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Worth the Wait: Ex-Oilers Star Taylor Hall Wins a Stanley Cup With the Hurricanes

It took him 16 seasons to get there, with some ups and downs along the way, but Taylor Hall is a Stanley Cup Champion. A former first-overall pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 2010, Hall spent seasons in Edmonton, New Jersey, Boston, Arizona, Buffalo, Chicago, and now Carolina. 

Part of the tougher seasons in Edmonton, it was Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who were pegged to be the saviors if and when the Oilers turned things around. It didn't go as planned. When Connor McDavid was finally drafted, Hall was likely going to see his patience pay off, and the winning was coming. He was traded shortly after for defenseman Adam Larsson. 

Needless to say, he wasn't happy about being traded.

A bit frustrated that he was dealt just as the ship was likely headed in the right direction, the narrative was that Hall wasn't beloved in the locker room. Stories that likely had little merit circulated. He did admit he had some growing up to do, but it did feel like Hall was getting the short end of the stick. 

He had a strong couple of years in New Jersey -- his best in 2017-18 when he scored 93 points. Injuries struck, and while he remained consistent when healthy, he wound up in Arizona and then Buffalo for short stints. 

He spent two seasons and change with the Boston Bruins, then went on to Chicago. He became a bit more of a journeyman and depth forward than the superstar many assumed he'd be as a top pick. Moved as part of the off Mikko Rantanen drama, Hall found his second wind in Carolina. 

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He won a Hart Trophy with the Devils and produced offensively elsewhere, but he said playing in Carolina was the most fun he'd ever had playing hockey. Talking about how tight the group was, it was the way they played hockey that made him appreciate finally winning a Championship even more. 

Hall was instrumental in the Hurricanes' playoff run, and again in Game 6 win itself, scoring the game-winning goal. He finished the 2026 playoffs with seven goals and 19 points in 19 games.  

"It's an amazing group. I'm really happy for the guys who have been here for so long. They deserve it so much," said Hall after the win. 

Congratulations to the former Oilers first-overall pick. He took a windy road to get there, but he wound up winning a Stanley Cup before any of the core group of his early years with the Oilers, or the core that came after. 

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Padres must lock Fernando Tatis Jr. into one position to add another bat

San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images

San Diego Padres Fernando Tatis Jr. is scorching at the plate to open the month of June. Manager Craig Stammen has been reluctant to lock his superstar into one defensive position at either second base or right field because it might limit the offense’s potential. With the need for more run production amid key injuries, the Padres may be forced to place Tatis Jr. at one position to acquire another bat.

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In June, Tatis Jr.’s offensive production is .359/.390/.513 with a HR and three RBI, which makes him the lineup’s hottest hitter. Despite his production, the offense still needs another proven batter. Keeping his right-handed superstar at one position allows the front office to pursue potential hitters available on the trade market.

Stammen delays selecting position for Tati

Stammen appears to be indifferent to making such a move. He likes the versatility his lineup offers. However, if the offensive slump continues, it may force the Padres to make a deal.

Granted, Tatis Jr. progressed through the minors as a shortstop before moving to the outfield and becoming a Gold Glove winner. But Jake Cronenworth sustained a concussion that forced Stammen to move Tati back to the infield at second base.

He has deployed Tatis Jr. back in right field and inserted Sung-Mun Song at second against tough right-handed starting pitchers. The latter is a decent fielder, but Song has struggled at the plate. He is hitting .190 with eight hits in 42 at-bats. His offensive struggles will garner further scrutiny if the team’s poor play extends much longer. 

Injuries too much to overcome

The loss of Cronenworth has been a major void, as he looked to regain his offensive proficiency after a slow start to the 2026 campaign. The second baseman was placed on the concussion injury list in early May. Cronenworth has begun light baseball activities, including soft running, fielding, and tossing drills. But there is no guarantee that he will return to the lineup this season.

Now, the Friars are in dire straits with the loss of Ramon Laureano from the starting lineup. He underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right hip. The recovery time is four to five months, which means Laureano will miss the remainder of the 2026 season.

Unfortunately, the injury might have ended his playing career in San Diego, as he is eligible to become a free agent at season’s end. To replace Laureano in the lineup, Gavin Sheets is expected to play the majority of the time in left field.

A decision has to be made

It seems like the front office is delaying adding another piece to the roster until they get confirmation that Cronenworth will not return this season. Choosing a position for Tatis Jr. allows them to do their due diligence on the price needed to trade for a bat. 

The Friars need to find a way to generate more run production from the bottom of the lineup. Adding another hitter will lengthen the batting order. 

It does not matter whether the Padres acquire a second baseman or corner outfielder, as long as they solve their offensive issues. 

But do not wait too long, or your top trade targets might get dealt. 

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Frederik Andersen lifts Stanley Cup second for getting Hurricanes to final

The team captain gets to lift the Stanley Cup and the biggest question is which teammate gets it second.

The answer after the Carolina Hurricanes' clinching 3-0 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights: Captain and playoff MVP Jordan Staal handed it to goalie Frederik Andersen.

"I did not expect that," Andersen told ABC.

Andersen didn't play - or dress - in the last three games as Brandon Bussi started and excelled for three consecutive wins. But the Hurricanes would not have reached the final without the play of Andersen, who went 12-1, with a 1.44 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage in the first three rounds.

"He's the reason we're here," Bussi told ABC. "He's a workhouse. I only got 3 1/2 games. He obviously deserves more of the credit. He's worked so hard for this and grinded so long."

Andersen, in his fifth season in Carolina, clinched a trip to the final with a Game 5 win against the Montreal Canadiens soon after the death of Claude Lemieux, his longtime agent.

Both Andersen and Vegas' Carter Hart had a tougher time in the final than in earlier rounds. Bussi went into the net in Game 3 with the Hurricanes trailing 4-0 in an eventual 5-4 double-overtime loss.

