The Vegas Golden Knights caused quite a stir on Thursday night following their victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Despite this victory advancing the Golden Knights to the Western Conference Finals for the fourth time in team history, head coach John Tortorella declined to speak with the media following his team’s 5-1 win.
The reaction from the National Hockey League was swift and left no room for interpretation. The league found this unprecedented behavior unacceptable, and its retribution sets the standard that it will not tolerate this sort of thing in the future.
As a result of “flagrant violations of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Media Regulations,” the NHL brought the hammer down on the Golden Knights. The team will forfeit a second-round pick in the 2026 draft– a harsh punishment for a team in possession of very little draft capital.
Head coach John Tortorella has also been fined $100,000.
The NHL made it very clear in its issued statement that the Golden Knights have been warned about similar issues in the past.
“The imposition of these penalties comes after previous warnings were issued to the Club regarding their compliance with the Media Relations and other associated policies.”
The Golden Knights have the opportunity to appeal this decision to the Commissioner’s Office. If they choose to do so, that appeal will be held in person next week in New York.
SCORING… AND NOT: In their game at Texas last Friday, the Cubs scored seven runs in the first seven innings. They have scored five in 47 innings since then. For the season, the Cubs have scored in 120 of the 390 innings they have batted — 31 percent. They have scored one run in 64 innings and multiple runs in 56. The Cubs have allowed runs only 97 of 394 innings, less than 25 percent, including one run in 53 and multiple runs in 44. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
A BIT MORE ON SCORING: The Cubs are averaging exactly five runs per game: 220 in 44 games. They have allowed 4.02 per game, 177, just one run more than 4.00. Two of their wins have come by a score of 5-4: at San Diego on April 19 and at home vs. the Reds on May 4. (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
THAT OTHER LEAGUE: The Cubs have a .518 winning percentage in their 587 games against American League teams since interleague play began in 1997. Only the Dodgers (.550) and Brewers (.520) have fared better. Just three more teams are above .500: the Braves (.517), Cardinals (.503) and Mets (.502). At AL parks, the Cubs are .488, ranking fourth behind the Braves (.520), Dodgers (.497) and Cardinals (.474). (Courtesy BCB’s JohnW53)
WALKING THE WALK: Cubs hitters rank second in MLB with an 11.8 percent walk rate this season and their 204 walks this year are the most in the majors. They are averaging 4.64 walks per game, which would be 751 for the season. That would demolish the franchise record of 656, set in 2016.
Edward Cabrera was going along pretty well this year, then he got hit hard by the Rangers last Saturday. Of concern as well: After allowing no home runs in his first four starts covering 22.2 innings, he’s now served up seven homers in his last four starts, in 23.2 innings. This is not a trend you want to see continue.
Cabrera has also been better at Wrigley Field (3.60 ERA in five starts) than on the road (4.41 ERA in three starts). Small sample sizes here.
Last year, Cabrera held the Sox to one run in five innings at Rate Field, May 10. 2025. We’d take that tonight.
Sean Burke has made eight appearances for the Sox this year (six starts). The relief appearances were essentially “starts” following an opener. Coming off two good outings vs. the Nationals and Padres, Burke got lit up by the Mariners in his last start (six runs in 4.1 innings).
He made two starts against the Cubs last year and allowed eight runs (seven earned) in 9.1 innings. One thing he’s done better this year is cut down on his walk rate.
Please visit our SB Nation White Sox site South Side Sox. If you do go there to interact with Sox fans, please be respectful, abide by their individual site rules and serve as a good representation of Cub fans in general and BCB in particular.
The 2026 game discussion procedure has been changed, so please take note.
You’ll find the game preview, like this one, posted separately on the front page two hours before game time (90 minutes for some early day games following night games).
At the same time, a StoryStream containing the preview will also post on the front page, titled “Cubs vs. (Team) (Day of week/date) game threads.” It will contain every post related to that particular game.
The Live! (formerly “First Pitch”) thread will still post at five minutes to game time. It will also post to the front page. That will be the only live game discussion thread. After the game, the recap and Heroes and Goats will also live on the front page as separate posts.
You will also be able to find the preview, Live! thread, recap and Heroes and Goats in this section link. The StoryStream for each game can also be found in that section.
Apr 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (35) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Phillies – winners of their last five series – will head to Pittsburgh to start a three-game series with the Pirates on Friday night.
The Phillies’ starting pitcher for the opener will be Aaron Nola. Nola is off to a rough start to the season at 2-3 with a 5.14 ERA.
MONTGOMERY, AL - SEPTEMBER 11: Homer Bush Jr. #35 of the Montgomery Biscuits looks on during the game between the Knoxville Smokies and the Montgomery Biscuits at Montgomery Riverwalk Stadium on Thursday, September 11, 2025 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Natalie Buchanan/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
On Thursday afternoon, Homer Bush Jr laced a line drive that just kept carrying. It quickly soared over the starting pitcher, Owen Murphy. The middle infields jogged lazily into shallow center field as they began to line up for a potential relay throw, but quickly realized it was not going to happen. Then center fielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. watched helplessly as the ball cleared the center field wall for a two-run homerun.
