Posts

Posted on

Three NHL Teams That Should Blow It Up If They Have A Bad First Half

Every NHL team clearly wants to avoid a bad start to the season, but there's more on the line for some.

Some squads need to prove their roster and blueprint works, because otherwise, they'll have more of a reason to start trading away veterans instead of keeping them around and hoping they'll drive the team toward success.

The Nashville Predators, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins are in different stages of the cycle, but after down seasons in 2024-25, they can't – and likely won't – stick with what they have if they struggle again in the first half of this year. Here's why.

Nashville Predators

The Predators took a risk by signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei in the summer of 2024. One year earlier, they brought in center Ryan O'Reilly.

What looked like a squad set to become a Stanley Cup contender finished third-last. 

Now, all those veterans joined Nashville for a reason, but given that all three are between 31 and 35 years old, they may not want to battle for a playoff spot and miss out year after year. 

Stamkos and Marchessault have full no-move clauses, and Skjei has a 15-team no-trade list. O'Reilly doesn't have trade protection, but GM Barry Trotz treated him as if he did last season.

Last fall, Trotz suggested the team needed to reset, but he emphasized that the Predators aren't in a rebuild and selling off pieces.

But again, why would any player who has won Stanley Cups – such as Stamkos, O’Reilly and Marchessault – want to end their playing days with no chance of winning on a team they haven't been on for very long? If the Predators are struggling, those who want out will almost certainly be granted their wish, and the team can't just keep adding players just to miss the post-season.

New York Rangers

The Rangers already made huge moves this past year, with GM Chris Drury hiring coach Mike Sullivan and trading away veterans Chris Kreider, K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba.

But if the Blueshirts wobble out of the gate this season, Drury may sense a familiar dread about the state of this team and really take out the scalpel to do some serious roster renovations.

The Rangers don’t have many pending UFAs, but they are intriguing. One is star left winger Artemi Panarin, and another is backup goalie Jonathan Quick.

Panarin and his $11.6-million salary are the primary concern, but if the Rangers want to ease the pressure on star goalie Igor Shesterkin, they’ll need to pay more money than the $1.15 million they’re paying 39-year-old Quick. They don't have a ton of room to pay Panarin more money.

The Metropolitan Division is going to be more competitive than it was last year, and that means the Rangers could miss the playoffs for the second straight season. That would be indefensible, and surely, Panarin wouldn't be pleased with that. If there’s a foreboding in Drury by or before this year’s trade deadline, it wouldn’t shock anyone if he pulled the chute on this group.

Five NHL Veterans Who Cleared Waivers Years After Their Last AHL GameFive NHL Veterans Who Cleared Waivers Years After Their Last AHL GameA handful of NHL veterans found themselves on the other side of the waiver wire in the past week.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins have missed the playoffs three straight times despite having likely first-ballot Hockey Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and maybe Erik Karlsson.

The Penguins finished seventh in the Metro last season, and they didn't really do anything to improve for 2025-26. In fact, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is leaning more toward bringing in younger players to develop in the NHL. There's less room for veterans now.

Pittsburgh did win its first two games, but the team will likely miss the playoffs again this year. Pens GM Kyle Dubas can still move veteran wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, who have little or no trade protection. If the Penguins underachieve, it’s more probable than not that Pittsburgh’s lineup will look significantly different.

The Penguins need all hands on deck to beat the odds and get into the playoffs, but if the odds beat them, there will be plenty of changes to their future and present.

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 or creating your own post in our community forum.

Posted on

'We'll See What Happens': Could Easton Cowan Make His NHL Debut Against Red Wings?

Easton Cowan is staying patient for his NHL debut.

The 20-year-old made the Toronto Maple Leafs out of training camp, but was a healthy scratch for the team's season-opening 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Cowan was an extra on the ice again on Friday as the Maple Leafs prepared for a trip to face the Detroit Red Wings the next day.

Despite being one of the forwards on the outside of the lineup, there were a couple of signs during Friday's practice that suggest maybe Cowan does make his debut against the Red Wings.

The young forward rotated through Toronto's third line of Dakota Joshua, Max Domi, and Nick Robertson. If there's anyone Cowan would swap places with in the lineup, it'd be one of Robertson or Calle Jarnkrok.

Jarnkrok found the back of the net, while Robertson was a minus-one in 10:40 of ice time.

Cowan also rotated into the Maple Leafs' second power play unit in practice on Friday. The player he swapped places with was Robertson.

"Yeah, it's been great. I mean, you're on an NHL team, so it's pretty cool, especially your hometown team," Cowan said after making the Maple Leafs out of camp. "Just enjoying every day and just keep trying to get better each and every day."

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube wouldn't reveal much after Friday's practice about whether Cowan would play in Detroit or not. Berube did mention, though, that the young forward is "close" to making his NHL debut.

"He's got a great attitude, he works hard, he had a good practice today. That's decisions that we have to discuss and make, and right now we'll see what happens tomorrow."

