Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg has died at 65, the team announces

Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg has died at 65, the team announces originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg has passed away at the age of 65, the team announced Monday night.

Sandberg had been battling metastatic prostate cancer since January 2024. After a brief remission, he was dealt a setback in December when he announced that his cancer had returned and spread to other organs, leaving him to face more intense treatment.

He did throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day at Wrigley Field in early April, but his health had not improved, and the team announced he had passed away Monday.

“Ryne Sandberg was a hero to a generation of Chicago Cubs fans and will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in nearly 150 years of this historic franchise,” said Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts on behalf of his family and the Cubs organization. “His dedication to and respect for the game, along with his unrelenting integrity, grit, hustle, and competitive fire were hallmarks of his career. He was immensely proud of his teammates and his role as a global ambassador of the game of baseball, but most of all, he was proud of Margaret, his children and his role as husband, father, and grandfather.”

Sandberg had released a statement on social media earlier this month:

“To all my Fans and extended baseball Family – I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” the statement said. “It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis. 

“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends. 

“I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half and to see Wrigley rocking like 1984! 

“Thank you for all the messages of support. Go Cubs!”

Sandberg played nearly his entire MLB career with the Cubs, winning National League MVP honors in 1984 while collecting nine Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards. He was a 10-time All-Star and won the 1990 Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field.

In all, Sandberg hammered 282 home runs and drove in 1,061 RBI’s in his big league career, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005.

Mets prospect Ryan Clifford named Eastern League Player of the Week

Mets prospect Ryan Clifford had himself quite the week down in Double-A. It was so good, in fact, that it earned him Eastern League Player of the Week honors.

So how good was he?

In six games against Reading, the 22-year-old tortured them for a triple slash line of .522/.645/1.130 with four home runs, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored and eight walks -- good for a ridiculous 1.775 OPS which led all of MiLB.

Clifford's fantastic week at the plate is part of a great month of July in which he's hit eight home runs with 25 RBI. He now has 21 home runs and 67 RBI on the season, both of which lead Double-A.

Since joining Binghamton in May of last year, the lefty-swinging first baseman has mashed 39 home runs in 191 games.

Playing alongside top prospects like Jett Williams and Carson Benge, Clifford has been one of the top run producers in the Mets' farm system since they acquired him from the Houston Astros in the Justin Verlander deal in 2023 which also included Drew Gilbert.

This is Clifford's second time winning the weekly award this season after winning it in early May.

Penguins Promising Goalie Is Clear Breakout Candidate

Goaltender Joel Blomqvist got into his first NHL action this past season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Overall, the young goaltender ran into some trouble adjusting to the NHL level with Pittsburgh, as he had a 4-9-1 record, a 3.81 goals-against average, and a .885 save percentage in 15 appearances.

While Blomqvist struggled with consistency while on Pittsburgh's roster this past campaign, there is a clear reason to believe that things could change on that front in 2025-26. The 2020 second-round pick has shown plenty of promise while at the AHL level with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and it would not be particularly surprising if he broke out with Pittsburgh next season because of it.

While down in the AHL with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this past season, Blomqvist recorded an 8-7-3 record, a .914 save percentage, and a 2.84 goals-against average in 18 games. This was after he had a 25-12-6 record, a .921 save percentage, and a 2.16 goals-against average in 45 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2023-24. With numbers like these, it is hard not to feel some optimism about Blomqvist's future. It is now just a matter of him translating some of this kind of play over to the NHL level.

Overall, Blomqvist will certainly be a breakout candidate to watch for the Penguins in 2025-26. He has the potential to improve as he continues to gain more experience, and it will be fascinating to see what kind of campaign he has from here.

Ex-Penguins Defender Signs Multi-Year Deal With New TeamEx-Penguins Defender Signs Multi-Year Deal With New TeamEarlier this off-season, the Pittsburgh Penguins traded defenseman Conor Timmins and prospect Isaac Belliveau to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for blueliner Connor Clifton and a second-round pick. 

Photo Credit:  © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost – Yegor Chinakov

The Buffalo Sabres should be in the market for an impact top-six forward after dealing winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan, but the opening weeks of free agency did not provide GM Kevyn Adams with an opportunity to replace Peterka’s production, and with the two-year deal signed earlier this month with defenseman Bowen Byram, Adams will have to try to acquire a scoring forward with younger players, prospects, and/or draft picks. 

Yegor Chinakhov is someone who is obviously available after the Columbus winger went to social media to indicate that he wanted the Blue Jackets to trade him. The 24-year-old was a first-round pick (21st overall) in 2020 and has encountered injury issues throughout his four-year NHL career, but the 6’1”, 201 lb. forward showed some upside in 2023-24, scoring 16 goals in 53 games. 

