Following a scary injury to Oklahoma receiver Keontez Lewis, the university will add padding to the brick wall in the end zone, per Brent Venables.
Former Rangers Goalie Hitting Waivers
While speaking to reporters, Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff announced that former New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev will be placed on waivers, The Hockey News' Michael Augello reports.
Georgiev signed a one-year, $825,000 contract with the Sabres last month. This was after he posted a 15-26-4 record, a .875 save percentage, and a 3.71 goals-against average in 49 games this past season split between the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks.
Georgiev being placed on waivers comes after the Sabres claimed goaltender Colten Ellis off waivers from the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 6.
If Georgiev clears waivers, he will be assigned to the Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans.
Georgiev started his NHL career with the Rangers. In 129 games over five seasons with the Blueshirts from 2017-18 to 2021-22, Georgiev recorded a 58-48-11 record, a .908 save percentage, a 2.94 goals-against average, and eight shutouts.
Hockey Horoscope: What Your Favorite NHL Team Says About You
By Benjamin Kirshenblatt, The Hockey News intern
Hockey fans are some of the most underrated, loyal and sometimes unhinged supporters in all of pro sports.
Whether you ended up matching with a Kraken fan on a dating app, find yourself deep in enemy territory at a rival hockey game or just want to know more about what your NHL team says about you, keep reading to find out.
Anaheim Ducks
Their past best characterizes the Ducks. They are nearly a decade removed from real competitiveness – and nearly two decades since they won their only Stanley Cup. If you are a Ducks fan, you are likely to have ambitious goals and big dreams but seemingly find a way to fall short of them every time and are then left wondering if you really did peak in high school.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins have been one of the most competitive NHL teams of the 21st century, consistently in the mix for Stanley Cup contention. However, more often than not, the Bruins come up short in one round or another, and they are always leaving their fans disappointed. If you are a Bruins fan, although you’re driven, you are likely to leave the people in your life disappointed when you are needed the most.
Buffalo Sabres
If you’re a Sabres fan, you’ve had a lot to be miserable about since 2012. The Sabres have become notorious for their NHL-record 14-year playoff drought. If you are a Sabres fan, you once had dreams but have suffered a fall from grace and haven’t been able to pick up the pieces since, instead yearning to be the fan you used to be.
Calgary Flames
Despite their name, the Flames have been one of the NHL’s cooler teams as of late. The Flames have been unable to recapture their 1989 glory, coming oh-so-close in 2004 but instead enduring the disappointment of a series-defining no-goal. If you are a Flames fan, you are making slow and steady progress toward being back in full force and better than ever. It may not be tomorrow, but a return to contention is closer than you think.
Carolina Hurricanes
The only Hurricane that can be associated with Carolina is an emotional one. The Hurricanes have made it a routine to make it to the Eastern Conference final and then lose quickly. Being a Hurricanes fan can be best associated with big promises and high expectations, but when the moment actually comes to execute, you freeze without fail and end up embarrassing yourself in the end.
Chicago Blackhawks
It’s time for a reality check, Chicago: 2015 was 10 years ago now. To this day, the Blackhawks are continuing to pay the tax of winning three Cups in one decade. If you are a fan of the Blackhawks, it’s time to stop living in the past and smell the ashes of the present. You had some good times a while ago, but you need to get yourself in order.
Colorado Avalanche
Perhaps the most frustrating thing about the Avalanche is they’ve proven they can deliver but just don’t do it often enough. The Avalanche have been a promising team in the past and present but often perform below expectations. And they only have themselves to blame. If you are an Avalanche fan, you need to do a better job of delivering on your promises. You are capable of more than you are willing to give, and it’s about time you showed that.
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Blue Jackets have made the playoffs six times since their inception in 2000, not winning their first series until 2019. If you are a Jackets fan, you’ve had a hard time, but you’re dedicated, and the best is still yet to come. Just be patient and keep cheering, and one day, you will be rewarded.
Dallas Stars
Although the Stars have yet to relive their 1999 Cup dreams, they are big spenders who are not afraid to make that bold move to get one step closer to their destiny. However, it seems as if they’re paying a big price for those moves. If you’re a Stars fan, you are capable of accomplishing great things in life – but chase that dream before the window closes.
Detroit Red Wings
If you’re a Red Wings fan, you’ve enjoyed success in your life but are struggling to find purpose nowadays. The Red Wings have won many Cups but are also on a streak of futility. GM Steve Yzerman has much to prove this coming season, and if you’re a Red Wings fan, that’s the best way your life can be described. You’ve accomplished great things but have much to prove in this chapter.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have much to prove this coming season. Many have surmised that what the Oilers will go on to accomplish this year will define their future in a big way: whether or not McDavid is here to stay past 2028. Fresh off back-to-back losses in the Cup final, the Oilers have more to prove than possibly anyone in the league. If you’re an Oilers fan, a lot is being expected of you and fast, so brace yourself.