There was nothing dazzling about the homerun. It had an exit velocity of 102.4mph and only traveled 379 feet. But it was already the second homerun in Triple-A for Homer Bush Jr. after hitting zero all of last season in Double-A.
A few days prior, Bush Jr. did not look on helplessly as a batter sent a towering flyball to deep right field. Bush Jr. tracked the ball, taking calculated steps as the right field wall quickly approached. The ball soared just beyond the right field wall, but Bush Jr. perfectly timed a jump and leapt up to snag the ball and take a homerun away from the opposing hitter.
The highlight reel play continued an impressive start to the season for perhaps the most underrated prospect in the Rays system.
The Rays originally acquired Bush Jr. during the firesale that was the 2024 trade deadline, where he was part of the return for reliever Jason Adam. Dylan Lesko and JD Gonzalez were also involved but both are struggling in the lowest levels of the Rays system. Bush Jr. is looking like he might turn into something for Tampa Bay.
Entering Spring Training, Bush Jr. was ticketed to be a starting outfielder for Triple-A Durham, where he would battle for playing time in center field with newcomers Jacob Melton and Victor Mesa Jr. Then, during a Spring Training game, Bush Jr. injured his thumb while making a diving catch. This led to him opening the year on the Injured List and unable to make his season debut until April 18th. He only rehabbed for one game in Single-A before moving up to Triple-A for the first time in his career.
Since arriving at the uppermost level in the Rays system, Bush Jr. has hit .329/.390/.443 with 2 HR over 84 plate appearances. Although it’s a small sample, that offensive production nearly mirrors what Bush Jr. has done throughout his minor league career, although he already has surpassed his homerun total from last season. In Double-A in 2025, he hit .301/.375/.360 without a homerun over 546 trips to the plate; Bush Jr. is also walking and striking out at nearly the same clip. Also, Bush Jr. is among the best base stealers in all of minor league baseball, swiping 57 bases in each of the past two seasons.
His offensive production is welcome, but the tools that will propel Bush Jr. to the big leagues are his speed and defensive capabilities.
Following the 2025 season, Bush Jr. was awarded a Minor League Gold Glove, officially recognizing him as one of the top three defensive outfielders in all of minor league baseball. In their latest rankings of Rays prospects, FanGraphs rated Bush Jr. as have 80-grade speed and potentially 60-grade fielding ability. Meanwhile, Baseball America had him at 80-grade speed and 70-fielding. He was considered the second fastest runner in the Rays organization behind Chandler Simpson.
Despite his success in 2025, Bush Jr’s lack of power at the plate led to him sliding down prospect charts. He was 22nd at our site, but didn’t make the Rays top 30, instead slotting in at 31st for Baseball America:
Bush looks like an NFL free safety, but that size and physicality is not apparent at the plate, where he hit zero home runs in 2025. He is a polished hitter with a well above-average glove in center field.
“You look at his body, and he wouldn’t look out of place playing (for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers),” Ibach said. “So while the impact hasn’t quite shown up in the offensive stat line, there’s optimism about some untapped power potential.’’
Bush Jr. has always looked like a hitter capable of tapping into some power but thus far the homerun stroke has more or less eluded him throughout his career. However, Triple-A has been kind to him thus far in a small sample, having already launched two homeruns and is currently slugging .443 entering play on Friday; that slugging percentage would be the highest of his professional career.
The Rays outfield situation right now is barren. Behind Jonny DeLuca on the Rays depth chart, Homer Bush Jr. might just be the next man up should there be an injury concern, as Jacob Melton is currently on the Injured List and Victor Mesa Jr is working his way from an injury suffered in mid-April.
NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL docked the Vegas Golden Knights a second-round pick in next month's draft and fined coach John Tortorella $100,000 on Friday for violating media access rules after their series-clinching Game 6 victory at Anaheim on Thursday night.
Tortorella refused to speak to reporters after Vegas routed the Ducks 5-1 to move on to face Colorado in the Western Conference final. The Golden Knights also did not open their locker room in accordance with league and Players' Association-negotiated regulations.
The NHL in a statement announcing the punishment said the penalties for these “flagrant violations” come after previous warnings were issued to the Golden Knights. The team has been offered the opportunity to appeal to Commissioner Gary Bettman’s office in person at the league’s New York headquarters next week.
“The Golden Knights are aware of today's announcement from the NHL regarding the postgame media availability following Game 6 in Anaheim,” the team said in a statement posted to social media. “The organization will have no further comment.”
Well, the question over the past two weeks was whether the Detroit Tigers could hold it together long enough to start getting some help back off the injured list. Suffice it to say it hasn’t gone well. Losers of eight of their last ten games, the Tigers are still only 4.5 games behind first place Cleveland in the division. They’ll get a chance to test the 2026 Guardians in person early next week in Comerica Park. Fortunately, the news on the injury side is rapidly improving. Casey Mize is now scheduled to pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.
