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Nate Schmidt Brought Big Energy and Bigger Expectations When Playing for the Jets

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Talk The Talk, Walk The Walk - Oct. 19 2021 - Vol. 75 Issue 5 - Jared Clinton

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(SERGEI BELSKI-USA TODAY SPORTS)

NATE SCHMIDT HAS AN industry secret to share, a trick of the trade he’s picked up over the past few months.

You see, beyond balancing that patrolling-the-blueline-in-the-best-league-in-the-world thing, Schmidt picked up a side gig as a salesman during the off-season, buying into ShortSide Hockey Co., a hockey tape and apparel company started by a few friends from Minnesota.

Schmidt stumbled across a surefire sales tactic through his work with ShortSide. It goes a little something like this: find a potential customer and use the gift of gab. Sure, it’s not for everyone. There are those without a penchant for prattle, those who feel no need for chitchat. But the good news is Schmidt likes to talk. Like, a lot.

“Usually I get on the phone and just start chatting and rambling and talking, and I think usually by the end of it people are saying, ‘Yeah, I’ll buy it from you just so you shut up,’” Schmidt laughed.

Early Takeaways From Jets Training Camp: Groups, Players To Watch, Position BattlesEarly Takeaways From Jets Training Camp: Groups, Players To Watch, Position BattlesBreaking down the early takeaways of Winnipeg Jets Training Camp including storylines from each group, position battles to watch and prospects to keep an eye on.

He’s kidding, of course. Truthfully, it’s hard to fathom anyone telling Schmidt to pipe down and not at all because of his big-league bonafides. Rather, it’s Schmidt’s gregariousness. He has a magnetism and all-too-rare earnestness to him. A conversation about hockey tape shouldn’t be engaging, yet Schmidt can manage to talk about the process of testing batches, cold-calling coaches and persuading teammates to use the stuff without the conversation falling flat.

He brings that same sincerity and thoughtfulness to everything he does, not the least of which is his NHL day job. That much is evident when Schmidt discusses his summer trade to the Winnipeg Jets and reports he considered using his no-trade clause to veto the move. In his first meeting with the Winnipeg media, he took pains to clarify any thought given to nixing the deal was no slight to the city, team or its fans.

It was simply his desire to step back and think – about moving halfway across the country to a new team, about life in a new city and about how his fiancee would feel about the move. “When guys go through and look at free agency and such, things happen really quickly and some guys always say, ‘You wish you could slow it down because it happens so quickly,’” Schmidt said. “When I was taking a look at (the trade) and looking at all the things, the possibilities, it was, for me, my way of slowing it down, to be able to walk away and just reflect on all the things that were about to change.”

It’s difficult to argue with that justification, and even more difficult when considering the veritable whirlwind that has been the past few seasons of the 30-year-old’s career.

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CHANGE OF SCENERY

Schmidt hopes the move to Winnipeg will spur a return to his prior form as a reliable offensive contributor.

(GARY A. VASQUEZ-USA TODAY SPORTS)

Shrinking NHL Pre-Season Could Present Opportunity For AHLShrinking NHL Pre-Season Could Present Opportunity For AHLThe NHL's recent CBA changes could lead to a longer AHL pre-season, following the NHL cutting down on exhibition games. 

Ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, with one year remaining on a two-year pact he had signed with the Vegas Golden Knights, Schmidt inked his first legitimate big-money, career-making contract, a six-year, $35.7-million deal that he believed would keep him in Sin City for the bulk of what was left of his career.

Included in that deal was the aforementioned no-trade clause, which seemed to further insinuate Vegas saw him as a long-term fixture on its blueline. That wasn’t quite the case. One season into his new agreement, the Golden Knights sent Schmidt packing, dealing him to Vancouver for a third-round pick. Less than 10 months later, Schmidt was headed to Winnipeg. “The first time it was pretty devastating to go through, because you think, ‘I signed this deal, I am going to be a part of this team, we’re the Misfits and we’re going to keep it together,’” Schmidt said. “It was a hard thing to figure out at first. I think as you go through and realize that this is part of hockey, it doesn’t really diminish the fact it is hard.”

MY EXPECTATIONS FOR MYSELF ARE EVEN HIGHER THAN WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE FOR ME– Nate Schmidt

And while he’s not about to make excuses, he admitted the wrinkle that COVID-19 added to matters – from the shutdown to the bubble and off-ice restrictions – made that first transition especially challenging, which bore out in Schmidt’s numbers. Across the three seasons preceding his campaign in Vancouver, Schmidt had established himself as a regular offensive contributor, with his 97 points in 196 games, a hair shy of half-point-per-game production during his time with Vegas.

As a Canuck, his output dropped precipitously, to the tune of just five goals and 15 points in 54 games. “I knew I wasn’t at my best last year,” he said. “A lot of different things go into that with a weird year and frustration sometimes. You put a lot of pressure on yourself to go in there and play really well, and there really isn’t a whole lot of time to get used to a new system, new team and real time to actually get going.”

Having gone through this before has Schmidt feeling more settled this time around. It doesn’t hurt he’s relatively close to home – St. Cloud, Minn., is roughly a six-hour drive south – and was able to settle into former teammate Cody Eakin’s Winnipeg home upon arriving with his new team. He’s getting a feel for the city, for the team facilities, and he’s starting to form all-important bonds with his teammates, which has been made that much easier by the relaxing of some of pandemic-related restrictions.

