Leeds move clear at top of Super League as Sivo treble stuns Warrington

  • Warrington 6-34 Leeds

  • Rhinos run in six tries in statement win

Leeds Rhinos delivered a resounding statement over their Super League title credentials with a scintillating victory against Warrington to move two points clear of the Wolves at the top.

This was a meeting of Super League’s best defence versus its best attack, with the winners knowing they would go clear of the opposition after both started Thursday evening joint-top. However, it proved to be a complete mismatch as Leeds dismantled Sam Burgess’s side to inflict a first home defeat on Warrington in devastating fashion.

Continue reading...

Knicks parade shows the chaotic, joyous, and adaptable spirit of New York City and its title-winning team

The City That Never Sleeps had good reason to be up all night on Wednesday. On the eve of the Knicks' tickertape parade to celebrate their NBA Championship win, some New Yorkers began holding their spots before the bars had even closed for the night. Others stayed in hotel rooms right off the parade route so they could roll out of bed and into the scrum, while others boarded trains from New Jersey, Long Island, and Westchester as early as two or three a.m. to get to Battery Park City in time.

Many of them didn't.

One of the consequences of having one of the most electric postseason runs in recent memory is that lots of people get swept up in it. Even more so when the team making that run exists in one of the largest cities in the country and hasn't won a championship in 53 years. The NYPD commissioner expected attendance to be in the millions and the NYPD deployed more than 10,000 police officers, which was the most officers deployed for any such event.

So even though fans knew they needed to get to lower Manhattan hours before the parade's 10 a.m. start time, and even earlier than the scheduled opening of the viewing pens at 6 a.m., many fans were never able to get close enough to Broadway to eventually see the Knicks and varied New York celebrities drive by them on floats.

While some left, frustrated and disappointed, the vast majority stayed. The NYPD erected additional barricades, eventually creating at least three separate layers of celebration in lower Manhattan. Fans packed Church Street and West Broadway, knowing there was no chance they would catch even the slightest glimpse of Jalen Brunson or Jose Alvarado. But they would see each other. They would see thousands like them, decked out in Knicks shirts, hats, and jerseys, some of which barely fit and looked as if they had been worn yearly since the Knicks' previous heyday in the 1990s. Being together one more time was reason enough to push deeper into the crowd because the city had been energized by that togetherness for weeks.

"Over these past weeks, as the Knicks kept winning, our city has come together as one," said New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the City Hall ceremony following the parade. "Neighbors invited neighbors over. Strangers high-fived one another in the street. Subway conductors sang their announcements, and bus drivers danced behind the wheel. So often when this city comes together, it is because we are forced to by a moment of tragedy or adversity. What a gift it is to be brought together by pure, unfiltered joy."

2026 NBA Finals - New York Knicks v San Antonio Spurs
Brunson’s financial sacrifice made it possible to build a contender around him.

The joy was seen everywhere on the street, whether it was a group of elementary school boys, all decked out in Knicks jerseys, dancing to music playing from one of their mom's phones, or the sporadic chants of "Jalen Brunson" and "Knicks in five" that reverberated through the lower Manhattan buildings. A six-year-old girl, decked out in a tiara and a sash that read "Today is my birthday," prompted shouts of "Happy Birthday" from anybody who walked past.

The creativity and ingenuity of New York City were all over the streets as well. An artist carried his own painting of Jalen Brunson and prompted chants whenever he climbed on anything and held it aloft. Dozens of people pulled wagons filled with knockoff t-shirts for sale. One photographer put up his own NBA Finals backdrop to take photos for people, free of charge, and a barber even set up shop in the middle of Church Street, giving haircuts to anybody willing to plop down onto the concrete.

Kniks haricut.jpg

Many of these fans had waited for so long to celebrate their team winning a title that they had no plans to go home, regardless of where they wound up standing. They had been through too much.

"For 53 long years we have watched, and we have waited," said Mayor Mamdani. "We have watched from nosebleeds through gritted teeth, on televisions in the windows of electronic stores, and from projectors balanced on fire escapes. We have watched alone in our apartments with our heads in our hands, shoulder to shoulder at bars where the signal flickers, alongside friends and family who we wish more than anything could be here today sharing this moment."

For many, sharing that moment with the people closest to them mattered more than seeing the players themselves on a float.

One couple walked past with the father wearing his infant son on his chest in a Baby Bjorn. They had no intention of fighting their way to the front. "I just wanted him to experience this," the father said. "So that he has a photo in case it never happens again."

Another couple politely pleaded with a police officer to see if there was any way through the barricade. The husband is a mailman from New Jersey who took the day off work to come to the parade. Both he and his wife were decked out in oversized blue chains with Knicks logos dangling from the bottom. When the police officer told him that, as far as she knew, all the pens were full and there was nowhere else to go, they smiled and thanked her. "We've got the whole day," the husband said. "We'll make the most of it."

SpursKnicksG5 2026
Winning in today’s NBA is not about compiling superstars, it’s about surrounding a star with depth that fits.

