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Know Your Enemy, Sabres Edition: Can Buffalo Beat The Playoff-Desperate Detroit Red Wings?

Ryan McLeod (center-left); Lucas Raymond (center-right) -- (Timothy T. Ludwig, USA TODAY Images) 

The Buffalo Sabres have completed most of their off-season moves this summer. We've examined the most-likely trade partners for Buffalo, and in this file, we're continuing our new THN.com series "Know Your Enemy, Sabres Edition". In this series, we're breaking down the Sabres' seven Atlantic Division rivals, focusing on what changes those seven teams have made, Buffalo's record against them last season, their games against each other this coming year, and our opinion of whether the team is one the Sabres should be beating next year.

We began this process by looking at Buffalo against the Boston Bruins Saturday. In today's file, we're moving on to the Detroit Red Wings:

BUFFALO SABRES VS. DETROIT RED WINGS

NEW RED WINGS PLAYERS: Mason Appleton, RW; James van Riemsdyk, LW; Jacob Bernard-Docker, D; John Gibson, G

2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 1-2-1, Red Wings 3-1-0

2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER:  October 22, at Buffalo; November 15 at Detroit; March 27 at Buffalo

CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM?  The Sabres need many things to go their way if they're going to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Not only do they need at least one established playoff team to fall down the Atlantic standings, the Sabres also need to ensure no other up-and-coming team -- and/or every other desperate team that missed the playoffs last season -- to once again fall short of their goal. And that applies directly to the Red Wings, who haven't played playoff hockey since 2016.

Frustratingly for Red Wings fans, Detroit hasn't made many changes to the lineup that finished sixth in the division last season. Their biggest move was acquiring goalie Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks, and far beyond that, Wings GM Steve Yzerman has made only supplemental additions, including third-pair blueliner and former Sabre Bernard-Docker, and bottom-six wingers van Riemsdyk and Appleton.

You can see why Wings fans aren't blown away by those moves.

Know Your Enemy, Sabres Edition: How Will Buffalo Do Against The Boston Bruins?Know Your Enemy, Sabres Edition: How Will Buffalo Do Against The Boston Bruins?The Buffalo Sabres have made most, if. not all of their off-season moves. And before we get around to making our pre-season predictions as is custom at THN.com, we're going to take a different approach to our picks this time around. Instead of just giving you all the picks at once, we're going to break things down for the Sabres by looking into who their divisional opponents will be next season -- and why that contributes to them either making, or missing, the Stanley Cup playoffs.

From Buffalo's perspective, the Red Wings are chief among the teams they need to beat in their three head-to-head games next year. Two of those games will be home games for the Sabres, and given that Buffalo had a 23-15-3 home record this past season, that has to be seen as a good thing. But the Wings' puny offense hasn't improved, and if the Sabres can jump on Gibson and his Detroit teammates early in games, the Red Wings don't really have the offense-minded talent needed to power back into games.

The Red Wings still have $12 million in salary cap space, so by the time the two teams square off in their final regular-season matchup at the end of March, Detroit's lineup could be significantly different. But as it stands, the Sabres have the more dynamic group when we're judging them versus the Red Wings. And while the Wings did have the clear edge over Buffalo in their four regular-season games last year, the challenge for the Sabres is to turn the page in this rivalry and help push Detroit back down in the standings once again.

When the 2025-26 season is finished, the difference between a team making and missing the playoffs could be only one or two standings points -- basically, one regulation win or a couple of overtime and/or shootout losses. That means the margin for error will be extremely tight for Buffalo. And that's why it's so crucial for the Sabres to handle their business with their Atlantic rivals.

Let's Be Optimistic -- Maybe Sabres' Best-Laid Plans Will Work Out Next SeasonLet's Be Optimistic -- Maybe Sabres' Best-Laid Plans Will Work Out Next SeasonHaving made most, if not all of their off-season moves. the Buffalo Sabres now sit and wait for the 2025-26 regular-season to begin. The next five-to-six weeks are almost assuredly going to be rather quiet when it comes to Sabres news, but you can never be completely sure nothing will take place in terms of Buffalo's roster composition.

It's true there are only three games between the Red Wings and Sabres this coming year, but that should make each game more of an attraction. Detroit and Buffalo both are determined to end their respective playoff droughts, but it's probable that only one of the two actually get the job done in that regard.

And if it's the Wings that do make the playoffs while the Sabres miss out on the post-season, Buffalo's record against Detroit next year could wind up being perceived as the reason why the Sabres once again have a letdown season.

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Ex-Blackhawks Forward Must Bounce Back With New Team

The 2024-25 season was a complete nightmare for forward Philipp Kurashev. In 51 games with the Chicago Blackhawks on the year, he posted just seven goals, seven assists, and a minus-28 rating. When noting that he just had 18 goals, 34 assists, and 54 points in 75 games with the Blackhawks in 2024-25, this past campaign was a notable step in the wrong direction for the 25-year-old forward.