'I Was Sprinting Through The Airport': Inside Cayden Primeau’s Wild 24 Hours After Being Claimed By Maple Leafs'I Was Sprinting Through The Airport': Inside Cayden Primeau’s Wild 24 Hours After Being Claimed By Maple LeafsCayden Primeau's last 24 hours have been a whirlwind.

If Cowan does get into Saturday's game against the Red Wings, he'll have plenty of family in attendance (20-30 people, he said). Being from around the London, Ontario, area, he also joked that it's probably easier for his family to get to Detroit than downtown Toronto.

"Yeah, it might be better with the traffic," he smiled.

Being a healthy scratch for Toronto's first game of the season, Cowan got a chance to gain a birds-eye perspective of the NHL game. He noted that the NHL is very different from junior, where you have plenty of time to make plays and decide where the puck is going.

"If you get a chance, you've got to be able to bear down, so it all starts in practice," he said. "That's what I've been trying to do, just work on in-tight scoring and stuff like that, and it’ll translate to the game."

'I Know What He Expects From Me': Why Maple Leafs' Sammy Blais Is Excited For Opportunity To Play Under Craig Berube Again'I Know What He Expects From Me': Why Maple Leafs' Sammy Blais Is Excited For Opportunity To Play Under Craig Berube AgainSammy Blais is back playing with head coach Craig Berube.

Cowan has already learned a lot in his first few days with the NHL squad. But if there's one thing he's picked up from a teammate, who's it from, and what did he learn?

"Probably from Auston (Matthews)," he said.

"Just watching the way he leads on and off the ice. I mean, he's so dialed in, works hard in the gym, and then on the ice, he's special. I mean, you see the plays he makes, like today in practice. He's looking to the inside, he goes outside like that. So super cool, and just try to learn from him a lot."

A player making their NHL debut is an incredible moment, but it should come at the right time. Berube cited on Friday afternoon that while it might be important to get Cowan into the lineup, he's thinking about the team first.

"I love Cowan, and we all do. He's going to be a good Leaf, I'll tell you that. He's going to be a good hockey player, and he is a good hockey player," Berube said. "But the team is the most important thing, and we've got to make decisions. They don't always please everybody."

Maple Leafs Believe ‘Things Are Progressing Well’ With Joseph Woll And An Updated Look At Toronto's Goaltending Situation Maple Leafs Believe ‘Things Are Progressing Well’ With Joseph Woll And An Updated Look At Toronto's Goaltending Situation One day before the Toronto Maple Leafs' regular season opener, Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving provided an update on goaltender Joseph Woll, who has been absent for most of training camp to tend to a personal matter.

There'll be several decisions over the next 24 hours for Berube, such as adjustments that need to be made ahead of their matchup against the Red Wings. However, there'll be no bigger decision than whether he puts Cowan in the lineup or not.

"You know, that’s out of my control," Cowan said when asked what it's like waiting for his name to be called. "I'm just trying to do my thing, and that's work hard each and every day, have good practices, good scratch skates, just getting better, and as soon as I get in, I know I'll be ready."

Latest stories:

Fraser Minten Plays Overtime Hero As Former Maple Leafs Prospects Make Impact On New NHL Clubs

'He Did Everything For Us': Morgan Rielly Renaissance Kicks Off As Maple Leafs Down Canadiens In Season Opener

'I Heard Them Early In My Career In A Negative Way': Maple Leafs React To Blue Jays-Fueled Fans At Scotiabank Arena

Posted on

King's Achilles' Heel is already blatantly obvious

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

We’re only two games into the NHL regular season, and yet it's already evident that the Los Angeles Kings have a few glaring weaknesses. Sure, there are still 80 games left to go, and we shouldn’t hit the panic button yet, but this is a big issue that could cost the Kings a playoff spot. 

Against the Colorado Avalanche and the Las Vegas Golden Knights, the Kings’ biggest problems on the ice were committing too many penalties, poor defense, and neutral-zone turnovers.  

These costly mistakes nearly derailed them to a 0-2 start to the season. Thankfully, they pulled out a miraculous win last night against the Golden Knights after getting embarrassed at home against the Avs, but they need to make adjustments heading into their next games. 

Penalties Continue to Hurt 

In the season opener against Colorado, the Kings played so bad that it was offensive to watch. Los Angeles took seven penalties, putting constant pressure on their penalty-kill unit. 

The key moment came when the Avalanche capitalized on one of the Kings' penalties and scored in the power play by Martin Necas from the right side of the ice. There was a lot of poor discipline from the Kings in that game, which led to extended time in the defensive zone and disrupted LA’s offensive momentum. 

Against Vegas, the Kings performed much better in terms of penalties and looked more effective offensively, but some of their other problems got much worse. One of their major penalties was when Alex Turcotte committed midway through the second period, which completely shifted the game's tone. 

