Former Red Wings Forward Robby Fabbri Returns to Where It All Began
While it appeared that the NHL opportunities for former Detroit Red Wings forward Robby Fabbri were limited after he failed to secure a roster spot with the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier in the fall, he's now been given a chance to return where it all began.
Fabbri has been signed by the St. Louis Blues, the same club that drafted him in the opening round (21st overall) in the 2014 NHL Draft, has returned to the franchise by signing a one-year, two-way contract.
We’re excited to bring Robby Fabbri back on a one-year, two-way contract. #stlblueshttps://t.co/0ANBODNsiR
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) December 10, 2025
He'll earn $775,000 at the NHL level, while earning $300,000 at the AHL level. He's scheduled to join the team immediately for their impending matchup on Thursday evening against the Nashville Predators.
The signing coincides with the Blues placing forward Jordan Kyrou on Injured Reserve with a lower-body injury.
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Fabbri spent the first portion of his NHL career with the Blues, winning the Stanley Cup in 2019 while contributing a goal in 10 postseason games during their run; he lifted the Cup at TD Garden following their Game 7 triumph over the Boston Bruins.
Fabbri was then traded to the Red Wings in November 2019 for Jacob de la Rose, and was one of the few bright spots for the club in what was otherwise an extremely trying campaign in 2019-20.
He would play the next several seasons with Detroit, culminating in his best offensive output since 2015-16 by scoring 18 goals with 14 assists. Detroit then sent him to the Anaheim Ducks during that offseason, where he scored eight goals with eight assists while playing just 44 games.
As he has been throughout his career, Fabbri's season was cut short because of injury. He's undergone multiple ACL surgeries during his time in the NHL, along with meniscus surgery last season.
He was signed to a professional tryout agreement with the Penguins for this season, but was unable to secure a roster spot.
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Why Are The Canadian NHL Teams Struggling?
By Gary Pearson, BetMGM
Of the seven Canadian NHL teams, only the Edmonton Oilers would have a chance to win the Stanley Cup if the playoffs started today.
For hockey fans in the Great White North, it's a good thing there's still a ton of hockey to be played. I can assure you that nobody north of the border will want to repeat the 2015-16 NHL playoffs, which had no Canadian participants.
To avoid that unlikely and unthinkable scenario, what do Canadian teams need to do to rise from the doldrums?
Defensive Frailties Headline Shortcomings
Going purely by the Stanley Cup odds, you won't be surprised to learn that the Oilers are the only Canadian outfit in a playoff position.
But if you looked at the standings a couple of weeks ago and not since, you'll be taken aback by the current pecking order.
All but one Canadian team ranks in the bottom 15 according to points percentage, with the Montreal Canadiens the best of the bunch. With a .569 points percentage, they rank 16th.
Where Do Canadian Teams Rank Defensively?
Poor defensive play, subpar goaltending or a combination of both are the primary reasons for the sluggish start to the 2025-26 season.
Four Canadian teams rank among the bottom 10 in three primary defensive categories, including goals against, goals against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, and goals against above expected.
The Vancouver Canucks allow the most goals per game (3.60), the most goals per 60 minutes in all situations (3.55) and, logically, have conceded the most goals overall (108).
The Canadiens allow the second-most goals per game (3.55), the third-most goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 (2.9) and the third-most goals against above expected (5.65).
The Oilers, meanwhile, concede the fifth-most goals per game (3.47) and the eighth-most goals against above expected (-1.82).
And then there are the Ottawa Senators, which allow the ninth-most goals per game (3.31) and goals per 60 minutes in all situations (3.25), and the most goals against above expected (10.32).
Four Best Long Shots To Win The NHL's Eastern And Western ConferenceThe Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild among the NHL squads that are long shots to advance to the Stanley Cup final, but can they pull it off?Thanks to a recent defensive resurgence, along with solid goaltending from the now-injured Joseph Woll and call-up Dennis Hildeby, the Toronto Maple Leafs have climbed out of the basement in most categories, where they were entrenched for the first quarter of the season.
You might be surprised to learn of the Calgary Flames' absence from those ignominious stats. The polar opposite issue plagues the Flames, whose offense is about as toothless as a four-month-old baby.
Most tellingly, only one Canadian team – the Winnipeg Jets – ranks in the top half of the league in overall goals against.
You don't have to be a hockey savant to know what is causing insomnia for the coaches north of the 49th parallel.
Brian Cashman: Yankees 'not an open blank checkbook,' remain 'opportunistic'
With free agency in full swing this week during the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings, Yankees fans are waiting for Brian Cashman to make a big move.
Although, as the team is potentially looking to cut payroll below $300 million for the 2026 season, Cashman may not be making the same types of moves that people are used to seeing from the club.
"Fans don't really care about those details. They want what they want," Cashman told reporters Wednesday. "Ultimately, what we both want is to have a team that's going to rack up the win totals to push themselves into the postseason and win it all. But it's just the nature of the beast where you get into the frenzy of the winter times. 'Anything at all cost, doesn't matter,' but in reality, it does matter.
"Everything adds up. Everything counts. We're an aggressive franchise, but while being aggressive, we already have some very large commitments, and the more of those you have, the more impact it affects you in other areas. And so everything's tied together. Our ownership has obviously demonstrated year in and year out how massively committed they are. But at the same time, that's not an open blank checkbook either."
The longtime GM went on to discuss the current state of the free agent market, saying it's moving at "glacial speed," but the Yanks are confident in their group and still searching for ways to make a splash.
“We have a strong team," Cashman said. "The job is to make it better and make it stronger. (Saying) it and doing it are two different things. We’re trying to pull that off, and it takes time. There's a lot of time on the board still, and there's a lot of inventory still there, so there's a lot of possibilities in play.”
Cashman added that current talks with free agents have "been tough so far" and any trade proposals haven't made much progress.
“We’re just staying engaged, trying to match up with some things. But it's been tough so far," Cashman added. "Don't like the asks coming our way, and I guess the opposing teams don’t like what I'm trying to pull from them on the trade stuff. We do have some conversations that possibly could lead somewhere.”
Among the "inventory" still out there includes Cody Bellinger, who opted out of his deal with New York to become a free agent this offseason. Cashman said earlier in the week that the Yanks have had dialogue with Bellinger's agent Scott Boras and a reunion with the OF is "still in play."
He was asked Wednesday if the Yankees can "afford to wait" on resigning Bellinger because they already have youngsters Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones as replacement options, explaining they're taking an "opportunistic" approach when it comes to signings.
"I don't know if it's ‘afford’ to wait. I think we're opportunistic. We like our players. That is a fact," Cashman said. "But there's players outside of our current control system that we also like, and may very well like more and better because there's a lot more certainty there, which comes with cost, whether it's a trade acquisition or free agent dollars. So it's my job to play on that stuff and try to figure that out, and if we come to an area that this makes a lot of sense, then we're ready to pounce and kind of change the equation.