Other Sabres Stories

Projecting Sabres Trade Cost - Bryan Rust

Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere

Chinakhov is in the final year of a two-year, $4.2 million bridge deal with the Blue Jackets, is an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent in 2026 and two years away from unrestricted free agency, which would give a team trading for him the flexibility to qualify him and holding on to him for another year or not qualifying him next summer. With Sabres Senior Advisor Jarmo Kekalainen having intimate knowledge as the GM who drafted him, Buffalo would obviously have some insight into what his ceiling is and whether he could play higher in the lineup as a replacement for JJ Peterka.  

What Would It Cost?

With the trade request out in the open, Columbus GM Don Waddell is not in a great bargaining position, in spite of his public pronouncements to the contrary. The Blue Jackets may want to get someone of a comparable age who is established in the NHL instead of a prospect or a draft pick, but if he is unable to extract that value for Chinakhov before the start of training camp, his presence could prove to be a distraction. The Sabres may be prepared to offer a prospect like Isak Rosen, who may have earned a legitimate shot at the NHL, but it is unlikely they would move someone off their roster for a risky proposition. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

The Wraparound: Which NHL Players Have Lots To Prove This Season?

It's late July, and The Wraparound is still breaking down NHL and hockey topics in rapid-fire segments.

Which NHL Players Have Lots To Prove This Season? by The WraparoundWhich NHL Players Have Lots To Prove This Season? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Stephen Kerr discussed in today's episode:

0:00: Which NHL team has the longest competitive window?

5:00: Should the Vegas Golden Knights be concerned about their goaltending?

8:15: Can the Chicago Blackhawks eventually win with Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom as their goaltenders?

11:02: Will any remaining UFA goaltenders be signed before training camp?

14:53: Do the Buffalo Sabres need significant changes to their defensive group?

17:55: Which players have the most to prove this season?

21:43: Did the Seattle Kraken get closer to playoff contention after their off-season moves?

24:18: Grading the Minnesota Wild’s off-season

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Podbean

iHeartRadio

Amazon

Promo photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Niko Mikkola Put The NHL On Notice During The Playoffs, But His Value To The Panthers Remains Underrated

Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola (77) celebrates after a goal during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes in game three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Niko Mikkola has played a crucial role in the Florida Panthers' recent success, putting the league on notice during the playoffs, yet his value to the organization can still be considered underrated. 

When the Panthers are at full health, Mikkola is the team's second-best left-handed defenseman after Gustav Forsling. He's also widely considered the third-best defenseman defensively and possibly the fourth or fifth-best defenseman offensively. It's because of this that Mikkola flies under the radar, but if given the opportunity or if it presented itself through injuries, Mikkola could very likely step into a larger role and thrive.

Prior to joining the Panthers, the 29-year-old was considered nothing more than a stay-at-home physical defenseman. With the St. Louis Blues and briefly with the New York Rangers, Mikkola thrived as a hard-hitting blue liner who blocked shots and killed penalties. While he continues to do so at a high level for the Panthers, he's shown that he can contribute in other ways.

In the playoffs, particularly, Mikkola demonstrated the offensive game that hasn't been tapped into at the NHL level. On multiple occasions, Mikkola fearlessly jumped into the playoff offensively, showcasing puck skills to make plays, a quick release to beat goaltenders and skating abilities to blend it all together. He finished the 2024-25 playoffs, averaging 20:13 of ice, scoring three goals and six points. 

Although he demonstrated that he has more to offer, he still is best suited for the role he currently plays, as the team's No.4 defenseman, but the Panthers can feel at ease that if they do run into injury issues, the Kiiminki, FIN native can seamlessly step into a large role and do so comfortably. 

The Panthers have built their success on depth and complete buy-in from each and every player, and there are very few players on the Panthers roster who exemplify this better than the 6-foot-6 defender. 

Ekblad, Forsling or Petry? Who's Best Suited To Run The Panthers Second Power Play UnitEkblad, Forsling or Petry? Who's Best Suited To Run The Panthers Second Power Play UnitAs the dog days of the offseason continue and the excitement for the 2025-26 season continues to build, attempting to predict who fits where and what role they serve is always a fun topic. Today, we look at who is best suited to quarterback the Florida Panthers' second power play unit.

Former Blackhawks Forward Still A Free Agent

With August just about here, we have seen the majority of this year's NHL unrestricted free agents (UFAs) get signed. As a result of this, things around the league have naturally slowed down, which is a common occurrence during this part of the summer.

While this is the case, former Chicago Blackhawks forward Craig Smith is among this year's UFAs who have still not been signed by a new team just yet.

This is certainly a different story than it was for Smith this past year, as he signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Blackhawks on the first day of free agency last off-season. However, it is taking the veteran winger a little more time to get his next deal this year.

