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Mets Notes: Carlos Mendoza on Jared Young's DH opportunities, Luisangel Acuña's impact off the bench

The Mets are officially at the one-third mark of the 2025 season, and Tuesday night’s matchup with the Chicago White Sox will be the official start of the “middle” of the team’s regular season.

Prior to Tuesday’s first pitch, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza discussed some of his recent lineup decisions, as well as what makes Luisangel Acuña so valuable even on days when he’s not part of the starting nine.

Here’s what Mendoza had to say…

OnJared Young starting again at DH

Called up from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Young will be making his fourth start as the Mets’ designated hitter on Tuesday night, hitting sixth against Chicago righty Jonathan Cannon.

Asked about Young, Mendoza cited the 29-year-old’s ability to put himself in good hitter’s counts, with the Mets hoping to see him capitalize on those opportunities as he gets more chances.

“We’ve seen it these past couple of days,” Mendoza said. “He’s got the ability to put himself in a good hitter’s count and that’s his calling card. He hit a 107 (MPH) to dead center the other day and I feel like he’s usually 2-0, 3-1. Now he’s just got to get into the rhythm and do some damage on some pitches.”

Young is 0-for-5 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored in three games since his call-up.

Acuña’s veteran mindset paying dividends

Acuña is not in Tuesday’s lineup, as Brett Baty gets the start at second with Mark Vientos at third.

But the youngster has proven that he doesn’t need to start a game to have an impact, as evidenced by his last three games, entering the game in the seventh inning or later each time while stealing a bag on Sunday and scoring the tying run on Monday as a pinch-runner.

“This is a guy that doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low,” Mendoza said. “Pretty mature for his age and he has a really good understanding of his role right now and the impact that he brings to the team. He knows that even though he’s not in the lineup, there’s going to be an opportunity for him to come in and impact it in a good game, whether it’s by making a defensive play, by stealing a base, by scoring from first base on a ball in the gap, or by giving us a good at-bat, putting the ball in play. I think he obviously continues to develop. There’s a lot of tools there, but I like how he’s handled it so far mentally.”

On giving Mark Vientos more opportunities at third base

It’s undoubtedly been a rough start to the season for Vientos, who is hitting just .234 and has also struggled defensively, committing seven errors in 39 games at the hot corner, including four errors since the calendar flipped to May.

Since being called back up, Brett Baty has gotten the majority of the playing time at third base, with Vientos serving as the DH in eight of his last 14 appearances.

But Vientos will be at third on Tuesday night, and according to Mendoza, giving the 25-year-old more reps there is the only way to help him out of his defensive funk.

“For me, he’s just going through it right now,” Mendoza said. “It was really good to see him yesterday continue to put in the work. That’s how you’re going to get out of it. It’s like when you’re going through struggles offensively. You go out there and continue to work until you get the feeling back. Same thing.

“This is a guy that in the offseason worked really, really hard [on] his first step. And now he’s going through a stretch where it happens. But continue to work, continue to believe in yourself. We’re going to continue to give him chances. Here he is playing third base again. He’ll get through it, he’ll be fine, he’s a really good third baseman.”

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What If Brendan Shanahan Joined A Potential NHL Expansion Franchise?

Brendan Shanahan is a free agent. But where will he go next?

The former president of the Toronto Maple Leafs brings a wealth of experience, a Hall of Fame ring as a player and a marquee name with him. Simply put, he could probably choose a number of NHL destinations right now.

But what about a franchise that doesn't exist yet?

NHL expansion seems like a sure thing in the future and one of the leading candidates is Houston. As first reported in The Hockey News' Money and Power issue back in January, the top ownership candidate is Dan Friedkin, a billionaire car distributor who also owns British soccer team Everton and a film company that produced Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon. Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and a major TV market, so it's a great target for the NHL.

Now imagine if Shanahan was the expansion team's first president.

Houston gets instant credibility and someone whom the NHL trusts – let's not forget that 'Shanny' worked for the league's player safety department.