Schmidt acclimating to his new surroundings is no small thing, particularly given the Jets are anticipating he’ll be a major piece of a rejuvenated blueline to which Brenden Dillon has likewise been added. Not since the halcyon, Western Conference-finalist days of 2017-18, when Winnipeg iced a top four of Josh Morrissey, Dustin Byfuglien, Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers, has there been this much promise in the Jets’ defense corps, at least on paper. If Schmidt returns to the same form that saw him munch minutes for the Vegas group that ended that 2017-18 Winnipeg team’s post-season run, it’d be no surprise to see the Jets carving a playoff path this season.

Trust he’s aware of what Winnipeg is hoping for, too. “A lot of the time, honestly, the expectations people make, my expectations for myself are even higher than what other people have for me,” Schmidt said. “I expect the best out of myself. I do feel good. I feel like my confidence is back playing with this group, we have a good group and it’s going to make for an exciting year.”

Divisional Focus: Jets Look to Snap Losing Skid versus Last-Place PredatorsDivisional Focus: Jets Look to Snap Losing Skid versus Last-Place PredatorsThe Winnipeg Jets aim to win three crucial divisional games over the Nashville Predators next season after losing four of their last seven matchups. 
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Blackhawks Coach Provides Matt Grzelcyk Update

Matt Grzelcyk (© David Gonzales-Imagn Images)

Matt Grzelcyk is currently on a professional tryout (PTO) with the Chicago Blackhawks. With this, the 31-year-old defenseman is certainly aiming to impress in hopes of landing a contract from the Central Division club for the 2025-26 season.

While speaking to reporters, including the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope, Blackhawks head coach Jeff Blashill shared that the team will sign Grzelcyk if their young defensemen do not appear to be ready for the NHL. However, Blashill also added that the team will likely not sign Grzelcyk if their youngsters earn NHL spots. 

It is understandable that the Blackhawks are waiting to see if some of their young blueliners are ready for the NHL before potentially signing Grzelcyk. The Blackhawks are in a rebuild, after all, so it makes sense that they want to see if some of their prospect defensemen can make the team. 

However, if the Blackhawks decide to start some of their young defensemen at the AHL level, bringing in Grzelcyk could benefit them. He would give them another veteran blueliner to work with to help mentor their young players.

Nevetheless, we will now need to wait and see what the Blackhawks decide to do with Grzelcyk from here.

Blackhawks Rumors: 4 Other Teams Still in Running for Matt GrzelcykBlackhawks Rumors: 4 Other Teams Still in Running for Matt GrzelcykIt is shocking that Matt Grzelcyk went so long without actually being signed after the 31-year-old put up 40 points on the Pittsburgh Penguins. But recently, the Chicago Blackhawks signed him to a PTO. I will continue to argue that it was the decision to do so even though there is one veteran on the back-end.
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Two-start pitchers: Chris Sale headlines a group of stellar options for the final week of the 2025 season

Hello and welcome to the final installment of our weekly two-start pitcher article for the 2025 MLB season.

I have been here every Friday to highlight some of the best two-start pitcher options in fantasy baseball leagues for the upcoming week and I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you that has come along for the ride with me.

It's the final week of the year. The decisions that you make now could wind up making or breaking your entire season. Now is the time to really dig in and make sure we're optimizing our rosters as well as possible.

This is a living document, so we'll update the options below as the weekend moves along.

Before we get into it, we'll start with a couple of notes on situations that may be unresolved or teams that may not have a two-start pitcher lined up for the upcoming week:

The Orioles continue to roll with a six-man rotation, so as long as no one suffers an injury over the weekend, it appears as though no one will line up for two starts in the final week of the regular season with only six games on tap. The only possibility would be Dean Kremer (vs. Rays, @ Yankees) should anything get moved around or if someone in their rotation gets shut down prematurely.

As things currently stand, the Guardians are using a six-man rotation and don’t have anyone lined up to make two starts next week. That could change though if they’re still in the playoff picture on Sunday. If that’s the case, Gavin Williams could start on regular rest over Joey Cantillo, in which case he would draw the two-start week (vs. Tigers, vs. Rangers) and would make for a strong option.

As things currently stand, Jack Flaherty is in line to make two starts for the Tigers next week (@ Guardians, @ Red Sox). There are a couple of ways in which that could change though. If the Tigers have a rough weekend and their spot on the playoffs starts to get challenged, we could see Tarik Skubal on regular rest take the ball on Tuesday against the Guardians, in which case he would get the two-start week instead. If the Tigers have a good weekend and play well against the Guardians to start next week, you could see them lock up the American League Central, in which case they may just use some sort of bullpen day on Sunday instead of giving Flaherty his full workload. Just things to keep in mind. We’ll update through the weekend if we gain any additional clarity.

No word yet on what the Angels plan to do with their rotation to fill the void left by Jose Soriano (forearm) landing on the injured list. It’s possible that Yusei Kikuchi moves up and starts on regular rest on Tuesday, in which case he would start twice next week (vs. Royals, vs. Astros). It’s also possible that they promote someone from Triple-A or go with a bullpen day, in which case we’re unlikely to have interest.

The Dodgers will roll with a six-man rotation once again for the final week of the regular season, meaning that none of their starters will line up for two starts. At least they’re consistent.

The Twins are another team that have been rolling with a six-man rotation and there’s no reason to expect them to go away from that in the final week of the season, so none of their starters will get the honor of toeing the slab twice.