"But if not, we like what we have, too, at the same time. Jasson Domínguez is on his journey, and Spencer Jones is just beginning his journey. Those are two names, but I got no idea how this is going to play out."
Derik Queen's impressive rookie season pushes back on draft-night narrative about Pelicans' trade
It was a trade that left the NBA confounded.
Joe Dumars, newly in charge of the New Orleans front office, made what was seen as the biggest blunder in the 2025 NBA Draft — and Derik Queen was catching strays. Dumars and the Pelicans traded control of their first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft — seen as an incredibly deep draft at the top — to Atlanta for the rights to move up 10 spots and get Queen, a big man from Maryland. To say that trade was ripped to shreds by the media and other front offices is an understatement.
Queen, however, is making Dumars look much better with his play this season, including a recent 30-point triple-double.
DERIK QUEEN: 33p, 10r, 10a, 4b
— NBA (@NBA) December 9, 2025
The FIRST ROOKIE since blocks began being tracked in 1973-74 to record a 30-point triple-double with 4 blocks! pic.twitter.com/VRk0dvbcqk
Both Dumars and Queen spoke about the perception and his fast start to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
"I get it. So much of today's NBA narrative is around picks and different things like that," Dumars told ESPN. "I'm trying to build culture here with some really good young players, and I gave up some draft capital to do that. And I love the two young players we have [Jeremiah Fears and Queen]. I hope that doesn't get lost in all of this."
I've been [hearing] it all my life," Queen said. "Like everybody hated me [before the season started]. I played a little bit at the beginning, and the whole media was hating me. And then once I got to that Charlotte game [and had 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on Nov. 4], the whole media started liking me.
"[I'm used to] pretty much people not liking me at one moment, then liking me later on in life."
Two things can be true: Queen can be better than expected and a future star, and the process and price to move up 10 spots to get him can also be very flawed.
Queen's potential was no secret around the draft, despite a rough NBA Draft Combine that led to a slide down draft boards. In grading the June draft I wrote: "Queen is the most skilled power forward/center in this draft... Queen has potential, but the cost of that 2026 pick was steep." Watch Queen in person and his ability to get off his shot and his touch are impressive. He is better than I thought he would be.
Queen should not be catching strays in this debate.
That said, right now the Pelicans have the worst record in the NBA — Dumars traded away the rights to what right now would be a guaranteed top-five pick with a 40% chance of landing in the top three. Whatever happens between now and June, that is going to be a very high draft pick in what is projected to be one of the deepest drafts at the top in a long time. There is a reason other teams have been hoarding picks in this draft rather than trading them away.
Queen, to his credit, looks like one of the best rookies in what has been an impressive 2025 draft class so far.
Chris Paul is 'at peace' after Clippers exit; Tyronn Lue says report they were feuding 'ain't true'
Former Clippers point guard Chris Paul says he's "at peace with everything" after being abruptly dismissed by the team last week.
“Stuff’s been a little crazy in the past few days — to say the least,” Paul told People magazine in an interview published Tuesday. “But honestly, I’m home. My daughter had tryouts yesterday. My nephew had a basketball game. My son has a game coming up on the 12th.”
Paul's son, Chris Paul II, is a sophomore guard for the Campbell Hall varsity basketball team, which plays Newbury Park on Friday.
“I have never seen my son play a game in person," the elder Paul said. "Not a middle school game, not a high school game. So I’m excited about seeing him play.”
Also on Tuesday, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue denied an ESPN report from last week that he and Paul hadn't been on speaking terms in the weeks leading up to the team's decision to part ways with one of its most iconic players.
“That ain’t true. We were talking," Lue told reporters at practice. "I mean, he played. How he gonna play [if] I’m not talking to him?
Read more:Chris Paul cut by Clippers after conflict with teammates, coaches and executives
"I mean, there was a stretch when we said he wasn’t gonna play, he’s gonna be out of the rotation. That was tough for him because he’s a competitor and what the game means to him and what he brings every single day. But after that it wasn’t really much.”
Paul is a 12-time All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist who ranks second in NBA history with 12,552 assists. He was the first player with at least 20,000 points and more than 10,000 assists.
Playing for the Clippers from 2011-17 — the team's "Lob City" era — Paul and fellow superstar Blake Griffin led the team to six winning seasons, its first two Pacific Division titles and three playoff series victories. As a 40-year-old free agent in July, Paul signed a $3.6 million deal to return to the Clippers for his 21st, and very possibly final, NBA season.
This season, Paul averaged career lows in points (2.6), assists (3.3.) and minutes (14.3). He didn’t play at all in five consecutive games in mid-November. The Clippers, off to a disastrous 5-16 start to the season, were in Atlanta for a game against the Hawks when Paul made a surprise announcement on social media.
“Just Found Out I’m Being Sent Home,” Paul posted Dec. 3 on social media at around 3 a.m. Eastern time.
Read more:James Harden moves to 10th on NBA's all-time scoring list in Clippers loss
Later that morning, Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank confirmed the move.
“We are parting ways with Chris, and he will no longer be a part of the team,” Frank said in a statement. “We will work with him on the next step of his career."
Frank indicated that the team will attempt to trade Paul, who becomes trade-eligible on Monday.
A league source not authorized to discuss the issue publicly told The Times last week that Paul had called out teammates, coaches and Frank this season. Paul apologized, but “everyone was fed up,” the source said.
Lue insisted Tuesday that his relationship with Paul wasn't an issue.
"I had no problem with Chris," Lue said. "The guy’s a competitor, he wants to play. You can understand that. So, you know, he was a little frustrated at first, but we got over that. … That’s my guy, my friend before he got here. So you don’t want to see that happen to anybody no matter what the circumstances are."
Read more:Take a swing? Two Buss brothers consider investing in baseball's Athletics
Asked why the team ultimately decided the situation with Paul couldn't be fixed, Lue responded, “You gotta ask Lawrence.”
In his interview with People, Paul didn't offer any insight on what happened between him and the Clippers. Instead, he seems to be focused on the present — "I’m excited to be back here with my family,” Paul said — and the future.
“More than anything, I’m excited about being around," he said, "and getting a chance to play a small role in whatever anything looks like next."
Staff writer Broderick Turner contributed to this report.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Fabbri Will Play For Blues Thursday In Nashville
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. -- Newly signed St. Louis Blues forward Robby Fabbri will make his debut on Thursday against the Nashville Predators, coach Jim Montgomery said on Wednesday.
Fabbri, 29, who was signed to a one-year, two-way contract for $775,000 NHL, $300,000 AHL, on Wednesday with the Blues currently without five forwards (Jordan Kyrou, lower-body; Nick Bjugstad, upper body; Alexey Toropchenko, leg burns; Jimmy Snuggerud, wrist, and Nathan Walker, upper body) out with various injuries.