While the Maple Leafs did not meet their goal of winning a Stanley Cup during Shanahan's tenure, Toronto did have a ton of success on the ice and either drafted or acquired a mass of talent. Shanahan left the franchise with a solid GM in Brad Treliving and a well-respected coach in Craig Berube.

Brendan Shanahan (Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images)

That Shanahan would be an asset for Houston is not a question; only the timing remains. The NHL has not green-lit any expansion process right now, so hypothetically, we'd be looking at 2026-27 at the earliest – and let's face it, the league is in no rush.

Having said that, Houston seems to be one of the favorites if and when the NHL expands again.

Other cities in the mix include Atlanta and Phoenix, and it will be interesting to see if the next wave involves two cities at once or staggered over the course of a year. (Full disclosure: The Hockey News publisher-owner W. Graeme Roustan is supporting the Atlanta group led by Vernon Krause and his South Forsyth project.)

Regardless, keep an eye on Shanahan in the coming years. He already took on a major challenge in Toronto, so what would be new and exciting for him? Helping build an expansion team from scratch might be the answer.

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.

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NHL releases official logo for 2026 Winter Classic, tickets to go on sale next week

The Florida Panthers may be in the midst of another exciting Stanley Cup Playoff run, but there is still something quite large looming in their future.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the Panthers would be hosting the 2026 Winter Classic at loanDepot park against the New York Rangers.

The game is set for Jan 2, and tickets to the general public will be going on sale next week.

For more information on tickets, click here.

According to the NHL, ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, June 4 at 10 a.m.

Along with the announcement came a new image showing the official 20206 Winter Classic logo.

It features Miami-themed neon blue and pink colors, along with a snow-covered palm tree.

The 2026 Winter Classic will be the first ever outdoor game in Panthers franchise history.

It will also become the southernmost outdoor hockey game in NHL history.

Fans looking for additional official information on the Panthers in the Winter Classic can head to FloridaPanthers.com/WinterClassic.

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Rousek, Brannstrom Sign With European Clubs

The Rochester Americans season ended on Sunday with a 5-0 loss to Laval in the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs, and after only 48 hours into the offseason, the club has lost a pair of players, winger Lukas Rousek and defenseman Erik Brannstrom, to European club teams.

Rousek, a Group-6 unrestricted free agent, has signed a deal with HV71 of the SHL on Tuesday. The 26-year-old was a sixth-round pick (160th overall) of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2019 Draft out of the Sparta Praha system. After spending two seasons in Czechia, the winger signed a two-year entry-level contract with Buffalo and played 19 games for AHL Rochester. In only his second season in North America, he led the Amerks in scoring with 56 points (16 goals, 40 assists) and 12 points in the Calder Cup Playoffs and earned a two-game call-up to the NHL. 

After signing another two-year deal with Buffalo, Rousek scored 41 points in 51 AHL games, but in an extended look with the Sabres only had two assists in 15 games. This season, the 26-year-old had 42 points, but only scored seven goals and did not get another chance in the NHL with first-rounders like Isak Rosen, Jiri Kulich, and Noah Ostlund getting those opportunities.  

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Brannstrom was a 2017 first round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights, and played parts of seven seasons with the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks. This season, he was dealt by Vancouver to the NY Rangers in the JT Miller deal and acquired by the Sabres in a one-for-one deal at the trade deadline for Nicolas Aube-Kubel. 

The 25-year-old scored five goals in 13 games for the Amerks and played in one postseason game. A restricted free agent, Brannstrom has signed a three-year deal to play for HC Lausanne in Switzerland.

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

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Man charged with stabbing Knicks fans at Indiana brewery during playoff series

The Knicks and Pacers are playing each other in the Eastern Conference finals. Photograph: AJ Mast/AP

An Indiana Pacers fan has been charged with stabbing two supporters of the New York Knicks on the night of their teams’ playoff series.

According to court documents, 24-year-old Jarrett Funke of Hamilton county in Indiana, was charged with battery by means of a deadly weapon, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, and criminal recklessness committed with a deadly weapon.

