New York Yankees ace Max Fried left Wednesday afternoon's game in Baltimore after only three innings and 61 pitches due to left elbow posterior soreness, the team announced.
The left-hander was not particularly sharp in his outing, giving up three runs and five hits in his three innings of work before giving way to reliever Paul Blackburn in the top of the fourth.
The start of the game was moved up several hours because of storms forecast for the Baltimore area later in the day.
In nine previous starts this season, Fried has posted a 4-2 record and 2.91 ERA over 58 2/3 innings.
May 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) celebrates after he hits a three run home run in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Last year, Dan and I recorded a pre-season podcast where we drafted spots for a Red Sox Bingo card that we never ended up making. I never ended up making. It was me. Despite that, we recorded a pre-season podcast this year where we drafted spots for a Red Sox Bingo card that I never ended up making. Thankfully, Jake Roy made it this year, about a month ago, in like an hour. I’m only now posting it for the same reason I didn’t make or post last year’s at all: I am very irresponsible!
And yet I am creative, and thanks to Dan and Jake for help bringing this to light. For those of you who listened to and remember the podcast, it should be noted that I edited some of our entries to account for new information and to clean up the “uncs just riffing” vibes. Enough chitchat tho, here it is:
The first thing you might notice about this is that some items have already happened. The center square, for instance, and Jarren Duran having a fan incident. They’re not the only ones. But the first person to reply “Bingo!” to any OTM-related account when they have one wins a prize, not that I know what it is. But I’ll buy it. Play and win! At least there’s something left to play for, amirite?
Cade Cunningham took over late in the first round to propel the Detroit Pistons past the Magic in seven games. But life has been even harder against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
These Cade Cunningham picks do not expect the Pistons’ star to erupt in Game 5, but that is somewhat a compliment to the Cavaliers and somewhat a recognition that defense tends to rule the day the further you get in the postseason.
Cade Cunningham best bet: Under 9.5 assists (-130 at bet365)
Yes, Cade Cunningham has cleared this prop twice in this series through four games, but each of those successes came by just the hook, while when he fell short, he did so with just seven assists in Game 1 and six in Game 4.
There is a reason oddsmakers are juicing this Under. The Over might be the more fun bet, the one encouraged to the casual viewer, but it is also the distinctly less likely winner.
The Under is even more likely in the postseason. The pace grinds to a halt.
In the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers averaged 100.7 possessions per game; in the postseason, that has fallen to 95.91. The Detroit Pistons averaged 99.88 possessions per game in the regular season, now 94.82 in the postseason.
Do not be scared of Unders in the postseason; they are more likely than ever.
Do not consider this shade toward Cade Cunningham. He has played very well this postseason. But each of these props has been elevated further than they should have in this series. Do not take the bait.
The pace is only going to slow down further. Cleveland’s defense is only going to become more physical. And Cunningham is going to have to work harder on his own defensive responsibilities, too.
Cunningham has already topped out at 27 points in this series, cracking that prop just once, and he has hit three 3-pointers in a game only once. In fact, he has taken only 5.5 threes per game in this series — compared to 7.6 per game in the first round.
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 08: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during Game Three of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 08, 2026 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. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The offseason has just started for the Philadelphia 76ers, but we’ve already seen a major shakeup, with Daryl Morey out as President of Basketball Operations. Whoever Bob Myers selects to fill the position will inherit some promising pieces, especially the backcourt of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, but also some challenges. Something that slants more towards the challenges category will be what to do with veteran forward Paul George.
The 36-year-old George is set to make $54.1 million next season with a $56.5 million player option in 2027-28, which we can all but guarantee he picks up. The least tricky way to handle the situation would be to ride out the remaining two years and then have a bulk of cap space open up during the summer of 2028, a portion of which could go towards a contract extension for Edgecombe.
Following his 25-game suspension, George played very well, as he purportedly allowed his body to heal from the knee injury that had been hampering him. During the Boston series, he averaged 16.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals, shooting 49.3 from three and played excellent defense on Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and company. His game on both ends complements the backcourt beautifully, which should really be the franchise’s focus moving forward. From his perspective, George is optimistic about getting to move forward without having to worry about dealing with an injury:
“This summer, the rehabbing phase is kind of behind me, so I can, you know, have a real summer of improving. Feel like it’s been stagnant the last couple years because of surgery here or surgery there, the past couple summers. So this summer should be a better summer in terms of working on my game.
…
I mean, for me, I think it’s just figuring out if I can get that explosiveness back. You know, I thought it limited me a lot this year, with the ability to be explosive going towards the basket, which I’ve been my entire career, being able to not have to heavily rely on my jump shot, but the jump shot kind of being the jab to set up the drive to the rim. And I just felt like that wasn’t there this year. So I think just trying to find and see if there is that explosion. So that’ll be my challenge for the summer.
