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Oilers Shutout By Goaltender They Could Have Had

Looking back on it, the Edmonton Oilers were so close.

That it is, until they traded it away.

Jesper Wallstedt made 33 saves Tuesday night. He stopped every shot the Oilers threw at him. He earned his fourth shutout in 10 games. He improved to 8-0-2 with a .938 save percentage and 1.93 goals-against average. He beat Edmonton 1-0 in their own building.

And of course, everyone in Oil Country is thinking the same thing: he could have been ours.

Should fans and media fixate on this? Probably not. It was a different general manager—Ken Holland, not Stan Bowman—who made the call in 2021 to trade the 20th pick to Minnesota for the 22nd and 90th picks. It’s not fair to hang current management for decisions made by the previous regime.

But this is Edmonton. One of the best markets in the NHL with ongoing goaltending issues that have defined the better part of two decades. Of course it’s going to come up. Of course watching Wallstedt dominate is going to sting.

“I’ve heard about it way too much. I’m drafted by Minnesota. I play here. I love it here,” Wallstedt said, addressing the noise around the draft decision.

"Just Wasn't Our Night": Frustrated Oilers Try To Take Positives From Loss To Wild"Just Wasn't Our Night": Frustrated Oilers Try To Take Positives From Loss To WildOilers dominated play and chances but couldn't solve a hot goalie, leaving them with a frustrating, narrow defeat at home to the Minnesota Wild.

He’s right to brush it off. He’s a Minnesota Wild. He’s thriving there. The what-ifs aren’t his problem—they’re Edmonton’s.

But what a reminder Tuesday night was of what the Oilers passed on. Wallstedt was named NHL rookie of the month for November earlier in the day, posting a 6-0-0 record with a 1.14 GAA, .967 save percentage, and three shutouts in six games. Then he went out and shut down McDavid, Draisaitl, and company.

But way back when, Wallstedt was drafted 20th overall in 2021 after Edmonton traded the selection to Minnesota and dropped two spots for Xavier Bourgault, who was later traded to Ottawa and is now playing in the AHL for the Belleville Senators. With the 90th pick, Edmonton drafted defenseman Luca Munzenberger, who they declined to sign and has since returned to Germany.

Oilers vs. Wild: Pre-Game StatsOilers vs. Wild: Pre-Game Stats11-10-5 | 27 PTS

Neither player is in the organization anymore. Wallstedt is leading the NHL in save percentage and shutouts.

Still, in 2021, the Oilers had goaltending prospects—Stuart Skinner, Olivier Rodrigue, and Ilya Konovalov. The thinking was that forwards develop faster than goalies, and Wallstedt would take years to arrive. Why wait when you could add offence now?

Konovalov played just 17 games in North America before returning to Russia. Rodrigue joined him in the KHL this offseason. That leaves Skinner and his .885 save percentage this season.

Meanwhile, Wallstedt is 23 years old, on an entry-level contract, and looks like a franchise goaltender.

Ex-Oilers Forward Heating Up With New Team Ex-Oilers Forward Heating Up With New Team Former Oilers forward Connor Brown is continuing to make an impact with the Devils.

“I have mixed memories about Edmonton,” Wallstedt said. “Our first World Juniors was the bubble, and I didn’t play much. And second, we were in Red Deer, and that got canceled, and then we had a pretty good last one and got a bronze medal. So, mixed feelings, but this definitely helped a little bit.”

Beating the Oilers probably did help, even if he's since long forgotten about the draft.

“He’s played in different situations and against different teams, first time going through it,” began Minnesota head coach John Hynes. “(He’s got) the demeanour that you want, even though he’s young.

"He’s confident in his abilities and his preparation. And I think he believes in how he’s playing, and that’s what you need. Both guys want the net, which is good for us. But him being a young guy, that (brings) a little bit of that personality, swagger and mindset that you need to be a good goalie in this league.”

Digging Deep On Jordan BinningtonDigging Deep On Jordan BinningtonJordan Binnington to Edmonton isn’t just a rumor anymore—it’s gaining traction. Nick Kypreos reported the Oilers are showing real interest in the Blues goaltender, with Stuart Skinner potentially heading the other way. After watching their goalies surrender eight goals to Dallas, you can understand why Stan Bowman is making calls.

Wallstedt stopped Zach Hyman on a backhand in the second period. He denied Draisaitl on a 3-on-2. McDavid didn’t register his first shot until 6:43 left in the game, and Wallstedt stopped that, too. Every chance, every shot, every opportunity—Wallstedt was there.

