Gavin McKenna poses with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and singer Justin Bieber after being selected with the first pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs at KeyBank Center.
The NHL world waited in anticipation for the 2026 No. 1 overall pick to be announced Friday night.
As expected, it was Penn State’s Gavin McKenna selected by the Maple Leafs. But the bigger surprise was who announced the pick.
Fellow Canadian and devoted Maple Leafs fan Justin Bieber announced the selection in Buffalo on Friday night.
Before the draft commenced, the NHL shared that a special guest would be taking the stage to announce the pick.
Bieber’s presence brought on mixed reactions, however.
About halfway through Bieber’s nearly three-minute appearance, boos were heard spreading through Buffalo’s KeyBank Center.
Gavin McKenna poses with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and singer Justin Bieber after being selected with the first pick in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs at KeyBank Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Fans had opinions on social media as well, with many commenting on the length of Bieber’s opening spiel.
“CEASE YOUR SPEAKING BIEBER,” one fan wrote on X.
“Wow the Leafs made this cringy as hell with Bieber,” another griped.
Others had more well-thought-out opinions on the subject. One fan commented on how the biggest moment of McKenna’s life felt more centered around Bieber than McKenna.
“Really feel like the NHL dropped the emotional ball on this,” the tweet read.
Singer Justin Bieber of Canada looks on during day one of the 2026 NHL Draft on June 26, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. Getty Images
Immediately after the pick, McKenna posed for a picture with Bieber and sat down for an interview with ESPN and Sportsnet alongside the singer.
McKenna hails from Whitehorse, the capital of Yukon. Bieber has a song named “Yukon” on his 2025 album “Swag.”
The scene was slightly awkward, considering the anticipation surrounding the pick. McKenna is a franchise-altering selection for a team in need of an immediate boost. The 18-year-old has been receiving attention from the media and fans since he started high school.
Now, he will take the biggest stage in hockey, in one of its biggest markets.
CLEVELAND, OH - JANUARY 28: Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers throws chalk in the air before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
No one dominates the offseason headlines quite like LeBron James, even at 41-years old. James could be an unrestricted free agent in a week, and the possibility of returning to the Los Angeles Lakers is seemingly becoming less likely by the day. That opens the door for a possible reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Lakers have made it clear that LeBron isn’t a priority at this time. On Friday morning, ESPN’s Shams Charania said that there “hasn’t been much communication” between the two sides and that James hasn’t received an offer yet.
Later in the day, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst backed up this reporting, saying that the lack of communication is “unusual” and that finding a center is the top priority of the Lakers’ offseason, while James is second.
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As it stands, LeBron and the Lakers don’t seem to be on great terms, as was the case in the previous summer. James opted into his player option then, but there wasn’t talks of an extension. This led to a summer of James being passive-aggressive toward the Lakers and having cryptic social media posts about the Cavs when he was back in Akron last June. The difference now is that James can leave Los Angeles.
If LeBron does so, he’ll have more options than just returning to Cleveland. The Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat both make compelling arguments for his services.
The Warriors are “legitimately interested” in adding LeBron. They have the full mid-level exception of $15.1 million that they could offer him.
It’s easy to see the appeal in Golden State for James. He’d be able to link up with Steph Curry and Draymond Green, two players with whom he’s been rivals with throughout his career for one last run at a title. There’s also the fact that he’d be able to stay in California while doing so.
Then there’s the Heat. LeBron could return to the franchise he won back-to-back titles for and is very familiar with. The addition of Giannis Antetokounmpo only makes that proposition more appealing.
LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, added fuel to that speculation. On the Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul podcast, he said that the Heat need to keep building a roster, but alluded to them needing a $30 or $40 million per year player that they could get for $18 million. Those comments seem pretty direct when $18 million is in the ballpark of what James could be earning next season.
Then there’s the possibility of James coming back to Cleveland for a third tour of duty.