A family made the trek down from Washington Heights together despite their two kids both going to schools that had announced they were going to show the parade on TV. They made it down to the Fulton Street station by 7:45 a.m., but the crowd was so massive that they couldn't even get through the turnstiles to exit the station. Instead, they turned around, took the train back uptown one stop to Canal Street, and walked back on foot. There was not an ounce of regret.

"I'd rather be here than watching at school," said their 10-year-old daughter. "Everybody would be talking through it. I'd rather be there with all the people."

Who she's with seemed to matter a lot. She had watched Game 5 of the NBA Finals with her 78-year-old grandmother, who was at the infamous Willis Reed Game back in 1970. At the time, her grandmother had just gotten married, and took her wedding money and went down to Madison Square Garden to buy tickets to the NBA Finals. She was able to buy tickets for all home games except Game 7, which she eventually bought off a scalper, paying $25 per ticket for a ticket that was $7.50 face value.

Those are the Knicks fans who were top of mind for many at the celebration, including the players themselves.

"We waited as the memory of Willis Reed winning the championship on one leg grew fainter and fainter," said Mayor Mamdani after the parade. "We waited as Clyde [Frazier] came up clutch again and again, as John Starks dunked on [Michael] Jordan and Patrick Ewing dunked on the Pacers, as Bernard King scored 60 as Charles Oakley pulled every rebound within reach, as Spike [Lee] got in Reggie Miller's face as Alan Houston put up a shot against Miami that hung in the air for an eternity as Larry Johnson gave us the four point play heard around New York..."

Yet, even when you glanced around the mass of fans, the jerseys on their backs weren't filled with the typical names. Yes, there were plenty of Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Josh Hart jerseys. There were also dozens of Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, Walt Frazier, and Willis Reed jerseys, but many fans also proudly wore the names of Knicks players who had never been part of contending teams. Names like Wilson Chandler, Iman Shumpert, Jeremy Lin, Kristaps Porzingis, Jamal Crawford, Obi Toppin, and Stephon Marbury were printed across people's backs. The failed promise that came with names like Larry Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, Allen Houston, Julius Randle, and RJ Barrett was also present on countless jerseys because those players and seasons mattered as much to these fans as the one they had just witnessed.

"We are here not just because of this team that will go down in New York City legend," echoed Mayor Mamdani. "I'm talking about guys like Renaldo Balkman, Marty Collins, Raymond Felton, Marcus Camby, Kristaps Porzingis, Iman Shumpert, and the whole mixtape era. I'm talking about guys like Tony Douglas, who I watched tie the single-game franchise record for threes from the stands in 2011. I'm talking about Amari [Stoudemire], who got this whole city fired up when he joined. I'm talking about Jared Jeffries and Lance Thomas and Langston Galloway, players who gave everything every game, even when a 20-win season was all that was in sight."

It's a history that most Knicks fans at the parade wear like a badge of honor, and a history that made this celebration feel that much sweeter. But the history of New York City was also a big part of the way the city planned the parade itself.

Knicks Parade2.jpg

There was persistent criticism online about choosing to have the parade in the Canyon of Heroes despite the likelihood that millions of people would try to show up and overwhelm downtown Manhattan. Yet, in addition to not wanting to shutdown midtown Manhattan on a workday, there are historic reasons why the city chose to use the Canyon of Heroes route. It's the same route that was used in 1886 for an impromptu parade to celebrate the arrival of the Statue of Liberty from France, which was the first-ever ticker-tape parade. Three years later, a parade was held in the same spot to celebrate the Centennial of George Washington's inauguration. Since then, the same route has been used in New York City, not only to celebrate championships for the Yankees, Giants, Rangers, Liberty, and US Women's National Soccer team, but also to honor presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Olympic athletes in 1924 returning from the Paris Games, Charles Lindbergh after the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight, essential workers after COVID-19, and many more.

It's a path that honors the present while also celebrating the achievements of the past. Much like the Knicks players did on Thursday. So, yes, the parade wasn't perfect. It was chaotic, claustrophobic, and messy. It was also energetic, invigorating, and welcoming. The perfect dichotomy to represent its city and the residents who just wanted to experience any sliver of the excitement.

"I did it," said a young woman on the J train as it rose from underground and started to traverse across the Williamsburg Bridge. "I came, and I saw, and I almost conquered. But I was there." At the end of the day, being there, however close "there" actually was, was all that mattered.

MLB owners propose banning high school signings, adding an international draft

Baseball owners proposed banning high school players from signing with major league teams, raising the age for international amateurs and slashing the money spent on signing bonuses in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement Thursday.

The amateur draft for players residing in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico would be cut from 20 rounds to 12 beginning in 2027 under the proposal Major League Baseball made during a bargaining session with the players’ association. An identical 12-round draft would be started for international prospects, a proposal the union has rejected in the past.

Starting in 2028, a prospect for the amateur draft would have to be at least 20 years old by the Sept. 1 of his signing year and two years removed from the graduating year of his high school class — a restriction that also would eliminate players who completed their first year of junior college.