Power-Play Defense Collapse

The Kings held a 3-1 lead heading into the second period, but two major power-play goals turned that lead into a 3-5 deficit just like that, looking like the Kings were going to have a meltdown of a game.

It was really against Vegas that the power play looked weak and lacked cohesion. A Golden Knights team that was one of the best on the power play last season, it was no surprise that with Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel, they would look even better this season. 

The breakdowns from the Kings weren’t just about not being in the right place at the right time; it was slow rotations and late reactions. Vegas exposed those gaps to move the puck freely and find open looks, exposing the Kings' defensive unit that was looking completely lost out there. 

It’s only two games into the season, and it’s clear the Kings’ Achilles’ Heel lies in their undisciplined penalties, inconsistent power-play defense, and neutral-zone miscues. This is how the games will look for Los Angeles this season, ending in shootouts and high-scoring thrillers. 

But if the Kings are going to contend in this tough division, they must clean up those areas quickly. 

Posted on

Jimmy Butler's dominant practice sends strong message about Warriors' ceiling

Jimmy Butler's dominant practice sends strong message about Warriors' ceiling originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors went through a spirited scrimmage on Friday, and the performance of one of the team’s elder statesmen drew rave reviews.

The gym on this day belonged to Jimmy Butler III.

“He just had an incredible practice,” coach Steve Kerr said.

“He wasn’t on my team, so I didn’t like to see it,” Stephen Curry said partly in jest.

“But it was indicative of the ceiling that we can get to with a guy like that. A guy who at any moment knows how to win.”

Even Butler’s faux nemesis, Buddy Hield, offered nothing but props to the man who turned 36 last month.

“Jimmy dominated practice today,” Hield said. “It was great for him. He looked really good and professional today. It was great. Great energy.”

Though general praise tends to flow freely in every training camp, the reaction in this instance is highly encouraging for the Warriors. There are many stories of Butler dominating scrimmages in his previous stops, whether Chicago or Minnesota or Philadelphia or Miami.

Butler’s infamous scrimmage with the Timberwolves in 2018 is one that made its way around the NBA. Three weeks after asking to be traded, he led a group of reserves to victory over a squad that included four starters, with center Karl-Anthony Towns often the target of his ferocity. Butler was loud, hyperaggressive and, well, a winner.

That last trait is welcome in Golden State. Though there was no indication hostility, seeing him bring juice to a scrimmage warms the heart of the team’s established veterans like Curry and Green.

For doing so with the Warriors, who belong to Curry more than anyone, suggests Butler still is capable of being The Man. That while he embraces being “Robin” to Curry’s “Batman,” – the roles can be interchangeable upon request.

“I just think he took it up a notch today,” Hield said. “He wasn’t chirping like that Jimmy we know of. He was a silent killer, and his work speaks himself.”

There were shades of that Jimmy last season, as Butler occasionally took over portions of a game, usually when Curry was off the floor. He managed to make a significant impact despite being the new guy, tossed onto the roster during the searing heat of a playoff chase.

“Last year, Jimmy didn’t know any defensive terminology,” Draymond Green said last week. “We were just making it work.”

Butler this season is with the Warriors for a full training camp, which followed team workouts he arranged in the days before camp officially began. He’ll miss the third preseason game, Sunday against the Lakers in Los Angeles, for what Kerr called a “wonderful” personal matter, but he is scheduled to practice Saturday in LA before departing.

This was, in a way, a reminder. Butler putting together a “Himmy Lives” display can only be beneficial for young Warriors to witness and veterans to realize his back pocket contains plenty of what they hope to see once the regular season begins on Oct. 21.

“He was very impactful, across the board, getting to his spots, (flashing) his competitive will,” Curry said. “Our practices have been at pretty high level. Not every day, scrimmaging, but he kind of built up to a good session today. From the jump, Jimmy was attacking the rim, dictating the pace on both ends.”

This is the Butler the Warriors need to threaten teams beyond Curry, and every occasion he shows up will be greeted with delight.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Posted on

Who Will Be The First NHL Player To Earn $20 Million Per Season?

Four NHL stars signed new contracts in the past two weeks.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid signed a two-year deal worth $12.5 million annually on Monday, while Minnesota Wild left winger Kirill Kaprizov signed the richest deal in NHL history at eight years and a $17-million cap hit.

On Wednesday, the Winnipeg Jets re-signed Kyle Connor for eight years at $12 million per season, and the Vegas Golden Knights re-signed Jack Eichel for eight years at $13.5 million annually.

Kaprizov’s new deal is a prime example of how NHL players' compensation is changing with the increase in the salary cap.

Some were under the impression that McDavid would become the highest-paid player in the league, given his reputation and the boatload of Hart Trophies, Ted Lindsay Awards and more individual honors he’s won over the years.

In any case, it may have to be a different player who overtakes Kaprizov in terms of average annual value before McDavid's contract extension expires following the 2027-28 campaign.

