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Anaheim Ducks a Tantalizing Potential Destination for Red Wings Center Dylan Larkin

Shockwaves were sent through the NHL landscape on Thursday afternoon, hours before puck drop for Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final, when premier NHL insider, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, reported that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (29) has requested a trade. 

Through his 11-year career, the fleet-footed, detailed, 200-foot center has been the epitome of consistency and dependability. In 2025-26, Larkin scored 67 points (34-33=67) in 74 games while averaging 20:11 TOI per game, including 1:31 on the penalty kill.

Most NHL teams would, could, and/or should be interested in adding the 2026 Olympic Gold Medal-winning center to their top-six, and the Anaheim Ducks are no exception. 

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Metropolitan Division

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Central Division

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Trade Partners/Targets, Atlantic Division

In 2026-27, Larkin will be entering the fourth year of an eight-year contract that carries an $8.7 million AAV and a full NTC. Larkin will ultimately choose his destination, but however much Detroit’s return may be lessened, it is unlikely Larkin will be traded for pennies on the dollar. 

With uncertainty, both long and short term, at the center position behind franchise player Leo Carlsson, adding a player with Larkin’s skillset and pedigree seems like a tantalizing fit and could round out the Ducks’ forward group both on paper and on the ice. 

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek isn’t unfamiliar with Larkin, as the former was Detroit’s assistant general manager from 2019 until Feb. 2022, when he was hired as Anaheim’s GM. Verbeek has also been an active trade partner of his former employer, executing trades with the Wings in each of the last two summers. 

As far as the potential pricetag for Larkin is concerned, the circumstances surrounding recent trades like Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in 2026, Bo Horvat to the New York Islanders in 2023, JT Miller to the New York Rangers in 2025, and Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2024 could offer indications on what Detroit could receive in return for their now-former “heart and soul” player.

Where Larkin’s situation differs from those of the recent past, where players somewhat “hand-picked” their landing spot, is how seemingly endless the potential destinations are, given the lack of quality in the upcoming free agent class, ever-rising salary cap ceiling, and abundance of teams in need of a top-six centerman. 

Mason McTavish (23) is a young piece whose name has been heavily discussed and speculated on among national media outlets as a player who could be on the move this offseason. If the Ducks were willing to move on from McTavish, it could give them an advantage, as not many teams could or would likely be willing to part with a player of his ilk in a deal like this. 

Could a package of McTavish, a second tier prospct like Eric Nilsson or Lasse Boelius, and a first-round pick be enough for the Ducks to land Larkin? Impossible to say, but it would be somewhat surprising if the ultimate return were much more than that in terms of value. 

With the Buffalo Sabres making the 2026 NHL Playoffs, Detroit is now the team with the league’s longest playoff drought, as they’ve missed the playoffs for the last ten seasons. On the surface, this potential package appears to be a standard “young roster player, prospect, and a first-round pick” deal. However, given Detroit’s situation and desperation to qualify for the playoffs, they may opt for more of a win-now approach when dealing their captain. 

Ultimately, Larkin will be in control of where he’ll play the next five years of his career. For the Ducks, the question (aside from cost and fit) will be if they’ve done enough to become a destination for star players on the move. They took some significant steps in their build and made the playoffs for the first time in eight years. They offer a vastly different lifestyle from Detroit, given aspects like the weather and minimal media attention, and they offer a proven young core with seemingly limitless potential.

Verbeek enters the offseason with a projected $38.7 million in cap space, with the only true hole on the depth chart appearing on the right side of the Ducks’ blueline. Over half of that cap space will likely go towards hefty extensions for core pieces Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. With a stockpile of picks, prospects, and young roster players, the Ducks are in as good a position as any to make a move of this magnitude this summer. 

The 2026 NHL Draft Combine is underway in Buffalo, New York, which has become a marquee networking event on the NHL calendar, as all 32 teams will have front office representatives present for the week. Frameworks for deals could be discussed, and the next four to six weeks will likely be the busiest for transactions until 2026 training camps roll around. 

Offseason Preview: Anaheim Ducks Shopping List

Ducks’ Granlund, Solberg Win Medals at 2026 Men’s Worlds

Anaheim Ducks Offseason Rumor Roundup: 5/28/26

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Mets vs Padres Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for June 5

The San Diego Padres (32-29) and New York Mets (27-35) meet for the first time this season at Petco Park for a three-game weekend series. San Diego enters on their longest losing streak of the season, while New York is starting to warm up.

New York is 5-2 over the last seven games, which includes a four-game winning streak. The Mets are hitting .240 over the last week (20th) with nine home runs (9th) and a bottom 10 walk to strikeout ratio. The Mets have a day off after the Padres series, then six consecutive home games.

San Diego has lost five straight games and nine of the past 10. The Padres are coming off a six-game road trip that resulted in one win and five losses. San Diego has the second-worst batting average (.187) over the last five games and the fifth-most strikeouts (50).

Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Mets at Padres

  • Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
  • Time: 9:40 PM EST
  • Site: Petco Park
  • City: San Diego, CA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Mets at the Padres

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: San Diego Padres (-132), New York Mets (+109)
  • Spread: Padres -1.5 (+168), Mets +1.5 (-205)
  • Total: 7.0

Probable starting pitchers for Mets at Padres

  • Friday's pitching matchup (June 5): Christian Scott vs. Michael King
  • Padres: Michael King

2026 stats: 68.0 IP, 4-4, 3.18 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 65 Ks, 29 BB

  • Phillies: Christian Scott

2026 Stats: 30.1 IP, 1-0, 2.97 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 38 Ks, 16 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • The Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. is hitting .270 with 61 hits and 73 total bases over 226 at-bats
  • The Padres’ Manny Machado is hitting .174 with 37 hits and 58 strikeouts over 213 at-bats
  • The Mets’ Juan Soto is hitting .293 with 49 hits and 94 total bases over 167 at-bats
  • The Mets’ Bo Bichette is hitting .226 with 56 hits and 44 strikeouts over 248 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Mets at Padres

  • The Padres are 34-27 ATS
  • The Mets are 36-26 ATS, ranking fifth-best
  • The Padres are 35-25-1 to the Under, ranking second-best
  • The Mets are 30-27-5 to the Under, ranking eighth-best
  • The Padres are 18-14 ATS at home
  • The Mets are 13-19 ATS on the road, ranking sixth-worst

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Padres and the Mets

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Padres and the Phillies:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Mets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Mets at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 7.0

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
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NBA Offseason Trade/Free Agent Rumors 2026: Austin Reaves seeks max, coaching search updates

While the NBA Finals are drawing most of the headlines — especially with the Knicks in them, energizing America's media capital — the NBA continues to move toward the draft, and with that free agency and trade rumors are flying around. Here are some of the latest.