Florida Panthers
If you are a Panthers fan, you are on cloud nine right now. You’ve proven to everyone in your life you have what it takes and delivered in the biggest way when it was asked of you on more than one occasion. If you are a Panthers fan, you’ve got nothing left to prove. Just sit back, have fun, try your best, and whatever happens, nobody will be disappointed in you.
NHL Power Rankings: All 32 Teams' Significant StorylinesThis time next Wednesday, the 2025-26 regular season will be underway, but we're already in Week 2 of the NHL power rankings.
Los Angeles Kings
The Kings have faced the same Oilers team in the first round for the last four seasons and lost each time. With captain Anze Kopitar set to retire following this season, the Kings are scrambling for one last kick at the can. If you’re a Kings fan, you’ve been struggling to get over the hump for the longest time, so it’s important you focus and give it your all, and maybe, this year will be different.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are in a great position right now after Kirill Kaprizov signed the richest contract in NHL history. With the failures of the North Stars looming large, Minnesota still has much to prove to its faithful, and it all starts with Kaprizov. If you’re a Wild fan, you’ve got one objective in mind, and it’s important you accomplish it first, and the rest will fall into place.
Montreal Canadiens
If you’re a Canadiens fan, you know the feelings of pain and pleasure as a fan of the franchise with the richest history in the NHL. It’s hard to forget, but the best hasn’t passed you by. It’s only a matter of time before the Habs are back to contention. If you’re a Habs fan, the same can be said about you. Don’t give up on your dreams, because they haven’t given up on you.
Nashville Predators
Nashville learned last season that money can’t always buy you happiness. The Preds added three big fish in 2024 free agency but were in for a rude awakening when the team went on to miss the playoffs. If you’re a Preds fan, it’s time to be more conservative with your money and not spend it on the next big thing to make yourself happy. Otherwise, you may end up in the same boat as your team.
New Jersey Devils
The Devils seem to be just now hitting their stride after some difficult seasons. With three Cups and a series win over the Rangers in 2023 that they won’t soon forget, the Devils faithful have much to be happy with, but the goal remains the same. If you’re a Devils fan, you have big goals in mind but are content with enjoying the journey it takes to get there.
New York Islanders
It’s not super easy being an Islanders fan, being forced to cope with accusations of being hockey’s most boring team. Sadly for the Islanders, after making back-to-back playoff semifinals in 2020 and 2021, first-round exits now seem to be their best-case scenario if they don’t miss the playoffs altogether. Adding Matthew Schaefer is a huge plus, even though they traded their former No. 1 D-man, Noah Dobson. If you’re an Islanders fan, you desperately need to give the people in your life something to cheer about, because right now, they’re unconvinced.
New York Rangers
Last season, the Rangers were the soap opera of the NHL. It might just be the one NHL team where being named captain is a sign you’ll probably be traded. Longtime veterans like Chris Kreider weren’t even safe from the Rangers' liquidation sale, being banished to Anaheim in the off-season. If you are a Rangers fan, you’ve got serious commitment issues and might want to treat the people in your life a bit better.
Ottawa Senators
The Senators are finally just now enjoying a return to relevance after an extended break from post-season contention. Although the bitter taste of losing to the hated rival Leafs is still fresh on the tongues of Sens fans, they’ve got nothing to be ashamed of heading into this season. With that said, if you’re a Sens fan, don’t get hung up on the past. Instead, look towards the future – it’s all you can do now.
Philadelphia Flyers
Despite icing many talented teams and making it to the finals six times since their runs in the ’70s, the Flyers have consistently come up short and now find themselves more times out of the playoffs than in. If you’re a Flyers fan, you have distant memories of what it was like to be at the top, and have been doing all you can to get back ever since, for better or for worse.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh has cemented itself as a city of champions, especially when it comes to the NHL. The Penguins have a total of five championships between two star-studded eras, but even with all they’ve proven, they’re still hungry for more, and it’s too much for their own good. If you’re a Penguins fan, there is no shame in remembering the good times, but it’s imperative you move on and embrace the changes inevitably coming your way.
NHL Pre-Season Fan Survey: Best And Most Annoying Fans, Expansion, Favorite Rink And MoreThe finale of The Hockey News’ NHL pre-season fan survey results is here.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks live with the bittersweet memories of always being a contender but never being the one to go all the way. It feels like there are good ol’ times they should be missing, but in reality, it’s just two decades’ worth of underperformance. If you’re a Sharks fan, it’s important not to let your past define your future. Instead, it’s time to embrace brighter days ahead.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken are the newish kids on the block. After Vegas entered the NHL in 2017 and immediately ran the show, people wondered if Seattle could follow suit, until they only mustered one playoff appearance in four seasons. If you’re a Kraken fan, there’s an air of mystery and confusion to you – people don’t really seem to understand you in the slightest. That can be a good thing sometimes, but be wary.
