Bruce Pearl will still be a part of the college basketball scene this season, even though he isn't coaching any more. TNT and CBS Sports announced on Thursday that Pearl will be an analyst for their coverage this season. Pearl will be on TNT's studio team with Jalen Rose, Jamal Mashburn, Chris Webber and Adam Lefkoe during its first season of doing Big East and Big 12 games.
Nashville Predators assign Joakim Kemell to Milwaukee Admirals
After an impressive preseason and cracking the Nashville Predators roster to open the 2025-26 season, forward Joakim Kemell has been assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals.
The team announced the forward would be joining the AHL team on Thursday after Kemell was scratched from the lineup in the Predators 7-4 loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.
Kemell has seen action in just two games this season against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 9 and the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 13. He took 14 shifts in each game, logging 12:22 minutes of ice time against the Blue Jackets and 9:46 minutes against the Senators.
Kemell played 65 games in Milwaukee last season, scoring 40 points. He attracted the attention of fans in the Predators' 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes, where he laid a big hit on Andrei Svechnikov, drew a penalty and scored the game-winner on a slap shot later.
He is the second player to be assigned to Milwaukee in the early season, as Matthew Wood was assigned to the Admirals on Oct. 10 after returning to Predators practice for the first time since sustaining a lower-body injury in the preseason.
Nashville takes on Montreal Thursday at 6 p.m. CST at the Bell Centre.
Golden Knights Season Ticket Holders, Both Mothers Of Daughters, Scoff At Online Vitriol For Signing Of Carter Hart
The season-ticket holders who were interviewed for this story had no restrictions on using their full names. Due to the overwhelming angry vitriol online, the author chose to only use their first name and last initial to protect them and their families' identity.
LAS VEGAS -- With the Golden Knights signing goaltender Carter Hart, the response on social media came from every direction as he became the first of the five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players to sign an NHL contract since being acquitted of sexual assault in a high-profile case.
Fans voiced their anger about the signing, believing the Knights downplayed serious allegations despite the legal resolution, fueling debates on their accountability versus the need for a goaltender.
Hart, who played for the Philadelphia Flyers until taking an indefinite leave in 2022 amid the investigation, along with Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton faced charges in 2024, but were acquitted after the complainant's unwillingness to proceed and evidentiary issues.
"you know, carter hart won’t see you cheering him on online but your friends who have been sexually assaulted will," @cemeteryfIowers also wrote on X.
Added @chefbriere, who wrote on X: "feels like a real slap in the face to women that an nhl team would go out of their way to sign a rapist when he wasn’t even that great of a player to begin with. he was already losing his starting role to (Samuel Ersson) before he left.
"congratulations to the vegas golden knights for throwing away the shred of reputation they had left by signing a mediocre rapist who literally (expletive) himself out of anxiety."
Captain Mark Stone said players were approached before Hart was signed, adding that management "put a lot of time and effort into" the signing and that the players are "looking forward to having him here."
"When you speak to people who know Carter, they have a lot of good things to say about his character and who he is as a person," Jack Eichel said. "We’re really looking forward to having him and moving forward."
And while much of the debate on social media came from nameless or faceless X account holders, two female season ticket holders - both mothers of seven daughters combined - said they don't see an issue with the signing, considering the players were acquitted.
"I’m good with it," said Ronnie H., who has three daughters. "We are a second-chance team. We started with throwaway players that no one thought would go far, and yet here we are.
"And he was acquitted, so he should be able to live his life without all the noise. I kind of feel bad for him. He was a kid and was in with the wrong crowd, making bad, bad decisions. He’s a good goalie, and we really need another one. Everyone hates Vegas, so it’s one more thing to hate, I guess."
Terri L., who like Ronnie H., has been a season-ticket holder since the team's inception in 2017 and said other players have been surrounded by criticism, and after arriving in the Golden Knights' locker room and proving their character, were eventually embraced by the community.
She expects nothing less with Hart.
