NEW YORK (AP) — Drew Doughty had a goal and two assists, and Artemi Panarin added a power-play goal and an assist as the Los Angeles Kings beat the New York Rangers 6-3 on Monday night.
The Kings won for the third time in their last four games — all on the road — after going winless over their first six games of the season.
Los Angeles jumped on New York early, chasing goaltender James Reimer after one period. Reimer was pulled in his Rangers debut after allowing three goals on eight shots. Reimer played just one previous game this fall, a 35-save shutout in the American Hockey League on Saturday night, before signing an NHL contract for the rest of the season.
Taylor Ward opened the scoring 1:15 into the game on the Kings’ first shot. Brandt Clarke made it 2-0 at 4:52 of the first, tipping in a rebound off Joel Armia's slap shot.
J.T. Miller got New York on the board when a Tye Kartye slap shot deflected off his skate and past Darcy Kuemper.
Mikey Anderson and Ward added second-period goals for the Kings before Adam Fox cut the deficit to 5-2 on the power play with 6:55 to play in the second. Kartye got the Rangers within two at 16:08 of the third period, before Joel Edmundson scored in an empty net for his first goal of the season for Los Angeles.
Kuemper made 23 saves to pick up his third win of the season. After replacing Reimer, Dylan Garand stopped 15 of the 17 shots he faced.
A moment of silence was held prior to puck drop for 1970s and ’80s Rangers fan favorite Ron Duguay, who died last week.
Up Next
Kings: At Chicago on Tuesday night.
Rangers: Host Edmonton on Sunday night.
Highlights
J.T. Miller gets the Rangers on the board! https://t.co/ZmQR7YPT29
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 26: Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards shoots a three point basket during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 26, 2026 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Washington Wizards lost to the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, 110-103.
Despite winning in the field goal percentage battle, the Hornets outrebounded the Wizards, 54-41 which helped Charlotte to a 3-1 start for their 2026-27 season. The Wizards are currently 2-2.
Anthony Davis led Washington with 29 points while Brandon Miller led Charlotte with 39 points. It’s a disappointing loss, especially with AJ Dybantsa missing tonight’s game due to an ankle sprain from the preseason. However, he will ultimately be ready. And that’s the Dybantsa we’re waiting for, not for one game but for this season and beyond.
The Wizards’ next game is on Wednesday when they play the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tip off is at 7 p.m. ET. See you then.
Steve Stone and John Schriffen posed before their first regular season game together, on March 28, 2024. Believe it or not, this awkward photo represented the high point of Schriffen’s White Sox career. | (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
October 26, 2005, is a date that will forever live in the hearts of White Sox fans. An out-of-nowhere, 99-win juggernaut ended an 88-year World Series drought.
Now, 21 years later, a shorter but still ignominious era ended not with a bang, but a soft rawr.
The entirely-predictable has finally happened, as the White Sox play-by-play broadcaster John Schriffen’s contract was not extended by the White Sox, and 2026 will be the last of perhaps the strangest three-year stretch in White Sox broadcasting history.
There will be many of Schriffen’s defenders putting out their lamentations at the quick and seemingly unfair ending to a young broadcaster’s career in Chicago. This, however, will not be one of them.
Schriffen was perhaps the worst broadcaster not only in White Sox history, but perhaps in all of MLB annals. Now of course, there’s no comparing him to men who threw their careers away with a flippant or careless slur … as Castellanos hits a drive into left-field for a home run. That will make it a 4-0 game … but Schriffen is going out in a way that seems somewhat quaint and old-fashioned in today’s viral cancellation climate.
He was just bad at his job.
Looking back, John came into this role at the worst and lowest point in this franchise’s history. The 2020-21 championship window had shut as quickly as it had been open. The 2023 team had just wrapped up the first of three consecutive 100+ loss seasons. So naturally, Jerry Reinsdorf decided that uber-talented, multi-network PBP man across multiple sports and Chicagoland native White Sox fan Jason Benetti was just taking too much of Jerry’s precious airtime doing Friday Night Baseball on Apple or Sunday Nights on ESPN and let Jason out of his contract early…ONLY FOR HIM TO IMMEDIATELY BE HIRED BY THE GO**AMNED DETROIT TIGERS (who, ironically, just extended Benetti’s contract at the end of the 2026 season).