Coach Rod Brind'Amour told ABC on Sunday that Andersen was "a little nicked up" and "not 100 percent."

"I so proud of the team we have here," said Andersen, who has battled injuries in his 13-year NHL career. "It's shown throughout many years, but this year specifically. There's been so many guys stepping up at certain times and it just really shows how good of a team we've been."

One of those stepping up was Bussl.

The Hurricanes also used two goalies in their 2006 run as Cam Ward replaced Martin Gerber in the first round. Bussi's arrival happened later.

His arrival to the league also happened later as he picked up 31 wins at age 27 in 2025-26 when the Hurricanes gave him a chance at his first NHL action.

Bussi, now a household name, hugged Andersen and also Brind'Amour after the clinching shutout win.

"He believed in me," he said of Brind'Amour. "He gave me that shot. I'll always be forever grateful."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jordan Staal hands Stanley Cup to Frederik Andersen: Here's why

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Blackhawks Sending Taylor Hall To Hurricanes Helped Set Up Their Depth

The Chicago Blackhawks acquired Taylor Hall alongside Nick Foligno on June 26th, 2023. The point of this trade was to surround Connor Bedard with solid veterans in his rookie year. 

In the case of Hall, a former number one pick himself, he had experience being a mentor for high draft picks at previous NHL stops. 

The idea was nice, but it didn't go according to plan due to injuries to Hall. In his first year with the Blackhawks, he played just 10 games before going down for the year. 

In year two, Hall played in 46 games with Chicago before he was traded away to the Carolina Hurricanes. He was part of a three-team trade that also sent Colorado Avalanche superstar Mikko Rantanen to the Hurricanes. 

This deal broke Rantanen's game for a while. He never fit in and made it clear that he didn't want to be there. Before the season was even over, they shipped him to the Dallas Stars in a trade that landed them Logan Stankoven. 

The Blackhawks retained Rantanen's contract in the three-team deal, which is what allowed Dallas to get him under their salary cap. 

As a result of this initial deal, the Hurricanes ended up with Hall and Stankoven in the end, who both played a key role in them winning the Stanley Cup on Sunday night. 

These two ended up playing on a line together alongside Jackson Blake, which turned out to be the best trio for any team during the playoffs. 

Stankoven had 11 goals and 5 assists for 16 points, Hall had 7 goals and 12 assists for 19 points, and Blake had 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points. Over the course of the 19 playoff games that the Hurricanes played over 58 days, these three were spectacular. 

If the Blackhawks don't facilitate this deal for the Avalance and Hurricanes early in 2025, Carolina may have never won the Stanley Cup in 2026. 

For Hall, it was a long time coming. After the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, a game in which the Blackhawks were blown out on national TV, he was physically disturbed. He needed to get to a winning situation, which is what happened when he went to Carolina a few weeks later. 

The Hurricanes play a brand of hockey that is difficult to succeed in. You need to be strong mentally and physically in order to make an impact in that system, and Hall did after an off-season to get used to it. Once the playoffs rolled around, they took it to another level. 

As a part of this deal, the Blackhawks ended up with a third-round pick in 2025, which turned out to be Nathan Behm. After a handful of years with the Kamloops Blazers of the WHL, Behm is going to attend Arizona State University with the hopes of eventually becoming a pro hockey player. 

It would be nice for the Blackhawks organization if Behm turned into a good NHL player, but they did Hall and the Hurricanes a major favor by being a part of this deal. Kyle Davidson has some built up good will around the league, and this is a reason why. 

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Flyers Trade With Hurricanes Worked Out Perfectly

When it's all said and done, nobody can argue that the Philadelphia Flyers don't do right by their players, and especially the veterans who grind away and put their time in.

On March 6, prior to the NHL trade deadline, the Flyers made a somewhat surprising trade, sending veteran tough guy Nick Deslauriers to the Metropolitan Division rival Carolina Hurricanes.

All the Flyers got in return for that trade was a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick, which they won't receive as Deslauriers did not play in half of the Hurricanes' playoff games.

So, the Hurricanes got Deslauriers for free, and three months later, Deslauriers was rewarded with the first Stanley Cup of his NHL career.

Even though they made the playoffs themselves, the Flyers gave Deslauriers, 35, a true chance at a championship, and inadvertently helped him along the journey after getting swept by Carolina in the second round.

Former Flyers Goalie On Wrong Side of NHL HistoryFormer Flyers Goalie On Wrong Side of NHL HistoryFormer Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart has set an awful NHL record nobody would want to have.

At the end of the day, though, this trade worked out perfectly for both sides, even if it appears to be a nothing deal on paper.

The Flyers showed the NHL world and their younger players that, if you are a good teammate and work hard, you will be rewarded in this league.

Of course, not everyone does that, and the NHL is a business, but the Flyers did the right thing.

By extension, by trading Deslauriers, the Flyers opened up a roster spot and lineup spot for those younger players, such as Alex Bump, Nikita Grebenkin before his injury, and Denver Barkey.

The Hurricanes assuredly benefitted from Deslauriers' experience, toughness, and locker room presence down the stretch; even an analytics maven like Eric Tulsky went out of his way to pick up the enforcer for a reason.

Deslauriers, alongside former Flyers teammate Sean Walker and ex-Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, is now a Stanley Cup champion, reaching hockey's pinnacle after a long ride.

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Rays avoid sweep with some late inning juice: Rays 8, Angels 3

Jun 14, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (13) reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Angels 8-3 at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

A low scoring, back and forth affair took a turn in the top of the eighth inning during which the Rays broke a 3-3 tie with a five-run inning punctuated by a pair of blasts from Caminero and Mesa Jr. The Rays left Anaheim with a series loss, but were able to salvage the last of three games against the Halos, avoiding the sweep.