Fabbri, who was with the Pittsburgh Penguins on a professional tryout but released during training camp and also signed an amateur PTO with the Florida Panthers, has played in three games recently with Charlotte of the American Hockey League and had a goal and an assist.
"The good thing about Robby Fabbri is he's played all three positions, he's familiar with the city, he's familiar what the Blues mean and the city of St. Louis and the honor and privilege is it to wear the Blues jersey," Blues coach Jim Montgomery said Wednesday. "We're going to use him; we've got to see where he's at with everything. I know he's played three games down in the American (Hockey) League and he's looked good. that's why we added a player that's played a lot of NHL games (and) has over 100 goals in the league. Someone that's going to give us a veteran mentality, understands game management and stuff pretty well."
As for Bjugstad, who departed a 5-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday 5:24 into the second period with an upper-body injury, Montgomery said the 33-year-old will miss "at least the next five days."
And Toropchenko, who sustained what the Blues termed "scalding burns to his legs" in a home accident, the progress is positive; he has missed the past five games.
"He's progressing pretty good," Montgomery said. 'If anyone's going to be back the quickest of any of the guys that are out, there's a good chance it's him.
"He's started on those steps of getting back on the ice already."
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.
Yankees select RHP Cade Winquest from Cardinals in 2025 Rule 5 Draft
The Yankees selected right-handed pitcher Cade Winquest from the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2025 Rule 5 Draft.
The selection came as a bit of a surprise, as the Yankees had not made a Rule 5 selection since 2011.
Winquest, 25, was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the eighth round of the 2022 MLB Draft.
Over the course of 58 minor league games (38 starts), Winquest has pitched to a 4.19 ERA with 219 strikeouts in 212.2 innings.
Winquest finished the 2025 season at the Double-A level, appearing in eight games for Springfield with a 3.19 ERA in 42.1 innings.
By rule, Winquest must remain on the Yankees’ 26-man active roster (unless he gets placed on the IL) for the entire 2026 season. If the Yankees elect to waive him and he clears waivers, Winquest must be offered back to the Cardinals.
NHL Power Rankings: Stars Challenge The Avalanche During A Busy Month
The Stars have ascended to the top of the standings to challenge the Avalanche, though by points percentage, they still have some ways to go.
The closing gap, however, means the Avs will have a serious challenger for the NHL power rankings lead and the Presidents' Trophy, though they're still on pace to match the Bruins' record-setting 135 points in the cap era.
The rest of the standings is cramped like sardines or like an Italian-made ice rink. Only eight points separate the third-place Capitals and the 22nd-ranked Sharks.
It’ll be a busy month as the holidays approach, both with the Olympic teams being selected and a looming trade deadline that will come soon after the conclusion of the Games.
Here are this week's NHL power rankings.
1. Colorado Avalanche (21-2-7, +48. PR: 1)
After a 6-3 loss to the Isles, which was just their second (!) regulation loss of the season, it does seem like the margins are getting tighter. The Avs pulled off two one-goal wins and then nearly pulled off a comeback win against the Preds. Alas, they can't win any shootouts.
2. Dallas Stars (21-5-5, +29. PR: 3)
The Stars were 3-3-1 in the first two weeks but since then have basically kept pace with the Avs, though they're still a little behind on points percentage. Regardless, this is shaping up to be the Stars' best season in the cap era with a killer power play that ranks third after finishing 17th last season.
3. Anaheim Ducks (19-10-1, +13. PR: 5)
No idea how they've managed to pull off the wins they have with Ville Husso in net, especially Tuesday against the Pens when they were outshot 47-28 with Beckett Sennecke forcing overtime with 0.1 seconds remaining on a shorthanded goal (!) and winning in a shootout. What a great pick by the Ducks, by the way, when they took Sennecke third overall in 2024 when he wasn't even ranked in the top 10 among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.
4. Washington Capitals (18-9-3, +28. PR: 7)
The Caps' dressing room vibes are second to none, and they've lost just once in regulation since Nov. 17, ripping off a 10-1-1 record and limiting opponents to two goals or less seven times. They're doing this without Pierre-Luc Dubois and John Carlson, which is really impressive.
NHL Hart Trophy Rankings: There's No Doubt About Who's The MVPColorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has his team posting excellent results, while Connor Bedard and Macklin Celebrini remain in our top five front-runners for the NHL's Hart Trophy.5. Minnesota Wild (16-9-5, +4. PR: 2)
Good goaltending can mask a lot of deficiencies, and Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson's hot streaks have come to an end, resulting in a 2-2-0 record during their road trip. Note the Wild are one of the league's worst possession teams, per naturalstattrick.com, so we shall see if the Wild can stay at the top.
6. Carolina Hurricanes (18-9-2, +15. PR: 9)
It's been a pretty uneven stretch for the Canes lately, and I do believe part of it is their loyalty to the struggling Frederik Andersen and being stubborn about having a three-goalie rotation. Since Nov. 11, they're just 6-5-2 and ranked 20th in points percentage.
7. Vegas Golden Knights (14-6-9, +4. PR: 10)
The Knights are leaving points on the table with a league-leading nine losses in overtime or shootout; otherwise, they might be near the top of the league. An important part of the story is goaltending, where it does seem like Carter Hart has the inside track on the starting job until Adin Hill returns.
8. Tampa Bay Lightning (17-11-2, +18. PR: 4)
Some mild panic with a four-game losing streak, but then they righted the ship with a 6-1 win against the Habs on Tuesday in the second game of a back-to-back on the road. The Lightning survived – thrived, even – when Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov were out of the lineup, but can do the same without Andrei Vasilevskiy? Victor Hedman, who's barely missed time throughout his career, has suddenly become injury-prone this season.
9. Los Angeles Kings (14-8-7, +3. PR: 9)
After a string of losses in extra time, I think it's a testament to the Kings' resilience that they avenged a 2-1 loss to the Hawks by beating them 6-0 in the following game, and then making quick work of the Mammoth with a 4-2 win. And, what's this, a defenseman on the Kings' top power-play unit?! Does Jim Hiller know he's allowed to do that?!
10. Detroit Red Wings (16-11-3, -7. PR: 11)
I swear, the Red Wings rollercoaster has more twists and turns than a Knives Out mystery. After going 0-3-1, the Wings are back on the right track, going 3-0-1 over the past week. They needed some help, and John Gibson turned in some (surprisingly) solid performances, but as long as they can peel off winning streaks here and there, they should be playoff-bound.
Who's Hot And Cold In The NHL: Seider Impresses, Heineman FizzlesThe Oilers' Draisaitl and Red Wings' Seider are among the NHL players who had stellar weeks. But other players had weeks to forget.11. Pittsburgh Penguins (14-7-7, +7. PR: 13)
The loss of Evgeni Malkin will hurt, but the Pens continue to play well and got some bad luck losing two shootouts in a row in games that they could've won. The NHL has a Masterton award for dedication to the game, but I do wish there were also a comeback player of the year award. Tristan Jarry's definitely in the running for that.
