Jorge Polanco, sidelined with left Achilles bursitis, likely won’t be at full strength the rest of the season, according to Carlos Mendoza.
Polanco has resumed some baseball activities and will travel with the team to Washington, but the manager said he’ll have to deal with the injury indefinitely.
“He’s gonna feel it,’’ Mendoza said. “We have to keep it to a point where [it’s] ‘I can tolerate this.’ Because if not, he’s gonna be shut down for a long period of time.”
Mets second baseman Jorge Polanco (11) reacts as he walks back to the dugout after he flies out for the final out of the tenth inning at Citi Field, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST
It’s been an awful start for Polanco, who has been limited to 14 games while dealing with Achilles and wrist injuries. And he didn’t play well when he was able to be on the field.
Asked if Polanco would be unable to get to 100 percent health this season, Mendoza said, “I don’t know if anyone is 100 percent in there. In this case, he’s gonna be feeling it. He’ll continue to get treatment and hope it goes away, but it’s probably something he’ll have to manage.”
Mets pitching prospect Jack Wenninger lasted just 2.1 innings in Sunday's game for Triple-A Syracuse, getting pulled after 61 pitches.
The right-hander allowed two earned runs, both coming in the third inning, on two hits and four walks.
Despite walking the bases loaded in the second inning, Wenninger kept the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders scoreless through two innings. However, things unraveled for the 24-year-old in the third after a leadoff single by George Lombard Jr. and Wenninger's fourth walk of the day.
With two on and nobody out, Marco Luciano doubled to drive in a run before Oswaldo Cabrera brought home another on a sacrifice fly. That would be it for Wenninger who only threw 28 strikes out of 61 pitches (46 percent).
The brief outing matched Wenninger's season-low which came on April 23 where he only allowed two runs on one hit but walked five and hit a batter. He's now at 22 walks in 35.2 innings this season.
Wenninger left with the game tied after Syracuse scored twice in the first inning.
The San Diego Padres, second in the NL West with a 27-18 record, face the Seattle Mariners, who are second in the AL West with a 22-25 record. The scheduled starting pitchers are Lucas Giolito for San Diego, with a 3.41 ERA, and George Kirby for Seattle, with a 2.84 ERA.
How to watch San Diego Padres vs. Seattle Mariners
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - MAY 17: Taylor Walls #6 of the Tampa Bay Rays celebrates after hitting a bases-loaded triple against the Miami Marlins during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on May 17, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
On a national telecast through Peacock, the Tampa Bay Rays got a well deserved spotlight this Sunday, starting with the star of the show – Junior Caminero – clearing the fence:
After giving up the lead, the Rays would battle back the second time through the order, and after loading the bases, Taylor Walls – who I have always loved and have never said otherwise – stepped up with two outs and cleared the bases with a triple on a fastball down the middle.
Yandy Diaz padded the Rays lead in the fifth with a solo shot that could have had Caminero on base had he not been caught out by a hit and run the batter before, with the liner snagged by the second baseman and doubling him up with a quick throw to first.
It was a fun game for the Rays offense, but the interesting elements came when the Rays were on defense.
Drew Rasmussen worked to expose the weak Marlins offense by throwing almost exclusively fastballs, pitching to contact to get outs. It should have worked! If I had a nickel for every time the Rays outfielders played a liner on one hop instead of going for the out, I’d have three nickels, which feels weird!
CF Jakob Marsee was credited with a double in the second on what could have been called an error, when a liner to Jonny DeLuca in left field took a weird hop and went under his outstretched glove. He would be thrown out by Nick Fortes trying to steal third shortly thereafter.
RF Owen Cassie then had his bat sawed off by a cutter in the third, which conveniently rolled up the middle. He would come around and score when former Rays prospect 2B Xavier Edwards slapped a dink the opposite way when he finally got a change up. Edwards was moved to third on a fielder’s choice, then SS Otto Lopez stood in for a full count before getting his bat on a cutter in the zone. This dropped, somewhat inexplicably, in front of DeLuca as well who played the hop in front of him instead of trying to get his glove on the ball with two outs.
In the fourth, after a long at bat, 3B Leo Jimenez got on a similar way in the fourth, lining a full count tenth pitch fastball to left field, which one hopped into the glove of a deep Chandler Simpson.
The third time through the order, the at bats started to stretch out for Rasmussen, and the Marlins got two men on, but Kevin Cash got the groundball double play the Rays drew up by going to bullpen.
