CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 22: Tony Santillan #64 of the Cincinnati Reds throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers at Great American Ball Park on June 22, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s almost certainly too little, too late, but the Cincinnati Reds are beginning to get some of their bullpen arms back in form. Graham Ashcraft, for instance, threw a bullpen on Tuesday at Great American Ball Park and seems poised for a rehab stint as early as this weekend.
On Friday, though, the Reds got something more tangible. Tony Santillan was activated prior to the series opener in the Land of the Endless Strip Mall against the Diamondbacks after having thrown his most recent pitch for the Reds almost two months ago back on June 22nd.
Making way for Big Tone on the roster was Zach Maxwell, with the move technically post-dated to yesterday evening after the debacle against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The #Reds today activated RHP Tony Santillan from the 15-day injured list and optioned RHP Zach Maxwell to Triple-A Louisville (postgame 8/20). pic.twitter.com/M5r4x2NvJa
Santillan’s overall 5.23 ERA and 5.57 FIP on the season are ugly as sin, but he’d turned a corner in the month of June prior to landing on the shelf. He poured in 7 straight scoreless appearances in the month prior to yielding an earned run and walk in the game where he strained his oblique and hit the shelf, and the Reds will surely hoping it’ll be that guy that helps anchor their bullpen down the stretch.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 08: Mike Yastrzemski #18 of the Atlanta Braves reacts during a 3-1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on May 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves traveled up north to play the Brewers in a pitching matchup to drool over with Chris Sale and Jacob Misiorowski both on the mound.
The game started off with a sign that Misiorowski might not be invincible with Ronald Acuña able to draw a walk to lead off the game. That hope of scoring early was extinguished quickly by back-to-back strikeouts of Baldwin and Olson followed by Acuña being thrown out by his former teammate William Contreras to end the top of the first.
Sale got into some trouble in the first. He was able to get Chourio out, who has a strong history of doing well against him as well as forcing a groundout to Turang. However, the two other players that have a career OPS north of .800 in their careers against Sale, Contreras and Vaughn were able to pull off back-to-back singles. Fortunately, Sale was able to get Bauers to ground out to end the inning.
In the second inning, as many could probably guess, there was not much offense for the Braves. Dubón was able to single off Misiorowski, but that was the only baserunner in the top of the second. Chris Sale dominated the second by sitting down every hitter, to include a strikeout of Cooper Pratt.
The Braves were able to get a runner to second base in the third. After a Riley strikeout, Yastrzemski singled and was moved over to second on an Acuña groundout, but that was ended with a groundout from Baldwin. The third inning is where the Brewers got the better of Chris Sale. He gave up back-to-back singles to Lara and Chourio. Sale was able to strike out Turang, but Contreras singled to score Lara and then Vaughn scored Chourio from third on a play that just missed being a double play from Dubón and Albies. Sale settled down and struck out Bauers to end the third.
In the fourth, Matt Olson struck out on a Brewers challenge. Harris hit the ball hard, but Lara made a fantastic play in CF, and Ozzie Albies also flied out. Chris Sale looked like Chris Sale again in the fourth. He sat down the side to include a strikeout of Ortiz, one of the players who has a history of doing well against him.
There was some hope for some Braves in the fifth inning. After a groundout, Smith came through with a single. Riley struck out, but then Yastrzemski reached base for a second time with a walk to put two runners on for Acuña. Unfortunately, Acuña was not able to come in clutch and grounded out to SS. Sale struggled a bit in the fifth by his standards. Lara singled to lead off the bottom of the fifth but he somehow has not watched Acuña highlights because he tried to stretch it out to a double and got thrown out. Sale struck out Chourio, but then Turang and Contreras singled each to put two on with two outs. Vaughn grounded out though, so no more damage was done.
There was sign of life in the sixth. Baldwin struck out, and Matt Olson almost had a double, but there was a fantastic play in CF.
Harris was able to make solid contact with two outs that resulted in a double, but he was not able to be brought in. Sale stayed in to pitch the sixth and it paid off. He was able to retire the side to include a strikeout of Ortiz after a failed challenge.
