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Instant Observations after Phillies' offense finally wakes up to force Game 4

Instant Observations after Phillies' offense finally wakes up to force Game 4 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

LOS ANGELES — The Phillies needed to fight to see another day and packed so much punch, it sucked the life out of Dodger Stadium.

They’re not done yet and an offensive explosion reinstated the Phillies’ confidence for an 8-2 win over the Dodgers to force a Game 4 Thursday.

A change of scenery. An early pitching change. A home run that still hasn’t landed. They’re not done yet.

That was apparently the recipe to finally come out on top. Let’s see if they have at least two more wins in them. Or 10 … but let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.

Here are a few instant observations off the win.

•It’s hard to not be amazed every time Kyle Schwarber demolishes a baseball. In the fourth inning, he squashed a 455 foot home run and it nearly left Dodger Stadium. It may not have even landed at this point. Schwarber now has five 450+ foot home runs in the playoffs during the statcast era. No other player has more than two. That one swing might’ve reminded the Phillies of the damage they’re capable of offensively. Heck, it reminded Schwarber of it so much, he hit another home run in the eighth inning. It’s his second-career multi-home run game in the playoffs. Good things happen when Schwarber goes yard.

•Aaron Nola pitched two scoreless innings but Rob Thomson saw enough to pull him for Ranger Suarez. The whole Game 3 starter situation has been a bizarre one, having Suarez available from the pen for the first two games and then handing the ball to Nola when the series turned to Los Angeles. We’ve seen preemptive pitching changes from Thomson in the past that have come back to bite him in the playoffs. And after Suarez gave up a first-pitch home run to Tommy Edman, the immediate thought was “Oh boy, here we go again.” Luckily, for all parties involved, they got through it.

•Not only did Ranger get through it, he completely dominated. The Phillies’ starters have been phenomenal in this series and it’s unfortunate to look back at the first two games knowing they couldn’t squeak out a win with Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo on the mound.

•Confidence on the base paths goes a long way. A double steal getting runners to second and third with no outs was a huge opportunity to swing the momentum even more in favor of the Phillies. Even up the two runs, you want to add against the Dodgers because you never know when they’ll wake up. Kyle Schwarber wound up getting picked off at first base in the seventh inning. Base running can change the trajectory of a game. Thankfully, it didn’t come back to bite the Phillies. This time.

•The bunt heard round the tri-state area in the ninth inning of Game 2 can probably be put to rest now. Was it a decision loved by many or most?

•Harrison Bader really has quickly made his mark on the Phillies. There’s been a hole in the lineup since he was pulled from Game 1 with a hamstring injury. Alec Bohm was intentionally walked twice to have Brandon Marsh face off against left-handed pitchers. It ended in the Dodgers’ favor both times, with Marsh striking out and lining out to right field. Bader was available to pinch hit but wouldn’t have stayed in the game, so the decision wouldn’t have just been for one at-bat, but also shifting the defense in the outfield. Thomson opted for the defense.

•Citizens Bank Park brings an energy unlike any other, especially in the postseason. But with it also comes undeniable pressure to perform well. A change of scenery might’ve been what the club needed. If the Phillies fight to bring this series back to Philadelphia for a Game 5, expect a different energy. Not from the fans, from the players.

•Only 10 teams have crawled back from a League Division Series down 0-2. The Phillies dealt with numerous injuries up and down the lineup and lost their ace in Zack Wheeler and still went on to win the division. Even though the Dodgers took the first two games of this series, now it’s a first to three. Crazier things have happened.

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Golden Knights Sign Star Forward To Eight-Year Extension

LAS VEGAS -- The Golden Knights and Jack Eichel are locked in for eight years.

Just hours before the team began its ninth season in the NHL, the organization announced it has signed its prized forward to an eight-year contract extension through the 2033-34 season worth an average annual value of $13,500,000.

Eichel's tab will count $13.5 million against the salary cap when the new contract kicks in for the 2026-27 season, through 2034.

"Obviously, happy in Vegas, the organization has been great to me," Eichel told The Hockey News in July. "I think that that stuff kind of takes care of itself, and I kind of worry more so about the things I can control and try to prepare for next season."

It more than took care of itself, as Eichel can focus on a campaign with plenty of expectations now that another prized forward is with the team, Mitch Marner, who signed with the Golden Knights just before free agency this summer. Eichel, Marner and Ivan Barbashev are poised to form one of the most potent offensive lines in the league.

Eichel, 28, is in his fifth season with the Golden Knights and leads the team in scoring with 253 points (100 goals, 153 assists) since making his debut with Vegas during the 2021-22 season. Last season, the forward posted a career-high 94 points (28 goals, 66 assists), a franchise record for the Golden Knights in a single season, which landed him in fifth place on voting for the Hart Trophy.