The official reporting on a possible LeBron has cooled off drastically since the winter when all signs pointed to him returning. There have, however, been some interesting nuggets in the past few days.
Cavs chairman Dan Gilbert hasn’t been making public comments too often in the last few years. He did make an appearance on the Smart Girl Dumb Questions podcast. One of the things he discussed was regret over the letter he released after The Decision in 2010, calling it “stupid.” He was then asked about the possibility of LeBron returning and replied with “maybe.” Talking about his regret for the letter is one of the things that came up in 2014 when James made his most recent return.
And just like James’s last return, we do have some non-NBA sources claiming that LeBron is returning again. Reports like this proved to be right last time around, for what it’s worth.
This also coincides with LeBron being back in Akron. He’s posted on social media that he’s working out at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and is rumored to have joined a prominent local golf club (or two). It’s normal for him to return home during the summer, but the timing of doing so just before the start of free agency is more noteworthy than normal.
Additionally, the Cavs don’t have an easy way to pay LeBron. Right now, they can only offer him a minimum contract, which presumably won’t be enough to lure him back. They can find creative ways to move off current salaries and execute a sign-and-trade. If there’s interest on both sides it’s possible, but it wouldn’t necessarily be straightforward.
We’ll see where this all goes.
What we do know is that LeBron is quite fond of being in Los Angeles. There’s a reason he’s put up with poor roster management the last several years and is considering doing so again. It’s also clear that James wants to be paid, or at least get the respect from the Lakers that comes with a high-paying contract.
The smoke that is out there now — and there presumably will be more of in the coming days — could all just be leverage for LeBron to get the contract he wants from the Lakers. We’ve seen him do that before to varying degrees.
At the same time, this feels like the closest James has come to leaving Los Angeles since 2018. And if he does so, Cleveland makes a compelling case.
There’s also a strong on-court argument as well. The Cavs showed this past season that they’re near a championship level — you don’t luck your way to the conference finals — but they still have a ways to go before they catch a team like the New York Knicks. They also happen to have a perfect LeBron-sized hole at small forward, and from a leadership perspective.
It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out over what could be the next several weeks. All we can say now is that there’s a possibility LeBron comes back home for the storybook ending.
“Šmits is a tall defenseman with impressive mobility and smarts,” The Athletic’s Corey Pronman writes. “He can make a reliable first pass and has a big point shot, projecting to have quality amounts of offense at the top level. He isn't a super smart puck-mover, but there's enough touch in his game to project to be reliable with the puck in the NHL.
“He defends very well due to his length and feet, while also competing hard and being willing to play the body. He projects as a top-pairing defenseman.”
The 18-year-old defenseman was the youngest player at the 2026 Winter Olympics, representing Latvia and recording two assists in four games while averaging 18:44 minutes per game.
Many consider Šmits to be the most pro-ready defenseman in this year’s class.
In 38 games for Jukurit in Liiga, Finland's top league, Šmits recorded six goals, seven assists, and 13 points.
The Vegas Golden Knights never shy away from making bold, aggressive moves. And after coming up just short in the Stanley Cup Final, they were bound to take a swing.
On Friday, they began the offseason by doing just that. The Golden Knights traded 25-year-old RFA Pavel Dorofeyev, their leading goalscorer for the past two years, to the New York Rangers. In return, they receive two picks in the 2026 Entry Draft— the 26th and the 92nd overall picks— as well as a conditional pick in the 2028 Draft.
For years, the Golden Knights have traded their futures for proven NHL players to help them win now, leaving them with an empty cupboard. Trading Dorofeyev for picks either allows them to refill that cupboard or gives them ammunition to load up and take another big swing.
Earlier this month, Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon sang Dorofeyev’s praises during his Media Day availability ahead of the Stanley Cup Final.
“Pavel’s a goal scorer– that’s what our amateur staff saw in him when we drafted him out of Russia,” said McCrimmon. “For me, I’m a big believer that the playoffs make you better as a player. This playoff has been really good for Pavel, and not only in terms of his production. He’s really playing well; to me, his game is growing as a really good young player.