Some incredibly talented players will require new contracts before then. This raises the question: who will be the first NHL player to earn a $20-million cap hit?

Nikita Kucherov, Auston Matthews, Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes are among several other high-caliber players who will be requiring contract extensions in the near future. 

Kucherov and Matthews have noteworthy individual awards to their name, including a Hart Trophy each, Art Ross Trophy wins for Kucherov and 'Rocket' Richard wins for Matthews. Due to their unique abilities and results offensively, they could earn themselves a big ticket, especially Matthews, who is a center, captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs and located in a high-taxed environment.

When Matthews signed his four-year contract worth $13.25 million per season, he took 15.06 percent of the salary cap. According to the NHL, when his contract expires following the 2027-28 season, the salary cap is projected to be $113.5 million.

This means if Matthews were to sign a contract that paid him $20 million per season at that projected cap number, he would receive about 17.62 percent.

Richest Contracts In NHL History: McDavid Doesn't Break Kaprizov's New RecordRichest Contracts In NHL History: McDavid Doesn't Break Kaprizov's New RecordKirill Kaprizov’s new contract is an NHL history-maker, and Connor McDavid chose not to break it one week later.

Makar and Hughes are two superstar defenseman who provide a sense of offensive dominance from the back end that is rarely seen in NHL history. Both blueliners earn a cap hit of under $10 million, and many would believe they’re underpaid.

Each negotiation for every player is different, including the demands and motives of signing a new contract. However, there is a possibility that these two D-men could get massive raises on their next contracts.

When the Colorado Avalanche failed to re-sign star right winger Mikko Rantanen, they traded him and found a replacement who performs nearly as well for less money. They'll be hard-pressed to find anyone available who can do anything close to what Makar does. The same goes in Vancouver with Hughes, who demonstrates valuable leadership qualities on top of his play.

It's possible that in the summer of 2028, these players will deserve not only double their current cap hits but potentially $20 million a year as well.

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 or creating your own post in our community forum.

Posted on

Pezzolano sacked by Watford after ‘resisting pressure to use players linked to agent’

  • Watford sources deny the claims after this week’s sacking

  • Claims relate to players with connection to agent Bayat

Paulo Pezzolano was sacked by Watford because he resisted pressure to select players who have a connection to the agent Arnaud Mogi Bayat, it has been claimed, although this has been denied by sources at the Championship club.

Pezzolano and his technical team were dismissed on Wednesday after five months and 10 matches, with Javi Gracia installed for his second spell. It is understood Pezzolano and his staff were surprised and dismayed, having secured successive league victories at Vicarage Road after a slow start to the season.

Continue reading...
Posted on

Gibson Takes the Heat, But Detroit’s Defensive Lapses Deserve the Blame in Montreal Rout

A closer look at Montreal’s five goals in Thursday’s victory over Detroit and an assessment of how many can truly be pinned on John Gibson. 

The Detroit Red Wings had a troubling start to the season of Thursday as they found themselves down 3-1 early in the first period. They saw their chances in the second and third but never were able to crack the Habs defense and young goaltender Jakub Dobes. Montreal ended up prevailing 5-1 as the Red Wings were booed off the ice in their very first game of the season. 

John Gibson Pulled In Red Wings Debut As Part Of 5-1 Loss To Canadiens John Gibson Pulled In Red Wings Debut As Part Of 5-1 Loss To Canadiens The Detroit Red Wings have seen it all through 100 years of history in the National Hockey League, and have delivered multiple cherished memories for their legions of fans across the world. 

Every facet of the Red Wings’ game came under scrutiny, the offense struggled to finish, the defense blew key assignments, and newly acquired goaltender John Gibson couldn’t come up with the saves Detroit needed. While the forwards generated a decent number of chances, it wouldn’t be fair to pin the loss solely on Gibson. Most of Montreal’s goals were avoidable, but defensive breakdowns turned them into easy opportunities for the Canadiens.

Take the Habs first goal for example. The Canadiens opened the scoring with a quick and efficient passing play. Brendan Gallagher, positioned along the boards, spotted a streaking Zach Bolduc breaking up the ice. After receiving a pass from defenseman Mike Matheson, Gallagher immediately sent the puck ahead into open ice, perfectly placed for Bolduc to collect.

Bolduc blew past Red Wings defenseman Travis Hamonic and forward Michael Rasmussen, creating a clean breakaway. He finished the play with a low blocker-side shot past goaltender John Gibson for the first goal. 

Breakaways are difficult for any goalie to stop, but the Red Wings’ defensive struggles continued on Montreal’s second tally. The pairing of Hamonic and Albert Johansson was again caught out of position. Johansson was caught deep in the offensive zone, allowing Canadiens forward Oliver Kapanen to slip behind him. A quick pass found a charging Alex Newhook, setting up a two-on-one rush.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Newhook fed Kapanen across the slot, and although Gibson managed to get a piece of the shot, it wasn’t enough to prevent Kapanen from burying it into the open net. 

