Former Red Wings Second Round Pick Dealt in KHL Trade

Red Wings Prospect Dimitri Buchelnikov Traded from Vityaz to CSKA Moscow in KHL Shakeup

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In a notable move within the KHL, CSKA Moscow has acquired forward Dmitri Buchelnikov from HC Vityaz Podolsk, adding a highly skilled and dynamic winger to their roster.

The trade signals a significant opportunity for Buchelnikov, a former second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings, to take the next step in his development with one of Russia’s most prestigious hockey clubs.

Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) on XRed Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) on XDimitri Buchelnikov(2nd round’22) has been traded to CSKA #LGRW

Buchelnikov, 20, was drafted 52nd overall by Detroit in the 2022 NHL Draft, a selection that raised some eyebrows at the time due to his limited exposure outside Russia.

More Red Wings: Could the Red Wings Sign Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner? New Betting Odds Spark Major Buzz

Since then, he’s continued to develop in the KHL system, splitting time between SKA St. Petersburg and its affiliates before being loaned to Vityaz Podolsk in 2023-24.

With Vityaz, Buchelnikov enjoyed his most productive KHL campaign to date, registering 13 goals and 19 points in 44 games, showcasing his elite skating, quick release, and knack for finding space in the offensive zone.

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The move to CSKA marks Buchelnikov’s third KHL team in just two seasons, but it also represents his clearest chance yet to compete at a high level in a playoff-caliber environment.

CSKA, a perennial contender in the KHL and 2023 Gagarin Cup finalists, boasts a strong development pipeline and could help unlock more of Buchelnikov’s offensive upside. The Moscow-based club has a track record of refining young talent into top-end pros, something the Red Wings will be watching closely as they evaluate Buchelnikov’s long-term NHL potential.

Detroit, meanwhile, still retains Buchelnikov’s NHL rights. Though he has not yet signed a contract with the Red Wings, his growing production and now a larger stage in Moscow could accelerate interest in bringing him to North America in the coming years.

That said, with the complex nature of KHL-NHL transfers and Buchelnikov’s contract situation in Russia, patience will likely be required from the Red Wings’ front office.

Buchelnikov’s KHL trade is part of a broader trend of young Russian prospects being shuffled among top-tier teams for both development and cap reasons.

His move to CSKA comes with higher expectations and increased spotlight, but if his trajectory continues to climb, he could soon emerge as one of Russia’s top young forwards—and a potential future asset for Detroit if he makes the leap across the Atlantic.

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Rangers at Twins prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 12

Its Thursday, June 12 and the Rangers (32-36) are in Minneapolis to take on the Twins (36-31).

Patrick Corbin is slated to take the mound for Texas against Bailey Ober for Minnesota.

The series is even at one game apiece following the Twins' 6-2 win last night. Byron Buxton went 3-3 including his eleventh home run of the season (a 479-foot blast!) and Minnesota improved to five games over .500 for the season. Marcus Semien tallied his seventh home run of the season in the loss.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Rangers at Twins

  • Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
  • Time: 1:10PM EST
  • Site: Target Field
  • City: Minneapolis, MN
  • Network/Streaming: RSN, MNNT, MLBN

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

Odds for the Rangers at the Twins

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Rangers (+138), Twins (-166)
  • Spread:  Twins -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Rangers at Twins

  • Pitching matchup for June 12, 2025: Patrick Corbin vs. Bailey Ober
    • Rangers: Patrick Corbin (3-5, 3.52 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/6 at Washington - 8IP, 2ER, 5H, 0BB, 2Ks
    • Twins: Bailey Ober (4-2, 3.78 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/6 vs. Toronto - 7IP, 5ER, 5H, 1BB, 4Ks

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

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Rangers at Twins

  • The Twins have won 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with losing records
  • The Over is 4-1 in the Twins' last 5 games
  • Josh Jung is 3-28 (.107) in his last 8 games
  • Since returning to the lineup, Carlos Correa has hit in 4-straight games (6-17)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for today’s game between the Rangers and the Twins

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday's game between the Rangers and the Twins:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Minnesota Twins on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Texas Rangers at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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Nationals at Mets prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 12

Its Thursday, June 12 and the Nationals (30-37) are in Queens to take on the Mets (44-24).