The Pirates are utilizing a six-man rotation for the final week of the season as well so that means none of their starters will take the mound twice. With Monday being an off-day, they could choose to move Paul Skenes up to Tuesday and give him the option to make two starts next week (@ Reds, @ Braves), but that doesn’t seem particularly likely. It also wouldn’t impact any decisions for fantasy managers as he’s locked into lineups regardless.

The Rangers are moving to a six-man rotation to accommodate the return of Tyler Mahle on Friday, making it so that none of their starters will double next week. If Mahle doesn’t make it through his start healthy or if anyone else gets skipped, it would be Jack Leiter getting the two-start week (vs. Twins, @ Guardians)

The Nationals are going with a six-man rotation as well and with each team only playing six games over the final week that’s another team that will be without a two-start pitcher. If you’re looking for volume, this is a tough week to add it to your team.

Without further ado, let's dig into the options for the week of September 22.

Going Twice…

Note: Probable pitchers as of September 19 and are subject to change.

American League

Strong Plays

Cole Ragans, Royals, LHP (@ Angels, @ Athletics)

Ragans has been a major disappointment throughout the 2025 season, posting a 2-3 record, 5.16 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and an 80/18 K/BB ratio over 52 1/3 innings over 11 starts. This is his chance to finish the season on a high note though before coming back fresh in 2026. He gets a pair of road starts against weak divisional opponents that he should be able to feast on. Even if the ratios aren’t quite where we would want them to be, he should be able to pile up strikeouts in these two starts and will be in a good position to earn a victory as well. I understand that fantasy managers are bitter over his performance this season, but that doesn’t mean he should be on the bench for the final week of the season. Roll with him in all leagues.

Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays, RHP (vs. Red Sox, vs. Rays)

Kevin Gausman is tentatively lined up to make two starts next week – both of them at home against familiar divisional foes. He’s an excellent option whether he makes one start or two, but there’s a chance that he gets moved from that second start or has it shortened depending on how the Jays want to align their rotation for the postseason. Gausman has been terrific this season, registering a 3.38 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and a 177/47 K/BB ratio over 183 2/3 innings. Studly.

Lucas Giolito, Red Sox, RHP (@ Blue Jays, vs. Tigers)

Giolito has had a terrific bounce-back season for the Red Sox, posting a 10-6 record, 3.46 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 118/52 K/BB ratio over 140 1/3 innings after missing the entire 2024 season due to injury. The matchups aren’t ideal for the upcoming week, but there’s a very strong chance that he does make both of the starts with the Red Sox desperately fighting for a postseason berth. I’d feel comfortable starting him in leagues of all sizes.

AJ Blubaugh, Astros, RHP (@ Athletics, @ Angels)

Blubagh has impressed through his first nine outings (two starts) with the Astros this season, registering a 2.16 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and a 32/7 K/BB ratio across 25 innings of work. The only concern is the workload, as he threw only 50 pitches and went just three innings his last time out. The matchups are great and he’s a solid bet to help fantasy managers in ratios and in strikeouts. If he can make it through five innings, he’ll have a shot at helping out in wins as well. He makes for an excellent streaming option for the final week of the regular season.

Decent Plays

Ian Seymour, Rays, RHP (@ Orioles, @ Blue Jays)

So far, so good for Seymour as he transitions to the Rays’ starting rotation. He’s coming off of a brilliant outing in which he didn’t allow an earned run over seven innings against the Blue Jays while striking out three. For the season, he holds a minuscule 2.54 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and a 55/15 K/BB ratio across 49 2/3 frames. Now he’ll do battle against the Orioles in Baltimore before finishing up with a Blue Jays’ squad that is likely to be sitting most of their regulars on the final day of the season. He makes for an excellent streaming option wherever he may be available.

Shane Smith, White Sox, RHP (@ Yankees, @ Nationals)

While Smith’s rookie campaign with the White Sox has been a rousing success, he is limping his way to the finish line and may be getting a bit fatigued. He was lit up for six runs on nine hits over 4 1/3 innings against the Orioles his last time out and now he’ll face a tough assignment against the Yankees to start the week. The matchup against the Nationals on Sunday is better – assuming that he actually makes that start. If you’re hunting for strikeouts, he’s still in play, but if you’re concerned about protecting ratios, you may want to look in a different direction.

Luis Gil, Yankees, RHP (vs. White Sox, vs. Orioles)

Luis Gil has allowed a lot of traffic on the basepaths through his first nine starts, leading to a cringe-inducing 1.50 WHIP, but he has able to limit the overall damage (3.33 ERA) despite a troublesome 36/29 K/BB ratio. He has picked up four victories in nine starts and is a threat to earn a win every time he takes the mound with the Yankees’ offense backing him. He looks like a solid option for his upcoming two-start week and should be started in all leagues.

Bryce Miller, Mariners, RHP (vs. Rockies, vs. Dodgers)

After a terrific season for the Mariners in 2024, Miller has come crashing back to earth this year, posting a miserable 5.58 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and a 68/31 K/BB ratio over 80 2/3 innings. What he has in his favor this week though are the matchups. He’ll do battle against the Rockies at home in a spot where he should be a favorite to earn a victory and then he’ll finish the season with a Dodgers’ squad that will probably be resting many of its starters. If there’s any week to trust Miller after a disappointing season, this would be it.