After struggling this past season, Kurashev did not receive a qualifying offer from the Blackhawks this summer and became an unrestricted free agent (UFA) on July 1. From there, he signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with the San Jose Sharks. 

Now that Kurashev has landed an opportunity with this one-year, prove-it deal from San Jose, he undoubtedly needs to take advantage of it and put together a bounce-back season. 

When noting that Kurashev just had a 54-point campaign in 2023-24 with the Blackhawks, there is a chance that he could get his offense back up a bit more. If he could hit, say, 35 points next season with the Sharks, he would end up being a nice depth pickup for them.

When looking at the Sharks' depth chart, Kurashev could be put in a position to succeed, too. He should see time in their middle six and also could very well get some chances on their power play. This could help Kurashev, as he should get more consistent chances with the Sharks than he did last season with the Blackhawks.

Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the change of scenery benefits Kurashev next season. It was clear that he was no longer a fit on the Blackhawks' roster, so a fresh start in San Jose could very well help him. 

Blackhawks Made Great Move Acquiring Ex-Canucks ForwardBlackhawks Made Great Move Acquiring Ex-Canucks ForwardDuring this past off-season, the Chicago Blackhawks acquired Ilya Mikheyev and Sam Lafferty's signing rights from the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks also sent a 2027 second-round pick to the Blackhawks for taking on Mikheyev's salary, while Chicago only sent over a 2027 fourth-round pick to the Canucks in the trade.

Photo Credit:  © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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Mets recalling catcher Francisco Alvarez from Triple-A

The Mets are recalling Francisco Alvarez to the big league roster after the catcher hit the ball very hard during a stint with Triple-A Syracuse.

The call-up, confirmed by SNY's Andy Martino and first reported by The New York Post's Mike Puma, would see Alvarez return to the majors after his demotion on June 22. He got off to a rough start to the season, starting with a broken hamate bone in his left hand, which kept him out of action until April 25.

Once he arrived, he struggled at the plate, slashing .236/.319/.333 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 35 games while splitting time with Luis Torrens.

Alvarez, who was pulled from Syracuse's game on Sunday at Norfolk in the top of the ninth inning, turned things around of late. In his last action at Triple-A, he socked his 11th homer since being sent down. During his 19-game stint, the 23-year-old catcher had 20 hits in 67 at-bats (.299) with three doubles to go along with the 11 round-trippers and 24 RBI for a 1.233 OPS (.397 OBP, .836 slugging). He had 22 strikeouts to nine walks with two hit-by-pitches.

Following a towering homer on Friday night, Alvarez struck again with a runner on second base in the top of the first inning, when he got an 85 mph slider on the inside corner and turned it, clobbering the ball 420 feet over the batter's eye in center field. At 109.7 mph off the bat, it was the second hardest-hit ball across all of Triple-A that day.

On Friday, with a runner on second and one out in the top of the first, Alvarez blasted an 0-1 sweeper 427 feet to left field. The ball left his bat at 111.8 mph and had a 23-degree launch angle.

Speaking before the All-Star break, manager Carlos Mendoza said he had been getting good reports on the young catcher and praised his work ethic and positivity since arriving in Syracuse.

"Willingness to listen to the feedback in some of the things, where it is defensively or offensively," Mendoza said last Sunday in Kansas City, adding that he's speaking with the Triple-A manager Dick Scott and the minor league coordinators, "and everything has been phenomenal."

"He's doing everything we're asking him to do," the skipper continued. "He continues to put himself in a position like, 'hey, I'm here.'"

Mendoza, who said he's been watching all of Alvarez's at-bats, said the Mets "want him to do damage."

"Be ready for the fastball, make some good swing decisions, and when he's getting pitches to hit, not missing them. And that's what we're seeing," he said. "We're seeing him pull the ball, we're seeing him go the other way, we're seeing him go dead center. And that's a sign of a good hitter when he's feeling and going well.

"It's not necessary that you have to pull the ball or you have to go the other way. No, you hit the ball where it's pitched."

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NHL Summer Splash Rankings: No. 29, Los Angeles Kings

As the NHL’s off-season unfolds, THN.com is analyzing the state of every team in the league in a special “Summer Splash” team-by-team series. Did they get better? Did they get worse? Or did they stay the same? That’s what we’re answering in these columns. 

In every Summer Splash file, we’ll be going in reverse order in terms of improvement. And we’ll be breaking down the major and minor moves each team has made, focusing on trade and free-agent acquisitions, departures, and in certain cases, on hirings and firings. 

To decide on the team rankings, the writers and editors at THN.com debated and decided what teams have improved, what teams stayed the same, and what teams got worse. On occasion, there’ll be exceptions to the rules, for instance, there are teams out there that aren’t notably worse than they were last year, but that made fewer moves of note than they should’ve or could’ve made. But otherwise, this is a simple analysis process. 

We began the Summer Splash series late last week and focused on team No. 32, the Buffalo Sabres. We then turned to team No. 31, the Chicago Blackhawks, and on Saturday, we focused on the Winnipeg Jets. Today, the Los Angeles Kings are next under the microscope.