12. Philadelphia Flyers (16-9-3, +7. PR: 14)
At what point do we stop joking about how the Flyers are overachieving and admit that they're actually pretty good? Part of me wonders when their goaltending will fall off, but the other part acknowledges that they have a pretty balanced lineup without a superstar.
13. New York Islanders (17-11-3, +3. PR: 17)
What a resurgent season by Ilya Sorokin, and the Isles' lone loss over the past week was when he didn't start. Impressive wins against the red-hot Lightning, the league-leading Avs and then a (sort of) comeback win against the Knights cap off an impressive run.
14. Boston Bruins (18-13-0, +5. PR: 22)
It's been a soft part of the schedule, but kudos to the Bruins for taking advantage, winning three of five games without David Pastrnak before his return Tuesday night. They're in the hunt for the Atlantic Division title… which is a wild sentence to type considering their pre-season outlook.
15. New Jersey Devils (17-12-1, -4. PR: 8)
A five-game losing streak was snapped against the Sens, and that stopped the Devils from plummeting down the rankings. Prior to Tuesday's win, the Devils had scored just one goal in three games. Nico Hischier is a very dependable player, but he's been streaky on offense, so without Jack Hughes, it's been hard for the Devils to score when Hischier's not productive. Acquiring Quinn Hughes might help, though. Make the calls, Fitzy.
16. New York Rangers (15-12-4, +2. PR: 21)
Discount the back-to-back overtime losses against two of the toughest teams in the West, and the Rangers are 5-1-0 with wins against some top-tier teams. They're still having trouble winning at home, but their turnaround is a really good sign, and now they find themselves right in the midst of the wild-card race.
17. San Jose Sharks (14-14-3, -16. PR: 15)
Still too many blowout losses where the Sharks aren't really in it, and they're winless when Macklin Celebrini doesn't score a point. We're nitpicking here because it's been quite fun watching them, and if the Sharks finish the season at .500, I'd call that a win.
18. Montreal Canadiens (15-11-3, -12. PR: 20)
Some Bronx cheers for Sam Montembeault in a 6-1 loss to the Lightning Tuesday night, though Jakub Dobes didn't fare much better. Any time the Habs look like they're going on a run, they just seem to crash. After a brilliant 8-3-0 in October, they won just once in regulation over their next nine games. After a strong bounce-back game against the Leafs following an 8-4 loss to the Caps, the Habs won two more games before going 2-4-0 with zero regulation wins. Good news: the Habs called up Jacob Fowler.
19. Toronto Maple Leafs (14-11-4, +4. PR: 23)
Things looked so dire when the Leafs were 9-10-3 with a 5-2 loss to the rival Habs, but since then, they’re 5-1-1 and getting some excellent goaltending from surprise hero Dennis Hildeby. They're on a scoring binge with 19 goals in five games, though I do want to point out I don't think Auston Matthews gets enough credit for his two-way game.
20. Ottawa Senators (13-12-4, -6. PR: 12)
A horrendous 1-6-1 run has dropped the Sens to the bottom of the East, saved only by the Sabres. They don't score enough goals, and Linus Ullmark is having a tough season once again. Kinda weird that this is happening with Brady Tkachuk back in the lineup, but you can't pin the lack of goals at even strength and back-breaking giveaways in their own zone on him alone.
21. Chicago Blackhawks (12-11-6, -5. PR: 16)
Connor Bedard is still performing at a high level as the Olympic selection deadline approaches. It's one thing to go through growing pains, but it's slightly concerning the Hawks are getting blown out lately with back-to-back losses where they were outscored 13-1.
22. Edmonton Oilers (13-11-6, -7. PR: 27)
Just a sad state of affairs in the West when the Oilers can go 4-4-2 and still hold down a wild-card spot. They were a little lucky to get one point out of the Sabres when Connor McDavid tied it with one second remaining, but it's really unsustainable to count on him to win every game by himself. I still can't believe the Oilers brass have the wherewithal to look at this team and say, "Yup, we're good, no need to make any moves yet."
23. Florida Panthers (14-12-2, -2. PR: 25)
The smart money is still probably on the Panthers to make the playoffs – they're only four points out – but you can see the concern after a four-game winless streak and needing the Verhaeghe-Bennett-Marchand line to go off just to avoid a multi-goal loss to the Jackets.
24. Columbus Blue Jackets (13-11-6, -12. PR: 24)
Considering how many leads they've blown this season and their general inability to close out games, the Jackets are actually one of six teams that have yet to lose a game after holding a lead after the first or second periods… in regulation. The kicker is the Jackets are the league leaders in overtime losses when leading after the second period, so they're constantly allowing teams to earn a point by forcing overtime and then giving away the extra point by losing. They're just constantly throwing away points, especially to conference opponents, such as the Leafs and Panthers.
25. Seattle Kraken (11-10-6, -16. PR: 18)
There was hope, but as I noted in previous rankings when readers kept pointing out I ranked the Kraken too low, their lack of regulation wins and elite players are legitimate causes for concern. They're 0-5-1 and cannot seem to score or keep pucks out of their net.
26. Winnipeg Jets (14-14-1, -1. PR: 19)
It's really not looking good for the Jets sans Connor Hellebuyck, going 3-6-1 since he last started. Only two teams have been worse during that span: the Canucks and Kraken, which are both 2-6-1. Scott Arniel can mix up the lines all he wants, but what they need – desperately – is Hellebuyck to return before it's too late.
Should The Winnipeg Jets Regret Signing Jonathan Toews?There's still time for Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets to turn their season around, but the team made two mistakes with him, and signing him is not one of them.27. Nashville Predators (11-14-4, -25. PR: 30)
That's now five wins in seven games, including a thriller against league-leading Avs. Did Preds GM Barry Trotz's biting criticism of his team work? A poor start against the Canes aside, Juuse Saros has won four of his past five with a .938 SP.
28. Calgary Flames (12-15-4, -13. PR: 31)
The wolfpack is back. After a tough 2-9-2 start to the season, Dustin Wolf and the Flames have now won three straight and seven of their past 10, with the only real inexcusable loss coming in Nashville. However, it's times like these where we ask ourselves if winning right now is in the Flames' best long-term interests…
29. St. Louis Blues (11-13-7, -30. PR: 28)
Winning four of their past seven is certainly an improvement, and it's keeping their bleak playoff hopes alive. But I think what's really going to dominate the discussion with the Blues in the coming weeks is how Jordan Binnington, currently one of the league's worst goalies, will be the starter for the defending 4 Nations champion and gold medal favorites at the Olympics.
30. Utah Mammoth (14-14-3, +3. PR: 29)
Losing Logan Cooley is a massive blow for a Mammoth team that has long yearned for a true No. 1 center. Their woes started a while ago, however, with a 6-11-3 record since Nov. 1. It will be difficult to make the playoffs without a reliable center, even with all the talent that they have.