Mize hit the injured list with a groin strain after his last start on April 28 was cut short after he pursued a ball off the mound. At that point, the 29-year-old right-hander was pitching the best baseball of his career. With the best command of his splitter we’ve seen in pro ball, Mize is whiffing 27.3 percent of hitters faced, five percent better than his career best mark set in 2025. Mize’s 2.90 ERA and 2.85 FIP are top 33 and top 16 numbers in baseball from starters with at least 30 innings so far. Starting pitching hasn’t really been the Tigers biggest issue over the past three weeks, but they’ve held it together by using some of their better relievers out of an already poor relief corps to help handle the vacated rotation spots while having to deal with short, generally bad outings from Jack Flaherty, and a mess of a game from Framber Valdez.
In the meantime, AJ Hinch announced on Friday that Connor Seabold is back from the injured list, and RHP Ricky Vanasco has been optioned back to Triple-A Toledo. Seabold hasn’t been particularly good so far, but he’s at least been more effective than some of the depth options behind him were. Better help is close at hand as Will Vest has avoided any signficant injuries and is scheduled to rehab with the Mud Hens on Friday, along with Beau Brieske, who has yet to pitch this season but has thrown the ball well in his rehab appearances.
The biggest issue for the Tigers remains their bullpen. With Brant Hurter helping cover two vacant rotation spots, and Ty Madden pitching bulk innings, it’s an extremely weak group. They really need a healthy Will Vest in there to stabilize things, and if Brieske can get it going as well, all the better. Adding Hurter back to the bullpen mix at least part time will only help matters even more. Troy Melton has about 10 days until he’s eligible to return, presumably in a starting role.
Just as important for an offense that has blown a tire over the past two weeks, second baseman Gleyber Torres, a crucial cog in the Tigers’ lineup, is also close to going out on a rehab assignment, perhaps as soon as this weekend. More likely, with the Mud Hens home next week, expect that assignment to start on Tuesday as the Mud Hens kick off a home series against Indianapolis.
The Tarik Skubal news is also very promising, as he’s already progressed to doing some light throwing only nine days after a nanoscope procedure to remove a bone chip described as being about the size of a lima bean from his left elbow. The nanoscope procedure is much less invasive that the usual arthroscopic procedure, doing much less damage to tissues during the operation, and the hope was always that this would speed his return. So far, so good.
And in the final bit of good injury news, LHP Andrew Sears began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League and throwing two innings. Sears, along with fellow LHP Jake Miller, are the Tigers two most advanced starting pitcher prospects, but both have been sidelined since spring camp. Miller is still working his way back from double hip labrum repairs last fall, and his status is unknown. Miller was never transferred to the major league 60-day injured list to open a spot on the 40-man, so we expect some news on his status shortly. The duo offers some hope of further starting depth, and the ability to handle middle relief should one or both get it going by midseason.
Injury updates from AJ Hinch:
– Casey Mize will start for the Tigers on Saturday – Beau Brieske & Will Vest are scheduled to pitch for Toledo tonight – Skubal playing catch – Torres close to a rehab assignment
One transaction – Connor Seabold up, Ricky Vanasco to Toledo
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 22: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Two of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 22, 2026 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 2026 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Cue Boyz II Men, because we’ve (finally) come to the end of the road. We’ve arrived at the final SunsRank for the 2025-26 season.
Once again, thank you to everyone who took the time to vote, provide input, and approach this exercise without trolling. Well, mostly without trolling. Because yes, there were definitely a few of you out there. When you see Devin Booker receive votes for the depth pieces tier, you can’t help but laugh a little. Human nature remains undefeated.
So here’s where everything landed, and this is the framework we’ll revisit in September when preseason SunsRank rolls around again.
#
Community SunsRank
Writers SunsRank
1
Devin Booker
Devin Booker
2
Jalen Green
Dillon Brooks
3
Dillon Brooks
Jalen Green
4
Collin Gillespie
Collin Gillespie
5
Grayson Allen
Mark Williams
6
Jordan Goodwin
Grayson Allen
7
Mark Williams
Jordan Goodwin
8
Oso Ighodaro
Oso Ighodaro
9
Rasheer Fleming
Royce O’Neale
10
Khaman Maluach
Rasheer Fleming
11
Royce O’Neale
Ryan Dunn
12
Ryan Dunn
Khaman Maluach
13
Jamaree Bouyea
Haywood Higsmith
14
Haywood Highsmith
Jamaree Bouyea
15
Koby Brea
Amir Coffey
16
Amir Coffey
Isaiah Livers
17
Isaiah Livers
Koby Brea
18
CJ Huntley
CJ Huntley
The battle for the #2 spot was legitimately close. In the end, Jalen Green barely edged out the competition by five total votes. That tells you everything you need to know. The Bright Side community ranked him second overall, still, it was far from unanimous.
Other interesting differences showed up between the community rankings and the Bright Side writing staff. Mark Williams finished seventh in the community vote, whereas the writers placed him fifth. The community slotted Khaman Maluach at No. 10, which is exactly where I had him, whereas the writers landed him at 12.
Like every ballot, every perspective was a little different. In the end, this is where we landed.
What makes SunsRank fun every year is that it becomes a snapshot of where the fan base’s head is at in real time. Some players inspire belief. Some inspire skepticism. Some land directly in the middle, which honestly feels like the most Phoenix Suns experience imaginable these days. The Jalen Green conversation perfectly captured that divide. There’s intrigue there, clearly, although there’s still hesitation attached to what exactly he becomes long term.