Additions

Joel Armia (RW), Corey Perry (RW), Cody Ceci (D), Brian Dumoulin (D), Anton Forsberg (G)

The Breakdown: The Kings were one of the most active teams this off-season, bringing in experienced hands at forward in Armia and Perry, radically remaking their blueline with the signings of D-men Ceci and Dumoulin, and finally, adding a backup goalie in Forsberg. Even a Kings team that finished second in the Pacific Division last season has felt the need to effect notable change, and with these additions, they have it.

New L.A. GM Ken Holland has never been shy about changing things up, and in his first off-season running things in Los Angeles, Holland once again has drastically altered the team he’s responsible for. Perry and Armia add grit and know-how, Ceci and Dumoulin provide depth on the back end, and Forsberg provides a capable understudy for Darcy Kuemper. You can’t say Holland hasn’t tried to improve his team. But as we’ll explain below, we don’t believe Holland has succeeded at that goal.

Departures

Vladislav Gavrikov (D), Jordan Spence (D)

The Breakdown: Let’s be real here – Gavrikov’s departure to the New York Rangers in free agency is a huge loss for the Kings. The veteran defenseman averaged 23:05 of ice time last season, second only to star Drew Doughty (24:08) – and Gavrikov’s penalty-kill average of 3:17 shorthanded minutes per game also demonstrates what a fixture Gavrikov was defensively for this Kings squad.

Trading Spence to the Ottawa Senators didn’t move the needle for the Kings, and replacing Gavrikov with Ceci, who is now on his seventh NHL team in the past nine years for good reason, is not anywhere close to an upgrade. Nor is Dumoulin going to make the Kings genuinely better, if better at all. L.A. may be slightly more experienced up front, but the poor trade-off of losing Gavrikov and replacing him with Ceci and Dumoulin is chiefly why the Kings are ranked here on our Summer Splash list.

Hirings

Ken Holland (GM)

Firings

Rob Blake (GM)

The Breakdown: After being unable to build a team that gets out of the first round, Blake and the Kings mutually agreed to part ways. And coming in is Holland, a fearless GM who helped craft the Edmonton Oilers team that has been a Stanley Cup finalist for the past two seasons – and a team that’s had the Kings’ number for years now. Blake always had his established group of core players to turn to, and he did so until the end. And while Holland has made many moves, he hasn’t really touched that core group.

However, Holland’s sledgehammer approach to the Kings’ peripheral players is no guarantee of greater success this coming season. Holland knows this team has veterans in Doughty and Anze Kopitar who may not have many shots left at a long Cup run, so he’s trading with a sense of urgency. There’s no denying he’s done that – we just don’t feel like he’s made the right moves.

The Bottom Line

We’re not here to tell you the Kings aren’t going to be a playoff team next season. They’ve got some solid depth in the right places – mostly at forward, with a small nod to the improved goalie tandem – and Los Angeles is still better than many, if not most, teams in their division.

With that out of the way, we also have to be dispassionate and consider all outcomes for this Kings team. And there’s no question the players Holland brought in are all question marks to one degree or another. 

How much gas does Perry have left? Can Forsberg keep his save percentage above .900? Will the new-look defense corps be better equipped to handle another playoff showdown with the Oilers? Those are only a few of the questions regarding the Kings.

The Los Angeles Kings celebrate a goal by Quinton Byfield during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs. (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)

Thus, we can’t say we’re especially optimistic about this Los Angeles group after their many changes. The Kings weren’t a top team in goals-for last season, as they were 14th overall in that department, averaging 3.04 goals-for per game. And their power play was abysmal, as it ranked 27th in the league at 17.9 percent efficiency. Every other team below them in power-play effectiveness were non-playoff teams, and that tells you something about the offensive issues the Kings had last year.

There’s no great solution in that regard among the Kings’ new players, as Perry is well past his prime and Armia isn’t known for his offense. And the worry with the general state of the defense corps is justifiable. So until we see this team play the way Holland envisions they can play at their best, we’re going to be skeptical that the Kings did anything other than take a step back, however slight that step may be.

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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David Peterson delivers as Mets avoid sweep with 3-2 win over Reds

The Mets scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning and defeated the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 on Sunday at Citi Field, ending a three-game losing streak.

Here are the top takeaways:

-- The Mets gave up a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth, when Edwin Diaz plunked Spencer Steer with the bases loaded, forcing in a run. But their winning rally started in the bottom of the inning with Juan Soto working a leadoff walk.

Pete Alonso, who entered the game for defense after sitting with a bruised hand, then struck out. But Jeff McNeil doubled to the right-center gap, sending Soto to third.

Reds manager Terry Francona brought in right-handed reliever Tony Santillan, and Luis Torrens battled him in an eight-pitch at-bat, finally hitting a hard ground ball to second baseman Matt McLain with the infield playing in.

The ball handcuffed McLain just long enough for Soto, who got a good jump off third, to beat the throw to the plate and get his hand in on a head-first slide.

-- After Diaz threw 16 pitches in the eighth, Ryne Stanek came on to get the save in the ninth, giving up just a one-out single.