Austin Reaves to ask for max

One of the Lakers' offseason priorities is to re-sign Austin Reaves. He showed he was a great fit last season as the secondary shot creator next to Luka Doncic, averaging a career-high 23.3 points per game, plus he dished out 5.5 assists per night and shot 36% from 3-point range. The question is simply the years and money.

Reaves is going to ask for a max deal from the Lakers, reports Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times during an appearance on the Lakers’ cable network Spectrum SportsNet.

"Based on what I understand, what I keep hearing, Austin wants the max. Is he willing to give the Lakers a hometown deal? I'm not so sure about that."

Technically, he's only giving the Lakers a discount if another team is offering the max (or at least more than the Lakers), and we have yet to see that team emerge. Based on the NBA's latest projections given to teams, the Lakers can give Reaves a max of five years, $239.3 million (that is a couple of million less than the number commonly reported). Reaves gave the Lakers a huge break on his last contract, but this is the chance for the 28-year-old to get his generational-wealth contract, and, understandably, he is going to take all the money he can get.

He's also not going to get the max, not in a tax-apron NBA. This is a negotiation: his agent should come in asking for the max, while the Lakers will start the bidding lower, and the sides will look for middle ground. Reaves is a free agent, and the two teams with cap space — Brooklyn and Chicago — could come in with four-year, $177.4 million max offers. However, the Bulls already have Josh Giddey, and Reaves seems like a poor fit alongside him. Brooklyn may be interested, but they are giving the max to a franchise anchor player, and Reaves is good but not that.

In league circles, the expectation is that the Lakers and Reaves reach a deal, likely in the five-year, $200 million range (the Lakers could go lower, four years at $160 million, too).

The Times' Turner also said this, and it may be the most likely outcome with LeBron James this summer.

"I'm gonna throw this out there: Lebron comes back on a two-year deal at $25 million per season with a player option and a no-trade clause."

Kings want to trade star

Sacramento wants to get off of at least one of its three big contracts this offseason — Zach LaVine ($48.9 million), Domantas Sabonis (owed $94.1 million across next two seasons), or DeMar DeRozan ($25.7 million) — reports Kings Insider James Ham on the Locked on Kings podcast. He also thinks Sabonis is the most likely to be on the move.

"I think Domantas Sabonis, out of all of their larger contract players, still has the most value. He's got more value than Zach LaVine. He's got more value than DeMar DeRozan. He's got more value than Malik Monk."

Sacramento, maybe more than any team, is stuck with contracts that do not play well in the more fiscally conservative apron era. Sabonis is a good offensive center (in his last healthy season, he averaged 19.1 points and 13.9 rebounds per game), but this contract is way above market value for him, and other teams will want picks attached (unless it's a swap of bad contracts). LaVine and DeRozan are moving into the last year of their deals, so there may be a team looking to clear cap space in a year that has interest, but it would be limited.

Going to be an interesting summer in Sacramento.

Thunder not trading Holmgren

Overreaction is the name of the game for creators looking for clicks and podcast listeners, but the smart teams are more measured. The Knicks have been measured and patient, and look at them. The Spurs are the most patient organization in the league. Oklahoma City won a ring and was the No. 1 seed in the West three years running because it does not do rash, impulsive things.

Which means the Thunder are not trading Chet Holmgren this offseason and are not jumping into the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, reports Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. Antetokounmpo is very expensive, seven years older than Holmgren, and hasn't been able to stay healthy long enough for a playoff run in years. The Thunder are not going to stand still, but they believe that if Jalen Williams and/or Ajay Mitchell were healthy, they would be playing in the NBA Finals right now. They are not about to break up a title team after one series loss.

That said, the tax apron is coming for the Thunder, and that could mean Lu Dort and other OKC fan favorites will be out the door.

Coaching search updates

• The Portland Trail Blazers are down to three candidates: Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, Boston assistant Tyler Lashbrook and Portland's interim (and technically current) coach Tiago Splitter, reports Marc Stein and Jake Fischer at The Stein Line. The search in Portland has been slowed a little because new team owner Tom Dundon also owns the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes, and they are in the Stanley Cup Final.

• The Chicago Bulls were high on Spurs assistant Sean Sweeney, but Orlando signed him (although he doesn't start work until after the NBA Finals). With that, the Bulls are expected to narrow down their list of candidates in the next week or so, reports Stein and Fischer. Among the names they said to watch are Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr., Thunder assistant Dave Bliss, current Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter, and the Pelicans interim coach for much of the season James Borrego. The Bulls reportedly did reach out to BYU coach Kevin Young, but those talks went nowhere. Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto also said to keep an eye on Hornets assistant Lamar Skeeter.

• The Dallas Mavericks reached out to a pair of college coaches — Duke's Jon Scheyer and Michigan's Dusty May — to "try to determine if there is any interest," Stein and Fischer report. Scheyer was Cooper Flagg's coach in the star forward's one year at Duke. Other names to watch include former Portland (and Atlanta and Milwaukee) head coach Terry Stotts, Minnesota assistant Micah Nori, Houston assistant Royal Ivey, Toronto assistant Jama Mahlalela and Boston assistant Tony Dobbins.

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How to watch San Francisco Giants vs. Chicago Cubs

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 31: Robbie Ray #38 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 31, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Francisco Giants head to the Windy City today to begin a three-game series against the Chicago Cubs.