“He’s been able to play with some really good players. Our power play was a big part of his production this year, which he was a big part of himself. Now he’s playing on the right side of Jack Eichel, who’s a real good player to play with. So, he’s made the most of his opportunities, but he really continues to improve and he is a natural goalscorer.”
Dorofeyev went on to score just two goals during the Golden Knights’ six-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, both coming during their 4-2 Game 5 loss.
Elliotte Friedman just reported that the Rangers signed Dorofeyev to a seven-year, $11 million contract, and the Golden Knights are a team strapped for salary cap space. They couldn’t have given Dorofeyev that deal without some serious roster surgery.
Believe there is a long-term extension coming for Dorofeyev w/NYR.
However, the Golden Knights’ past two seasons ended in the exact same way: getting shut out. Trading a 25-year-old sniper who led the team in scoring for the past two years is just one more bold move in a nine-year history of bold moves.
Lakers first-round draft pick Cameron Carr speaks to reporters during his introductory news conference on Friday in El Segundo. (Arwen Clemans / Los Angeles Times)
NBA mock drafts projected Cameron Carr getting selected somewhere between 15 and 20 in the first round on Tuesday night.
Ending up with the Lakers later in the draft, however, was more than Carr could have asked for.
The Lakers acquired his draft rights from the New York Knicks, who took the 6-foot-5 Baylor guard with the 24th pick, in a multiple-team deal in which L.A. sent the draft rights to Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea, who was taken 25th, and cash considerations to New York.
As he sat for his introductory news conference Friday, dressed in all black, Carr shared what his thoughts were when he found out he would be playing for the Lakers.
“I’m going to the Lakers! It was more of an exciting thing,” he said. “It felt surreal. It didn’t feel real for the first couple minutes when I found out. It was trying to get my head around, ‘Man, I’m about to walk across the stage and be an NBA player.’ I’ve dreamed of this my whole life, especially since I was a kid. So it took a second. Still trying to get my head wrapped around it, but nothing but excitement and happiness. I feel more motivated to work.”
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations, met Carr at the facility on Friday but didn’t speak with the media during the news conference.
It meant Pelinka couldn’t be asked about Austin Reaves agreeing to re-sign with the Lakers on a four-year, $185-million deal, or about how conversations are going with free agent LeBron James.
But NBA rules prohibit team officials from commenting on anything during the free agency moratorium, which won’t be lifted until July 6.
So, this day was all about the 21-year-old Carr and how impressed he was being in the Lakers’ building.
“Walking in the building, first thing you notice is the rich tradition of the people that have been here before you,” Carr said. “It’s a moment of happiness. As a kid, you always dreamed of walking across that stage and accomplishing everything you wanted to. Man, it just felt good to walk in the gym and look at the people that came before me. Now I’m in their shoes.”
Carr was viewed by NBA scouts as athletic with his 42½-inch vertical leap and as having a good jump shot.
During his sophomore season at Baylor, Carr averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks in 34 games. He shot 49.4% from the field, 37.4% from three-point range and 80.1% from the free-throw line.
But Carr quickly talked about how playing defense will be his calling card with the Lakers.
“Stepping into an organization with people with the same type of mindset and abilities, it only makes my job easier,” Carr said. “I’ve just got to cut and dunk the ball for them, and run in transition. But first things first is establishing a defensive consistency and showing I can be dominant or a plus on the defensive end as someone they would like to guard the best player.”
Carr always had his dad, Chris Carr, to lean on during his journey as a basketball player. Having him as a mentor was so beneficial because his father spent six seasons in the NBA. His most famous moment came in 1997, when he became the runner-up to Kobe Bryant in the slam dunk contest.
Now father and son have something else in common: making the NBA.
