PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 26: The sneakers worn by Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the game against the Boston Celtics during Round One Game Four of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
When Cole Caufield scored the overtime game-winning goal on Thursday night, it was more than just the goal that helped the Montreal Canadiens beat the Utah Mammoth; it also helped him set a new NHL record.
With that lamplighter, the 15th of his career in overtime, he became the fastest player in league history to score 15 overtime goals. The American winger took just 384 games to reach that milestone. In the process, he overtook some elite players in the 15-overtime-goals club. Connor McDavid held the record until Thursday night, having needed 559 games to reach the milestone. Sebastian Aho is now in third place; he needed 645 games to reach the 15-OT-goal club, while Alexander Ovechkin did it in 653 games.
In other words, it took Caufield 175 games less than it took McDavid to score 15 OT goals. The mark needs context; the young Canadiens haven’t always been good at closing out a game in regulation or protecting a lead, which gave Caufield plenty of opportunities to score overtime goals. Not trying to take anything away from the sniper, but Montreal has struggled to win in regulation for quite a while.
In 2020-21, the Habs only had 17 wins in 60 minutes; in 2021-22, the Canadiens were dead last in regulation wins with just 16. The year after, in 2022-23, they were 27th in the league with 21 regulation wins. In 2023-24, they were 28th with just 20 victories before extra time. In 2024-25, they climbed to 21st place with 30 regulation wins; last season, they were ninth in the league with 34.
In 2020-21, despite playing only 10 regular-season games, the sniper scored two overtime goals; in 2021-22, Caufield added two more. In 2022-23, he played only 46 games and scored no overtime goals. In 2023-24, he had 3, followed by 1 the following year, five last season, and two in just 16 games this year.
Whichever way you slice it, Caufield remains an incredibly clutch player, and the Canadiens can thank their lucky star that he fell all the way to 15 in the 2019 draft. Given how many goals he can score, it shouldn’t surprise anyone when other players try to get him off his game, just like MacKenzie Weegar did on Thursday night.
While spring training gets all the hype when it comes to baseball in Arizona, locals know that the Arizona Fall League is where the true baseball joy is to be found. The weather is typically much more conducive to spectating, and while Cactus League prices are barely indistinguishable from a regular season game, basically the price of a movie ticket – $14 – gets you any open seat in the park. Of course, you will be watching prospects rather than (five innings of!) major-league players. But that just gives you bragging rights, as many future stars pass through the AFL. 27 players in this year’s MLB All-Star Game were AFL graduates, so you will get to say “I saw him when…”
Last night, I met up with ish95 and Mrs. ish95, and went to Peoria. There, the Rafters (including players from the D-backs farm system) were taking on the Javelinas. It’s been a while since I’ve attended a game at the Peoria Sports Complex. I think the last time I was at the stadium was getting a COVID vaccine! But I do like that it’s right in the middle of the 83rd Avenue Entertainment District, offering lots of options for food before or after the game. We went to Firebirds’ Grill, and their Phillie Cheesesteak Egg Rolls come highly recommended. From there, it’s only two mins to the park, with free and easy parking. The announced attendance of 397 certainly helps in that department!
I will say, the park is beginning to show its age. Built in 1994, of the six AFL stadiums, only Scottsdale (1992) is older – and it underwent a $50 million renovation in 2020. Peoria has had little more than a lick of paint in the past decade. It’s still serviceable, to be sure. But I noticed stuff like a folding table, parked upside down on top of the visitors’ dugout. It had clearly been there for a while, going by it being full of water, presumably from the rain over the weekend. Hoping I don’t come down with West Nile Virus. There were plenty of other insects around – Mrs. ish95 was freaked out by the arrival of CricketZilla. But that’s probably an inevitable result of baseball under the floodlights.
The game ended 5-3 to the Javelinas and was… interesting. It wasn’t very well-played, to be honest. Was chatting to Jack Sommers about it, and he said, “The quality of the AFL has gone down in recent years. There are fewer and fewer good pitchers, and it has skewed towards younger, less developed position players. Fifteen years ago it was much better quality.” Certainly, last night was… interesting. The teams combined for only six hits, but the pitchers issued no less than twenty-two free passes – nineteen walks and three hit batters. Add to that, three wild pitches, a balk (more on which shortly), a disengagement violation and three pitch timer violations. Yeah. Not exactly crisply pitched.
But if anyone had a bad night, it was Salt River Rafters catcher Miguel Rodriguez, despite delivering the entire visitors’ offense with a three-run homer in the second inning. For the Javelinas ran wild, stealing twelve bases on him, in thirteen attempts. Worse still was his error in the eighth (one of a total of four in the game). I can’t be certain – no replays – but it looked like he dropped his mask on a foul ball before it had been called dead. That gave all base-runners an extra base, and brought home the go-ahead, and what turned out to be the winning, run for the Javelinas. I kinda feel that kind of thing would be barely excusable at the high-school level.
Three Diamondbacks prospects got into the game. Demetrio Crisantes started at 2B, batted second, and settled down after an ugly K in the first, drawing a pair of walks. Nathan Hall played LF, and got an extra life in the second inning, when a foul pop-up was dropped by the Javelina’s 1B. Hall then was hit, and scored on the Rodriguez homer. Hall then had the only other Rafters’ hit, with a solid double to left-center in the fourth. Joe Ariola came into the game as relief in the seventh, trying to protect what was a 3-2 Rafters’ lead at that point. But he walked the first two batters faced, and after a steal of third, still with no-body out, was in serious trouble.