And as we head toward another offseason full of questions, roster decisions, and inevitable overreactions, this final SunsRank serves as a pretty honest reflection of how people currently view the state of the organization.
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 13: Max Fried #54 of the New York Yankees warms up before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 13, 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As was expected after he exited his Wednesday start early in Baltimore, Max Fried is going on the IL with an elbow injury before the Yankees’ Subway Series showdown tonight against the Mets. The good news is that the southpaw, who underwent Tommy John surgery as a minor leaguer in 2014, appears to have dodged the worst. An MRI revealed a bone bruise in Fried’s left elbow, a much better finding than the kind of structural issue which was the nightmare scenario. Per Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Fried does not expect surgery will be necessary. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the preeminent surgeon who performed Gerrit Cole’s Tommy John surgery last year, will review the imaging to confirm there is no ligament damage that needs to be addressed.
It’s unclear how much time he will miss, but the Yankees have indicated they expect it to be more than the minimum 15 days, planning to reevaluate their star hurler “in a few weeks.” Fresh off a fourth-place Cy Young Award finish in his first season with the Yankees last year, Fried was off to a hot start through the end of April, going 4-1 with a 2.09 ERA through seven outings. He struggled in May, allowing 11 runs in 14.1 innings, before exiting after the third inning during his most recent outing against the Orioles.
With Cole still expected to need multiple rehab starts before returning, the Yankees will need to look elsewhere to fill Fried’s spot, at least in the interim. Elmer Rodríguez, the team’s number-two prospect according to MLB Pipeline, would be the most obvious choice, and Sherman hinted as much. Rodríguez held his own in two starts earlier this season, allowing five runs in 8.2 innings. He last pitched on Sunday, so he’s rested and ready whenever the Yankees want to insert him. At latest, it would be on Tuesday in Toronto, but it could be sooner if Matt Blake and company want to give another member of the rotation an extra day of rest.
Mets utility player Jared Young is playing in his first rehab game since undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee in mid-April.
Young’s return to the lineup comes for Single-A St. Lucie, where he’ll be batting second and DHing.
The 30-year-old was off to a hot start for New York this season, slashing .350/.391/.450 with two doubles and two RBI in 20 at-bats while playing first base, left field and right field.
With the Mets’ offense struggling at the time, Young had been getting more and more at-bats and was impressive in the field as well, with some highlight-reel catches in the outfield.
May 13, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Daulton Varsho (5) celebrates hitting a grand slam walk off to defeat the Tampa Bay Rays during the tenth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images | Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images
Tonight’s game is an Apple TV one, because MLB will sellout to anyone offering a bag of money. Trey Yesavage (1-1, 0.68) goes against Brenan Hanifee (0-0, 1.08, making his second start of the season, with 5 relief appearances). It looks like a cloudy day (or a cloudy weekend) in Detroit.
There are a bunch of injury updates:
Nathan Lukes is to run the bases tomorrow and should start a rehab assignment Monday.
Alejandro Kirk is ‘catching’ again, as well as throwing and hitting. So he’s getting closer.
Max Scherzer is throwing.
Yimi Garcia is throwing again.
They are still talk about Jose Berrios…..it is possible he’ll have surgery to remove some loose bodies.
And they haven’t made any announcement on tomorrow’s starter or how they plan to get through nine innings. Odds are that Spencer Miles will have a part in it. Some of the plans will depend on how things go today. I’d imagine that Yariel Rodriguez will be part of things too. But even if both are in the game, there will be 4-5 innings left for others.
Tonight’s lineups:
Today’s Lineups
BLUE JAYS
TIGERS
George Springer – DH
Kevin McGonigle – SS
Yohendrick Pinango – LF
Dillon Dingler – C
Vladimir Guerrero – 1B
Colt Keith – DH
Kazuma Okamoto – 3B
Riley Greene – LF
Daulton Varsho – CF
Matt Vierling – CF
Jesus Sanchez – RF
Gage Workman – 3B
Ernie Clement – 2B
Zach McKinstry – RF
Andres Gimenez – SS
Spencer Torkelson – 1B
Brandon Valenzuela – C
Hao-Yu Lee – 2B
Trey Yesavage – RHP
Ty Madden – RHP
Tarik Skubal is on the IL but he’s throwing already. The Tigers have Casey Mize starting tomorrow. Sunday It is Kevin Gausman and Jack Flaherty who is 0-4 with a 5.73 ERA. It would be nice if he’s 0-5 after it.
It would be nice to win some of these games. Or all of them.
Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell, right, was scheduled to make his second start since returning from the injured list on Friday against the Angels. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell was placed on the injured list with loose bodies in his left elbow, retroactive to May 12, the team announced before Friday's game against the Angels.
According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Snell reported feeling something in the back of his elbow while playing catch Thursday as part of his preparation for his next start.
"We had the test to see if there were any loose bodies, talking through what's next," Roberts said, adding that regardless of whether Snell has surgery or not, "we feel confident he's going to be back with us this year."
Snell, who started the season on the IL with left shoulder fatigue, had been brought back from his rehab assignment early to replace Tyler Glasnow, who was placed on the injured list last week with back spasms. In a 7-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves last Saturday, Snell gave up four earned runs on six hits, with two walks and five strikeouts over three innings and 77 pitches.