Officers were called to a brewery in Carmel, Indiana, on the evening of 23 May, when the local NBA team, the Pacers, were playing the Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals at New York’s Madison Square Garden. The Pacers beat the Knicks to take a 2-0 lead in the series.

Funke is said to have knocked the Knicks cap off one of the alleged victims. After Funke was removed from the premises, he is said to have returned and confronted the two alleged victims. One of the men who was stabbed said he showed a knife to Funke but did not intend to use it and put it back in his pocket. An altercation ensued during which Funke allegedly stabbed the two Knicks fans. Court documents said one of the fans had a wound to his back, and the other a laceration on one of his legs.

Funke claims the Knicks fans were “talking shit” and punched and shoved him, before he swung his knife in self-defence. According to court documents, several witnesses say Funke was the aggressor in the situation.

Funke was scheduled to appear at a hearing in Hamilton county on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident is not the first involving friction between Pacers and Knicks fans during the playoffs. A Pacers fan was pelted with garbage near Madison Square Garden after the Knicks’ victory over the Boston Celtics in the previous round.

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Lehigh Valley Phantoms Head Coach Ian Laperriere Moves To Hockey Operations Role With Philadelphia Flyers

The Philadelphia Flyers announced that the head coach of their AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms Ian Laperriere has been re-assigned to the Flyers as an advisor to Hockey Operations. 

The team announced they will begin a search for a new AHL head coach immediately. 

Laperriere signed a two-year contract extension in June 2024 that was set to run through the 2025-26 season. 

The 51-year-old joined the Flyers as director of player development for the 2012-13 season and transitioned to assistant coach in the 2013-14 season, a role he served in through the 2020-21 season before joining the Phantoms. 

The Montreal, Que., native has been the head coach of the Phantoms for the past four seasons leading the team to two Calder Cup Playoff appearances and a 134-120-38 record. 

Laperriere has expressed a desire to be an NHL head coach and will help continue to develop Philadelphia's prospects in his new role. 

In his playing career Laperriere recorded 121 goals and 336 point sin 1083 games while racking up 1956 penalty minutes. He spent one season with the Flyers and was forced to retire after taking a slapshot to the face. 

Check out The Hockey News' Philadelphia Flyers team site for more updates. 

Make sure you bookmark The Hockey News' AHL Page for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more.    

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Harper exits game after being hit by Strider fastball, X-rays negative

Harper exits game after being hit by Strider fastball, X-rays negative  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Bryce Harper had a short night Tuesday in the Phillies’ series opener against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park. 

Harper left the game in the first inning after being hit on the right arm by a Spencer Strider fastball. The Phillies later announced that Harper was diagnosed with a right elbow contusion and X-rays taken on him were negative. 

Strider plunked Harper with two outs in the bottom of the first on an 0-1 count. Phillies fans booed him heavily. 

Harper was in immediate, obvious pain and went down to a knee near Kyle Schwarber in the on-deck circle. Edmundo Sosa entered the game in Harper’s place and played third base. Alec Bohm shifted over to first. 

“You’re always concerned,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after his team’s 2-0 win. “There could be a little crack in the bone or whatever. The X-ray, thankfully, was negative. We’ll just have to see tomorrow.”

The Phillies finished Tuesday with a 35-19 record and MLB’s best winning percentage. Harper has played in every one of the team’s first 54 games, hitting .267 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs. 

“Everybody was holding their breath when it first happened,” Max Kepler said. “It definitely hurts, but it’s very relieving to know that it’s nothing major and that hopefully, he’ll be back with the team soon.”

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Harper exits game after being hit by Strider fastball, X-rays negative

Harper exits game after being hit by Strider fastball, X-rays negative  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Bryce Harper had a short night Tuesday in the Phillies’ series opener against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park. 

Harper left the game in the first inning after being hit on the right arm by a Spencer Strider fastball. The Phillies later announced that Harper was diagnosed with a right elbow contusion and X-rays taken on him were negative. 

