declared it "one of the dumbest trades in NBA history."

In the trade, the Celtics have agreed to ship Brown to the 76ers in exchange for veteran Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-round selections, a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

Ringer podcast host and noted Celtics fan Bill Simmons said Thursday he was just emerging from being under anesthesia after a colonoscopy and thought "I died," when he learned about the Brown trade, and that Boston had only gotten Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks for Brown.

USA TODAY Sports NBA reporter Lorenzo Reyes contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: ESPN analyst on Jaylen Brown trade: 'One of the dumbest trades in NBA history'

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LeBron James, Lakers front office had ‘disconnect’ after Russell Westbrook trade

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 30: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Russell Westbrook #0 and LeBron James #6 (2nd L) of the Los Angeles Lakers look on against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 30, 2023 in New York City. The Nets defeated the Lakers 121-104. 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 Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) | Getty Images

For those paying particularly close attention to the Lakers during the LeBron James era, there was a clear inflection point.

Riding high after a title in 2020 and feeling hard done by due to injuries the following season, the Lakers front office and LeBron had a harmonious relationship. Looking for an offseason shakeup, the franchise offered up two trades to LeBron: one for Buddy Hield and one for Russell Westbrook.

Fans know how things played out from there and it took the team many years to recover from acquiring Westbrook. When a deal plays out that disastrously, multiple figures are to blame.

Rob Pelinka, now President of Basketball Operations, deserves a lion’s share of the blame, particularly for even offering up the decision to a player on the team. But LeBron doesn’t escape unscathed, either, as he did offer his input.

As it turns out, that moment fractured the relationship between LeBron and the front office so severely that it never recovered, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported in his article on Thursday.

There was more of a disconnect between James and the organization, sources said, one that started during the doomed 2021-22 season following the Russell Westbrook trade and never fully recovered.

The shift in how the two sides collaborated after that move was evident. Originally, Pelinka freely shared that he consulted with LeBron and Anthony Davis on roster moves. After the Russ trade, the same synergy didn’t exist.

LeBron, in a calculated move, distanced himself from the front office and any decision-making that happened from that point forward. Similarly, Pelinka said he was the sole decision-maker as well.

That the relationship between the two sides never recovered from that moment isn’t particularly surprising. It’s a cloud that will hang over the post-title tenure for LeBron and Pelinka. It was a huge mistake that backfired in the worst way possible.

Even if the Lakers had modest success after that, it’s a defining moment in both their times with the Lakers and one that, understandably, changed the dynamics between the player and franchise.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.