"What I love about the Knights is they don’t care about the scandal as much as they care about building a competitive roster," Terri L. said. "They evaluate the player based on the person and their skills versus the baggage they have."
Hart spoke to reporters after a morning workout at the team facility on Thursday morning.
"I'm beyond grateful, excited and honored to be part of the Golden Knights," said Hart, who made 25 starts in what was his sixth season for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2023-24, when he recorded a 2.80 goals-against average, .906 save percentage, one shutout and 12-9-3 record before stepping away from the team. "It's been a long road to get back to this point, getting back to playing the game of hockey, the game that I love. I've learned a lot. I've grown a lot. Just excited to move forward.
"I've heard nothing but great things about the city, the community, the fanbase, the organization and I got to meet a lot of people today. And I'm so excited to get the chance to play in front of them, and for them. And just get to show the community my true character and who I am and what I'm about.
"I got to meet some guys here today. Everybody's been very welcoming. I'm just looking forward to getting things rolling here, getting to work alongside all these guys, getting to know them all, and continuing to build on the championship culture that's been established here in Las Vegas."
MLS Decision Day is upon us! Who’s In and Who’s Out? + Nick Rimando Breaks Down the USMNT Goalkeeper Dilemma
Christian Polanco and Alexis Guerreros bring on MLS Season Pass analyst Gio Savarese to preview the end of the MLS season and what to expect from Decision Day. Then, they’re joined by former MLS and USMNT goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who breaks down the USMNT’s recent performances and shares his thoughts on the ongoing goalkeeper battle. Later, the boys react to the latest soccer headlines, including Cape Verde’s World Cup qualification, Haji Wright’s standout showing, and more!
James Franklin to appear on ‘College GameDay’ following Penn State firing
Former Penn State football coach James Franklin is set to appear on "College GameDay" on Saturday for an exclusive, in-person interview. Here's more.
Aidan Chiles injury update: Michigan State football QB ‘expected to be available’
Aidan Chiles injury update: The Michigan State football QB is 'expected to be available,' but will he play vs. the Indiana Hoosiers?
Kings Vs Penguins: Game Preview
The Kings look to improve to 2-2-1 as they welcome Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After losing 4-3 in a shootout on Sunday against Minnesota, the Kings look to snap their two-game losing streak tonight against the Penguins. The Penguins are also looking to snap their 2 game losing streak tonight as they continue their California road trip.
Projected Kings Lines:
Projected lines for the Kings:
A. Kuzmenko - A. Kopitar - A. Kempe
K. Fiala - Q. Byfield - J. Armia
W. Foegele - P. Danault - T. Moore
J. Malott - A. Turcotte - A. Laferriere
B. Dumoulin - D. Doughty
J. Edmundson - B. Clarke
M. Anderson - C. Ceci
A. Forsberg
P. Copley
Projected Penguins Lines:
Projected lines for the Penguins:
R. Rakell - S. Crosby - B. Rust
A. Mantha - E. Malkin - J. Brazeau
F. Hallander - T. Novak - P. Tomasino
C. Dewar - B. Lizotte - N. Acciari
P. Wotherspoon - E. Karlsson
R. Shea - K. Letang
C. Jones - H. Brunicke
A. Silovs
T. Jarry
Important Factors
Before the important factors, some news regarding the Kings' lineup is that Anze Kopitar is a game-time decision due to a lower-body injury. Earlier this week, the Kings acquired G Phoenix Copley from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Future Considerations because Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper is out of the lineup with a lower-body injury.
The Kings will have to limit the Penguins' chances, as their depth has provided them with numerous scoring opportunities. They will also have to limit not only Sidney Crosby but also Evgeni Malkin and Justin Brazeau, as both of them are off to hot starts this season.
If the Kings get on the power play, that is where they can do the most damage, as they are ranked 9th in the NHL in power play percentage, and the Penguins' penalty kill is ranked 23rd, allowing the Kings to capitalize on that.
Another key defensive aspect the Kings need to address is allowing G Anton Forsberg to see the puck. The Penguins often crash the net for tips and rebounds, and if the Kings give Forsberg enough room to see the puck, they will be able to capitalize.