"We Earned Those": Todd McLellan Says Red Wings Deserved Fan Boos After 5-1 Loss Throughout his first Training Camp as head coach of the Detroit Red Wings, Todd McLellan emphasized the importance of mental fortitude and responding the right way when things inevitably go wrong over the course of an 82-game season.

Montreal’s next two goals came off unfortunate deflections, one off Ben Chiarot’s stick and another off Johansson, continuing Detroit’s defensive woes. The fifth goal was likely the only one Gibson could have handled better. On a Canadiens power play, Cole Caufield fired a point shot that Gibson initially stopped but failed to control. The rebound kicked directly into the slot, where Juraj Slafkovsky pounced and fired it home. 

Ideally, Gibson would have directed the rebound to the corner or toward the side boards, keeping it away from a dangerous netfront chance. While the shot itself was difficult to handle, better rebound control or a quicker defensive response from Detroit could have prevented the goal.

Gibson was eventually pulled for Cam Talbot in the third, who finished the game with saves on four shots. Gibson's final stat line was just eight saves on 13 shots with five goals allowed but the game tells a very different story as many of the goals he never had a chance on. 

The Red Wings management team took a big swing grabbing Gibson and he likely has more to prove than what was showed on Thursday. There’s no word yet on who will start Saturday against the Maple Leafs, but if Gibson gets the nod again, the hope is that he’ll have a better chance to showcase his abilities, rather than being left in no-win situations where he’s forced to make highlight-reel saves on odd-man rushes and breakaways.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

Posted on

Watch Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, hilariously troll Buddy Hield during practice

Watch Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler, hilariously troll Buddy Hield during practice originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Training camp is well underway ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, meaning the Golden State Warriors are locking in and getting everything they need sorted ahead of their Oct. 21 season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. 

So, why not have a little fun to break up the tension? 

That’s why the Warriors welcome fans into Chase Center for their annual open practice, giving Dub Nation an introduction to the 2025-25 squad. 

The event includes plenty of autographs, young fans welcomed to the court and rookie karaoke. 

While we’re at it, you might as well throw in a little trolling of guard Buddy Hield as well. 

Video shows one of the kids on the court with Hield’s practice jersey. Hield yanks at it appearing to want it back. 

We then see Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler start to concoct a plan with the young Warriors fan. The kid takes off Hield’s jersey and then rifles it at him. 

Curry and Butler burst with laughter in the background at Hield’s expense. Buddy tends to be on the butt-end of jokes, but he’s always a good sport about it. 

It’s also another chapter in the fun Butler-Hield “rivalry” that’s been unfolding since the Warriors acquired the star forward from the Miami Heat last season. 

Butler and Hield’s fun spats have typically come during postgame press conferences, which will be immortalized this season with a bobblehead giveaway. 

Most importantly, the vibes seem to be high in San Francisco heading into the new NBA season. 

Download and follow the Dubs Talk Podcast

Posted on

3 Days Until Opening Night At NWA: The History Of Jersey #3

The Columbus Blue Jackets have 3 days until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Jersey #3 is one of the more popular numbers to be worn.

Let's take a look at who wore 3, and where they are now

František Kučera - 2001 - Drafted by Chicago in 1986. 

He played 48 games as a Jacket and had seven points in the first year of the Blue Jackets' existence. 

He retired in 2004 after returning to his home country of Czechia. 

Jaroslav Špaček - 2002-2004 - Drafted by Florida in 1998. 

Špaček played 153 games for Columbus and had 72 points in the early years of Columbus. 

His son David Špaček, born in Columbus, was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in 2022. He will start this season with the AHL's Iowa Wild. David was born in Columbus. 

Nowadays, the elder Špaček is the Director of Youth Hockey for HC Plzeň in Czechia. 

Marc Methot - 2009-2012 - Drafted by the Blue Jackets in the 6th round of the 2003 NHL Draft.

Methot played six years and 275 games for the CBJ, totaling 51 points on the Columbus blue line. He was the definition of a defensive defenseman. 

On July 1, 2012, he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for future CBJ Captain Nick Foligno. After the trade to Ottawa, he would play another 349 NHL games. 

He retired during the 2018-19 season after playing 9 games. 

Jordan Leopold - 2015 - Drafted by Anaheim in 1999. 

Leopold played 18 games for Columbus after being traded from the St. Louis Blues on November 15, 2014. On March 2, 2015, he was dealt again, this time to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Justin Falk. He retired after the 2015 season. 

He has been an assistant coach for Andover High in Minnesota for the past couple of years. 

Seth Jones - 2016-2021 - Drafted by Nashville in 2013. 

Jones played 381 games for the Jackets after coming over from the Nashville Predators. He scored 50 goals and totaled 223 points during his time in Columbus. Jones is currently second all-time in CBJ history in goals by a defenseman, second in assists, and second in points. He's also 7th in all-time assists and 10th in all-time points. 