Across nine innings, the Rays used six different pitchers in what was a scheduled bullpen day. The staff did their job and kept this game close long enough for the offense to break out. Legumina opened ahead of Seymour, tossing 1.2 innings. He surrendered the first run of the game in the bottom of the second and struck out one.

Seymour followed and provided 3.1 innings of two run baseball. He walked and struck out three. Kelly, Kimbrel, Cleavinger, and Baker combined to toss the final four innings. They allowed no runs and punched out seven.

Prior the eighth the Rays managed to score three runs. In the third, the Chandler Simpson singled home Mesa Jr. and Aranda to give the rays an early 2-1 lead. The following inning, Williamson hit his first homer of the season and extended the Rays lead to 3-1.

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The Angels bounced back and eventually tied the game in the fifth and the 3-3 score would hold until the eighth inning. Sam Bachman came on to replace Brent Suter and promptly issued a leadoff walk to Mullins. Caminero followed with a blast to left field, his fifteenth of the year.

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Leading 5- and with one out in the inning, Palacios doubled and later scored thanks to a two out RBI-single by Feduccia. Mesa Jr. then got in on the action and clubbed his second homerun of the season. The blast extended the Rays’ lead to 8-3.

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That score would hold and the Rays eventually left victorious. At the plate Arana, Mullins, and Mesa Jr. all tallied a pair of hits. In total, the Rays had eleven hits on the day along with four walks. they struck out only four times.

They Rays will face the Dodgers Monday night as Nick Martinez will pitch opposite Eric Lauer. The Dodgers will enter the night with a record of 45-27 while the Rays enter at 41-27. Both teams hold the second best record in their respective leagues. Should be a fun series.

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Mikal Bridges finally gets chip off his shoulder with Knicks title win: ‘I’m still here’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Mikal Bridges hugs a woman after the New York Knicks win the NBA Championship, Image 2 shows New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges reacts after hitting a three-point shot

SAN ANTONIO — Over the past two seasons, there has been no bigger lightning rod on the Knicks roster than Mikal Bridges.

He was an easy target for his inconsistency, but mostly because each of his performances was judged against the five first-round picks the Knicks used to get him from Brooklyn — picks that could have landed a superstar, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo.

But in the early hours of Sunday morning, Bridges wore a hat and shirt that declared him an NBA champion, taking sips of champagne after wiping away tears of joy. He was a vital piece of the Knicks’ first title team in 53 years, forever validating the trade that helped produce perhaps the most meaningful champion New York has ever seen.

“You talking about f–k them picks?” Bridges responded when asked about the constant criticism he’s received. “F–k ’em … I’m still here.”

If Leon Rose hadn’t traded for Bridges, he could’ve used those picks to acquire a greater talent. But it’s unlikely he would’ve found a better fit.

The chemistry was precise, reuniting Bridges — a two-time national champion at Villanova — with college teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, while bringing in a two-way talent who would sacrifice shots to contribute to a contender.

Mikal Bridges #25, getting a hug after the Knicks defeated the Spurs to win the NBA Championship. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Less than eight weeks ago, Bridges was set to be a scapegoat, following a scoreless effort against the Hawks in which he was benched and the Knicks moved two losses from a first-round exit. But Bridges won the fanbase back, becoming unrecognizably aggressive on both ends of the floor while shooting the lights out and shutting down a series of All-Star guards during their 13-game winning streak.

“The times I’ve been struggling, the fans were on me — the thing is about me, I want to always be better,” Bridges said. “So whatever, how they feel, I always want to be better. They keep pushing me and if they strongly believe that we have a chance every year and if they strongly believe I have a chance to be better, I’m already thinking about that.

“I appreciate the tough love. I know some fans might be a little bit crazier than others, but the ones that truly care, and want me to be better, don’t stop now. Just keep pushing me.

New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges reacts after hitting a three-point shot in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Jason Szenes for The New York Post

“I know sometimes I’ll struggle, this and that, but just know I’m going to keep working. If they keep egging me on and talking a little s–t, I’m pretty tough, I’ll be all right.”

In Game 2 of the NBA Finals, Bridges carried the offense when Brunson struggled, recording 20 points, six rebounds and six assists in the road win. In the championship clincher, Bridges was the second-leading scorer (14 points on 5-for-10 shooting), adding four assists and a late-game block.

The verdict is in.

“F–k them picks,” teammate Ariel Hukporti said. “F–k ’em. Look what we got … We got him out of Brooklyn. Look at him now, you’re a champion.

“Look at him now.” 

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Webb gem

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 14: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants reacts after right fielder Jung Hoo Lee #51 made a running catch at the wall to end the top of the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park on June 14, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s easy to forget how good pitching can help produce good hitting. The correlation isn’t always guaranteed, isn’t always direct or obvious, but every once and awhile those two different facets of the game sync for a team, and it becomes perfectly clear how much one needs, or feeds, off the other. 

Defenders are also hitters. The Giants field eight two-way players who not only watch, but prepare, for every pitch thrown by the pitching staff. Every missed fastball and spiked slider in every prolonged at-bat in every drawn-out inning takes its toll over a long game or long series. There’s a trickle down effect to all that standing around — it’s not just the pitcher who struggles. It’s hard for the other players to stay vigilant, to stay sharp as the mind wanders and the body tires. Errors are made. Mistakes seem to compound. Outfielders and infielders are like the rest of us, they’re fans of baseball. They love to be involved, to see action. Good pitching gets them gassed up!  

Jung Hoo Lee said as much about Logan Webb’s performance before his run-saving, wall-colliding catch in the 8th inning.