The amateur draft started in 1965, high schoolers have been eligible along with college players who are in or have just finished their junior years.

Raising signing ages would likely lead to players being older when they become eligible for free agency, which currently requires six years of major league service.

MLB cited increased revenue in college baseball as reasoning. In addition, MLB said 75% of high schoolers signed from 2012-19 did not reach the major leagues.

“Expanded scholarships, NIL opportunities, revenue sharing and significant investments in facilities and player development have made college baseball an increasingly important pathway that is producing major league-ready talent at an accelerated rate,” MLB said in a statement. “By creating a draft system centered around college-aged players and making most college players eligible one year earlier, more players will benefit from both a college education and an elite development environment while reaching professional baseball — and ultimately the major leagues — more quickly.”

MLB said it will not seek to reduce the 120 minor league teams in the top four levels when it negotiates new professional development licenses in 2030 to replace expiring 10-year deals.

For international amateurs, the age to sign would be raised to 18 on the Sept. 1 of their signing year, up from 17.

Each separate draft would have $200 million in signing pools in 2027. There would be hard caps for each draft.

Teams would be able to trade draft picks but a club couldn’t trade its first-round pick in consecutive drafts. A team couldn’t acquire more than three additional selections among the first three rounds.

Spending on signing bonuses for players eligible for the 2025 amateur draft totaled about $402 million and signing bonus pools for 2026 increased by 2.5%.

Each team would have the same amount to spend under the proposal rather than the current system which gives higher pools to teams with poorer records in the previous year. Pittsburgh is at just over $19 million this year and the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers at slightly under $4 million. Teams currently can go over their pools and often do as much as 5%.

Teams have spent about $193 million on signing bonus for international amateurs in 2026. The current signing period runs from Jan. 15 to Dec. 15 each year, but the initial international draft would be no earlier than September 2027 and no later than March 2028.

MLB proposed eliminating competitive balance round picks that began in 2023 and cutting the draft lottery that started in 2023 from the top six picks to four.

Bargaining began May 13 and the sides exchanged initial proposals two weeks later as management proposed a salary cap for the first time since 1994, which resulted in a 7 1/2-month strike and the first cancellation of the World Series in 90 years.

Capitals sign coach Spencer Carbery to a multiyear contract extension

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — The Washington Capitals have signed coach Spencer Carbery to a multiyear contract extension.

The team announced the move Thursday and did not provide any additional details on the length or terms of the deal.

Washington missed the playoffs this past season for the first time in three seasons under Carbery. In 2024-25, the Capitals captured the top seed in the Eastern Conference and won a playoff series for the first time since 2018. Carbery won the Jack Adams Award as the league's top coach that season.

The 44-year-old Carbery is 134-83-29 with Washington. The Capitals are eighth in the league in point percentage since hiring him.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

Mets' Francisco Lindor, Tyrone Taylor to begin rehab assignments Friday with Double-A Binghamton

The Mets announced that shortstopFrancisco Lindorand outfielder Tyrone Taylor will begin rehab assignments on Friday with Double-A Binghamton. 

According to manager Carlos Mendoza, the plan is for Lindor to play five or six innings on Friday, and then have an off day on Saturday. Lindor will play in at least two rehab games, per Mendoza, and the club will then decide the next steps.

"This is a guy who knows himself better than anybody, and he's going to let us know if he needs more at-bats or physically how he's feeling, and we'll go from there," Mendoza said.

Lindor has been out of action since April 22 due to a calf strain, but the shortstop recently appeared in simulated games, a clear indication that a rehab stint was imminent. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns also said recently that he expected Lindor back in big league action by the end of June.

Once Lindor returns, Bo Bichette will swing back to third base, and Brett Baty will move back into more of a utility role.

In 24 games this season, Lindor is hitting .226 with two home runs, five RBI, and 14 runs scored.

As for Taylor, the veteran was placed on the IL on May 26 with a right hip flexor. The 32-year-old is hitting just .186 this season, but he provides outstanding outfield defense and would give the Mets another right-handed bat off the bench. 

MLB proposes sweeping draft changes, including ban on high school picks

Major League Baseball is seeking to radically overhaul the amateur draft that would eliminate players from being immediately drafted out of high school, requiring them to be at least 20 years old, in their latest proposal to the players union Thursday that the union blasted.

"MLB made another set of proposals that are flat-out bad for baseball, ones that would cripple the next generation of players and damage the future of our game," Bruce Meyer, interim executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, said in a statement.

MLB’s proposal, which would begin in 2028, would require players to be at least 20 years old by Sept. 1 of their draft year, and at least two years after their high school graduation. MLB is also seeking to reduce the draft from 20 rounds to 12 rounds with a $200 million draft pool – a reduction from $358.7 million – while also implementing a 12-round international draft.

The proposal was called "the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard in my life," by one veteran agent, with one MLB scouting director saying, "let’s just kill the game!"