REKINDLED PASSION

Eichel said his passion was dwindling before he arrived in Vegas, partly because of the neck injury that required a never-before-done surgery, but also because he felt it was time for fresh scenery after spending his first six seasons in Buffalo.

The relationship between Eichel and the Sabres became irreparable after an ugly dispute over whether or not the forward was permitted to undergo the surgery he wanted to repair a severe neck injury. The Sabres had no choice but to move him, and Eichel underwent artificial disk replacement after becoming a member of the Knights. Since then, Eichel has produced above a point-a-game level for Vegas, and also helped lead the Knights to the 2023 Stanley Cup.

During Vegas' historic run to the Cup, Eichel led all playoff skaters with 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists), playing in each of the team’s 22 contests. He also finished first on the Golden Knights during each of their last two trips to the postseason, with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 2024 and 10 points (1 goal, 9 assists) in 2025.

"I felt a lot of pressure in Buffalo to succeed and bring wins and success to the organization and the city," Eichel said after morning skate on Wednesday. "And when that doesn't happen, you take a lot of onus on yourself, and it can eat away at you a lot. At times, you start to lose your passion and love for what you're doing.

"I think you come to a place like this, where there are so many established players in the room, and you don't feel like it's necessarily going to fall on you. And I feel like the group and the organization culture have built something special. And you just try and find a way to fit into the puzzle, and I feel like I did that."

DYNAMIC DUO

Though Marner and Eichel's situations were entirely different, a fresh start is something the two have in common.

"You want to be in a place where you want to win," Marner said when he was introduced on July 1. "That’s the whole goal of why we do this, you want to hoist that Stanley Cup. This team has shown that they can do it. I’m lucky enough now to hopefully bring another piece in to help bring it back here."

But it was also the need for starting over in a new environment with a locker-room culture that would benefit his mental health and love for the game, even if that meant leaving an organization that drafted him fourth overall in 2015, two years before the Knights entered the league.

"It’s where we wanted to be," Marner added, speaking for he and his wife.

Marner inked a $96 million contract for a maximum of eight years.

Eichel said he's excited for his new teammate, knowing the type of pressure that comes with being a face of a franchise. Considering Marner hailed from the area, the expectations were high for him while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"It feels like what is a fresh start for him here in Vegas, and I just know what that did for me and my career," Eichel also said Wednesday. "Not that he was at all in that situation. I mean, he had 102 points last year, so he doesn't need a fresh start, but, maybe mentally and emotionally, he did, and I feel like this is a great place for him to be, and we're super excited to have him."

Eichel said it wouldn't be fair to compare their paths, considering he was dealing with an injury - "the kicker in my situation" - but did feel Marner has been able to come to Vegas without a lot of pressure.

"And relax a little bit, get back to enjoying it, and not have to feel all the pressure and what comes with that," Eichel said. "And I think that that's a little bit of what I felt. Not saying I can put myself in his shoes and what he went through in Toronto, being in Toronto, and from there, and what hockey means to that city and area of the world. I'm not speaking for him, it's more so my own experience."

Nevertheless, with no distractions and Eichel and Marner both signed for eight years in a place they feel fits their needs, they can embark on the ultimate goal, delivering a second Stanley Cup to Vegas.

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Report: Beckett Sennecke's Usage Will be Similar to 'The Leo Carlsson Plan'

After an offseason full of speculation concerning where Anaheim Ducks rookie/prospect Beckett Sennecke (3rd overall in 2024) will play his 2025-26 season, the indications have become clearer.

Sennecke (19) has made the Ducks’ season-opening roster, and all signs point to him making his NHL debut on Thursday, when the team hits the road to take on the Seattle Kraken.

Starting his draft-plus-two season in the NHL always seemed the likeliest scenario for him, with the more pressing decisions to come later.

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Ducks’ Opening Night Roster Highlighted by Sennecke, 3 Goalies

Will the Ducks elect to send him back to the CHL before the ten-game threshold so as not to burn the first year of his ELC? Do they have enough faith in him to give him a full 82-game slate? Will they utilize a route similar to one the Kraken took with Shane Wright during his draft-plus-one season? Maybe they’ll follow how the Utah Mammoth handled Dylan Guenther in his draft-plus-two season?

The answer seems to be that they’ll take a page out of their own playbook and deploy Sennecke similarly to how they introduced Leo Carlsson (2nd in ’23) to the NHL. According to general manager Pat Verbeek's most recent appearance on his “The Beeker” podcast, hosted by Alexis Downie, we now have an indication of how the organization intends to utilize their current top rookie.

“Well, he's going to be very similar to Leo (in his) first season,” Verbeek said. “The one thing that I really liked about Beckett's camp is (that) he started very slow in rookie camp, but progressively got better as camp went on, which is a good sign and a sign he's kind of ready for the NHL.