And who, pray tell, did Jerry decide was the best choice to take over this mantle?
John Schriffen. A broadcaster with experience calling downballot ESPN the Ocho-level sporting events. And in an eerie recall of Ozzie Guillén’s expedited quitting (leading to a lethargic Robin Ventura dimming his status in fan memories with an unmemorable four-year stint, including a breathtaking September collapse in 2012), this was John’s first year ever as a lead PBP man in the majors.
Now, could I have been a little bitter and upset at this man being gifted a position that was the best thing going for the organization? Yes. No doubt. Could I have accepted John as the new guy if he was even just replacement-level quality behind the mic? Eventually, yes.
The moment I knew Schriffen was going to be an abject failure was during the Spring Training of the Year That We Must Never Speak Of, as the Sox were in a very long losing streak, and some Sox player with a uniform number in the 90s got a walk-off hit for the first win of the spring. And Schriffen uttered the phrase that will probably be burned into my brain until I pass away and my atoms are spread across the universe:
SOUTH SIDE! STAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNDDDDD UPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!
It was February. The Sox were terrible, and about to make history proving just how terrible they could be. And John decided that this was THE moment. Drop the catch phrase that would become the next “Put it on the Board!” and cement his legacy among the greats.
It did not.
There were so many more moments: Hyping up Tommy Pham’s outburst in Milwaukee (We ain’t taking that!), wondering out loud that maybe the Sox were just catching teams at the wrong time (said during one of the multiple 10+ losing streaks in 2024 and getting a classic deadpan reaction from Stoney), Bill VEEck (as in EEK), the flame war with multiple Score radio hosts, dropping a giant nacho helmet in the booth on camera (I thought Jerry hated having his broadcasters eat on company time?), and, well, this has already gone on long enough.
No wait, I have one more. The moment when everyone knew it was over-over. On a bright Sunday afternoon in Kansas City, the best Sox team to come out of absolutely nowhere in years, one win away from clinching a playoff spot no one could have predicted … and who is on the call for a potential clinching win?
Steve Stone and … Connor McKnight.
Schriffen was the wrong guy, at the worst time.
He was nice to me and my dog on Dog Day, but I will not apologize for being glad he will not be calling games for my favorite baseball team.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Ziaire Williams is the team’s first player to be fined during the 2026-27 season. NBAE via Getty Images
The incident occured at the 4:44 mark of the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ comeback win over the Jazz on Sunday at Delta Center when Williams, with the Lakers down 114-113, exaggerated contact from Keyonte George during the Jazz guard’s drive to the basket.
George attempted a pull-up midrange shot that would’ve put the Jazz up by three points.
Ziaire Williams will have to pay a $2,000 fine for flopping during Sunday’s win over the Jazz. NBAE via Getty Images
Instead, the former Baylor Bear was called for an offensive foul, with the Lakers getting possession of the ball.
The Lakers didn’t score on the ensuing possession.
And the Jazz did eventually take a 116-113 lead after Lauri Markkanen made a pair of free throws with 4:17 remaining.
But Luka Doncic took over the game from there, knocking down a trio of 3-pointers and making four free throws late in the game for the league’s first 50-point game of the season (Doncic finished with 52 points).
Ziaire Williams finished with 11 points in the win over the Jazz. NBAE via Getty Images
Flopping is one of the league’s points of emphasis to start the season.
While Williams is the first Lakers play to be fined this season for any reason, he’s the third player to be assessed a postgame flopping fine just one week into the regular season.
Boston’s Paul George and Milwaukee’s Kasparas Jakučionis (twice) have also been fined for flopping this season.
PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 17: Jrue Holiday #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles the ball as Jake Laravia #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers plays defense during the game on January 17, 2026 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Soobum Im/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Lakers (3-0) are back home where they will host the Portland Trail Blazers (2-0) on Tuesday. This will be the first night of a back-to-back for the purple and gold.
Start time and TV schedule
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Portland Trail Blazers
When: 8 p.m. PT, Oct 27
Where: Crypto.com Arena
Watch: NBC, Spectrum Sportsnet
The Lakers’ third win of the season felt very different from their first two. Not only did they survive a slow start on the road, but also an underwhelming showing from Walker Kessler, who the Utah Jazz contained very well. Led by Luka Dončić’s mesmerizing 52-point game, it was Los Angeles’ first time performing in the clutch.
Speaking of Luka, can we take a moment to just appreciate his performance? The reigning scoring champion cooked up the first 50-burger of the young NBA season. This is one of the cleanest shot charts we’re ever going to see.
Dončić was superb, but so was Austin Reaves, who had 29 points. The Lakers’ performance wasn’t perfect. They gave up 52 rebounds, 20 of which were offensive boards. The Jazz also scored 34 points off second opportunities and produced 58 points inside the paint. The purple and gold’s defense left a lot to be desired but that’s something that can be worked on. After all, there’s so much basketball to be played.
The goal for the Lakers at this time of the season is to stack as many wins as possible while continuously getting better and they’ve been doing just that thus far.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles will stumble upon a Blazers team that’s also had a strong start to its season. They’re a team that’s aiming to turn last season’s unexpected playoff breakthrough into something sustainable, headlined by their dynamic backcourt in Damian Lillard and Ja Morant.
Lillard is showing encouraging signs after an Achilles injury while Morant looks healthy and determined to be great this season. On top of that, they also have Deni Avdija, who is the team’s No. 1 option. Avdija is averaging 22 points, 8.5 rebounds and 5 assists across two games.
Coming off four days of rest, the Blazers should be ready to go. After opening the season with a dominant 41-point win over the Phoenix Suns before grinding out a clutch victory against the Sacramento Kings, Portland will look to keep its momentum rolling. They can really score the ball, so the Lakers’ defense has to be significantly better in this one.
The Blazers will likely assign Jrue Holiday and Toumani Camara — two of the best defensive players in the game — to Dončić and Reaves. How the Lakers navigate Portland’s elite perimeter defense will be worth watching. Ideally, with opposing defenses keying in on Dončić and Reaves, a bounce-back game from Kessler and a collective effort from the role players would go a long way.
The victory over Utah provided solid preparation for the Lakers’ upcoming clash with Portland. The Blazers figure to be a tougher matchup, but Los Angeles’ early-season record suggests that they can hold their own against any opponent.
Let’s see if the Lakers remain undefeated against the Blazers on Tuesday.
Notes and Updates
For the Lakers’ injury report, Cameron Carr (right oblique strain), Adou Thiero (left knee effusion) are out.
As for the Blazers, Shaedon Sharpe (right meniscus surgery) is out. Branden Carlson (concussion protocol) and Scoot Henderson (left ankle soreness) are questionable.
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Kessel (4) controls the puck in front of Dallas Stars center Colin Blackwell (15) during the third period of an NHL hockey game at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Three goals should be enough for the Islanders to win on a given night, Pete DeBoer said, but there are two issues with that.
First, the Islanders are falling short of three goals per game. And second, while it might be true that three goals gives you a good chance every night, it leaves little margin for error.
So, how to address a 5-on-5 offense that’s lagged behind, even while the Islanders rank eighth in high-danger chances per 60 minutes, per Natural Stat Trick? It’s not a straightforward answer for a team that, simultaneously, feels it is due for better puck luck and that it has a lot of runway to improve.
New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Kessel (4) controls the puck in front of Dallas Stars center Colin Blackwell (15) during the third period of an NHL hockey game at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“There’s always teams at the end of the year that, that gap [between chances and goals] never closes,” DeBoer said after his team held a detail-oriented practice Monday in Nashville, where they’ll face the Predators Tuesday night. “But you can’t coach the puck into the net. I think our idea here is that we continue to tilt the ice, if we continue to win that battle, if we continue to put up those underlying numbers, then we’ll score enough.”