“I’ve always wanted to be better than him,” Carr said. “I’ve always been behind, so I want to show he’s put a lot of work in me becoming a better man. So I feel the only way I can credit him and show I’m thankful for him is by putting in the work and using it every single day. He was a heck of a player, so it’s some big footsteps I’ve got to follow and a long journey.
“It’s good motivation. My ‘why’ is just to be better and show people I’m better than a lot of people that are put in front of me. I feel like that’s the chip on my shoulder, or the fire under my feet.”
Instead of becoming the hometown pick many envisioned, Carson Carels will now be a player the Winnipeg Jets have to game plan against for years to come.
The 18-year-old Manitoba product was selected sixth overall by the Calgary Flames in Friday night's 2026 NHL Draft, coming off the board before Winnipeg had the opportunity to make its selection.
The Jets had been heavily linked to Carels throughout the draft process and would have loved the opportunity to bring the Cypress River native home, but Calgary ensured that wouldn't happen.
Carels celebrated the biggest moment of his hockey career surrounded by family and friends back on his family's farm in Cypress River, Manitoba, making for a fitting backdrop as one of the province's brightest young stars officially became an NHL player.
The smooth-skating defenseman earned his lofty draft status after a sensational season with the Prince George Cougars. After recording 35 points the previous year, Carels exploded for 20 goals and 53 assists for 73 points in just 58 games, vaulting himself into the conversation as one of the top prospects in the 2026 class.
Some scouting services ranked him as high as third overall, while Elite Prospects' consolidated rankings placed him around sixth.
Carels also represented Canada at the World Junior Championship, recording an assist and a plus-three rating in five games while helping the team capture a bronze medal, further cementing his reputation as one of the premier defensemen available.
Instead of adding one of Manitoba's brightest young talents to their blue line, the Jets will now have to face him as a member of a division rival.
What could have been a storybook homecoming has instead become another compelling chapter in the rivalry between Winnipeg and Calgary.
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It will be important for Lendeborg to quickly integrate into the Warriors’ locker room, given the big personalities residing there. And it appears that the biggest personality of them all has kept the rookie waiting.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green looks on during a game. NBAE via Getty Images
When Lendeborg was asked whether he had heard from Steph Curry, Draymond Green, or any of the other Warriors veterans since being drafted, he said, “Yeah. Steph actually welcomed both of us in the group chat, the night of the draft. when [Lajae Jones] got drafted [and] I got drafted.
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Warriors’ 2026 NBA Draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg speaks during a June 26 press conference. X/@jinthirty
“And I reached out to [Curry] yesterday, and I asked him a quick question. And then I reached out to Draymond, as well. Haven’t gotten that response back yet from Draymond yet,” Lendeborg added with a laugh.
This prompted Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. to say, “Don’t worry. He doesn’t respond to me, either.”
Yaxel said Steph Curry welcomed him and Lajae to the Warriors groupchat:
“Steph actually welcomed both of us in the groupchat the night of the drafts, when he (Lajae) got drafted, I got drafted. And I reached out to him yesterday I asked one quick question and then I reached out… pic.twitter.com/PiwaYs53oZ
It didn’t take long for a potential reason for Draymond’s lack of response to present itself, as a video of Green partying with Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum in Paris, France, has been circulating on social media on Friday.
In the video, the two NBA icons are dancing and lip syncing to “Shabang”, a song that rapper Drake included in his recent “ICEMAN” album.
Perhaps Draymond will get back to Yaxel once he returns from France.
The Calgary Flames bolstered their blue line by selecting Carson Carels with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.
Carels plays for the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and posted 20 goals and 73 points in his second season in 2025-26.
The Cypress River, Manitoba product projects as a cornerstone defenceman and will continue his development at the University of North Dakota next season, a path that should allow him to round out his game before making the jump to the professional ranks.
Carels has all the tools to emerge as one of the biggest steals in the top 10. Viewed as a future top-pairing defenceman, he possesses the skating, hockey sense, and all-around game to log heavy minutes.