“Most guys, they come in and probably have a good flash, but they wear down as training camp goes on, but Beckett did not. He went the opposite way. So I think just him getting used to the pace and understanding the style of play that (opposing) teams play. He’s been a sponge and has really taken it to a level of understanding that will help him play really well.”

The Ducks elected for an unorthodox approach to Carlsson’s rookie season, where, for the first half, they had planned to have him dress twice a week in an attempt to both mirror an SHL schedule, his previous league, and allow him maximum time in the gym to fill out his frame and add strength.

In the games he did play, he was deployed in the role he’d project to assume for the foreseeable future in Anaheim: 1C.

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Of course, the benefits of “The Leo Plan” were never fully realized, as he sustained a couple of injuries that kept him out for extended periods in his first NHL season. By the time he was fully healthy, he was slated to play every game.

Sennecke is in a different situation than Carlsson was during his rookie season. Sennecke (6-foot-3, 206 pounds) has already tacked on the necessary size, as today he and Carlsson (6-foot-3, 208 pounds) have nearly identical measurements. Carlsson was more polished, and Sennecke still has quite a bit of rounding out to do with his game.

“I feel like I just keep getting better every game and more comfortable, the more you play. I think that’s just kind of the trajectory I’m on,” Sennecke said. “There’s a bit of summer rust, and the more you get back into it, that game shape, the better you’re going to be out there.”

Sennecke suited up for more games than anyone in the Ducks’ organization during the preseason, playing in six of their seven games. His exhibition season was a rollercoaster, dating back to his performances in the team’s two “Golden State Rookie Faceoff” games. He flashed some of the skill that encouraged Verbeek and the Ducks' scouting staff to select him third overall a year ago, but it was dimmed somewhat by an array of poor puck management, losing winnable puck battles, and below-standard defensive habits.

However, with each passing preseason game, he improved in every one of those facets.

“I thought he made great progress in camp and rookie camp,” head coach Joel Quenneville said. “Watching him, I thought he got stronger every day with the puck; all of a sudden, he got a little more physical with the puck, more tenacity, trying to get rid of the junior habits. Those types of things.”

Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Through the later stages of the Ducks’ preseason, when the roster consisted mostly of their NHL talent, Sennecke had been slotted on the fourth line next to center Ryan Poehling and opposite Ross Johnston.

“I think I have that kind of hard forechecking aspect of my game as well. I can kind of play that role,” Sennecke said when asked about playing with Poehling and Johnston. “Those guys are fun to play with because you get the puck back pretty fast because they forecheck hard.”

The Ducks’ listed third-line center, Ryan Strome, was forced from practice on Tuesday with what has now been diagnosed as an upper-body injury that will keep him from traveling with the team for their first two games against the Kraken on Thursday and against the San Jose Sharks on Saturday.

During practice on Wednesday, Mikael Granlund slotted into Strome’s spot between Alex Killorn and Frank Vatrano, while Sennecke took Granlund’s spot next to Mason McTavish and opposite Cutter Gauthier.

It will prove a tremendous opportunity for Sennecke, looking to make an impact with the Ducks as they hope to put an end to their seven-season playoff drought.

His roster spot and role on the team moving forward will likely come down to how he performs in these early stages of the season. If the Ducks have true intentions of qualifying for the playoffs, deploying an underdeveloped and volatile, albeit highly talented, rookie seems counterintuitive. Unless, of course, he performs well enough to render himself a bonafide asset to the lineup as they hope to meet the lofty expectations they’ve set for themselves.

There’s also a question of what Sennecke’s role will be when the entire forward group is healthy. Will he return to the fourth line? How will minutes be distributed? Is that role best for his development?

Maybe extended time on the fourth line, where his matchups will be easier and he can learn those professional habits, can be a positive. Especially so, if he receives time on the power play as well.

“I see him being like a wild card where you can use him in all situations, and he can play with anybody,” Quenneville said. “You’re sitting there if you’re playing in that role, in that line. You think that he’s not going to get enough ice time. But I still think he’s useful in other ways, where he can play with top players and be a threat and be productive as well. He’s a good asset for us, and I think the way he trained in training camp, he gave us a lot of options as a coach.”

As always, a “wait-and-see” approach will be required, but the magnitude of this decision can’t be understated. Beckett Sennecke is a huge piece of the future of the Anaheim Ducks.

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Steve Kerr's starting Warriors lineup is logical, but still a work in progress

Steve Kerr's starting Warriors lineup is logical, but still a work in progress originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors are two games into the NBA preseason, and as they glance ahead they can see at least one caution light blinking.

The light that gauges the effectiveness of their perimeter defense, particularly at the point of attack.