To Ariola’s credit, he almost escaped. He got a comebacker to the first-base side of the mound for the first out, then a shallow fly-ball to right for the second. But the runner on third was dancing down the line, and coaxed Ariola into a throw over, called as a balk and scoring the tying run. Hard to tell – again, no replays. Ted Tom, the Rafters’ manager (he works in the Nats’ system) seemed unconvinced, and came out for a lengthy discussion with the umpires. I also noted at the end of the inning, Ariola had a significant conversation of his own with the home-plate official. I’m guessing he was getting clarification of what happened, and it was good to see him looking to learn from the experience.
To be honest, I think we were all a bit glad when it was over. Between the walks and the strikeouts (23 of those!), there weren’t very many balls in play, and the game felt considerably longer than its 2:58. The company was definitely better than the baseball, all told! Though a pro-tip: it may be Arizona, but the temperature will still drop after the sun goes down. Evening games can get more than slightly chilly by the time of the final pitch. But it is still something you can’t do anywhere else except Arizona. And with the lockout looming, who knows when the next chance we will have to watch professional baseball?
AFL updates
Just to fill in the overall progress of our guys. The loss dropped the Rafters to 13-13, leaving them 2.5 back of the league-leading Javelinas and Surprise Saguaros, with just three games to play before the playoffs at the end of next week (the AFL All-Star Game takes place this weekend). Four teams get in, and it’s between the Rafters, Scottsdale Scorpions and Mesa Solar Sox for the third and fourth places. Crisantes is batting .258, but has as many walks as strikeouts and a .734 OPS. Hall is doing even better there, with a K:BB of 7:13 – that gives him an OBP of .424, despite batting only .161. But 3B Yassel Solar continues to struggle, having gone 5-for-46, an average of just .109.
On the mound, despite Ariola’s wobble last night, he’s still doing well. Those were the first two walks of his AFL campaign, and a K:BB of 10:2 across 7.1 innings is pretty respectable, along with a 3.38 ERA. Patrick Forbes is also looking impressive, his K:BB being 11:3 over 8.1 IP, to go alongside is 2.16 ERA. Unfortunately, Luke Craig has not been able to complete a trifecta of quality. His seven outings in the AFL have covered a total of just four innings, giving up seven hits, five walks and nine runs (albeit three unearned), with three strikeouts, and an ERA of 13.50. John West (ERA 14.29) has also struggled, and Connor Foley has somehow managed to make five scoreless outing, and is 2-for-2 in save opportunities despite walking seven batters in four innings.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - NOVEMBER 4: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks down the floor during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on November 4, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 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 Joshua Gateley/Getty Images) | Getty Images
If you’ve been online recently, you may have noticed that Donovan Mitchell has… pissed off a lot of Cleveland Cavaliers fans.
Twitter is ablaze with criticism. People want him traded. Some regret that he was ever traded for. Mitchell has become the crux of all problems; the shot-chucking ‘dictator’ who will never be the primary option on a championship team.
But everyone has it backwards; Donovan Mitchell needs to shoot more.
Mitchell’s field goal attempts and usage rate are at career lows to start the year.
His assist percentage and shot chart are nearly identical to previous seasons.
That means Mitchell has less control over the offense than ever, despite some insisting that he’s grown into a ball-dominant tyrant.
How did we get here? And why are fans feeling such a disconnect?
Mitchell has always been a scorer more than a passer. He currently ranks in the 41st percentile in assist-to-usage ratio — a stat that tracks how often a player is ending their possessions with an assist rather than a shot attempt or turnover.
This means that roughly half of the league’s players are more likely to get an assist on any given possession than Donovan Mitchell. That can lead to games where it feels like Mitchell is hogging the ball while leaving his teammates hanging.
That gung-ho play style caused some frustration throughout last year’s playoffs, and the complaints have carried into this year.
Fans want to know why Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen aren’t getting the ball. Why do their leads disappear so often? And why haven’t the Cavs gotten over the hump despite a roaring regular season?
Some have identified Mitchell’s lack of playmaking as the problem.
Which, in fairness, is certainly a factor. Cleveland has lost big games in the past due to Mitchell’s shot selection. He doesn’t always make the right decision with the ball in his hands — and that can be difficult to watch as a fan.
But we should reframe this discussion. Let’s start here.
Donovan Mitchell isn’t a point guard. And maybe, he doesn’t have to be.
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander was in the 29th percentile for assist-to-usage ratio when the Oklahoma City Thunder won the championship. He’s in the 0th percentile now.
Some people score; others pass.
The truth is, championship-caliber players are allowed to have weak points. You are not disqualified if you can’t do everything on your own.
Giannis Antetokounmpo never learned how to shoot. Nikola Jokic never became an elite defender. And the New York Knicks didn’t win a championship last June because Jalen Brunson suddenly became an elite playmaker — they won because they delegated more playmaking responsibilities to Karl-Anthony Towns — leaving space for Brunson to do what Brunson does best… score the ball.
All of those teams identified their star’s weakness, and built a roster around them that could insulate them.
The Cavs need a similar solution. They need someone who can take playmaking off of Mitchell’s plate.
Darius Garland was the original fit. And, for a while, he would thread the needle beautifully. He sent the defense scattering into motion while Mitchell would catch the ball against a defense already on their back feet. That dynamic led to 64 wins — but unfortunately, Garland couldn’t stay healthy.
James Harden was the next option. He’s been more available than Garland, which was enough to help bolster the team to an Eastern Conference Finals run.