Paired alongside Zayne Parekh in Calgary’s future top four, Carels could help form a dynamic defensive duo capable of driving play at both ends of the ice.
On the night of the 2026 NHL Draft, the Rangers acquired a veteran forward.
The Blueshirts added winger Pavel Dorofeyev in a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Rangers will send out a first-round selection (No. 26) and a third-round selection (No. 92) in the 2026 draft and a top-10 protected 2028 first-round selection.
Dorofeyev, who turns 26 in late October, is an impending restricted free agent the Rangers will now have to work out a deal with. And he is coming off a solid season after he scored 38 goals with 27 assists in 82 games and was a minus-3 while averaging 17:36 time on the ice. It was his second-straight year of 30 goals, after scoring 35 in 82 games in 2024-25 to go along with 17 assists in 16:32 average ice time.
The Russian skater should really help New York in the power play. He scored 33 power-play goals with the Golden Knights over the past two seasons.
He also comes to the Rangers with a bit of playoff experience, with 31 games under his belt, including 22 last campaign during Vegas' trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. During that run, which came up short to Carolina, Dorofeyev had 16 points (12 goals, four assists) and was a plus-4 while averaging 17:04 time on the ice. He led the playoffs with his five power-play goals and his 58 shots on goal.
A third-round selection by Vegas in 2019, the lefty shooter has 92 goals and 57 assists (149 points) in his first 231 NHL games and is a career plus-11.
Victor Wembanyama was the man of the hour at a Paris nightclub.
In his return to his native country of France, the Spurs star was greeted at an after-party for the Undercover x Foot Locker Music Festival with MVP chants by raucous fans.
Social media videos showed hundreds of fans surrounding Wembanyama, who were raising their hands and cheering as the superstar walked through the crowd.
The 7-foot-4 phenom was seen smiling, interacting with attendees and high-fiving fans as they greeted him.
The 22-year-old has not only gained popularity rapidly in the United States for his ascension and playstyle but also in his home country, evident by his greeting at a club.
Wembanyama, the first overall pick in 2023, has quickly transformed the Spurs back into a powerhouse with his two-way ability and height.
Victor Wembanyama got a warm welcome in Paris. Barstool Sports/X
After the Spurs won just 22 games in Wembanyama’s rookie year and went 34-48 in 2024-25, they went 62-20 last season and made the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
The Spurs fell to the Knicks in the Finals, but Wembanyama still left his mark in the playoffs.
Victor Wembanyama is pictured June 13. NBAE via Getty Images
The Frenchman averaged 25 points and 11.5 rebounds per game last season while playing a pivotal role in the Spurs Western Conference Finals win over the Thunder.
Some Knick fans took to X to unsurprisingly express their displeasure with the video.
“Cheap shot artist. Thats the only place besides San Antonio he’d have that welcoming,” one fan wrote.
People chanted “MVP” as Victor Wembanyama moved through a Paris club. Barstool Sports/X
“Lol western conference MVP. Doing real big things. France is so soft. #Knicksin5,” another fan wrote.
Even with Knick fans in his face, Wembanyama isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
When the Chicago Blackhawks were handed the 4th overall pick as a result of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery, there was a lot of discourse about Ivar Stenberg falling to them with that pick.
However, a couple of NHL trades and transactions that took place made it clear that it wasn't a likely scenario. So much so that the Blackhawks traded the 4th pick to the Buffalo Sabres in a deal for Bowen Byram.
When it came down to it, the San Jose Sharks selected Stenberg second overall, meaning the Blackhawks read the room properly when they decided to move the pick. Kyle Davidson wouldn't have appreciated it if Stenberg fell to the Sabres at 4.
With the fourth overall pick, the Sabres selected Daxon Rudolph, who was a surprise based on how most boards looked going into the draft. A majority of scouts had three or four defenders ahead of him, but Buffalo took him at four.
DAXON RUDOLPH IS A BUFFALO SABRE ⚔️
We have selected defenseman Daxon Rudolph 4th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft.