That element is one of several essentials to Golden State’s success, and it has been considerably less than stellar. Opposing guards, some speedy and others shifty, are penetrating with regularity, resulting in paint points, free throws or kickouts to open shooters behind the arc.

That was visible Wednesday night in the first half – with all minutes going to starters and rotation players – of a 129-123 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. It took a massive fourth-quarter comeback by the far end of the bench to wipe out a 16-point halftime deficit.

Moses Moody started in the role of primary POA defender against Portland, with coach Steve Kerr pairing him with Stephen Curry in the backcourt. This vulnerability also was visible last Sunday, when Brandin Podziemski started alongside Curry in a 111-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

While it’s unreasonable to expect fantastic defense in the first week of the preseason, the Warriors can’t be delighted with a defense that allowed 39 points in the first quarter and 73 in the half.

“They were flying by us,” Kerr said. “And then we were collapsing, probably too much.  And then they had a ton of threes. I think they made 10 threes in the first half.”

Wrong, coach. The Blazers drained 12 triples in the first half. They also posted a 24-16 edge in paint points.

This was Golden State’s first look at a starting lineup that might start the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Curry and Moody in the backcourt, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green at forward and Al Horford at center. All five posted negative plus/minus numbers in the first half.

“I didn’t think we were ready to play,” Kerr said. “I don’t know that we got a good enough look at that lineup to really know. It should fit, with Al’s shooting and we have a lot of length. Moses on the ball. They took it to us right away.”

Starting Moody against the Blazers was logical because he’s a rangy defender (6-foot-5, 7-foot wingspan) and a good 3-point shooter. The possibility of him as lead bird dog emerged late last season, after the Warriors traded Andrew Wiggins as part of the deal to acquire Jimmy Butler III, as Kerr explained before tipoff.

“He got to guard the ball,” Kerr recalled of Moody. “He got to be in the starting lineup, and he became our point of attack defender, like Wiggs was before. And so, with Wiggs leaving, that opened a void on this team, because Jimmy’s not that.”

Moody has the potential to be all of that, but it’s clear he’s still trying to master the art of staying in front of quick guards. It’s a tough assignment. He has made 74 starts over four NBA seasons, but starring in that role took Klay Thompson about 300 starts.

“They came out and hit us early,” Moody told NBC Sports Bay Area. “It felt like a different game than [against the Lakers]. “We didn’t do much game planning and preparation. But I think their speed, especially in transition, got us.”

Portland guard Shaedon Sharpe finished with a game-high 22 points in 23 minutes, on 9-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-8 from deep. He was plus-14 for the night. Backup guard Blake Wesley, blasting into the paint with relative ease, finished with nine points and six rebounds.

Three nights earlier, four Lakers scored in double figures on Sunday – and all were guards: Gabe Vincent (team-high 16 points), Dalton Knecht (12), R.J. Davis (11) and Jack LaRavia (10). Along with their 49 combined points, they accounted for 12 assists.

Golden State’s POA defense so important because there is no Victor Wembanyama waiting at the rim. There is no Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert or Chet Holmgren. Not even a Donovan Clingan

The preseason is a time for experimenting, for seeing what might work and what shouldn’t even be tried. It’s a work in progress, and there is plenty of time to patch it. But the early returns are worth watching.

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The ACC has been going through a sideline overhaul. This year that includes 4 new head coaches

Luke Loucks remembers winning an Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament title at Florida State when Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams and his coach, Leonard Hamilton, were sideline fixtures. Thirteen years later, those guys have all headed into retirement, along with multiple other marquee names who weren't even in the league when Loucks played. Now Loucks is a 35-year-old first-time head coach for the Seminoles.

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Kings Vs Golden Knights: Game Preview

After a rough start to the season, the Kings look to bounce back tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights. 

Tonight at 8:00 PM MDT, the LA Kings visit the Vegas Golden Knights. The Kings will be the first NHL team to play two games after losing to the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 yesterday. The game against the Avalanche was rough for the Kings, as they committed many defensive errors, which led to Martin Necas scoring twice. But the Kings look to bounce back tonight against Vegas, who start their season tonight. 

