2 Former Rangers Land PTOs With Same Team

Tyler Motte (© Danny Wild-Imagn Images)

Two former New York Rangers players have landed professional tryouts (PTOs) with the same team.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Tyler Motte and Ben Harpur have signed PTOs with the Florida Panthers. 

Motte spent this past season with the Detroit Red Wings, where he posted four goals, nine points, 72 hits, and a minus-11 rating in 55 games. Now, he will be looking to impress during his PTO with the Panthers to help his chances of landing a contract for the season.

Motte had two brief stints with the Rangers as a trade deadline rental, where he posted five goals, 10 points, 57 hits, and a plus-1 rating in 33 games. 

Harpur, on the other hand, spent each of the last two seasons exclusively with the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. In 29 games with the AHL club in 2024-25, he posted one goal, five points, and 48 penalty minutes. 

Harpur last played at the NHL level with the Rangers during the 2022-23 season, where he recorded one goal, six points, 57 blocks, 63 hits, and an even plus/minus rating. 

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Ex-Maple Leaf Alex Steeves Among AHL Centers To Make The NHL Next Season

The key to being a successful team in the big leagues is depth in all positions. One of the most crucial and effective positions is the center position. They facilitate the offense, they play on both sides of the ice, and they’re in the dot for faceoffs.

Last season, the AHL saw a handful of centers stand out, and they likely caught the attention of their NHL clubs. Here are a few AHL centers with a chance to make it to the NHL next season. 

Luca Del Bel Belluz, Cleveland Monsters

Luca Del Bel Belluz has played parts of two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Cleveland Monsters. In the AHL last season, he saw a big jump in offensive production. 

In his first year in Cleveland, he scored nine goals and 31 points in 58 games, finishing sixth on the team in scoring. Last year, the 21-year-old registered 27 goals and 53 points in 61 appearances, good enough for third-best on the Monsters’ roster.

Despite playing 16 NHL games across those two years, Del Bel Belluz has played his way into the conversation of playing even more games with the Blue Jackets next year.

Luca Del Bel Belluz (Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

Alex Steeves, Providence Bruins

Alex Steeves has been a top player in the AHL for several seasons now. Since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in 2021, he has played four seasons with the Toronto Marlies. 

In each of those seasons, Steeves has been a top-three scorer on his team. Last year was his best, as he scored 36 goals and 62 points in 58 games, finishing second in the AHL in goals and eighth in points. In addition, Steeves became the Marlies’ all-time leader in goals (105) and points (216).

With those accolades and consistency, Steeves should be destined to get a full NHL season with the Boston Bruins, who signed him in free agency to a one-year deal. 

Bradly Nadeau and Ryan Suzuki, Chicago Wolves

Bradley Nadeau and Ryan Suzuki are both in a similar position when it comes to where they stand for the Chicago Wolves and their chances with the Carolina Hurricanes

These centers, who are also capable of playing the wing, finished one point away from each other last season in the AHL. Nadeau scored 32 goals and 58 points in what was his rookie season, while Suzuki recorded 12 tallies and 59 points, leading the Wolves in scoring.

One distinguishable attribute between these two players is that Nadeau, 20, is far younger than Suzuki, 24. If either of these players gets an honest look in the NHL, it could all depend on how management sees the situation. One could be called up because they have more experience, or the other may get that opportunity because they have shown more promise at a younger age.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.

England v South Africa: first men’s T20 international – as it happened

South Africa won by 14 runs (DLS) on a wet and wild evening at Sophia Gardens

“Shame (but very predictable) about the current weather,” says Alfie Sparrow, although his email is actually about something else. “I’ve just moved into London, living in Tooting with some old uni mates. I was wondering if any readers have local cricket club recommendations? Played alongside Bas de Leede growing up in the Netherlands, winning 3 national titles in our age group. Wish I could say I was still near his quality but that’s far from the case – just after a friendly club for next summer.” Hope you find one.

My girlfriend has very tentatively started to get into cricket,” reports Charles Aspden. “And we discussed potential telly programmes which would further entice her in. In true Alan Partridge fashion, she wants to see ‘Tea with Amol Rajan,’ a show somewhere between Bake Off and Grandstand. Amol travels the country to try the best and worst teas around the village, county and international grounds, interviewing the local eccentrics and giving tea ladies up and down the country some of the plaudits they deserve.”

Continue reading...