Webb had recorded 23 Chicago hitters in the game so far and wanted a 24th. At the time, the Giants had a three-run lead — but the Cubs had just scored their first run on a throwing error by first baseman Casey Schmitt, and threatened with a runner on second base. Webb’s pitch count had eclipsed the century mark. Manager Tony Vitello went out to the mound to go get his starter and was turned back by his starter. Webb wanted to finish the inning, and even in the far reaches of right field with the afternoon sun in his eyes, Lee could see that.

His teammate’s determination to right the ship was evident from the first frame when he got Pete Crow-Armstrong to swing through a fastball on the sixth pitch of the first at-bat of the game, then turned-two on a comebacker after back-to-back singles.

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All game Webb attacked the zone, refused to give into hitters, buckled down with runners on base. He struck out 7 without walking a batter. The last time a Giants starter not named Logan Webb had thrown six complete innings and not walked a batter was Landen Roupp on May 19th, nearly a month ago. The last time a Giants starter not named Logan Webb had even pitched six complete innings (to be clear, a pretty unremarkable feat) was Trevor McDonald on May 27th against Arizona, nearly two-and-a-half weeks ago. Webb had done it twice, throwing 7 shutout frames on June 3rd against Milwaukee, and throwing 8 innings of 1 run ball on June 8th against Washington. Over his entire MLB career, Webb had never thrown 8 complete innings in consecutive starts — until today, thanks to Jung Hoo Lee. 

Michael Busch lined a first-pitch 4-seamer towards the first archway in right. Lee booked it into the corner at the crack of the bat. One eye tracked the ball in flight, the other tried to ignore the disconcertedly solid brick wall that was fast-approaching. We all know the history there. Lee would’ve been forgiven if he pulled up short, not wanting to risk another shoulder injury, another season-ending collision with a stubborn vertical plane. Instead he risked it, secured the baseball, then got decked.

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Webb’s start didn’t need that 24th out to be vindicated — he had already gone above and beyond — but the fact that he insisted he stay on the hill, and Lee insisted on catching the baseball, wall be damned, is the kind of symbiosis this team has been lacking. 

Landen Roupp threw 105 laborious pitches and didn’t even make it through the 5th on Friday night. The offense responded with lackluster support, recording just 4 hits and 1 run. On Saturday, Trevor McDonald unraveled in the 4th, with three walks, one hit batter, and two wild pitches in a game in which the batting order managed just a single run again. The starters set a terrible tone. They sunk down into the muck and dragged the rest of the team with them. 

But behind a vintage Webb, the bats responded in kind. They didn’t necessarily look fierce, just dynamic, with balls in play to go along with walks and stolen bases and sac bunts. They blooped and blasted and blooped again. In other words, they got on base, got aggressive, and good things happened. 

San Francisco’s three-run 5th inning started with a single by Lee who took second on Daniel Susac’s bunt. The line-up had been hitless, 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position, over the weekend until Drew Gilbert’s bloop double to left.

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Then came the blast. 

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Matt Chapman’s seventh homer of the year was his sixth in June. He’s racked up 20 RBIs in the first two weeks of the month. His slash line in 54 plate appearances: .415/ .519/ .902.  

Chapman worked a lead-off walk in the 7th. Another sac bunt by Luis Arraez moved him to second to score on Bryce Eldridge’s RBI lob into left.

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In the 8th, Casey Schmitt stole second and was promptly knocked home by Susac single. 

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The offense looked focused for the most part. There wasn’t much hemming and hawing, not much dilly-dallying. They played off script by manufacturing some opportunities. They didn’t swing too big, or try to do it too much at once. Small ball, you know. When a runner moved into scoring position, the next guy up punched him home. Webb held the Cubs hitless in 6 at-bats with a runner in scoring position, and the Giants went 4-for-7. 

Sweep dodged!

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Sell Me On Your Favorite Jazz Draft Prospect

EL SEGUNDO, CA - MAY 04: Darryn Peterson looks on during his workout on May 04, 2026 at Meyer Institute Of Sport in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

It’s happening right now in the Utah Jazz front office. The front office is holding workouts with different players, reviewing notes from those workouts, discussing player rankings, and conducting background research. On top of that, they’re likely taking calls on the #2 pick from teams wanting to trade up, while also trying to figure out if there’s a way to move down if they want to get their guy one pick later.

Here’s my pitch for the guy I want the Jazz to take, Darryn Peterson.

  1. He’s the most talented player in the draft, and that set of talents includes incredible shooting:
    • Whether it’s off the bounce or on the catch, he’s a deadeye with a lightning release. But it goes beyond simply off the bounce or on the catch, Peterson has incredible body control and balance. He can pull up like SGA or prime Harden in the midrange with impressive stopping power and then pulls up for a soft-touch jumper. That body control comes into play at every spot on the floor. He’s Steph-esque with his ability to shoot it at any time, from any spot, and decimate the opponent.
  2. He’s a better passer than you think.
    • Yes, his 1.6:1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio has given the boxscore scouts ammo to claim he can’t make the plays necessary to win. He can make the corner pass, the pocket pass, the lob to the big, easy dumpoff. He consistently played within the offense and made the right play. The context of his passing is that the team wasn’t asking Peterson to constantly set up teammates, they were asking him to score. And if there’s one thing that Peterson can do at a spectacular level it’s score the ball. But don’t get it twisted, there is a part of Peterson’s game that will flourish with NBA spacing and NBA shooting around him, and that’s his passing. It would not be surprising to see him easily evolve into a 5+ assists per game player.
    • https://youtu.be/UXY7rAQIudY?si=nimACywY00adfguK&t=938
  3. He’s a great defensive player and would also add defensive identity to the Jazz.
    • Peterson averaged 1.4 steals per game in 29 minutes. It’s something that gets mentioned with everything he does, but he did that while dealing with injuries and the cramping issues that have been well documented. That ability to create turnovers likely gets better when he’s fully healthy and could become an even bigger weapon. Peterson has a fantastic wingspan that will allow him to fill passing lanes and tip the ball away from loose handles. It’ll create easy offense for Utah on top of everything else he does.
  4. Peterson gets to the line
    • Though he’s not as prolific as AJ Dybantsa getting to the line, manufacturing points at the line is definitely a part of his game. At 5.5 FTAs per game, Peterson is able to manufacture points that will make opponents wary of playing him too close. The issue there is Peterson’s needs just inches to get his shot off, so if the defender gives him space, he’s going to take advantage.