Overall, if the Kings limit the Penguins' scoring chances, in that case, their counterattack will be able to capitalize on the Penguins' defensemen, as they often pinch and are aggressive offensively, which the Kings can use to their advantage.
Curt Cignetti contract details with Indiana football after school extends coach
Indiana on Thursday, Oct. 16 announced that football coach Curt Cignetti agreed to an eight-year extension. Here's what to know:
CARTER HART: "I'm So Excited … To Show The Community My True Character And Who I am And What I'm About."
LAS VEGAS -- Carter Hart spoke to reporters after his workout as a member of the Golden Knights.
Hart, who cannot play in the NHL before Dec. 1, was one of the five members of Canada’s 2018 world juniors team who were found not guilty of sexual assault in a trial that took place earlier this year in London, Ont.
"I'm beyond grateful, excited and honored to be part of the Golden Knights," Hart said. "Got a great skate today with (goalie coach Sean) Burke and a few guys.
"It's been a long road to get back to this point, getting back to playing the game of hockey, the game that I love. I've been out of the game for a year and a half now. I've learned a lot. I've grown a lot. Just excited to move forward."
The other players are Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote.
Hart, and the other four players who sign contracts, won’t be able to begin conditioning with their teams until Nov. 15 or play in the NHL until Dec. 1.
Hart hasn’t played an NHL game since Jan. 20, 2024. He made 25 starts in what was his sixth season for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2023-24, when he recorded a 2.80 goals-against average, .906 save percentage, one shutout and 12-9-3 record before stepping away from the team.
Vegas starting goalie Adin Hill suffered a lower-body injury during its game against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. He didn’t return after the first period, and after participating in morning skate on Thursday, will serve as backup to Akira Schmid, who subbed in to play the final two periods against the Flames.
Hart can officially make his Golden Knights debut as early as Dec. 2 when Vegas hosts the Chicago Blackhawks.
"I've heard nothing but great things about the city, the community, the fanbase, the organization and I got to meet a lot of people today, and I'm so excited to get the chance to play in front of them, and for them," Hart said. "And, just get to show the community my true character and who I am and what I'm about.
"I got to meet some guys here today. Everybody's been very welcoming. I'm just looking forward to getting things rolling here, getting to work alongside all these guys, getting to know them all, and continuing to build on the championship culture that's been established here in Las Vegas."
Indiana inks Curt Cignetti to 8-year contract extension worth over $90 million
The Hoosiers are 17-2 since Cignetti took over ahead of the 2024 season.
Nets' Egor Demin to make preseason debut Friday vs. Raptors
Egor Demin, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, will make his preseason debut on Friday when the Nets play the Toronto Raptors in their final exhibition game before the regular season starts next week.
The 19-year-old has been out with a plantar fascia tear, causing him to miss Brooklyn's first three preseason games. Demin suffered the injury after summer league, GM Sean Marks said at the end of September during media day, but head coach Jordi Fernandez noted Thursday that he's been playing five-on-five and is "ready to take the next step."
"So he’s been practicing based on the program that we’ve had for him. As you guys know, it’s been a ramp up and he’s been able to play five-on-five, and now he’s ready to see the floor," Fernandez said, via the New York Post. "So, good news is (Friday) he’ll have some minutes. And that’s exciting. I’m excited for him. He’s done a great job and now we’re ready to take the next step."
Demin, along with fellow rookie guards Nolan Traore (No. 19 pick) and Ben Saraf (No. 26 pick), will all play a major role for the Nets during their rebuilding 2025-26 season.
Traore started both preseason games against the Suns in Macao, China, playing 17 minutes in each and scoring four points and six points, respectively. While Saraf came off the bench in those two preseason games and showed some impressive flashes, dishing out 11 assists in Brooklyn's 111-109 win on Oct. 12.
As for how Fernandez will operate the lineups with all three rookie guards in the mix, the coach is excited to see them fight for minutes while he figures out the rotation.