Taking the mound for the Giants will be left-hander Robbie Ray, who enters today’s game with a 4.45 ERA, 5.40 FIP, with 59 strikeouts to 31 walks in 62.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 19-6 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, in which he allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in four innings.

He’ll be facing off against Cubs right-hander Edward Cabrera, who enters today’s game with a 4.00 ERA, 4.46 FIP, with 47 strikeouts to 20 walks in 54 innings pitched. His last start was in the Cubs’ 5-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on May 20th, in which he allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits with two strikeouts and two walks in three innings.

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Game #64

Who: San Francisco Giants (25-38) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (37-22)

Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois

When: 11:20 a.m. PT

Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area

National broadcast: n/a

Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM, KSFN 1510 AM

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Yankees Mailbag: With Aaron Judge to miss significant time, what's next for NY?

The Yankees’ season changed dramatically Thursday evening, when the team announced that Aaron Judge has a stress fracture in his rib and will likely be out until after the All-Star break. Given that speculation around his injury evolved to include thoracic outlet syndrome, a stress fracture that just needs rest qualifies as a relief. But given that Judge is as crucial to his team’s fate as any player in baseball, it also qualifies as a problem.

We all have questions about exactly how the Yanks will cope with losing the best right-handed hitter of his generation. So let’s take a stab at a few of them now...

Cashman at the least has to call the Angels to see if their CFer might be willing to waive his no-trade, right? -- @kenwhitehepflc

I mean, I certainly would. I have long operated under the assumption that if Mike Trout was willing to be dealt, he would have been by now. But after the show Trout put on when the Angels were in town last month, the idea of adding him to the Yankees’ outfield mix is certainly enticing. I don’t think it will happen. I don’t think the Yankees need to go big replacing Judge. 

But I will say, Giancarlo Stanton is only under contract through next year if the Yankees do not pick up his 2028 option, and Trent Grisham is a free agent again this winter. They will have more outfield at-bats to give the next few years than they have in some time. So I think it’s fair to dream.

Have to tread water until he gets back, and the defense, situational ball - imagine? - and bullpen have to be sharp. -- @SMD_LS

Exactly. And the defense and ability to play situational baseball are why I think this team is better equipped to handle life without Judge than teams past. Though the advanced metrics do not reflect this, they are far peskier on the bases than slugging Yankees teams normally are. Only three teams have stolen more bases.

Aaron Boone indicated this week that they will probably be more aggressive on the bases with Judge out in order to create runs. In Jose Caballero, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cody Bellinger,and others, they have personnel with the speed and know-how to make their running game a difference maker.

The bullpen being sharp is less of a sure thing, though the fact that the Yankees will add to it feels like one. 

And as for treading water, Jasson Dominguez is nearing his return from injury and will likely get some run in the outfield. Based on his play in spring training and during his brief major league stint, he looks like a capable producer. If Stanton continues his progress and can return, say, a week or so from now, that combination should be more than capable of keeping New York afloat until Judge and his power return to help them set sail again.

Mar 31, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) on second with a steal against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park.
Mar 31, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) on second with a steal against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at T-Mobile Park. / John Froschauer-Imagn Images

I think they’re now a 90-92 win team, which should easily be enough to secure a wildcard (perhaps the top WC). Come October, a healthy Judge + elite rotation + upgraded bullpen will definitely be a World Series contender. -- @BartAcocella1

Agreed. This is why I don’t think they need to make a big deal to replace Judge. As is, with that pitching staff and Max Fried on the way back, they are more than capable of surviving two months of less offensive firepower. I still think they will probably pursue an offensive upgrade behind the plate, and maybe now that happens sooner than it would have if Judge were healthy. But bullpen help should – and I’m sure will – be more of a priority than interim offensive help.

This team is built for October. The key is getting there healthy. If that’s as the first Wild Card instead of a division champion, fine. Their pitching is more than good enough to survive a short series if they have to play one. 

Even a few months without Judge do not necessarily change their potential. If they were going to get an injury to their superstar, I think this is one they would sign for: bones heal, soft tissue injuries linger. Stress fractures can be tricky, but I still think that, based on everything we know now, this injury does not ruin what is one of the more promising Yankees seasons of Boone’s tenure.

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Dodgers vs Angels Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for June 5

The battle of Los Angeles is on this weekend when the Dodgers (40-23) and Angels (24-39) meet for a three-game set. This will be the second series between the two as the Dodgers swept the Angels outscoring them 31-3 through three games.

The Dodgers are coming off a loss to the Diamondbacks, 3-2, losing on a solo homer in the ninth. Los Angeles is 9-3 over the last 12 games, but 3-3 in the past six. Shohei Ohtani received a day off yesterday and is expected back in the lineup for the series opener versus the Angels.

The Angels beat the Rockies, 11-4 on Wednesday, which followed up three straight losses. Los Angeles is 3-6 over the last nine games after they won a season-high four straight games. Both the Angels and Dodgers are top six in batting average over the last seven and 15 days.

Let’s dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Angels at Dodgers

  • Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
  • Time: 10:10 PM EST
  • Site: Dodger Stadium  
  • City: Los Angeles, CA
  • Network/Streaming: MLB TV

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Angels at the Dodgers

The latest odds as of Friday:

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers (-199), Los Angeles Angels (+163)
  • Spread: Angels +1.5 (-131), Dodgers -1.5 (+108)
  • Total: 8.0

Probable starting pitchers for Angels at Dodgers

  • Friday's pitching matchup (June 5): Reid Detmers vs. Roki Sasaki  
  • Angels: Reid Detmers

2026 stats: 68.0 IP, 2-5, 4.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 82 Ks, 22 BB

  • Dodgers: Roki Sasaki

2026 Stats: 51.0 IP, 3-3, 4.59 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 50 Ks, 19 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not