The Wild have won 12 of their last 16 games against the Oilers, and Wallstedt is a big reason why Minnesota looks like they’ll continue this trend for years to come.

The frustrating part for Edmonton isn’t just that Wallstedt is good. It’s that he’s exactly what they need. Young, cost-controlled, confident, and capable of stealing games. The kind of goaltender great teams are built around. The kind of player you don’t pass on when he falls into your lap.

Former Oiler At Contract Standstill With St. Louis BluesFormer Oiler At Contract Standstill With St. Louis BluesPhilip Broberg is a top player for St. Louis, but contract talks haven't begun. The Blues are betting big on the former Oiler, who's proving them right.

But they did. And now he’s beating them in their own building while their goaltending situation remains the biggest question mark.

Should this decision in 2021 define the Oilers now? No. Should fans spend every day lamenting a decision made by the previous GM? Probably not. But when your goaltending is .860 through 25 games—the lowest since the team’s first NHL season in 1979-80—and the guy you passed on is shutting you out at home, it’s hard not to think about what could have been.

Wallstedt is a Minnesota Wild. He loves it there. He’s building something special. Good for him. Good for Minnesota for recognizing the opportunity and seizing it.

But for Edmonton, Tuesday night was a painful reminder that sometimes the player you don’t draft haunts you more than the ones you do. And in a city desperate for goaltending, that’s going to sting for a long time.

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Fantasy Basketball Trade Tips: Top Buy-Low Targets & Sell-High Moves

Mid-season fantasy basketball roster management requires exploiting market value, especially with recent NBA injuries sidelining key players like Zion Williamson. This guide offers essential trade tips to help you capitalize on the changing landscape.

We analyze prime buy-low targets such as Shaedon Sharpe, who is due to regain his starting role after a calf injury, and Naz Reid, who offers immense upside should his star teammates miss time. Conversely, we advise looking to sell high on LaMelo Ball while he is healthy and look to hold value like Ryan Rollins, whose prominent role remains secure despite Kevin Porter Jr.'s return.

Buy

Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers

Sharpe recently missed four games with a calf injury. He has come off the bench in all three games since making his return, playing 22 minutes or fewer in two of them. However, he did play 30 minutes in Tuesday's loss to the Raptors. Over those three games, he averaged 13.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals.

Prior to suffering his injury, Sharpe had started the first 14 games for the Trail Blazers. During that span, he averaged 22.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.8 three-pointers in 29 minutes per game. The Trail Blazers are likely being cautious with their young guard right now, as calf injuries can become a more serious issue if not handled properly. He should return to his normal starting role and minutes in the near future, so see if you can acquire him now at a discount.

Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves

Last season, Reid set career highs by averaging 14.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.2 three-pointers per game. The main reason for his increased production was that he averaged 28 minutes. Prior to that, he had never played more than 24 minutes a game in his career. There was a 17-game stretch at one point in the season in which he started and averaged 36 minutes with Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert both missing parts of it because of injuries. During that span, he averaged 18.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 blocks and 2.8 three-pointers.

Reid's production is down slightly this season at 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 three-pointers a night. His minutes are down to 25 a game. The main reason for his muted numbers is that Randle and Gobert have yet to miss any time. It only takes an injury to either of them for Reid to be vaulted into a leading role. Acquiring him now at a discount could pay off in the long run.

Sell

LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets

Ball's scoring is down at 18.9 points per game, but he is averaging 6.1 rebounds and 8.9 assists. He is only shooting 37.8% from the field, which is one of the main reasons for his decline in the scoring department. His usage rate is still high at 31.6%. That puts him on pace to have a usage rate of at least 30.0% for the fourth straight season.

The main reason that Ball is a sell-high candidate right now is that he is healthy. He has played in four straight games, which included both ends of a back-to-back set. That's the first time that he has played both halves of a back-to-back set since the second and third games of the season. Ball has a checkered injury history, and the Hornets are bad again, posting a 6-15 record. Ball runs the risk of another injury and/or rest days down the stretch as the Hornets try to improve their draft lottery odds. Look to move Ball now while he is healthy.

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

James has appeared in five of the Lakers' six games since returning from injury. His minutes have been fine at 32 per game. However, his production is way down at 15.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.4 three-pointers per game. He is shooting 46.0% from the field and 55.0% from the free-throw line, but the biggest concern is his 12.6 shot attempts per game. He has never averaged fewer than 18.1 shot attempts for a season in his career.