Projected Kings Lines

The projected lines for the Kings: 

A. Kuzmenko - A. Kopitar - A. Kempe

K. Fiala - Q. Byfield - A. Laferriere

W. Foegele - P. Danault - T. Moore

J. Malott - A. Turcotte - J. Armia

M. Anderson - D. Doughty

J. Edmundson - B. Clarke

B. Dumoulin - C. Ceci

A. Forsberg

D. Kuemper

Projected Golden Knights Lines: 

The projected lines for the Golden Knights are: 

I. Barbashev - J. Eichel - M. Marner

R. Smith - W. Karlsson - M. Stone

B. Saad - T. Hertl - P. Dorofeyev 

B. Howden - C. Sissons - K. Kolesar

B. McNabb - S. Theodore

N. Hanifin - Z. Whitecloud

J. Lauzon - K. Korczak

A. Hill

A. Schmid 

Important X-Factors for the Game

After the slow start yesterday, the Kings will focus on having a strong start to the game and setting the tone early. The Kings need to clean up their defensive game after last night, as they made lots of mistakes that the Avalanche were able to capitalize on. With the Kings facing Vegas, they have to contain Mitch Marner and Jack Eichel to keep themselves in the game.  

The Kings also need to capitalize on the power play when they get the opportunity, as they went 1 for 4 last night. A positive for the Kings to build on in tonight's game is their penalty kill, as they allowed only 1 goal on 6 power plays. However, this also highlights the need for them to stay out of the box, allowing more time in the offensive zone. 

Players to Watch

For the Kings, Quinton Byfield was a strong player last night, and I would expect him to continue that strong play today. While he did not score, he registered 4 shots on net and was a major spark for the Kings' offence. The Kings will also look at the Kopitar, Kuzmenko, and Kempe line to help spark their offence and try to get their first even-strength goal of the season.

For Vegas, the big players are Marner and Eichel. Still, the forward depth is something the Kings will have to be wary of, as on the 3rd line is Pavel Dorofeyev, who scored 35 goals last season and with him being on the 3rd line, it shows how deep the Vegas forwards are, and the Kings will have to be better defensively to walk out of the game with a win. 

The Kings will need to play much better tonight in order for them to not go down 0-2 in the season. 

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NHL Rookies Who Made Opening Day Lineups In The West: Sennecke, Misa, Savoie And More

The new NHL season brings a new crop of rookies.

This year, there are plenty of really interesting rookies who made the NHL club out of training camp. From high-end draft picks and highly anticipated players to seventh-rounders and Russian imports, this year’s rookie crop will be fun to track throughout the season. 

Over two-thirds of the NHL's teams are welcoming in rookies on opening night. Let’s take a closer look at those in the Western Conference.

Anaheim Ducks

Beckett Sennecke (RW)

The third overall pick at the 2024 NHL draft has proven just about everything he could at the OHL level. With the AHL not yet being a full-time option for 19-year-old CHL players, it makes sense for Sennecke to at least start the season in the NHL.

With so many young players on the Ducks, such as Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish and Cutter Gauthier, Sennecke should fit right in. The pressure shouldn’t be too high, although they will want to see their top prospect make an offensive impact with all the skill he possesses.

Calgary Flames

Matvei Gridin (LW), Zayne Parekh (D)

Everyone knew the Flames were set to give Parekh as much of an opportunity as possible, but when Gridin made the team, it was a testament to the stellar camp and hard work he put in.

Gridin looks like he’s playing with more pace and working more pro habits into his game. Parekh is an uber-talented offensive blueliner who is sure to have his ups and downs in his own zone, but the offense will be a needed addition to their blueline.

Chicago Blackhawks

Ryan Greene (C/W), Sam Rinzel (D), Artyom Levshunov (D), Colton Dach (C/W), Ethan Del Mastro (D)

The Hawks are young, and while most eyes will be on Connor Bedard, Frank Nazar and even fellow rookies Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov, one of the most exciting stories in camp was the emergence of Ryan Greene.

Greene is a crafty forward who can play up and down the lineup. Rinzel was stellar to end last season in a short stint with the Hawks, so they will hope he can continue that and play important top four minutes on the back end. 

Levshunov jumps into the NHL after a decent year in the AHL, but as we saw on opening night, there will be some ups and downs. He's a very toolsy player, but he needs to work on refining things like his decision-making and becoming a bit more fluid overall. The upside is high. 

It will be interesting to see if Ethan Del Mastro can lock down a spot in the defense corps as the defensive-minded blueliner plays a simple, steady game. His physicality is his best asset, and his defensive mind should bring some stability to the back end. 

Colton Dach has always found a way to play a game that is more than the sum of his parts. He's the ideal young bottom-six player for Chicago, which needs players to compete hard every night and make the Hawks hard to play against. 

Colorado Avalanche

Zakhar Bardakov (C), Gavin Brindley (RW)

The Avalanche need some young blood to get into the lineup and make an impact. Gavin Brindley is a feisty, skilled forward who may be a bit undersized, but he has the speed and pace to play with the high-octane Avs.

A more surprising addition to the opening lineup is fourth-line center Zakkar Bardakov. The Russian plays with a never-ending motor and an edge. He may not have much in the way of offensive upside, but he can play some important minutes and make life difficult on the opponent. 