While Smith remains unsigned at this juncture of the summer, the possibility of this changing is certainly there. The 35-year-old's solid two-way play and high amount of experience could make him a nice addition for a team looking to add to their forward depth. Thus, it would not be particularly surprising if he landed a one-year deal or professional tryout (PTO) from an NHL club before training camp if he wishes to continue his career.

In 40 games with the Blackhawks this past season, Smith recorded nine goals, seven assists, 16 points, and a minus-2 rating. His time with the Blackhawks ended at the 2025 trade deadline when he and goaltender Petr Mrazek were dealt to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for Joe Veleno.

Blackhawks Forward Is Extension Candidate To WatchBlackhawks Forward Is Extension Candidate To WatchThe Chicago Blackhawks will have several players in the final year of their contracts during the 2025-26 season. Due to this, there is certainly a chance that we could see them sign some of their players to contract extensions, whether that is this off-season or during the 2025-26 campaign. 

Photo Credit: © Matt Marton-Imagn Images

NHL Prospect Pool Overview ’25-26: New York Rangers Are Strong On One Wing, Weak On The Other

The New York Rangers are at bat in the NHL prospect pool overview series.

Tony Ferrari digs into the Rangers’ strengths and weaknesses, latest draft class, positional depth chart, next player in line for an NHL opportunity and more. A player who no longer holds rookie eligibility in the NHL is considered graduated and no longer a prospect for these exercises, with few exceptions.

Initial Thoughts

Last season was a rollercoaster for the Rangers. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a fun coaster like at the local fair; it was a Final Destination movie. 

Almost nothing went right as soon as the season began, and if we’re being honest, it started in the summer last year when they were trying to move key veterans who were ultimately moved out at a later time. 

The team is in a weird spot. The Rangers haven’t committed to rebuilding or retooling because they have some pricey veterans on the roster, but they have made some moves that suggest they want to at least get younger. 

Since opening night last season, they’ve traded out trusted veterans and lineup staples, such as former captain Jacob Trouba, Ranger great Chris Kreider and even a young defender with promise, K’Andre Miller

The Kreider and Miller deals brought the Rangers two very solid prospects to add to their system: Scott Morrow and Carey Terrance.

Morrow is one of the top prospects in the Rangers' system after being acquired this summer. The former Shattuck St. Mary’s defender is a cerebral player, using his incredible puckhandling and slick passing to move the puck all over the ice. Morrow has the brain to run a power play or generate offense at even strength. His skating is good, but he doesn’t have the explosiveness you’d like. He’s fairly fluid in his movement, but he isn’t a powerful skater. Morrow could jump into the lineup at some point this season.

Terrance is a hard-working energy center who loves to fire pucks on net. He might have a limited ceiling, but he is a smart player who will do what a coach asks of him. His defensive game is solid, mostly thanks to his work ethic, which could keep him at center at the pro level. He’ll have the chance to prove he can bring a bit more offense with some better players when he gets to the AHL this fall.

After a 22-game stint with the Rangers this past year, Brennan Othmann will look to compete for a spot in the lineup immediately this season. The 22-year-old has been a very good AHLer for a couple of seasons, but he hasn’t made an impact yet in the NHL. Othmann is a crafty goal-scorer who brings some edge to the game. He likes getting under the skin of opponents as well. If he can keep up with the speed of the NHL game, he could be a very solid middle-six forward for the Rangers as soon as this season. 

Undersized forward Brett Berard is a fun story. He played in 35 NHL games last year, and although he’s no longer a rookie, he hasn’t established himself in the NHL yet. Berard is a worker who gets to the middle and consistently tries to stay involved in the play. He’s a high-paced winger who loves to push the puck up ice and use his teammates well. He could be a very solid depth scorer at the NHL level.

Slovak forward Adam Sykora is a fun player to watch because he consistently pushes the pace of play and tries to create. Defensively, Sykora is always putting in 110 percent effort, throwing hits and looking to play through the attacker's hands to dislodge the puck. When he has the puck, he’s passing it off in transition and immediately looking to present an option for a return pass. He wants to drive the puck into the high-danger areas and create chances. He could be in line for a big bump in his AHL production this season. 

The Rangers drafted EJ Emery last year as a bet on a player who loves to be physical and play defensive hockey with an athletic package that should allow him to develop his puck skills. While he showed some of that physicality and defensive play at the University of North Dakota this past season, he struggled with the puck. His one assist in 31 games was underwhelming, to say the least. Emery is still a very raw player, so time will tell whether he can develop his game with the puck. 

In his second year with Boston College, Drew Fortescue took a step as a complete player, but that came with an acceptance that he can be a bit more reserved offensively. He has good tools and makes decent decisions, but Fortescue must figure out what he’ll be at the next level. As of right now, he’s a work in progress.