Garrett Cleavinger allowed a third run to score and then loaded the bases in the eighth with one out, so Kevin Cash turned to Ian Seymour. He picked up the second out on a phenomenal change up, and then coaxed a liner to Taylor Walls to escape further damage.
Rays closer Bryan Baker got the nod in the ninth and, despite a first pitch single to the No. 9 hitter, worked through 1-2-3 in the Marlins order with some nice fielding from Simpson and the middle infield.
Game Notes
Peacock brought Rays color man Brian Anderson to the telecast, a smart decision allowing for an honest and thoughtful perspective from someone who knows the Rays well, something you don’t always get from a national broadcast crew.
Kevin Cash, interviewed midgame, described Junior Caminero’s power as “unprecedented” and it’s hard to disagree. Since 2016, when EV90 started getting tracked, Caminero is the only right-handed hitting players to enter the top 20 at the age of 23 or younger (109.5 mph). Caminero ranks 13th overall on that list. The only other 23-or-younger player is James Wood, a left handed hitter (110.7 mph).
Taylor Walls career stats with bases loaded: 42 PA | .367/.476/.533
The Rays loaded the bases again, chasing the Marlins starter but getting pushed to two outs. Jonathan Aranda stepped in and gave some eager swings on pitches outside the zone and then tapped out to the pitcher, slamming his helmet. An uncharacteristic moment!
Peacock’s broadcast was thrilled the Rays concessions had both a Miami and Tampa Cuban sandwich available, with man among the people John Fanta correctly noting the addition of salami and crispy toasted bread made it vastly superior.
May 6, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Athletics catcher Jonah Heim (15) and pitcher Jeffrey Springs (59) on the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
After splitting the first two games of the series, the Athletics and San Francisco Giants will square off this afternoon in the rubber game of this rivalry weekend showdown. Athletics’ starting pitcher Luis Severino struggled yesterday. The Giants jumped out to a 5-0 lead before holding off the A’s late comeback attempt.
As a result, the hosts would benefit from a strong performance from left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs, who will take the mound for the A’s in Sunday’s series and home stand finale. Entering his 10th start, he owns a 3-3 record with a 4.22 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts in 49 innings pitched. The 33-year-old took the loss in his last outing against the St. Louis Cardinals, allowing four runs on seven hits over five innings.
Having not earned a win in a month, this matchup presents a tantalizing opportunity for Springs to rebound, pitch well and secure his fourth win of 2026. To do so, he will need to keep the ball on the ground and rack up strikeouts, as the significant wind gusts could make fly balls more unpredictable and difficult for A’s outfielders to track down.
Young outfielder Henry Bolte gets a breather following three straight starts and a hard collision with the wall last night. With Lawrence Butler in center field and Carlos Cortes in right field, the outfield defense is weaker, which could prove costly given the aforementioned windy conditions. Will backup catcher Jonah Heim finally collect his first hit since returning to the Athletics? To win this game, the team must obtain production from the top of its lineup, as shortstop Darell Hernáiz has recently been the only hitter among today’s bottom of the order consistently producing.
This lineup will go up against Giants’ right-hander Adrian Houser. The 33-year-old has gotten off to a rough start this season. Through his first eight starts with San Francisco, Houser is 1-4 with a 5.79 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP and 23 strikeouts over 42 innings. The veteran has been pitching better lately. He got the win in his last start, limiting the Los Angeles Dodgers to two runs on three hits over 5 2/3 innings. Houser seeks to build off that momentum and make it two straight winning outings, though the A’s offense could spoil that if the team’s hitters stay patient and capitalize on mistake pitches from him and the Giants’ bullpen.
Springs must be wary of second baseman Luis Arraez and designated hitter Casey Schmitt, who have each posted four-hit games in this series. Infielders Rafael Devers and Willy Adames are also starting to heat up for the Giants. The visitors also feature former A’s, Daniel Susac and Matt Chapman, batting back-to-back.
The Athletics need this win after dropping their first series of the home stand against the Cardinals. To remain in American League West contention, they cannot afford to lose a second-straight series. A win would additionally build momentum heading into the team’s upcoming Southern California road trip against the Los Angeles Angels and San Diego Padres.
MILWAUKEE, WI - APRIL 3: The sneakers worn by Baylor Scheierman #55 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 3, 2026 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images). | NBAE via Getty Images
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson has upped his shooting aggression throughout the playoffs.
My Canadiens vs. Sabres predictions expect that trend to continue in tonight's winner-take-all Game 7 against the Buffalo Sabres.