"Yeah, I don’t have a crystal ball, so I don’t know if I can answer the question," Fernandez demurred. "What I’m very excited about is seeing how that process is going to go. They’re all going to fight for some of the same minutes. They’re all going to fight for some of the wing minutes.
"But right now for sure the starting point guard and backup point guard, those three are fighting for those minutes. And that’s great because we’re going to see a lot of the young talent we drafted playing real NBA minutes."
Demin, who's listed at 6-foot-9, averaged 11.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 steals per game over three NBA Summer League contests, shooting 43.5 percent from three-point range. Fernandez believes the rookie's size and skill will be a boost for the team, adding that he wants to see Demin "have fun" in his first preseason minutes.
“Yeah I don’t have too much (expectation) for him as far as he doesn’t need to feel much pressure or anything. I want him to enjoy his first minutes,” Fernandez said.
“Obviously, I’m going to ask him things like I ask everybody else as far as doing certain things with purpose, and play really hard and use his superpowers. That’s his passing and shooting and his size. But don’t overthink it. I don’t want him to try to analyze everything, and just go out there and have fun.”
Phillies reup coaching staff with one vacancy, new role
Phillies reup coaching staff with one vacancy, new role originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Phillies’ coaching staff will look largely familiar in 2026 — except for one key addition. With Mike Calitri transitioning into a new Major League field coordinator role, the club plans to hire an experienced bench coach from outside the organization to work alongside Rob Thomson.
“Managers use bench coaches in different fashions during a game,” Dave Dombrowski said at Thursday’s end-of-season press conference. “I think it would be ideal to have somebody that maybe has had some managerial experience or that-type of role. But we think Cal is perfect for that [field-coordinator] role. He’s done such a good job in so many ways.”
Thomson agreed: “It was Dave’s idea,” he said. “But I thought it was a good one — another set of eyes, a different perspective.”
He emphasized that chemistry will drive the hire: “Absolutely. Not only with myself but with the rest of the staff. The staff is so good — we’re just trying to add one more guy to make it even a little bit better.”
Thomson’s postseason regrets help explain the motivation. He pointed to a pair of decisions in Game 1 of the NLDS — having David Robertson come in after a long “up-down” and using Matt Strahm mid-inning rather than with a clean frame — as moments he’d reconsider. “We didn’t check that box,” he said. “Would it have made a difference? I don’t know. But if we’d checked that box, I could sleep a little bit better.”
Those small margins express the value of another experienced voice in the dugout — not because Calitri fell short, but because the Phillies want to keep evolving.
The rest of the staff is expected to return. Pitching coach Caleb Cotham and hitting coach Kevin Long remain cornerstones, and both — like Thomson — trace part of their baseball DNA to the Yankees. Thomson spent 27 years in New York’s organization and coached under Joe Girardi, who later managed the Phillies. Cotham was drafted by the Yankees in 2009 and made his big-league debut with them six years later. Long served as the Yankees’ hitting coach from 2007-14.
That shared lineage doesn’t make this a Yankees reunion — but it hints at the kind of profile Philadelphia could target: someone who’s been in the fire and can serve as Thomson’s trusted in-game partner.
Possible fits who check those boxes — managerial experience and familiarity with Thomson’s era of the Yankees, as well as playing days — include Tony Peña, Willie Randolph, DeMarlo Hale, Al Pedrique, and Bobby Meacham. Each has managed or coached at the Major or Minor League level and carries a strong reputation
Why the rest of the staff isn’t changing
There’s bound to be noise about why the Phillies didn’t make broader coaching changes after another NLDS exit. But both Dombrowski and Thomson made it clear — the organization remains confident in the group’s track record.
For Long, the body of work speaks loudly. Since he joined the Phillies before the 2022 season, the team ranks second in the Majors in batting average (.256), third in OPS (.753), fifth in runs per game (4.79), and fifth in batting average with runners in scoring position (.263).