In a corresponding move, the Dodgers recalled left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes. Snell was scratched from Friday's start and replaced by right-hander Will Klein, signaling that it would be a bullpen game.
CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 30: Andrew Abbott #41 of the Cincinnati Reds throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park on April 30, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2026 Cleveland Guardians are, for the most part, precisely the kind of team the Cleveland Guardians have come to always be. They don’t hit for a ton of power – their 42 homers rank 19th overall, their .136 ISO 22nd. They do, though, walk a lot (11.2%, 4th in the game), and they avoid striking out like the plague (19.9%, 3rd lowest).
They sport a middling 96 wRC+ as a team, a mark that’s also 19th overall and slightly ahead of the Reds’ 94 (22nd). They also pitch well, with their team ERA and xERA both ranking about 10th in the game as of the afternoon of Friday, May 15th.
The evening of Friday, May 15th will see the Guardians play host to the Cincinnati Reds as the two Ohio teams reconvene to compete for the mythical Ohio Cup.
Cincinnati will once again turn to Opening Day starter Andrew Abbott, who mercifully has looked much, much more like his old self across his most recent trio of starts after an incredibly rocky month of April. In that trio, he’s fired 17.2 IP and allowed just 2 ER, boasting a 14/7 K/BB and yielding just a lone home run. That’s help him pitch his season-long ERA down to 4.47, and the Reds are surely hoping that he’ll continue to lower that tonight.
Cleveland will roll out righty Tanner Bibee for the start in the series opener at Progressive Field, with first pitch set to fly out of his hand at 7:10 PM ET.
Here’s how the Reds will line up to start this one:
During his season-ending press conference on Tuesday, Pittsburgh Penguins' GM and POHO Kyle Dubas made it loud and clear that he's ready to begin mobilizing in the trade market to infuse his NHL roster with legitimate "20-something" talent.
In fact, he gave a "sales pitch" of sorts to those very players who may desire a change of scenery or be looking for a new home in 2026-27, as he believes talent in that age range is the major piece that the Penguins are lacking to become true contenders.
“I think what we really lack are those players in their later 20s that are really true difference makers. Or mid-20s, late 20s, that are true difference makers," Dubas said. "I think if you’re one of those players that’s a free agent or your situation in your spot is not going well and you have some control, you can look at us and see very clearly that you’re going to be supported by a great coaching staff that gets the most out of players. But you’ll also have young players that are going to push from behind and older players that are going to set the tone."
And, as is the case with any significant trade at the NHL level, some of those young players are probably going to have to be sent the other way.
The Penguins are in a unique position this summer, as they have a ton of cap space - $42.5 million of it, as of right now - as well as a wide pool of draft capital and prospects that they can leverage in the trade market. While they can leverage some of this talent, however, there are going to be some players who will be harder to pry than others.
With that, here are trade tiers for some of the Penguins' best prospects, ranging from "untouchables" to "check this guy out" tiers.
If there is one prospect - well, he's not technically a "prospect" anymore - who is, currently, untouchable in the Penguins' organization, it's Ben Kindel.
Kindel making the opening night NHL roster as an 18-year-old to begin with was unprecedented. But even more unprecedented was what Kindel showed throughout the regular season as an 18-year-old. His 17 goals and 35 points in 77 games might not jump out on the scoresheet, but the maturity in his all-around game and emergence as a legitimate third-line NHL center in his rookie season highlight that the production - and maybe just a little bit of size - are the only things that need to come around.
He's a special player, and he's the best young player the Penguins have right now. He shouldn't be moved under any circumstance.
G Sergei Murashov
There's only one other Penguins' prospect in this tier, and that's the most promising netminder in their system.
Like Kindel, the 21-year-old Murashov - currently on cruise control through the Calder Cup Playoffs with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) - is such an integral part of the Penguins' future. Goaltending is a volalite position, so you don't see goaltenders crack these kinds of lists every day.
But Murashov is an exception. He's the most talented goaltender the Penguins have had in quite a while, and right now, there is a sizeable gap between he and the other goaltending prospects, even if the Penguins have depth at the position in their system.
This tier could easily just be named "the Harrison Brunicke tier," as he is the lone player in this tier for a reason. As big a gap as there is between Murashov and the other goaltending prospects in the system, the talent gap is even bigger between Brunicke and the next-best defenseman in Pittsburgh's system.
The 20-year-old blueliner - selected 44th overall in 2024 - has NHL pedigree and seems to be a first-round talent stolen in the second round. He's probably a future top-four defenseman, and - at the high end of his ceiling - a mainstay top-pairing difference-maker in transition and offensively. The Penguins should do everything they can to keep him around at, nearly, all costs.
However, when teams shoot for big names like Robertson, Matthews, Harley, or Thomas, typically, the return package requires a top organizational prospect like Brunicke, Murashov, or Kindel. Kindel and Murashov are slightly more untouchable than Brunicke, making him the likely candidate to go of those three.
But, the condition is that he should only be dealt in the event that the Penguins plan on landing another promising young defenseman either through the same trade or a different one. Otherwise, he needs to stay put, because he's one of one in their system.