But Harden’s style differs from Garland’s. He’s slower-paced, favoring a heliocentric style that inhibits stationary spacing around him. The result is fewer chances for Mitchell to attack in motion, nerfing his greatest strength as a slasher who can attack gaps.
All of this has culminated in the Cavs (and fans online) asking Mitchell to be more of a playmaker. But that is a fundamental misunderstanding of who he is — and how you win in the NBA by playing to your strengths.
Let’s back up for a second.
I want to be clear that I am not advocating for Mitchell to go full Dion Waiters and ignore the other four Cavaliers sharing the court with him at any given time. He still needs to pass the ball — and he needs to choose the right moments to assert himself as a scorer.
You can’t win by playing like a bull in a China shop. There has to be a delicate balance between scoring in bunches and releasing control of the offense to someone else. That’s the key here.
Mitchell will never be a point guard. Any system that asks him to make reads at that level will learn the hard way. You can’t force a square peg into a round hole.
You can, however, build a competitive team that understands who Mitchell is.
We know for a fact that Mitchell can go nuclear as a scorer in the playoffs. We’ve seen it multiple times.
But who can grab the reins and facilitate those high-scoring performances? Who is the Karl-Anthony Towns to his Jalen Brunson in this scenario?
The Cavs are still hoping that will be Harden. Additional support from Mobley would be welcomed. Whether that will be enough is certainly worth questioning.
But here’s another cold, hard truth: Making it to the top of the mountain is hard. If we’re being honest, it’s damn near impossible. This franchise had the greatest player alive for 11 seasons and only made it to the finish line once.
Cleveland would need a myriad of miracles to win a championship with this group. Even if everything went right, they could still fall short. That’s just the way it goes.
That’s why sticking true to your identity is more important than anything. Being a bad version of someone else will always be inferior to being the best version of yourself.
I don’t think Mitchell will lead Cleveland to a title through his playmaking. That feels like jumping the shark.
The Cavs do need him to be better defensively and to make better reads offensively, but that doesn’t necessarily mean relinquishing his role as one of the highest-volume scorers in the league. That’s who he is — that’s who the team traded for.
Mitchell needs to be a world-class scorer. Nearly all of his attention on offense should be centered on getting his shot. Passing will always come second. Winning or losing comes down to Mitchell taking and making the big shots. That was the primary difference between him and Brunson last season.
Of course, any team would prefer a superstar who is capable of blending elite scoring with masterful playmaking and impactful defense. But, you work with what you have — and the Cavs have a dynamic scorer, not a floor general.
Accepting Mitchell’s true nature and having the supporting cast insulate him with their playmaking is the most realistic path forward. It’s the only path forward.
The Buffalo Sabres wasted an excellent performance from Colten Ellis in the opener of their four-game homestand against Ottawa on Wednesday, as Shane Pinto and Michael Amadio scored in the final 10 minutes of regulation to hand the Atlantic rival Senators a 2-1 victory.
After the game, head coach Lindy Ruff indicated he was not pleased with his club’s effort, stating that they were outskated and outworked, and because of that, the Sabres have scratched two players who have been in the lineup for every one of their 15 games.
Center Ryan McLeod, whose lost defensive zone draw and failed coverage led to Pinto’s tying goal, did not take line rushes at the club’s morning skate on Friday in preparation for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Defenseman Louis Crevier, who played a team-low 8:05 on Wednesday is also expected to be a healthy scratch.
Prior to Wednesday’s game, Ruff said that both forward Jiri Kulich and defenseman Conor Timmins were ready to return to the lineup. Kulich took McLeod’s spot on the wing with Josh Norris and Jason Zucker, while Timmins is expected to pair with Zach Metsa.
"(McLeod) knows he needs to be better,” Ruff said. “He’s taken full responsibility (for the miscue) and understands. It's not about not playing tonight; it's really about what the next game is going to look like. When you meet with a player and you go through details of the game, there’s a lot more to the game than just that faceoff."
Crevier, who signed a four-year, $16 million extension before the season, has just one assist in 15 games after scoring 25 points with Chicago last season, but Timmins, who was injured in the preseason after an excellent showing in the playoffs, is ready to make his first start of the campaign.
The Sabres will start Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in goal, The Blue Jackets are coming off a 2-1 shootout victory over Dallas on Thursday and will go with Jet Greaves in goal in the second of back-to-back games. Buffalo announced that they have placed defenseman Jack Rathbone on waivers. Rathbone was injured during training camp and needs to clear to be demoted to the AHL Rochester Americans.
Many were quick to remind the backup guard of his playing time during the NBA Finals, or lack thereof.
“Tyler Kolek and Taylor Swift played the same amount of minutes in the 2026 NBA Finals,” one fan wrote on X.
Another said: “Tyler Kolek wishes he could’ve performed for the Knicks in the finals.”
Singer Taylor Swift, Ben Stiller and Christine Taylor react during the NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Tyler Kolek and Taylor Swift played the same amount of minutes in the 2026 NBA Finals. https://t.co/kUqeUm7hsB
Kolek averaged 6.6 minutes per game across eight games played during the playoffs. He didn’t see any time in the five games against the Spurs in the Finals.
A third added: “If there’s one thing Taylor and tyler have in common is that they were both sitting court side during the finals.”
Swift was spotted at Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Cleveland alongside her Ohio-born husband Travis Kelce, much to the dismay of Knicks fans.