Michael Soroka is slated to take the mound for Washington against Kodai Senga for New York.

David Peterson tossed the first nine-inning complete game of his career, and the Mets rolled to a 5-0 win for their fifth straight win. Juan Soto went yard for the second straight game to pace the attack.

The Mets are now 26-7 at Citi Field this season.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

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

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

Game details & how to watch Nationals at Mets

  • Date: Thursday, June 12, 2025
  • Time: 1:10PM EST
  • Site: Citi Field
  • City: Queens, NY
  • Network/Streaming: MASN, SNY, MLBN

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

Odds for the Nationals at the Mets

The latest odds as of Thursday:

  • Moneyline: Nationals (+200), Mets (-244)
  • Spread:  Mets -1.5
  • Total: 8.0 runs

Probable starting pitchers for Nationals at Mets

  • Pitching matchup for June 12, 2025: Michael Soroka vs. Kodai Senga
    • Nationals: Michael Soroka (3-3, 4.87 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/6 vs. Texas - 6IP, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 7Ks
    • Mets: Kodai Senga (6-3, 1.59 ERA)
      Last outing: 6/6 at Colorado - 6IP, 1ER, 5H, 2BB, 6Ks

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

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

  • The Mets have won 4 of their last 5 NL East home games with Kodai Senga toeing the slab
  • In his last 5 starts at home Kodai Senga has an ERA of 1.76
  • The Mets have covered the Run Line in 3 successive games with Kodai Senga as the starter
  • Juan Soto is 7-11 over his last 3 games and 10-19 over his last 5 to raise his average to .252 for the season
  • Brandon Nimmo has hit in 4 straight games (6-17) and 8 of his last 9 games (10-38)

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for today’s game between the Nationals and the Mets

Rotoworld Best Bet

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

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

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

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Thursday's game between the Nationals and the Mets:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the New York Mets on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the New York Mets at -1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 8.0.

Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC

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

  • Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
  • Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
  • Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
  • Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Draymond reveals Pacers' key to winning NBA Finals vs. Thunder

Draymond reveals Pacers' key to winning NBA Finals vs. Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green believes the Indiana Pacers can win the NBA Finals over the Oklahoma City Thunder if they do one thing.

The Warriors veteran and four-time NBA champion explained what the Pacers need to do offensively to beat the Thunder.

“I believe the Pacers can win this series,” Green told Metta World Peace and Baron Davis on “The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis.”

“But, my only thing is… the Pacers don’t get Pascal Siakam the ball enough. He is the one guy on their team who, every possession he has the ball, can get to the shot he’s trying to get to.

“And, secondly, every possession he has the ball, he’s the one guy on Indiana’s team that can create a double-team, which makes the next domino fall. And so, when I take a step back and look at this series…I really like Indiana. I think Indiana can win this series. I just don’t know if they will.”

While Siakam has been a big difference-maker for the Pacers, other key players have stepped up to give Indiana a 2-1 series lead. Behind Bennedict Mathurin’s 27 points off the bench and another stellar night from Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers roared back in the fourth quarter of Game 3 to win 116-107.

Still, the series is far from over, considering the Thunder possess one of the most potent lineups in the NBA, capable of quickly turning the series around.

With a pivotal Game 4 set for Friday evening in Indianapolis, expect the Pacers to feed the ball to Siakam and Haliburton as they look to take a commanding 3-1 lead. If Indiana manages to win its first NBA championship, Green won’t be too surprised.

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Flyers 2025 NHL Draft Big Board: Can Philly Afford to Pass On Top Centers?

William Horcoff is emerging as a popular back-end first-round option for the Flyers. (Photo: Michael Augello, The Hockey News)

With the NHL Scouting Combine now in the rearview mirror, the Philadelphia Flyers have just over two weeks to make final preparations for the 2025 NHL Draft.

Holding the sixth overall pick, the majority of management's focus will be dedicated to the draft's top prospects, debating on which center, if any, is the pivot of Philadelphia's future. Depending on how the board breaks, maybe a winger, like Porter Martone, is the best choice.

There have been rumblings that defensemen, such as Jackson Smith, could be in play at some point in the draft, just not necessarily at No. 6. Smith, of course, is a consensus top-15 prospect, so the Flyers would have to trade up to make that happen.