U-23 Players Likely To Be On NHL Roster This Season

Gabe Perreault (RW/LW), Scott Morrow (D), Brennan Othmann (LW)

Malcolm Spence (Brandon Soto/OHL Images)  

2025 NHL Draft Class

Round 2, 43rd overall - Malcolm Spence, LW, Erie (OHL)

Round 3, 70th overall - Sean Barnhill, D, Dubuque (USHL)

Round 3, 89th overall - Artem Gonchar, D, Magnitogorsk Jr. (Rus.)

Round 4, 111th overall - Mikkel Eriksen, C, Farjestad Jr. (Swe.)

Round 5, 139th overall - Zeb Lindgren, D, Skelleftea Jr. (Swe.)

Round 6, 166th overall - Samuel Jung, RW, Karpat (Fin.)

Round 6, 171st overall - Evan Passmore, D, Barrie (OHL)

Round 7, 203rd overall - Felix Farhammar, D, Orebro Jr. (Swe.)

Although they didn’t pick in the first round, the Rangers still landed Malcolm Spence

Spence was thought to be a potential top-10 pick coming into the year. A bit of an underwhelming year and some questions about just how high his upside is caused him to fall out of the first round. 

Spence plays a very pro-style game. He can play a physical game, especially on the forecheck and backcheck. He commits to putting in an effort on the defensive side of the puck as well. Spence has shown some creativity and skill as a playmaker, and he has a very good shot, but he should use it more.

Sean Barnhill’s game isn’t complicated or flashy. He’s a big defender and a smooth skater who plays a smart defensive game, building on his mobility and finishing plays with his massive frame when needed. Barnhill has room to grow offensively because he shows off the tools he’s working with and the odd flash of skill. If he ever develops an offensive edge, he could be a massive steal. If not, he has the floor of a solid defender. 

The nephew of longtime NHLer Sergei Gonchar, Artem Gonchar, plays a solid two-way game with excellent puck-moving and evasive skating. That said, he is very thin at six-foot and 157 pounds, and he lacks a physical edge to his game. Gonchar must fill out his frame because he does have some puck skills, but he can’t take full advantage of his tools without getting a bit stronger.

Mikkel Eriksen’s birth date was just two days away from being a 2026 NHL draft prospect, so he has plenty of runway for development. His puck skill and fluidity stand out. He is constantly looking to alter defenders' paths or draw their attention one way before cutting back. Eriksen has to round things out in his game, but there is plenty to like about his potential. 

The rise of Zeb Lindgren from a relative unknown to a legitimate NHL draft prospect was fun to watch. Lindgren leaves fans and observers entertained, happy with his overall play and also feeling like there was more to give. Lindgren has some really solid passing ability, deceptively quick skating and problem-solving. There are times when things can get hectic in his game, but he has a nice package to bet on. 

Drafted as an overage player, Samuel Jung is a good shooter who doesn’t bring a ton else to his game. He’s a fine north-south attacker, but he doesn’t have the pull-away speed to really break things open. This is a bet on a player who improved his overall tools year-over-year, but it might not be enough.

The Rangers kept things simple by taking Evan Passmore, a big defender who can move fairly well and can close down space. He loves to pin attackers to the wall and take the puck off of them, but he won’t do anything too crazy with it once he gets it. As a good pokechecker with a long wingspan, Passmore could wind up being a very steady bottom-pair guy one day. 

With their final pick of the 2025 NHL draft, the Rangers snagged Felix Farhammar, a two-way defender who is a bit unrefined, but he has some nice elements at both ends of the ice. He can throw some hits and shadow defenders, or he can make a breakout pass and join the rush. Farhammar could wind up being good value if they let him take his time and develop, hopefully in more than a couple of Swedish League games this season. 

Strengths

The left wing is one of the stronger position groups for the Rangers as it features a couple of good prospects and some depth. 

The right side of the defense has some good players at the top end, but it lacks depth. The left side of the blueline has depth but lacks the high-end player. 

With Perreault likely starting on the left wing, he’s the head of the left wing in the prospect pipeline, but he’s far from alone. 

When Spence fell to them in the draft, the Rangers were ecstatic because they were getting a first-round talent in the second round. Othmann might play games this season, and there is a world in which he brings some of the same elements that Will Cuylle brought the last couple of years. Berard and Sykora are a bit undersized, but they bring a ton of talent and work their tails off as well. Even Kalle Vaisanen is an intriguing depth option at 22 years old. 

Weaknesses

Once Perreault jumps into the NHL, the right wing will be fairly vacant. 

Brisson was acquired at the trade deadline from Vegas. He was a former first-rounder, but he’s struggled to break into the NHL. He has some promise as a finisher, but at 23 years old, it’s time for him to prove himself. 