She was later seen at Game 4 of the NBA Finals and witnessed OG Anunoby’s historic tip-in alongside Knicks fan favorite Mariska Hargitay and Haim sisters Alana and Este. Swift wore a blue shirt that read “Stevie Knicks” in orange letters.
“Well, there it is. Tyler Kolek just rang his Karma bell. No one can save him now.”
Taylor Swift jokes around with a friend before Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Jason Szenes for the New York Post
"Don't rip Taylor Swift… she's a New Yorker; she's been coming to Knicks games since you've been at Marquette." @AdamSchein on the Tyler Kolek-Taylor Swift drama
A Knicks spokesperson released a statement in defense of Swift’s fandom.
“Taylor Swift has been a Knicks fan for many years, has a long history with Madison Square Garden, and we are incredibly appreciative of her support of the organization,” the statement read.
When asked the question during an NBA 2K TikTok livestream on Thursday, Kolek said, “At the Knicks games, I would say it’s very performative because they just want to be seen at the game. They’re not necessarily fans.”
“Maybe Taylor Swift? I don’t know if I’ve seen her at any other games,” he added. “I guess she has a lot going on so she can’t come all the time. But it’s a little performative.”
New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) looks for an opening as Orlando Magic forward Jamal Cain (8) defends at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 25, 2026. Jason Szenes for NY Post
Others sided with Kolek on Friday.
“Lmao Kolek be knowing. She be rooting for the Knicks but she’s not a diehard. She isn’t Anne Hathaway,” one fan said.
The Wallabies have a squad capable of magic but doubts remain over whether their talents can be knitted into a great team
There are moments when Australia look like a team that can take on the world. Moments when they’re trailing by two in the 83rd minute at Twickenham and all of a sudden Len Ikitau has snapped an underhand pass through to Max Jorgensen and he’s haring down the wing to score in the corner. Moments when Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has ripped his way around Tom Curry, inside Bundee Aki, and over Tadhg Beirne, to send Tom Wright racing into the empty space of the British and Irish Lions backfield. Moments when they’re down to 11 men and defending a four-point lead with five to play against the Springboks, and somehow come out of it with a win.
And then there’s the rest of it. There’s never yet been a Wallabies team that didn’t have these flickers and sparks of ability in them, but it has been a long time since there has been one that could do it often enough, for long enough to win, and then all over again in the next Test and the one after. They lost all four Tests on tour in Europe last autumn, and two more in the summer besides. Then they went on an unbeaten run through six more against Italy, Japan, Argentina and South Africa before being knocked on to their backsides by the All Blacks in back-to-back defeats in the Bledisloe Cup, 31 points one week, 22 the next.
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 20: Iván Herrera #48 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 20, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The fact that you’re reading my words now likely means you’re a St. Louis Cardinals fan, but are you a writer, too? I ask this very important question because there is now an opportunity for you to combine your fandom with a keyboard and join our team of baseball writers here at Viva El Birdos.
One of our team had had family responsibilities require him to take a step back soon which means there will be an opening in our lineup soon that you might be the perfect fit for. Here are some basics that we’re looking for:
You must love the St. Louis Cardinals. This is not optional. You don’t have to agree with everything the ownership, management and team do, though. It can be fun when you don’t agree with something (or somethings) that the Cardinals are doing, but you must have a passion for the team.
You need to understand the importance of deadlines and follow through to provide unique content every single week including the off-season. We’re a relatively small team, but we rely on each other to keep interesting content available for the community every day.
You need to have at least a basic knowledge of WordPress. No previous professional writing experience is necessary, but you need to be up-to-speed on how digital content is put together. I’m happy to train, but Mr. Miyagi I am not.
You must love coming up with unique viewpoints of the St. Louis Cardinals. The team here loves analyzing roster construction, minor league prospects, potential trade targets and second-guessing managerial, ownership and President of Baseball Operations decisions.
Does all of this sound good to you? If so, I’d love to hear from you. I’m hoping to have our new team member ready to get started in December (just in time for the inevitable lockout!). Feel free to email me direct and introduce yourself. I promise to respond to all inquiries. Viva El Birdos has the most educated baseball community in the sport. I have no doubt that there’s someone who’s a part of it who’ll be the perfect fit to help VEB move forward. Is it you?
The likeness of James’ face isn’t shown in the advertisement. Instead, it’s just his back and his voice’s likeness.
Philadelphia 76ers forward LeBron James (23) signals a teammate against the Detroit Pistons in Detroit, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026. AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Exclusive: LeBron James sent a cease and desist to the Bron AI sports betting app for this ad that evokes his name and uses his likeness without authorization.
But there’s no question that the resemblance is uncanny, aside from the jersey being word says “Bron” on the back as opposed to “James”.
James has a distinctive back structure and numerous tattoos on his arms that are visible. The Bron AI app video includes them all, or at least those which would be visible from this same angle.
LeBron James’ AI-generated likeness in the Bron AI advertisement (X/@FOS).
And it would be easy to confuse the voice in the video with that of LeBron, given how similar the two sound.
But the way the video mimics LeBron’s walk at the end of the advertisement might be the eeriest moment of all, given how James’ distinct strut and swagger was recaptured.
LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on before a game against the Chicago Bulls in Philadelphia, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. Getty ImagesLeBron James’ AI-generated likeness in the Bron AI advertisement (X/@FOS).LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during a game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Oct. 20, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
The biggest difference between this AI-generated LeBron and the one in real life if the hair on AI LeBron’s head, compared to him now sporting a bald look.
Dončić’s likeness doesn’t appear in that same video, but he and his team clearly took issue with how it was portrayed somewhere else in the Bron AI app.