Let's take a closer look at my NHL picks for Monday, May 18, and don't miss puck drop at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
UPDATE: Added a prediction for who will win tonight!
Canadiens vs Sabres Game 7 prediction
Who will win Canadiens vs Sabres Game 7?
Canadiens: The Canadiens have shown great resilience during the playoffs, following up each loss with a win. I expect them to quickly flush Game 6. They hold the expected goals edge in this series – albeit not by much – and Jakub Dobes has been more consistent than Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen, making him a little more trustworthy in this do-or-die affair.
Canadiens vs Sabres best bet: Lane Hutson Over 1.5 shots (-115)
Lane Hutson has ramped up his shot volume significantly during the playoffs. He has averaged 5.8 attempts per game, well above his season average of 3.7.
It’s not one or two big games propping up his numbers. He attempted at least four shots in 11 of 13 games thus far.
He cleared 1.5 shots in 72% of his games this year when generating at least four attempts.
Hutson is being spoon-fed offensive zone starts and will see as much ice as he can handle in an elimination game, setting him up to fire away.
Canadiens vs Sabres Game 7 same-game parlay
It took a while to get going, but Cole Caufield is firing on all cylinders now. He has scored in three of his past four games and leads the team in scoring chances with 22.
Few players can fill the net like No. 13 when he's on, and the Sabres have gotten very inconsistent goaltending.
Alex Newhook has been a constant headache for the Buffalo Sabres. He leads the Habs in shots on goal and scoring chances at 5-on-5, and we’re unlikely to see much special teams play in a Game 7.
That makes even-strength play even more important, and Newhook has consistently made an impact in that state.
Kaiden Guhle blocked multiple shots in five of his last six road games, including all three against Buffalo. He combined for 10 blocks in Buffalo, and will be relied upon to lead the charge defensively in Game 7.
Bonus Canadiens vs Sabres SGP
Lane Hutson Over 1.5 shots
Alex Newhook Over 1.5 shots
Kaiden Guhle Over 1.5 blocked shots
Canadiens vs Sabres anytime goal scorer
Caufield is one of the league's most efficient shooters and is averaging 6.2 shot attempts over his past five games. The 50-goal scorer will cause problems for Buffalo's Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen, who had been leaky at times — and ranks last among remaining goalies in Goals Saved Above Expected during the playoffs.
Bonus AGS pick for Canadiens vs Sabres Game 7
Alex Tuch (+210)
Who doesn't love more extra picks! Alex Tuch leads the Sabres in shot attempts (38), shots on target (21), and scoring chances (20), yet has not hit the scoresheet, let alone found the back of the net.
He is constantly knocking on the door and playing more minutes than any other forward on the roster. He’ll have every opportunity to break through tonight.
Canadiens vs Sabres odds for Game 7
Moneyline: Montreal +100 | Buffalo -120
Puck Line: Montreal +1.5 (-260) | Buffalo -1.5 (+205)
Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-110) | Under 5.5 (-110)
Canadiens vs Sabres trend
The Canadiens have hit the moneyline in 14 of their last 20 away games (+8.6 units, 37% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Canadiens vs. Sabres.
How to watch Canadiens vs Sabres Game 7
Location
KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
Date
Monday, May 18, 2026
Puck drop
7:30 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Canadiens vs Sabres latest injuries
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It all comes down to this, as the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers are set to collide in Game 7 at Little Caesars Arena tonight.
Looking to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2008, my Cavaliers vs. Pistons predictions are relying on Jalen Duren and Cade Cunningham to do the heavy lifting for the home team.
SGP leg #1: Jalen Duren Over 21.5 points + rebounds + assists
The Cleveland Cavaliers' interior defense has been exploitable on the road in these playoffs, sporting the second-lowest defensive rebound percentage (63.5).
Among players with at least 30 minutes per game this postseason, Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren ranks fourth in offensive rebounds (3.7) and second in offensive rebound percentage (12.4).
SGP leg #2: Cade Cunningham Over 8.5 assists
Cade Cunningham has dished 9+ dimes in four of seven home games, and the Pistons are 3-1 in those contests.
Cunningham ranks third in potential assists overall (15) this postseason. His team has also shot more efficiently at home, which should lead to a bump in helpers.
SGP leg #3: Pistons moneyline
The Pistons nearly won Game 5 before dominating in Game 6, and they’ve got momentum on their side.
Detroit is 5-2 straight up at home this postseason with an 8.1 Net Rating, and Cleveland is just 1-5 on the road with a -8.2 Net Rating.