He was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021 in exchange for Adam Boqvist. Chicago traded him to the Florida Panthers in 2025, where he went on to win the Stanley Cup. 

The son of former NBA player Popeye Jones was described by Elite Prospects as, "A defenseman with an excellent frame. Jones' athleticism allows him to be a very good skater for a player of his size. He has excellent mobility and is solid both offensively and defensively. Jones gives a smart first pass and is also capable of utilizing his skating ability to bring the puck up himself. He has good hockey sense and is an asset on the power play thanks to his mobility, puck-handling, and a very dangerous slap shot."

Jack Johnson - 2025 - Drafted by Carolina in 2005.

Johnson played 486 games for Columbus after being traded from the LA Kings for Jeff Carter. He scored 36 goals and had 156 points in seven years.

He's bounced around since leaving Columbus, but finally won a Stanley Cup in 2022. He found his way back to Cannon City in the summer of 2024. Unfortunately for Johnson, he only played in 41 games for Columbus last year and had 6 points. 

He and Head Coach Dean Evason didn't see eye to eye, leading to Johnson being scratched most of the season. Johnson's family even boycotted the family day held ahead of the 2025 Stadium Series Game at Ohio Stadium. 

There are three days left until opening night at Nationwide Arena. Who was your favorite #3?

Game one against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena didn't end well for the CBJ. They played well; they just couldn't beat Juuse Saros. They thought they took the lead, but a very iffy goalie interference call took the goal back.

The Jackets also came out of Nashville relatively healthy. Dean Evason said that defenseman Dante Fabbro, who missed a couple of shifts in the last two periods, is going to be ok. The Jackets are in Minnesota and will practice today. 

Mathieu Olivier - “I thought our game was really good. We put a lot of pressure on them, did the right things to win. Ultimately, their goalie was really good. So was Jet. It was a very tight game, and that’s just the way it goes sometimes, but as far as the way we played, I don’t think there’s much to look at and not be satisfied with. We played well. Just not satisfied with not getting the two points, but other than that, not a bad performance by our group.”

Let us know what you think below.

Stay updated with the most interesting Blue Jackets stories, analysis, breaking news, and more!

Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News and never miss a story.  

More From THN Columbus

Blue Jackets Play Well, But Can't Overcome The Demons Of Playing In Nashville Blue Jackets Play Well, But Can't Overcome The Demons Of Playing In Nashville Dmitri Voronkov (1) provided the only offense for Columbus, and Jet Greaves was stellar, making 29 saves, but the Jackets would fall to the Nashville Predators 2-1.  Cleveland Monsters Sign Defenseman Will Butcher Cleveland Monsters Sign Defenseman Will Butcher The Cleveland Monsters have announced that they've signed defenseman Will Butcher to a one-year AHL contract. Butcher has played 275 career NHL games.  Former Blue Jackets Forward Signs With Edmonton OilersFormer Blue Jackets Forward Signs With Edmonton OilersThe Edmonton Oilers have announced that they have signed former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jack Roslovic.
Posted on

Matthew Schaefer turned 18 last month. The Islanders rookie hardly looked his age in his NHL debut

PITTSBURGH — Matthew Schaefer jumped onto the darkened ice at PPG Paints Arena and, along with New York Islanders teammate Max Shabanov, took the traditional solo lap every player makes before their NHL debut.

It’s the only time the 18-year-old Schaefer looked like a rookie all night during New York’s 4-3 loss to Pittsburgh.

Confident and poised from the opening faceoff, the top overall pick in the June draft wasted little time showcasing why the Islanders coveted him after the balls bounced their way during the draft lottery.

Schaefer needed all of 12 minutes to collect the first point of his career, making a deft pass from the half wall to Jonathan Drouin in the slot. Drouin’s knuckler fluttered by Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry to pull New York even.

“Our team is so easy to make plays with, everyone is in the right spot,” Schaefer said with a shrug. “I found (Drouin) there, and it was an easy pass to him and of course he puts it in the back of the net.”

Islanders coach Patrick Roy didn’t waste time going to Schaefer, who played more than seven minutes in the opening period alone. Schaefer finished with 17:15 of ice time in all, including some with the New York net empty late as the Islanders tried to tie it.

“I thought he was really good,” Roy said of Schaefer. “He was good at the end. Throwing pucks at the net. I thought that he seemed very comfortable, very confident out there. So I’m very pleased with him.”

Schaefer, who had around 30 friends and family in attendance, admitted there were some jitters during his first couple of shifts but he didn’t exactly genuflect in the direction of Penguins icons Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. The club’s Big Three are entering their 20th season playing alongside each other, a run that began before Schaefer was born.

While Schaefer isn’t entering the league with the same external expectations that followed Crosby to the NHL two decades ago — when Crosby himself arrived in the league at 18 as the top pick in the draft — Schaefer understands how important his arrival and development are for a team that hasn’t won a Stanley Cup in more than 40 years.