The Islanders probably can expect some positive regression; after all, Sunday’s 6-3 loss to the Stars was only their 11th game of the season, and the sloppy performance in Dallas was an outlier.
Still, a note of caution on taking the high-danger chance number as gospel: the expected goals models at both Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey have the Islanders offense much lower-rated at 5-on-5, 17th and 19th, respectively. They haven’t generated many looks in the home plate area around the net, and they know that their offense needs improvement.
“Sometimes just isn’t sharp enough,” Emil Heineman told The Post. “Passes or whatever it is, it’s not crisp, or maybe we’ve been talking a lot to hold onto the puck a little bit more in the O-zone. Not just send it and [make] hope plays. Stuff like that.”
Much of what the Islanders have done well has been without the puck. Sunday aside, their defense and neutral-zone structure have been excellent, leading to a consistent ice tilt in their favor and, in turn, scoring chances.
Even if they’re never going to be a scoring-rich team, that can be enough on a lot of nights. Especially given that the power play has largely cooperated so far.
Emil Heineman (51) of the New York Islanders handles the puck against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. NHLI via Getty Images
“We’re creating a lot of good offense. It’s just a matter of it going in for us and obviously, us bearing down in front of the net,” Bo Horvat told The Post. “Capitalizing on our opportunities is gonna be big for us. For the most part, we’re doing a good job of creating. Last game wasn’t our best and we know that.”
If the Islanders aren’t retrieving pucks, winning battles along the walls and generating a consistent forecheck, offensive issues that can get pushed below the surface otherwise start to bubble up.
That was evident Sunday, when the Islanders were held to just seven high-danger chances at 5-on-5 and never generated pressure for more than a shift at a time.
Given the lack of high-end scorers on their roster, the Islanders need their offense to be based on constant pressure that wears teams down. Creating that was much of the focus Monday, with a practice that seemed based largely on scenarios they struggled with in Dallas.
“It’s looking for the right thing but also being in support of each other,” Kyle Palmieri told The Post. “Knowing where your outs are. When you have the opportunity to keep plays alive, sometimes when you get them trying to break out, it keeps [the other team] out of their structure, too. It’s a process that we’ve been building.”
The Dodgers fell short of the ultimate goal, but it was a special final run for Miguel Rojas.
Rojas spent the past four seasons in Los Angeles, where he emerged as a clubhouse leader and beloved veteran. The recently-retired infielder named four Dodgers teammates that are his closest friends: Kiké Hernández, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts and Max Muncy.
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas carry in the back to back World Series trophies at the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Carlin Stiehl for CA Post
“We’re called the viejitos because they started calling us the dinosaurs, old players, old guys. They didn’t know if we could still do it,” Rojas said on MLB Network.
“In some form, we showed the world that we were able to do it.”
Rojas returned to the Dodgers for a second stint in 2023 and played a key role for the back-to-back World Series titles. Most notably, Rojas hit the game-tying home run in Game 7 of the 2025 Fall Classic.
While LA couldn’t three-peat, the Dodgers’ aging roster proved it could be one of the best teams in the National League with 100-regular season wins.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Miguel Rojas, left, celebrates with first baseman Enrique Hernández after a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants. AP Photo/Jeff ChiuDodgers second baseman Miguel Rojas reaches first base on a walk in the second inning of an MLB game. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
The Dodgers World Series hero will play in special games for the team on Nov. 14 and 15 at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
Rojas won’t be apart of the Dodgers in 2027, but Freeman, Betts and Muncy will continue spearheading the clubhouse leadership cemented by Rojas. There’s also Hernandez returns to LA as a free agent this offseason.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 16: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors hugs Stephen Curry #30 before their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center on October 16, 2026 in San Francisco, 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s time for Game No. 4 of the Golden State Warriors season … and hopefully, Win No. 1. It won’t be easy, though, as the Dubs are taking on superstar Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets, on the road.