At Your Own Risk

Mason Barnett, Athletics, RHP (vs. Astros, vs. Royals)

The 24-year-old right-hander has struggled through his first four starts in the big leagues, registering a 7.56 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and a 15/9 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings of work. He has also lasted five innings in just one of his first four outings. The matchups aren’t the greatest either. It’s the final week of the season, so if all you’re concerned with is volume and trying to pile up strikeouts, he could be worth a look. It’s very likely that he hurts your ratios though and is unlikely to earn a victory in either of these starts.

National League

Strong Plays

Chris Sale, Braves, LHP (vs. Nationals, vs. Pirates)

The schedule couldn’t line up much better for Sale entering the final week of the 2025 season, getting to do battle against the Nationals and Pirates with both starts coming at home. He hasn’t missed a beat since returning from the injured list, posting a 1.75 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and a ridiculous 36/2 K/BB ratio over 25 2/3 innings in four starts since being activated. He may be the top overall play on the board for the final week of the season.

Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies, LHP (vs. Marlins, vs. Twins)

For now at least, the Phillies’ star southpaw is lined up to make two starts next week, though he could get pushed from that Sunday start as the Phillies line up their playoff rotation as the desire. He has been a revelation on the hill this season, registering a 2.66 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 198/43 K/BB ratio over 189 1/3 innings. He should be started in all leagues regardless of whether he makes one start or two.

Brady Singer, Reds, RHP (vs. Pirates, @ Brewers)

Singer has done a nice job in his first season with the Reds, compiling a 14-10 record, 3.86 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 155/59 K/BB ratio over 161 innings through his first 30 starts. He has been rolling as of late, allowing two runs or fewer in six of his last seven starts and just three runs in the other. He’ll get a premium matchup against the Pirates to start the week before finishing the season against a Brewers’ squad that could be resting many of it’s regulars. Singer looks like a very strong option in all leagues for the final week of the season.

Brandon Woodruff, Brewers, RHP (@ Padres, vs. Reds)

Woodruff has been exceptional in his return to the Brewers’ rotation this season, going 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and an 83/14 K/BB ratio over 64 2/3 innings through his first 12 starts. There’s no reason to expect any sort of drop off this week. The only concern is that with the top seed in the National League already locked up, it’s possible that Woodruff doesn’t start or doesn’t see a full workload on Sunday against the Reds. It’s a minor quibble though and he should still be locked into all fantasy lineups for the final week of the regular season.

Cade Horton, Cubs, RHP (vs. Mets, vs. Cardinals)

Tentatively, Horton is lined up to make two starts next week, but with a Wild Card spot already locked up and the Cubs looking to set their rotation for the postseason, it wouldn’t be surprising in the least to see Javier Assad make that start on Sunday instead, allowing them to deploy Horton in whichever game they want in the Wild Card round. He’ll still start against the Mets and is worth using in all leagues, just don’t go in expecting him to make two starts next week. Treat it as a bonus if he does actually get the ball on Sunday.

Nick Pivetta, Padres, RHP (vs. Brewers, vs. Diamondbacks)

Like many teams heading to the postseason, it’s unclear whether we’ll actually get two starts from Pivetta next week, or if they’ll choose to optimize their rotation for the postseason and roll with an extra starter or some sort of bullpen game instead. The Padres’ right-hander has been awesome this season and still makes for a strong option on the week, even if he does only get one start, so this shouldn’t impact decisions.

Ryan Weathers, Marlins, LHP (@ Phillies, vs. Mets)

Sandwiched around stints on the injured list, Weathers has actually done a very nice job through his first seven starts for the Marlins this season – posting a 3.21 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and a 29/10 K/BB ratio across 33 2/3 innings. He’ll draw a pair of tough divisional foes for his upcoming two-start week, but as long as he’s taking the mound we want to be using him for fantasy purposes. The limited strikeout rate is offset by the added volume of a two-start week, making Weathers a nice streaming option in all leagues.

Decent Plays

Brandon Pfaadt, Diamondbacks, RHP (vs. Dodgers, @ Padres)

Pfaadt has struggled to find consistency this season, as evidenced by his 13-8 record with a 5.02 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He’s coming off perhaps the best start of his career though – striking out seven batters over nine innings of scoreless, one-hit baseball against the Giants. The opponents are both tough for the upcoming week, and there’s always a chance with final week shenanigans that he doesn’t end up making the Sunday start, but it we’re chasing volume and looking to make up ground in wins and strikeouts, he makes for a solid option in both 15- and 12-team formats.

Justin Verlander, Giants, RHP (vs. Cardinals, vs. Rockies)

The 42-year-old hurler gets two strong matchups at home to finish out the 2025 season and they may serve as an audition for interested teams as he’s heading into free agency and has already expressed his desire to continue pitching in 2026. While the overall line on the season is underwhelming, Verlander has actually been dominant over his last five starts, registering a 0.87 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and a 28/12 K/BB ratio over 31 innings. If he’s hanging around on the waiver wire, he makes for an excellent streaming option for the final week of the regular season.

Michael McGreevy, Cardinals, RHP (@ Giants, @ Cubs)

McGreevy hasn’t quite hit the ground running in the Cardinals’ rotation the way that most fantasy managers had hoped, but he still sports a solid 4.08 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and a 53/15 K/BB ratio over 86 innings in his first 15 outings. He was a difference maker in fantasy leagues during the final week of the 2024 season and I anticipate that being the case once again in 2025. Look for him to finish his year on a high note with a pair of stellar road starts. He should be utilized in all formats.