There was no way this likeness was ever going to be allowed to last longer than the few days it was before James’ team put an end to it.
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The New Jersey Devils begin a three-game road trip with a mission. It’s a get-right stretch, one where they hope to return to the brand of hockey that made them a juggernaut. This is particularly the message after the recent game against the St. Louis Blues, where they blew a 4-1 lead in the third period yet recovered and won 5-4 in overtime.
“Just get back to our game and keep playing a good brand of hockey,” Luke Hughes stated after the game as the team turns the page. The Devils were overconfident against the Blues and tried making highlight plays that almost cost them in the end. “That has been the furthest thing from our mind when we've been playing here of late. So that's the lesson,” head coach Sheldon Keefe added.
Keefe wants the Devils to play a disciplined and structured brand of hockey, especially when they have a late-game lead. A road trip is a good time to focus on that brand and for the Devils to win the way they have been doing so all season.
This road trip is a unique one. The Devils face the New York Islanders on Saturday night and then play the second of a back-to-back against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday. Then they wrap it up on Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets. It’s three different opponents that will test the Devils and dare them to win in multiple ways.
Is Hellebuyck Ready To Outduel An Elite Goaltender?
Hellebuyck reinvigorated the Devils, the fanbase, and the energy around the team. However, he hasn’t had any lights-out starts yet despite a 4-0 record. He has a .891 save percentage and a 2.44 goals-against average on 92 shots, with 0.1 goals saved above average.
It’s understandable for Hellebuyck to have a shaky start to the season considering he missed training camp and is adjusting to a new team. With each start, he’s slowly acclimating to the action and the workload, and the recent game was his toughest test as the Blues generated 32 shots.
Hellebuyck has faced some great offenses but has yet to face an elite goaltender on the other end. Ilya Sorokin was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2022-23 and 2025-26. He’s one of the few goaltenders in the NHL who can take over games with a dominant start.
The Devils might end up in a low-scoring game with the Islanders, especially if Sorokin is sharp from the opening puck drop. It will challenge Hellebuyck to outduel Sorokin, something he’ll want to prove he can do.
The Devils Offense Looks To Go Toe-To-Toe With The Maple Leafs Firepower
After a disappointing 2025-26 season, the Maple Leafs have bounced back, at least offensively. They average 3.65 goals per game, the fifth-most in the NHL. Auston Matthews and William Nylander are the star players leading the way, while Easton Cowan and Gavin McKenna have injected youth and an exciting flair into the offense.
The Devils have already been tested by high-octane offenses. They faced the Colorado Avalanche twice and the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. The Devils not only handled both offenses but outdueled them.
The Maple Leafs are led by a great offense but have also struggled on defense, allowing 3.24 goals per game. It sets them up to make games high-scoring and match them goal for goal. The Devils have the offense to do that and hope their high-end skill can once again deliver.
The Jets Will Provide The Devils & Hellebuyck With A Test Unlike Any They’ve Seen
The atmosphere in Winnipeg on Nov. 10 will be one of a kind. Hellebuyck makes his much-anticipated return, and the Jets fans will be ready with boos, chants, jeers, and everything in between.
What will make it unique is that Hellebuyck is a goaltender. The Islanders fans booed John Tavares in his return game every time he took the ice. Likewise, Brady Tkachuk was met with booing and chirping with every shift in his return game against the Ottawa Senators. A skater allows fans to stop and go, but what about a goaltender?
Needless to say, the fans will come prepared. They will likely boo Hellebuyck the moment he takes the ice for warmups, and if the Jets score, the fans will erupt much like they would for a goal in the playoffs.
This is a challenge for Hellebuyck and something the Devils must handle as well. The players must handle the intensity. Likewise, the Jets will feed off the energy from the crowd and give the Devils all they can handle. Even in a rough season for the Jets, this is one game they certainly won’t want to lose. It’s not a playoff game, but the players handling this environment will speak volumes about their ability to play under pressure.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 08: Reiver Sanmartin #48 of the San Francisco Giants pitches in the top of the seventh inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Oracle Park on September 08, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After extending Jacob Young this morning, Paul Toboni made another move. He acquired lefty reliever Reiver Sanmartin in exchange for minor league righty reliever Robert Cranz. Sanmartin is now the third player Toboni has acquired from the Giants in the past couple weeks. It is a move I am not particularly inspired by, but we should see Sanmartin in the big leagues next year.
We have acquired LHP Reiver Sanmartín from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for RHP Robert Cranz.
The Nats rotated through a ton of relievers last year, but there was one archetype that Toboni really seemed to like. Throughout last season, the Nats often had at least one soft tossing lefty who threw from a lower slot on the roster. Richard Lovelady, Tom Cosgrove and PJ Poulin are all examples of that. Sanmartin also fits into that grouping.
Sanmartin throws from a 22 degree arm angle, which is much lower than average. His fastball only averages 91.8 MPH, which is not impressive these days, even for a lefty. That means he has to rely on funk, movement and command to get outs. To be honest, these low slot lefties are not my favorite archetype. They have a low margin for error and are not very high upside.
Can’t say I am a huge fan of this one. Cranz had a really tough time in AAA but I liked his upside. Meanwhile, Sanmartin is a 30 year old low slot lefty without big league success who averages under 92 https://t.co/ckK2LlVLfA
Robert Cranz, the pitcher who the Nats dealt in this move, is someone I was keeping tabs on as well. The 23 year old was drafted in the 7th round of the 2024 draft, and has a unique arsenal. He averaged 95 MPH while having elite carry on his fastball despite throwing from a lower slot. Stuff models absolutely loved Cranz.