Yes, it’s cool that he made the club out of training camp barely a month after turning 18. He’s not here to sell tickets and generate interest, but to help the Islanders take a step forward in the competitive Metropolitan Division sooner rather than later.

Near breathless as he talked after becoming the second-youngest NHL defenseman to make his debut in 70 years, Schaefer wasn’t particularly interested in trying to put the moment in perspective as he was regretting the result.

The Islanders controlled the game for extended stretches and threw 38 shots at Jarry. Save for a couple of costly breakdowns in front of their own net — which allowed Malkin and Crosby to work their magic — New York played with speed and purpose, which the Islanders hope offered a blueprint for what’s to come, the new kid included.

“I thought we brought it tonight,” Schaefer said. “Wish we could have got the win. Hate losing. Now we know and we’re going to learn from it and focus on our next game. But I thought it was a great first game for us. I just wish we got the win.”

Posted on

Annual NBA GM survey predicts Thunder repeat, Nikola Jokic wins MVP, Cooper Flagg ROY

The annual NBA GM Survey offers a fantastic yearly glimpse into what the lead executives around the league value and how they think.

It's also a terrible predictive tool — don't place your bets based on their responses (might I recommend the clever folks at the NBC Sports betting page for your tips). A year ago, 25 of the 30 GMs picked Boston to repeat (that was probably 26, Brad Stevens can't vote for his own team), yet Oklahoma City won 68 games and the title — the GMs have picked the champion just once in the last seven years (the 2024 Celtics).

So, is it a worrying sign for Oklahoma City that 24 of the 30 GMS picked them to repeat as champions? No, it's more a sign of the conventional wisdom thinking around the league, which this survey certainly provides. Some highlights from the voting:

NBA Champion: Oklahoma City Thunder (80% of the vote). Cleveland and Denver were tied for second (7% each).

East Champion: Cleveland Cavaliers (63% of voters had them first, 27% second), with the New York Knicks second (30% first-place votes, 53% second).

West Champion: Oklahoma City Thunder (87% of voters had them first). Denver was second (10% had them first).

Who will win MVP? Nikola Jokic, 67% of the vote. The next three in line were Luka Doncic (10%), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8%), and Victor Wembanyama (7%).

Who will win Rookie of the Year? Cooper Flagg, who got all but one vote (and Nico Harrison can't vote for his own guy, so there was one vote for VJ Edgecombe). Flagg was also overwhelmingly voted the rookie that will be the best in this class five years from now (just know five years ago the GMs voted James Wiseman that honor).

What player would you pick to start a franchise? Victor Wembanyama (83% of the vote, which makes you wonder what the other 17% are thinking).

Player most likely to have a breakout season: Amen Thompson in Houston (30% of the vote). Brandon Miller (Charlotte), Ausar Thompson (Detroit) and Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio) were tied for second.

Which team made the best overall moves this offseason? The Atlanta Hawks (53% of the vote). The second choice went to the Houston Rockets (27%).

Which one player acquisition will make the biggest impact? Kevin Durant to Houston (73% of the vote). Desmond Bane to Orlando was second, and also voted the most underrated move of the offseason.

Most surprising move of the offseason: Milwaukee waiving/stretching Damian Lillard (second on this list was the Bucks signing Myles Turner, which only happened because of the waive/stretch of Lillard).

Who was the biggest steal in terms of where they were drafted? In a bit of a surprise, it went to Kasparas Jakucionis to Miami, selected at No. 20. Tied for second was Ace Bailey to Utah at No. 5 and Carter Bryant to San Antonio at No. 14.

Best defender in the NBA: Victor Wembanyama with 80% of the vote. Dyson Daniels was voted the best perimeter defender in the league.

Who is the best head coach in the NBA? Newly minted USA Basketball head coach Erik Spoelstra of Miami, with 52% of the vote (OKC's Mark Daigneault was second, and the Clippers' Tyronn Lue was third).

Which team's level of success this season is toughest to predict? The Philadelphia 76ers got 47% of the vote (Dallas and Golden State were second and third). With all due respect to the questions around the Mavs and Warriors, how do you not pick the Sixers?

Which player is the most athletic? Amen Thompson got 58% of the vote to finish first (Anthony Edwards in Minnesota was second).

Here's one I questioned a little: The GMs voted Stephen Curry the best leader in the NBA. That surprised me. Not that Curry isn't a strong leader, but would you put him ahead of Jalen Brunson, LeBron James, or even the injured Damian Lillard?

One other interesting question and answer: What rule most needs to change? The No. 1 answer was concerns about roster construction, specifically that the tax apron rules are too harsh, and that there should be a salary cap discount for a team's own drafted players. A lot of fans feel the same way.

Posted on

Dodgers rolling in defense of World Series title after closing out Phillies to reach NLCS

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers are on track to be the first repeat World Series champions in a quarter century, helped along by superb starting pitching, a flame-throwing rookie in the bullpen and strong defense.