St. Louis Blues
Despite their recent Stanley Cup win in 2019, St. Louis fans are left feeling blue after failing to carry over that success. It seems the Blues have been flirting with mediocrity as of late, losing within the first two rounds if they even make the playoffs at all. If you’re a Blues fan, your accomplishments are not lost in the rearview mirror, but it might be time for a spark.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are one of the most accomplished teams in recent NHL history. However, since their three straight final runs, they appear to be thunderstruck, having lost in the first round every year since. If you’re a Lightning fan, you’ve accomplished a lot and still can accomplish more, but you better make it quick before time runs out on you as fast as lightning hits the ground.
Toronto Maple Leafs
It’s a poorly kept secret in the NHL that Leafs fans are in their own land of make-beleaf. The Leafs didn’t peak in high school; they peaked in childhood. If you’re a Leafs fan, you will spend the rest of your life convincing people that your best days are yet to come, but in reality, they are far behind you in the past. You also might want to place more value on those closest to you.
Utah Mammoth
The Mammoth are the NHL’s youngest franchise and best attempt to retcon the Arizona Coyotes. Though they haven’t made the playoffs yet, the Mammoth are a youngish team on the rise. If you’re a Mammoth fan, you’re a trendsetter and not afraid to try new things, even if they sometimes fail. However, it’s also important to embrace the past and how you got here, not forget it ever happened.
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks fans are an unruly bunch who have proven twice they don’t take losing in the final well. They’ve also had to deal with a lot of drama lately, including Elias Pettersson’s setback on offense getting national attention, Quinn Hughes’ future and a playoff miss after winning the Pacific the year before. If you’re a Canucks fan, you definitely need to let your guard down, stay optimistic and maybe consider anger management.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Knights spent extra cash to skip the painful part of being an expansion team. From the jump, they were finalists and have only missed the playoffs once. Though unafraid to make that big move, they received criticism in 2020 for not informing Marc-Andre Fleury he was being traded before reports came out on social media. If you’re a Vegas fan, you’re a follower who needs to find independence, and you need to be honest and direct with people in your life.
Washington Capitals
The Capitals impressed the league with a surprising return to relevance last season, despite being on the older side of teams, unlike their rivals in Pittsburgh. Though the dream of adding a second cup to Ovechkin’s resume still looms large, the Capitals are hopeful they can continue to exceed expectations. If you’re a Capitals fan, you’re full of surprises, but be wary, not every surprise is a good one.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets seem to be a tale of two seasons as of late; they impress in the regular season and then completely drop the ball in the playoffs. The Jets have given fans little to cheer about in recent post-seasons. If you’re a Jets fan, you have the potential to do great things but desperately need to get over your stage fright before the opportunity passes you by.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski hits 104.3 mph while throwing 3 innings of shutout relief
MILWAUKEE — Jacob Misiorowski rediscovered the form that earned the flamethrowing rookie so much acclaim in the first few weeks after the Milwaukee Brewers called him up from the minors.
He was throwing heat. More importantly, he was throwing strikes.
Misiorowski fired three innings of scoreless relief while reaching at least 100 mph on 31 of his 57 pitches during the Brewers’ 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of their NL Division Series. He struck out four while allowing one hit and two walks.
It was the type of performance that showcased how much of an impact Misiorowski could make if the Brewers have a long postseason run.
“Miz stepped up,” manager Pat Murphy said. “You guys get all enthralled with MPH. I’m enthralled that he wasn’t giving up free bases, kept his composure with runners and that type of thing.”
Those have been the issues for Misiorowski during his eventful rookie season.
The right-hander garnered so much attention for his overpowering fastball that he was selected an All-Star after making just five starts. In two of them, he won head-to-head pitching matchups with NL Cy Young Award favorite Paul Skenes and three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw.
But he’s dealt with plenty of obstacles ever since.
Misiorowski went on the injured list with a bruised left tibia in early August. He returned later that month but allowed 23 runs (22 earned) over 32 2/3 innings from that point on.
His late slide pretty much assured that Misiorowski wouldn’t be part of the Brewers’ starting rotation for the playoffs, but his pure stuff demanded that he be included in Milwaukee’s postseason plans.
He entered Game 2 with the score tied 3-all in the third inning. Each of his first eight pitches registered at least 102.6, including a top velocity of 104.3.
“I think I was so fired up, adrenaline pumping,” Misiorowski said. “You know, I didn’t really know where my feet were, but we landed, so it was fun. It was a lot of fun.”
When Misiorowski has struggled, he generally has either lost control of the strike zone or struggled to maintain his poise amid adversity. But he managed to balance showing his emotion while also maintaining his focus in Game 2 as he helped the Brewers grab a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Misiorowski issued a one-out walk to Seiya Suzuki in the third inning but struck out Ian Happ and then got Carson Kelly to hit a grounder back to him.