At Your Own Risk

McCade Brown, Rockies, RHP (@ Mariners, @ Giants)

Never Rockies. Never. Just don’t do it. Even when it’s two starts on the road. Nothing that we have seen from McCade Brown through his first five starts gives any indication that he can be useful for fantasy purposes. He’s 0-4 with a sky-high 9.17 ERA, 2.09 WHIP and an 11/13 K/BB ratio over 17 2/3 innings. Could he defy logic and dominate in one of those starts to earn his first MLB victory? Sure. The odds are stacked against it though. More likely, you’d wind up with eight innings of horrific ratios and a handful of strikeouts. Just say no.

David Peterson, Mets, LHP (@ Cubs, @ Marlins)

While Peterson has had a solid season overall for the Mets, he has really struggled down the stretch, posting a 7.59 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 40 1/3 innings in his last eight starts. While it’s possible that he reverts to his early-season form here, if you’re trying to protect your ratios at this point of the season there’s really no reason to chance it. If all you’re looking for is wins and strikeouts, you can roll him out there and hope for the best. It’s also possible he loses that second start as the Mets look to set their rotation for the Wild Card round.

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Alec Bohm returns from IL with time to regroup before postseason

Alec Bohm returns from IL with time to regroup before postseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

PHOENIX – Since getting hit with a pitch just before the All-Star break that resulted in a fractured rib and then developing inflammation in his left shoulder, Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm has played in just 20 of the team’s last 58 games.

Friday, before playing the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team announced that it had reinstated Bohm from the injured list. Manager Rob Thomson penciled him in to play third base and hit sixth as the Phillies opened their final road series of the regular season against a Diamondbacks team that is fighting for a playoff spot.

Bohm is hitting .293 with 22 extra base hits and 42 RBI over his last 81 games and did have an 11-game hitting streak from mid to late August during which time he hit .349. That is the Bohm the team hopes they are getting back.

“Just see what the swing looks like with a healthy shoulder,” said Rob Thomson of what he’s looking for from his third baseman. I think that had a lot to do with a lot of the stuff that was going on. I think we’re all encouraged. Watching his BP over in Dodger Stadium was pretty good, pretty impressive. He showed some raw power in BP, anyway. Hopefully it transfers into the game.

Not that injuries ever come at a good time but these came when Bohm was really rounding into form before the rib injury sat him down.

“The power was coming, he was using the field and putting the ball in play hard,” said Thomson. “Sometimes time off helps. So, hopefully it helps him and get him back to where he was.”

The other player out with injury on the left side of the infield, Trea Turner, continues to rehab back in Philadelphia with the hope still being he returns for games before the playoffs begin.

“He couldn’t get on the field today because it was covered,” said Thomson. “So, he did a lot of stuff inside. But he went through his whole routine offensively inside, so we’ll get him back on the field tomorrow. He’s probably 60 percent (running), that’s from Trea. I want to see him run 100 percent.”

Painter is dry

Top prospect Andrew Painter threw four innings and gave up seven hits, three earned runs, two walks and struck out six on Wednesday for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and, according to Thomson, that’s all she wrote for the season for Painter.

“No. He’s done. He’s tired,” Thomson said. “To me he’s had a really good year, has come through healthy and it’s always the second year when you see the stuff really play up and a guy gets back to normal after Tommy John. So, I think, all in all, it was a very successful year for him.”

This was a work year for Painter, to just try and build up the innings and make sure that arm got through things well. He made 22 starts and threw just over 106 innings. While word was swirling earlier in the season about him coming up to the Phillies, the scenario still played out well.

What’s left?

The goal for the Phillies is still to try and win every game, get the top seed and a first-round bye. But there are still some things that Thomson wants to see his team work on while still trying to achieve those goals.

“Yeah, some reliever stuff. Get a one-plus out of certain guys,” he said. “But at the same time not put them in harm’s way. Just little things like that. Pickoff plays at second. Bunt plays. Doing some little things that we haven’t done a whole lot of.”

Might that include using closer Jhoan Duran for more than inning? Maybe face a fourth or fifth hitter in a save opportunity?

“He’s done that before, so I’m not really concerned about him,” said Thomson.

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The Wraparound: Do The Canadiens' Kent Hughes And Jeff Gorton Deserve Long-Term Extensions?

NHL and hockey topics in rapid-fire segments are what The Wraparound is all about.

Do The Canadiens' Kent Hughes And Jeff Gorton Deserve Long-Term Extensions? by The WraparoundDo The Canadiens' Kent Hughes And Jeff Gorton Deserve Long-Term Extensions? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Diandra Loux discussed in this episode:

0:00: Which Toronto Maple Leafs acquisition will have the biggest impact this season?

5:22: Do Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton deserve long-term extensions with the Montreal Canadiens?

9:27: How much will Kyle Connor be making on his next contract with the Winnipeg Jets?

13:09: How difficult will it be for GMs to negotiate long-term contracts with the rising salary cap?

18:46: Who do NHL players think the next ‘face of the league’ will be?

24:04: Who will have to step up the most for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the absence of Nick Paul?

27:50: Breaking down Mikael Backlund’s extension with the Calgary Flames

30:00: Will Anze Kopitar be a first-ballot Hall of Famer?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Podbean

iHeartRadio

Amazon

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Canadiens Prospect Is Ready To Shine

Oliver Kapanen (© Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

The Montreal Canadiens are entering this upcoming season with several promising young players. One specific prospect who fans should be keeping a very close eye on during the 2025-26 season is forward Oliver Kapanen. This is because the 22-year-old forward has the potential to blossom into a solid part of the Canadiens' roster.