Needless to say, with the amount of draft capital the Flyers have, the possibilities are virtually endless.

Center is the team's greatest position of need, both organizationally and on the immediate NHL roster. But do the Flyers have to take one? What if one of the top centers is lower on their board than the others? Is trading up or down an option?

Keeping these questions in mind, I've curated my first of two big boards, with the final coming shortly before the draft kicks off on June 27. Let's discuss.

Best options for No. 6 pick

James Hagens, C, Boston College, 5-foot-11, 185 pounds

James Hagens was once seen as the can't-miss, top prospect of the 2025 draft class, only to fall down rankings to no fault of his own. The industry consensus on Hagens seems to have dropped slightly, with some recent mocks seeing the Boston College ace fall to the Flyers at No. 6.

If that happens, Danny Briere and Co. will likely surge the telephone lines calling in their pick. The 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes thanks in large part to his outstanding USNTDP career and elite production for the United States in the U18 and U20 World Junior Championships.

Hagens is the one player scouts have tended to overthink in the pre-draft process, but he's the best possible option for the Flyers, all things considered. If drafted by Philly, Hagens could take over as the team's de facto No. 1 center as early as 2026.

Anton Frondell, C, Djurgardens IF, 6-foot-1, 205 pounds

Where Anton Frondell lands in the 2025 draft depends on who you ask. Some think the Swede will go in the top three, and others think he'll reach the bottom of the top 10.

Flyers Mock Draft 3.0: A Bold Trade and the NHL Scouting CombineFlyers Mock Draft 3.0: A Bold Trade and the NHL Scouting CombineThe Philadelphia Flyers, as expected, were one of the busiest teams at the NHL Scouting Combine, giving some clues of their intentions leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft later this month.

Regardless, Frondell is on the Flyers' draft board in some capacity, and it's easy to see why. The bulldozing center has no problem imposing his physique on others, especially in tight spaces, using his size and strength to find good ice and make plays for his teammates.

Frondell is said to have one of, if not the best shots in the class, but concerns remain with his consistency and perceived lack of playmaking ability. Skating is a question, too, but Frondell has the strength and the build to add strength and explosiveness down the road.

After scoring seven points in 16 games with Djurgardens IF and securing promotion from HockeyAllsvenskan, Frondell is set to get his first taste of action in the SHL, Sweden's top hockey league, next season.

Porter Martone, RW, Brampton Steelheads, 6-foot-3, 205 pounds

If the Flyers pass on a center with the No. 6 pick for any reason, it should be to secure Porter Martone.

Briere came away wildly impressed with the Canada U18 team that played in the 2024 U18 World Junior Championships, winning Gold with Martone as its captain. In seven games, Martone, also the captain of the Steelheads, scored five goals, 12 assists, and 17 points, finishing second only to Gavin McKenna (20 points) in scoring.

Notably, the Flyers drafted two players from that Canada team in 2024: Jett Luchanko and Spencer Gill.

Martone is the prototypical scoring winger every NHL team would kill to add to their ranks. He's physical, can rip a shot from anywhere, a natural leader, has uncanny passing skills, elite vision, and hockey IQ, and possesses silky mitts to boot.

Some would argue the Flyers should choose Martone regardless of who's on the board at No. 6, and that would be a more than fair assessment.

From a stylistic perspective, Martone has been compared to Matvei Michkov and Mikko Rantanen.

Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds

Caleb Desnoyers, like Martone, Luchanko, and Gill, was on last year's Canada U18 team and scored five points in five games.

Briere, Ian Laperriere, and the Flyers are also intimately familiar with Desnoyers, his family, and, of course, older brother Elliot Desnoyers, who plays in the AHL for their Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

The connections are all there, and Desnoyers has the talent to justify the No. 6 draft slot... if he even makes it there.

NHL Draft 2025: Flyers Won't Guarantee a Top Center This YearNHL Draft 2025: Flyers Won't Guarantee a Top Center This YearIf you want the Philadelphia Flyers to draft the No. 1 center of their future with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, you've already been warned not to get your hopes up.

The 18-year-old center, recently named the captain of the QMJHL Moncton Wildcats, has been a steady draft riser and currently projects to be a top four pick, but anything can happen between now and June 27.