After a big year for the Sabres, they took the chance with a pick that they weren't originally supposed to have. The sky is the limit for Rudolph, but it wasn't the name that most were expecting to hear at that point in the night.
For the Blackhawks, they are happy with Bowen Byram, who is going to be their number one defenseman. They needed to make a move to make themselves better going into Connor Bedard's fourth season, and they did that.
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The New York Rangers have acquired Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for the 26th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a 2026 third-round pick (92 overall), and a 2028 top-10 protected first-round pick.
Shortly upon the trade was finalized, the Rangers and Dorofeyev agreed to a seven-year, $77 million contract extension worth $11 million AAV.
Over the past two seasons, Dorofeyev has scored over 30 goals, while he’s coming off a career high of 64 points in 82 games.
Through the Golden Knights’ run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2026, the 25-year-old forward played a substantial role, recording 12 goals, four assists, and 16 points.
It was heavily speculated that the Rangers were targeting a young forward who could instantly contribute to their lineup and now make a big splash with Dorofeyev.
Appearing as a guest on 97.3 The Fan, Buehler spoke about why the last eight starts have been better than his previous first seven.
“A lot of the stuff we’ve been working on being more in there. Obviously, the first six or seven weren’t kinda what we wanted,” Buehler said during an interview with Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan.
“Changing stuff takes time, and I feel like some of that stuff has settled in and been more natural. I feel like we’ve been doing the right things, and it’s nice for it to pay off.”
Over his last eight starts, Walker Buehler has looked reformed for the San Diego Padres. Getty Images
Walker Buehler spoke with @SammyLev about what's worked so well for him recently:
"Changing stuff takes time and I feel like some of that stuff's kinda settled in and been more natural. I feel like we've been doing the right things and it's nice for it to pay off."
Walker Buehler is regaining confidence while pitching with the San Diego Padres. Getty Images
Through his first seven starts this year, Buehler struggled for San Diego, pitching with a 6.75 ERA.
Since May 10, Buehler has had the fourth-best ERA [2.76] through his last eight starts with 36 strikeouts.
With all of the recent success, Buehler credits how he’s been throwing different kinds of pitches over the plate, instead of how he’s traditionally thrown.
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“Some improvement to the changeup, a lot more sinker, a lot less cutter, slider has improved a little bit,” Buehler said. “You know we’ve kind of taken a look at everything that I do and seen. Try to find something that we can kind of alter or fix and get myself a little more confidence to throw it on both sides of the plate.”
Buehler’s sinker usage has increased from 12.7% during April to 21.2% in May and 19.4% in June. Over the last two months, the pitch has seen 40 batters, and only 11 of them have landed hits, while 6 struck out.
MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Whiff percentage from the sinker has also gone up, as he generated a 0.0% Whiff rate during April. In May, his sinker had a 12.5% whiff, and a 3.2% in June.
As Buehler has started to find his groove again while pitching for the Padres, Friday night will be a huge test for him, as he is scheduled to take on his former team, the Dodgers, when they come to Petco Park for a three-game series this weekend.
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Cameron Carr is interviewed after being drafted twenty-four overall to the New York Knicks during the 2026 NBA Draft - Round One on June 23, 2026 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Chloe Fatouva/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
A player only gets one chance to make a first impression. On Friday afternoon, Lakers rookie Cameron Carr had that moment and soaked it all in.
The newest Laker met with the LA media and was just as excited to be a Laker as fans are about the prospect of having a young, athletic player on the roster.
“Man, walking in the building, first thing you notice is the rich tradition and the people that have been here before you,” Carr said. “It’s like a moment of happiness. As a kid, you always dreamed of walking across the stage and accomplishing everything you wanted to. It just felt good to walk in the gym and look at all the people that came before me. Now I’m in their shoes.”
It’s clear that Carr is aware of the moment and how unique it is. He is now part of this historic franchise that has been around for over seven decades and has won 17 championships, second only to their rivals, the Boston Celtics. This is the dream of hundreds of thousands of people, and Carr made it happen.