NCAA bans 3 college basketball players for betting on their own games at Fresno St, San Jose St

The NCAA banned three Division I college basketball players by permanently revoking their eligibility on Wednesday, saying they had bet on their own games at Fresno State and San Jose State and were able to share thousands of dollars in payouts. The NCAA said the three bet on one another’s games and/or provided information that enabled others to do so during the 2024-25 regular season; two of them manipulated their performances to ensure certain bets were won.

Former Red Wings Prospect Attends PTO With Dallas Stars

Former Detroit Red Wings forward Cross Hanas has made a surprise appearance at the Dallas Stars’ training camp, reportedly attending on a professional tryout (PTO) agreement. The 23-year-old winger, once considered a promising prospect in the Red Wings organization as a second round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, is now looking to earn a spot in Dallas after becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Hanas spent the 2024–25 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s AHL affiliate, where he tallied 9 goals and 8 assists over 58 games. While his production showed flashes of skill and playmaking ability, it wasn’t enough to secure a long-term commitment from Detroit. The Red Wings declined to extend him a qualifying offer as a pending restricted free agent, making him available to other teams.

Now in Dallas, Hanas is aiming to reignite his career in a new environment. The Stars, known for giving young players a shot, could offer the change of scenery he needs. Whether he earns a contract remains to be seen, but his presence in camp signals both a second chance for him and a low-risk look at untapped potential for Dallas.

Penguins Announce Prospects Challenge Roster, McGroarty Out

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced their rosters for the 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, which takes place Sept. 11-15.

And there is one particularly notable omission from the roster. 

Forward prospect Rutger McGroarty - who was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets last summer and debuted with Pittsburgh last season - will not participate in the Prospects Challenge due to an undisclosed injury. 2025 draftees Bill Zonnon and Peyton Kettles will also miss the Challenge because of injury.

McGroarty, 21, missed the last few games of the NHL season as well as the remainder of the AHL season and playoffs due to a lower-body injury sustained in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Apr. 8. It is not known whether or not his current injury is an extension of the one he sustained previously.

The injury statuses of McGroarty, Zonnon, and Kettles will be updated by GM and POHO Kyle Dubas prior to the onset of training camp.

The roster for the Prospects Challenge includes 24 players (14 forwards, eight defensemen, two goaltenders), with some returning players and eight 2025 draft picks. Forwards Ville Koivunen and Tristan Broz as well as defensemen Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke are a few of the players returning, while draftees such as goaltender Gabriel D'Aigle, forward Ben Kindel, and defenseman Quinn Beauchesne will be making their Prospects Challenge debuts.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Young Forward Keeps Getting Better And BetterTop-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Young Forward Keeps Getting Better And BetterHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

Here is the full roster for the Prospects Challenge:

Forwards:
- Tristan Broz
- Atley Calvert
- Jordan Charron
- Kale Dach
- Brayden Edwards
- Max Graham
- Avery Hayes
- Travis Hayes
- Ben Kindel
- Gabe Klassen
- Ville Koivunen
- Ryan Miller
- Nolan Renwick
- Carter Sanderson

Defensemen:
- Quinn Beauchesne
- Harrison Brunicke
- Finn Harding
- Daniel Laatsch
- Brady Peddle
- Owen Pickering
- Emil Pieniniemi
- Chase Pietila

Goaltenders:
- Gabriel D'Aigle
- Sergei Murashov


4 Penguins Who Could Surprise In 2025-264 Penguins Who Could Surprise In 2025-26It’s no secret that the expectations for the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t exactly sky-high this season. The team is somewhere in the midst of a rebuild, and there is uncertainty regarding the futures of several players on the roster.

The Penguins are one of five teams participating in the annual event, with the others being the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, and Boston Bruins. They will play in three games, including their first against the Bruins on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and their second against the Blue Jackets on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh will conclude the challenge - same as last season - against Buffalo on Monday, Sept. 15 at 12:00 p.m. The Penguins will look to follow up on their performance in last season's challenge, when they were the only team to finish a clean 3-0. 


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Blues Announce 2025 Training Camp Roster, Opening Days Of Schedule

The St. Louis Blues will open training camp on Thursday, Sept. 18 at Centene Community Ice Center. (St. Louis Blues photo)

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues announced their roster and training camp schedule, which is slated to get started with on ice sessions on Thursday, Sept. 18.