Edmonton Oilers

Matthew Savoie (RW/LW), Isaac Howard (LW)

The Oilers have long needed some young talent to rise and force their way into the lineup. Savoie and Howard seem to have done so.

Savoie looked good in glimpses at the NHL level last season, and Howard won the Hobey Baker in the NCAA last season. Both bring speed, skill and offensive touch. Savoie is set to start the season in the top six, but we could see both taking shifts in the top six by the end of the season.

Minnesota Wild

Danila Yurov (LW), Zeev Buium (D), Liam Ohgren (LW), Jesper Wallstedt (G), Hunter Haight (C)

The Wild have added some nice young pieces over the last few years, and this year will be no different.

Zeev Buium is one of the secondary favorites for the Calder, bringing his high skill and keen offensive mind to the Wild after appearing in the playoffs last season, following his departure from college. He could play a significant role for the Wild. Yurov will start on the fourth line but could earn his way into a more prominent role as the season goes on.

Liam Ohgren nearly exhausted his rookie eligibility last season, playing 24 games, but he's back in the NHL lineup, likely in the bottom six. And goaltender Jesper Wallstedt earned backup duties following Marc-Andre Fleury's retirement, and he'll look to improve on his 3.44 goals-against average and .877 save percentage from his first five career games.

NHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Canadiens' Demidov Leads Pre-Training Camp Rookie RaceNHL Calder Trophy Tracker: Canadiens' Demidov Leads Pre-Training Camp Rookie RaceThis year's NHL Calder Trophy race will be fun, and we're getting closer to the start line.

Nashville Predators

Brady Martin (C), Joakim Kemell (RW)

When the Preds drafted Martin with the fifth overall pick this past June, some felt like it was a bit of a reach. When he arrived in camp, he immediately began to stand out, and whispers of him making the roster began.

By the time camp concluded, Martin was the team’s top-line center. His physical style will fit perfectly in Smashville.

Speaking of smash, Joakim Kemell is known for his shot, but he’s been adding a more consistent physical element to his game this pre-season. That’s helped earn him a spot on the Preds' opening day lineup.

San Jose Sharks

Michael Misa (C), Sam Dickinson (D), Yaroslav Askarov (G) 

The Sharks are bringing in yet another stud center prospect and their top blueline prospect, but neither has a surefire spot in the lineup to start the season.

Michael Misa is as good as any center not named Macklin Celebrini on the roster, so it shouldn’t be long before we see him earn a middle-six role. Misa is a highly intelligent player who tore the OHL apart last season, leading the CHL in scoring. 

As for Dickinson, he very well could be the team’s most well-rounded defender by season’s end if given the opportunity. He has all of the tools to be an impact player immediately for the Sharks, which have a very weak blueline.

Like Misa, Dickinson would have to go back to the OHL if the Sharks don’t deem them ready for the NHL, but he’s also shown that he’s above junior hockey at this point. Allowing both to gain experience at the NHL level and letting them make mistakes, similar to how Will Smith navigated ups and downs last year, might be best for them.

In net, we should finally get to see Yaroslav Askarov as the starter in San Jose. Many expected him to step into the role last season, but San Jose wanted to ensure that the all-world goalie prospect they traded for was fully ready for the job. The athletic netminder was arguably the Sharks' best netminder in the short stint he had with the NHL club last year, so it will be exciting to see how he does in a bigger workload, even if the team in front of him isn't always making his life easy. 

Seattle Kraken

Berkly Catton (RW)

Although he is currently running as the extra forward in practice, Catton has the pace, skill and offensive tools to complement the kind of two-way, steady centers that the Kraken have in Matty Beniers and Shane Wright. It was a bit of a surprise to see Catton make the lineup, so if he ends up getting sent back to junior, it won’t be entirely shocking, but the Kraken could use his skill set, and he’s proven everything he can at the WHL level.

St. Louis Blues

Jimmy Snuggerud (RW), Logan Mailloux (D)

Jumping into the Blues' lineup after three very productive years in college, Snuggerud was very solid in seven regular-season games and looked just as good in the playoffs for another seven. He should slot in as a complementary offensive winger who can put up some decent numbers. He could even be a solid Calder bet should he get enough power-play time.

Mailloux joined the Blues in a trade from the Montreal Canadiens. He's expected to play with Tyler Tucker and build on his eight career games so far.

Utah Mammoth 

Dmitri Simashev (D)

While many expected forward Daniil But to be the Russian prospect to make the roster, Dmitri Simashev made it instead.

Simashev is a big, strong, two-way defender who has excelled in the KHL to this point. He’s earned a spot on the back end for the Mammoth, giving them a pillar to build around on the blueline. He likely won’t put up enough points to get into the Calder conversation, but he could be one of the most effective rookies in the NHL this season.