Beyond Brisson, the Rangers don’t have much in the way of upside picks. Jaroslav Chmelar is a fine prospect, as is Brody Lamb. Neither has the kind of path or upside to be an impact player at the pro level. There will be centers that end up on the wing, so maybe the weak point is a bit muted because of that. Unfortunately, the centers aren’t nearly a strong enough group as they could have easily secured the spot here as the weak point of the pipeline. As of now, the right side up front looks tough.

Hidden Gem: Carey Terrance, C

Terrance’s offensive skill isn’t upper-echelon, and he has had some ups and downs to finish his junior career, but he could fit right into the bottom six in the NHL. 

Terrance has some speed and physicality. He never stops moving his feet, and he might produce a bit more offense once he’s surrounded by players with more playmaking ability. Terrance is a very good finisher when playing with a true creator. He has some very good defensive qualities, quick reads and consistent pressuring of attackers on the backcheck and even in his own zone. He’s unlikely to become a star, but he could be a very solid piece of the puzzle for the Rangers in a year or two, as he is making the jump to the AHL this upcoming season.

Gabe Perreault (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

Next Man Up: Gabe Perreault, RW/LW

It’s been a dominant run over the last few years for Perreault

He solidified himself as one of the most dominant offensive players in the history of the USA National Team Development Program, putting up a record 132 points in his U-18 year. That season was capped off with a gold medal at the World Men’s Under-18 Championship.. 

Perreault then put up more than 100 points in just two years at Boston College. He helped BC to a Hockey East championship, and he was a second-team All-American in each season. The past couple of winters, he stepped away from BC to join Team USA at the World Junior Championship, and he won back-to-back gold medals. 

Perreault’s winning ways aren’t just a circumstance of being in the right place at the right time. Perreault has often been one of the catalysts to that success. Now, he will jump into the Rangers’ lineup after a brief stint to end last season. 

The Rangers are hoping to have Perreault use his play-connecting ability to bring some depth scoring to the lineup and elevate some of the middle six players' offensive ceilings. He’s played on the left and right wings, so he should be capable of doing either. If he ends up playing higher in the lineup and the Rangers bounce back, he could be in the Calder Trophy conversation. 

Prospect Depth Chart Notables

LW: Malcolm Spence, Brennan Othmann, Adam Sykora, Brett Berard, Kalle Vaisanen, Ty Henricks

C: Carey Terrance, Raoul Boilard, Bryce McConnell-Barker, Mikkel Eriksen

RW: Gabe Perreault, Jaroslav Chmelar, Brendan Brisson, Brody Lamb

LD: Drew Fortescue, Zeb Lindgren, Artem Gonchar, Jackson Dorrington, Rasmus Larsson

RD: Scott Morrow, EJ Emery, Sean Barnhill

G: Hugo Ollas, Dylan Garand, Talyn Boyko

For a deeper dive into the prospect pool with player rankings, check out the Yearbook and Future Watch editions of The Hockey News in print.

Luka Doncic says 'whole body looks better' after summer of change: 'This is just the start'

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) stands on the court during.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic plays against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the teams' first-round playoff series in April. (Abbie Parr / Associated Press)

Luka Doncic is a changed man.

Just look at the photos accompanying a new "Men's Health" feature on the Lakers superstar.

He's slimmed down. He's toned.

“Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” Doncic said in the article published Monday.

His altered physique, however, is not what makes Doncic a changed man. His sleek new look is the result of much bigger changes in his lifestyle this offseason.

Read more:Luka Doncic made Marcus Smart a believer in joining the Lakers

According to the article, Doncic has been home in Croatia where he gets in two 90-minute workouts a day. The sessions included deadlifts, dumbbell bench presses, lateral bounds, resistance band drills, sprints and hurdles. The workouts wrap up with Doncic on the basketball court shooting jump shots.

And Doncic's eating habits have changed too. His diet is now gluten-free, low-sugar and high-protein. He also uses an intermittent fasting plan the article says is "designed to limit inflammation and help his body recover better."

The Mavericks selected Doncic with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft. He was the NBA's rookie of the year that season. The 6-6 guard is a five-time All-Star selection and led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals.

But in early February, Doncic was shipped to the Lakers in a deal that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. According to an ESPN report at the time, the Mavericks initiated the talks at least in part because of “significant frustration within the organization about Doncic’s lack of discipline regarding his diet and conditioning.”

Read more:Is Luka Doncic 230 or 260 pounds? Magic Johnson says new Laker must take 'conditioning seriously'

Doncic acknowledged that narrative during his introductory news conference with the Lakers on Feb. 4 and said it would motivate him moving forward.

“It’s a motive,” Doncic said. “I know it’s not true. I know. But it’s a motive … it’s a big motive for a long run here.”