“We needed to get him before he settled in, and he made some pitches to strike out Happ,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “If Ian gets on there, then there’s some pressure on him immediately.”
Misiorowski was so excited after Kelly’s grounder that he ran all the way from the pitcher’s mound to first base himself to retire the batter before pumping his fist repeatedly. Misiorowski said afterward he handled the play unassisted because he was worried about overthrowing first baseman Andrew Vaughn.
Even so, Murphy used the moment to offer a reminder to the 23-year-old.
“You’ve got to let him express himself, but then you’ve got to watch and see if he comes back to where he needs to be,” Murphy said. “It’s hard. He came off the mound in the (third) inning and he was ranting and raving and I gave him a little, like, ‘OK, stay with it.’
“He’s here at the highest level for a reason, and he’s been through some ups and downs. I think he’s pretty aware and pretty on high alert.”
Misiorowski walked Matt Shaw with two outs in the fourth and gave up a leadoff single to Nico Hoerner in the fifth, but didn’t let either runner advance beyond first base and ended up as the winning pitcher.
“I think the whole thing was just staying fired up, staying with that adrenaline pumping, and keep going at what I was doing before in (my) first inning,” Misiorowski said.
'I Want Him Playing': What's The Maple Leafs' Plan For Easton Cowan?
As the Toronto Maple Leafs began practice one day before their home opener against the Montreal Canadiens, Easton Cowan and Jacob Quillan were on a separate rink working with the team's development staff.
It's been a fascinating week of following what could happen with Cowan. Early on and even towards the end of training camp, it appeared as if he had made the Maple Leafs. However, everything changed when Scott Laughton suffered a lower-body injury.
At first glance, it seemed like David Kampf would take Laughton's spot and center the fourth line with Cowan and Steven Lorentz. Kampf was then placed on waivers after that practice.
A day later, the lineup was mashed up with Max Domi as the third line center with Dakota Joshua and Nick Robertson on his wing, and Nicolas Roy in the middle of Lorentz and Calle Jarnkrok on the fourth line.
Cowan was then on the outside looking in.
Toronto then claimed Cayden Primeau and Sammy Blais off waivers on Monday afternoon. And a few hours later, when the Maple Leafs' opening day roster was submitted, Cowan was nowhere to be found.
Explained: Why Easton Cowan Was Temporarily Left Off Maple Leafs Season-Opening RosterThere was some chaos around 5 p.m. ET when the Toronto Maple Leafs announced their opening night roster. Jacob Quillan was on it rather than Easton Cowan, who many expected to be.
Quillan was there, though, after taking in a few days of Toronto Marlies camp after moving away from the NHL camp. The moves were so that Toronto could get as close to the cap ceiling as possible.
"The plan is right now, today (Cowan is) not on the roster, and then we'll see what happens tomorrow, right?" Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said on Tuesday.
"Easton has had a really good camp. I think he's right there ready to play for us. We want to manage it appropriately. If he's going to be playing with us here, great. But if he's not, I want him playing, right? So we'll manage it here the next little bit. We'll get through today and see what tomorrow brings."
Cowan believed he did everything he could to earn a spot on the Maple Leafs. And again, for the majority of camp, it appeared he was going to be in their opening night lineup. He played in five of Toronto's six preseason games and rarely looked out of place.
'I Played Some Of My Best Hockey': Has Easton Cowan Done Enough To Make The Maple Leafs Out Of Training Camp?If this was the final game of Easton Cowan's training camp with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he should be proud of himself.
"He's made such big strides in a couple years here. I thought he looked really great in camp, all camp. He played in most of the preseason games. I thought he put on a really good show," Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews said.
"He looks physically strong. I think he's matured a lot as a guy, and as a player as well, and I think it showed throughout the whole camp. I know there's tough decisions to be made, but I think he should definitely be proud of what he accomplished during camp and the way he handled everything."
Both Treliving and Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube stated they had a plan for the forward, but they didn't reveal the inner workings of said plan. "That's about all I'm going to say about that right now," added Berube after Tuesday's practice.
If anything is for certain, it's that the Maple Leafs want Cowan to play. Whether that's in the NHL or AHL remains to be seen.
"Well, yeah, [an opportunity to play Cowan] can present itself for sure. And I said, he had a good camp," said Berube. "I liked him in camp. We all liked him in camp. He's a player that can help the Toronto Maple Leafs."
Latest stories:
James O’Connor returns keen to add ‘stardust’ to Leicester’s attack
Fly-half back in UK after facing All Blacks with Australia
O’Connor may play against Northampton on Saturday
James O’Connor, Leicester’s new Australian recruit, is hoping to bring a touch of sparkle to the East Midlands after finally linking up properly with the Tigers this week. O’Connor’s first spell last month was curtailed when he was swiftly recalled to the Wallabies squad to face New Zealand, but he is now back raring to go before his new club’s derby against Northampton on Saturday.