As for But, we will likely see the big, skilled winger at some point this season. He would add a very nice element of powerful skill to the top nine.

NHL Prospect Pool Overview ’25-26: Catch Up On Every Team’s PipelineNHL Prospect Pool Overview ’25-26: Catch Up On Every Team’s PipelineThe NHL prospect pool overview series is our annual summer series breaking down every team's prospect pipeline.

Vancouver Canucks 

Braeden Cootes (C), Jonathan Lekkerimaki (RW)

One of the most surprising rookies to make their NHL roster out of camp is Braeden Cootes. He's not a bad player, but he was just drafted 15th overall in June. His game is built around his engine and energy. His drive is endless, and it shouldn’t be surprising that the Cancuks found him outworking NHL veterans and winning pucks in the pre-season.

It will be interesting to see how his game looks as the regular season starts and whether his offensive skill and physical strength can keep up against men.

Lekkerimaki played 24 NHL games last year so just barely remained a rookie. With six points last year, he'll be expected to step it up, and with three goals and four points in four pre-season games, it looks like he could do that.

Winnipeg Jets

Nikita Chibrikov (RW), Brad Lambert (W/C)

Nikita Chibrikov is getting the first crack at filling in for the injured Cole Perfetti.

Chibrikov is a flashy playmaker who plays with speed. His game has developed nicely at the AHL level, and he could earn a full-time role if he plays well, even after Perfetti returns to the lineup.

To start the season, it looks like Brad Lambert will be an extra forward, but he’s a high-end skater with some fascinating dynamic skills. It won’t be surprising to see him in the lineup if the Jets feel the need to get a bit faster and more dynamic.

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Report: Golden Knights and Jack Eichel agree on an 8-year, $108 million contract extension

Jack Eichel and the Vegas Golden Knights have agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension worth $108 million, according to a report

Eichel will count $13.5 million against the salary cap from the time the new contract kicks in for the 2026-27 season through 2034. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the extension had not been announced.

The soon-to-be 29-year-old center is the latest high-profile player to re-up with his current team after Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov inked the richest deal in league history at $136 million over eight years, Connor McDavid opted to stay in Edmonton on a short-term deal without a raise from his current $12.5 million salary and Kyle Connor re-signed in Winnipeg for the maximum eight years at $12 million annually.

Eichel is coming off setting career highs with 66 assists and 94 points last season, when the Golden Knights finished first in the Pacific Division. He helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2023.

His representatives and Vegas’ front office reached the agreement roughly six hours before the start of the season. Asked before training camp opened if he would shut down negotiations once meaningful games get going, Eichel brushed off the question.

“If a contract happens organically, then it happens,” Eichel said in Las Vegas at the NHL/NHLPA preseason player media tour. “You can only control so much, right, and that’s sort of in my mindset. What are the things that I focus on? Preparing for the season, getting my mind and body in the best place to be successful and help our hockey team. That’s more so my focus. I think anything else sort of just takes care of itself when you do your job well.”

Eichel was the second pick in the 2015 draft by Buffalo. He played his first five-plus seasons for the Sabres before a dispute over surgery to repair his neck injury led to a trade to Vegas in ’21.

Since undergoing artificial disk replacement, Eichel has produced above a point-a-game level for the Knights. He was the No. 1 center for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off and already was named to the Olympic team.

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What we learned as Quinten Post, LJ Cryer fuel Warriors' comeback preseason win

What we learned as Quinten Post, LJ Cryer fuel Warriors' comeback preseason win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The NBA preseason is a learning experience for youngsters and veterans alike, and the Warriors will have plenty of positives and negatives to review after what turned into a wild 129-123 win against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at Chase Center.

Behind the 3-point prowess of Quinten Post (20 points) and LJ Cryer (14 points), and rookie Will Richard’s constant activity, the Warriors rallied for a spirited comeback where they outscored the Blazers 51-26 in the fourth quarter.

Steph Curry in his one half of action played 16 minutes and scored 11 points, going 3 of 7 overall and 2 of 5 on threes. Draymond Green also played 16 minutes, and also hit a pair of threes on his way to nine points. Jimmy Butler was the leading scorer of the three, and the only to have a positive plus/minus. 

Butler, a plus-3 in 17 minutes, scored 12 points to go with two rebounds, three assists and two steals. He was 3 of 6 from the field, and 6 of 8 on free throws.

The Warriors again play the Blazers in the preseason next Tuesday, as well as the third game of the 2025-26 NBA regular season in what will be the second night of a back-to-back.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors’ second win to start their five-game preseason schedule. 

Horford Gets Starting Nod

After opening the preseason with a small-ball lineup in the Warriors’ first game, coach Steve Kerr switched gears and went big against the Blazers. Al Horford moved into the starting lineup, with the real decision being Moses Moody staying and Brandin Podziemski coming off the bench. Horford and Moody accompanied Curry, Butler and Green. 