After coming back from a 3–1 deficit in the first round against Orlando and blowing out the Magic in Game 7, I expect the Pistons to stand tall once again on home court.
Get Zak Hanshew's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Cavaliers vs Pistons predictions for Game 7.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons have played a back-and-forth series, but it all comes down to Game 7 with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.
Cade Cunningham and James Harden delivered for their respective teams last time out, and my Cavaliers vs. Pistons props highlight both stars once again.
Game 7 Prop #1: Cade Cunningham Over 2.5 threes made
+130 at bet365
Cade Cunningham led the Detroit Pistons to victory in Game 6 with just 21 points, but the former No. 1 pick was on fire from long range yet again.
Cunningham shot 5-for-10 from beyond the arc in Game 6, and he’s now dropped 11 three pointers over the last two contests.
The Pistons as a whole have been hot from three-point range in this series, sinking nearly 41% of their attempts. Cunningham has been even better, averaging 3.3 threes per game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on nearly 48% shooting.
It’ll be the same game plan for Cade in Game 7.
Game 7 Prop #2: James Harden Over 18.5 points
-105 at bet365
James Harden’s line was set at 19.5 points in Game 6 and he hit the Over with a team-high 23 points, so it’s surprising he opened at a lower point total with better odds for Game 7.
The Cavs guard has dropped Over 18.5 points in four straight games and five of six contests this series.
The Pistons have managed to lock up Donovan Mitchell late in the series, with the Cavaliers star averaging just 19.5 ppg over his last two outings.
That means pressure is on Harden, and he’s been up to the challenge.
Game 7 Prop #3: Duncan Robinson Over 1.5 threes made
-190 at bet365
Duncan Robinson has been a secret weapon for the Pistons this series, scoring nearly 14 ppg in 30 minutes per night.
The Pistons forward has been virtually untouchable from beyond the arc, averaging 3.8 treys while shooting almost 58% from three-point range vs. the Cavaliers.
Robinson is shooting an incredible 87.5% on “wide open” threes this round, and 50% on “open” shots from long range.
He’s dropped Over 1.5 threes in 10 of 12 appearances this postseason, and he’ll hit that number easily if he keeps knocking down his open looks.
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In a season filled with learning experiences, the Senators saw firsthand how finding the right backup goalie can be a game-changer.
When Ottawa signed veteran goaltender James Reimer as a free agent four months ago, the move barely registered across the NHL. The Senators were tied for last in the East, so seeing them bring in Canada's Spengler Cup goalie was like watching someone rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic.
Reimer came in from the bullpen to replace Leevi Merilainen, who, despite his heroics in a small sample size last year, showed he wasn't ready for full-time NHL duty just yet. While Merilainen was sent to Belleville for the rest of the season, Reimer was viewed as experienced depth, a stopgap measure, and not much more.
Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss the Sens backup goalie plans for this fall.
But that was exactly what the Senators needed.
Linus Ullmark carried the mail down the stretch, and he and the Senators turned the season around, but Reimer was one of the stabilizing forces behind it.
When GM Steve Staios held his season-ending news conference, he admitted that he didn't support Ullmark well enough to start the season.
"When I talk about making decisions to help this team move forward, the one where we didn't do a good job was on the backup position initially," Staios said. "And we still believe in Leevi in saying this."
Staios' goaltending plans were maybe overly optimistic because he was asking both of his chosen goalies to go out and do something they've never done. For the kid, Merilainen, it was asking a 23-year-old to be a full-time NHL backup for the first time, playing behind a veteran who's never had a season where he hit the 50-game mark in NHL games played.
For Ullmark, it was asking him to bump up his games-played count. And based on his usage in the first three months of this season, they had him on a pace to start over 60 games.
The success of each plan was directly tied to the other, and neither worked out particularly well.
Now, as the Senators once again search for support behind Ullmark, it’s fair to ask an obvious question:
Why not just bring Reimer back?
When you go searching for UFA goalies whose production and contract demands might make them attractive as Ullmark's understudy, you start to realize that the list of realistic options isn't very long.
Meanwhile, we know the Reimer experiment works. He gave the Senators exactly what they needed this season. In 14 appearances with Ottawa, he posted a tidy 2.42 goals-against average. More importantly, he gave the team competent, calming goaltending on nights when Ullmark needed rest.
There wasn't a single night where Reimer looked overmatched or played at a level that didn't give the Senators a chance to win, and that trickled down to boost team confidence. Reimer upgraded the backup position and helped to upgrade Ullmark as well.
And unlike many of the other free-agent options, there’s very little mystery about the fit here.