-- Coming off his All-Star appearance, David Peterson played the role of stopper, delivering a strong six innings in a game the Mets needed -- at least for their mojo -- after two ugly losses to the Reds and three straight, going back to the last day before the All-Star break in Kansas City.

The lefty allowed only one unearned run, in the first inning, as he surrendered only four hits, one walk and one hit-by-pitch.

As he often does, Peterson made big pitches to escape trouble. He got a double-play ground ball in the first inning and then in the second, with the bases loaded and two outs, struck out McClain swinging with a nasty slider.

As a result, Peterson lowered his ERA to 2.90.

-- With Peterson at 93 pitches after six innings, manager Carlos Mendoza went to the bullpen, but as has been the case a lot lately, the bullpen failed to hold the lead.

Huascar Brazoban pitched a scoreless seventh with help from Torrens, who threw out Noelvi Marte trying to steal second, to end the inning.

Reed Garrett then got the first two outs in the eighth before walking McClain -- at which point Mendoza went to Diaz for a four-out save. But Diaz promptly gave up the tying run on a walk, a single deep in the hole past Francisco Lindor and a Steer hit-by-pitch.

Diaz then escaped the bases-loaded situation by getting Tyler Stephenson to strike out swinging at a 3-2 slider.

-- Reds lefty and fellow All-Star Andrew Abbott also pitched well, holding the Mets to two runs over six innings. His ERA actually went up a bit, to 2.13.

-- The Mets got some much-needed production out of the bottom of the lineup, especially in the fifth as Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuña combined to deliver the go-ahead run, at 2-1.

Baty, swinging the bat well lately, led off the inning with a single to left-center and then stole second. Acuña then doubled off the wall in left field, hitting a screamer at 108 mph, as Baty scored easily.

-- A rare start at first base for Mark Vientos cost the Mets a run in the first inning. He was making his first start there this season -- due to what Mendoza called a day-to-day hand contusion for Alonso -- and he looked uncomfortable early.

On the first play of the game, Acuña ranged to his right, fielded a ground ball and then threw low to Vientos’ backhand side as it went off his glove for an error. The official scorer ruled the error on Acuña , but it should have been caught by Vientos.

The error led to a run and could have been more costly, but Peterson got Austin Hays to ground into a 5-4-3 double play. Vientos’ footwork was awkward on that throw as well, as he had to dive to his backhand side. A more experienced first baseman would have shifted his feet to make the catch.

Game MVP: David Peterson

The Mets desperately needed a strong start after a couple of ugly losses to the Reds on Friday and Saturday, and Peterson was up to the task.

If not for the first-inning error by Acuña (it should have been on Vientos), the southpaw would have pitched six shutout innings.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets (56-44) will remain at Citi Field as a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels (48-50) begins with Monday's 7:10 p.m. opener on SNY. Kodai Senga (7-3, 1.39 ERA) is set to start for New York, while Los Angeles has Tyler Anderson (2-6, 4.34 ERA) in line.

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Ottawa Senators Re-Sign Xavier Bourgault To One-Year Contract

The Ottawa Senators have re-signed forward Xavier Bourgault to a one-year, two-way contract, the team announced Saturday. 

The contract will pay him $775,000 at the NHL level and $90,000 at the AHL level.

Bourgault had 12 goals and 26 points in 61 games with the AHL's Belleville Senators last season. 

The 22-year-old was acquired by the Senators along with Jake Chiasson in exchange for Roby Jarventie and a fourth round pick from the Edmonton Oilers in July 2024. 

The 22nd overall selection by the Oilers in the 2021 draft, Bourgault's offensive talent has not yet translated from the QMJHL, he has 33 goals and 80 points in 178 career AHL games with the Senators and Bakersfield Condors. 

The L'Islet, Que., native was instrumental in the Shawinigan Cataractes' 2022 QMJHL Championship after posting 22 points in 16 playoff games. He finished his junior career with 206 points in 197 games.

The Senators have made several signings to improve their AHL squad and hope Bourgault is part of the improvement next season. 

Check out our AHL Free Agency signing tracker here.         

Photo Credit: © Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

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Your 'Heart Over Hype' Ottawa Senators Summer Trivia

Summer’s here, and what better time to flex your Senators knowledge than during the off-season lull? Whether you're poolside, at the cottage, or just killing time, now’s the perfect moment to test your memory on everything from expansion days to playoff heartbreaks. These 10 questions dig deep into Sens history.

So grab your favourite summer drink, share with your fellow fans, and uncover the real Sens trivia MVP.