Kapanen took a nice step forward in his development this past season in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) with Timra IK. In 36 games with the SHL club on the year, the 6-foot-2 forward recorded new career highs with 14 goals and 35 points in 36 games. This was after he had 14 goals and 34 points in 51 games with KalPa of the SHL in 2023-24. Thus, his offensive production went up in less games this past season, which is very encouraging.

Kapanen also played in his first 18 career NHL regular-season games with the Canadiens this past campaign, posting two assists. He also recorded one assist in three games for the Canadiens during the playoffs. Overall, while he did not make the most impact offensively while playing with Montreal in 2024-25, he did not look out of place and showed promise. 

Now, Kapanen will be looking to take that next step with the Canadiens this upcoming season. He is one of the many Canadiens youngsters fighting for a spot on their NHL roster and is easily among their breakout candidates for the new year. 

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Mets' Kodai Senga to face live hitters next week; status for potential playoff roster spot even murkier

Kodai Senga hasn't yet taken the mound for the last time this season, but the Mets already know the right-hander's next appearance won't occur in a big league uniform.

Prior to their home series opener with the Nationals on Friday afternoon, manager Carlos Mendoza revealed the upcoming plan for Senga, which will include him pitching either live batting practice or a simulated game sometime next week.

"The plan is for him to face hitters again. The question now is, where's that going to be?" Mendoza explained. "The minor league season ends on Sunday. Now we're in the process of trying to figure things out, to where we're going to give him those live looks."

If the Mets still envision Senga contributing at the major league level again in 2025, time is obviously running out for him to prove he's ready and worthy of the task. He's not a lock to make the potential postseason roster, and his latest outing in the minors was underwhelming.

Senga struggled in his second and final start with Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday night, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts across 3.2 innings. Call it several steps backward, as he logged six frames of one-run ball with eight punchouts on Sept. 12.

"Stuff-wise was down. Whether it was the velo, execution, the secondary pitches weren't sharp," Mendoza said. "That's the report I got, and watching film, you could see it. That's probably one of the reasons why he's asking for one more time to face hitters, to continue to work through those issues."

It's been a confounding season for Senga, who undisputedly resembled the Mets' ace before injuring his hamstring in mid-June. But mechanical issues and a patent lack of consistency have plagued him since mid-July -- he owns a bloated 6.56 ERA across his last eight starts (35.2 innings).

When asked what the Mets would need to see from Senga moving forward in order to promote him, Mendoza didn't offer a concrete answer. He called the situation "a tough spot" for proper evaluation, and justifiably so. It's a role undefined. The clock is ticking for him to regain trust.

Earlier this week, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Senga needs to demonstrate he can "consistently get major league hitters out," while also emphasizing "results always matter."

The Mets (79-74) also don't have the luxury of casually testing Senga's stuff out during one of their nine remaining regular-season games. They enter the weekend with a narrow two-game lead over the Diamondbacks for the third and final NL wild card spot.

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Bradly Nadeau Better Prepared, More Confident In Second Training Camp As He Aims To Make Hurricanes Roster

Carolina Hurricanes 2023 first-round pick Bradly Nadeau is one year into his professional hockey career, but already he's been turning heads.

The 20-year-old winger lit up the AHL last season, becoming just the sixth teenager in league history to score 30+ goals, while also being named to the 2025 Top Prospect Team, an honor bestowed to the AHL prospects projected to be the best future NHL players.

Now, Nadeau is hoping to convert his efforts and experience into a full-time NHL role.

The New Brunswick native has enjoyed essentially linear progression since being drafted by Hurricanes, dominating at every level he's played at. 

From the BCHL to the NCAA and, last year, the AHL, Nadeau has continually demonstrated the talents that made him a first-round pick.

"When you go up a level, sometimes it feels like players will try to change their game," Nadeau said. "They don't want to make mistakes but I think you just have to play your game. Mistakes are going to happen in hockey today and it's just about trying to limit them. If you can play with confidence, you can keep your game going and play how you've played at all those levels before."

After a strong showing at the 2025 Prospects Showcase, the talented winger is now taking part in his second Carolina training camp, something he feels much better prepared for this time. 

"It's real hard," Nadeau said about training camp. "You can be really good, but you have to fight for your spot. But this year, coming in, I know what to expect. I just want to make a good impression, but also have fun and just try to do all the small details right. This year, I feel like the game is slowing down a bit. I feel more confident out there. There's going to be a lot of good players again this year, so I know what to expect and I'm ready for camp to get going full tilt here."

Does Bradly Nadeau Have A Shot At Making The Carolina Hurricanes Opening-Night Roster?Does Bradly Nadeau Have A Shot At Making The Carolina Hurricanes Opening-Night Roster?The Carolina Hurricanes kick off training camp this Thursday, with the opening of the NHL season just a few weeks after that.

On top of gaining professional experience, Nadeau has also grown a bit more into his body.

At his first training camp, Nadeau was listed at 5-foot-10 and 160lbs. Now, he measures in an extra inch taller and 12 pounds heavier.

"He's making the right steps and you can't skip steps," Brind'Amour said. "You want him to keep dominating every step and that's what he's done. Now, it's just one more step and he's knocking on the door for that."

The biggest hurdle for Nadeau though is the current depth of the Canes' roster. 

The team has 13 forwards under contract who played significant NHL roles last season, so he has quite the hill to surmount.