The "Only If A 20-Something Impact Name Is Coming Back" Tier
F Bill Zonnon
For the rest of the tiers, players aren't really in order. But, for this tier only, Bill Zonnon is at the top of the list.
Zonnon could, arguably, be in the Brunicke tier. He's quickly climbing the ranks as one of - if not the best of - Pittsburgh's top forward prospects, and he likely has a high floor at the NHL level. He has impressed in his first taste of the AHL, coming away with the game-winning goal in WBS's Game 1 Atlantic Division Final matchup against the Springfield Thunderbirds and tacking on another in Game 2.
He's a multi-tool player. He excels defensively, can turn on the jets, has excellent vision, is a good playmaker, plays physical, and is a menace on the forecheck. By all accounts, he will be a big part of the Penguins' future.
Sounds like a guy who should be virtually untouchable, right?
Well, almost. The only reason there is a degree of separation between Brunicke and Zonnon here is because of the talent gap between Brunicke and the organization's next-best defensive prospect in comparison to the gap between Zonnon and the next-best forward.
The 19-year-old Zonnon is one in a crop of forward prospects. Brunicke is on an island at this point. By sheer volume, that puts Zonnon a tick below and in the "Only If A 20-Something Impact Name Is Coming Back" tier.
F Will Horcoff
The 19-year-old Horcoff - drafted in the first round along with Kindel and Zonnon in 2025 - impressed in his first full season with the University of Michigan, amassing 25 goals and 39 points in 40 NCAA games. And it's worth noting that, for the first half of the season, he was scoring at nearly a goal-per game pace.
Like Zonnon, it should take a lot to pry who is the most promising goal-scoring prospect in the organization. After all, Dubas said that Horcoff excels at the game's most important skill, which is putting the puck in the back of the net. It's not too often that a bona fide sniper could be waiting in the wings, but that would also be an attractive commodity for another team that is making high-end talent available.
It may come as a bit of a surprise that Gabriel D'Aigle is in this tier, but watching a few of his games should help qualm those concerns pretty swiftly.
Not only is he 6-foot-5 and occupying a lot of space in the net, he's also quick. As in, probably near as quick as Murashov. He gets post-to-post with relative ease, his reads are pretty advanced for his age, and he still managed a .908 save percentage with the Victoriaville Tigres despite facing a ludicrous volume of shots against.
If Murashov doesn't work out, D'Aigle might just be on his level soon, anyway, as he is already the backup for the Wheeling Nailers (ECHL) in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. He put up a .925 save percentage in three regular-season games for Wheeling and stopped 11 of 12 in relief of Taylor Gauthier in Game 3 of their North Division Final series against the Maine Mariners.
He's a very intriguing goaltending prospect who should only be dealt for a higher-profile NHL player.
F Mikhail Ilyin
Watching Mikhail Ilyin in these AHL playoffs has been a bit of a revelation. Yes, those who have been keeping tabs on him in the KHL are aware of his high-level playmaking acumen, as he is a magician with the puck on his stick.
But he's not only adjusted to the AHL and the North American game pretty quickly, he's been one of WBS's best players through six playoff games, not missing a beat. His five points (1G-4A) co-lead the team in the playoffs, and he looks dominant at times.
Mikhail Ilyin scores his 1st goal of the playoffs! Great movement by Broz and Brunicke pic.twitter.com/JzlD446nF4
He could be a special player, but he's a guy who - if he continues to bump his stock - could be leveraged if the right young player is available. He's only going to get better the more he acclimates to the North American style of play, as he's been putting up numbers playing with grown men in the KHL for four seasons now.
You keep him if you can, but it's probably not detrimental to the organization if you don't - especially if there is sure talent coming back.
F Rutger McGroarty
Many folks are a bit down on Rutger McGroarty, and it's understandable to a certain extent. He had an opportunity at the NHL level to assert himself this season, and he mostly failed to do so.
However, I think some circumstances are worth considering in this case. He missed all of training camp with an upper-body injury and did not return until late fall, when he played five AHL games before his NHL recall. Then, he was sent back to WBS, where he ended up with 10 goals and 34 points in 30 AHL games.
McGroarty certainly has to start showing more this season, but I still think he's going to be a difference-maker in the middle-six for the Penguins in the future. He is someone who can slide down the tier list if he doesn't take a step soon, however.
Out of all the prospects called up to the bigs mid-season, Avery Hayes showed more than anyone. His feisty, straightline style of hockey makes him a guy who easily endears himself to fans and teammates, and he is a great energy guy for a third- or fourth-line with some offensive upside as well. He isn't much different from Bryan Rust - minus the power forward aspect of it - when Rust's NHL career began.
He's a nice depth player to have. But he's not untouchable, and he can be moved if necessary.
F Tanner Howe
Howe, 20, is an intriguing depth piece at this point, and he's a player whose value could continue to rise. He plays with an edge, and like Hayes, is a straightline player with high-end forechecking ability and the grittiness and greasiness required to be a net-front presence.
He excelled with Kindel when they were teammates for the Calgary Hitmen, when he registered 12 goals and 39 points in 37 games after being dealt there from the Regina Pats in 2024-25. He's no-nonsense, and he has some skill to boot, too.