  • The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani is hitting .301 with 66 hits and 114 total bases over 219 at-bats
  • The Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker is hitting .243 with 54 hits and 48 strikeouts over 222 at-bats
  • The Angels’ Oswald Peraza is hitting .283 with 49 hits and 80 total bases over 173 at-bats
  • The Angels’ Jorge Soler is hitting .220 with 47 hits and 76 strikeouts over 214 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Angels at Dodgers

  • The Dodgers are 33-30 ATS
  • The Angels are 30-33 ATS
  • The Dodgers are 37-26 to the Under, ranking first
  • The Angels are 32-31 to the Under
  • The Dodgers are 15-16 ATS at home
  • The Angels are 14-18 ATS on the road

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Dodgers and the Angels

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Friday's game between the Angels and the Dodgers:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Dodgers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Dodgers at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 8.0

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
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Overturned Stanley Cup Final goal adds controversy to Game 2 thriller

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows stanley cup final game 2 overturned vegas goal hurricanes, Image 2 shows John Tortorella of the Vegas Golden Knights looks on during the third period of Game Two of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final

Given the chance, John Tortorella would do it again.

The Golden Knights coach unsuccessfully challenged referee Jean Hebert’s call that Ivan Barbashev pushed Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen into the net as Vegas appeared to score with five minutes left in regulation in Carolina’s ultimate 4-3 overtime win in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.

“I saw a loose puck in front of Freddie,” Tortorella said. “Our player stabbed it, didn’t move the goalie and it goes through him into the other side. I’d challenge it 10 out of 10 times.”

The pivotal call took a 3-2 Vegas lead off the board and allowed Carolina to score its third straight goal — in a span of 5:05 — on the power play resulting from the unsuccessful challenge and take a 3-2 lead on home ice.

“The ruling on the play was goaltender interference,” Stephen Walkom, the NHL’s executive vice president and director of officiating, told a pool reporter. “[Hebert] waved it (off) immediately. He believed that it was under the goalie, and the Vegas player went after the puck and interfered with the goalie and his ability to freeze the puck and waived it off immediately.”

Vegas’ Mark Stone sent the game into overtime with a backhander past Andersen with 1:11 left in regulation, but Carolina blueliner Seth Jarvis whistled a slap shot past goalie Carter Hart for the win just 3:56 into the extra frame on yet another power-play goal.

“You’d like to make them pay every time,” Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho said. “It’s a big swing because the other option is going down a goal. But other than that, every time you get a power play, you’re trying to score. So, it’s not that different, but obviously it was a big swing.”

John Tortorella of the Vegas Golden Knights looks on during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes. Getty Images

Not big enough to change the mind or Tortorella, who took over the Vegas bench with just eight games remaining in the season after the shocking firing of Bruce Cassidy.

Tortorella, a Stanley Cup winner with the Lightning in 2004 and helming his sixth NHL team, understands why it all went down this way — not that he has to like it.

“That’s been explained by the league, and I stand behind my decision,” Tortorella said Friday.

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Elmo’s NBA Finals neutrality draws ire of Knicks fans: ‘Not rocking with you’

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows NEW YORK, NY - MAY 27: Sesame Street Muppet 'Elmo' attends the Sesame Workshop's 13th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 27, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Zimmerman/WireImage), Image 2 shows Fans gathered to watch the game on a big screen with Chase building in the background
Elmo Knicks

“Elmo causing NBA Finals drama” probably wasn’t on your bingo card.

The famed “Sesame Street” puppet is getting pushback from fervent New York basketball fans after wishing both the Knicks and Spurs well before Wednesday night’s NBA Finals Game 1.

“Elmo hopes both teams have fun,” the Muppet wrote on X before the start of the Finals.

Sesame Street Muppet ‘Elmo’ attends the Sesame Workshop’s 13th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 27, 2015 in New York City. WireImage

The post has since drawn over 12 million views and over a thousand comments, mainly from irate Knicks fans stunned Elmo wasn’t fully endorsing his hometown team before its first NBA Finals game since 1999.

Sesame Street is canonically a New York City street — the show was originally filmed in Manhattan before moving to Queens in 1993.

“Elmo this is the first time I’m not rocking with you. You gotta root for your city man!” X user @UTxJGTheDon replied in the comments.

“Hey man, you from Sesame Street, in the middle of New York City. You better be rooting for the Knicks!” another New York sports fan, @RonDeLaPena, wrote on X.

Several of the comments used colorful language not appropriate for the PBS show, and others used anatomical words to describe their feelings about the post.

Even with Elmo getting serious backlash, the Knicks rallied back from down 14 points in the third quarter to steal Game 1 of the Finals 105-95.

Knicks fans celebrate outside Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, during the first NBA finals game between the Knicks and the Spurs. (Robert Mecea for New York Post) Robert Mecea for New York Post

In the Knicks’ first Finals win in 27 years, Jalen Brunson stole the show with a game-high 30 points on 12-of-31 shooting.

Brunson struggled in the first half, but hit a clutch 3 to put the Knicks up 97-95 with under two minutes remaining, and they wouldn’t relinquish that lead.

Karl-Anthony Towns also starred in his first NBA Finals game with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Josh Hart grabbed 15 boards and added four steals despite only having three points.

Spurs star Victor Wembanyama couldn’t fit his footing, shooting just 6-of-21 from the field.

San Antonio aims to even the series Friday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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Knicks-themed NYC subway entrance becomes latest viral tribute during team’s NBA Finals run

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows People on a city street in front of a blue building with flags, trees, and tall buildings in the background, Image 2 shows A family selfie with a man, woman, and two children, one aged 7 and one aged 4, on a New York City street with a subway station billboard in the background, Image 3 shows Kara Vangeli and Krista LaPlatney posing for a selfie in front of a subway station billboard

Even the MTA is hopping aboard the Knicks train!

A repainted blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden has become a viral sensation for Knickerbocker fans, who have been gathering in droves to snap a selfie with the colorful team tribute.

The station was clad in Knicks colors and adorned with basketball light fixtures on Monday to honor the New York team’s first finals appearance since 1999 – and has been drawing hordes of jubilant fans to the new monument since.