Antonio Senzatela relieved Misiorowski in the seventh. Dubón led it off with a single, but got thrown out on a bang-bang play at second. Smith grounded out and Riley popped up. Brent Suter relieved Sale. Sale finished the day with 6.0 innings where he surrendered eight hits, but only gave up two earned runs on zero walks, and six strikeouts. Suter led it off with two straight strikeouts to include the Brewers failing a challenge. He walked Chourio, but then got Turang to groundout to the mound.
Senzatela stayed in to pitch eighth, and that worked out for the Braves. Yastrzemski walked and then when Acuña hit a grounder there was some luck. Yastrzemski was out at second but then on a bad throw Acuña moved to second. Baldwin continued his struggles with a strikeout, but then Olson singled to put runners on the corners. Harris then singled to score Acuña and put two runners on. Albies then walked to load the bases, but the rally was killed when Dubón hit a 99.3 MPH line out.
Dylan Dodd pitched the eighth. He was a bit shaky, but got the job done. Contreras singled and Mitchell walked, but then Dodd was able to strike out Bauers and get Gary Sánchez to ground into a double play.
Trevor Megill came in for the save opportunity. He got Smith to groundout and Riley to fly out, but Yastrzemski continued his hot game with his fourth time reaching base with a single. This brought Acuña up to be the final hope. This led to Lane Thomas coming in as a pinch-runner and stole second base. Acuña could not pull it through though and struck out to end the game.
This was a tough loss. The Braves’ pitching was able to keep it close, and the offense could not capitalize on bases loaded late in the game. The bright spot outside of the pitching was Yastrzemski reaching base four times. He had no business batting ninth when he has been the third best hitter in the month of August. Maybe things would have been different if he was hitting higher in the order.
Hopefully the Braves can catch a spark, because they are trending the wrong way. Next game is tomorrow at 2:10 EDT where Bryce Elder will be facing Logan Henderson and his sterling 2.70 ERA.
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Abimelec Ortiz #81 of the Washington Nationals reacts after hitting a double in the fifth inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Courtney Kramer/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
With injuries and trades, this Nats offense is a shell of its former self. We saw that in the Rangers series where they were shut out twice. However, baseball waits for nobody and the Nats need to keep chugging along. They will look to improve their woeful divisional record against the Marlins.
With the injuries, this Nats lineup is nearly unrecognizable. Daylen Lile is leading off and Jorbit Vivas is hitting second. Nasim Nunez is at shortstop again as CJ Abrams recovers from his ankle injury. Jacob Young is back in the lineup for this one. After a brutal outing against the Mets, Brad Lord looks to bounce back.
Nationals 8/21
D. Lile LF J. Vivas 2B A. Chaparro DH A. Ortiz 1B B. House 3B K. Ruiz C D. Crews RF N. Nuñez SS J. Young CF
The Marlins have had consistent production from their middle infield duo of Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards. However, Griffin Conine is a guy who has really taken off recently. This Marlins lineup may not have star power, but they punch above their weight. Ryan Gusto is on the bump for the Fish.
The Nats need a spark of life this weekend. However, the Marlins have been a difficult foe for them all season long. Will the Nats tailspin continue or can they find something here? Follow along in the comments down below and let’s go Nats.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 15: Logan Webb #62 of the San Francisco Giants pitches at Oracle Park on August 15, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Godofredo Vásquez/San Francisco Giants) | Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants head to Fenway Park today to begin a weekend series against the Boston Red Sox.
Taking the mound for the Giants will be right-hander Logan Webb, who enters today’s game with a 3.50 ERA, 3.17 FIP, with 110 strikeouts to 32 walks in 139 innings pitched. His last start was in the Giants’ 7-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, in which he allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in six innings.