Desnoyers is a wildly intelligent and hyper-active player who is always on the puck at both ends of the ice. He can add layers to his game on the fly thanks to his hockey IQ, and he has the shooting, vision, and passing ability to make good use of it.

Desnoyers is only an average skater, but his lack of foot speed can and should improve over time, potentially allowing him to bring even more to the ice every night.

Jake O'Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds

Jake O'Brien, similarly to Desnoyers, makes his money with his vision and hockey IQ. The difference is that O'Brien is generally considered to be the best playmaker in the class while not being much of a shooter.

With the Bulldogs, O'Brien plays for Jay McKee, one of Briere's old NHL teammates and a candidate to take over as Phantoms head coach. The 17-year-old is one of the younger players in the 2025 draft class and is expected to only become bigger, stronger, and faster.

The question is if O'Brien can develop into more of a two-way threat rather than a pure passer over time. At the high-end of his projection, I can see a Robert Thomas-like NHL career for O'Brien. The Flyers would take that any day of the week.

Options for Picks 22 and 32

We don't know if the Edmonton Oilers will win the Stanley Cup or not, but we'll assume they do. It really won't matter much for the sake of this exercise.

The Flyers still have two first-round picks to get through, and while it's possible those get traded for a player or packaged to move up for, say, Jackson Smith, we'll first assume the Flyers keep both picks.

Flyers Mock Draft 1.0: Addressing 2 Organizational Areas of NeedFlyers Mock Draft 1.0: Addressing 2 Organizational Areas of NeedWith three picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, the Philadelphia Flyers have all the ammo needed to address multiple important organizational needs.

Ivan Ryabkin, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks, 5-foot-11, 200 pounds

Ivan Rybakin had a bizarre year, falling from a potential top five pick to a borderline first-round pick while moving from Russia to the USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks.

The 18-year-old forward is a hyper-aggressive agitator who can shoot, throw hits, and make the occasional dazzling play on his own. Ryabkin will need to adjust to the North American style of play and pace, but getting that process started early this past season might boost his draft stock with certain NHL teams, including the Flyers.

Ryabkin, combined with Matvei Michkov and Nikita Grebenkin, could potentially help the Flyers form the most demonic, irritating group of forwards assembled in Philadelphia in quite a few years. The Russian forward should be in play for the Flyers as early as 22nd.

Joshua Ravensbergen, G, Prince George Cougars, 6-foot-5, 190 pounds

Joshua Ravensbergen is the consensus No. 1 goalie in the 2025 draft class, which should make him a VIP draft target for the Flyers.

Neither Sam Ersson nor Ivan Fedotov look like they have NHL futures with the Flyers, while the jury is still out - time is ticking - on Aleksei Kolosov. Aside from them, Philly's hopes rest on the shoulders of Carson Bjarnason and Egor Zavragin, with the latter contracted in the KHL until at least 2027.

Adding a blue-chipper in Ravensbergen gives the Flyers three high-end goalie prospects, boosting the likelihood that at least one pans out and turns into a capable NHL starter. If nothing else, the Flyers would have the best goalie prospect pool in the league the moment Ravensbergen is selected.

William Horcoff, C, Michigan, 6-foot-4, 190 pounds

William Horcoff, the son of longtime NHLer Shawn Horcoff, is a rapidly rising center prospect who has now snuck into the back end of first-round discussions, and for good reason.

NHL Scouting Combine: Flyers Draft Board, Targets Taking ShapeNHL Scouting Combine: Flyers Draft Board, Targets Taking ShapeThe Philadelphia Flyers, as expected, had a hectic week meeting with various top prospects at the NHL Scouting Combine. Such is life as a team with three first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft.

The 18-year-old plays the game with strong details, and his size, which will only fill out further with time, gives him an advantage over many of his peers. The key is that Horcoff knows how to use it to position himself at a young age.

Horcoff profiles as a strong defensive forward with good, not great offensive upside. He'll need to get faster and play faster, but that's what development is for, right?

Sascha Boumedienne, LHD, Boston, 6-foot-2, 180 pounds

Sascha Boumedienne, like Ryabkin, came into the season with higher hopes, but who's to say he hasn't delivered at the end of the day?