Ottawa Senators Trivia Questions

  1. Only two Ottawa Senators defensemen have ever led the team (all positions) in scoring. Erik Karlsson is one. Who’s the other?
  2. In the 2001–02 season, which Ottawa Senators forward, remarkably, played 70 games without scoring a single goal?
  3. Besides Nick Paul, name the two players acquired from the Dallas Stars in the trade for Jason Spezza.
  4. When the Senators fired head coach Rick Bowness early in the 1995–96 season, his replacement posted a 2–22–1 record and didn’t finish the season. Name that coach.
  5. When Ottawa acquired Dany Heatley from the Atlanta Thrashers, they gave up Marian Hossa and which Cup-winning defenseman?
  6. What classic rock song did the Senators use as the anthem for their NHL expansion campaign?
  7. What player leads all active Senators in career NHL assists?
  8. Who finished second behind Brady Tkachuk in hits for the Senators this past season?
  9. Chris Neil is the Senators’ all-time penalty minutes leader, but three other former Sens tough guys racked up more PIMs in a single season than Neil ever did. Name two of them.
  10. In Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final, Chris Kunitz scored the double-overtime winner for Pittsburgh, but who tied the game for Ottawa with just over five minutes left in regulation? In the moment, it was one of the biggest goals in team history, but because of Kunitz, it rarely gets talked about.

Answers 

  1. Norm MacIver MacIver led the team in points during its inaugural season in 1992–93, finishing with 63 points. He remains the only other defenseman besides Erik Karlsson to accomplish that feat. We'll give you a half point if you guessed Thomas Chabot. He finished the 2018-19 season as the highest Sens scorer left standing (55) after Mark Stone (62) and Matt Duchene (58) were both traded.
  2. Bill Muckalt Acquired in the Alexei Yashin trade, Muckalt didn’t score a single goal in 70 games during the 2001–02 season. He recorded just 8 assists, despite once being a scoring star at the University of Michigan.
  3. Alex Chiasson and Alex Guptill Both were included in the 2014 trade that sent Jason Spezza to Dallas. Chiasson had a solid NHL career and retired in January of this year. Guptill never played an NHL game, eventually finishing his pro career in the ECHL in 2020. We'd also accept Gabriel Gagne, who was drafted with the 2nd round pick that was included in the deal.
  4. Dave Allison Allison took over for Rick Bowness during the 1995–96 season and posted a 2–22–1 record. He was replaced by Jacques Martin midseason, and while Allison had many stops at lower levels, he never returned to the NHL as a head coach.
  5. Greg DeVries DeVries, a Stanley Cup champion with the Avalanche, was included with Marian Hossa in the deal for Dany Heatley in 2005. He played just 13 games for Ottawa before being moved.
  6. "I Won’t Back Down" by Tom Petty And against all odds, they didn't.
  7. Thomas Chabot Chabot leads all active Senators in assists with 233, placing him seventh all-time in franchise history. He ranks ahead of Brady Tkachuk (213) and Tim Stützle (211).
  8. Drake Batherson Batherson finished second on the team in hits (and points) last season, showing a physical edge alongside his 68-point campaign.
  9. Mike Peluso (318), Denny Lambert (276), Dennis Vial (250) While Chris Neil leads the franchise in total penalty minutes, his highest single-season total was 231. These three racked up even more in individual seasons during the 1990s.
  10. Ryan Dzingel With Ottawa trailing 2–1 late in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Final, Dzingel scored the tying goal after a shot by Karlsson hit the post. It was one of the most dramatic moments in Sens history, though the team ultimately lost in double overtime.

0–3 Correct: Rookie – Everyone starts somewhere. 

4-5 Correct: Middle of the Pack – A solid effort. Room to grow.

6-8 Correct: Diehard Fan – You know your stuff.

9-10 Correct: Legend. Raise a glass. You’ve earned it.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News-Ottawa

More Sens Headlines:
Why Mason McTavish Isn’t Coming Home To The Ottawa Senators
NHL Announces Ottawa Senators 2025–26 Regular Season Schedule
Can The Senators Count On Dylan Cozens To Consistently Produce?
Expectations For The Senators' Mount Rushmore Of Old GuysSens Development Coach Sam Gagner Says Hockey IQ Is Teachable
Creating The Sens Opening Night Roster Based On Salary

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Aaron Judge homers, Marcus Stroman goes six strong in Yankees' 4-2 win over Braves

The Yankees wrapped up their first post-All-Star break series on a high note, defeating the Braves, 4-2, on Sunday afternoon at Truist Park.

Here are the takeaways...

-- It didn't take long for the Yankees to inflict damage on Braves starter Grant Holmes. With one out in the first inning, Aaron Judge clobbered a cutter that landed in the right-center seats for a solo home run. It was the captain's 36th blast of the season, which tied him for sixth on the franchise's all-time homers list (351) with Alex Rodriguez. Then, with two outs, the Yankees produced three straight singles, and Paul Goldschmidt bumped their lead to 2-0 with a knock to center that brought home Giancarlo Stanton.

-- With a taxed bullpen, the Yankees desperately needed length from Marcus Stroman, and much to their delight, he completed the task. While the veteran right-hander had to earn outs with prolonged battles -- he needed 65 pitches to complete the first four innings -- Stroman held the Braves scoreless through five by inducing three strikeouts, six groundouts, and five flyouts.