With the FanDuel odds putting AJ Dybantsa with the Wizards at #1, this is a very likely possibility for the Jazz.

Now it’s your turn. Sell me below who you think the Jazz should take at #2. If you want to talk AJ Dybantsa, that’s fine!

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Former Penguin Wins Stanley Cup For First Time In 17 Years, Awarded Conn Smythe

It was a magical run for a former Pittsburgh Penguin en route to a second-career Stanley Cup Championship. 

Carolina Hurricanes center and captain Jordan Staal - who was drafted second overall by the Penguins in 2006 and helped lead them to the franchise's third Stanley Cup championship in 2009 - celebrated with teammates on the ice Sunday as the Canes hoisted the Cup for the first time in 20 years.

Staal, 37, also became the oldest player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe after recording six goals and seven points in 6 Stanley Cup Final games. He also amassed the second-fewest playoff points, 12, to secure a Conn Smythe in history. 

The Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights by a score of 2-0 in Game 6 to win the franchise's second Stanley Cup, with the last being in 2006. They finished their impressive playoff run with only three losses - two of which came at the hands of Vegas in the Stanley Cup Final - with two series sweeps to begin their 2026 run. 

Coach Rod Brind'Amour won as a player in 2006 and, now, as a coach in 2026.

Jordan Staal Takes Home The Conn Smythe As Playoff MVPJordan Staal Takes Home The Conn Smythe As Playoff MVPFrom record-breaking faceoff dominance to a historic goal-scoring streak, the 37-year-old captain silenced elite opponents and fueled Carolina’s first championship run in two decades with a legendary performance.

This capped off Staal's 14th season with the Hurricanes after being dealt to Carolina from Pittsburgh in the summer of 2012 during his wedding. Carolina missed the playoffs for the first six seasons of Staal's tenure in Raleigh, and they haven't missed the playoffs in the eight seasons since.

During his six seasons with the Penguins, Staal registered 120 goals and 208 points spread across 431 regular season games, and he also recorded 36 playoff points. He had four goals and nine points - including a crucial, momentum-shifting shorthanded tally in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Detroit Red Wings - as part of the playoff run to the 2009 championship. 

Staal's Standout Stanley Cup Final Performance For Carolina Hurricanes Brings Back Memories Of Clutch Moments During Penguins' TenureStaal's Standout Stanley Cup Final Performance For Carolina Hurricanes Brings Back Memories Of Clutch Moments During Penguins' TenureOnce upon a time, Carolina Hurricanes center and captain Jordan Staal was delivering clutch moments for the Pittsburgh Penguins in their quest for a Stanley Cup.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!   

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From captain to coach: Rod Brind’Amour’s two Stanley Cups with the Hurricanes, 20 years apart

Rod Brind'Amour celebrates with the Stanley Cup on Sunday.Photograph: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Rod Brind’Amour is made for the playoffs. The Carolina Hurricanes coach made his NHL debut in the postseason in 1989, filling in for the St Louis Blues in a game against the Minnesota North Stars. He scored on his first shot. Still, it took him 17 seasons in the NHL before he hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2006 as captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, the team he has now led to another Cup win as head coach. “The fear of losing motivates you a lot of times,” he told reporters after that 2006 Cup win.

Wherever the motivation came from this year, the result is the same. The Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6 on Sunday to win the Stanley Cup for the second time in franchise history, exactly 20 years since they did it last.

Back in 2006, the Hurricanes were a semi-surprise entrant into the Final, having failed to qualify for the playoffs in each of the two seasons preceding the 2004-05 lockout (their prior trip to the postseason, in 2001-02, took them to the Final, which they lost to Detroit in five games). The history of the 2026 Hurricanes was different. Carolina’s Metropolitan division is a weird one, with the teams’ geographic proximity typically reflected in the tight standings. Season to season it’s difficult to predict exactly who will make the postseason (other than maybe Columbus). It’s a knife fight every time.

Except for the Hurricanes. In recent years, they’ve floated above the gyre but simultaneously drawn skepticism about whether they are actually any good, or just good versus the Metro. It was an earned reputation, as they lost in the Eastern finals in 2019, 2023, and 2025. The Hurricanes seemed to have enough gas to dominate the Metro and squeeze through a couple of postseason rounds, but that was where it always ended. What made 2026 different was then maybe not the fear of losing – how could they be? Part of what changed for the 2026 Hurricanes was a decision one of the Vegas Golden Knights made in the spring of 2025.

It’s weird to call Mitch Marner a breakout star of the playoffs since he’s been in the NHL for a decade, but that is essentially what he was. In this, his first season with Vegas, Marner posted 10 goals and 19 assists in the playoffs. His next closest total playoff point tally was 14 in 2023 when the Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Florida Panthers in the second round. Last spring, the Leafs offered to trade Marner to Carolina, but he declined. Missing out on Marner, Carolina pivoted and sent Mikko Rantanen to Dallas for Logan Stankoven. In the process, Carolina banked picks and cap space and ultimately secured Nikolaj Ehlers from Winnipeg. As good as Marner was for Vegas, he didn’t quite outdo Stankoven and Ehlers, who combined for 15 and 17 points respectively, giving Carolina more offensive depth than they had before. On Sunday night in Vegas, Stankoven’s line gave Carolina the 2-0 lead and the insurance they ultimately needed to win.