However, that raw stuff did not translate at all, at least in Triple-A. Cranz had a 2.25 ERA in High-A and a 3.42 ERA in Double-A. He also posted elite strikeout numbers at those levels. It was a different story once he got to Rochester though. Cranz had an ERA of 13.11 in 13 appearances before getting sent back to Double-A. That probably caused the Nats to give up on him.
I still do not know about the idea of giving him up for a 30 year old lefty who just got DFA’d. Sanmartin is also out of options, so the Nats have to roster him or risk him getting claimed on waivers. Last season, Sanmartin posted a 4.22 ERA in 21.1 innings. There are things he does well, but overall I am not a huge fan of this move.
Getting to the positives, Sanmartin is excellent at keeping the ball on the ground. He posted an elite 62.9% ground ball rate in 21.1 innings last year. Sanmartin also displayed good control, only walking 2.95 batters per 9 innings. Walks were something that haunted other low slot lefties on the Nats, but it was not a problem for Sanmartin. The 30 year old’s heavy sinker and good control gives him a path to success.
In 21.1 IP in 2026, Reiver Sanmartin posted a 62.9% GB-Rate
The Nats obviously fell short of the mark in the bullpen last season, but keeping the ball in the yard needs to be a priority moving forward.
I also wonder if the Nats think they could squeeze out another tick of velocity. If Sanmartin’s sinker could sit at 93, I think that would be a big deal. To go with the sinker, Sanmartin has a slider he throws to lefties and a changeup he throws to righties.
He is a pretty standard sinker-baller, but there are some things to like here. Despite being a ground ball heavy guy, his 10% barrel rate was quite high. Honestly, the Nats might think that is due for some positive regression.
It is not my favorite move, but I at least somewhat see the vision. Hopefully this does not stop us from getting a bigger name lefty reliever. Sanmartin is out of options, so that worries me. We will have to see what the Nats vision is for the lefty though. I would be a little uneasy about Sanmartin, Tolman and Will Dion being the options from the left side. A bit of an uninspiring move, but let’s see how this plays out.
Sunday’s hosts need to stop looking for excuses and focus on what they can control to kick off the Nations Championsip against battle-hardened Australia
Several things are increasingly guaranteed from an English rugby perspective around this time of year. Bang on cue the injury news and the weather both start to worsen. Cracks in the relationship between the players and their head coach, in this case Steve Borthwick, begin to surface. And as the crowds stream up from Twickenham railway station past the biltong and burger stalls, no one has much idea what to expect.
This year it has been the same old story. Particularly on the injury front. If Tom Curry, Alex Mitchell and Archie McParland had not all been hurt on the Bagshot training pitch, all three would probably be in England’s matchday 23. With Guy Pepper, Benhard van Rensburg, Sam Underhill, Kepu Tuipulotu and Chandler Cunningham-South also out of the running, the squad is not quite as fizzing with energy and dynamism as it might be.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 23: Jordan Walsh #27 of the Boston Celtics dribbles against the New York Knicks during second half of the Celtics Home Opener at TD Garden on October 23, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Knicks 107-103. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) | Getty Images
CHARLOTTE — Jordan Walsh isn’t thrilled with his start to the season. The 22-year-old has played double-digit minutes in every game and has been tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best players, as is customary.
But at Celtics shootaround Friday morning, Walsh said he was underwhelmed with his impact on the team so far.
“I think it’s been okay,” Walsh said. “I don’t think it’s been good or great or nothing like that. I think it’s been just okay. Haven’t been, like, the best version of myself, but the team’s winning, everybody’s happy, so it’s all good.”
Walsh started the first five games of the season but has come off the bench for the last three. He hasn’t shot particularly well — he’s shooting 38.2% from the field and 30% from three — but it’s all in a very small sample. So far, he’s averaging 4.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 15.4 minutes per night, both numbers slightly lower than last season.
“I haven’t been playing great — but the starting, not starting thing, it’s not about that,” Walsh said. “That’s just kind of like Joe’s thing, like he wants to try new things. Like, that’s fine. But I’m still playing the same amount of minutes. So, I still gotta produce in those minutes. Like, I gotta do that better.”
Walsh isn’t on the court to stuff the stat sheet; his defensive success sometimes shows up as steals or blocks, but more often, it’s more nuanced.
“For me, it’s more about the defensive impact, and a lot of the time that stuff doesn’t really show up in the box score,” Walsh said. “Like, it doesn’t show up how many times I negate a screen, or how many times the star player doesn’t get the ball that possession, just gives up. Like, it doesn’t track that kind of stuff. So it’s never really based off of that, anyway — that’s not where my value lies.”
Walsh’s minutes have been trending downwards as Hugo Gonzalez has slotted into the starting lineup. After playing 18 or more minutes in three of the Celtics’ first four games, he hasn’t played more than 12 minutes since October 27th.
While he knows his counting stats aren’t the priority, he said he wants to see a marked improvement in his defensive impact. It’s an imperfect stat, especially this early on, but he currently has the second-worst plus-minus on the team; the Celtics have been outscored by 10 points in his minutes so far this season (Mitchell Robinson has the worst total plus-minus on the team at -37).
“I still have a standard that I’ve set, and the organization has for me that I need to meet, even if it’s not scoring.”