At 38, Reimer understands the role. He’s a pro, a happy, positive teammate, who's not coming in looking to challenge Ullmark for the crease or create controversy about starts.
There’s also the financial reality.
Some of the bigger names on the market will command significantly more money, even in backup roles, and even though the cap is going up, the Senators aren't expected to spend to the absolute max. With new contracts looming and other roster needs to address, overpaying for a backup goalie when the starter is already north of $8 million isn't high on their wish list.
Reimer would be signable at nearly league minimum.
If Ottawa simply needs reliable goaltending for 30 games behind Ullmark, are they really guaranteed to get better results from anyone on the free agent market that's reasonably priced and willing to sign here?
That’s debatable.
Meanwhile, Ullmark appeared comfortable working alongside Reimer, and the Senators finally found some rhythm this season. So maybe they shouldn't overthink this.
In a city famed for being a goalie graveyard, when you finally find something that worked, maybe don't pick at it.
By Steve Warne The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
CALGARY, CANADA - NOVEMBER 25: Egor Shilov #9 of Team CHL handles the puck during warmups before the CHL USA Prospects Challenge at the Scotiabank Saddledome on November 25, 2025 in Calgary, Canada. (Photo by Leah Hennel/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good afternoon, Devils fans and hockey fans, and welcome to another All About the Jersey draft profile. Today, we are going to look at someone who might fly under the radar a bit. Coming out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, but hailing from Tyumen, Russia is Yegor Shilov, a 6’1” and 180+ pound left-shooting center. From Elite Prospects, you can see his production history below.
I am always interested by any European player who dominates their local junior leagues and then flies all the way to the United States or Canada to play North American hockey as a teenager. And for what it’s worth, Shilov had a good offensive season in the United States at 16 and 17 years old in 2024-25. The USHL, as a league massively rising in quality of play over the last five or ten years, is a good offensive litmus test for forwards, and we are starting to see more Russians and Belarusians testing their hands there. Ilya Protas of the Washington Capitals played for Des Moines in 2023-24 at age 17, scoring 51 points in 61 games before tearing the OHL apart in 2024-25 at age 18. Looking back, it’s kind of baffling Protas made it to the third round in 2024.
I do think it’s interesting that Shilov decided to go to the QMJHL from there, which is a path less trodden among top prospects over the last few years, but he had a good season there as well. Among recent Devils draft picks, Matyas Melovsky went through the Q, but he didn’t hit 80 points until his age-20 season, when he had 26 goals and 57 assists after being drafted as an overager by the Devils. Melovsky, of course, went on to score 26 points in 55 AHL games this season, and he now has an assist through two Worlds games for Team Czechia.
But Shilov is only 18: he broke 30 goals and 80 points in Quebec at just 17 years old, turning 18 on April 30 of this year. Production-wise, he is about three years ahead of a guy like Melovsky, who is now decently well-regarded as a possible fourth line center in 2026 or 2027. Above, you can see that Shilov is committed to playing for Penn State in 2027-28, but I think it would be best if he tried to find a college commitment before then. He’s off to a great start, but the NCAA would be a logical step for someone who has already hit elite production in a league like the Q.
Where is Shilov Ranked?
Elite Prospects lists Shilov ranked as such:
19th by TSN (Button)
19th by NHL Central Scouting (North American Skaters)
23rd by Elite Prospects
24th by Smaht Scouting
25th by Dobber Prospects
25th by Draft Prospects Hockey
27th by Sportsnet (Cosentino)
30th by Daily Faceoff
32nd by The Hockey News (Kennedy)
40th by McKeen’s Hockey
49th by The Hockey News (Ferrari)
Additionally, Shilov rates out as a late-first quality producer by Byron Bader’s NHLe model, though he is even with Viggo Bjorck in NHL and star probability. This is an area where playing in a better league would help Shilov in production models, though I think scoring 82 points in the QMJHL at just 17 years old as a Russian-born player is pretty noteworthy.
I will note here, per Bader’s linked tool explanation, is that NHLe is tracked to estimate the average season a player would have if they were immediately dropped into the NHL. So, a player coming off 33 goals and 82 points in the QMJHL this season would be expected to score about 28 points next season. This type of prediction worked to near perfection for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who nabbed Benjamin Kindel at 11th overall last year with a 37 NHLe in the 2024-25 season, as he scored 35 points in 77 games for Pittsburgh as an 18-year old rookie this year. In short: players with NHLes like this often become viable NHLers sooner than you think, though Shilov probably has a year or two of seasoning to do.