He’ll be facing off against Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray, who enters today’s game with a 2.65 ERA, 3.48 FIP, with 117 strikeouts to 34 walks in 132.2 innings pitched. His last start was in the Red Sox’ 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday, in which he allowed six hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in seven innings.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 11: Chicago White Sox fans hold up letters for the Pope hat themed night during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Rate Field on August 11, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jessie Alcheh/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
A.J. Ewing – CF
Francisco Lindor – SS
Bo Bichette – DH
Carson Benge – RF
Jared Young – 1B
Luis Robert Jr. – LF
Brett Baty – 3B
Marcus Semien – 2B
Francisco Alvarez – C
Sean Manaea – LHP
White Sox lineup
Chase Meidroth – 2B
Munetaka Murakami – 1B
Miguel Vargas – 3B
Randal Grichuk – LF
Colson Montgomery – DH
Brenton Doyle – CF
Luisangel Acuña – SS
Jake Rogers – C
Tristan Peters – RF
Sean Burke – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 7:40pm EDT TV: WPIX Radio: Audacy Mets Radio WHSQ 880AM, Audacy App, 92.3 HD2
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 8: Disney Executive, Bob Iger and Maverick Carter attend the game between the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NBA. Throughout the year, we ask questions of the most plugged-in Lakers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
After just nine months under Mark Walter’s ownership, the Lakers’ sudden sale has left fans uneasy about the future of the purple and gold.
In June of 2025, Mark Walter reached an agreement with the Buss family to take over the reins of the Lakers. Fans were excited for this new era of Lakers basketball, especially since Walter owns the Dodgers and the two teams have always gone hand in hand.
Fast forward to August 2026 and the basketball world was hit with another stunning Lakers ownership development. Just over a year after taking control of the franchise, Walter agreed to sell the Lakers to Bob Iger and Josh Kushner for a record-breaking $12.5 billion.
The team is heading into a new season with a mostly new roster, which FanDuel gives the sixth-best odds of winning the conference, and yet another new ownership group, which understandably makes fans uneasy. Also, Iger and Kushner didn’t instantly bring the same excitement that Walter did.
For our SB Nation Reacts survey, we asked fans how optimistic they are about the team’s new ownership. The results were very clear.
Clearly, fans are apprehensive about the new ownership, and that’s okay.
Iger’s history with Disney has plenty of highs and lows. He did great things as CEO, of course, but his tenure also drew controversy. That includes the Scarlett Johansson lawsuit, in which she sued Disney, as well as his public feud with his former successor, Bob Chapek.
Kushner, the younger brother of Jared Kushner, comes with his own baggage, and not just his family’s notable political ties. Kushner’s venture capital firm, Thrive Capital, has invested billions in OpenAI. AI is a sensitive subject for most, mainly because it’s steadily replacing jobs that humans can do.
So, should Lakers fans feel uneasy? Yes. These new owners come with baggage. Most billionaires and millionaires do.
Honestly, though, the Lakers and drama go hand in hand, so embrace your fears, Lakers fans, but also embrace this new era of Lakers basketball. We can’t really do anything about it, whether we like it or not.
A player of the match performance from Ollie Robinson has powered England to an emphatic innings win over Pakistan to begin the post-Bazball era in style.
NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 09: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees leaves the field during the game between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, August 9, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Urakami/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
The Yankees just completed their first sweep since the second week of July, taking all three games in Baltimore to finish their road trip 4-2. They return to the Bronx to kick off a grueling home stand with crucial series against the Blue Jays, Astros, and Red Sox. The next 10 days will provide a litmus test for this team’s ceiling and will go a long way toward deciding their fate in the division. The first challenge will be three games against the Blue Jays, whom they lost two of three against at the start of the week.
Cam Schlittler will look to further his AL Cy Young case coming off his previous strong start against the Blue Jays — 5.1 innings allowing a run on four hits and three walks against seven strikeouts. It’s a two-horse race between Schlittler and Dylan Cease for the league’s top pitching prize, and with the Blue Jays’ ace going tomorrow there’s extra motivation for Schlittler to lay down a marker tonight. In 26 starts, Schlittler is 10-6 with an AL-best 2.19 ERA (192 ERA+), 2.59 FIP, and 189 strikeouts in 152 innings.