But that the Hurricanes of all teams might be taken seriously at all by someone like Marner – an offensive talent with options – would have been a surprise to most people who saw the team land in Raleigh in 1997. One of the few remaining World Hockey Association franchises, the Hartford Whalers left Connecticut in 1997 after plummeting revenues and a dispute with the local government over a stadium (a familiar NHL tale). As with other moves to infiltrate the Southern US markets, many saw the relocation as a major gamble, made riskier by the fact that North Carolina’s affinity for college basketball all but ruled out, it was assumed, much room for too many other sports.

Sure enough, when the Hurricanes hit the ice in North Carolina, it was to a half-empty Greensboro Coliseum, which was a 90-minute drive from Raleigh, making the Hurricanes first season “one long, strange 82-game road trip,” as Sports Illustrated put it at the time. The Hurricanes “are like some down-on-its-luck country band playing in front of small crowds, in a small city, with no home and no hope.” The team’s name was the only thing about it that made sense, the magazine continued, “because thus far the NHL’s incursion into tobacco country has been a natural disaster.”

Brind’Amour changed that. The Hurricanes had been looking at Brind’Amour for a while – his name was floated as early as October 1997 as a possible trade for goalie Sean Burke, even as he had another two-and-a-half years in Philadelphia as a Flyer. Brind’Amour’s first few months with the Hurricanes were rocky, but he gradually became a fit. And post-lockout, he brought a renewed sense of purpose to his game. “I’ve been fortunate, so I’ve never taken a day for granted in this league,” Brind’Amour said back in 2006. At 35, he likely knew then that the window to win a Cup was closing, compounded by the lockout. “That has been the approach I’ve always had … We’re pretty fortunate to play this game for a living and we all know the importance of it.”

This year, it was captain Jordan Staal who hoisted the Cup first for the Hurricanes. Staal, 37, has been with the organization since 2012 and his relationship with Brind’Amour is credited as key to Carolina’s ongoing success. Staal had the best postseason of his career this spring, notching eight goals and four assists – good enough to earn him the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. In a post-game interview, Staal coincidentally [or maybe not] echoed Brind’Amour’s sentiment from 20 years ago. “Good time to get hot, eh?” he said when asked to explain how to account for his playoff performance. “I just wanted to win. I just wanted to win so bad.”

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A.J. Ewing continues to show why abrupt Mets promotion was the right move

New York Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing (9) after hitting a solo home run.
New York Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing (9) solo home run during the fifth inning when the New York Mets played the Atlanta Braves Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Citi Field in Queens, NY.

A.J. Ewing showed again Sunday why the Mets were aggressive in calling him up from the minors when they needed a center fielder earlier this year.

The 21-year-old helped lead them to an 8-1 win over Atlanta at Citi Field, coming up just a triple shy of the cycle.

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Ewing has consistently impressed with his speed and defense, but his offense has been choppy, and he began Sunday with just one hit in his prior 11 at-bats.

But against Atlanta, he delivered an opposite-field double in a four-run first inning, hit a single to center in the third and then a homer to right in the fifth.

Carlos Mendoza called Ewing’s performance at the plate versus tough Atlanta right-hander Bryce Elder “impressive.”

“I just want to be myself and stay as simple as possible,’’ Ewing said.

“It shows how he handles stuff, especially after a couple of tough games,’’ the manager said.

New York Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing (9) solo home run during the fifth inning when the New York Mets played the Atlanta Braves Sunday, June 14, 2026 at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Mendoza likened Ewing to fellow rookie outfielder Carson Benge in that both have been able to maintain level heads despite going through the ups and downs of their first season in the majors.

“Similar to Carson, you can’t tell if he went 0-fer or had a good game,’’ Mendoza said. “It’s his ability to stay consistent. He’s gonna use the whole field. He hit a homer to the pull side, play defense and run the bases. He’s a mature guy and is learning, adjusting and developing at the big league level.”

In the never-ending game of musical chairs that is the Mets rotation, Tobias Myers is scheduled to start Monday’s series opener against the Reds in Cincinnati, Mendoza said.

Myers has been at Triple-A Syracuse, where he pitched 2 ²/₃ innings and threw 36 pitches Thursday.

Despite the somewhat limited action, Mendoza said Myers could be stretched out a bit.

New York Mets pitcher Tobias Myers (32) reacts after ending the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field, Monday, May 25, 2026, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“He’s gonna go,’’ Mendoza said when asked if Myers would be used just as an opener. “We’ll see how the game unfolds. We’ve got a pitch count in mind.”

After that, Mendoza said the Mets would figure out the next two games in Cincinnati, although Christian Scott and Nolan McLean are lined up for them.

Myers, acquired along with Freddy Peralta from Milwaukee in the offseason, hasn’t pitched more than two innings in a game in the majors since going 2 ²/₃ on May 2.

President of baseball operations David Stearns said Friday that Myers’ “role is going to be whatever we actually need at that point. … He could pitch at the front of games, it could be more in the swing capacity that we saw at points this year.’’

Coming off an ugly start in his previous outing, Peralta allowed three hits to open Sunday’s game, as the Braves pounced on his four-seam fastball.

So Peralta and catcher Luis Torrens shifted, and he used his four-seamer less, and his curveball, slider and sweeper more.

It helped Peralta get through five innings, although he needed 90 pitches to do so.

“I was able to make pitches when I needed to,’’ Peralta said. “I was looking forward to [pitching] at least six, but some things happened.” 

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Hurricanes’ relentless defense shuts out Golden Knights to capture first Stanley Cup title in 20 years

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows The Carolina Hurricanes celebrate a win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final, Image 2 shows Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour holding the Stanley Cup with his team, Image 3 shows Carolina Hurricanes player Nikolaj Ehlers celebrates an empty-net goal

LAS VEGAS — Carolina spent the first part of the Stanley Cup Final surviving, finding ways to overcome deficits and play a high-scoring game that didn’t fit the Hurricanes’ typical style.