Apparently, he meant it. The day after the Lakers were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, the Men's Health article states, Doncic texted his manager saying he was ready to begin his offseason workouts.

Doncic has worked with the same trio of fitness experts — a physiotherapist, a trainer and a nutritionist — since 2023, but this offseason has been different.

“I think that this summer, he sees the difference, and he's really happy,” Javier Barrio, Doncic's physiotherapist, told Men's Health.

Doncic indicated that his newfound dedication to wellness won't end once the season begins.

“This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step," he said. "But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can’t stop.”

He added: “If I stop now, it was all for nothing.”

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Luka Doncic says 'whole body looks better' after summer of change: 'This is just the start'

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) stands on the court during.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic plays against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the teams' first-round playoff series in April. (Abbie Parr / Associated Press)

Luka Doncic is a changed man.

Just look at the photos accompanying a new "Men's Health" feature on the Lakers superstar.

He's slimmed down. He's toned.

“Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” Doncic said in the article published Monday.

His altered physique, however, is not what makes Doncic a changed man. His sleek new look is the result of much bigger changes in his lifestyle this offseason.

Read more:Luka Doncic made Marcus Smart a believer in joining the Lakers

According to the article, Doncic has been home in Croatia where he gets in two 90-minute workouts a day. The sessions included deadlifts, dumbbell bench presses, lateral bounds, resistance band drills, sprints and hurdles. The workouts wrap up with Doncic on the basketball court shooting jump shots.

And Doncic's eating habits have changed too. His diet is now gluten-free, low-sugar and high-protein. He also uses an intermittent fasting plan the article says is "designed to limit inflammation and help his body recover better."

The Mavericks selected Doncic with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft. He was the NBA's rookie of the year that season. The 6-6 guard is a five-time All-Star selection and led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals.

But in early February, Doncic was shipped to the Lakers in a deal that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas. According to an ESPN report at the time, the Mavericks initiated the talks at least in part because of “significant frustration within the organization about Doncic’s lack of discipline regarding his diet and conditioning.”

Read more:Is Luka Doncic 230 or 260 pounds? Magic Johnson says new Laker must take 'conditioning seriously'

Doncic acknowledged that narrative during his introductory news conference with the Lakers on Feb. 4 and said it would motivate him moving forward.

“It’s a motive,” Doncic said. “I know it’s not true. I know. But it’s a motive … it’s a big motive for a long run here.”

Apparently, he meant it. The day after the Lakers were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, the Men's Health article states, Doncic texted his manager saying he was ready to begin his offseason workouts.

Doncic has worked with the same trio of fitness experts — a physiotherapist, a trainer and a nutritionist — since 2023, but this offseason has been different.

“I think that this summer, he sees the difference, and he's really happy,” Javier Barrio, Doncic's physiotherapist, told Men's Health.

Doncic indicated that his newfound dedication to wellness won't end once the season begins.

“This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step," he said. "But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can’t stop.”

He added: “If I stop now, it was all for nothing.”

Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Baseball’s biggest spenders are stumbling, with the Dodgers, Mets and Yankees beset by injuries

NEW YORK — Baseball’s biggest spenders are stumbling, slowed by injuries and scrambling to patch rosters with help for battered bullpens and other positions ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline.

Opening the season with a top payroll of $326 million, the New York Mets have a 1 1/2-game NL East lead but are 17-20 since mid-June.

Just $200,000 behind them in spending, according to Major League Baseball’s figures, the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are four games ahead in the NL West but are 5-13 since July 3.

Third at $294 million, the defending AL champion New York Yankees blew a seven-game division lead and trail AL East-leading Toronto by 5 1/2 games after a 22-28 skid that started in late May.

“It is in a lot of ways a game of survival,” New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

While all three are in playoffs positions, they have not had the seasons they hoped for.

All three teams were considered “winners” of the offseason. The Mets lured Juan Soto from the Yankees for a record $765 million, 15-year contract. The Dodgers added prized pitcher Roki Sasaki and left-hander Blake Snell along with reliever Tanner Scott, outfielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Hyeseong Kim. The Yankees brought in Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt and Devin Williams.

Projected lineups and the ones in box scores have been markedly different.

The Mets have used 13 starting pitchers, losing Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Tylor Megill and Griffin Canning for significant stretches.

“We’re not going to sit here and feel sorry for ourselves. Nobody will,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re facing a lot of adversity, but every team goes through it.”

Los Angeles had 14 pitchers on the injured list in early June and has used 16 different starters.

“It was very important to have the depth. We went through a lot last year and I didn’t think that we would kind of match what we did last year, but sure enough we have,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “To kind of manage it hasn’t been easy, but we’re doing it.”

The Yankees lost ace Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt to torn UCLs and Luis Gil to a lat strain. They are now without two-time AL MVP Aaron Judge for at least 10 days because of a flexor injury.