WHITE PLAINS, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Dink Pate #1 of the Westchester Knicks drives to the basket during the game against the Cleveland Charge on February 21, 2026 at Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Luther Schlaifer/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
New York’s G League affiliate opens its 2026-27 season tonight against the Maine Celtics in the Tip-Off Tournament. The roster features three players on two-way contracts, a returning fan favorite (hint: he’s great on toast), and a collection of prospects hoping to dribble their way up to an NBA court.
With the Knicks operating near the second apron, Westchester provides a way to develop young players without committing additional standard roster spots. Two-way players can spend most of the season in White Plains while remaining available for NBA duty, subject to a limit of up to 50 games on the active roster. The G League has also given players like Deuce McBride and Tyler Kolek opportunities to get more work. Here’s a peek at the players worth watching.
Dalton Knecht: A second chance in New York
Of everyone on Westchester’s roster, Dalton Knecht has the clearest path to helping the big club this season. The 2024 first-round pick (17th overall) arrived after the Lakers waived him, with New York releasing Kevin McCullar Jr. to make room for Knecht on a two-way contract. This low-risk move could pay off if the former Tennessee star rediscovers his shooting touch and improves his court awareness, which was a criticism raised in the comments section at Silver Screen and Roll.
The 25-year-old made a promising debut for the New York Knicks this week, scoring 10 points on efficient 4-of-6 shooting (including two threes) with seven boards, a dime, and a block in 16 minutes off the bench in a rout of the Bulls. Finding consistent playing time will be difficult, however. With Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Landry Shamet, Pacôme Dadiet, and Mohamed Diawara competing for minutes on the wings, Knecht will probably need an injury or another opening to receive an extended look. (TBH, he already looks ahead of Dadiet.)
Coach Mike Brown has said he’d rather see Knecht playing meaningful minutes in the G League than sitting on the NBA bench. Makes sense. Knecht needs opportunities to shoot, make decisions, and work through mistakes. He has shown he can score, but questions remain about his defense, shot selection, and ability to contribute consistently as a role player.
If Knecht performs well enough, the organization could eventually consider converting him to a standard NBA contract, which would require sufficient roster and financial room. For now, he should get plenty of opportunities to let it fly against G League competition.
Tyler Nickel: A sniper
Speaking of flamethrowers . . . Tyler “Silent K” Nickel might be the most straightforward fit for what the Knicks need. New York selected the Vanderbilt sharpshooter with the 47th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft after an impressive senior season. He followed that with a promising Summer League showing and signed a two-way contract.
From what we’ve seen, Nickel moves well without the ball, finds open space, and punishes defenses for leaving him unattended. The big league Knicks have several players capable of creating offense, and a dependable perimeter shooter who doesn’t require many touches could fit nicely alongside them (see: Landry Shamet).
His defense will help determine how quickly the 23-year-old advances. He needs to prove he can handle quicker, stronger NBA bodies while maintaining his shooting efficiency against more aggressive closeouts. Westchester should give him plenty of reps to work on both.
Nickel doesn’t seem to have Knecht’s offensive versatility, but his shooting gives him a clearly defined role. If he can hold his own defensively, he could become a useful option for additional spacing. For the time being, Westchester might have its very own set of Splash Brothers to keep you entertained (at a reasonable price).
Jaden Akins: Defense and versatility
Jaden Akins took a less direct route to New York. Undrafted out of Michigan State in 2025, he spent last season with the Motor City Cruise after earning All-Big Ten third-team and All-Defensive recognition as a senior. His combination of scoring, secondary playmaking, and defense caught the Knicks’ attention. Westchester acquired his returning player rights in September, and he secured a two-way contract before the season.
Akins faces considerable competition at the one- and two-guard spots. His best chance of separating himself is to use his time at Westchester to polish his defense and his work off the ball. Can he defend multiple positions, run an offense for stretches, and make open shots? Can he contribute consistently without committing unnecessary fouls or turnovers? Those qualities will probably matter more to New York than his individual scoring averages.
Dink Pate: Back for another season
The fan favorite returns! Dink Pate returns to Westchester after a confusing offseason. The 6’8” wing, still only 20 years old, averaged approximately 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists across 50 games with the club last season. He subsequently attempted to play college basketball at Providence, but that plan fell through amid questions about his NCAA eligibility. The Knicks signed and waived him on an Exhibit 10 contract, and he returned to Westchester, which already held his G League rights.
Pate has length, can create his own offense, and contributes as a rebounder and passer. His combination of physical tools and professional experience makes him one of Westchester’s more interesting developmental players. Decision-making and efficiency are where he needs improvement.
Unlike Knecht, Nickel, and Akins, Pate doesn’t have a two-way contract. He would need an available two-way or standard roster spot and a new NBA contract to join the big club. Westchester’s rights also don’t prevent another NBA team from signing him. Thus, his time in White Plains is a prove-it run for a broader audience—so we expect to see some inspired hooping from him this season.
Frontcourt depth: Robbins, Dante, and Miličić
Westchester’s frontcourt includes several players who could provide useful depth. Liam Robbins, a seven-footer who went undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2023, is probably the most recognizable. He showed some encouraging work around the iron during Summer League with the Knicks, and Westchester subsequently acquired his G League rights.
Robbins brings size, rebounding, and shot-blocking ability. The big league club could use more reliable center depth behind Karl-Anthony Towns and Andre Drummond, with James Wiseman slow to make an impression. Robbins could use his time in White Plains to convince the team he deserves a look—perhaps before the front office starts eyeing its surplus of guards as trade bait.