If he keeps trending up, the 2024 second-round pick (46th overall) could very well end up in the tier above. For now, though, he finds himself here, and he's a player other organizations should covet.
F Tristan Broz
It's been a rough two years for Tristan Broz in terms of setbacks out of his control, as a bout with mononucleosis kept him out for two months last season, and an injury kept him out for nearly two months this season.
Both years, he probably would have been one of the first guys recalled to the NHL as an injury replacement, but he was only able to make his NHL debut this season and play in one game. Broz is a solid two-way center who plays a clean, responsible game and knows how to put the puck in the back of the net, too.
He is the other co-leader in points for WBS during this year's Calder Cup Playoffs - holding the same stat line as Ilyin - and the Penguins like his all-around game. There's a better chance he stays, as his injury history has allowed him to fly under-the-radar for other prying teams. But, if another team comes calling, it might be wise to wait it out until into next season so he has the chance to remain healthy and bolster his value.
Ryan Miller - a fifth-round pick (130th overall) in 2025 - was, like Zonnon, signed to an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) - stuck around in WBS after two regular-season games, although he has yet to appear in the playoffs. The center - who just turned 19 - registered 30 goals and 75 points in 65 games for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL this season, which was a substantial breakout in comparison to his previous two seasons.
Miller still has to put some things together, but he's beginning to look like he could have been a steal out of the fifth round. The Penguins like his progress this season, and if he can have another standout WHL campaign next season, his trade stock will go up.
D Finn Harding
Behind Brunicke on the right side as far as the organizational depth chart is Finn Harding, who was selected in the seventh round (223rd overall) in 2024. He put together a nice first professional season, spending seven games in Wheeling but the rest in the AHL and recording four goals and 22 points to go along with a team-high plus-32 in 54 games with WBS.
Harding is a solid, steady blueliner, and he has the capability to increase his production as well. He's still a ways behind Brunicke, but he could become a solid bottom-pairing NHL defenseman - and defensive depth and upside is always something teams look to add to their system. He could end up being a sweetener in a bigger deal.
F Zam Plante
Zam Plante, 21, has a sign-by date by Aug. 15, 2028, so the Penguins have some time to make a decision on the collegiate prospect.
The 5-foot-9 center put together an impressive season for the University of Minnesota-Duluth, amassing 20 goals and 50 points in 40 games. He shouldn't be overlooked as a legitimate player in the Penguins' prospect pool, and he's certainly a candidate to sign with the organization as early as this season.
But staying in the NCAA another year could boost his value both to the Penguins and other organizations, and - again - the Penguins have enough prospect depth in the forward department to expend a few names. Plante is a center, too, so he'd have value, but the Penguins might also want to keep him around for that reason.
Despite the loss 1-4, Zam Plante scored the only goal for UMD with an absolute bomb! pic.twitter.com/tow27Zp0OP
Dubas was complimentary of Koivunen in his season-ending press conference, saying that tangible progress had been made from the beginning of this season's NHL stint to the end, and he made a point to emphasize that NHL development isn't always linear for every player, as Koivunen's (2G-7P-39GP) production was disappointing after putting up seven points in eight games at the end of last season.
But, given his AHL-level success and such a small NHL sample - he had 13 goals and 41 points in 34 AHL games this season - the 22-year-old is still someone who has value, and he could very well still figure things out at the NHL level. He should be a "dangle as a first resort" kind of prospect to see what kind of bite you can get out of him from potential suitors, especially if a good NHL talent is involved.
But he's more likely a sweetener for bigger deals rather than a central prospect piece. Still, his market is worth exploring - especially with the plethora of forward prospects the Penguins have.
D Owen Pickering
Many folks were down on Owen Pickering, but Dubas was not. In fact, he gave the same spiel about development not being linear for Pickering, who only saw four NHL games this season that were messy, to say the least.
The 6-foot-5, 206-pound blueliner did come around in the AHL as the season went on, however, displaying those shutdown capabilities that Dubas and the rest of the development staff wanted to see from him. And teams love big, shutdown blueliners.
However, Pickering needs to take a big step next season to either prove his case to remain with the Penguins or bolster his case to be legitimate trade fodder for a bigger name. Like McGroarty and Koivunen, he needs to show soon, otherwise his value will diminish.
Joel Blomqvist quietly put together another solid AHL season while mostly playing backup to Murashov, putting up a 16-5-4 record with a .913 save percentage. The 24-year-old showed flashes at the NHL level last season in his 15-game stint, but not enough to show what his NHL ceiling truly is.
Every team needs goaltending, and Blomqvist has put in the work to earn an NHL opportunity at this point. Dubas said Murashov and Blomqvist would battle for an NHL spot next season and that they would decide on the other spot, whether that's the other guy, someone on the outside, or Arturs Silovs, who is a pending-RFA.
But the Penguins are in a pretty good spot depth-wise at the position, so to appease a team that needs goaltending, they can afford to make Blomqvist part of a trade package.
F Filip Hallander
Unfortunately for Filip Hallander, the 2025-26 season did not go as planned, as a blood clot limited him to just 13 games, when he put up a goal and four points.
But the 25-year-old center is a solid player at both ends of the ice, and he's a reliable player. The Penguins like him, and he came back over to North America this season after an SHL campaign that resulted in Forward of the Year honors in 2024-25.