Strider plunked Harper with two outs in the bottom of the first on an 0-1 count. Phillies fans booed him heavily. 

Harper was in immediate, obvious pain and went down to a knee near Kyle Schwarber in the on-deck circle. Edmundo Sosa entered the game in Harper’s place and played third base. Alec Bohm shifted over to first. 

The Phillies began Tuesday with a 34-19 record and MLB’s best winning percentage. Harper has played in every one of the team’s first 54 games, hitting .267 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs. 

This story will be updated when more information is available. 

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MLB Power Rankings: Phillies grab the top spot, Padres slip as Michael King lands on IL

Featured in this week's MLB Power Rankings, the red-hot Phillies make their first appearance at the top, Tarik Skubal has his best-ever start, the Padres lose Michael King, Marcelo Mayer loses his car keys, Ronald Acuña Jr. has a flare for the dramatic, and much more.

Let’s get started!

(Please note these power rankings are a combination of current performance and long-term projected outlook)

MLB: Chicago Cubs at New York Mets
Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Chase Meidroth, Brett Baty, and AJ Blubaugh
Young infielders earning their roles

Rankings are from the morning of Tuesday, May 27.

1) Philadelphia Phillies ⬆️

Last week: 6

While the Phillies saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday, their recent heater has carried them to the top of this week’s rankings. Trea Turner has been a key part in their ascent, hitting .366 over his last 26 games. The Phillies have gone 20-6 in that time.

2) Detroit Tigers ⬇️

Last week: 1

After a couple of uncharacteristic so-so starts, Tarik Skubal had the best outing of his career on Sunday against the Guardians, tossing a two-hitter with 13 strikeouts in just 94 pitches. Yes, that’s a Maddux. It was the first complete game of his career and just the fifth shutout across MLB this season. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Skubal dialed it up to 103 mph for his final pitch of the ballgame. Pure dominance.

3) New York Yankees ⬆️

Last week: 5

In one of the truly weird and somewhat unbelievable stats, this game-winning homer off the bat of Jasson Dominguez last Wednesday was the first walk-off blast by a Yankees player in 974 days. Giancarlo Stanton was the last to do it on September 20, 2022. With some expected growing pains, Jasson Dominguez has mostly been worth the wait for Yankees fans.

4) Los Angeles Dodgers ⬇️

Last week: 2

With a number of high-profile injuries in their starting rotation, the Dodgers have been topsy-turvy since their red-hot start to the season, but the good news is that Shohei Ohtani is approaching his return to the mound. The Dodgers’ dynamo threw 22 pitches over five simulated at-bats on Sunday at Citi Field. According to Sonja Chen of MLB.com, Ohtani sat in the 94-95 mph range with his fastball and topped out at 97 mph. He’s likely to make his first start as a member of the Dodgers after the All-Star break.

5) Chicago Cubs ⬆️

Last week: 7

Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kyle Tucker are getting most of the headlines, but Seiya Suzuki is enjoying his best season stateside. The 30-year-old leads the NL with 49 RBI through 49 games. Keep in mind that he’s never driven in more than 74 runs in a season. He’s also up to 14 homers after never having hit more than 21 homers. Losing the hot-hitting Miguel Amaya to an oblique injury certainly hurts, but this Cubs’ lineup remains a powerhouse.

6) New York Mets ⬇️

Last week: 3

Pete Alonso endured the longest home run drought of his career before slugging a go-ahead two-run homer against Tony Gonsolin and the Dodgers on Sunday night. That blast was set up by Juan Soto legging out a ground ball which was mishandled by third baseman Max Muncy. With all the recent commentary on Soto and effort level, it was an especially big moment.

7) San Francisco Giants ⬆️

Last week: 8

The Giants might have come back down to Earth in May, but don’t blame Robbie Ray. The southpaw spun six innings of one-run ball against the Nationals on Sunday, giving him a 1.41 ERA across five starts this month. He’s 7-0 on the year and the Giants are 10-1 in his starts this season.