31. Buffalo Sabres (12-14-4, -14. PR: 26)
The Sabres won in overtime to snap a three-game losing streak, but it still doesn’t feel great considering they nearly blew a 3-0 lead against the Oilers. Lackluster play, lack of improvement from their young core, general inconsistency and a bungled three-goalie rotation will quickly knock the Sabres out of the playoff race if they don't do something soon.
32. Vancouver Canucks (11-16-3, -23. PR: 32)
A surprising 4-2 win against the Wild brought some reprieve, but this is a team that's hurtling toward another massive turning point for the franchise, and not in a good way. Trade talk concerning captain Quinn Hughes seems to have hit a fever pitch. The question now is whether the Canucks address this situation now and avoid going through further turmoil like they did last season, or if they keep waiting and hope things work out. (A strategy, by the way, that hasn't worked out for them on numerous occasions). The return of Thatcher Demko buys some time, but the clock is still ticking.
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'I Don't Think It's Worth The Suspension': Maple Leafs Disagree With Discipline Given To Bobby McMann By NHL Player Safety
After Tampa Bay Lightning forward Oliver Bjorkstrand dished out a shove to the face of Bobby McMann, the Toronto Maple Leafs forward's stick came down and struck his opponent in the helmet.
The Lightning bench erupted after it happened, leading to McMann being given a match penalty and ultimately, a one-game suspension from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.
Mere seconds before the McMann incident, Gage Goncalves collided knee-on-knee with Maple Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis, forcing the forward out of the game with an injury. He's now expected to miss a month "at least," head coach Craig Berube said on Wednesday afternoon.
The NHL was silent regarding any potential discipline for Golcalves, whose hit on Mermis started everything else that occurred at center ice. Toronto eventually came out with a 2-0 win, however, days later, Berube wasn't happy that McMann was the only player to face discipline.
"To be honest with you, I don't really know. I mean, I think we lose a guy for probably a month at least," Berube added. "I thought it was more of (McMann) getting kind of bumped and the stick kind of [comes down]. I know you've got to be in control of your stick, but I don't think it's worth the suspension."
According to NHL Player Safety, "After being shoved by Bjorkstrand, McMann brings the raised stick downwards towards Bjorkstrand from a dangerous height, striking him in the head with sufficient force to merit supplemental discipline. This is high sticking," they said in a video, explaining the one-game suspension.
“It is important to note that this is not the typical motion of a player merely bringing a raised stick down to the ice and accidentally making contact with an opponent. This is also not a situation where a player simply loses control of his stick, or where an off-balance player is careless in an attempt to steady himself.
"McMann is in full control of both his stick and his own body at all times during this play, and simply must display more control to ensure his stick does not directly strike his opponent's head in this situation."
This is the first time McMann has ever faced supplemental discipline in the NHL over his 169-game career. McMann had been playing fairly well as of late, scoring six points in his last five games. Through 29 appearances this season, the forward has tallied eight goals and 14 points.
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NHL warns top players will not show up for Winter Olympics if venue is unsafe
The NHL says it is “disappointing” that the main ice hockey venue for the Winter Olympics will not be ready until the new year – and warned that its top players will not show up unless the ice is shown to be safe.
The men’s and women’s tournaments are expected to be among the highlights of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games with the NHL stars showing up for the first time since 2014.
Related: Organizers admit ‘no plan B’ if hockey arena not ready for 2026 Olympics
However, the buildup continues to be marred by construction delays and questions over why the rink at the Santagiulia Arena in Milan is smaller and wider than in the NHL, as well as concerns over the quality of the ice. And while the International Olympic Committee insisted on Tuesday that everything would be ready on time, the NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman, made it clear he was not entirely happy.
“The fact that the building at this point still isn’t completed is – and I won’t use any other adjectives – disappointing,” Bettman said.
Meanwhile the NHL deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, warned organisers that the 14,700-seat arena had to be able to withstand three games in a day otherwise the players would not show up. “If the ice isn’t ready and it’s not safe, then we’re not going,” Daly said. “I mean, I think that’s pretty self-evident.”
Construction delays have meant that there will be no ice in the arena before the new year – with the test event now being pushed back to 9-11 January. The IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, insisted that despite the hiccups, it would be a case of all right on the night.
“We need to push through and continue until the very last moment,” she said. “But we’re very impressed, very happy with everything that we’re seeing and hearing. As we get close, we just need to keep our finger on the pulse in terms of the ice hockey rink.
The IOC sports director, Pierre Ducrey, also insisted that concerns around the small rink size had now been “successfully resolved” with the NHL and its players. “So we are very happy with where we stand at present,” he said.
Elsewhere the IOC made light of sluggish ticket sales, saying that 70% of the tickets for the Games had now been sold.
Indiana defensive end Stephen Daley likely out for College Football Playoff after apparent right leg injury
Video from after Indiana's 13-10 win over Ohio State showed Daley appear to injure his right leg while jumping up to high-five fans.
Pete Alonso signs with Orioles for five years, $155 million: Contract details, fantasy fallout
The Orioles have captured a Polar Bear. After missing out on their bid to land free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber on Tuesday, the O's turned their attention to the next best bopper on the open market on Wednesday — agreeing to a five-year, $155 million contract with former Mets' first baseman Pete Alonso.
BREAKING: First baseman Pete Alonso and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing a five-year, $155 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Alonso leaves the Mets to make a loaded AL East even better.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 10, 2025
Alonso becomes the second Mets' star to leave in as many days after Edwin Díaz inked a three-year, $69 million pact with the Dodgers on Tuesday evening.
The agreement — which is still pending a physical — does not include any opt-outs or deferred money according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com.
Pete Alonso's five-year, $155 million deal with Baltimore includes no opt-outs and no deferrals, a source says.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 10, 2025
Last offseason, the 31-year-old slugger hit the free agent market for the first time, hoping to land a highly lucrative multi-year deal. He was coming off of a down year though in which he posted a career-worst .788 OPS and was also tied to draft pick compensation after the Mets extended him a qualifying offer. He languished on the free agent market for months before ultimately re-signing with the Mets on a modest two-year, $54 million deal with an opt-out after the 2025 season.
Whether or not that experience gave Alonso any additional motivation heading into the 2025 season can be debated. What can't be debated is that he was an absolute monster at the dish. He slashed .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs and 126 RBI in a career-high 709 plate appearances, making his fourth consecutive National League All-Star squad and winning his first Silver Slugger award while finishing 11th in the MVP voting.
Naturally, after a season like that, Alonso opted out of the final year of his contract with the Mets and chose to hit the free agent market once again.
Alonso took his marketing campaign into his own hands this week, choosing to attend the winter meetings himself to meet with interested teams. Apparently, his meeting with the Orioles went well. They had offered a five-year, $150 million contract to Schwarber on Tuesday before he ultimately re-signed with the Phillies. The Orioles then took that money and offered it to Alonso to add some much-needed right-handed thump to the middle of their lineup.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post confirmed afterwards that the Mets never made a formal offer to Alonso this offseason after they heard rumblings of where his market was headed. He notes that they were reluctant to give him a contract of more than three years.