The Lakers selected Carr with the No. 24 pick in the draft, and the selection has been praised by experts. On paper, Carr is an explosive player who can apply pressure at the rim, giving the Lakers the vertical spacing they so desperately desire.
During his sole season at Baylor, Carr averaged a team-high 18.9 points per game. He shot 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from beyond the arc.
If his excitement and eagerness during his presser are an indication of what his work ethic will be at the pro level, then the Lakers might have added the newest member of their rotation.
Now that introductions have been made and he’s been seen smiling ear to ear while holding his Lakers jersey, it’s time to get to work. Carr will have his first opportunity to represent LA in a basketball game soon enough.
Pavel Dorofeyev of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game Six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada
The Rangers added a young premier talent during the NHL draft, and they also made their fifth overall selection.
Dealing the Nos. 26 and 92 picks they would have made over Friday and Saturday to Vegas, as well as a top 10 protected first-rounder in 2028, the Blueshirts acquired a high-end goal scorer in Pavel Dorofeyev and subsequently locked the 25-year-old restricted free agent into a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $11 million.
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Dorofeyev is one of just 12 NHL players to score 35-plus goals in each of the last two seasons, a testament to his ability to bring production to the Rangers top six and power play.
The move came after an offer the Rangers put in for the Ducks’ Mason McTavish lost traction as the first round of the draft approached Friday. It reportedly was one of two offers, and St. Louis ultimately landed the 23-year-old center in exchange for the Nos. 15 and 29 picks.
President and general manager Chris Drury continues to seek ways to add youth and skill to the Rangers lineup.
Pavel Dorofeyev of the Vegas Golden Knights skates with the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period in Game Six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena on June 14, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada Getty Images
Dorofeyev is exactly the type of player Drury assured he would target in the Letter 2.0.
Coming off a career-best season in which he recorded 37 goals and 64 points, Dorofeyev played a key role in Vegas reaching the Stanley Cup Final this season. The left wing’s impact carried over into the playoffs, where his 12 goals in 22 games were second only to Brett Howden (14).
After breaking out during the 2024-25 season with 35 goals, the Russian sharpshooter has been Vegas’ leading goal scorer in each of the last two campaigns. The 20 power-play goals he scored last season were also good for the second most in the NHL.
Before acquiring Dorofeyev and selecting left-handed defenseman Alberts Šmits fifth overall, the Rangers started their draft day with a prospect swap.
Trudeau, 23, is a 2021 fourth-round pick who has spent the last four seasons in the AHL. The left-handed blueliner has yet to make his NHL debut.
A fifth-round pick in 2020 (134th overall) under the Jeff Gorton regime, Berard appeared in 48 games for the Rangers over the last two seasons. Despite an encouraging 2024-25 campaign in which he posted six goals and 10 points in 35 games with the Rangers, Berard was the last cut from training camp this past season.
Pavel Dorofeyev of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks in overtime of Game Five of the Second Round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on May 12, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Getty Images
After returning from the Rangers team bonding trip in Rhode Island to a Hartford assignment, Berard went without a goal through his first 14 games of the AHL season. When he was recalled by the Rangers at the end of November, Berard didn’t do much with his opportunity.
The 23-year-old wasn’t able to record a single point through 13 games.
Montreal drafted Trudeau 113th overall out of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, where the young Canadian collected 90 points (20 goals, 70 assists) over three seasons with the Charlottetown Islanders.
The Rangers are pleased with the forward prospects who emerged as options despite the lost 2025-26 season. Berard had fallen down the depth chart amid strong showings from Gabe Perreault, Noah Laba, Jaroslav Chmelar and Adam Sykora.
Acquiring Dorofeyev and trading Berard were moves that threaded the needle on Drury’s initiative to reshape the roster and prospect pool.
And the Rangers did it without forfeiting the chance to draft Šmits.