He probably doesn't have a whole lot of trade value right now, but he's also part of what will be a very crowded group of players competing for few spots on the NHL roster next season. Hallander is a good player to keep around in the near-term, but if he can remain healthy next season and put up some numbers, he may be someone to consider dangling next summer, when the Penguins are likely to shoot even bigger in the trade market.
While most Penguins' prospects experienced upward development this season, the same can't really be said for 2023 third-round pick (91st overall) Emil Pieniniemi.
The 21-year-old blueliner put together an impressive season for the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL in 2024-25 with 10 goals and 60 points in 60 games. But, after a disappointing training camp, Pieniniemi was told to report to Wheeling, and he refused, so he spent half the season in Finland on organizational suspension.
Eventually, he came around, and he played 26 ECHL games with a brief nine-game AHL stint sprinkled in this season. He wasn't bad, but he didn't really show too many signs of progress, either, which may have had something to do with his first-half decision to sit out.
There is still a lot of potential there, as Pieniniemi is a dynamic blueliner who excels on the power play and in transition, also not shying away from physicality. It's possible that he is unhappy with his situation, but it's also possible that he is given a bigger opportunity next season.
Regardless, he could be a potential trade chip for any team who sees the toolbox and feels they can help him use those tools to become an effective two-way presence on the blue line.
F Melvin Fernstrom
In terms of regression, perhaps no one saw sharper regression than forward prospect Melvin Fernstrom, who was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in the Marcus Pettersson trade last season.
After a 2024-25 season where he took home SHL Rookie of the Year honors with Orebro HK, he struggled to follow that up with just three goals and four points in 36 games, which led to scratches, and demotion, and an eventual recall to WBS to help him find his game again.
And he seemed to make progress in WBS, registering two goals and eight points in just 14 games. However, he was injured in late-March and has not returned to the lineup, and it's unclear whether or not he will play again for the WBS Penguins in the playoffs.
His value is virtually zero right now, but he's still a guy to keep an eye on if he can put it all together. His shot is lethal, but his skating is an issue. If the Penguins can work with him on that - he did sign a three-year entry-level contract last summer - he'll be another goal-scoring forward the Penguins can either hang onto or leverage down the line.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Sterlin Thompson #30 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 18, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With their “Rivalry Weekend” series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field set to begin tonight, the Colorado Rockies have announced multiple roster moves. Headlining the announcement is the news that top prospect Sterlin Thompson (no. 13 PuRP) has been recalled from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes for his Major League debut.
Thompson, 24, was selected by the Rockies 31st overall in the 2022 MLB draft from the University of Florida. The former Gator hit .332/.424/.524 over two college seasons while playing mostly right field and second base. Since being drafted, the Rockies organization has had Thompson play a plethora of positions—including first and third base—though he has largely settled in as a corner outfielder over the last two seasons.
Spending an entire season with in Triple-A last year, Thompson hit .296/.392/.519 in 120 games with 28 doubles, eight triples, and 18 home runs. The Rockies added him to the 40-man roster over the offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Thompson struggled in spring training with a .270 OPS and only one hit in 19 at-bats. He was assigned back to the Isotopes to start the season, where he has completely caught fire.
Through his first 36 games in Albuquerque, Thompson is hitting .344/.491/.496 with five doubles, one triple, four home runs, and eight stolen bases. He has also drawn more walks (30) than he has struck out (28).
Born in Longmont, Colorado, Thompson will be the first Colorado native position player to debut with the Rockies when he takes the field. However, he is not currently in tonight’s starting lineup.
Thompson will wear jersey no. 30.
In a corresponding roster move, utilityman Tyler Freeman has been placed on the paternity list.
Additionally, the Rockies have placed right-handed pitcher Chase Dollander (right elbow sprain) on the 15-day injured list.
Dollander, 24, was off to a strong start this season with a 3.89 ERA and 47 strikeouts over 10 appearances. He originally worked out of the bullpen as a bulk reliever—usually being preceeded by an opener—but has made his last few appearances as a starter.
On Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Dollander left the game in the second inning with what manager Warren Schaeffer called “right arm tightness.”
Left-handed pitcher Sammy Peralta has been recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque.
The Buffalo Sabres suffered a 6-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 6 of the second round. With this, the Sabres now trail the series 3-2 and are one loss away from being eliminated from the playoffs.
With the Sabres facing a must-win Game 6, it is clear that they should be rolling with Alex Lyon as their starting goalie for it.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen struggled in Game 5 against the Canadiens, as he allowed five goals on 23 shots before being pulled. With this, the 27-year-old now has a 4.20 goals-against average and an .851 save percentage in four games this post-season.
With the Canadiens figuring out Luukkonen in Game 5, it would be wise for the Sabres to go with Lyon as their Game 6 starter. While Lyon had two tough starts for the Sabres this series against the Canadiens, he showed during Buffalo's series against the Boston Bruins that he is capable of being a major difference-maker when playing at his best.
It will be interesting to see which goalie ends up getting the start for the Sabres against the Canadiens in Game 6 from here. Whether it ends up being Lyon or Luukkonen, the Sabres need to play far better in Game 6 if the hope to keep their playoff run alive.