Having arrived in the UK only on Monday, the 35-year-old played a limited part in his first training session but seems poised to feature in the matchday 23 against the Saints. Leicester’s new director of rugby, Geoff Parling, will not confirm his team until Friday but hinted that O’Connor was in line for some action despite his latest long-haul flight. “He’s an experienced operator who gets up to speed quickly, put it that way,” Parling said. “When you’re in business class you can just put your feet up anyway. I don’t think it was too bad for him.”
Continue reading...John Mateer injury update: Latest on Oklahoma QB ahead of Red River Rivalry
Here's latest injury update regarding Oklahoma football QB John Mateer from Sooners coaches Brent Venables and Ben Arbuckle ahead of the Texas game.
Cubs head back home on the brink of elimination after losing 2 straight in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Cubs’ hitters aren’t putting enough balls in play, and their pitchers aren’t keeping balls in play.
That combination has the Cubs heading back home on the brink of elimination.
Chicago gave up three homers and mustered just one hit after the second inning of a 7-3 loss at Milwaukee that gave the Brewers a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five NL Division Series.
The Cubs must win two straight in Chicago to send the series back to Milwaukee for a deciding Game 5. Teams falling behind 2-0 in a best-of-five postseason series have won just 10 of 90 times.
“It’s simple,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “We’ve got to just win pitches. We’ve got to win moments. You’ve got to stay with your process and your routines. It’s simple as that. We’ve got our work cut out for us, but it’s done by winning one pitch at a time and succeeding one pitch at a time.”
They haven’t won nearly enough pitches thus far.
The Cubs have struck out 23 times in this series — 12 in a 9-3 loss in Game 1 and 11 more in Game 2. Meanwhile, Chicago allowed nine runs in the first three innings in Game 2 and gave up seven runs in the first four frames in Game 1.
“It’s not a surprise that they’re going out there and throwing their best arms and all their guys seem to be locked in,” said Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, who went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in Game 2. “It’s our job to execute. I know I haven’t done that. It’s a pretty simple idea here. If you put more balls in play, you’ll probably score more.”
Seiya Suzuki hit a three-run homer off Aaron Ashby to put the Cubs ahead 3-0 in the top of the first inning of Game 2, but Shota Imanaga allowed a three-run homer to Andrew Vaughn in the bottom half. Chicago never led again.
Imanaga also allowed a solo shot to William Contreras in the third, marking the sixth time in his last eight appearances that he’s given up multiple homers.
“I ruined the game, so there’s a lot of frustration within myself,” Imanaga said through an interpreter.
Daniel Palencia took over for Imanaga and gave up a three-run homer to Jackson Chourio in the fourth. Milwaukee ranked just 22nd in the majors in homers during the regular season.
Chicago hasn’t gotten much from either of its starting pitchers so far. Although he didn’t give up any homers, Matthew Boyd yielded six runs — two earned — and got just two outs in Game 1. The Brewers scored all nine of their runs in the first two innings that day.
The Cubs will turn to Jameson Taillon (11-7, 3.68 ERA) in Game 3, while the Brewers plan to start Quinn Priester (13-3, 3.32).
Suzuki’s homer suggested the Cubs would take charge early in Game 2, but their lineup got silenced the rest of the way.
Chicago had runners at first and second in a tie game in the second inning when Nick Mears retired Nico Hoerner on a fly to right. The Cubs didn’t get another runner beyond first base the rest of the night.
“We had two at-bats with runners in scoring position,” Counsell said. “That’s a pretty good sign that we’re not creating enough pressure.”
The Cubs believe they can still turn it around.
They won seven of 13 regular-season meetings with Milwaukee. They already staved off elimination at Wrigley Field just last week when they won a decisive Game 3 in a Wild Card Series matchup with the San Diego Padres.
Now they just need to deliver at home again.
“We’re in the same spot we’ve been in when we’ve had our backs against the wall,” Crow-Armstrong said. “We’re always looking forward to playing more baseball at Wrigley. That’s why you’ve got to win three (games). So we’re definitely looking forward to going home, playing in front of our home crowd, working to win two and bring it back here.”
Brewers’ Jackson Chourio hits 3-run homer in Game 2 of NLDS after hurting his hamstring in series opener
MILWAUKEE — Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio had a simple solution for making sure he didn’t aggravate his hamstring injury.
Trotting around the bases after a home run doesn’t require much exertion.
Chourio returned to the lineup and hit a three-run homer to help Milwaukee beat the Chicago Cubs 7-3 in Game 2 of their NL Division Series after tightness in his right hamstring caused him to exit the opener.
The 21-year-old phenom has three homers in five career postseason games. He has gone 5 for 7 with six RBIs to help the Brewers take a 2-0 lead in this best-of-five series after going 5 of 11 at the plate last year in a Wild Card Series loss to the New York Mets.
“I really just like playing in these moments,” Chourio said through an interpreter. “I think you could say it helps me play at the maximum level that I’m able to do so. And thanks to God that I’ve had the ability to play in these moments that are important and meaningful, and get some of these big hits whenever they’re needed, but also do some of the little things whenever they’re needed.”