8) Seattle Mariners ⬆️

Last week: 10

As hot as Jorge Polanco was in April, the opposite has been the case in May. He’s hitting just .155/.234/.241 with one home run this month.

9) Minnesota Twins

Last week: 9

While the Twins' offense has been piecemeal at times, the starting rotation has been a true strength. Entering play on Tuesday, the club ranks sixth in the majors with a 3.34 ERA.

10) San Diego Padres ⬇️

Last week: 4

The Padres snapped a six-game losing streak by winning two out of three against the Braves over the weekend, but they also lost their ace Michael King with right shoulder inflammation. The hope is that he won’t require an extended absence, but we should learn more about his status soon.

11) St. Louis Cardinals ⬆️

Last week: 12

The Cardinals swept the Diamondbacks over the weekend, with catcher Ivan Herrera driving in a run in all three games. The 24-year-old catcher has picked up where he left off before his left knee bone bruise in April, hitting .365/.435/.500 with one homer, 14 RBI, and an 8/6 K/BB ratio this month.

12) Cleveland Guardians ⬇️

Last week: 11

Congratulations to Nic Enright, who made his major league debut against the Tigers on Sunday two and a half years after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in December of 2022. In a moment he wasn’t sure would ever come, he struck out three batters over two scoreless innings.

13) Houston Astros ⬆️

Last week: 15

A statement series for the Astros, who took three out of four from the first-place Mariners over the weekend. They are just 1.5 games out of first place in the AL West despite the struggles from Jose Altuve, Yainer Diaz, and Christian Walker. Walker provided his biggest hit in an Astros uniform with a walk-off blast to cap off the series victory on Sunday.

14) Kansas City Royals ⬇️

Last week: 13

With the Royals’ offense in need to a boost, it’s likely just a matter of time before we see Jac Caglianone in the major leagues. The 2025 first-round pick has done nothing but mash since being promoted to Triple-A, including this titanic blast on Sunday. Get ready, Royals fans.

15) Tampa Bay Rays ⬆️

Last week: 23

The Rays are Ray-ing again. Maybe. After six straight wins, the club has climbed back to the .500 mark for the first time since April 27. Brandon Lowe has homered three times during the win streak and is hitting .396/.442/.771 over his last 32 games.

16) Atlanta Braves ⬇️

Last week: 14

Like he never left. Ronald Acuña Jr. announced his return with authority on Friday, homering on the first pitch he saw against Nick Pivetta. It was also the only run of the game for the Braves, who have lost four out of their last five.

17) Boston Red Sox

Last week: 17

Marcelo Mayer is the latest high-profile prospect to arrive for the Red Sox, as the was the corresponding move with Alex Bregman going down with a significant right quad strain. That’s exciting and all, but the saga of Mayer’s missing car keys has been the real story. Mayer’s keys were reportedly missing for three weeks and he needed a clubhouse attendant to drive him to Fenway Park for his MLB debut. Worry not, though, as his keys were finally found…in Milwaukee.

18) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬇️

Last week: 16

What’s going on with Zac Gallen? After allowing four runs over 5 2/3 innings in a loss to the Cardinals on Friday, the veteran right-hander now holds a 5.25 ERA through 11 starts for the season. Take out his two starts against the Mets (two ER in 13 innings) and his ERA sits at 6.29.

19) Milwaukee Brewers ⬆️

Last week: 22

What does a 1.80 ERA over three starts in May get you? A demotion, apparently. Logan Henderson is headed back to Triple-A despite an impressive and historic start to his major league career. The Brewers deemed it necessary with Jose Quintana and Brandon Woodruff on their way back from the injured list. Either way, odds are it won’t be long before Henderson gets his next opportunity.

20) Cincinnati Reds ⬇️

Last week: 19

Andrew Abbott just keeps getting it done. After allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings in a win over the Cubs on Saturday, the 25-year-old southpaw now holds a 1.77 ERA on the year. He’s allowed one earned run or fewer in seven out of his eight starts this season.