However, Nadeau doesn't view the current roadblock as detrimental.

"I wouldn't say there's any frustration," Nadeau said. "I think it's just that you're waiting for your chance. You can always use all the time you can get to prepare. Right now, it's just about working hard and doing all those things right until that chance comes. ... Carolina is going to have a good team this year and it's always fun to know that you're trying to get a spot on a team like that."

It's exactly the attitude that Brind'Amour wants to see too.

"There's nothing he can do about that,' Brind'Amour said about the  "He can only worry about doing his thing and then it's up to us to find a seat on the bus for him if he deserves it.

"I thought he grew as a player. We know his ability to score goals, especially with that shot. Lots of power play goals there, one-timers. It looks very familiar to some players you've seen over the years. Like, it's a threat every time he rips one. Now he has to add the other elements to his game so that he can be an everyday player here."

Nadeau knows that if he wants to make the team, he's going to have to have a better camp than last year, which he described as just an 'okay' showing.

"For myself, I had an okay camp, but I could have been better," Nadeau said. "I felt like I was rushing plays and felt like the game was fast. But now, with the season last year, the experience I got, it changed how I see the ice now, so I think that's going to be a big factor for me that'll help me."

All Nadeau can do is focus on his own game and if he's ready, the team will find a way to make it work. I mean, it's exactly what happened last season.

Last year, Nadeau was one of three promising rookies looking for a spot, but in the end, Jackson Blake was the one who made the most of the opportunity, turning a strong camp and preseason into a consistent NHL role and eventually an eight-year contract extension.

"Jackson, we were in the same spot last year and now obviously he's signed an extension and he's doing great for himself," Nadeau said. "You never know what can happen, you just have to work hard and hopefully things will go your way."

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Nick Bjugstad Is Healthy, Feeling Good About Getting Back To Past Numbers For Blues

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- For Nick Bjugstad, last season was one to forget for the newly-signed St. Louis Blues veteran center.

A back injury that required surgery a year ago in August put the 33-year-old behind the Eight-ball as far as progress in readying himself for a season.

He gutted through 66 games with the Utah Mammoth and the numbers just simply didn’t add up: eight goals, 11 assists after putting up 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists) with the Arizona Coyotes the previous season.

“It was a tough one for me last year,” Bjugstad admitted on Friday, the second day of training camp. “I came out of surgery in late August, it was a back surgery I’ve had before. It takes me a minute to kind of recoup and I missed an entire summer last summer. So I was kind of starting from square one two months into the season. That was tough on me. With that being said, I was excited to get a full summer in here. I skated a lot, trained a lot. Did a lot of pilates. Just kind of hung out with my family. From a training standpoint, I feel much more confident going into this season than I did last.”

But knowing it was a contract year, there was an element of the unknown. And then the Blues came calling, with a need to bolster the center ice position, and in the bottom six. The result was a two-year, $3.5 million contract ($1.75 million average annual value) on July 1.

“I know how good this team is,” Bjugstad said. “In Utah last year, we were chasing them and couldn’t catch them. St. Louis went on a (12-game) win streak, I think it was. I know how good this team is, I know how good the culture is, just having friends that have played here, how much they’ve enjoyed the city and the fans and the environment they’re in. That’s important, older guy in my career. I wanted to join a team I felt was a contender and obviously a team that wants you as well. I got the call, it was exciting. I really didn’t know what to expect in free agency, so I was fortunate to get the call from [Doug] Armstrong.”

The sell was easy.

“Yeah for sure. I think what I can kind of bring to the team to help this team,” Bjugstad said. “You want to go to a team that wants you. That’s first and foremost and then you kind of feel out where they’re at as an organization. I’ve been on the other side of a lot of losses against St. Louis. It’ll be be fun to be on this side with a lot of guys that have been winners and been here a long time.”

The Blues brought in Bjugstad, with his sixth NHL franchise after being selected in the first round (No. 19 overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Florida Panthers, and Pius Suter to bolster the middle of the ice and complement Robert Thomas, Brayden Schenn and Oskar Sundqvist to give them five bonafide experienced centers down the middle, something that certainly has lacked in recent past.

But what the Blues like about Bjugstad, who has also played for the Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins, is his versatility to also be able to play on the wing if necessary.

So far through two days, he’s centered Pavel Buchnevich and Alexandre Texier.

“It’s too early to tell because we’ve only had him down the middle,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said of the usage for Bjugstad. “We will put him on wing at some point in the camp, but right now, just with the organizational depth the way it is, we don’t have a plethora of centers. So getting all the guys more responsibilities at center … it’s harder to play center in our system than it is – it’s probably true in any system – but ours I know it is harder. It’s a lot more work, it’s a lot more reads. To learn how to play fast in that position is a lot harder than wing and I think we’re seeing that with [Dalibor] Dvorsky.”

Bjugstad’s smile on Friday symbolized the way he’s felt, and that’s 100 percent now that he’s put in a full summer of training and has taken extra – and different – measures to ensure his health.

“I’ve had multiple surgeries and every time getting back and finding my body, finding my groove, it takes time,” he said. “Especially with the back. It’s not an easy one. That’s kind of a focal point of your body. My mind was wanting to do one thing last year and it wasn’t generating as far as production and how I felt in previous years. The positive thing is I know I’ve had this surgery and I know I can come back from it without any real issues going forward. It just takes some time. I got that time. I’m ready to go and I feel good.”