Chourio hurt his right hamstring while running to first base on an infield single in the second inning of Game 1. He had missed a month of the regular season after straining the same hamstring this summer.
After undergoing a postgame MRI and doing some light running during a workout, Chourio was back in the leadoff spot and playing left field in Game 2.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy acknowledged before the game that he was sure Chourio wasn’t feeling 100%, but the outfielder showed no signs of discomfort. The game started with Chicago’s Justin Turner hitting a flyball in his direction. He also chased down a flyball in foul territory in the fourth.
“I feel like I’m in a really good position to go out there and compete, so I’m going to go out there and give it the best that I can,” Chourio said. “I felt like I was able to do that today and go out there and make all the plays I needed to make and continue to play the game pretty normal.”
His production at the plate in his brief postseason career has been anything but normal.
Chourio hit two homers in the Brewers’ Game 2 victory over the Mets in last year’s Wild Card Series. He went 3 for 3 with three RBIs in Milwaukee’s 9-3 Game 1 victory, becoming the first player ever to have three hits in the first two innings of a playoff game.
In the fourth inning of Game 2, Chourio connected on an 0-2 pitch from Daniel Palencia and sent a 419-foot shot over the center-field wall. His three-run homer produced the game’s final three runs.
“Unbelievable,” Murphy said. “He’s 21 years old and doing the things he’s doing in the first couple games here, in the environment, just know that’s special. That’s special. We all wish we could have that — have that it factor the way Jack-Jack does.”
Chourio followed that up with an infield single in the sixth inning that improved his career postseason batting average to .556.
“He’s a star,” teammate William Contreras said through an interpreter. “For me, I think he’s the best player that we have here, but I like the way that we go about it. No one feels like they’re better than the other, and everyone is here focused on doing their job. He’s got an incredible future ahead of him and an incredible talent with what he does out on the field, and I love watching him go out there from the very first pitch and give it everything he has.”
Red Wings Picked Last in Unique Sportsnet NHL Season Preview Draft
Sportsnet insiders hold a unique team-based draft that surprisingly saw the Detroit Red Wings picked last, reflecting doubts about young defense.
The NHL season is nearly here as experts and insiders are starting to make their season long predictions with guesses ranging from some teams winning the Stanley Cup to missing the playoffs entirely. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas added to the conversation when drafting their new fantasy hockey league.
🎊A New year of hockey is upon us!🎊
— The In-Season Cup (@InSeasonCup) October 7, 2025
Welcome to Season 5 of the In-Season Cup! 🏆@sportsnetkyle@emilyagard@RandipJanda@FriedgeHNICpic.twitter.com/4t3lMwG6VQ
Instead of drafting individual players, Friedman, Bukauskas, along with Sportsnet’s Randip Janda and Emily Agard each selected teams of eight as part of their league and how it works is quite interesting. This league is based on a traveling “In Season Cup” that moves from team to team throughout the NHL season.
It starts with the defending champion Florida Panthers and is passed on whenever the current cup holder loses a game. The team that beats them takes the cup and begins accumulating days with it, starting on the day of their win and continuing until their next game. Every time the cup changes hands, the new holder starts a new count of days. This draft showcased what each Sportsnet personality thought of teams around the league with a surprising assessment for the Detroit Red Wings.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Good News, Bad News For Several Former Red Wings Players The 2025-26 NHL Season is officially just hours away now, as the campaign begins for a handful of teams on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings remain on the presipace of their centennial season, which begins on Oct. 9 against the Montreal Canadiens at Little Caesars Arena.
Friedman is known as an hockey insider around the league while Bukauskas and Janda are known as broadcasters for hockey and Agard is more primarily known for her work with the Toronto Blue Jays. Despite the hockey knowledge within the league, the Red Wings were picked much later than expected, going as the last team off the board after teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks and Buffalo Sabres had all been selected. It's one of the few mediums that have seen the Red Wings listed as one of the worst teams in the league.
There is a level of strategy to it as Detroit plays in a difficult Atlantic division where they will have a tougher schedule than most but still going behind teams like the Sabres and Bruins is surprising. Friedman did recently express his concern behind the Red Wings young defense in a '32 Thoughts' podcast episode.
"They put Holl and Gustafsson on waivers, which is totally fine, but that says to me, they're thinking about doing a really young defense to start the year, like a really young D, we talked about this at the year end last year how Yzerman didn't give out term to veterans because he's like, the young guys need to play and I will bet on these young players, I wonder if that bet really starts right now, I just I don't think that they're ready," Friedman said.
As the NHL season approaches, the unique fantasy draft by Sportsnet’s insiders offers an intriguing glimpse into how experts view the league's landscape and the Red Wings have clearly raised some eyebrows. While Friedman’s concerns highlight the risks of betting on a youthful defense, Detroit now find themselves in a position with little outside expectation and a setup that could either validate these doubts or fuel a surprising breakout.