MLB’s proposal would eliminate more than $1 billion in player compensation from the international and domestic system over the next five years, with a $400 million reduction in 2026-2027, Meyer said. He also believes it would "destroy fundamental player rights and remove talent from our sport by barring high school and junior college players (anyone under age 20) from the domestic draft." And delaying international signings until September 2027 would be "denying young international players the ability to start their professional careers."

"MLB has sent a edict to all teams development and scouting departments," powerful agent Scott Boras said. "They are not worthy of developing young players."

Boras continued: "They are berating franchises, they are berating players, and berating the game for even suggesting this."

The proposal would incentivize players to attend college, MLB says, allowing them to develop in college while still being paid with NIL funds. Players wouldn’t necessarily need to be an active college player but could be drafted after playing in independent baseball or an MLB Draft League. In return, MLB would lower the qualification for college players to be drafted after their sophomore season instead of their junior year.

MLB lauds the success of collegiate programs, saying it has become "become increasingly central to developing future Major Leaguers" with 75% of MLB players having played in college.

Yet, several MLB scouts told USA TODAY Sports that they vehemently disagree, and that the new draft eligibility would be a detriment to the development of players.

"College baseball is not set up for development," one scouting director said. "It’s to win games. So many freshmen don’t even get to play."

Said Boras: "Any good college coach plays their seniors and juniors so this group going to college would not be playing. These older players will be taking up their playing time. That’s why we have professional choices. You’re playing 60 games in college. Playing professionally, you learn how to play 140 games. You learn how to psychologically survive the game."

While Boras and others insist the new proposal is designed strictly to save money and assure that players won’t be able to hit free agency early to capitalize on their skills, MLB says that the college ranks will prepare players quicker to make the transition to MLB.

"Over the last several years, college baseball has undergone a remarkable transformation," MLB said in a statement. "Expanded scholarships, NIL opportunities, revenue sharing, and significant investments in facilities and player development have made college baseball an increasingly important pathway that is producing major league-ready talent at an accelerated rate. Today's top programs provide players with resources, competition, and national exposure that were unimaginable a decade ago.

"Our proposal is designed to build on that momentum to benefit the game at the college, minor league and major league levels. By creating a draft system centered around college-aged players and making most college players eligible one year earlier, more players will benefit from both a college education and an elite development environment while reaching professional baseball – and ultimately the major leagues – more quickly. We believe these changes will strengthen college baseball and deepen fans' connection to the next generation of major league stars."

MLB said that if their proposal is implemented, 86% of the top-40 college selections in the 2025 draft would have been eligible a year earlier under the new eligibility rules.

The new draft would also enable teams to trade first-round picks for the first time since the draft was implemented in 1965, but not in consecutive years. No club would be allowed to accrue more than three extra picks within the first three rounds of a draft. It also would require at least 10 players to attend the MLB Draft, and would receive a $50,000 draft bonus. There wasn’t a single first-round pick last year that attended the draft.

The proposal would not reduce the number of minor-league teams, which currently is at 120, MLB said, through at least 2030. MLB also is lowering the draft lottery selections from six to four, with no team eligible to receive a lottery selection for three consecutive years.

MLB also wants to implement a 12-round international draft. The international draft, which was proposed in the 2021 CBA in return for eliminating qualifying offers for free agents, would be 12 rounds and restricted to players who are at least 18 years old, with a signing-bonus pool of $200 million for 360 international players.

International players who aren’t drafted would be limited to a maximum $10,000 signing bonus while receiving a $30,000 bonus once they complete a full minor-league season.

Yet, as several MLB executives point out, the proposal means that kids born in the United States would actually be penalized, having to wait two years longer than international players to sign MLB contracts.

"It is long past time to reform the international amateur system in ways that would address longstanding challenges and benefit future players," MLB said in a statement. "The enhanced transparency of the International Draft that we are proposing is a common-sense step forward that best addresses the root causes of corruption in the current system.

"Our vision for the new international system reduces the pressure on young athletes by giving them the chance to grow and develop, keeps kids in school longer while they pursue a career in baseball, and creates more playing opportunities for the older players who are left behind in today’s system."

The draft would help diminish the corruption in foreign countries, MLB says, with teams reaching deals with kids who are 10 years or older, which has resulted in falsifying birth certificates with performance-enhancing drugs becoming more rampant. MLB also would implement an international scouting and medical combine for the top 300 international prospects.

The union believes MLB wants an international draft strictly as a cost-saving measure for clubs, just like the reasoning for a reduced domestic draft that would delay kids from entering the draft. The later they enter the draft, the later they hit free agency. The later they hit free agency, the older they’ll be. And the older they’ll be, the less money they’ll be paid.

Juan Soto signed with the Washington Nationals at 16, reached the big leagues at 19, and is the game’s highest-paid player with a $765 million contract. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays at 16, signed a 14-year, $500 million contract when he was 26. Bryce Harper was drafted first in the county when he was 17, reached free agency at 26 years old, and signed for $330 million with the Phillies.

"Almost all of our top-level players in this game," Boras said, "teams invested in when they were young. That’s what this is all about. It’s about money. It’s not about the betterment of the game. They want them to be older in the game so they can create ceilings."