A revamped blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden has become Knickerbocker fans’ latest viral landmark. James Messerschmidt for the NY Post
Fans have been gathering in droves to snap a selfie with the colorful team tribute. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano

“As a fan and a native New Yorker, I’ve never seen anything like this before, where the city really recognizes the sports team,” said Richard Bird of Harlem, as dozens of fans took selfies at the station entrance Wednesday afternoon.

“The Yankees have been doing it for years, but [for] the Knicks, I’m saying it’s amazing.”

“I think [subway stations] should be painted all over the city,” said Cornelio Joseph, known as Beat of New York online. “It’ll elevate the culture,” the 33-year-old added, “and has to celebrate the message: to celebrate the Knicks.”

The subway station makeover comes as part of a citywide celebration, with Big Apple residents coming up with Knicks-themed bagels, lattes, cheesesteaks and even tattoos to celebrate the team.

Joseph noted the historic run has ignited a citywide camaraderie unlike any other – and the subway station revamp has become a viral representation of Big Apple pride.

The station was clad in Knicks colors and adorned with basketball light fixtures on Monday to honor the New York team’s first finals appearance since 1999 – and has been drawing hordes of jubilant fans to the new monument since. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano
The subway station makeover comes as part of a citywide celebration. James Messerschmidt for the NY Post

“If you’re a real New Yorker, you know the colors of blue and orange,” Joseph added. “I definitely think it brings unity.”

“Every time New York stays on top, it always unites the city,” remarked 22-year-old NYU student Andrew. “For [the team] to be down for so long, [and] for it to be back up again, that’s the difference.”

“In 2026, we’re divided on so many economic and political issues. Sports is something that we can all agree on,” said Matt Swirsky, a self-proclaimed “bandwagon” Knicks fan from Long Island.

Long Island residents Kara Vangeli, 40, and Krista LaPlatney (right), 40, take a selfie in front of the revamped blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden. Robert Miller for NY Post
Brooklyn resident Vinicio Moran, 36, and Queens resident Genesis Jerez, 30, take a selfie in front of the revamped blue-and-orange 34th Street subway entrance outside Madison Square Garden. Robert Miller for NY Post
MTA’s chief customer officer, Shanifah Rieara, said the transit system entrance will go back to its natural colors even if the Knicks win the NBA Finals Robert Miller for NY Post

“It’s great to see the city – just the excitement of people from different backgrounds all come together.” 

The selfie spot – which has even drawn Mayor Zohran Mamdani to pose outside with basketball fans – was painted overnight into Monday after being floated for about a week, the MTA’s chief customer officer Shanifah Rieara told The New York Times.

The makeover comes after several Knicks-themed celebrations within the subway system, from actor Tracy Morgan recording a themed announcement to Rapper Fat Joe guest conducting on the 1 train. 

The makeover comes after several Knicks-themed celebrations within the subway system. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano

At Penn Station, the lights now shine orange, white and blue in celebration of the finals clinch.

The transit system’s team pride isn’t limited to the Knicks, either: when the New York Liberty won a championship title in 2024, the MTA hung a banner in their honor, the Times reported.

Still, Rieara adamantly squashed any dreams of the entire transit system being re-painted in the near future, even if the Knicks clinch a championship win: 

Knicks fans snap photos of the blue-and-orange subway entrance near Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano
At Penn Station, the lights now shine orange, white and blue in celebration of the finals clinch. Courtesy of Xavier Serrano

“This is the only one,” she told the outlet. “Doing multiple sort of diminishes the experience.”

An MTA rep told The Post the 34th Street station entrance will remain blue-and-orange “until a time to be determined.

But Knicks fans are far from losing hope – on both a finals win and a city painted blue-and-orange.

“They need to make every train station like that,” argued Duane, 37, of Harlem.

“Especially when we win!”

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Declawed: Mariners at Tigers Series Preview

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - JUNE 03: Riley Greene #31 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates with teammates after the Detroit Tigers defeated the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Alex Zadorozny/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

The Mariners had their eight-game win streak snapped on Wednesday, but they maintained their 2.5 game lead over the Athletics with the series win over the Mets. Now the team embarks on their longest road trip of the season, a 10-day affair that will take them through Detroit, Baltimore, and Washington DC.  Thanks to this extended stretch of play without an off day, Seattle will be reinserting Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo into a six-man rotation.

GameTimeMariners StarterTigers StarterMariners Win%Tigers Win%
Game 1Friday, June 5 | 3:40 pmRHP Bryan WooLHP Framber Valdez51.3%48.7%
Game 2Saturday, June 6 | 10:10 amRHP Bryce MillerRHP Keider Montero53.1%46.9%
Game 3Sunday, June 7 | 10:40 amRHP Luis CastilloRHP Jack Flaherty49.7%50.3%
*Game odds courtesy of FanGraphs
OverviewMarinersTigersEdge
Batting (wRC+)108 (2nd in AL)96 (12th in AL)Mariners
Fielding (FRV)-14 (14th)-8 (11th)Tigers
Starting Pitching (FIP-)91 (4th)87 (2nd)Tigers
Bullpen (FIP-)86 (1st)102 (9th)Mariners

The Tigers entered the season as the favorite to win the AL Central. With two straight playoff appearances, a competitive showing in the ALDS against the Mariners last year, a bolstered starting rotation, and one of the top prospects in baseball ready to make his debut, it really looked like Detroit was ready to ascend to the top echelon of the AL. Things haven’t exactly gone to plan. Through the end of April, the team was hovering around .500 but battling for the lead in their division. Then, on May 4, Tarik Skubal was placed on the IL with bone spurs in his throwing elbow. Since then, the Tigers have gone 7-21 and have fallen all the way to the bottom of the standings in the AL.