Los Angeles leads the major leagues with 1,495 player days on the IL, the Mets are fifth at 1,095 and the Yankees sixth at 1,022. Philadelphia, 1 1/2 games back of the Mets in the NL East, has the fewest IL days at 214.

In addition to relievers, the Mets could use a center fielder and an upgrade at third. The Yankees added infielders Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario, boosting payroll and tax by $11.56 million.

Modern MLB is a sport for the wealthy. Just two of the current division leaders were not among the top seven spenders as of opening day: Detroit (19th at $148 million) and the Chicago Cubs (14th at $195 million).

And the spending doesn’t include luxury tax, with seven teams projected to pay. The Dodgers were on track at the season’s start to owe a record $151 million — more than the payrolls of seven teams. The were were projected at $73 million and the Yankees $52 million, with Philadelphia, Toronto, San Diego and Boston at lesser amounts.

“I’m a piker now compared to the Dodgers,” Mets owner Steve Cohen said during spring training.

All seven teams set to owe tax would be in the 12-club playoffs if the season ended now along with Houston, currently just below the tax threshold.

In the past decade, three teams outside the top 10 spenders have won titles: Atlanta in 2021 (14th), Houston in 2017 (18th) and Kansas City in 2015 (13th). While the biggest spender has won twice, the Dodgers in 2020 and Boston in 2018, a top six payroll has won six titles of the past 10 titles.

Some owners say MLB should push for a salary cap in negotiations to replace the collective bargaining agreement that expires in December 2026, a proposal the players’ association would fight.

“Payroll disparity is such a fact of life among the ownership group that there’s not a lot of need for talking about whether we have it or not,” baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said. “We understand that it has become a bigger problem for us.”

Last year, the top three spenders reached the League Championship Series along with Cleveland, which finished at No. 25. Ten of 20 LCS teams in the last five years paid tax.

“I have the ability to spend if I have to,” Cohen said. “I want to win and I want to I can on the field.”

Depleted Braves acquire pitcher Carlos Carrasco from Yankees for cash considerations

NEW YORK — The New York Yankees traded veteran pitcher Carlos Carrasco to the depleted Atlanta Braves on Monday for cash considerations.

The Braves acquired Carrasco a day after losing Grant Holmes to right elbow inflammation on Sunday. Holmes was originally placed on the 15-day injured list but moved to the 60-day IL after Erick Fedde was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals.

With the news involving Holmes, all five of Atlanta’s opening day rotation are on the 60-day injured list. Atlanta lost at Texas 8-1 Sunday, has dropped five in a row and is 12 games behind in the NL wild-card race.

Carrasco was 2-2 with a 5.91 ERA in eight games for the Yankees, who started him six times before designating him for assignment on May 6.

Carrasco was in spring training on a minor league deal and could have opted out but he was re-signed after posting a 1.69 ERA in five spring training outings, including four starts. After accepting his assignment to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre, the 38-year-old right-hander was 4-2 with a 3.27 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) and was 4-0 with a 2.23 ERA in five July starts.

Originally acquired by the Cleveland Guardians from the Phillies for Cliff Lee in July 2009, Carrasco is 112-105 with a 4.18 ERA in 332 games (283) starts for Cleveland, the New York Mets and Yankees.

He led the American League in wins in 2017 when he was 18-6 with Cleveland and also was named the 2019 AL Comeback Player of the Year following a return from leukemia.

The Yankees made their third trade since Friday after acquiring Ryan McMahon from the Rockies and Amed Rosario from the Nationals.

Luka Doncic: 'Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better'

Nothing motivates the greats quite like the quest to prove someone wrong. When the Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA by trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers, it was followed up by spin out of Dallas about GM Nico Harrison and the franchise's concerns about Doncic's lack of commitment to conditioning, taking care of his body and defense.

This summer, we have seen "skinny" Luka on social media as he works out to get in shape. Doncic spoke about that with Men’s Health Magazine.

" Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better...

"Every summer I try my best to work on different things. Obviously, I'm very competitive. This summer was just a little bit different, you know. It kind of motivated me to be even better...

"Obviously, be the best that I can be, take care of myself. This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can't stop."

The Mavericks were not wrong to have concerns about Doncic's conditioning, it certainly has not been consistent throughout his career. (It's still a massive leap from having concerns to trading a top-five player in the world as he enters his prime because of it.) Doncic has improved his conditioning in the past, but due to injuries and other reasons, it has never stayed at the level Dallas' Harrison — a Kobe Bryant guy — expected.

What should scare the Mavericks is that they have just become the motivation he needed to genuinely change. If the disrespect from Dallas, combined with being on a new team and watching LeBron James' commitment to his body and conditioning daily, changes Doncic's habits, then the Mavericks have unleashed a monster on the league.