If the draft is reduced once again, with age restrictions and a hard slot, Boras predicts it will drive young athletes to other sports.

"Barring American boys of choices and representation will certainly redirect the best youth athletes to other sports," Boras said. "Franchises built their futures on the (Bobby) Witts, (Gunnar) Hendersons and (Elly) De La Cruzes, and in past drafts the (Bryce) Harpers, (Ken) Griffeys, A-Rods, and now they deny those players and teams the right of choice.

"NBA, NHL and international soccer is so happy about this decision as they offer youth choices for great athletes."

Follow Bob Nightengale on X at @Bnightengale

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB proposes draft overhaul: No high school players, age 20 minimum

Outlining Spencer Jones’ path to success in 2026

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 16: Spencer Jones #78 of the New York Yankees takes the field during the game against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium on June 16, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images) | Getty Images

On Tuesday night, with the Yankees down early against a surprising White Sox squad, Spencer Jones turned on an inside cutter and hit a laser of a home run into the second deck in right field. The blast, his second of the season and first career homer in the Bronx, was a definite boost for the rookie slugger.

Now in his second stint with the big club this season, Jones is looking more the part of a solid player. One of the organization’s top prospects headed into this season, he looked a bit overmatched following his first call-up. Since being recalled earlier in June, however, the big left-hander has made some nice strides.

Following his solid game against Chicago, he entered play on Wednesday with a .239/.340/.391 slash line, good for a 109 wRC+. Nothing jumps off the page, but that’s solid production for anyone, especially coming from a guy’s first 53 Major League plate appearances. But as the season progresses, the question of what constitutes a successful debut for Jones becomes more important, and an answer perhaps more clear.

The light tower power has always been Jones’ calling card, and will continue to be as he adjusts to the big leagues. FanGraphs gave him 70-grade raw power on his 2026 prospects report, and the numbers certainly back it up. In 2025, Jones played 116 games across the minors and belted 35 homers while slugging an impressive .571. Having turned 25 just last month, Jones’ excellent 2025 in the minor leagues was part of a consistently improving career in pro ball, and his call up this season was only a matter of time.

But, to answer that important question, we can’t just shift his minor league stats in what would be an unrealistic and likely over-optimistic view of his current state. Instead, his solid, but not necessarily eye-popping start to 2026 in the majors is a much more realistic look at what to expect.

His power will always be there, and he’s already done his job in proving that as he hits the ball exceptionally hard and with top shelf bat speed. Homers like the one we saw on Tuesday only prove what was already known about Jones, but the things that come with big time power, on top of the other skills the 25-year-old possesses, will be what keeps him afloat.

After a difficult stretch to begin his time in the majors, things have leveled out for Jones, and he’s beginning to rely on his keen eye at the plate more, which can serve him well as he continues to develop. To this point he’s managing an excellent 13.2 percent walk rate, which is higher than any rate he posted in a minor league season. It’s certainly a big part of his 109 wRC+, but will have to be while he finds his footing. Even if the strikeout rate remains troublingly close to 40 percent, and the holes in the swing stick around, being able to run into homers and walk more than ten percent of the time will be enough for the rookie.

Aaron Judge is out until later in the summer, Trent Grisham is on the shelf, and Giancarlo Stanton has suffered another setback, so a viable Jones in the lineup makes a world of difference for the Yankees. Even though his eventual return to the minors is perhaps more likely than not, there is certainly a gap to be filled. If Jones can continue to bash some homers, draw his walks, and keep up the good work with the glove while lineup stalwarts are on the shelf, it feels safe to call that a success.

His role may evolve, whether it shrinks or he hits enough to force himself into a spot, but at the moment Jones’ role is to fill the void while the injury bug bites. While his profile is one that can see some real lows along with the highs, the good stuff is of high enough quality that he can certainly get by, exactly as we’re seeing in this first cup of coffee. He’ll almost surely be a full-time player at some point in the near future, but for now, he doesn’t have to do much more to play his part.

SB Nation Reacts: Matthew Boyd will help the Cubs on his return

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Cubs fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.


Earlier this week, I posted this SB Nation Reacts survey asking you which of the Cubs’ three injured starters, Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele or Jameson Taillon, would help the Cubs the most on his return. Also included was a “none of these” option.

Here are the results:

Of the three, Boyd is likely closest to returning, though he did have a setback after his second rehab start June 6 for Triple-A Iowa. He is now scheduled to make another rehab start on Saturday, and presumably if that goes well, he could return next week during the road trip.

Boyd had a very good 2025, though was not throwing well so far this year. The knee injury that put him on the injured list for the second time this year wasn’t baseball-related, as you know, and hopefully he’ll be back to 100 percent soon. The Cubs could use a healthy Boyd.

Thirty-four percent of respondents to the survey said “none.” While that’s possible, I will remain more hopeful. And, of course, there’s the possibility of the Cubs acquiring some starting pitching help by trade before the Aug. 3 deadline.

Here are the results of the two national questions asked in the survey.