Shilov’s skills are enough to hear his name in the first day of selections. He’s expected to be picked in the first round, but his lack of speed and relative mono-dimensional play are very likely to cause him to fall to around the 25-30 range despite his excellent passing, shooting, and puck-handling abilities.
One of the most dynamic power play producers in this draft class, Shilov is slippery holding pucks along the wall. He darts away from defenders at the last second…There is some frustration watching his game in that maximum effort isn’t always present, but he’s inspired with the puck on his stick and is a threat every time he possesses it.
Yegor Shilov is one of the most skilled centers in North America whose game is defined by elite puck feel and creative vision, but whose overall impact is limited by pace and engagement away from the puck. With possession, he’s among the most talented players in the class, manipulating defenders with ease, slipping pucks through traffic, and distributing the puck with imagination and precision. He defends more by anticipation than confrontation, playing with a deep, read-and-react posture that allows him to pick off lanes and disrupt plays with an active stick rather than physical pressure.
Shilov’s Video
I am wary of those who knock prospects for skating ability and compete level. It’s something that I generally have to see for myself, because sometimes evaluators can overvalue apparent effort over genuine skill and hockey IQ. Seeing that Shilov is praised for his quickness along the boards and heavily criticized for his 200-foot speed is also something that tells me this could be a prospect who is either still physically developing or has just not had the time to perfect his straight-line skating. But, we’ll look at the video.
What I notice early in this video is that Shilov is not really used defensively like an aggressive center. As Garrett noted for Smaht Scouting, he’s more positioned to be anticipatory. However, he does seem to try making a point of finishing his checks to start the game (even if he does so uncomfortably), so I can imagine that his coaches were encouraging him to make some changes there. On his second shift, he comes out right to a point shooter and blocks a shot wide with his stick, so I lean towards thinking Shilov tries to lean on his smarts and reads early on. He gets right in perfect position to facilitate transition up the boards, and he does not burn the opposition but manages to stay ahead long enough to send a backhand centering feed that is redirected wide. He is also able to anticipate the backchecker and quickly shows the awareness and ability to protect the puck with someone on his back.
By his third shift, I’m wondering what the problem with this guy is. He takes the puck up ice and flips after hitting the red line with four opponents to beat. He hits the burners around a defender at the blueline for a moment, just enough to be first to his flip in the corner after going around another opponent trying to slow him down. He wins the board battle under pressure by a larger player, moves the puck to his teammate, and cycles around the point to allow an activation before rejoining the play at the boards.
On the power play, Shilov scores a goal cutting from the slot to the hashmarks of the faceoff circle right off the opening draw play. He got a pass and absolutely ripped it to the far corner, an impressive shot at such short range. The goalie had no chance with the speed of his release and the placement of the shot.
Stop me if you’ve ever heard someone described like this before. Shilov was cycling around the offensive zone after a shot from his teammate was blocked. He circled around the faceoff dot and high slot waiting for a pass, but it didn’t come to him despite a big passing lane until he was near the puck carrier. After Shilov got it, he switched with his teammate at the left point, stickhandling towards the blueline until he came back into a turn towards the net. Taking the middle of the ice and the other team off guard, creating a three-man screen in front of the goalie, Shilov cut left at the last moment and roofed another goal to the far corner around the screen. Once he got the goalie moving, he took his spot and hit it.
While Shilov plays the entire second period without any issues, he does end up on the ice for a goal against in the third. He chased a puck carrier up to the point and was slightly picked, but he doesn’t come back in time to get back in the passing lane. His teammate drops to one knee rather than cover the netfront man he was on, and his team goes down 5-3 here.
Back on the power play later in the period, Shilov gets back to take the puck away in the neutral zone after his team lost possession, but he does not get a chance to make a play in the offensive zone. Late in the game, Shilov threads a perfect pass at the blueline with four opponents in the area, springing his teammate on a quick breakaway. The Armada goalie made the save, but Shilov easily could have had an assist here.
For more highlights, see the following video from HSD prospects:
My Thoughts
I think that the online scouts have it right that Shilov needs to work on his skating, but I do not think it is that dire. He can certainly gain another step, but if skating is a player’s biggest weakness going into the Draft, it’s an issue that can be overcome far easier than others. Besides, it seems like Shilov is a pretty agile skater, and he is still able to consistently beat defenders despite a lack of obvious speed because of his skill and agility.