Source: The Mets never made an offer as it became clear to them that Alonso was getting bids for more dollars and years than in their comfort zone. https://t.co/Iyy2eI3GBo
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 10, 2025
Fantasy Impact
So how is Alonso's fantasy value impacted by the move from the Mets to the Orioles? Let's take a look.
Alonso has such prestigious power that no ballpark can hold him. He ranked in the 96th percentile or better in average exit velocity, hard-hit rate and barrel rate in 2025. The change in venue shouldn't cause any sort of negative impact — especially since the Orioles moved their left field wall back in and lowered its height before the 2025 season.
Citi Field still ranks as a much better park for right-handed power than Oriole Park at Camden Yards does, that doesn't take into account the natural raw power that Alonso possesses. He slugged 38 home runs during the 2025 season. His expected home runs by ballpark pegged him for just 36 at Citi Field, though he would have had an expected 45 in Baltimore. He should be just fine.
The only place that I'm anticipating a potential change in his projection for the 2026 season is in the RBI department. Alonso has always had a knack for driving in runs, having eclipsed the 100-RBI plateau in four of his six full seasons and never finishing with fewer than 88. There's something to be said about having Juan Soto and his league-leading .396 on-base percentage hitting ahead of you though — along with Francisco Lindor as a table-setter atop the lineup. Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg posted OBP's of .314 and .313 in 2025 while Gunnar Henderson checked in at .349. There's always a chance that those young players take major leaps forward in 2026, but it's not a bold take to say that Alonso is likely to have fewer RBI opportunities presented to him in his first season with the Orioles.
You also never know how a player is going to adjust to new surroundings. Alonso has spent his entire career with the Mets and is coming off of a season in which he had extra motivation to produce at the plate after a miserable experience on the free agent market following the 2024 season. We have seen plenty of players over the years struggle in their first season with a new club or see their production tail off a bit after landing such a massive contract, as the pressure to perform to get that deal has been removed. That's not to say that I expect either of those things to happen to Alonso in 2026, it's just something that fantasy managers should keep in mind.
Prior to this news, Alonso was coming off of draft boards on average at pick 28, making him the third first baseman off the board behind only Nick Kurtz and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. I anticipate that his draft stock will stay pretty static, as this move really doesn't change much for him overall.
I would expect a regression in batting average after hitting a career-best .272 in 2025 partially influenced by a career-high .305 BABIP. You're not drafting Alonso for his batting average though, you're drafting him because he's one of the safest and most secure power options in the game. He should have no problem once again clubbing around 40 home runs and driving in at least 100 runs. He only provides three categories of production, but those three categories are so good and reliable that it makes him worthy of a pick at the end of the second or beginning of the third round in fantasy baseball drafts.
Olympic officials say smaller hockey rink ‘exactly what it should be,’ acknowledge arena delays
Christophe Dubi, the Olympic Games executive director, told reporters that ice will start being produced at Santagiulia Arena “toward the end of the year.” An IOC spokesperson had previously told The Athletic the rink would be completed in mid-December.
Though Dubi said the ice-making equipment is still being installed at a facility due to host 33 games between the men’s and women’s tournaments, he expressed optimism about the viability of the event based on a test conducted at the secondary Milan Rho Arena this week that he deemed “successful.” Rho’s rink has the same dimensions as Santagiulia’s.
“It bodes extremely well for what is coming,” Dubi said.
The status of the facilities in Milan has been the cause of significant concern for the NHL and NHL Players’ Association ahead of their first Olympic tournament in 12 years. That included news last week that they’ll be playing on ice surfaces that don’t match the typical NHL specifications.
It’s too far along in the process to change those dimensions.
The International Ice Hockey Federation confirmed Monday that the rink will be 196.85 feet by 85.3 feet, more than 3 feet shorter than the NHL’s standard layout of 200 feet by 85 feet and also substantially narrower than the international standard of 196.85 feet by 98.4 feet.
The parties had agreed on using NHL-sized ice in their Olympic agreement, signed last summer. Asked this week why there was a discrepancy, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the IIHF “had a different interpretation of what NHL meant than maybe we would have.”
Pierre Ducrey, the IOC’s sports director, said Wednesday that “everybody’s now aligned.”
“The ice rink measurements is exactly what it should be,” he said. “We can compete at the highest level on this ice rink. … We are now very clear regarding the measurements of the ice rink.
“We can move forward.”
The next big step is completing construction at Santagiulia Arena in time for a test event scheduled for Jan. 9 to 11. Any issues that arise there will need to be resolved by Feb. 5, when the puck drops on the women’s Olympic tournament.
“We’re still having a test event that will replicate the conditions of the Games, which is three matches per day, so that we really put the ice under the right level of tests,” Ducrey said. “It’s just been delayed a couple of weeks so that we can have all of the circumstances to test the venue. But also to have spectators in the venue so that we can really replicate as close as possible the circumstances we would have during the Games.”
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
NHL, Olympics, Women's Hockey
2025 The Athletic Media Company
Fantasy Basketball Week 8 Injury Report: Orlando loses Franz Wagner, and Victor Wembanyama remains out
Week 8 in fantasy basketball is quite lean, with this being the time in which teams that did not advance to the Emirates NBA Cup knockout rounds play their two games to push their regular-season total to 82. Those participating in the knockout rounds will also play two games, the second of which will be either an NBA Cup semifinal on Saturday or a game scheduled after their elimination in the quarterfinals.
In the case of Toronto and Miami, their game (against each other) won't be played until Monday, December 15, the first day of Week 9.
The "break" allows teams to rest up and get healthy after a jam-packed first quarter of the schedule, and some teams can really use the time off. Let's look at some of the key injuries impacting fantasy basketball in Week 8, including Orlando's Franz Wagner and San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama.
G Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Young has not appeared in a game since late October, and on November 29, it was announced that he would miss at least two more weeks as he recovers from a sprained MCL in his right knee. On Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Young is optimistic about his chances of returning at some point in December. From a fantasy standpoint, nothing has changed regarding the Hawks' outlook. Jalen Johnson's (100 percent rostered, Yahoo!) fantasy value has received a nice boost in Young's absence, as the ball has been in his hands more to make plays for himself and his teammates. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (49 percent) will continue to start in Young's place and is likely to have reliable fantasy value even after the point guard returns.
G LaMelo Ball and G Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets
The Hornets have already been hit hard by injuries this season, especially on the perimeter. Ball was held out of Charlotte's December 7 loss to the Nuggets due to a bone bruise in his left ankle. Unfortunately, ankle injuries have been an issue for the point guard, who has not reached the 50 games played mark since his second season in the league (2021-22). With Sexton having missed Charlotte's last two games with a strained left quad and Tre Mann having been out since November 29 with a bone bruise in his left knee, the Hornets have been light on perimeter options.