Nick Bjugstad (17) said he's pleased to be on the side of the St. Louis Blues rather than having to face them. (Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images)

And being able to get back to some of the numbers of recent past when Bjugstad also had 17 goals and 12 assists combined with the Coyotes and Oilers in 2022-23 along with his 45 points two seasons ago, is something the 6-foot-5, 205-pound right-handed shot feels he can get back to.

“Yeah I do. I had a rough year, even mentally,” Bjugstad said. “It’s hard when you have a good year the year before, a good few years and then physically you just can’t find it, and that’s how I felt. I’m planning on staying healthy. I’ve really found different ways to take care of myself, my body, mind and what not. It’s definitely a different approach as you get older and you’ve been through stuff like that. I think for me, it’s exciting to come in with a full head of steam and a full summer of training.

“(So far) tt’s been good. Practices have been fast. That’s good, that’s what you expect, to be fast, get your wits about you, get rid of the summer habits. Just trying to do my best to pick up the speed and get ready for these preseason games here.”

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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Zach Cole, José Caballero and Kai-Wei Teng

One last Waiver Wire for the 2025 season. Thanks to all who have stuck around for the good (Jo Adell, Tyler Soderstrom, Cade Horton) and the not so good (Jordan Walker, Christopher Morel, Jonathan India). Here are some last-minute options for the final seven days of the season.

FANTASY BASEBALL WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS

Zach Cole (OF Astros): Rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues

Even though they had recently gotten Yordan Alvarez and Jake Meyers back from the injured list, the Astros thought it was worth trying to catch lightning in a bottle by promoting Cole to make his major league debut a week ago. It couldn’t have worked out any better, either; Cole has started five of six games since joining the team and gone 6-for-18 with two homers and seven RBI. And now that Alvarez, unfortunately, has been shelved again, there’s every reason to think he’ll be a lineup fixture the rest of the way.

The 24-year-old Cole has never been viewed as much of a prospect -- Fangraphs ranked him No. 30 on a weak Astros list a couple of months ago -- but he’s excelled in spite of a scary strikeout rate this year, hitting .267/.363/505 in 82 games in Double-A and .353/.459/.745 in 15 games after an August promotion to Triple-A. He totaled 19 homers, 18 steals and a rather incredible 146 strikeouts in 97 minor league games this season. His 35% strikeout rate in the minors was three percentage points higher than any qualified major league hitter has recorded this season.

So, there’s still good reason to be skeptical about Cole going forward. Next week, though, he’s looking at series in Sacramento and Anaheim against a gaggle of below average starters. He figures to start all five games against righties and maybe the one against lefty Mitch Ferris as well. It should be a terrific week for Astros hitters, so Jesús Sánchez and the returning Isaac Paredes are well worth considering, too.

José Caballero (INF Yankees): Rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues

Things are set up quite well for MLB’s steal leader in the final week of the season. Caballero has been seeing a lot of time over Anthony Volpe at shortstop of late, and one imagines he’ll start at least four of the Yankees’ final six games against the White Sox and Orioles. He’ll certainly be in there against the two lefties the team is due to face. The Yankees will also probably want him in the lineup when Edgar Quero is catching for the White Sox; the Orioles just went 7-for-7 stealing bases against Quero in his last start Wednesday.

Caballero enters the weekend with 48 steals, and only Chandler Sampson, with 42, has any shot of catching him. One imagines he’ll want to at least make it to 50 before season’s end, and he doesn’t necessarily need to stop there. If the Yankees clinch early, that’d probably be good news for Caballero, as he could get an extra start or two away from shortstop while regulars rest.

Kai-Wei Teng (SP Giants): Rostered in 5% of Yahoo leagues

There isn’t much out there for two-start starters next week, what with teams playing only six games and several already using six-man rotations. Even some of the pitchers who look like they might start twice will be scratched or wind up pitching limited innings during the final weekend. So, the lone SP recommendation here comes from the Giants, who are slated to finish their season at home against the Rockies. Teng will almost certainly pitch Friday in the series opener, with Carson Whisenhunt to follow unless the Giants are still in contention (they could move up Justin Verlander and Logan Webb for the final two games in that case).

Teng, a 26-year-old rookie, has a 6.41 ERA through seven outings, but that comes with a fine 3.30 FIP; he’s allowed just one homer and posted a 33/15 K/BB in 26 2/3 innings. He’s already beaten the Rockies once in Coors, where he allowed two runs and struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings on Sept. 1. He’s gone from throwing his slider about 27% of the time in his first three outings to 46% of the time in his last three, and the league is batting just .214 against the pitch. Given the matchup, he’s well worth a try.

Waiver Wire Quick Hits

- James Schiano just featured Bryce Eldridge (7% rostered) in his column this week, so I wouldn’t feel right doing the same. It should be noted that the Giants have arguably the game’s easiest pitching schedule in the final week, with series against the Cardinals and Rockies, and they’re due to face a left-hander just once. That’s ideal for Eldridge, and it also makes Jung Hoo Lee (37% rostered) worth considering.

- Austin Martin (4% rostered) is batting second regularly for the Twins. He’s hitting .327/.431/.418 this month, and he just stole three bases in three games against the Yankees. He seems like a reasonable play in road series against Rangers and Phillies teams that might not have much to play for.

- Alex Vesia (16% rostered) has been in fine form since returning from a strained oblique, and he picked up a save Thursday. He’s probably the best play among Dodgers relievers for the final week.