An issue players tend not to get that much better at is making reads and anticipating plays. Shilov has those down, it seems. Shilov is also apparently a skilled passer and is certifiably a talented goal scorer. He also has a certain offensive element to his attack that I do not think we see from any Devil other than Jack Hughes. He’s incredibly cerebral with the puck. He’s looking for weaknesses and openings, and he is capable of taking advantage with quick cuts and a fast release of an accurate, quick-rising shot.
That’s one reason I became interested in Shilov in the first place. He is ranked lower than the Devils are set to pick, though he is a fall candidate as a Russian-born skilled forward without obvious physical tools. There is a chance he is available early in the second round. Of course, the Devils could always end up later in the first round if they make any trades leading up to the NHL Draft in June, such as any involving pick swaps or a pure trade down move on Draft Day. But I am not convinced that Shilov is such a worse prospect than some of the guys being pushed in that 10-15 range, anyway. His skill level is visibly much greater than that of his teammates when he has the puck, and I think he has the hockey IQ to play at a high level in the NHL.
A player like Shilov makes a ton of sense for the Devils, given that. We have all seen the Hughes-less swoons of the New Jersey Devils, when the team cannot score a goal to save their lives in the absence of their best offensive threat. We have also been watching a franchise that has repeatedly struggled to formulate a third line that has stayed a consistent, high-level offensive threat. The Devils are starting to get there now with Arseny Gritsyuk, but only until coaches realize that he should be getting paired with top six players every night. A player like Shilov, drafted and developed to be that third offensive threat at center, can not only complement the attack of Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, but give the Devils the opportunity to have a player that can actually step into their offensive roles in the case of injury. From Mitch Brown’s juniors and NCAA tracking project, Shilov is fantastically skilled at entering the offensive zone, creating rushes out of nothing, and getting to dangerous shooting areas.
This is the exact kind of offensive player that the Devils need to be able to develop internally. If Sunny Mehta’s Devils are going to be an improvement from the last several years, this front office needs to trust that players like this can round out their games and play on the same wavelength as the team’s best players. So Shilov is not a forechecker, not much of a hitter, and he turns the puck over at times. What is most important is that the Devils have centers who can create offense, and Shilov makes up for his defensive issues by making great reads, winning a lot of plays in the neutral zone, and anticipating shooting lanes. This was visible when I watched the video of his shifts, and upon my checking it was even reflected in Brown’s tracking.
While some people might envision each line to serve a different purpose, a team is more threatening when their top offensive players are followed by third liners who can beat opponents in similar fashion. Shilov is a player who can be a puck carrier on the power play, evaluating the entry after the drop pass and either taking it in himself or seamlessly passing from his forehand or backhand. He’s a player who can keep and extend possession through cutbacks. He can switch with defensemen and attack from the point into the high slot. And, importantly, he is not reliant and creating from the outside. He wants to be in the middle of the ice, shooting and scoring goals.
It is also likely that the Devils have the chance to select someone with a better production profile than Shilov at 12th overall, if they keep that pick. I know that. But I think Shilov, one way or another, is someone to watch. He does not score cheap goals. He is not a peripheral playmaker. I do not see him as someone who relies on a type of offense that won’t be available at higher levels. He’s unpredictable, skilled, and smart. I do think he needs to up his physical compete level a little bit or perfect his anticipatory reads, but he might be one of the most skilled players in the 2026 NHL Draft, and any team that drafts him outside the top 10 is getting a good chance of making one of the best picks in the Draft. There might be better goal scorers among wingers in guys like Adam Novtony and Nikita Klepov, but Shilov had similar total point production to some of the top-ranked forwards in the Draft while being one of the top two or three goal-scoring centers.
In Memoriam
I would like to also take a moment to honor the passing of Johan Nilsson, the founder of Elite Prospects. As a young hockey fan, I was always hooked onto his website, learning about prospects or teams overseas, and it was an invaluable resource early on. It has continued to be an invaluable resource as a central base for all things hockey, and I lean on it a lot as a blogger here. My heart goes out to his family and children, and to all of those in the world battling colon cancer.
Your Thoughts
What do you think of Yegor Shilov? Do you think scouts have him right at the late first round? Or do you think he’s better than that? Leave your thoughts in the comments below, and thanks for reading.
From the moment of my fist keystroke here, there are 10 days, 10 hours and 34 minutes until the NBA Draft withdrawal deadline for college underclassman, those wishing to continue their undergraduate eduction at an institution of higher learning.
Flory Bidunga, you are on the clock.
And now the Louisville Cardinal fanbase, after enduring a week of quiet burgeoning anxiety, which followed a furious couple months of anticipation and good news, sits and waits.
Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Tick Tock.
Like the opening of “60 Minutes,” only a whole lot longer.
And we wonder, what if the “#1 Player in the Portal,” opts to stay and roll the dice. As The Professor, may he Rest in Peace, would opine, “Perhaps the kid simply doesn’t want to endure the ‘Theoretical Thereminology 368’ class he’d need for graduation.”
If rational thinking doesn’t prevail and he leaves his talent in the 2d round pool, what are the Cardinals to do?
It would leave them with enough largesse to make a necessarily absurd offer to Milan Momcilovic. Which would certainly help the Cards’ chance for real marksmanship. But leave them for the second season in a row bereft of depth underneath.
Oh the pluses and minuses of this obsession.
When word from whatever spot of gestation started to circulate last week that Bidunga was ” perhaps leaning” toward staying in the Draft, I began to cull the nooks and crannies of the www. for other unsigned possibilities.
The name David Fuchs popped up. A 6-9, 245 lb. bruiser who is not leaving his heart in San Francisco.
Apparently ACC mate Clemson is making the biggest push. But . . . that was several days ago, and a quick check does not reveal any commitment on the kid’s part.
Understand, I have not the foggiest idea whether this baller’s even on the U of L staff’s radar. Just me trolling for some nugget that will sate my craving for the day.
Or, is there some fire breathing, vodka guzzling firebrand from Hackcomputevenia we’ve never heard of that might add to the global nature of the team?
Flory, the Cardinal Nation awaits.
* * * * *
I finally remembered the name of the player whom Isaac Ellis reminds me of.
Tyler Kolek at Marquette from a few years back.
Late bloomer who became the heart and soul of Shaka Smart’s Warriors a/k/a Golden Eagles.
Not projecting anything about Ellis, other than in my obsessive brain, Kolek came to mind after watching Ellis’s tapes.
* * * * *
Speaking of that university that Al McGuire made famous on the hardwood, I am looking forward to observing how Sananda Fru fares in MIlwaukee?
Was he mishandled in Louisville?
Were our observations of his “softness” correct?
Can Smart instill some boom shaka laka in the center?
* * * * *
Because it’s the only hoops being played by the male of the species, I watch the NBA playoffs.
A Motowner by birth, I have a rooting interest.
Am glad the Pistons bench finally showed up in Game 6, a beat down. In which former Cardinal Donovan Mitchell did not do his thing.
Which Detroit performance helped ameliorate my disgust over how Detroit lost Game 5. James Hardin missed a FT in OT. But no Piston blocked him off and the Beard captured his miss.
“Basketball 101,” I screamed at the screen. You learn it in the 6th grade. Cut off the shooter at the line. Geesh.
If the Cavs prevail tonight in Game 7, I’ll be fine. Donovan will give me a rooting interest against the Knickerbockers. But I’ll be wearing my lone piece Pistons merch during the game.
* * * * *
The other once upon a time Cardinal I’ll be paying attention to next campaign: Luke Murray. Now head guy at BC.
Former assistant in the Yum!, stupidly fired by Chris Mack, two time natty winner at UConn since, has apparently harvested some money in Beantown. Using it wisely.
He only had one player returning. And now has what appears to be a more competitive roster than the Eagles have had in decades.
* * * * *
10 days, 9 hours, 48 minutes.
Yo, Flory, ya know you don’t have to wait for the last moment to withdraw.
️ Aaron Rai put together one of the great closing rounds – and sunk a monster putt for the ages – to finally scatter a bunched field at Aronimink ️ Official leaderboard
Parish noticeboard. Shane Lowry finished his week as he started it, with a fine round of 68. He never really got over the top into the water at 17 on Friday; that Cognizant Classic collapse cuts deep. He’s +2 for his week’s work. Matt Wallace won’t become the first Englishman to win since Jim Barnes in 1919, but he ends his tournament with a 68 as well; he’s +2 too. A final round of 74 for last weekend’s nearly man at the Truist, Alex Fitzpatrick, who departs his maiden Stateside major at +8. And Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald finishes a very respectable week in style, with a 69 that puts the 48-year-old veteran at +7.
While we’re on the subject of tournament records, let’s give fair measure to Kurt Kitayama. His round of 63 ties the lowest final-round score at any PGA Championship, set by Brad Faxon at Riviera in 1995. Faxon stays top of the list, however, on account of Riviera being a par 71, so his round was eight under par, compared to Kitayama’s seven. But we’re splitting hairs here. Kitayama deserves his flowers.