There’s good news, though: the Dubs are getting some reinforcements. After not playing Steph Curry, Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemski, or Al Horford in Saturday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, all four of those players are off the injury report in this one.
Here’s the full injury report for both squads:
Warriors
Out — Kristaps Porziņģis(not with team)
No news is emphatically not good news in the case of Kristaps Porziņģis. It does feel like we’ve seen the last of him wearing a Warriors jersey, but that might be pessimistic of me. We’re still waiting for an update … any update.
Out — Jimmy Butler III (right ACL repair surgery) Out — Moses Moody (left patellar tendon repair surgery)
Nothing new for either of these two. They’ll be out for a few more months, at the minimum.
Available — Gui Santos (left knee tendinitis) Available — Charles Bassey (right patellar tendinopathy) Available — Brandon Williams (left low back soreness)
Santos, Bassey, and Williams all played on Saturday, and Bassey and Williams in particular player quite well. They’re not 100%, but they’re good to go for this game.
Nuggets
Out — Julian Strawther (left knee sprain)
Strawther, who was taken 29th overall in 2023, figures to play a huge role on Denver’s team this year. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in camp, and will likely be out until sometime around early December.
Out — Spencer Jones (bilateral hamstring injury management)
Jones, who went undrafted out of Stanford, had a breakout second season a year ago. He’s yet to make his season debut this year, but should be back on the court soon.
Out — Alpha Diallo (right wrist sprain/personal reasons)
Not often you see the injury/personal reasons combo. Hopefully everything is okay with Diallo, a 29-year old rookie.
Doubtful — Cameron Johnson (right ankle sprain)
Johnson hasn’t been as good with the Nuggets as he was before being traded by the Brooklyn Nets, but he’s still a quality shooter, and one of Denver’s starting five. It will be a hit for the Nuggets if he’s unable to play.
Enjoy the game, everyone. It tips off at 7:00 p.m. PT on NBC Sports Bay Area.
When Pittsburgh Penguins' defenseman Chase Pietila was around the age of 10 and beginning his road to professional hockey in Michigan, he was choosing his future career path and making friends with some of his very first teammates.
One of those teammates, as it turns out, was another kid aged 10-ish named Rutger McGroarty.
Back then, both played for Honeybaked and overlapped time on the same team in the Detroit area, and they went on to face each other as part of the U.S. National Team Development Program throughout junior hockey.
Now, they're playing in the same organization and sitting in the same locker room suiting up for the same NHL team.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s amazing," Pietila said. "It’s crazy just to see things go full-circle. You know, my first year in AAA, like, when I was really trying to say, like, “Ok, I really like hockey,” he was one of my first teammates. So, being able to play against him when he was at the program and I was in junior, and then never played against him in college, but then to meet here at the pro level, it’s super cool, and he’s an amazing guy.
"He’s a great friend. So, it makes it easy having him here. I always have someone to talk to, someone to ask questions. It’s been great.”
Of course, a lot has happened in the time since Pietila and McGroarty were teammates as kids. McGroarty went on to play for the University of Michigan and subsequently got drafted by the Winnipeg Jets, while Pietila played collegiate hockey at Michigan Tech, was selected 111th overall by the Penguins in 2024, and earned CCHA Defensive Defenseman of the Year honors for his 2024-25 NCAA campaign.
Both also experienced a pretty long Calder Cup Playoff run for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS) Penguins in 2026. Pietila, 22, learned a lot from that experience.
The 6-foot-2, 202-pound right blueliner has always taken pride in the defensive side of his game, as he's solid and steady in his own zone and isn't afraid to play a physical brand of hockey. But from college, to the ECHL, to the AHL, and now to the NHL, he has come to understand that, in order to stick at the NHL level, versatility is paramount.
So, he has been working to add more offensive dimension to his repertoire.
"I’ll always say that my game starts from the net out, but being able to add offense and kind of be able to add to that part of my game will make me more valuable," Pietila said. "So, just working with all the skills coaches here, they’ve been great. Just trying to add more versatility to my game goes a long way."