This result surprises me in that more than 40 percent of people who voted would blame players for a lockout. Let’s make it clear — a lockout is from ownership, period. Players can only go on strike, and since the CBA expires in December, that doesn’t give players any leverage to do that.

It is nearly 100 percent certain that owners will lock out players Dec. 1 when the CBA expires. What happens after that is … well, who knows. The Athletic polled players about a lockout and here are the results; they also polled fans and this article summarizes the results of that survey.

There should be no surprise at the results of this question. The Dodgers have been assumed to be at the top of the pile for most of this season. While they are riding two straight World Series titles, it should be remembered that the Blue Jays were one bad baserunning choice and one unbelievable catch from winning last year. It can be that random.

The Cubs, as you can see, did make it to the final list — but so did the surprising White Sox. Personally, I think that while the White Sox are clearly a vastly improved team over the 101-loss club of a year ago, they are going to fade and finish near .500. Of course, the way the American League is these days (only five teams over .500), that might be good enough for a postseason spot — or maybe even the AL Central title.


This edition of SB Nation Reacts is sponsored by FanDuel.

Ducks' Mason McTavish Expected To Be Traded, Red Wings Among Potential Landing Spots

TSN insider Darren Dreger reported Thursday that he believes Anaheim Ducks forward Mason McTavish will be moved, adding another high-profile name to what is shaping up to be a busy summer around the NHL.

The saga between McTavish and the Ducks has been a simmering one for some time. The former third overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft found himself bouncing around Anaheim's middle-six for much of last season, spending significant stretches on the third line and even finding himself a healthy scratch at times.

 Reports suggest the two sides have been at odds over playing time concerns, and a reportedly difficult negotiation process when hammering out his current contract appears to have driven a wedge between the player and the organization that has never fully healed. Now, the Ducks appear ready to move on and find a return that better suits their needs.

The timing creates a fascinating opportunity for the Detroit Red Wings, who have the assets and the roster flexibility to make a run at the 23-year-old. McTavish is entering just the second season of a six-year deal carrying a $7 million annual cap hit, a number that could look like a bargain in short order if he finally takes the next step that many in the hockey world have been waiting on since he was drafted.

The situation in Detroit, however, carries its own layer of urgency as team captain Dylan Larkin recently requested a trade, sending shockwaves through an organization that has spent years building around him as its cornerstone. That development adds a complicated dimension to any potential McTavish pursuit. 

On one hand, Larkin himself could conceivably be included in a package sent to Anaheim, giving the Ducks a proven, established center to build around while Detroit recoups significant value in return. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest newsgame-day coverage, and player features

On the other hand, landing a player of McTavish's caliber and upside could be exactly the kind of move that gives Larkin reason to reconsider his request and buy back into what the Red Wings are building. It is a delicate situation for Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman to navigate, but one that could ultimately define the direction of the franchise for years to come.

At six-foot-one and 221 pounds, McTavish brings a physical presence and two-way capability that would fit well in Detroit with or without Larkin in the fold. If Larkin stays, McTavish could slide onto the top line at left wing alongside Larkin and Lucas Raymond, giving that unit a power forward dimension it has at times lacked. 

If Larkin is dealt, McTavish could drop down and anchor the second line at center, taking on a more defined role and the opportunity to grow into the player his draft pedigree always suggested he could become.

McTavish has largely settled in as a 40 to 50 point player through his early NHL career, productive but not yet the star many projected when Anaheim selected him third overall five years ago. The Red Wings will need to find a deal that reflects where McTavish is right now while leaving room for the upside that still very much exists.

Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

Image

For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.

MLB's new radical proposal could eliminate high school draft eligibility

Major League Baseball proposed a sweeping overhaul of its draft eligibility system on Thursday, June 18, including the elimination of high school draftee eligibility as a part of the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with the MLBPA.

Under the proposal, players would become draft-eligible following their sophomore year of college. Currently, players who enroll in college cannot enter the draft until after their junior season or upon turning 21, whichever comes first.

"Over the last several years, college baseball has undergone a remarkable transformation," MLB said in a statement. "Expanded scholarships, NIL opportunities, revenue sharing and significant investments in facilities and player development have made college baseball an increasingly important pathway that is producing major league-ready talent at an accelerated rate."

The number of high school players selected in the draft has already declined in recent years as college baseball has become more attractive. In 2021, there were 115 high schoolers drafted. By 2025, that number had fallen to 96.

This announcement comes just one month before the 2026 MLB Draft, which will see a number of elite high school players drafted. Of the 334 players invited to the MLB Draft Combine next week, 140 players are in high school.

If approved, the proposal would allow for more high-level talent to enter the college baseball landscape, giving players additional time to develop before entering the professional ranks. At the same time, it would allow college players to enter the draft a year earlier than under current rules, potentially leading to younger rosters across the league. 

“Our proposal is designed to build on that momentum to benefit the game at the college, Minor League and Major League levels. By creating a Draft system centered around college-aged players and making most college players eligible one year earlier, more players will benefit from both a college education and an elite development environment while reaching professional baseball – and ultimately the Major Leagues – more quickly."