The October numbers tell a different story — the Phillies are just 12-for-61 (.197) with runners in scoring position over their past two postseasons — but Long’s regular-season results and reputation across the league still carry weight inside the organization.
Dombrowski voiced confidence in Long entering his fifth season in the role, “Kevin Long is an exceptionally good hitting coach…I think we have a good hitting program.”
Cotham’s case is even clearer. Under his watch, the Phillies’ pitching staff has evolved into one of baseball’s best units. Over the last two seasons, Philadelphia starters own a 3.69 ERA, the lowest in the National League.
Extending Topper’s stay?
Ultimately, the Phillies view this winter’s adjustments as refinement, not reinvention — further evidence of Dombrowski’s trust in his skipper.
“We believe in Rob and his staff,” Dombrowski said. “They’ve helped establish a winning culture here.”
For Thomson, who returns to manage in the final year of his contract, the feeling is mutual. He made clear he’d welcome a longer stay in Philadelphia.
“Oh, absolutely,” Thomson said. “The last four years have been the most fun of my career. It has to do with the people in the organization — players, staff, front office, the fan base, how I’m treated by [the media]. I feel like I’m treated very fairly. As long as I’m happy, my family’s happy, I’m having fun, and they want me, I’ll manage.”
The Wraparound: Should The NHL Be Concerned About The Ice For The Olympics?
The Wraparound is back to discuss NHL and hockey topics in rapid-fire segments.
Should The NHL Be Concerned About The Ice For The Olympics? by The WraparoundHere's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Jim Parsons discussed in this episode:
0:00: With Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton extended, what’s the next step in the Montreal Canadiens’ organizational journey?
4:37: Can the New Jersey Devils stay competitive without Jacob Markstrom in their lineup for the next few weeks?
7:43: Will the Florida Panthers' injury struggles begin to catch up to them?
11:35: Could Zeev Buium help the Minnesota Wild become an elite offensive team?
15:20: Should Jimmy Snuggerud be the early favorite for the Calder Trophy?
18:55: Should the NHL be concerned about the untested ice for the upcoming Olympics?
22:40: Does Easton Cowan’s early success with the Toronto Maple Leafs create some urgency for a Nick Robertson trade?
29:10: How will the Edmonton Oilers organize their forward group with Zach Hyman returning?
See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.
Penguins At Kings Preview: Penguins Looking To Snap Two-Game Losing Streak
The Pittsburgh Penguins will play their second game of the California road trip on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Kings.
The Penguins started the California trip in Anaheim on Tuesday and jumped out to a 2-0 lead before losing by one goal, 4-3. The game was tied with less than two minutes to go in the third period when Penguins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon took a delay of game penalty by sending the puck over the glass.
It only took seven seconds for the Ducks' power play to cash in, thanks to forward Chris Kreider. He scored from about 15 feet out to give the Ducks the lead before they bled the rest of the clock. It was a brutal break for the Penguins, who were about to get at least a point out of the game.
They've now lost their last two games after starting the season with a 2-0-0 record. They'll try to snap that losing streak against a Kings' team that has historically been very stingy in their own end, but are off to a slow start this year, losing three of their first four games (1-2-1 record).
The Penguins conducted a morning skate before Thursday's game, and it didn't take long to notice that first-round pick Benjamin Kindel wasn't participating in line rushes. That's because he will be a healthy scratch for this game, per Penguins head coach Dan Muse. That shouldn't be too much of a surprise after Muse spoke earlier this week about their plans for both Kindel and fellow rookie Harrison Brunicke.
Forwards
Rakell-Crosby-Rust
Mantha-Malkin-Brazeau
Hallander-Novak-Tomasino
Dewar-Lizotte-Acciari
Defensemen
Wotherspoon-Karlsson
Shea-Letang
Jones-Brunicke
Goaltenders
Arturs Silovs
Tristan Jarry
Muse confirmed after the skate that Silovs will start in goal after Jarry played against the Ducks. Muse has been rotating the goalies between starts thus far.