“Al gives us the ability to play bigger with shooting,” Kerr explained at his pregame press conference. “Portland’s got a pretty big team and I would anticipate they’ll start [Donovan] Clingan. I think I mentioned last game, I don’t want to throw Draymond out there constantly against these big centers. So this is a good night to take a look at that lineup and see what we do.”

The Warriors trailed 18-15 when Kerr first turned to his bench, replacing Moody and Horford with Buddy Hield and Post with a little more than five minutes left in the first quarter. Moody blocked two shots in the first minute, and Horford already had two rebounds and one assist. He should have had two assists by then if Moody would have converted an open layup. 

But Horford’s first assist was an eye-opening dime. The 39-year-old center grabbed a defensive rebound and went coast-to-coast, finding Butler in transition for an easy layup at the rim.

The starters didn’t play together again all night. Like the preseason opener, Curry, Butler, Green and Horford all sat the second half. Horford was scoreless in 11 minutes while missing his four shot attempts. Moody didn’t start the second half and was a minus-10 in 20 minutes, scoring 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting.

Second Unit Struggles

Once Kerr turned to his bench, the game flipped in favor of the Blazers. The Warriors used a 10-man rotation in the first quarter, using Podziemski, Hield, Post, Jonathan Kuminga and Gary Payton II off the bench. That unit lost its run 19-4 in the first quarter alone. 

The Blazers’ bench outscored the Warriors’ reserves 18-7 in the first quarter, and Portland went on a 13-0 run to hold a 14-point 39-25 lead going into the second quarter. 

By halftime, the Warriors were losing the bench battle 25-20. All of the Warriors’ bench players had a negative plus/minus, and Deni Avdija, who was up to 13 points, was the lone Blazers bench player in the negative. 

Seth Curry eventually will be an option off the bench for Kerr, and should at least provide more outside shooting. Curry “is still ramping up,” per Kerr, and has yet to play in the preseason. He will be waived by Oct. 18 and is eligible to be re-signed starting Nov. 11. 

Podziemski and Kuminga each were a game-low minus-17.

Defensive Work In Progress

If Toumani Camara starts making threes like he did against the Warriors, the rest of the league could have a problem on its hands. The Second Team All-Defensive selection from last season was part of the reason the Warriors were buried from long distance on their home court. 

Camara went 4 of 7 from 3-point range in the first half before missing his two attempts in the second half. Shaedon Sharpe also was 4 of 7 beyond the arc in the first half as the Blazers went 12 of 28 on threes through the first two quarters. The Warriors were losing the long distance battle, and were being beaten by speed. 

Most of the Blazers’ threes were open shots, and the Warriors were late to rotate. The Blazers shot 46.3 percent in the first half, including a 42.9 3-point percentage. The Warriors also only had two steals compared to six by the Blazers going into halftime, and they turned the ball over three times more than them – 12 to three.

Effort and resiliency from the back of the bench deserves tons of positivity. First, the defensive miscues will have to be cleaned up ahead of Sunday’s game in LA against the Lakers.

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Sabres Notes – Georgiev Clears, Benson Bruised, Injury Update

The Buffalo Sabres will start the season with Alex Lyon as their starting goaltender and recent waiver claim Colten Ellis as their backup. Ellis was claim from the St. Louis Blues on Monday, which was followed quickly by the Sabres placing veteran Alexandar Georgiev on waivers.  The former Rangers, Avs, and Sharks goalie cleared on Wednesday, and will likely be assigned to the AHL Rochester Americans, who open their regular season on Friday against the Toronto Marlies at Blue Cross Arena.  

Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff indicated that goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is feeling better after suffering a lower-body injury last week against Pittsburgh, but a time frame on him returning to the ice to practice is unknown. The same goes for defenseman Michael Kesselring. The Sabres have a favorable schedule, with six home games in their first eight contests and just one set of back-to-back games in October, which will allow them to lean heavily on veteran Alex Lyon. 

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Ruff indicated that defensemen Owen Power and Mattias Samuelsson, who both practiced on Wednesday, will be in the lineup for the season opener against the NY Rangers at KeyBank Center on Thursday. With Kesselring out, either Jacob Bryson or Ryan Johnson will play in the opener against New York, who were shut out 3-0 by the Penguins at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. 

Winger Zach Benson was injured in practice, taking an errant puck in the face. Benson had a gash on his left cheek, but Ruff indicated that it should not keep him out of the game against New York. In other news, Jack Eichel will be in Vegas for the balance of his career, as the former Sabres captain signed an eight-year deal with the Golden Knights for $13.5 million per season.  

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