The proposal also featured several other significant changes, including reducing the draft from its current 20 rounds to 12, establishing an international amateur draft and cutting the draft bonus pool from $358.7 million to $200 million.

Under MLB’s proposed international draft, players residing outside the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada would enter a separate 12-round selection process. The draft would be restricted to players who are at least 18 years old, as opposed to 16 under the current system.

The proposal represents the opening stages of negotiations between MLB and MLBPA. The current CBA isn't set to expire until Dec. 1.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB draft proposal to MLBPA could end the drafting of high school players

Mariners Game #76 Preview and Discussion: BAL at SEA, 6/18

Jun 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo (22) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

The Mariners and Orioles will face off Wednesday to settle both this three-game set and their season series.

Bryan Woo gets the ball for the M’s, and he is likely thrilled to be back home and making a start in the friendly confines of T-Mobile Park. This season, Woo’s home/away splits have differed drastically, with better performance in almost every major statistical category at home. He features a 2.07 FIP in Seattle, in contrast to 4.28 everywhere else. We’ll see how that factors in against an Orioles lineup that pieced him up for seven runs in his last start in Baltimore only a week ago.

The O’s will start righty Shane Baz, who the Mariners did not face in their four-game set last week.

Lineups

Josh Naylor is back in the lineup after missing a couple of games with a wrist issue; he’ll be closely monitored to see how he responds. Mitch Garver will do the catching, while Cal Raleigh gets a DH day in his third game back from the injured list.

Injury updates

Julio Rodríguez is being given a rest day after leaving last night’s game with a hamstring spasm, though he could be available off the bench. He was active during pregame today.

Luke Raley has been dealing with back tightness, but it’s the flu that’s now keeping him away from the team; he is expected to be back at the ballpark tomorrow. In addition, Cooper Criswell received a PRP injection today and will be down 2-3 weeks before he can begin building back up for a return to the roster.

Game Information

First Pitch: 1:10 p.m. PDT

TV:Mariners.TV, with Aaron Goldsmith, Angie Mentink and sideline reporter Ryan Rowland-Smith

Radio: 710 AM Seattle Sports, with Rick Rizzs and Shannon Drayer

Thursday afternoon Orioles game thread: at Mariners, 4:10 ET

May 4, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Shane Baz (34) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

The Orioles’ first two games on the West Coast this season have brought mixed results. Game one in Seattle was a stinker for the offense, which generated just one hit and no runs after the first inning in a lamentable 3-1 loss. But the Birds rebounded last night with a well-played 5-3 win that featured a couple of dingers and a Kyle Bradish masterpiece to even the series.

A win tonight to take the rubber game would be a boon for the Orioles, especially as they head into a three-game series tomorrow against the two-time defending champion Dodgers. And it’s not an unreasonable request. The O’s get a rematch against the Mariners’ Bryan Woo, whom they clobbered at Camden Yards last week. The Orioles saddled Woo with a career-worst seven runs, doing most of their damage in a six-run third inning that featured homers by Colton Cowser and Pete Alonso. I’m not expecting lightning to strike twice, but maybe the Birds can at least scratch a couple of runs against Woo, even if they don’t torch him again.

The O’s are using the same lineup against Woo as they did last time, except subbing in the scalding hot Blaze Alexander instead of Coby Mayo at third. I approve. On the mound for the Orioles is Shane Baz, who sweated through a laborious five-inning effort against the Padres in Baltimore last Friday. Perhaps Baz will find the more temperate environs of T-Mobile Park to be more up his alley. He won’t have to deal with M’s star center fielder Julio Rodríguez, who left last night’s game with hamstring spasms and is out of the lineup today.

Orioles lineup:

LF Taylor Ward
SS Gunnar Henderson
DH Adley Rutschman
1B Pete Alonso
C Samuel Basallo
RF Leody Taveras
CF Colton Cowser
3B Blaze Alexander
2B Jackson Holliday

RHP Shane Baz

Mariners lineup:

3B J.P. Crawford
DH Cal Raleigh
1B Josh Naylor
RF Dominic Canzone
2B Cole Young
SS Colt Emerson
C Mitch Garver
CF Victor Robles
LF Miles Mastrobuoni

RHP Bryan Woo

Report: Former Senator Alex Formenton Now Officially An Unrestricted Free Agent

The Senators have reportedly given up the NHL playing rights to Alex Formenton.

According to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch, who quoted league sources, Formenton was removed from the club's free agent list last month after Stephen Halliday was re-signed.

So that means Formenton's status flips from restricted to unrestricted free agent.

That probably doesn't change a lot for the 26-year-old, whose NHL rights could have been acquired from the Sens for even the smallest of compensation. 

Steve Warne and Gregg Kennedy discuss on Sens Nation how the NCAA eligibility rules can complicate NHL Draft evaulation.

Formenton was one of five players involved in a sexual assault trial that concluded last summer. All five were declared not guilty on all charges, and the judge stated in her findings that she did not find the complainant's evidence to be "credible or reliable."