James is not a sell-high because his production is excellent right now. He's a sell because he probably has more name value than he does actual fantasy value. Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves are the driving forces behind the Lakers' scoring attack. James can be a good source for assists, but his scoring and rebounding production could remain muted in his current role.

Hold

Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons

Thompson was expected to see a significant increase in playing time this season, and that has come to fruition. After logging 23 minutes per game last season, he has played 28 minutes a game this season. However, he hasn't seen a significant leap in production. He is averaging 11.6 points and 6.1 rebounds, compared to 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds last season.

The good news with Thompson is that he is averaging 1.5 steals. He's not jacking up a ton of threes, but he is making his three-point attempts at a rate of 33.3%. His trade value isn't all that high right now, especially with Jaden Ivey back from injury. However, he can still be a valuable source for rebounds and steals, while also shooting for a high rate from the field. Hang onto him for the time being.

Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks

An injury to Kevin Porter Jr. in the first game of the season unexpectedly thrust Rollins into a prominent role. He stepped up in a big way, producing a 19-game stretch in which he averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.5 three-pointers. The Bucks played him 33 minutes a night during that span.

Rollins has remained a starter since Porter has returned from injury. He had 10 points and four assists over 31 minutes against the Nets, which he followed up with 14 points and five assists over 30 minutes versus the Wizards. While fewer shot attempts will likely be coming his way with Porter in the fold, Rollins can still provide enough value across the board to be worth holding onto. The Bucks don't have great depth, so Rollins should remain an important part of their team.

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Dundee United v Rangers: Pick of the stats

Dundee United v Rangers: Pick of the stats
[SNS]
  • Dundee United are winless in their last 11 league meetings with Rangers (D3 L8) since a 1-0 victory in August 2021.
  • Rangers have won each of their last three league visits to Dundee United, last winning more in a row in August 2003 (run of five).
  • Dundee United have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine home league games (W3 D1 L5), doing so in a 2-0 win over Aberdeen in September.
  • Rangers remain unbeaten in their last 17 away league games (W8 D9), their longest run since May 2021, when they went 21 without losing on the road – a run which was ended by Dundee United in August 2021.
  • Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin remains winless in 16 Scottish Premiership games against Rangers as a manager (D2 L14) – the only side he has faced more than twice in the competition without yet winning.
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Connor Bedard Scores Highlight Reel Goal But Blackhawks Lose To Golden Knights In Shootout

The Chicago Blackhawks took on the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday night. This was the first of three meetings between the clubs in 2025-26. 

Vegas has the roster of a Stanley Cup contender, but with a few injuries and inconsistencies, they have been slightly above average so far this season. That trend continued for them against the Blackhawks on Wednesday. 

Vegas opened the scoring just 0:27 into the game. The puck was thrown into the net by Ivan Barbashev off a skate of Wyatt Kaiser. Not even a minute later, 1:23 to be exact, Oliver Moore scored to tie it right back up. 

Although it seemed like each team had 10 goals on their minds, the pace slowed dramatically. The next goal didn't come until Tyler Bertuzzi put one home at 11:22 of the second period. Bertuzzi took advantage of a lucky bounce and made a skilled (and high effort) play to take advantage.

It was then on Vegas to respond, and Ben Hutton did that for them at 17:19 of the second period. Just like the first Golden Knights goal, this one went in off a Blackhawks defenseman (Matt Grzelcyk). The two teams traded goals in each of the first two periods, entering the third with a 2-2 tie. 

At 4:45, Connor Bedard scored one of the more incredible goals that you'll ever see him score. Ryan Greene made a brilliant defensive play, which landed on the stick of Andre Burakovsky, who stretched Connor Bedard. 

Defending him on the play was Shea Theodore, a likely 2026 Olympian on Team Canada and Stanley Cup champion. Bedard dangled right around him and roofed a shot to give the Blackhawks a 3-2 lead. Speed, skill, and creativity made this happen for Bedard. 

Rookie Braeden Bowman tied the game for the Golden Knights later in the period to complete the trifecta of both teams getting one goal per period. 

Overtime was filled with incredible chances, but both goalies stood their ground. In the shootout, Connor Bedard scored another incredibly skilled goal, but Vegas took it in extra frames. The final score was 4-3 in favor of the Golden Knights. 

Spencer Knight was a shining star in this game, which has become normal for him as an NHL goalie. Knight allowed 3 goals on 28 shots (25 saves), which doesn't seem to be the best set of numbers, but he made some grade-A saves in timely moments throughout. 