-- Stroman's lone blemish came during the sixth inning, when Matt Olson demolished a cutter that landed well beyond the bleachers in right. Overall, he delivered a high-quality start, producing six frames of one-run ball (five hits) with four punchouts across 95 pitches. His season ERA now sits at 5.64, and he hasn't allowed more than three runs in four straight outings since coming off the injured list.

-- Before the shutout effort from Stroman was lost in the sixth, the Yankees increased their lead to 3-0 in the top half of the frame. A leadoff single from Stanton sparked a bases-loaded rally off Holmes, who regrettably forced in a run by plunking No. 9 hitter Jorbit Vivas with two outs and an 0-1 count. Holmes avoided further trouble, producing a quality start (three runs on seven hits and three walks) only on paper.

-- Dane Dunning took over for Holmes in the seventh, but he couldn't keep the Yankees in check. After a leadoff walk to Judge and a pair of flyouts to right, Chisholm sliced a double to left-center that pushed their lead back to three, 4-1. The seventh and eighth innings belonged to Yankees relievers Ian Hamilton and Tim Hill, who retired six of a combined seven batters with two strikeouts.

-- Devin Williams was tasked with closing out the ninth, and for a second straight game, he allowed a run. This time, Braves superstar Ronald Acuña Jr. cut the Yankees' lead to two with a mammoth leadoff homer to center that traveled 456 feet. But the early mistake didn't faze Williams, as he won an eight-pitch bout via a strikeout and then induced a pop up and groundout to retire three straight batters and earn his 14th save this season.

Game MVP: Marcus Stroman

Stroman was challenged from start to finish, and forced to empty the tank while battling harsh summer temperatures. But the heat didn't impact his performance. He provided six strong innings that the Yankees demanded.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees (55-44) will continue their six-game road trip north of the border on Monday, with the first of three games against the division-rival Blue Jays. First pitch is scheduled for 7:07 p.m.

LHP Carlos Rodón (10-6, 3.08 ERA) is slated to take the mound, opposite RHP Kevin Gausman (6-7, 4.19 ERA).

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Former Bridgeport Islanders Forward Cole Bardreau Signs In Italy

Daniel DeLoach/Utica Observer-Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Former Bridgeport Islanders forward Cole Bardreau has signed a one-year deal in Italy with HC Pustertal, it was reported earlier this week. 

Having finished his sixth season in the New York Islanders organization in 2024-25, Bardreau spent the entire year in Bridgeport, scoring four goals and adding 14 assists for 18 points in 65 regular season games. 

Having turned pro at the end of the 2014-15 season, Bardreau has appeared in 11 career NHL games, all with the Islanders, putting up a goal and an assist. Over his 10-plus seasons of pro hockey, Bardreau has gotten into 535 AHL regular season games with Bridgeport and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, collecting 97 goals and 216 points. 

With Bardreau heading off to the ICEHL, this will be his first venture overseas. While his numbers have taken a dip in over the past few AHL seasons, Bardreau is still very much capable of making an offensive impact and will be a force for HC Pustertal. 

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From The Archive: Stanley Cup Issue 2017, Game 3

Jun 3, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban (76) during the third period in game three of the 2017 Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

The Hockey News has released its archive to all THN subscribers: over 2,000 issues of history, stories, and features.

Subscribe now to view the full THN Archives here

(Note: Due to the digital quality of some older issues, articles may contain errors).

Jul 17, 2017/vol. 71, issue 01

GAME 3

BRIDGESTONE ARENA JUNE 3, 2017

THE FLOODGATES OPENED for the Penguins 10 seconds into the third period of Game 2 when Bryan Rust put a shot off Pekka Rinne’s pad, with the rebound coming out to Jake Guentzel, who scored to put Pittsburgh ahead for good.

After the game, the Penguins almost bragged about it being a set play, one they work on all the time.

Fast-forward three long, agonizing days for Rinne, with his team ahead 2-1 and the Pens pressing in Game 3. This time it was Phil Kessel who directed one off Rinne’s pad right to Chris Kunitz, but Rinne was ready for the rebound and robbed Kunitz, prompting P.K. Subban to get really excited and say a very bad word.

Neither Rinne nor Subban would reveal exactly what was said. At least Subban didn’t get close enough for Rinne to smell his breath.

According to Subban, Sidney Crosby pointed out that it was offensive.

“When guys chirp after the game or during the game, it’s usually about your game or something personal, but he went on to tell me that my breath smelled bad,” Subban said. “I really don’t understand why, because I used Listerine before the game, so I thought my breath smelled great.”

Rinne stepped up for his teammate’s sense of oral hygiene.

“He’s a classy guy,” Rinne said. “He flosses every day.”

For the third straight game, the Preds were indisputably the superior team on the ice. The differences in Game 3 were that Rinne was much, much better, they had some bounces go their way, and coach Peter Laviolette’s lineup changes had the desired effect.

Of more importance to the Penguins was the fact their three best offensive players – Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kessel – were rendered impotent. Crosby and Malkin didn’t have a shot between them.

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Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones continues mashing in Triple-A as trade deadline nears

It's still unclear whether or not the Yankees will treat Spencer Jones as a trade chip before the month ends, but the top prospect has wasted no time in boosting his value at the highest minor-league level.