Kon Knueppel (50 percent) has been one of the best rookies in the NBA this season, and his opportunities should only increase moving forward. KJ Simpson (one percent) started the loss to the Nuggets, scoring 16 points and grabbing five rebounds, but he only recorded one assist. Established starters Brandon Miller (94 percent) and Miles Bridges (98 percent) had the ball in their hands more in that defeat, with the latter recording a season-high eight assists.
G Ayo Dosunmu, G Kevin Huerter and G Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls
Among Central Division teams, Indiana was the one hit hardest by injuries during the first month of the season. Chicago has seemingly taken that dishonor in December, with the team releasing some robust injury reports recently. Huerter suffered a strained left hamstring during a December 1 loss to the Magic and has not played since, with it being announced two days later that he would be re-evaluated in one week. So, fantasy managers should receive an update regarding Huerter's recovery pretty soon.
Jones has missed the last three games with a sprained left ankle, while Dosunmu did not practice on Monday due to a sprained right thumb. The Bulls are off until Friday when they visit the Hornets; hopefully, the time off will help clean up the team's injury report. Dosunmu, who's rostered in 22 percent of Yahoo! leagues, has been starting in place of the injured Isaac Okoro, whose lumbar injury has kept him out since November 21. While his value has slipped recently, mainly because he has shot 38.5 percent from the field over the past two weeks, Dosunmu has added value when allowed to start.
Tracking the NBA players gaining momentum and the ones losing steam in this week’s fantasy landscape.
Cole HuffC Jarrett Allen and G Sam Merrill, Cleveland Cavaliers
Due to finger injuries on both hands, Allen has only played in one game since November 19. However, there was some good news recently, as the Cavaliers center was a full participant in Tuesday's practice. With Cleveland off until Friday when they face the Wizards, there's a chance that he'll be able to play. Allen's availability impacts multiple players. Evan Mobley (100 percent), who has provided first-round value over the past two weeks, will shift back to the four, which may not be great for his fantasy ceiling. As for the starting lineup, second-year wing Jaylon Tyson (25 percent) has filled the void nicely, providing close to top-50 value in nine-cat formats while Allen has been out.
However, the injury news was not as encouraging for Merrill, who has been out since November 17 with a sprained right (shooting) hand. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson described the guard's healing process as “slow,” and although there isn't any structural damage, Merrill still hasn't been able to shoot or catch a basketball. The few who have been stashing him for the three-point production should probably move on if they haven't already. De'Andre Hunter (26 percent) has been a fixture in the starting lineup, but he doesn't offer much fantasy value defensively, and the offense may take a hit once Allen returns and Darius Garland snaps out of his early-season funk.
C Daniel Gafford and C Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
Gafford's right ankle has been an issue for him since the preseason, with the center most recently missing four of Dallas's last five games. With Lively II set to undergo season-ending foot surgery, the Mavericks are light on options at the five. Anthony Davis (100 percent) has served as the starting center, and while he may not prefer that role, the pieces appear to fit better on both ends of the floor. Getting P.J. Washington (44 percent) back has helped; he and Naji Marshall (19 percent) have added fantasy value due to the absences of Gafford and Lively. The expectation for Lively is that he'll make a full recovery and be ready for the start of training camp next fall.
The Dallas Mavericks announced that center Dereck Lively II will undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) December 10, 2025
Lively is expected to make a full recovery and be available for the start of training camp. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.
G Christian Braun and F Aaron Gordon
The Nuggets have been without Braun since mid-November, while Gordon has not appeared in a game since November 21. The former is dealing with a sprained left ankle, while the latter is recovering from a strained right hamstring. Nuggets head coach David Adelman said on Tuesday that he does not expect to get Braun or Gordon back before Christmas. While Gordon is worth stashing in an IL+ slot, Braun's slow start before the injury makes him expendable in most leagues. Peyton Watson (25 percent) and Spencer Jones (two percent) have been the replacements in the starting lineup, with the former providing top-75 value over the past three weeks.
Julian Strawther played some half court 3 on 3 after today’s practice and looked pretty comfortable.
— Vinny Benedetto (@VBenedetto) December 9, 2025
David Adelman doesn’t expect Christian Braun or Aaron Gordon back before Christmas.
F Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
The Warriors could have Stephen Curry back by the end of this week, with Friday's matchup with the Timberwolves being the target date for his return after suffering a left quad contusion. As for Green, the veteran forward aggravated a right midfoot sprain during a December 4 loss to the 76ers and has missed the last two games. However, his absence from Sunday's win over the Bulls was precautionary, as the Warriors would have four days before their next game. The same approach was taken with Al Horford, who was dealing with sciatica.
Steve Kerr said sitting Draymond Green and Al Horford tonight in Chicago is precautionary. Warriors don’t play again until Friday.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 7, 2025
“Makes sense to give them four days before the next game. Let’s be safe.”
With the three veterans appearing to be on track to return, Brandin Podziemski (36 percent), Moses Moody (11 percent) and Quinten Post (five percent) are due to take hits to their respective fantasy values. And good luck making sense of what's going on with Jonathan Kuminga (25 percent). He'll be trade-eligible on January 15; a split may make the most sense for both parties.
G Ben Sheppard, Indiana Pacers
Sheppard has missed the last two games with a strained left calf, and while his absence does not impact fantasy basketball, it does leave the Pacers with one less option on the wings. Ten-day contract player Garrison Mathews (less than one percent) and two-way contract player Ethan Thompson (one percent) have started the last two games, and not Jarace Walker (four percent), who had been the choice in the past. While Thompson played 28 minutes in Monday's win over the Kings, none of these players are worth rostering in most leagues.
G Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Morant has not appeared in a game since November 15, when he exited a loss to the Cavaliers with a strained right calf. The Grizzlies listed him as doubtful ahead of the team's last few games, and it's fair to wonder if the time off opens the door for the point guard to play on Friday against the Jazz. Vince Williams Jr. (nine percent) has been Morant's replacement in the starting lineup, but reserve Cam Spencer (15 percent) has provided superior fantasy value due to his efficiency. Williams has produced a few high-assist games, but averaging 7.8 points on 34.9 percent shooting isn't going to cut it for many fantasy managers.
The question: Which player will be more valuable once Morant returns? During the seven-game stretch that preceded Morant's calf strain (he played in six of those games), Spencer averaged 10.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.1 three-pointers in 20.1 minutes. As for Williams, he contributed 7.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 three-pointers in 19.4 minutes. Outside of rebounds, there's a good case to be made for Spencer being the player who fantasy managers should exercise a little more patience with once Morant returns.
G Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat
Larsson, who missed Saturday's loss to the Kings with a hip injury, sprained his left ankle during Tuesday's NBA Cup loss to the Magic. The good news is that X-rays came back negative, and he will undergo an MRI on Wednesday. Dru Smith (one percent) picked up rotation minutes following Larsson's exit, but that won't move the needle in fantasy. An extended absence of Larsson may rejuvenate Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s fantasy value, especially now that Tyler Herro and Norman Powell are playing. Jaquez (42 percent) has been ranked outside the top-200 over the past two weeks after an excellent start to the season with Herro unavailable.
G AJ Green, Milwaukee Bucks
Green missed Milwaukee's December 6 loss to the Pistons with a left shoulder injury suffered the night prior against the 76ers. He did not practice on Tuesday, but Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said that the guard could still play in Thursday's game against the Celtics. Kyle Kuzma (20 percent), who moved into the starting lineup, and Gary Trent Jr. (five percent) both logged 29 minutes against the Pistons. Still, neither has been the most appealing fantasy option this season, even with Giannis Antetokounmpo also out due to a strained calf. Fantasy managers will be left to seek out Kevin Porter Jr. (58 percent) or Ryan Rollins (58 percent) in Giannis' absence due to the limited upside of the other available Bucks.
G Jordan Poole, New Orleans Pelicans
Poole, who has been out since November 4 with a strained left quad, was expected to participate in Wednesday's practice. While some may be concerned about what his return could mean for Jeremiah Fears (29 percent), it feels safe to assume that the rookie's playing time will hold steady. Shooting efficiency has been an issue for Fears, but he's still averaging 30.1 minutes per game over the last two weeks. Maybe Jose Alvarado (12 percent) loses out on some playing time, but what he brings to the table can't be replicated by Poole, even if he is the superior scorer. Also, Alvarado has been a top-100 player over the past two weeks despite coming off the bench.
G Miles McBride, New York Knicks
McBride sprained his left ankle during Sunday's win over the Magic and did not play in Tuesday's NBA Cup victory over the Raptors. Knicks head coach Mike Brown told the media before the game that the guard was undergoing further testing, but there is concern that Deuce suffered a high ankle sprain. In Toronto, the Knicks effectively used a seven-man rotation with a little Tyler Kolek (less than one percent) and Guerschon Yabusele (one percent) sprinkled in. Jordan Clarkson (seven percent) can be erratic offensively, but McBride's absence makes his role that much more important to the Knicks.
C Isaiah Hartenstein and G Isaiah Joe, Oklahoma City Thunder
Hartenstein has been out with a strained right calf since November 26, while a left knee contusion has sidelined Joe for the team's last three games (counting Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup with the Suns). Hartenstein's absence coincided with Jalen Williams' (100 percent) return from offseason wrist surgery, so Cason Wallace (26 percent) has remained in the starting lineup.
However, that may change, as Luguentz Dort (seven percent) will be back in the lineup after missing three games with an adductor injury. The other notable returns are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Alex Caruso, with the former's availability affecting Ajay Mitchell (30 percent). With Mitchell ranked outside the top-200 over the past two weeks, it may be time for some managers to move on, even if he will remain in the rotation.
F Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Wagner suffered a high left ankle sprain during Sunday's loss to the Knicks and will be re-evaluated in two to four weeks. Frankly, the injury looked worse than that when it occurred. While Tristan da Silva (nine percent) moved into the starting lineup when Orlando was without Paolo Banchero, Anthony Black (31 percent) was the choice for Tuesday's NBA Cup victory over the Heat. Regardless of who Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley chooses to fill the void, they'll both have opportunities to contribute while the team awaits Wagner's return. Black is the superior streaming choice, especially given the injury history of starting point guard Jalen Suggs.
G Devin Booker and G Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns
Booker has missed the last two games with a strained right groin suffered during the Suns' December 1 win over the Lakers. At the time of publishing, he was questionable for Wednesday's NBA Cup quarterfinal against the Thunder. Grayson Allen (36 percent) has been available for the two games that Booker has missed, but Collin Gillespie (35 percent) has been a top-50 player over the past two weeks.
Suns coach Jordan Ott on Devin Booker (right groin strain) as far as possibly playing Wednesday at OKC in NBA Cup quarterfinals: "He's been able to get on the court the last couple of days. Continue to assess to see exactly how he feels after tonight after that initial early… pic.twitter.com/OsgukQ5b1X
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 8, 2025
Even if Booker returns and pushes him out of the starting lineup, Gillespie is worth holding onto since the Suns are unlikely to get Green back anytime soon. Head coach Jordan Ott said on Monday that Green "seems to be making progress" as he works his way back from a strained right hamstring, but nothing has been said regarding a potential return date.
C Donovan Clingan, Portland Trail Blazers
Clingan has missed Portland's last two games with a lower left leg contusion stemming from a Jakob Poeltl knee he took during a December 2 loss to the Raptors. While the 7-foot-2 center limped through 25 minutes in a win over the Cavaliers the following night, he was forced to the bench for the two games that followed. Robert Williams III (eight percent) started the December 5 loss to the Pistons, but he was held out of the December 7 loss to the Grizzlies with an illness.
Rookie Yang Hansen (two percent) started in Memphis but struggled, finishing with four points, five rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes. While Duop Reath (less than one percent) also played 19 minutes against the Grizzlies, there were times when the Trail Blazers went without a traditional center. Toumani Camara (43 percent) has been given center eligibility in Yahoo! leagues, which may prove beneficial even after Clingan returns. Outside of Williams, there aren't any appealing streaming options if Clingan can't play on Thursday against the Pelicans.
C Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Wembanyama is still out with a strained left calf, most recently being ruled out for Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup with the Lakers. Nothing changes from a fantasy standpoint, as Luke Kornet (11 percent) will be the starter until the Spurs get their third-year phenom back. Wembanyama is traveling with the team, so a return to game action may not be too far away. However, there was some positive injury news for the team earlier this week, as Stephon Castle (66 percent) made his return from a hip injury that put him on the bench for nine games.
The reigning Rookie of the Year played 23 minutes in Monday's win over the Pelicans, and his minutes may once again be restricted on Wednesday. Julian Champagnie (18 percent) was pushed to the bench but still played 29 minutes. If that continues, he can still be of value to deep-league managers needing three-pointers, rebounds and steals. Champagnie has been a top-50 player over the past two weeks.
F RJ Barrett, Toronto Raptors
Barrett, who has missed Toronto's last nine games with a sprained right knee, received a PRP injection on December 8 in hopes of aiding the recovery process and, at the time, was expected to be sidelined for at least one more week. That takes him out of the equation for Toronto's game against the Heat on December 15, so his absence will not affect the fantasy prospects of the other Raptors players during Week 8.
Second-year wing Ja'Kobe Walter (one percent) has been the replacement in seven of the nine games that Barrett has missed, with Collin Murray-Boyles (two percent) and Jamal Shead (six percent) each getting a start. While Shead has been the best fantasy option of the three, none have done enough to merit being held onto with the Raptors done for the rest of Week 8.