Although this game was a loss on the scoreboard, and in the shootout no less, the Blackhawks can feel good about how they played. It's about getting points, and one was left on the table, but they had a great game against a truly formidable team. 

In addition to Connor Bedard and Spencer Knight, who were the two best Blackhawks, Oliver Moore and Frank Nazar were flying in this one. If they can bring that level of speed and intensity every game, the Blackhawks will be as hard to beat as they were earlier in the year. 

Watch Every Blackhawks Goal

What's Next For Chicago?

Next up for the Chicago Blackhawks is a trip to Souther California and a date with the Los Angeles Kings. This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams, LA won the first at United Center 3-1. 

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Baker-Mazara has 25 points and No. 24 USC downs Oregon 82-77

Chad Baker-Mazara scored 25 points and Jacob Cofie added 17 as No. USC defeated Oregon 82-77 on Tuesday night in a Big Ten Conference opener for both teams. USC, which entered the AP Top 25 on Monday for the first time in more than two years, improved to 8-0 to continue its best start since the 2021-22 season.

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Isaiah Evans shakes off shooting struggles to hit a winning 3 for No. 4 Duke against No. 15 Florida

Isaiah Evans just couldn't hit from outside, time and time again watching 3-point shots rattle out as fourth-ranked Duke was locked in a second-half fight with reigning national champion Florida. “That’s my job, I've got to stick it,” Evans said. It came with Evans sitting at 0 for 7 from behind the arc, a struggle in a normally reliable element of his game with his quick release and floor-stretching range.

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Former Laker Elden Campbell, known for his effortless style, dies at 57

Lakers center Elden Campbell (41) pulls in a rebound in front of Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon (34) during a game in 1997.
Lakers center Elden Campbell pulls in a rebound in front of Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon during a game in 1997. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

Former Lakers center Elden Campbell, who played 8 ½ seasons of his 15-year NBA career with the Los Angeles team he watched while growing up here and attending Morningside High, has died. He was 57.

The cause of death is not known.

Former Lakers teammates and friends offered their condolences Tuesday.

The 6-foot-11 Campbell, who was drafted by the Lakers in the first round out of Clemson in 1990, averaged 10.3 points and 5.9 rebounds over his career. He won an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, getting his title with a win over the Lakers.

Campbell was known for his seemingly effortless style of play and calm and easy-going demeanor.

Lakers center Elden Campbell dunks over Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis during a game on April 25, 1997, at the Forum.
Lakers center Elden Campbell dunks over Trail Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis during a game on April 25, 1997, at the Forum. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Former Laker Byron Scott, who said he knew Campbell’s family because Scott also grew up in Inglewood and went to Morningside, said the news was painful to hear. Scott and Campbell were teammates on the Lakers when Scott returned for his final season back with L.A. in 1996-97.

“I just remember his demeanor. That’s why we nicknamed him ‘Easy E,’ ” Scott told The Times. “He was just so cool, nothing speeding him up. He was going to take his time. He was just easy. He was such a good dude. I loved Easy, man.”

Campbell averaged 14.9 points per game with the Lakers during the 1996-97 season playing alongside Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant.

Campbell’s best season was with the Charlotte Hornets, when he averaged 15.3 points and 9.4 rebounds.

“This one hurt to the bone,” Cedric Ceballos said on Instagram about his former Lakers teammate. “Grew up as kids together.”

Campbell was part of the 2025 SoCal Basketball Hall of Fame Class.

After leaving Clemson, Campbell was viewed as a big man with vast potential who would become a force in the NBA. He never quite lived up to that billing, but he was a good defender and had a nice scoring touch.

“I thought that if he really, really wanted to be good — and that’s the only thing I would say negative about him — is that had the potential to be a great player,” Scott said. “He just wanted to play. He didn’t work out until his contract was up and he got ready to try to get another one. He didn’t put that time in, but he had some skills. He was big and strong and could jump out of the gym. He had that nice little turnaround jump shot. He didn’t want to be great, to be honest with you. He just wanted to play. But what a good guy.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Braylon Mullins’ breakout performance lifts No. 5 UConn over No. 21 Kansas 61-56 at Allen Fieldhouse

UConn fans had been eagerly anticipating the day Braylon Mullins could truly step onto the court for them. The five-star freshman rewarded their patience when the Huskies needed it most. Mullins hit a trio of 3-pointers and scored 17 points, blocked a layup by Kansas guard Jamari McDowell in the closing seconds, then sealed fifth-ranked UConn's 61-56 win over the No. 21 Jayhawks with a pair of clutch free throws Tuesday night.