The Swede is a jack-of-all-trades, master of none left-shot defender who comes with a healthy NHL projection and actually improved throughout the year. Boumedienne has a great defensive stick and excels at defending the rush, and he has no issues making plays with the puck on his stick.

Those are three important qualities in modern NHL defensemen, and Boumedienne has all of them. The Flyers are in desperate need of left-shot defensemen, especially if Cam York is traded, making Boumedienne an ideal target at 22.

Kurban Limatov, LHD, Dynamo Moskva, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds

Rounding out the first Flyers big board, Kurban Limatov is a massive, left-shot defenseman who can skate and out-muscle people all the same.

But, for his startling skating ability, Limatov needs to refine his details further, which should come with more experience in the MHL and KHL. Limatov is not much of a shooter or passer, but he can get the job done most of the time if he chooses the right play.

The hulking Russian projects as a bottom-four insulator, but if he can harness his gifts and play with more concentration and detail, specifically with his puck distribution, Limatov's ceiling could be much greater.

For more Flyers news and up-to-date coverage, visit The Hockey News and like our Facebook page. Follow us on 𝕏: @ByJonBailey,  @TheHockeyNews

Could The Canadiens Accomplish a Rare Feat Next Season?

Before Lane Hutson was announced as the Calder Trophy winner by the NHL on Tuesday morning, a Montreal Canadiens player had not won the honour since 1972 when Ken Dryden won it. Brendan Gallagher came painfully close in 2012-13 when the votes he received gave him a total of 1048 points, while the winner, Florida Panthers’ Jonathan Huberdeau, had 1141 points.

Could another Hab win it next year, however? Is there a chance that a Canadiens player could grab the coveted away time in a row? With the hype that surrounds Ivan Demidov right now, it’s hard to rule it out completely. After all, he was able to make an impact at the tail end of the season when he arrived from the KHL.

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Of course, Demidov won’t be alone in the race, but at this stage, he does sound like one of the top contenders. It wouldn’t be the first time two teammates won the Calder Trophy in a row, though. It has happened a few times, although it was easier to do when there were only six teams in the league. Three teammates claimed it three years in a row for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

From 1942 to 1944, the Leafs dominated the Calder Cup with Gaye Stewart, Gus Bodnar, and Frank McCool winning it three years in a row. Then, Gump Worsley and Camille Henry did it for the New York Rangers in 1952 and 1953. Fourteen years later, Bobby Orr and Derek Sanderson accomplished the feat for the Boston Bruins, and it hasn’t happened since, which coincides with the start of the Expansion Era in 1967-68.

The Calgary Flames had two players win it in three years when Gary Suter claimed it in 1985-86 and Joe Nieuwendyk did in 1987-88, but no team came closer than that. If Demidov picks up where he left off in the small sample we saw, that possibility is sure to become one of the stories of the next season.

Photo credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images


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Fear not, Sixers fans: This is not a ‘2-player draft'

Fear not, Sixers fans: This is not a ‘2-player draft'  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers pick third in the 2025 NBA draft, so you may be dismayed to read numerous sources declaring that superstar Duke forward Cooper Flagg and outstanding Rutgers guard Dylan Harper are the only two sure things in this draft. 

But fear not, Sixers fans. Because I promise you there will be more stars in this draft than Flagg and Harper. 

We’re watching an NBA Finals right now where both teams’ franchise players were drafted outside the top 10 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was 11th in 2018, Tyrese Haliburton was 12th in 2020). While we’re at it, Finals MVPs Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard were both picked 15th.  Eight of the 15 players who made the three All-NBA teams this season were drafted outside the top 10.

It’s Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and the front office’s job to evaluate Ace Bailey,VJ Edgecombe, Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel and everyone else and find the future star. Of course, that’s the hard part and smart front offices get these picks wrong repeatedly. That’s the nature of evaluating human beings and the intangibles you can’t measure at a combine. But it is the task at hand. 

The secret sauce in getting the draft right is to separate players thought to be in similar tiers and find the star. Just ask the Minnesota Timberwolves, who had two shots at Stephen Curry in the 2009 draft and took Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn instead.

Someone who gets drafted after No. 2 this season will blossom into a star player. The Sixers just have to find him. And history proves it could be a player outside the top 5 in every mock draft you’ll read. 