Doncic had spent the summer back in Europe with family and friends, but landed back in the United States in the last 48 hours for a Jordan Brand promotional shoe tour. After that tour, he returns to Slovenia to lead his national team in the EuroBasket that starts at the end of this month.

Doncic is eligible for a contract extension this summer: On Aug. 2, the Lakers can offer him a four-year, $223 million extension. They will, and Doncic is expected to re-sign with the team, although most likely on a three-year, $165 million max contract (or three plus a player option) because in three years he will have reached 10 years of service in the league and then can sign for up to 35% of the salary cap (the most the Lakers could offer right now is 30%). Expect that deal to be finalized before the season starts (possibly this week, while he is in the USA on a shoe tour, or perhaps closer to Lakers training camp).

NHL Summer Splash Rankings: No. 21, Columbus Blue Jackets

The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash rankings continue to unfold with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 21st spot.

This series analyzes each NHL team’s off-season, ranking the teams that improved, stayed the same or got worse. We’re focusing on every organization’s additions and departures through free agency and trades, as well as coach and management hirings and firings.

We’re in the group of teams that have more or less stayed the same this off-season. You’ll find the teams that finished below the Blue Jackets at the bottom of this column. But first, our attention is squarely on the Jackets.

Additions

Charlie Coyle (C), Miles Wood (LW), Brendan Gaunce (C), Dysin Mayo (D)

The Breakdown: The Blue Jackets had the same number of wins as the Montreal Canadiens, but the Habs lost two more games in overtime instead of regulation and clinched the second wild-card spot. 

But Jackets GM Don Waddell used a good deal of his salary cap space this summer on a pair of veteran forwards – former Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild center Charlie Coyle and former New Jersey Devils and Avalanche winger Wood – to add depth and experience to his group.

An additional positive for Waddell is the re-signing of veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov to a seven-year contract extension worth $8.5 million per year. The 28-year-old Provorov could’ve received at least that much money from another team, so his decision to stay in Columbus was an endorsement of sorts for the Blue Jackets as an organization. He wasn’t an addition, but the Blue Jackets did a good job not to see Provorov become a departure.

Another de facto addition for the Jackets this coming year will be one full season of goaltender Jet Greaves. The 24-year-old looked terrific in 11 NHL appearances last season, posting a .938 save percentage and 1.91 goals-against average. He’s going to push starter Elvis Merzlikins for the No. 1 job in net for Columbus, and that can only be a good thing. 

Daniil Tarasov, Miles Wood and Zach Werenski (Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)

Departures

James van Riemsdyk (LW), Justin Danforth (RW), Sean Kuraly (LW), Kevin Labanc (RW), Jack Johnson (D), Jordan Harris (D), Daniil Tarasov (G)

The Breakdown: Most, if not all, of the Blue Jackets’ departures were depth players. Van Riemsdyk had 36 points in 71 games this past season, while Danforth had 21. Kuraly and Labanc combined for 29 points.

Depth defensemen Johnson and Harris averaged fewer than 13 minutes of ice time. Goaltender Tarasov had a 3.54 GAA and .881 SP.

Columbus won’t miss the playoffs just because any of the seven departed players left a competitive crater that can’t be filled. Waddell must believe the team filled in any gaps through internal promotions, trades and free-agent signings.

The Bottom Line

While there was a considerable exodus out of Columbus this off-season, the Blue Jackets are likely to be on the rise because management believes in their core of youngsters. That belief may prove to be ill-founded, but there’s no guarantee of its success or failure either way. 

The Jackets are where they are in our NHL summer splash rankings because they didn’t get considerably better or worse. They’re about the same, so they’re in the middle pack.

That said, if the Blue Jackets’ defense can improve from conceding the eighth-most goals in the NHL this past year, we believe Columbus’ offense – fuelled by youngsters Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov and Norris Trophy front-runner Zach Werenski – should be enough to push this team into the post-season after a five-year playoff drought.

Also of note: Waddell still has about $16.3 million in salary cap space, leaving him primed to be a mover and shaker on the trade front during the season. With Columbus’ defense corps on the rise, the Jackets could look for help at forward or in net. But for the moment, at least, this Blue Jackets team has the promise of youth along with a bedrock of veterans to keep the team in the playoff hunt all season long. Waddell’s refusal to make a slew of additions is essentially a vote of confidence in his core talent.

Summer Splash Rankings

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

22. Washington Capitals

23. Nashville Predators

24. New York Islanders

25. Tampa Bay Lightning

26. Toronto Maple Leafs

27. Dallas Stars

28. Calgary Flames

29. Los Angeles Kings

30. Winnipeg Jets

31. Chicago Blackhawks

32. Buffalo Sabres