But when it came down to doing what it takes to win the Cup, the Hurricanes’ defense put its stamp on this series, shutting down the Vegas Golden Knights and not letting up.

The Hurricanes held Vegas to five total goals in Games 4 and 5 and used a suffocating defense in a 3-0 shutout in Sunday night’s clinching Game 6 to win their first championship in 20 years.

“That’s a lot of years,” said Carolina center Jordan Staal, who received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. “It’s amazing. This is something I’ve been going after ever since we got the first one. You want to win it again and again and again. What a feeling, what a battle. The boys were grinding today, my goodness. So many individual efforts just to keep the puck out of our net. It was an amazing ride. I’m just so proud of these guys.”

The Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after a win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. AP Photo/John Locher

Brandon Bussi, who entrance late into Game 3 helped turn around the series for Carolina, recorded his first career playoff shutout in stopping 22 shots. Jackson Blake had a goal and assist, and Taylor Hall scored just 3:47 into the game to set the tone. Nikolaj Ehlers added an empty-net goal.

“Your mind wanders the last couple of days and wonder what it may be like out here (on ice after winning) and it’s better than I could have expected,” Hall said. “My career has taken a lot of different turns, but to end up here with this group of guys and to do this is amazing.”

The Golden Knights, who made an unlikely run just to reach the final, struggled badly to muster any kind of offense in Game 6 and went 18:37 between shots on goal in the second and third periods. Playing in their third Cup final, this is the first time they have been shut out.

This clinching game was what many observers expected the series to be like between the defensive-minded teams, but each side watched leads of two-plus goals disappear in the first three games.

Now, the Cup belongs to the Hurricanes, led by coach Rod Brind’Amour, who also captained Carolina to its 2006 title.

This was the first game of the series that Vegas goalie Carter Hart didn’t allow four goals in a game. He finished with 20 saves.

The Hurricanes began to assume control of the series after falling behind by the score of 4-0 in Game 3. They came back force overtime, and though the Canes lost, they outplayed the Golden Knights from there on out.

Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour celebrates holding the Stanley Cup after the win against the Vegas Golden Knights in game six of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena. Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

Reflecting the do-or-die situation for the Golden Knights, they made several lineup changes, with Brett Howden replacing the injured William Karlsson at second-line center. Mitch Marner could have moved there, but remained at right wing.

Original Golden Knight Reilly Smith made his Cup final debut at third-line right wing, and Braeden Bowman made his playoff debut at fourth-line right wing. Kaedan Korczak replaced Dyland Coghlan on the third defensive pairing.

This title is a testament to Carolina’s resilience as a franchise that kept coming close to winning the Eastern Conference, but couldn’t quite get through until now.

Brind’Amour made sure the Hurricanes kept getting back up after losing in the conference final twice in the past three years and three times in their current eight-year playoff run. The talent was clearly there, but there was always a stumbling block.

Not anymore.

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Nikolaj Ehlers (27) celebrates after scoring an empty-net goal during the third period in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. AP Photo/John Locher

After dispatching Montreal in five games to make the final, the Brind’Amour-led Hurricanes then faced perennial power Vegas and took care of business there, too. Now, he will get his name on the Cup for the second time.

So will 37-year-old Staal, who also won the title in 2009 with Pittsburgh. He planted himself in front of Hart and dared the Golden Knights to knock him out of the way. Staal scored in each of the first five Cup final games, the first time that has happened.

The Hurricanes got off to a fast start with a goal just 25 seconds into Game 1, only to lose 5-4 on a late goal from Tomas Hertl. And the Golden Knights were on the verge of taking complete control as minutes ticked down in Game 2 while holding a 2-0 lead and appearing as if they would take a two-game advantage back home.

Then, it all changed. Carolina showed a fight that not only brought the Hurricanes back into the series by rallying to win 4-3 in overtime on Seth Jarvis’ one-timer, but would serve as their signature throughout the series.

The Carolina Hurricanes celebrates after a win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series, Sunday, June 14, 2026, in Las Vegas. AP Photo/Candice Ward

That was especially true the following game when the Golden Knights took a 4-0 lead into the third period and the Canes seemed to have no answers. Brind’Amour even appeared to wave the white flag by removing goalie Frederik Andersen and replacing him with Bussi.

But the Hurricanes weren’t simply trying to get to Game 4. They sent a message, going on a remarkable rally to force overtime. Though Carolina lost, it was inflection point, with Bussi backstopping a team that was only growing stronger. Carolina then went on to win the next two games and moved within a victory of the championship.

The Hurricanes got it done against the Golden Knights team that was on a heater after John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy with eight games left in the regular season. Vegas then went from third in the Pacific Division to first, knocked off Utah and Anaheim in six games apiece in the playoffs and shockingly swept Presidents’ Trophy-winning Colorado to win the West.

Now, the Golden Knights have some notable questions to ask, including at the top of the list whether to make Tortorella a full-time coach. He didn’t have any guarantees of coaching in Vegas beyond this season, but getting to the Cup final is a good argument to run it back.

Golden Knights management will make the final call on that, and they don’t always follow league norms.

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Hurricanes star Jordan Staal wins Conn Smythe Trophy as Stanley Cup playoff MVP

Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal tied an NHL playoff record when he scored in each of the first five games of the Stanley Cup Final.

That led to him winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after the Hurricanes defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in a near-perfect Game 6 on Sunday, June 14. Carolina won the series 4-2 for their first Stanley Cup championship since 2006.

At age 37, Staal became the oldest player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Beyond the goal streak and the record, Staal was a defensive stalwart in the playoffs, shutting down Vegas star Jack Eichel among others.