Jones flaunted his power at the plate yet again on Sunday, smacking a pair of home runs to bring his total to an eye-popping 10 in just his 16th game for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The first of two solo shots from the 6-foot-7 lefty came against the Red Sox' affiliate in the third inning, and traveled a whopping 445 feet to dead center with a scalding 109.6 mph exit velocity. Then, in the sixth, he crushed a ball the opposite way to left at 103.7 mph.

The transition from Double-A to Triple-A has essentially been seamless for Jones, who's listed as the Yankees' second-best prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Since receiving the promotion on June 27, the former first-round pick has hit an eye-popping .418 (28-for-67) with 20 RBI and a 1.399 OPS. He's also in the 98th percentile or greater in average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard hit percentage.

With clear needs at key positions and the trade deadline looming, the Yankees could appoint Jones as the centerpiece to a package for a highly-coveted asset. The 24-year-old outfielder's stock is soaring, as his 26 total home runs (in 65 games) rank tied for the minor league lead this season.

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Phillies reunite with familiar bullpen arm for a third time

Phillies reunite with familiar bullpen arm for a third time originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies reunited with a familiar bullpen arm following Sunday’s 8-2 loss to the Angels.

The team agreed to terms with 40-year old free agent reliever David Robertson, who threw for scouts on Saturday in Rhode Island. The Athletic first reported the signing.

This is the third time that the Phillies have acquired Robertson. They signed him to a two-year, 23 million dollar contract prior to the 2019 season. But Robertson appeared in only seven games before eventually undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Phillies re-acquired Robertson at the 2022 trade deadline. He had a 2.70 ERA in 22 regular season appearances for the Phillies and a 1.17 ERA in eight postseason games.

Robertson last pitched for the Rangers in 2024, posting a 3.00 ERA in 68 appearances. This figures to be the first of several moves made by the Phillies to bolster their bullpen before the July 31st trade deadline.  

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Blackhawks' Free Bird: How Frank Nazar Went From The AHL To Chicago's Potential No. 2 Center

When you're born and raised in Hockeytown, your first NHL game at Little Caesars Arena should be a cherished memory. But by the time Frank Nazar checked that box in January 2025 with a 5-3 Chicago Blackhawks loss to the Detroit Red Wings, he was already a grizzled vet at that barn. “I played a pre-season game, a few college games – actually scored my first college goal at Little Caesars,” he said. “Every time I play there, it’s a blast. I always have, like, 100 family members, so that makes it a lot of fun. It’s great.”

Until he turned pro with the Blackhawks in April of 2024, Nazar had always stuck to his home state. He played with Detroit’s famed Honeybaked youth program, then developed in Plymouth with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program before shifting to Ann Arbor for two seasons at NCAA Michigan.

But it was a positional shift that may have had the biggest impact on Nazar’s development. Young players often move from center to the wing as they reach higher levels. Naturally speedy and somewhat undersized, Nazar went the other way – pining to play in the middle before finally getting his chance in his age-17 season. “I had asked my coaches my whole life, ‘Put me at center,’ and they always told me ‘No, you’re wing,” he said. “Finally, my first year at the NTDP, I started off as a wing, and I was not doing well at all. Actually, I was pretty horrible, I’m not going to lie. Then we had a bunch of guys get sick with COVID, and we needed a center. I told the coach, ‘Hey, put me at center.’ I was joking with him, and he’s like, ‘All right, we’ll see.’ He put me at center, and I had an amazing game and never looked back from there.”

"I think it was really, really good for my development."
- Frank Nazar on his AHL time with coach Anders Sorensen

It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish. By the end of 2020-21, Nazar was the leading scorer on a U-17 squad that also included talents such as Logan Cooley, Cutter Gauthier and Lane Hutson. He finished third on the U-18 squad in 2021-22, and that June, the Blackhawks picked him 13th overall.

Though Nazar missed the first four months of his freshman NCAA season due to injury, his Wolverines reached the Frozen Four in both of his college years. He, along with many of his NTDP mates, won his first international gold medal at the 2024 world juniors. Then, in April, he scored his first NHL goal in his pro debut against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Last fall, Nazar was assigned to AHL Rockford to learn the pro game. Playing big minutes in a first-line center role, he thrived under longtime IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen. “He allowed me to just go out there and play my game, playing all types of situations,” Nazar said. “He let me be free, as well, in creating plays and making plays and having fun out there. He let me be free in that regard, and I think it was really, really good for my development.”

When Sorensen was summoned to Chicago to replace Luke Richardson Dec. 5, Nazar followed a week later, and he never looked back. “I texted him congratulations, and he texted me right after: ‘It was a great time in Rockford’ – stuff like that – and ‘we’ll see you soon,’” Nazar said. “It was really cool to see him say something like that, and I know that he knows what I bring to the table.”

Though he managed just one point in his first 10 games after his call-up, Nazar picked up the pace from there. From Jan. 5 to the end of the season, he logged 25 points in 43 games, including five goals and nine points in Chicago’s last nine games, while playing second-line center behind Connor Bedard.