PlayerPositionBatsPAK%BB%ISOwRC+
Gleyber Torres2BR15414.9%16.9%0.096122
Kevin McGonigleSSL26413.3%13.6%0.124130
Dillon DinglerCR23119.9%8.7%0.266130
Kerry CarpenterDHL12933.3%8.5%0.248117
Riley GreeneLFL26328.1%12.5%0.149146
Spencer Torkelson1BR24031.7%11.7%0.184102
Colt Keith3BL18020.0%5.6%0.06080
Matt VierlingCFR18017.2%8.9%0.15080
Wenceel PérezRFS15815.8%7.0%0.15051

While the injury to Skubal has gotten all the headlines, it’s actually the offense that can be blamed for a lot of the team’s struggles this year. The Tigers scored just 2.89 runs per game in May and scored more than five runs in a game just three times last month. Riley Greene, Dillon Dingler, and Kevin McGonigle have been the lone bright spots. Greene is in the midst of his best offensive season yet, though his BABIP is an unsustainable .439 and his power output has concerningly subsided. Dingler should be getting more attention if it weren’t for Shea Langeliers’ breakout overshadowing Dingler’s big step forward. The young catcher has already blasted 14 home runs and has already accumulated 2.5 fWAR. McGonigle has performed extremely well in his first taste of the majors and is currently the favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year award. Detroit did just activate Gleyber Torres and Kerry Carpenter off the IL last weekend which means the lineup is pretty close to full strength now.

Probable Pitchers 

Updated Stuff+ Explainer 

PitcherIPK%BB%HR/FB%GB%ERAFIP
Framber Valdez67.218.3%8.5%10.1%47.6%4.394.18
Bryan Woo70.224.4%5.0%6.4%35.1%3.442.96
PitchUsage vRHBUsage vLHBVelocityStuff+Whiff+BIP+xwOBA
Sinker43.6%58.6%94.09778760.351
Changeup23.9%4.8%89.196791000.314
Curveball31.6%20.5%78.5117101640.296
Slider0.9%16.1%85.9

A familiar foe from his time in Houston, Framber Valdez signed a huge free agent contract with the Tigers this offseason. The idea was that he’d form a formidable one-two punch atop Detroit’s starting rotation with Skubal, though that hasn’t exactly played out as planned. Valdez has struggled a bit to start the year, though a 10-run meltdown against Boston is doing a lot of heavy lifting propping up his high ERA. Still, his strikeout rate and his groundball rate are the lowest they’ve ever been. Those were his two calling cards during his time with the Astros. For whatever reason, he’s allowing a bunch more contact, and the majority of it is in the air.

PitcherIPK%BB%HR/FB%GB%ERAFIP
Keider Montero6117.8%6.2%7.4%34.8%3.693.97
Bryce Miller2125.3%3.8%9.5%42.6%1.712.86
PitchUsage vRHBUsage vLHBVelocityStuff+Whiff+BIP+xwOBA
Four-seam22.1%41.2%94.292591270.319
Sinker42.4%4.9%94.6103821640.300
Changeup2.4%23.6%87.181791740.178
Curveball10.7%16.3%80.69160970.380
Slider22.4%14.0%85.4101801060.281

Keider Montero has been pressed into service as a core piece of the Tigers rotation this year. He’s spent most of the last two years bouncing between starting and relieving, but he’s performed admirably as a replacement for the injured Justin Verlander this year. He won’t overpower batters with stuff; instead he utilizes a deep repertoire well enough and manages to induce a lot of weak contact. His changeup is nearly impossible to square up, though it’s not good enough to induce swings and misses. Instead, batters pop it up or mishit it leading to lazy flyballs.

PitcherIPK%BB%HR/FB%GB%ERAFIP
Jack Flaherty57.225.8%11.8%10.3%31.3%5.314.4
Luis Castillo55.122.4%8.8%10.3%36.6%5.534.18
PitchUsage vRHBUsage vLHBVelocityStuff+Whiff+BIP+xwOBA
Four-seam50.9%47.5%92.5107911030.352
Sinker2.3%5.4%90.6
Changeup0.2%3.5%84.7
Curveball20.3%20.5%78.2105114910.297
Slider26.3%23.2%84.788861070.335

Jack Flaherty lives and dies by the feel for his breaking pitches. His fastball is decent enough, but when he can’t command his curveball or slider, it’s very easy for batters to focus on his heater and do damage. That’s been his issue to start this season. Through his first nine starts of the year, he was walking 15.9% of the batters he faced. Over his last four starts, he’s walked just three total. The other issue is that his breaking pitches just aren’t enticing as many chases out of the zone or as many swings and misses overall. All those issues have combined to balloon his ERA over five.

The Big Picture:

TeamW-LW%Games BehindRun DiffRecent Form
Mariners33-300.524—+30W-W-W-W-L
Athletics30-320.4842.5-33W-L-W-W-L
Rangers30-320.4842.5+9W-W-W-W-L
Astros28-360.4385.5-39W-L-L-W-L
Angels24-390.3819.0-51W-L-L-L-W
TeamW-LW%Games BehindRun DiffRecent Form
Yankees37-250.597+7.0+93L-W-L-L-W
White Sox33-290.532+3.0+11W-W-L-L-W
Athletics30-320.484—-33W-L-W-W-L
Rangers30-320.484—9W-W-W-W-L
Blue Jays30-330.4760.5-7L-L-L-L-W
Orioles30-330.4760.5-37W-W-W-L-W

Both the Athletics and the Rangers won their respective series this week to keep pace with the Mariners. The Astros dropped their series against the Pirates and fell to 5.5 games back in the division. The A’s and Astros meet in Houston while the Rangers host the Guardians this weekend.

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2026 NBA Finals Game 2 Best Bets, Predictions, Props, Odds, Futures: New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs

The New York Knicks rallied in Game 1, winning 105-95 and finishing on a 11-0 run, closing out a historic opening matchup of the 2026 NBA Finals versus the San Antonio Spurs. Jalen Brunson led the game in scoring with 30 points and could not be stopped down the stretch. The Knicks trailed by as many as 14 points as New York earned its 12th straight victory.