So, broaden your horizons a bit and watch some of the players outside that consensus top 5, because chances are that “consensus” won’t look remotely the same in a couple of years.

The NHL's No-Tax Team Advantage Is Not A 'Ridiculous Issue,' But Bettman Has Won The Argument

For a few years now, the issue of NHL teams and their tax situation has been debated by pundits and NHL executives.

As the Florida Panthers are two wins away from defending their Stanley Cup championship, it’s been hard to ignore that they, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Vegas Golden Knights and even the Colorado Avalanche have won it all in recent years while having some of the lowest taxes of any NHL team.

In January, San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier said he saw both sides of the tax issue, but that he also would hypothetically support a tax equalization plan

Another proponent of such a plan is TNT analyst and former NHL player Paul Bissonnette, who has repeatedly said he wants the league to address the issue. 

This week, Bissonnette took his grumbling to the NHL commissioner himself, Gary Bettman, in an NHL on TNT interview at the Stanley Cup final. But Bettman deftly counterargued, and if we’re being honest, we have to say he did a solid job of speaking against any type of plan to deal with tax inequalities from team to team.

“It’s a ridiculous issue,” Bettman said. “When the Florida teams weren’t good, which was for about 17 years, nobody said anything about it. For those of you who played, were you sitting there at the tax table? No, you wanted to go to a good organization in a place where you wanted to live, where you wanted to raise your kids and send them to school. You wanted to play in a first-class arena with a first-class training facility, with an owner, an organization, a GM, and a coach that you were comfortable with. And you wanted to have good teammates so you would have a shot at winning. That’s what motivates it.

“Could it be a little bit of a factor if everything else were equal? I suppose, but that is not it. By the way, state taxes are high in Los Angeles, high in New York. What are we going to do? Subsidize those teams?”

Gary Bettman (Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)

Now, let’s be clear – we do see the no-tax states having an advantage, so we’re not prepared to agree with Bettman that this issue is “ridiculous.” But after interviewing NHL Players’ Association executive director Marty Walsh in November, and after hearing Bettman’s response to Bissonnette, our position has evolved. 

In this instance, we have to give Bettman credit. Part of his job as commissioner is making good arguments for the league’s decisions. And in this case, he did just that. And as Walsh said, finding the type of mechanism to level out the league’s tax situations is next to impossible.

If No-Tax Teams Have An Advantage, It's That They're Run By Very Smart PeopleIf No-Tax Teams Have An Advantage, It's That They're Run By Very Smart PeopleFunny, no one really heard about the tax advantage that the Florida Panthers supposedly have when they plucked Gustav Forsling off waivers five years ago because nobody else wanted him.

But here’s where our philosophy has evolved: there are other scenarios where some teams would have an advantage, and you don’t see teams crying out for new labor deal elements to address them. 

For instance, the weak Canadian dollar might be seen as an issue to Canadian team owners, but if you really think about it, it might be spun as a selling point to free agents and players considering being dealt to Canada. 

After all, if you’re making American money as all players do, and you’re playing in a Canadian market, your cost of living is far better than it would be if you were in an American market. Let’s say you’re getting $1.33 Cdn. for every American dollar – wouldn’t that be a huge win for you as a player? Your money would be improved by one-third if you’re in a Canadian market. So why aren’t Canadian teams selling that angle?

We want the playing field to be as level as possible while also being fair to teams that are more successful than others. That’s why we still believe a luxury tax would be a great solution for the NHL, the same way it is in the NBA. But clearly, the league prefers its hard salary cap, and that’s not likely to change, even with a new collective bargaining agreement coming up in the next year. That’s just the reality of the situation.

Hockey & Taxes: What An NHL Player Pays In Taxes Depending On Their TeamHockey & Taxes: What An NHL Player Pays In Taxes Depending On Their TeamNHL players must deal with two certainties: the eventual death of their career and the taxes they will pay during it. We calculated the taxes they will pay.

As Walsh told THN.com, there are many variables at play with taxes, and as Bettman noted, the bigger factors in players’ decisions on where to play probably have more to do with how well teams are managed and how competitive their rosters are. So you can see why there’s consensus between the league and players in this regard.