21) Texas Rangers ⬇️

Last week: 18

Jacob deGrom failed to strike out a batter for the first time in his career in Monday’s start against the Blue Jays. In addition to that, he managed just three swinging strikes in his 81 pitches. This simply does not compute.

22) Toronto Blue Jays ⬇️

Last week: 20

This just about sums up the ups and downs the Blue Jays have navigated so far this season.

23) Los Angeles Angels ⬆️

Last week: 25

While the Angels await Mike Trout’s return from a knee injury, Taylor Ward has stepped things up in grand fashion this month, including two grand slams during their recent eight-game winning streak. The club has lost three straight since the win streak, of course.

24) Washington Nationals

Last week: 24

Cool moment for Keibert Ruiz and his family last Thursday. Ruiz’s parents were able to watch him play for the first time as a professional baseball player and he wasted no time in putting on a show.

Ruiz’s parents, who are from Venezuela, were denied travel visas in their previous four attempts before finally getting clearance this month.

25) Athletics ⬇️

Last week: 21

The Athletics were four games over .500 on May 5, but they’ve gone 3-15 since then, including their recent 11-games losing streak.

26) Miami Marlins

Last week: 26

Sandy Alcantara has struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery, but that doesn’t mean Marlins fans shouldn’t be excited about Eury Pérez as he makes his way back. The 22-year-old struck out seven batters in his most recent rehab start in Triple-A and should find his way back to the major leagues by mid-June. Pérez looked like a future ace when we last saw him in as a 20-year-old rookie in 2023, posting a 3.15 ERA over 19 starts with 108 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings.

27) Pittsburgh Pirates

Last week: 27

After tying the MLB record by going 26 straight game with four runs or fewer, the Pirates scored five runs in three out of their next four games. Baseball gonna baseball!

We also can’t leave out that Oneil Cruz now has the hardest hit ball in the Statcast Era.

28) Baltimore Orioles

Last week: 28

Thanks for Dylan Carlson exacting revenge against his former team on Monday, the Orioles have secured their first three-game winning streak of the season. Cue the scene from Lou Brown in “Major League.”

29) Chicago White Sox

Last week: 29

It wasn’t too long ago that Andrew Vaughn was considered a building block for the White Sox, but he was surprisingly demoted to Triple-A Charlotte last week after beginning this season with a .189/.218/.314 batting line. According to White Sox general manager Chris Getz, the club is hopeful that he’ll be able to “slow down and regain confidence” in a less-pressurized environment.

30) Colorado Rockies

Last week: 30

The Rockies are currently on pace to go 28-134. There’s very little hope that they can avoid a place in baseball infamy. The weirdest thing about the Rockies’ struggles are that they are 20th in OPS at home this season; they are usually in the top-tier at Coors Field.

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Can The Golden Knights Try To Win The Mitch Marner Sweepstakes In NHL Free Agency?

The Vegas Golden Knights have never been a team that sits quietly during the NHL’s off-season, and this summer may be no different. 

With big names potentially hitting the open market, including Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner, all signs point to Vegas once again positioning itself to make a splash.

TSN and The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun recently suggested that Marner will probably look at Vegas as one potential landing spot. The Golden Knights have five pending UFAs and four pending RFAs, but they rarely wait around or miss an opportunity to make a splash, so they could make cap space to give Marner what he wants. 

The Golden Knights Haven’t Needed Much of An Excuse To Change Things Up

The Golden Knights have a history of not being loyal to their players, such as not re-signing Jonathan Marchessault last summer, trading Reilly Smith after winning the Stanley Cup in 2023 and sending away most of their first-round prospects. If they want to acquire somebody else, they can part with a longtime player if necessary.

Vegas might be ready to pounce after falling short against the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the playoffs. Even when the Golden Knights remain a powerhouse club, they don’t stand pat, sending off excellent players to create cap room.

This summer, their pending free agents are mainly depth players, so there’s less pressure to keep all of them. If they do re-sign most of them, that could also mean clearing salary through trades to make room for a marquee acquisition. 