Knicks at Spurs (-5.5): O/U 215.5

Game 1 was a classic and featured plenty of runs by both teams. When looking toward Game 2, it's clear San Antonio is in a good bounce back spot given how poorly they shot and the lack of contribution from the bench.

San Antonio shot 11-of-43 from the three (25.5%) and 32-of-89 from the field (35.9%) in Game 1. Outside of Dylan Harper, the Spurs bench was even worse scoring four points and going 1-of-7 from the field (14.2%), 1-of-4 from three (25%) with two free throw attempts (one made).

Keldon Johnson won Sixth Man of the Year, but was nonexistent in Game 1 (3 points in 8 minutes), while Harrison Barnes somehow played 12 minutes (0 points). Luke Kornet (0 points) and Carter Bryant (1 point) didn't offer much either off the bench.

When Victor Wembanyama was on the sidelines, New York took advantage and that will have to change to some degree moving forward. San Antonio will have to figure out who outside of Harper can be trusted as the rookie played 28 minutes compared to a combined 34 minutes by the other four bench players.

I think the Spurs have a few players step up alongside Wemby in Game 2 on their home court and San Antonio will look night and day when it comes to their shooting percentages. Whether that comes from the bench, De'Aaron Fox, or Devin Vassell as examples. Give me San Antonio -5.5 out to -6. It's hard to imagine Jalen Brunson and New York playing any better down the stretch than they did in Game 1.

Pick: Spurs -5.5 (1 unit)

Knicks vs Spurs O/U 55.5 First Quarter Points

The first quarter of Game 1 went Under the 56.5 total and finished at 47 with poor shooting all around. To be fair, the Knicks had an extensive layoff of nine days and the Thunder were coming off four days of rest and Game 7 on the road.

Both teams will have a game plan moving forward and the outcome will be more points. New York shot 33.3% from the field (8/24) and 27.3% from three (3/11) with no free throw attempts in the first quarter of Game 1, while San Antonio shot 37.5% from the field (9/24), 33.3% from three (4/12), with six free throws attempts (five makes).

The Knicks did not receive a whistle early with three total free throws in the first half. I have my doubts that both teams start off slow in Game 2. I will take the First Quarter Over 55.5 points.

Pick: Over 54.5 Points (1 unit)

Season Record: 167-138-1 (54.7%) +18.31 units
NBA Finals Game 1 Record: 3-1 +2.59 units
NBA Finals Future Pick: Series Over 5.5 Games (2 units at -170 odds)

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MLB Expert Picks & Baseball Predictions June 5

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All 30 MLB teams take the field today, and there's no better time to lock in some MLB picks!

Headlined by the Washington Nationals taking care of business on the road, our baseball experts have you covered with their favorite predictions for Friday, June 5.

MLB expert picks for today

PickOdds
Jon Metler: WAS ML+122
Todd Cordell: CLE/TEX NRFI-140
Jason Wilson: Rays ML-127

Prices courtesy of Polymarket.

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Jon Metler's expert pick: Nationals moneyline

Price: 45¢ (+122) at Polymarket

If you’re going to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, it starts with finding a way to slow down Corbin Carroll, who currently leads the National League in fWAR and serves as the engine of their offense.

That’s why I like this matchup for left-hander Foster Griffin and the Washington Nationals. Griffin has been excellent against left-handed hitters this season, holding them to a .178 batting average and a .624 OPS. He also benefits from a familiarity edge, as he has never faced this Diamondbacks lineup before, which is typically an advantage for a starting pitcher.

The Nationals are trading at 45 cents on the moneyline, but I make them much closer to 50 cents in this matchup. With Griffin well-positioned to neutralize Arizona’s biggest offensive threat, I’m willing to back James Wood and the Nationals at this price.

  • Time: 9:40 p.m. ET
  • How to watch: Nationals.TV, Dbacks.TV

Neil Parker's expert pick: Guardians/Rangers NRFI

Price: 58¢ (-140) at Polymarket

With Texas Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker pitching a scoreless first inning in three of his past four starts and holding hitters to an overall .159 batting average, I’m anticipating him taking care of a Cleveland Guardians lineup that ranks 26th in wOBA against righties in the opening frame.

Meanwhile, Cleveland southpaw Parker Messick hasn’t allowed a first-inning run all season, holding opposing hitters to a minuscule .371 OPS.

The Rangers are also 28th in wOBA against lefties, and this NRFI hits the break-even mark at -140.

  • Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
  • How to watch: Apple TV

Jason Wilson's expert pick: Rays moneyline

Price: 56¢ (-127) at Polymarket

Tampa Bay Rays righty Drew Rasmussen gives enough of an edge over Miami Marlins opener Ryan Gusto that this is an automatic buy at -127.

Gusto threw 40 pitches on Tuesday and is pitching on two days of rest. Even if he finds some success, he won't be long for this game.

While it's tempting to take the Under 7.5 at +113, I'll grab the visitors to win straight up behind Rasmussen.

The Rays rank Top 10 in wRC+ against right-handers, and Gusto's small sample size of work in 2026 doesn't magically make me forget about his 5.67 ERA and 22nd-percentile xERA, 11th-percentile hard-hit rate, or 14th-percentile average exit velocity from 2025 over 101 2/3 innings. 

I'd happily take the Rays all the way to -150 tonight.

  • Time: 7:10 p.m. ET
  • How to watch: Rays.TV, Marlins.TV

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce and legendary Knicks fans’ courtside seats available at auction

An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce watching the Cleveland Cavaliers Eastern Conference Final game against the New York Knicks, Image 2 shows Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Tracy Morgan watching a basketball game, Image 3 shows New York Knicks owner and Ben Stiller court side during the second quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks

The courtside seats sat in by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during the 2026 Eastern Conference finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New York Knicks are set to go to auction. 

In addition to the actual courtside chairs occupied by some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, fans can also own game-used signed basketballs, jerseys, and the actual nets.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce attend the Cleveland Cavaliers Eastern Conference Final game against the New York Knicks in Cleveland, Ohio Aaron Josefczyk/Shutterstock

Among the most coveted items heading to auction are the courtside seats used by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce during the Cavaliers’ playoff run at Rocket Arena. Also available are seats connected to actor Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, comedian and lifelong Knicks supporter Ben Stiller and Cleveland native Machine Gun Kelly.