Staal's streak, which ended in Game 6, tied him with Hall of Famers Yyan Cournoyer, Jean Beliveau, Maurice "Rocket" Richard and Fred "Cyclone" Taylor.

Staal picked up the second Stanley Cup title in his career. He also won with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, setting the mark for longest stretch between championships at 17 years. The previous mark of 16 years was held by Chris Chelios (1986 to 2002).

He got to lift the Stanley Cup first this time as Hurricanes captain. He handed off to Frederik Andersen, who helped the Hurricanes reach the final with stellar play in the first three rounds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jordan Staal wins Conn Smythe Trophy after Hurricanes win Stanley Cup

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Knicks let loose in championship festivities after months of hypnotic focus and resiliency

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates with teammates after winning the 2026 NBA Finals, Image 2 shows New York Knicks owner James Dolan celebrates with his team and the championship trophy, Image 3 shows Jalen Brunson with his father, Rick Brunson, celebrating the Knicks' NBA Championship win

The 53-year wait was over. But there was still a bit of business to attend to before Jalen Brunson could begin to celebrate.

It was fitting. He finished the job the same way he conducted himself throughout the whole process.

With class. With humility. With champion identity.

Immediately after the final buzzer of the Knicks’ 94-90 Game 5 win over the Spurs on Saturday night at the Frost Bank Center, which secured their first championship since 1973, Brunson — as euphoria erupted around him — made his way from the bench over to Spurs coach Mitch Johnson to shake hands and exchange a few words. Brunson had not yet smiled or exhaled. Sportsmanship came first.

It wasn’t until Brunson’s dad, Rick, grabbed him by the shoulder that the weight of the moment hit him. That he fully grasped what he and the Knicks had just done.

“I turned around and my dad was there, and I felt emotional from that point on,” Brunson said. “Then I just remember Josh [Hart] talking into my ear, and him just saying, like, ‘We did it! We did it!’ And then I was emotional for a good, like, five, 10 minutes, and then the excitement started to kick in.”

That’s when the party truly kicked off.

It wouldn’t be long until the BAC levels rose. Until Ariel Hukporti made himself the MVP of the festivities. Until Jeremy Sochan’s shirt came off and stayed off. Until coach Mike Brown was barking, “Who let the dogs out?!”

Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates on the court with his teammates after becoming the 2026 NBA Finals Champions. Jason Szenes for the New York Post

By the time media got into the Knicks locker room, it immediately brought back memories of the mornings after frat parties in college — the wet and sticky floors, the empty bottles (Michelob Ultra beers, Moët & Chandon champagne and Patrón tequila were the main choices) and wafts of cigar smoke. Everyone was scattered around the bowels of the arena — between the locker room, the court, the interview rooms and the hallways in between.

The players and coaches with kids held them in their arms. The ones who didn’t held their drinks. Ben Stiller held something different — Brown’s whiteboard, given to him as a souvenir. Stiller grasped it tightly as if someone was going to try to steal it at any moment.

This was a team that was obsessively locked in the entire postseason. They would hardly even acknowledge their series leads or the unprecedented nature of their dominance. They repeated “0-0” as if they were hypnotized.

It was as if a burden on all of their shoulders was suddenly lifted.

James Dolan celebrates with his team after becoming the 2026 NBA Finals Champions. Jason Szenes for the New York Post

“People don’t understand, we don’t really talk about it, the weight of that jersey, the expectations, the pressure of that jersey,” Hart said. “And, today, right now, it’s the lightest it’s ever felt.”

The rowdiest of the group were a few who almost never saw the court — Hukporti, Sochan, Mohamed Diawara and Pacôme Dadiet. They crashed the stars’ news conferences. They tried making half-court shots with the golden championship balls everyone was given. They playfully told their teammates it was enough family time and not enough party time.

When Mikal Bridges was speaking, Hukporti repeated “f–k them picks” a few times, a shot at all those who criticized the Knicks’ decision to send five first-rounders to the Nets to acquire Bridges.

“I got something to say,” Hukporti said. “You guys still listening? About them picks — we’re not leaving — man, we got him out of Brooklyn! Look at him now, you’re a champion! Look at him now. Everybody doubting your s–t. Ain’t take nobody from me. Hey, f–k them picks! F–k them picks!”

Jalen Brunson #11, with his dad Rick Brunson, after the Knicks defeated the Spurs to win the NBA Championship. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

OG Anunoby, the hero of Game 4, walked around with sunglasses glued to his head and a stoic demeanor stuck on his face. Karl-Anthony Towns, the one who carried the Larry O’Brien Trophy off of the court, called him “Mr. Aura.”

But Towns also shared a few more serious moments, reflecting on his late mother, who passed during the pandemic, and his father, who has made it a point to be there for every step of his journey.

“Shoutout to him and to my mom, too,” Towns said, “because she had a lot of hours where they didn’t see me and trusted in me, and my pops was really putting it in at work and was trusting that we were going to make something special out of this.”

Back on the court, Sochan had taken control of the Knicks’ social media team’s camera and was following Hart. The two bickered about Arsenal and Chelsea, like they did for countless hours in the locker room throughout the year. Eventually, Hart begged Sochan to “leave me alone.”

And it all ended the way it started — with Brunson showing his and this Knicks team’s character.

When he got to the podium, he rhetorically asked, “Do I be myself, or do I talk my s–t?”

Of course, he chose the former. The question came about Becky Hammon’s now-infamous claim that Brunson would never be good enough to be the best player on a title team. Brunson could have used the moment as an opportunity for long-awaited gloating.

“I didn’t respond to them then,” Brunson said, “and I’m damn sure not going to respond to them now.”

The celebrations were cathartic. But, true to this team’s identity, they let their play talk loudest.