Mason Fluharty will serve as an opener for the fourth time this season, the lefty more typically used in middle-to-late relief. He has made six relief appearances against the Yankees this season tossing 4.2 scoreless innings. He’s done well to limit damage against them and has not allowed a barreled ball to the 20 Yankees batters he’s faced. Fluharty is mainly a cutter-sweeper guy who will mix in an occasional changeup, his fastball averaging not much over 90 mph. In 67 appearances, Fluharty has a 3.71 ERA (120 ERA+), 3.66 FIP, and 56 strikeouts in 51 innings.
Former Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti is expected to follow Fluharty as the bulk reliever. The righty was acquired at the deadline for Daulton Varsho but has not yet pitched for Toronto after being placed on the 15-day IL with nerve irritation in his right foot. He’s got a six-pitch mix of four-seamer, sinker, cutter, curveball, sweeper, and changeup, the curveball by far his best weapon with a 38.7-percent whiff rate. In 17 starts with Houston, Arrighetti went 7-5 with a 4.60 ERA (91 ERA+), 5.07 FIP, and 87 strikeouts in 88 innings.
The Yankees tailor their lineup to the lefty opener despite the impending righty bulk guy. Paul Goldschmidt gets a rare start and leads off, followed by a pair of struggling bats in Amed Rosario and Heliot Ramos (though the latter at least got his first RBI in pinstripes the other day). George Lombard Jr. moves up to fifth in the batting order while Spencer Jones remains at seventh following his 3-for-4 with a homer last night.
The Blue Jays boast the worst lineup in the AL by wRC+ (92), but that didn’t stop them from winning their recent series against the Yankees in Toronto with New York scoring just one run in each of the first two games. Alejandro Kirk and Ernie Clement always seem to kill the Yankees. Meanwhile, Kazuma Okamoto represents a power threat further down and recently became the Blue Jays franchise record holder for home runs by a rookie with 26 on the year.
How to watch
Location: Yankee Stadium – Bronx, NY
First pitch: 7:05 pm ET
TV broadcast: YES, Sportsnet, TVA Sports
Radio broadcast: WFAN 660/101.9 FM, WADO 1280 (NYY) | SN590 THE FAN (TOR)
By many metrics, the Buffalo Sabres had a solid 2025-26 season. They won first place in the highly-competitive Atlantic Division, and they won their first Stanley Cup playoffs series in 15 years, beating the Boston Bruins in the opening round before the Montreal Canadiens beat them in Round 2.
The Sabres’ success last season means that TheHockeyNews.com’s annual grades for Buffalo players will be mostly positive. And in this “Sabres Grades” file, we’re focusing on Sabres goalie Alex Lyon. The 33-year-old posted a .907 save percentage and 2.77 GAA in 36 appearances this past season, and he posted a career-best three shutouts for Buffalo last year.
Lyon’s current contract has one season left on it at $1.5-million, so he’s delivering great results given his financial impact. But let’s explore what Lyon needs to do with the Sabres in 2026-27, and see why we’ve given him the grade he deserves:
Alex Lyon
Position: Goaltender
Grade: A-
The Skinny: Lyon not only gave the Sabres a strong regular-season, – he also gave Buffalo good performances in the post-season, putting up a .904 SP and 2.59 GAA in 10 playoff appearances. Lyon had only four games of NHL playoff experience prior to the 2025-26 post-season, and you have to give Lyon credit for being a battler between the pipes – and for doing it at a bargain price.
Lyon will be 34 in December, which means he’s running out of opportunities to win a championship. Lyon doesn’t have to put the Sabres on his back to earn an ‘A’-level grade. But if he can continue putting in good work in Buffalo’s tandem with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Lyon is going to either earn himself a contract extension with the Sabres, or he’s going to get another chance with a different team.
That said, while Buffalo has youngster Colten Ellis in their depth chart for goalies, they’ve been getting great results from Lyon, who is one of the reasons why the Sabres chose to trade former goalie-of-the-future Devon Levil to the Edmonton Oilers this summer. Lyon isn’t the goalie-of-the-future, either, but he and Luukkonen are the goalies-of-the-now.
And if Lyon gives the Sabres the same caliber of netminding he gave them this past season, Buffalo management will be delighted – and he might just earn himself an extension to keep him in Western New York for the foreseeable future.