New York Knicks superfan Ben Stiller sat courtside during the second quarter of Game 4 of the ECF. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

The celebrity chairs headline a larger Eastern Conference Finals collection authenticated and curated by The Realest, the Cavaliers’ Official Authentication and Memorabilia Partner.

The auction also includes the official game-used basketball from Game 3 and the game-used nets from the two conference finals games played in Cleveland on May 23 and May 25. Items any Knicks diehard would love to own, especially if they go on to win their first NBA Championship in 53 years. 

Timothée Chalamet, Kylie Jenner and Tracy Morgan watch the second half of Game 4 of the ECF. AP Photo/Tim Phillis

For Cavaliers fans, the auction offers pieces directly connected to one of the most electric playoff atmospheres in franchise history. For Swifties, sports fans and collectors alike, it presents something even rarer. 

A chance to own a piece of history from the action on the court.

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Flames Add Blue-Line Talent in Latest Mock NHL Draft

As most of the hockey world watches the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, many in the industry are gearing up for the NHL Draft, which will take place on June 26-27 in Buffalo, NY.

Despite decent odds of winning the NHL Lottery Draft last month, the Calgary Flames find themselves drafting sixth overall, a spot the franchise is familiar with, having selected Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk in that spot.

This year, aside from the top two prospects, Gavin McKenna (Penn State) and Ivar Stenberg (Frölunda HC), the rest of the draft class is a toss-up.

On June 4, The Daily Faceoff's top prospect writer, Steve Ellis, released his latest Mock Draft, picking right-handed defenseman Keaton Verhoeff from the University of North Dakota with the sixth overall pick.

According to his Elite Prospects profile, Verheoff, who is from Fort Saskatchewan, AB, ranges from #3 all the way down to #12 in pre-draft rankings, with a handful of outlets listing him at #1 and #2.

After tallying 47 points in 75 games in the WHL with the Victoria Royals, Vernhoeff jumped to the NCAA last season, racking up 20 points in 36 games with the University of North Dakota as a freshman. Meanwhile, he was Canada's U18 captain and had four assists at the latest World Juniors, where Canada won bronze.

Vernhoeff will turn 18 on June 19, and if the Flames select him, he'll become the youngest defenseman on the organization's depth chart, taking the spot from Alex Hurtig, the only 20-year-old signed to a deal. 

If Calgary drafts him and doesn't ink him to an entry-level deal, Vernhoeff would join Mace'o Phillips (19) and Jakob Leander (19) as the only under-20 defenders in the system, but not under contract. 

Which Former Flames Are Playing in the Stanley Cup Final?Which Former Flames Are Playing in the Stanley Cup Final?The 2026 Stanley Cup Final is upon us, which means fans of the Calgary Flames still have former players to cheer for. Who are they?

Despite the many mock drafts that have the Flames staying at sixth overall, many insiders wonder if General Manager Craig Conroy will make a deal to move up in the draft. However, if that doesn't happen, and Calgary stays the course, Vernhoeff may not be the only intriguing option at sixth overall.

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Terry Stotts joins the list of head coach candidates

PORTLAND, OREGON - DECEMBER 14: Assistant coach Terry Stotts of the Golden State Warriors looks on before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on December 14, 2025 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. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After Jason Kidd and the Dallas Mavericks parted ways a few weeks ago, the Mavs kicked off the search for his replacement. We previously covered the news that Dallas was exploring potential fits with collegiate stalwarts Jon Scheyer and Dusty May, and now word has come out that Terry Stotts is also being considered for the job.

If Stotts’ name strikes you as familiar, that’s because he was an assistant under Rick Carlisle during the Mavericks’ 2011 championship season. Aside from that memorable run, Stotts has held coaching roles at the NBA level since 1994 when he began as an assistant for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s former iteration, the Seattle Supersonics. That stint afforded him some NBA Finals experience when the Sonics came up short to the Chicago Bulls in 1996. He was then an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, and then the Atlanta Hawks for whom he eventually took the head coaching job. He then spent a year with the Golden State Warriors as an assistant, before returning to Milwaukee for two years as the head coach.

After that, he was with Dallas as an assistant coach from 2008-2012 where he again returned to the NBA Finals, but with better results. 2011 put Stotts in the rarified air of those that were a part of the pinnacle of Mavericks’ history, playing an instrumental part in the championship run. He parlayed that stint into a long tenure as the Portland Trailblazers head coach from 2012 to 2021, then took some time off before returning to the Warriors as an assistant coach for the past two seasons.

In all, Stotts has accumulated a 402-318 record (55.8% winning percentage) as a head coach in the NBA. Over more than 30 years, he has either coached, or coached against, some of the best coaches and players the league has ever seen. He is a basketball lifer – you don’t stick around as long as he has unless you both belong and badly want to be there.

Rumors are that Stotts now only wants to consider head coaching jobs, and will be in the mix for the open position in Dallas. The Mavericks would be well served with Stotts steering the ship. At age 68 and with his resume, he has seen it all. He would instantly command respect simply based on who he is – there would be no rookie coach inexperience to harp on from either the players or media. He would bring the necessary discipline to what will likely be a young team led by Cooper Flagg, while also knowing full well how to manage the veteran players. Throwing back to the 2011 championship team would also bring a nice connection to the past for the Mavs, who could still afford to bolster good will with the fanbase.

Stotts would likely be something of a transitional coach, but that too could be a boon to the franchise. He could ably prepare one of his assistant coaches to take the reigns from him in a few years, or Dallas could simply choose to go another way when the time comes. Either way, Stotts brings a safe – but not mundane or low-ceiling – coach to the franchise, and one who can help lead the team into the next phase. The Mavs could certainly do worse.

I invite you to follow me @_80MPH on X, and check back often at Mavs Moneyball for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.