Puck drop is set for 10 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
How The Vancouver Canucks Performed During 4+ Game Road Trips In 2024–25
The Vancouver Canucks were one of the better road teams in the NHL last season, racking up a record of 21–14–6 and 48 points (seventh in NHL). 26 of these 41 road games were spent as part of five of the team’s longer-term road trips, each spanning more than four games. With the Canucks now embarking on their first five-game road trip of the 2025–26 season, let’s take a look at how they performed in their five 4+ road game road trips during 2024–25.
October 15 to 22: 3–1–0
Most of Vancouver’s road success came at the start of the 2024–25 season. Against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Chicago Blackhawks, the team collected six of eight potential points during this week-long road trip. They had an overall positive goal differential, scoring 13 against all four teams combined and allowing only nine against.
As a whole, the Canucks recorded more shots on net (122) than shots against (115), as they only recorded less than 30 shots once and did not have less than 25. Vancouver also converted on three of six power play opportunities provided and killed 12 of 14 penalties taken.
November 23 to December 3: 5–1–1
Vancouver continued their road success into early December, helping Kevin Lankinen set a new NHL record. Granted, only two of the teams they played ended up making the playoffs in the spring (Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild), though the other teams they played (Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings) put up a fight, with five of these six games being separated by only a one-goal margin.
In terms of shots on goal versus shots faced, the Canucks allowed more (179) than what they produced (151). Their most productive period was the third, during which they put up a total of 55. The penalty kill remained at around 80%, while their power play capitalized on six of 18 chances.
January 6 to 14: 1–2–2
The month of January often becomes a make-or-break month for Vancouver. In 2023–24, the team went on a five-game road winning streak to help put them at the top of the Pacific Division by the end of the season.
2024–25 was a different story.
In five games against the Montréal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver registered only one win and lost the remaining four (two in overtime). They only recorded 107 shots on net throughout these five games, including a 14-shot game against the Hurricanes, and scored only nine goals total. They went two-for-12 on the power play, but continued their solid shorthanded efforts by killing 12 of 15 penalties.
February 22 to March 1: 1–4–0
As poor as their January road trip was, it was nowhere near as negative as their first long road trip after the 4 Nations Faceoff break. Vancouver lost four of their five games against the Vegas Golden Knights, Utah Mammoth, Anaheim Ducks, and Seattle Kraken, with their lone win coming in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings.
Shot-wise, Vancouver had yet another poor performance, registering only 122 in five games. Two of these matches included less than 20 shots throughout the whole game for the Canucks. In contrast, Vancouver allowed 142 shots against.
The Canucks continued their special teams patterns, going two-for-12 on the power play yet again but registering their best penalty-killing percentage of these road trips with a success rate of 93.3%. They scored eight even-strength goals in five games.
March 20 to 30: 2–2–2
By the time their final 4+ game road trip of the season rolled around, Canucks players were dropping like flies. Vancouver was without both centers Filip Chytil and Elias Pettersson by March 24, though they still remained eligible to qualify for a playoff spot.
During this road trip, Vancouver put up 171 shots in six games against the St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Jets, including a 39-shot game against the Rangers, who only posted 12. This was their first time putting up more shots than shots allowed (159) since their first long road trip at the start of the season. They also recorded their season-high in shots per period during 4+ game road trips with 64 recorded during second periods of this trip.
Vancouver’s special teams continued their usual run. They recorded a 16.7% power play rate for the third straight 4+ game road trip, but put up a penalty-killing percentage of 86% over 14 opportunities.
The Canucks begin the first of five 4+ game road trips this season tonight, as they take on the Dallas Stars at 5:00 pm PT. Tomorrow, they’ll face the Blackhawks at 5:30 pm PT. Vancouver will then take on the Capitals, Penguins, and Nashville Predators before returning to Rogers Arena for three games.
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:
Vancouver Canucks Mixing Up Forward Lines As Five-Game Road Trip Begins In Dallas Versus The Stars
Vancouver Canucks Gameday Preview #4: Starting A Road Trip Against The Dallas Stars