And while that versatility is key, perhaps the most important lesson he learned during his first full AHL season last year and throughout the 14 games he played in the Calder Cup Playoffs is that consistency matters.
“I mean, it’s obviously the best league in the world," Pietila said. "[Consistency is] one of the things that I really tried to focus on last year that I struggled with a little bit, just being consistent and doing it day in and day out - practice, games, everything.
"If you want to play with the best, you have to be able to do it every day. So, I think that’s the biggest thing I’m trying to do and work on.”
Pietila is in the second season of the three-year entry-level contract he signed prior to the 2025-26 season, and he was recalled by the Penguins Saturday due to injuries piling up on both the forward front and the defensive unit at the NHL level. It has been a bit of a whirlwind, as has navigating fatherhood for the first time right when he is on the borderline of the NHL.
Luckily, sleep has not yet been an issue with his newborn son, but notwithstanding, there has been a lot of change. Something that has brought comfort, though, is the fact that, when he looks around the Penguins' locker room right now, there are some familiar faces in his old friend McGroarty, Avery Hayes, Sergei Murashov, and Ville Koivunen.
At the NHL level, the Penguins are in a bit of a transitional period with their roster. They have held onto some veterans but understand the need to inject youth.
Pietila knows firsthand how close this group of young players is and that the organization is largely counting on them to make somr degree of impact on the future.
He is the only one of the five to have not played an NHL game yet, but he hopes to be part of the group for a long time.
“I think it just helps with the youth that we have. We’re all similar ages and stuff, so we all like the same things," Pietila said. "Going to battle for one another for so long and just having that long of a playoff run, that just builds bonds you’ll never forget.
"So, being able to watch them succeed and being able to succeed with them is pretty special. It’s really fun, and we’re all enjoying it.”
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Chandler Simpson’s misplay in Game 2 almost cost the Tampa Bay Rays a run. Monday night, the speedster saved one.
In the top of the second inning, Sal Frelick lined a ball to the short fence in the left-field corner at Tropicana Field. Simpson sprinted over at full speed, glanced quickly at the wall, and then went all in and grabbed the ball at the wall. He collided hard with the wall, but held onto the ball as he fell backwards. Simpson struggled to get up, but threw in the ball in quickly to keep the Brewers runner at first base.
It looked like Simpson had injured himself on the play, laying down on the turf for several seconds after the play. He waved off the trainer, however, and remained in the game.
On Saturday night, Simpson and Taylor Walls got crossed up on a Christian Yelich blooper to shallow left that should have been routine. The misplay brought William Contreras to the plate in a tie game, but the Rays got out of the inning with the score still tied.
After, the FOX broadcast showed Rays star Junior Caminero yelling in the dugout. Some assumed he was yelling about that play, but the Rays have since said he was trying to fire up his teammates.
In recent weeks, the Philadelphia Flyers have finally found their way into the win column, led by their growing youth movement, though not all contributions have been equal.
By and large, forwards Trevor Zegras, Matvei Michkov, and Porter Martone have led the way offensively, while Oliver Bonk and Hunter McDonald have impressed replacing the likes of Rasmus Ristolainen and Cam York.
But, aside from the top dogs, and Cole Knuble, who scored his first two NHL goals in a 3-1 win over Buffalo last week, the Flyers could find themselves interested in getting more out of their middle six.
Although he made the NHL roster out of training camp, Alex Bump was a healthy scratch by the fourth game of the season, earning himself a demotion to the AHL before exploding for seven goals, an assist, and eight points in just five games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
Bump, 22, returned to the Flyers in short order amid a rash of injuries, with Tyson Foerster, Owen Tippett, and Travis Konecny all going out of commission.
Despite his individual skill, which is at times electrifying, and accurate shot, Bump has yet to record a goal or assist for the Flyers in six games this season, regressing quite a bit from his nine points in 17 games in the regular season last year.