Red Wings Face Pressure to Extend Simon Edvinsson After Ducks’ LaCombe DealThe Ducks’ big contract for Jackson LaCombe sets a market benchmark that could push the Red Wings to prioritize an early, high-value extension for young defenseman Simon Edvinsson.
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Matthew Schaefer and other top draft picks make NHL season-opening rosters
The NHL’s season-opening rosters are in, and they include three of the top five picks from the most recent draft.
No. 1 choice Matthew Schaefer made the New York Islanders after a strong training camp, No. 2 Michael Misa will start with the San Jose Sharks and No. 5 Brady Martin has gone from his family’s farm in Elora, Ontario, to the first line with the Nashville Predators.
“You’ve seen teams having young guys, they keep them up and they manage the workload,” Islanders first-year general manager Mathieu Darche said.
Schaefer, a smooth-skating defenseman who turned 18 on Sept. 5, is getting eased in, though there was little doubt about him sticking on Long Island and not returning to his junior team in Erie. Darche confirmed that Schaefer will be in the lineup at Pittsburgh.
“He’s completely earned his spot on the team,” Darche said. “He’s ready for this. And then we’ll start the season and see where it goes at this point. ... The way he’s going to play is going to dictate what we do.”
San Jose’s final few cuts left Misa and 2024 No. 11 pick Sam Dickinson to add to the rebuilding club’s youth movement. The Sharks finished last in the NHL last season when Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith were rookies and are again projected to miss the playoffs, though the long-term future is bright.
With Nashville trying to climb back into contender status, Martin skated alongside Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly at practice.
It had become clear at Rangers practices that versatile forward Conor Sheary was on track to make the team after attending camp on a professional tryout agreement. Sheary won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and ’17 when New York coach Mike Sullivan was with the Penguins.
Sheary signed a two-way contract worth the league-minimum $775,000, according to a person familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because financial terms were not disclosed. Brett Berard was sent to Hartford of the American Hockey League to make room under the salary cap.
“There’s a lot of pressure on players when they’re on a PTO and obviously a lot of uncertainty, so you’re just happy for guys when they work so hard,” Rangers Hall of Fame goaltender-turned-TNT analyst Henrik Lundqvist said in a video call with the AP. “You’re happy for a guy like that, for sure, when you put in the hours and preparation to try to make it.”
Veteran defenseman Matt Grzelcyk also signed with Chicago after his PTO, getting $1 million for the season from the Blackhawks. Kevin Rooney signed for the league minimum with Utah after trying out at New Jersey’s camp.
Florida Panthers release official Opening Night roster, Barkov, Tkachuk, Nosek placed on LTIR
The Florida Panthers released their Opening Night roster on Tuesday.
Considering the team’s current injury issues had been known well ahead of Monday’s roster deadline, it was more a matter of learning which players had been designated where and how it all shook out.
First, we’ll get to the 23-man roster.
Forwards: Sam Benentt, A.J. Greer, Mackie Samoskevich, Jonah Gadjovich, Sam Reinhart, Anton Lundell, Evan Rodrigues, Noah Gregor, Carger Verhaeghe, Eetu Luostarinen, Brad Marchand, Jesper Boqvist, Luke Kunin, Cole Schwindt
Defensemen: Jeff Petry, Seth Jones, Aaron Ekblad, Dmitry Kulikov, Uvis Balinskis, Gustav Forsling, Niko Mikkola
Goaltenders: Daniil Tarasov, Sergei Bobrovsky
Both Matthew Tkachuk and Tomas Nosek remain on LTIR, as both had respective offseason surgeries and aren’t expected back until around December or January.
Florida Captain Sasha Barkov was also placed on LTIR after having surgery late last month to repair his ACL and MCL, which were torn during a training camp practice in Fort Lauderdale.
The team initially gave him a 7-to-9-month recovery timeline, and there is hope that if all goes well, he could be back should Florida get back to the playoffs.
As for the salary cap, after placing the aforementioned forwards on LTIR, the Panthers come in $2.267 under the ceiling, according to PuckPedia.
Of course, if and when they bring anyone off LTIR and onto the active roster, room will need to be made in order for the team to be cap compliant.
That's a bridge Florida's front office will cross when they arrive at it, but you can bet they already have examined multiple hypothetical situations, even while knowing that any amount of variables could come into play between now and then.
For now, with all their paperwork now properly filed, the Panthers can get back to the business of winning hockey games, something they’ve done quite a bit of over the past several seasons.
The Cats will host the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday afternoon to open the NHL season.
Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m., but not until Florida raises their second Stanley Cup banner to the rafters at Amerant Bank Arena.
For a game preview with forward line and defensive pairing projections, click here.