Lyon isn’t going to win a Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s best goalie, but he is competent enough to be one-half of a competitive tandem. And as the Sabres prepare to push further next season than they pushed last year, Lyon’s contributions could prove crucial to Buffalo’s Stanley Cup hopes.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies and Jordan Walker #18 of the St. Louis Cardinals are introduced before the finals of the 2026 Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on July 13, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The St. Louis Cardinals road trip travels to Philadelphia for a weekend series against the Phillies. Jesús Luzardo is the scheduled starter for the Phillies while the Cardinals will start Hunter Dobbins. First pitch is scheduled for 5:40pm central time and the game broadcast will be available via Cardinals.tv.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 20: (L-R) Rafael Devers #16 of the San Francisco Giants talks to Romy Gonzalez #23 of the Boston Red Sox before their game at Oracle Park on June 20, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
⚾️ First Pitch: 7:10PM EDT – Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Anthony Edwards #5 speaks with Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Minnesota Timberwolves All Access practice on November 12, 2025.
Anthony Edwards’ offseason just got costlier.
The Timberwolves star was ordered to pay a monthly sum of $14,000 in child support to his ex, Alexandria Desroches, according to TMZ.
The payout — based on his monthly income of $4.8 million — will go toward Amir, a son born in 2023, the 25-year-old reportedly testified he’s never met, and has no intentions of parenting.
Anthony Edwards #5 speaks with Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Minnesota Timberwolves All Access practice on November 12, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images
Edwards was also ordered to take out a life insurance policy worth $2.6 million and name Desroches the primary beneficiary.
The $14,000 bill comes on top of the $3,222 Edwards was ordered to pay in child support to Ayesha Howard for their one-year-old daughter last month.
Edwards, in the midst of a five-year, $244 million deal with the Timberwolves, paid over $100,000 in support to Howard beginning in 2025 before the Georgia judge’s ruling.
The four-time All-Star guard and first overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft will be entering his seventh NBA season in 2026-27, coming off a year in which he averaged a career-best 28.8 points per game to go with 5 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 61 games played with a personal high 39.9 three-point shooting percentage.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts after scoring against the San Antonio Spurs. AP
Pundits have posited that Edwards may be the next big-money player to request a trade, with ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reporting his displeasure with the Minnesota franchise after it traded Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks for Julius Randle before last season.
“I don’t think Ant was the biggest Julius Randle fan,” Windhorst said on the “Hoop Collective” podcast in June. “And I don’t think [the issue is] Randle being traded. It’s Randle being traded as part of a salary dump. I don’t think that Ant was like, ‘No, no, don’t trade Julius, never.’ Because there was some significant disconnect between those players by the end of the season.”
On Friday, businessman Marc Stad bought a controlling share in the Timberwolves in a pending deal valued at $4.5 billion in what would be the fourth-highest in NBA history.
We’re now about three weeks away from actual hockey, and one of the most interesting stories at Senators training camp this year will be Carter Yakemchuk’s attempt to make the full-time NHL roster.
To some degree, he's paid his dues the past two seasons, developing in both the WHL and AHL, and there now appears to be a spot waiting for him among Ottawa’s top seven defencemen.
But is he actually ready?
Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss Jake Sanderson's ranking among top NHL defensemen.
At the moment, Yakemchuk and Nikolas Matinpalo look like the primary candidates for the opening on the right side of Ottawa’s bottom D pairing. Matinpalo has considerably more professional and NHL experience and has played in every Sens playoff game the past two years.
At worst, Matinpalo will be the Senators' seventh defenseman. But if he outduels Yakemchuk for the sixth spot, there's a good chance the Senators' prized rookie might then head back to Belleville.
But that's a bridge to be crossed at the end of camp after the Senators decide on their final cuts. Yakemchuk has made it to that point in each of the past two years, and the team is hoping this is the year he clears that last hurdle.
He certainly provided some highlights in his brief time with Ottawa last season.