Bissonnette was within his rights to raise the topic in front of Bettman, but the commissioner held his own on this front and more or less ended the debate for now. It may come up again down the road, but anyone holding their breath for a change anytime soon need all the luck they can get.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

MLS teams enter Club World Cup with a chance to make an impression, good or bad

The league will relish the long-awaited chance to go toe-to-toe with the world, but they may not love the result

The beach clubs of Dubai and Ibiza may be a little quieter this summer, at least when it comes to their headcount of European soccer stars. The off-season has been intruded upon by the Club World Cup with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Inter in the United States for this summer’s expanded tournament, which kicks off this weekend. Wayne Lineker and Salt Bae may get lonely.

European enthusiasm for Gianni Infantino’s latest harebrained scheme is low. The $131m bounty for winning the tournament has incentivised clubs at boardroom level (see Real Madrid spending many millions extra to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold in time to play), but players may not be as driven on the pitch. European fans may not even watch – the tournament is being broadcast in the UK on Channel 5, a network known more for daytime reality TV repeats than live soccer. It’s being streamed worldwide on DAZN, a platform with wildly varying adoption levels across the globe.

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Haliburton used Steph film to prepare for physical Game 3 vs. Thunder

Haliburton used Steph film to prepare for physical Game 3 vs. Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

There is a lot Steph Curry can teach young NBA players, both directly and indirectly.

The four-time NBA champion has seen it all. He’s done it all. He’s gone up against just about every type of defensive matchup.

And yet, at age 37, other teams still struggled to contain the Warriors superstar.

Which is why Indiana Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton, per Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, turned to Curry, or his film, to prepare for another physical matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

“After two games of wrestling with Oklahoma City’s defense, of battling waves of defenders that just kept coming, Tyrese Haliburton cracked open his laptop to study someone familiar with it,” Mannix wrote. “Few players in NBA history are as adept at shedding a physical defense as Stephen Curry, the Warriors superstar who has powered Golden State to four championships … and counting.

“Early in the week, Haliburton’s trainer, Drew Hanlen, fired off a file of a decade’s worth of Curry’s postseason field goals, a highlight reel of Curry torching defenders from San Antonio to Houston, Cleveland to Boston. A generation of shooters have been inspired by Curry. In his first NBA Finals, perhaps Haliburton could be, too.”

The result? A near-triple-double, as Haliburton scored 22 points with nine rebounds and 11 assists on 9-of-17 shooting from the field and 4 of 8 from 3-point range in Indiana’s 116-107 Game 3 win.

The Pacers now lead the Thunder two games to one in the best-of-seven series and are two wins away from capping off their storybook 2024-25 NBA season with the franchise’s first-ever championship.

Curry knows a thing or two about closing teams out in the Finals, perhaps Haliburton should continue to take a page out of his playbook.

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Warriors guard Podziemski underwent second surgery of offseason

Warriors guard Podziemski underwent second surgery of offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

It’s been an eventful offseason for second-year Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski.

Golden State announced Wednesday that Podziemski had another surgery on Tuesday, this time to repair a core muscle injury, two weeks after the 22-year-old underwent surgery on his left shooting wrist on May 27.

As the Warriors mentioned in their statement, the surgery was successful and Podziemski is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of training camp in the fall.

Podziemski dealt with abdominal, back and facial injuries throughout the 2024-25 NBA season, and after his pair of offseason surgeries, appears to be addressing any lingering ailments in order to be fully healthy for his third season with the Warriors.

In his second year with Golden State, Podziemski averaged 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game on 44.5-percent shooting from the field and 37.2 percent from 3-point range in 64 games (33 starts).

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Jarome Luai called up by NSW Blues to replace injured Mitch Moses for State of Origin Game 2

  • Wests Tigers five-eighth to rekindle partnership with Nathan Cleary

  • Moses sent for scans after injuring calf in training session

Jarome Luai will replace Mitch Moses as NSW’s five-eighth for the second State of Origin match after a calf strain dashed Moses’s hopes of playing. Moses pulled up sore while running the ball during a training session at NSW’s Blue Mountains camp on Thursday, injuring the same calf that troubled him earlier this year.

The Blues have sent Moses for scans on the injury that delivers a blow to their hopes of sealing a series victory by winning Origin II in Perth on Wednesday.

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