Without consistency and end product, it's hard to envision Bump's role at the NHL level in the long-term.
And if Bump has found himself in the background of the Flyers' short- and long-term plans, there is another young winger in the Metropolitan Division worth adding for some competition, so long as the price is right.
Why Ivan Miroshnichenko fits the Flyers
(Photo: Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
Elsewhere in the division, the Washington Capitals have given 2022 first-round pick Ivan Miroshnichenko and his camp permission to seek a trade in search of a greater NHL opportunity, though the team won't trade him away for pennies or place him on waivers, either.
Given that the Flyers are on the upswing, even with all their youth, they're a logical landing spot for the talented Russian winger, who doesn't quite fit on a Capitals team that has been trying to compete for a Stanley Cup in the twilight years of Alex Ovechkin's legendary career.
As mentioned above, Bump's game at the NHL level has been a slow burn despite a strong start, and maybe his style of play doesn't quite mesh with the higher difficulty compared to the AHL.
Miroshnichenko, who has played just 55 career NHL games and scored only six goals, eight assists, and 14 points, is in a similar boat, though he brings a package of skills and traits to the table that make him more suited to a middle-six role than Bump.
A buccaneering right-shot left winger, Miroshnichenko is at his best going north and south, attacking downhill with his speed and blistering shot while threatening opponents with heavy hits on the other side of the puck.
Despite being a somewhat modest 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Miroshnichenko embraces the physical, more competitive side of the game, and he's got some offensive talent to boot. The 22-year-old has done what he can in a limited role, having played his career-high 21 NHL games way back in 2023-24, when he was a teenager on opening night.
With further development and a bigger opportunity, though, Miroshnichenko can establish himself as a workhorse checking winger with scoring upside, especially as a weak-side trigger man on a power play unit.
Naturally, the Flyers would more than likely have to pay the Capitals a tax for a potential in-division trade, but a pair of early Day 2 draft picks and a similar fringe NHLer could do the trick. Notably, the Flyers have their second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft, as well as two third-round picks and two fourth-round picks.
Even if and when Tippett and Konecny return, Miroshnichenko would give the Flyers an injection of speed, and perhaps more importantly, physicality in addition to his untapped scoring potential.
And even when the Flyers had Tippett and Konecny, their transition and rush games were lacking, and it's an area the Flyers should consider investing in going forward, with or without Bump, Tippett, or Konecny.
Former Avalanche prospect Calum Ritchie is going to miss some time with the New York Islanders.
The 21-year-old was placed on injured reserve Monday with a lower-body injury. He’s expected to be out for four to six weeks. The Islanders announced the injury last week, and the IR move is retroactive to Oct. 17.
Colorado selected Ritchie 27th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft. He appeared in seven games with the Avalanche early in the 2024–25 season, scoring his first NHL goal against the New York Islanders before being reassigned to the OHL’s Oshawa Generals.
A few months later, Ritchie was on his way to New York. On March 6, 2025, Colorado traded him, defenseman Oliver Kylington and two draft picks to the Islanders for Brock Nelson. Forward William Dufour was also part of the deal and went to Colorado.
The Avalanche brought in Nelson to help with another Stanley Cup run. He scored 33 goals during the regular season, but his playoff production dropped off. He scored twice in the postseason, with both goals coming into empty nets. Nelson also won Olympic gold in Milan.
Ritchie had a good first full season with the Islanders, putting up 13 goals and 17 assists in 65 games. He started this season with one goal and one assist in eight games before the injury. Mitchell Chaffee is expected to get a bigger role while Ritchie is out.
Ritchie spoke with The Hockey News in November before the Islanders played Colorado at Ball Arena. Asked if playing against his former team gave him extra motivation, he made it clear he wasn’t spending much time looking back.
“I’m just trying to focus on myself and stay present,” Ritchie said. “I mean, I’m with the Islanders and not focusing on the past and what happened there. I’m just really excited to be a part of the Islanders, like I said, and staying present.”
The Islanders will have to wait a few weeks to get him back. Until then, Ritchie’s focus will be on getting healthy and returning to the lineup.