If Vegas wants to pull off such a bold move, it will likely involve another round of salary cap gymnastics. They’ve done it before, trading away players and assets, such as Max Pacioretty, Marc-Andre Fleury, Shea Weber’s contract, Ryan Reaves, Nate Schmidt, Paul Stastny and Smith in past years.

Whether it was trading for Tomas Hertl, Noah Hanifin, Jack Eichel or Mark Stone, the Golden Knights aren’t afraid to make a surprise move that shakes up the NHL landscape.

Brandon Saad and Mitch Marner (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

Could The Golden Knights Target Marner?

Marner, who just wrapped up a 102-point season, is the top NHL player set to become available on July 1. His combination of elite skill, age and experience makes him the most significant free agent to hit the market in years. That might be too tempting for Vegas to pass up. 

Naturally, several teams, such as the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings, are likely to kick tires on Marner. But according to LeBrun, Marner is expected to consider some of the usual destinations, such as the Florida Panthers and, notably, the Golden Knights.

Three Potential Free-Agency Landing Spots For Mitch MarnerThree Potential Free-Agency Landing Spots For Mitch MarnerIn the wake of Toronto's second-round playoff loss to Florida, Mitch Marner's name has been all over the headlines.

The potential fit in Vegas makes a lot of sense for Marner. The Golden Knights are competitive every season, and if he signs there, he does so for good money on a team with one of the lowest tax percentages in the NHL and a chance to play alongside Jack Eichel, who had 28 goals and 66 assists for a career high 94 points this season. A Marner and Eichel pairing could form one of the most dynamic one-two punches in the league.

Whether it’s a good idea to give up several pieces to sign one elite right winger with a history of falling short in the playoffs is another topic. But the Golden Knights already have Cup-winning experience to impart on Marner, who had 13 points in 13 playoff games this year and 63 points in 70 games in his post-season career.

For Vegas, it often doesn’t matter whether it’s the best move or not. They like to make headlines and sign the player everyone else wanted. If the superstar hits free agency on July 1, don’t be surprised if the Golden Knights win the sweepstakes.

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.

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Webb, Giants ‘have to be better' after another loss to Tigers

Webb, Giants ‘have to be better' after another loss to Tigers  originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants have to be better.

That was the simple, prevailing statement in the Giants’ locker room after — for the second consecutive day — a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

Like Hayden Birdsong on Monday, starter Logan Webb wasn’t stellar on Tuesday, but he certainly was good enough to give San Francisco and its elite bullpen a chance at a win.

Despite giving up a run in each of the first three innings, Webb managed to salvage a quality start. He surrendered only one hit in the next three innings to finish with a final line of six innings, three earned runs, 10 strikeouts and one walk.

Though his outing wasn’t bad by any means, Webb shouldered much of the blame for the loss. San Francisco’s ace seemed particularly annoyed postgame with giving up a second-inning home run to Tigers center fielder Wenceel Pérez in his first at-bat of the season after Webb fell behind in the count 2-0.

“That’s on me, so I just got to be better with some of these things,” Webb told reporters. “Hopefully, we’ll be better.”

The Giants’ offense, on the other hand, was much more to blame for the loss. Wilmer Flores‘ RBI double brought the tying run to the plate with no outs in the ninth inning, but that was all they could muster.

“He got touched up a little bit in the first three innings but limited it to one run,” Giants manager Bob Melvin — who was ejected in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes — said of Webb’s start. “It’s still a good outing. So, obviously, offensively we have to be better.”

San Francisco has scored a meager nine runs through five games on this current road trip; fortunately, its stellar pitching has allowed just 11 runs in that span. As a result, the Giants are 2-3 over a stretch when they easily could be winless with that level of offensive production.

Nevertheless, Webb isn’t panicking.

“We won the last series, so it’s not like it’s a crazy long rough patch. It’s two games against a really good team,” Webb detailed. “We’ll be alright. It’s still early in the season. Like I said — personally, I just got to be better.”

Despite his best efforts to be better, though, Webb still will need some more support from his offense to regain some positive momentum.

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