Practices will be held at Centene Community Ice Center and run through Friday and Saturday before beginning the 2025 preseason schedule with a road game against the Dallas Stars on Saturday, Sept. 20.  

Ice times for the first three days of camp and the full 2025 preseason schedule can be found below.  All camp practice sessions will be free and open to the public. 

Blues 2025 Training Camp On-Ice Schedule (practice times subject to change)

Thursday, September 18 & Friday, September 19

Early Group

9:30 a.m. (USA Rink)

10 a.m. (NHL Rink)

Late Group

11:30 a.m. (NHL Rink)

Noon (USA Rink)

Saturday, September 20

Non-Playing Groups

9:30 a.m. (Group A – NHL Rink, Group B – USA Rink)

10:15 a.m. (Scrimmage – NHL Rink)

Game Group

11:30 a.m. (NHL Rink)

6 p.m. – Blues at Stars

Blues 2025 Preseason Schedule (all times central)

September 20: Blues at Stars – 6 p.m. 

September 21: Blues at Blue Jackets – 4 p.m.

September 27: Blues vs. Blackhawks – 6 p.m.

September 30: Blues vs. Stars – 7 p.m.

October 2: Blues vs. Senators – 7 p.m.

October 4: Blues at Blackhawks – 6 p.m.

Training Camp Roster:

Image

Anthony Rizzo, 36, to retire as Chicago Cub, become team ambassador

CHICAGO — Anthony Rizzo will officially retire as a member of the Chicago Cubs on Saturday and will join the organization as team ambassador.

The 36-year-old Rizzo spent 10 of his 14 major league seasons with Chicago. The infielder hit .272 with 242 home runs and 784 RBIs for the Cubs and helped them win the World Series in 2016.

“Anthony Rizzo was the face of one of the most successful eras in Chicago Cubs history, and we are so excited he will be a part of our organization for many years to come,” Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement.

Rizzo was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, one-time Platinum Glove winner and one-time Silver Slugger award winner for the Cubs. He played his rookie season with the San Diego Padres and spent his final seasons with the New York Yankees. He completes his major league career with 1,644 hits, 303 home runs and 965 RBIs in 1,727 games played.

The Cubs said Rizzo, who survived Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, has raised millions of dollars through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation for cancer research and to help families dealing with the disease. He received the 2017 Roberto Clemente Award, the league’s highest community service honor.

Other Cubs ambassadors are Andre Dawson, Ryan Dempster, Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Billy Williams, Kerry Wood and Ben Zobrist. In memoriam ambassadors include Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Ron Santo.

Pivotal New Arrival Joins Oilers Teammates At Informal Skates

Isaac Howard (Ike) has arrived in Edmonton and is now on the ice and skating with the rest of his new Edmonton Oilers teammates. 

Captain's skates began last week with informal skates continuing this week. Howard was not on the ice with the Oilers prior to Tuesday, only because he was at the NHL/NHLPA’s Player Orientation Program as the Oilers representative.

The Oilers are hoping for big things out of Howard this season. He was acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning over the summer and he'll be inserted into the lineup right away. Whether he plays in the top six or top nine is unclear, but his elite release and ability to score is something the Oilers are hoping shows itself right away. 

Is Connor McDavid Prepared To Shake Up The Entire NHL?

As one fan on X.com (Twitter) wrote, "Has there ever been more pressure, on two rookies. In the history of the NHL? Go deep into the playoffs, or lose McDavid and start a rebuild."

NHL Officially Closes LTIR Investigation Into OilersNHL Officially Closes LTIR Investigation Into OilersAccording to Michael Russo of The Athletic, the Edmonton Oilers are off the hook for whatever it was the NHL was looking into regarding Evander Kane and the team's use of LTIR last season. 

To say that Howard's success will determine whether McDavid stays or go is hyperbole. There are many factors that McDavid will consider as he determines the length of term on his next deal with the Oilers. That said, Howard is a key part of what the Oilers hope is a very bright future beyond this season. 

If Howard can score 15-20 goals and 40 or more points, that's a great sign for the Oilers, who would love for some youth and energy to join their elite, but aging veterans. 

Oilers' Isaac Howard shows of his wicked release: Photo By: 

© Nick King/Lansing St Imagn Images

Matt Savoie is another player the Oilers are counting on, but he's an old pro at camps by now. Having spent time in the Sabres and Oilers system, Savoie will be making the jump to the NHL as well this season, but he's used to the grind of getting prepared and hoping to make an NHL roster. 

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