The Senators announced last year that they wouldn't be bringing Formenton back and set about trying to trade his rights. But he hasn't played an NHL game in four years and now seems quite comfortable playing in Switzerland, putting up 23 points in 42 games this season. 

Formenton is truly one of the game's fastest skaters and was chosen with the 2017 second-round pick the Senators got when they traded Curtis Lazar to Calgary. While Formenton played in parts of four seasons with the Sens, he only played one full NHL season. He scored 18 goals and 32 points in 79 games in 2021-22.

After being cleared of all charges, Formenton, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, and Cal Foote were then cleared to play by the NHL, but only Carter Hart has found NHL work again, helping lead the Vegas Golden Knights to within two victories of the Stanley Cup this spring.

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

Why Haven't The Senators Re-Signed Claude Giroux Yet?Why Haven't The Senators Re-Signed Claude Giroux Yet?Despite putting up the same numbers as he did the year before, the veteran star remains without a contract.

Canadiens’ Suzuki In Elite Company

It’s been a great season for Montreal Canadiens’ captain Nick Suzuki. Not only did he lead his team to the playoffs for a second consecutive season, but he also scored 101 points, reaching the 100-point mark for the first time in his career. He then helped the Habs to win their first two series of the Kent Hughes-Jeff Gorton era, putting up 16 points in 19 games and fulfilling key defensive missions. Over the last few years, he has established himself as Martin St-Louis’ go-to guy in most circumstances.

It used to be that his skills and efficiency were only recognized in Montreal. Still, his participation in the Olympics and in the 4 Nations Face-Off really opened some eyes, just like the ringing endorsement he got from Tampa Bay Lightning and Team Canada coach John Cooper. As a result, he managed to capture the first Frank J. Selke trophy of his career as the league’s top defensive forward.

Canadiens Urged To Tread Carefully
Canadiens Predicted To Trade Soaring Prospect To Land Center
Potential Canadiens Draft Target: Juho Piiparinen

This week, Sportsnet released an interesting ranking, showing which players put up the most points in the NHL when adding up the regular season and the playoffs, and while Suzuki doesn’t top the list, he’s not far behind. Despite being eliminated in the first round with his Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid leads the way with 144 points in 88 games. He’s followed by Nathan MacKinnon, who made it to the Western Conference Final with his Colorado Avalanche before being swept by the Vegas Golden Knights, but still has 142 points in 93 games to show for it. Nikita Kucherov, whose Lightning was taken down by the Habs in the first round, follows suit in third place with 136 points in 83 games.

Suzuki lands just at the foot of the podium, in fourth place with 117 points in 101 games, an impressive offensive output for a player who’s often tasked with defensive missions. It will be interesting to see what the centerman can come up with as an encore next season. Ever since joining the league, his production has trended up. Have we seen the ceiling yet? It appears doubtful. It stands to reason that if and when the Canadiens have a more menacing second line, Suzuki will have more breathing room on the ice, and his line won’t be seen as the only one opponents must contain.


Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @karinehains.bsky.social and Threads @karinehains.  

Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens.

Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.

Subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here

Luka Dončić has had ‘constant communication’ with Lakers, wants ‘A-list center’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts from the bench against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The build-up to the Lakers’ 2026 offseason started before Luka Dončić even joined the Lakers, but his arrival placed a larger microscope over what is about to unfold.

After a season-and-a-half of cobbling together pieces to try to maximize Luka as best as they can, the Lakers’ front office has books as clean as they’ll ever have, multiple draft picks to trade and a massive opportunity in front of them. Now, they head into a summer likely to bring big changes.

While it’s the likes of President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka and those around him who will be under pressure, this will be a collaborative effort between the front office and Luka. As Dave McMenamin of ESPN reported on Tuesday, even with Luka back in Slovenia this summer, the two sides have stayed in regular contact.

Doncic is spending the summer in Slovenia with his daughters, Gabriela and Olivia, but sources close to him told ESPN he is in “constant communication” with Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick.

From the moment Luka joined the franchise, his input has been not just received, but sought after. Days after they traded for him, the front office met with Luka, who expressed his desire for a center. It was right after that conversation that the team initially traded for Mark Williams.

The problem is that, 16 months later, the Lakers are still searching for that center. And, as reported by McMenamin, that remains at the top of Luka’s wish list.

While the 27-year-old Doncic is preparing for another season squarely in his prime, he has made one roster preference clear to Pelinka and Redick, sources said.

It’s the same one he made in the days after he first arrived in Los Angeles 16 months ago.

“Luka’s first and foremost desire is an A-list center,” the source said.

It really feels like the Lakers have to move past the days of searching for the bargain option at center and pay up to get a top option. Having a genuine, lob-catching, rim-protecting center that Luka can get the best out of not only opens up the offense for him, but the team as a whole. It really changes the identity of the team and should be not just Luka’s top priority, but the team’s as well.

There are any number of ways the team can go about acquiring that type of player, whether through free agency, trade or the draft. But this summer has been a long time coming and the Lakers should be well-prepared for what’s to come.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude or on Bluesky at @jacobrude.bsky.social.