Sadly, those hopes just took a major blow less than a full week into the season.
Thunder GM Sam Presti announced on Monday that Wallace has suffered a torn labrum and will require surgery.
With a long recovery timetable, a return this season looks bleak for the former Kentucky Wildcats standout.
Wallace has become a core player for the Thunder alongside SGA in the backcourt. Already winning one title, it seems this team’s window is still wide open with how many draft picks they have accrued over the next several seasons.
However, it will take a lot for them to make another deep run this season, especially with teammate Jalen Williams also being sidelined for most, if not the entire season due to a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula.
Here’s to hoping both of these guys are able to fully heal and return at some point this season.
BREAKING: Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams has a dislocated left ankle and fractured fibula; Cason Wallace has a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Both will undergo surgery and be sidelined for several months — most, if not the entire season. pic.twitter.com/62OxZtIGRc
John Mallee has withdrawn his name from consideration for a potential job on the Mets' coaching staff, according to a report Monday from ESPN's Jesse Rogers.
Mallee will reportedly remain with the Chicago Cubs, where he has been assistant hitting coach.
The Mets had reportedly expressed interest in interviewing Mallee for a job on manager Andy Green's staff last week. It was unclear exactly what position New York was looking to interview him for.
The Mallee report came a few hours after a report from The New York Post that a conversation with Kevin Long on a potential role in the club's hitting department was not going to result in a reunion.
Mallee, 57, has spent the past three seasons with Chicago, but previously served as hitting coach for the Houston Astros (2013-14), Cubs (2015-17) and Philadelphia Phillies (2018-19). His last stint before returning to Chicago was with the Los Angeles Angels (2020-22) as assistant hitting coach.
Mallee, along with Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly, helped the Northsiders put up impressive numbers last season, leading baseball in OPS (.767), slugging percentage (.428), RBI (804), and runs (850), and walks (674), while finishing 2nd in OBP (.251), sixth in average (.251).
The Thunder’s worst fears around Jalen Williams’ injury were realized.
The All-Star wing dislocated his left ankle and has a fractured fibula after taking a nasty fall on a drive to the basket late in the fourth quarter Sunday night, Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti announced during his media availability Monday.
Fourth-year guard Cason Wallace, an All-Defensive Second Team selection a year ago, also has a torn left labrum.
Both will undergo surgery and will miss most of and potentially the entire regular season, according to ESPN. Presti did not offer up a return timetable.
“He’s as tough as they come. He’s an elite competitor,” Presti said of Williams. “Even last night, just miraculous in terms of his outlook in the way he’s looking forward to attacking this. And, you know, we’re going to be with him the entire way.”
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams (8) lies on the floor after getting injured on a play against the Los Angeles Clippers during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
It’s a rough blow for a Thunder team looking to win a second NBA championship in three years after losing to the Spurs in last season’s Western Conference finals.
Williams, who was averaging 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in three games, injured himself when he was sandwiched between two Clippers players on a drive.
He landed with his left leg getting caught underneath him as he fell hard to the court. Williams, 25, was taken off on a stretcher after being immediately attended to by medical personnel.
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was emotional when asked during his on-court postgame interview what was going through his mind watching Williams’ injury during the 108-101 win that moved the team to 3-0 on he season.
“I don’t even know,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I just feel bad for him. Nothing more than that.”
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) falls to the floor holding his shoulder during a play against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
He knows the team has a much taller task ahead of it now without his co-star, but he is confident the team can work through it. Williams also missed time last season after wrist surgeries and dealt with multiple hamstring strains.
“It’s obviously going to be tough without a player like that,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But he’s not gone forever. He’ll be back better than ever, and we know it. We’ve just got to hold the fort down until he comes back.”
Wallace tried to fight through a screen early in the game against the Clippers and immediately grabbed near his shoulder.
The 22-year-old, who is averaging 6.3 points and 2.3 rebounds this year, signed a five-year, $135 million contract with the team before the season started.