N’Faly Dante, the 6-foot-11 former Oregon center, is working his way back from an ACL injury. His size and athleticism lift our eyebrows, but getting healthy and regaining his previous form will be the immediate priorities.
Igor Miličić Jr., a 6-foot-10 forward out of Tennessee, brings international experience and positional versatility after spending time with the Delaware Blue Coats last season. Improving his outside shooting and defensive consistency would help him take the next step.
The wings: Jourdain, Okani, and company
Westchester also has several forwards competing for rotation minutes. Nick Jourdain returns after averaging roughly eight points and more than five rebounds last season. The former Memphis forward provides rebounding, energy, and defensive effort. His journey from local tryout to returning player is a nice story, even if an NBA opportunity remains a longer shot.
Toby Okani, the former West Virginia wing, brings length and athleticism after spending time with multiple G League organizations. David Dixon, an undrafted forward out of Duquesne, and Tahj-Malik Campbell are also trying to establish roles after joining the training camp group.
The guards: Shooting potential
Westchester’s backcourt includes several capable players. Mitchell Mascari is worth watching after arriving from the Stockton Kings. The 6’5” guard shot approximately 42% from downtown last season, giving Westchester another option to stretch the floor.
Paul Zilinskas returns as a scoring option at guard and on the wing, while Amir “Primo” Spears joins the club after being selected 25th in the 2026 G League Draft. Spears brings extensive college experience, including a productive stint at UTSA, and spent last season playing professionally in Mexico.
The road begins in Maine
The three two-way players will receive the most attention this season, although we’ll also keep an eye on Pate (‘cuz he’s kinda electric). The rest of the roster will compete for minutes and try to establish themselves as dependable professional players. Westchester opens its Tip-Off Tournament schedule tonight at 7 p.m. against the Maine Celtics at the Portland Expo, then faces the same opponent at the same venue Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Both games will air on MSG Network.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 17: Manager A.J. Hinch #14 of the Detroit Tigers looks on against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on September 17, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Tigers confirmed recent reports on hirings for their 2027 coaching staff on Friday. They announced the hiring of Kyle Hudson as the new first base and baserunning coach. Hudson worked with outfielders in his most recent job as Boston Red Sox’s third base coach, so perhaps he’ll take on some of those responsibilities in Detroit as well. Still the emphasis from the Tigers is on the baserunning side. Hudson was also an assistant coach for the Cleveland Guardians from 2020-2022 before joining the Red Sox.
The Tigers had already hired longtime major league catcher Martin Maldonado, whom AJ Hinch worked with briefly in Houston, as their new quality coach this offseason. Maldonado was behind the plate during the Astros 2022 run to the World Series championship. He brings a strong reputation as a leader and game planner, as well as his skill coaching the position, to the Tigers.
Longtime catching coach Ryan Sienko, who joined the organization in 2021, AJ Hinch’s first year as manager, will retain his duties coaching catchers, but will also now handle duties as bullpen coach following Juan Nieves departure from the organization. It’s typically a pitching coach in that role, so that’s a bit interesting. Presumably, Maldonado will handle more of the pre-game pitch planning with Dillon Dingler and Eduardo Valencia, while Sienko will continue coaching the actual catching skills, but perhaps their responsibilities will be mixed between them as well.
The Tigers have yet to replace Gabe Ribas as director of pitching in the farm system after his departure to work for the Colorado Rockies last offseason. They’ve replaced Nieves, who has been Chris Fetter’s assistant pitching coach since 2021, with a catcher, leaving Fetter and assistant Robin Lund as a duo to coach the pitchers. Perhaps they’ll end up hiring a new pitching director this offseason, but it’s a bit peculiar that they’re cutting out both major and minor league pitching coaches. Those responsibilities still have to be fulfilled by someone, but without some detailed clarification from the organization it’s difficult to pin down who is actually doing what at this point in regard to those roles.
The Tigers have named Kyle Hudson as their major league first base and baserunning coach.
Martin Maldonado has been named major league quality coach.
Hudson and Maldonado join manager A.J. Hinch’s coaching staff that otherwise returns intact from the end of the 2026 campaign,…
George Lombard is expected to stay on for his seventh year as Tigers bench coach under Hinch. Billy Boyer took over from Joey Cora as third base coach during the 2026 season and seems set to remain in that role. Beyond Maldonado, Hudson, Sienko, Fetter, and Lund, the Tigers are working with a three-man group of hitting coaches. Michael Brdar, Cody Asche, and Lance Zawadski, who seem set to be retained for 2027. Boyer was the Tigers quality control coach last season, and will cede that job to Maldonado.
Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic also reports that the Tigers have hired Scott Peters as their new medical director, while Jeremiah Randle has been hired as the Tigers new athletic trainer. Peters was most recently the director of health and performance science for the Toronto Blue Jays. Randall was the head athletic trainer for the Astros from 2016-2025.
Former head trainer Ryan Eubanks and assistent trainer Chris McDonald parted ways with the Tigers organization at season’s end.
The Tigers also confirmed the hiring of Jay Sartori as Vice President of Baseball Operations. Sartori was formerly an assistant general manager in the organization going back to the beginning of the Tigers rebuild in 2017. He left last season for a college job in the ACC but has returned to the fold this offseason.
The Tigers have finalized their 2027 coaching staff. Kyle Hudson and Martín Maldonado are the only new additions. Ryan Sienko becomes bullpen coach in addition to his duties as catching coach.
Scott Peters is the new medical director. Jeremiah Randall is head athletic trainer.