Frank Nazar (Bob Frid-Imagn Images)
"I had an amazing game and never looked back from there."
- Frank Nazar on getting a chance to play center

Brimming with confidence and looking to play more hockey, he accepted the invitation to play at the men’s worlds for the first time, and he shone. He was named one of the United States’ top three players and tied his NTDP running mate Cooley for the team lead with 12 points in 10 games as the Americans snapped a gold-medal drought that stretched all the way back to 1933.

Frank Nazar (Matt Marton-Imagn Images)

And while the Blackhawks may have struggled to put wins together last season, Nazar is a glass-half-full guy. He appreciates the historic moments that were part of his rookie season: the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, Alex Ovechkin’s record-tying goal against the Blackhawks in April and the final NHL games for newly retired teammates Pat Maroon and Alec Martinez.

With Jeff Blashill now installed behind the Chicago bench, next season is a clean slate for the team. “I know that every player,” Nazar said, “is going into the summer with a point to prove.”

This article appeared in our 2025 Champions issue. Our cover story focuses on the 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, specifically the elite play of defenseman Seth Jones, along with a recap of each game of the Cup final. We also include features on Sharks center Will Smith and Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans. In addition, we give our list of the top 10 moments from the 2024-25 NHL season.

You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/Free today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.

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Marcus Smart on the Lakers? Processing a tough sight for Celtics fans

Marcus Smart on the Lakers? Processing a tough sight for Celtics fans originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Marcus Smart in purple and gold? Yeesh.

Amid a summer in which Celtics fans have already endured watching beloved members of the 2024 championship team depart as Boston tries to gets its finances in order, now comes news that Smart, a cherished former Celtic, intends to sign with the rival Los Angeles Lakers after agreeing to a buyout with the Washington Wizards.

It’s been a summer of stomach punches for Celtics fans.

Smart spent nine seasons in Boston and endeared himself here with his full-throttle ways and knack for winning plays. It sometimes felt like Smart might be a Celtic for life before the team made a pair of bold roster moves in the summer of 2023, paving the way to elusive Banner 18.

Smart becomes the latest former Celtics guard to sign with the Lakers late in his career, joining a group that includes Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, and Isaiah Thomas.

While plenty of photoshops of Smart in Lakers gear popped up with Saturday’s news, there’s an actual photo of Smart in purple and gold from his 2014 pre-draft visit there. The Lakers were slotted a pick behind Boston that year and ultimately selected Julius Randle at No. 7.

The Celtics never missed the playoffs with Smart on the roster. His shot selection could be a bit divisive, but Smart was beloved for his ability to make big-time plays in big moments and his impact in the Boston community.

Smart, who will turn 32 in late October, played just 54 games for the Grizzlies and Wizards since departing Boston. After being dealt to Memphis in the Kristaps Porzingis deal, Smart endured an injury-filled season in Memphis. He was then shipped to the lottery-chasing Wizards in a three-team swap midway through the 2024-25 season.

Smart will earn $26 million in the final year of a four-year, $77 million extension he inked with Boston in 2021. His new deal with the Lakers reportedly is for two years, $11 million.

The Lakers are beefing up around Luka Doncic, even with uncertainty about the future of LeBron James. After enduring a couple of seasons outside the playoff spotlight, Smart ought to be reenergized while joining a Lakers team that will have big goals in a loaded Western Conference.

Smart has played only one game against Boston since his departure, a December 2024 visit with Memphis.

The Celtics have watched Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Luke Kornet, and (presumably soon) Al Horford depart this summer, all while trying to get off the restrictive second apron. Smart going to the rival Lakers feels like another stomach punch in a summer of swallow-hard moves.

The twice-annual Celtics-Lakers showdowns always have a little extra juice, and seeing Smart in purple and gold will only fuel this season’s matchups.

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Aaron Judge ties A-Rod on Yankees' all-time home run list in win over Braves

Aaron Judge ties A-Rod on Yankees' all-time home run list in win over Braves originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Aaron Judge hit the first home run of his MLB career the day after Alex Rodriguez retired. Now, the two are tied on the Yankees’ all-time home run list.

Judge hit his 351st career homer in a 4-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, moving into a tie with A-Rod for sixth place in Yankees history.

“Just an incredible honor, especially, you know, growing up watching A-Rod for so many years and watching what he did in pinstripes,” Judge said. “He’s a legend. One of the best ever players.”

Judge trails Yankee greats Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536), Lou Gehrig (493), Joe DiMaggio (361) and Yogi Berra (358) in career homers for New York.

Judge’s homer on Sunday was his 36th of the season. He is two behind MLB leader Cal Raleigh of the Mariners, who won the Home Run Derby in Atlanta on Monday.

Judge hit a solo shot in the first inning that traveled 409 feet to right field off Grant Holmes, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead. It was his eighth home run in his last 17 games.

The Yankees travel to Toronto to face the AL East-leading Blue Jays in a three-game series starting Monday.