They were swigging and spraying from bottles with — oops — NLCS on the labels while partying in the team’s batting cage after a wild 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in 11 innings.

“We’re going to find a way to win a ballgame even when things aren’t going our way,” utility player Kiké Hernández said.

NL West champion Los Angeles took the best-of-five NL Division Series 3-1 and will play either the NL Central-winning Milwaukee Brewers or runner-up Chicago Cubs in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series. Those teams play a decisive Game 5 in Milwaukee.

The Dodgers dropped four of seven to the Cubs during the regular season. The Brewers swept their six games with the Dodgers, outscoring them 31-16 while holding Los Angeles to two or fewer runs in four of those games.

No matter who’s up next, the Dodgers are rolling at the right time, winning five of their first six postseason games. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow lead a stellar rotation. Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is a candidate to start on the mound in Game 1 of the NLCS.

“The whole pitching staff, we don’t win this series if it wasn’t for them,” Hernández said.

The defense is helping, too.

The Dodgers made a couple of clutch defensive plays during a 4-3 win in Game 2 against the Phillies.

Freddie Freeman had a game-saving pick at first base and they successfully executed a defensive wheel play with the Phillies threatening.

With Nick Castellanos on second, third baseman Max Muncy rushed home plate to field a bunt by Bryson Stott, turned and perfectly threw to shortstop Mookie Betts, who was covering third. Betts got the out while being upended by a sliding Castellanos.

Rookie Roki Sasaki delivered three perfect innings of relief in the finale. The right-hander has allowed just one baserunner over 5 1/3 scoreless playoff innings after returning late last month from a long-term shoulder injury.

“It’s a massive weapon for us this whole postseason now,” Freeman said.

Ohtani and Freeman have not been so great at the plate. They’ll need to jump-start their offense in the next round.

Ohtani had a franchise-record 55 homers — second-best in the NL — in the regular season. He homered twice in the wild-card round against Cincinnati, but has gone silent since. He was 1 for 18 with nine strikeouts in the NLDS, going 0 for 5 in Game 3.

Freeman hit .295 during the season — third-best in the NL — and had 39 doubles and 24 homers. He was 1 for 5, extending his postseason on-base streak to 11 games with a single.

Posted on

Yankees' Cody Bellinger will opt out of contract, hit free agency: report

Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger will opt out of his contract and hit free agency, reports Jorge Castillo of ESPN.

Bellinger, who had a $25 million player option for 2026, said after New York's season ended on Wednesday night that he would welcome a return to the Bronx if he opted out.

Bellinger, 30, slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI in 152 regular season games this year, helping the Yankees make it back to the postseason. While there, the former NL MVP performed well, despite his less-than-stellar numbers. In the seven playoff games this year, Bellinger slashed .214/.258/.393 with an OPS of .651. He hit one home run, two doubles and drove in four runs while playing very good defense. 

In Game 4 of the ALDS against the Blue Jays, while Bellinger made a terrific sliding catch to prevent runs from scoring in the first inning, he went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts, including striking out swinging in the ninth inning to end the game.

While the season didn't end the way Bellinger and the Yankees wanted, the 30-year-old looked fondly on his time in the Bronx and with his teammates.

"I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform. Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys have created in this locker room," he said. "It really is special. It's such a fun group, a fun group to be a part of. We came up short and that part stinks for sure because we had a really really good group here."

Manager Aaron Boone was asked about Bellinger and Trent Grisham -- who is set to be a free agent this offseason -- and whether he hopes they return to the Yankees in 2026.

"The thing I'll say about them is they're a big reason why I was so excited about this club down the stretch and at this point. Just really proud of who those guys were and are and what they became as players, as driving forces for our team," Boone said. "But in those two cases, the two people those guys are in the room every single day and what they brought to the table as teammates every single day, I appreciate that. And I'm grateful to get to have managed those two guys. Who knows? Hopefully, in both cases, I get to keep doing it."

New York acquired Bellinger and $5 million in cash considerations last December through a trade with the Chicago Cubs for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet.

He originally signed with the Cubs on a one-year contract entering 2023, including a mutual option for 2024, which saw him slash .307/.356/.525 while hitting 26 home runs and 97 RBI over 130 games. It was his best season since 2019. That year, his age-23 season, Bellinger's career-best campaign included a .305/.406/.629 slash line with 47 home runs and 115 RBI in 162 regular season games.

After the 2023 season, Bellinger declined his mutual option and became a free agent. He re-signed with the Cubs in February 2024 on a three-year, $80 million contract that included opt-out clauses after the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Bellinger slashed .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs and 78 RBI over 130 regular-season games in 2024 for the Cubs.

"I get business," Bellinger said last December while discussing Chicago's decision to trade him after he opted into his clause for 2025. "Very good at separating the business and the baseball, and I'm the baseball player and there's business in this game, so I just want to prepare and play the best baseball that I can play."