He appeared in four regular-season games with Ottawa and added one playoff appearance. Both his NHL regular-season debut and his Stanley Cup playoff debut resulted in two-point performances.
So the offensive ability appears to be NHL-ready. As for the rest, time will tell.
Yakemchuk spent Friday at Sensplex visiting with local kids and signing autographs, and says he likes where his game is heading.
"I think it's been a good summer for myself," Yakemchuk told Sens social media host Jackson Starr. "And I'm just excited for camp. I wanna go in there and do my best and put my best foot forward. So I'm excited for it.”
Yakemchuk has also spent plenty of time around his future teammates this summer. He's been staying at Ridly Greig’s house and has been glad to regularly train with the boys, which should make main camp more comfortable, providing a real sense of belonging..
“Yeah, I mean, everyone's great, so it's nice to catch up with them. I haven't seen them in a couple of months, but yeah, just hanging out with them at the gym and at the rink and then also away from it, it's been awesome.”
Before the battle for NHL jobs really gets underway, Yakemchuk could get an early opportunity for something a little more challenging than summer shinny.
The Senators’ rookies and prospects will be in Gatineau for the NHL Prospect Challenge at the Slush Puppie Centre on September 12 and 13, with Ottawa facing prospects from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.
Then comes the bigger test.
Yakemchuk has been one of Ottawa’s most closely watched prospects since being selected seventh overall in 2024. His size and offensive instincts were NHL-ready on day one.
Now the question is whether the rest of his game is ready for full-time duty.
The New York Rangers made a smaller signing during this offseason that could end up paying dividends.
On July 1, the Rangers signed Joe Veleno to a one-year, $1.2 million contract.
Coming into the 2018 NHL Draft, Veleno had strong offensive potential, which is why he was selected late in the first round by the Detroit Red Wings.
However, six years into his NHL career and about to play for his fourth NHL team, that offensive potential has still not been unlocked.
One Montreal analyst believes there’s promise for Veleno to make a real impact for the Rangers.
“Maybe this is that fresh start on a team that, in my opinion, is in more of a rebuilding than retooling mode,” Jon Goyens said via The Montreal Gazette. “I think he can find himself quickly. It’s still the NHL and people want to win … but they’re far removed from their Presidents’ (Trophy) of a couple years ago.
“I think he has the opportunity to start in the middle of the pack, a top-nine role. After that, it comes down to executing and being consistent. If he can do that, there have been many NHL players who have started their career at 26. He just happens to have a few hundred games under his belt.”
In his most recent stint with the Montreal Canadiens during the 2025-26 season, Veleno played a bottom-six role, with his expanded two-way game helping him gain trust with Martin St. Louis and the Canadiens coaching staff.
The 26-year-old forward served a role on the penalty kill, and his defensive reliability led to him playing 61 out of the 82 regular-season games.
Veleno is likely to slot in as the Rangers’ fourth-line center, and his newfound two-way game can help him earn a regular spot in the lineup.
If Veleno could also tap into his offensive potential to go along with his reliability in the defensive zone, the Rangers’ small signing would ultimately become their biggest offseason steal.
DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on April 1, 2026, in Toronto, Canada.
Haynes added that DeRozan “has been in conversations with Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray and is anxious for the opportunity to play for a contending team.”
DeMar DeRozan looks on during a timeout in the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, on April 12, 2026. Getty Images
He now joins a Denver team looking to make another run at the Western Conference after reshaping its supporting cast around Jokic, who hopes DeRozan’s scoring and experience can help push the team back toward the top of a crowded Western Conference.
The Nuggets, who went 54-28 last season, haven’t made it past the conference semifinals since winning the NBA title in 2023.
DeMar DeRozan dribbles against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on April 1, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. Getty Images
Denver fell to the Timberwolves in six games during the first round last season.
The move also provides DeRozan another chance to chase the championship that has eluded him throughout his 17-year NBA career.
He has reached the conference finals just once, with the Raptors in 2016, and has played postseason basketball just twice since leaving Toronto after the 2017-18 season.
With 26,711 career points, DeRozan ranks No. 16 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list and with another healthy season could make a push toward the top 10 in 2026-27.