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Carter Yakemchuk Sent To Belleville, Sets Goal To Be Next Man Up
Although the formal decision on where Carter Yakemchuk would begin his 2025-26 season would not be announced until Monday afternoon, anyone paying attention to the last few days could have inferred the obvious.
Yakemchuk participated in the team's limited skate on Saturday while the rest of the team was preparing to head to Montreal to take on the Canadiens in the Senators' last preseason tilt.
Compounding that wrinkle were the line rushes from Monday morning's practice. The left-shooting Donovan Sebrango took reps alongside Nik Matinpalo, leaving the 20-year-old Yakemchuk to share the ice with Jordan Spence, another right-shot defenceman who was intriguingly taking reps on his off-side.
Considering Tyler Kleven's lower-body injury and the possibility that he could return in time for the Senators' season opener on Thursday in Tampa, it would make sense to believe that Sebrango may be serving in a placeholder role. However, having two natural right-shot defencemen partner together in rushes, with the more experienced partner, Spence, playing his off-side, helped foreshadow Yakemchuk's demotion.
Approximately two hours before the league's mandated 5:00 pm ET deadline to submit their final 23-man roster, the Senators officially revealed that Yakemchuk had been loaned to Belleville. The organization also announced that Jan Jenik, Hayden Hodgson, Arthur Kaliyev, Lassi Thomson, and Mads Sogaard were sent to Belleville after clearing waivers.
The seventh overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft will now begin his professional career in the American Hockey League, where he will be expected to play big minutes across all situations.
On Saturday, I had the opportunity to speak with Yakemchuk ahead of Monday's news.
"I feel pretty good," Yakemchuk affirmed while referring to his training camp and preseason. "I'm trying to get better every single day I'm here, and it's been a lot of fun so far."
As one of the few blue-chip prospects within an organization whose pipeline of prospects isn't as well regarded as others within the NHL, Yakemchuk is not burdened by that reality.
"It's cool when you get attention for doing what you love," he admitted. "It's fun just trying to embrace it.
"I try to focus on what I can control and what I can do on a daily basis. I'm just trying to get better and not worry about any outside noise."
Under normal circumstances, the pressures of being a high pick and walking into a dressing room where last season's team had their most successful season in eight years could be intimidating for any young player to try to integrate into that mix.
For Yakemchuk, the experience of last year's successful preseason in which he led the Senators in scoring with two goals and 5 points, including a beautiful overtime winner in Toronto, in three games, certainly helped.
The young defenceman also credited his veteran teammates with helping make him feel more comfortable.
"It being my second year camp, I'm trying to take a lot from the guys who have been here for a while and see what they do on a day-to-day basis," Yakemchuk stated. "I've been trying to learn from all the older guys.
"The guys here have been great and been good to me, so it's been pretty easy for me."
If not travelling to Montreal for the final preseason game bothered Yakemchuk, he was not letting it show. He indicated that he was planning on watching it, but if his absence was a precursor to a demotion to Belleville, he would seize the opportunity.
"I just have to embrace it, go down there and grind to try and get better every single day," Yakemchuk said. "There are a lot of great guys down there. It's a great team, so no matter where I wind up, I'll be excited and embrace it.
"(If it happens), my goal is to be the next up if I don't make it. That is my mindset."
Yakemchuk had an interesting preseason. Although he did not replicate last preseason's offence, the defenceman looked like he gained a step with his skating, while looking more comfortable with his defensive play.
"Throughout the summer, (skating) was one big thing for me," Yakemchuk explained. "I tried to improve my skating forwards and backwards. So, I had a good summer coming into the camp, and I feel good about it.
"(Defence) is an area of my game I'm really trying to improve on and am trying to get better at. It's coming along and obviously, I've got a long way to go. I want to improve all aspects of my game, but I want to obviously get better defensively. That's the biggest area, no matter what level I'm playing (at). I want to really focus on the defensive side of the game."
Thanks to the depth that general manager Steve Staios acquired in the offseason, the organization can afford to be patient with their highest-rated prospect. The addition of the aforementioned Spence to a right side that already includes Artem Zub, Nick Jensen and Nik Matinpalo means that Yakemchuk can adjust to the professional game in the AHL.
Under Staios, the organization has exhibited patience with defensive prospects before. During the 2023-24 season, the Senators left Kleven in Belleville for the bulk of the campaign, even though he warranted a promotion ahead of some of the alternatives that season.
There is certainly something to be said about the preseasons Matinpalo and Spence had and whether Yakemchuk outplayed his competition, but there is no question that the gap between the young prospect and his peers is not that large.
Perhaps Yakemchuk could have survived at the game's highest level, but without that strong farm system, the organization needs a player like Yakemchuk, who has that high pedigree, not just to survive but to thrive. No prospect's development has ever been irreparably harmed because they spent too much time in the AHL, so affording Yakemchuk time won't hurt him.
He will be up eventually, and when that first recall occurs, the organization will be banking on it being the best version that Yakemchuk can offer.
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