The flip side of the “Paul George looks to be better” coin is that he likely isn’t viewed as one of the absolute worst contracts in the league anymore. Could the new executive look to move off George then? Maybe it’s to get multiple players back and improve the depth of the roster. Maybe it’s to be able to bring in younger players that could match up better with the Maxey and Edgecombe long-term timelines. Regardless, it’s good that George’s improved health and play down the stretch potentially opens up different avenues for the organization.
Following the season, George had only kind words to say about his experience in Philadelphia thus far:
“I mean, it was great. It was great fans, the support, I think through the ups and downs, through everything we’ve been through, through my situation, they’ve been supportive. They supported me through it, and to have an opportunity to play in the postseason, given everything that went on, especially last year, how much of a struggle last season was to give them a postseason this year was I think the positive and the highlight of it all, but my experience with the fans has been amazing. You know, it’s definitely love here. I think for us, we got to get better, for sure. Not quite sure what those answers are right now, but in terms of, you know, my viewpoint on the city of Philadelphia and their support, man, it was awesome.
Again, I think the likeliest scenario is George remains in a Philadelphia uniform with the hope that we see more of the PG from the last couple months. However, a new executive will be making determinations of everything across the roster, and with moving George back on to the trade block, such a move could be a way the Sixers reshape the team in the coming years.
The Chicago Blackhawks selected Artyom Levshunov out of Michigan State as the 2nd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Since then, he has been developing as one of the top prospects in the organization.
Levshunov started his pro career in the AHL during the 2024-25 season before making his NHL debut in the second half. In 2025-26, he played the entire campaign in Chicago with his NHL mates.
In 68 games played, Levshunov had 2 goals and 22 assists for 24 points. He trailed only Louis Crevier among team leaders by a defenseman. Crevier had 25 points in 78 games, so Levshunov had a better points-per-game percentage.
Where things went poorly for Levshunov was decision-making in all three zones, and his ability to defend as a whole leaves a lot to be desired. +/- is a lousy stat compared to some of the newer metrics available, but being -41 (the worst mark in the NHL) is never a great sign.
Ahead of the Olympic break, the Blackhawks put Levshunov on a new development program. Instead of sending him back to the Rockford IceHogs, they scratched him but let him stay with the NHL team so he could focus on certain areas of development.
Levshunov played better once he returned to the post-Olympic break lineup, but there is still a lot of work that needs to take place.
The most important thing the Blackhawks can do at this stage is not to come to any conclusions about his future as an NHL player. No, he didn't start off the way that Matthew Schaefer or Lane Hutson did to begin their NHL careers, but not every highly touted rookie defenseman is on the same pace.
There is always going to be the "Ivan Demidov" people, but there is nothing Levshunov can do to change their minds. The Blackhawks must focus on getting the player they have to his full potential.
Are the Blackhawks doomed if he becomes a solid middle-pair defender instead of a star? Absolutely not. They are still looking for that franchise number one, but there will be other opportunities down the line. Getting Levshunov to a good baseline is the focus right now without overreacting to his first 86 career NHL games.
There were moments during the 2025-26 season that flashed a bit of Levshunov's brilliance. He has good vision and skills with the puck. When he makes the right choice on what to do with it or how to defend an attacking player, it works well.
They took him second overall, so they are going to continue working with him in an attempt to make him a solid every-day NHL contributor. There are plenty of players who make great careers out of that, despite where they are drafted.
The Florida Panthers would draft Aaron Ekblad first overall in 2012 over and over again. He never turned into a Norris Trophy-caliber superstar, but he was a solid anchor on their blue line during some incredible runs.
Levshunov still may become a superstar, but the goal is to build a winning team, and he has the tools to be a part of that.
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The Buffalo Sabres evened their best-of-seven series with the Montreal Canadiens with a 3-2 victory at the Bell Centre on Tuesday, but it was likely not the blueprint that head coach Lindy Ruff wanted to follow. The Sabres repeated their undisciplined ways from Game 3, giving the Habs seven power plays, but Buffalo’s penalty killing and the goaltending of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen kept the game within range.
The fortunate bounce of a stanchion on a Tage Thompson shoot-in tied the game in the second period, and Zach Benson’s game-winner on the power-play early in third stood up, as Luukkonen made 12 of his 29 saves in the contest.
Buffalo went mostly with five defensemen on the night, as veteran Luke Schenn played only 7:04 in the contest, while rookie Konsta Helenius played close to 13 minutes and nearly scored twice, hitting the post and getting robbed by Montreal’s Jakub Dobes.
Head coach Lindy Ruff spoke to the media on Wednesday morning in Montreal, before the club boarded a flight for Buffalo.
Your thoughts on Game 4?
It was pretty good game. Thought we came out great. I thought we lost a lot of momentum on some questionable calls (and) thought we could have got some calls ourselves. We didn't, but we battled through all that and ended up winning the game.
Sabres - Canadiens Might Be Won By Who Has Better Play From Their Depth Forwards
Did you see any trends in the penalties that your team is taking?
I know Montreal's got a good power play, but I think they're going down easy……I think it's part of the playoffs. It is just how important a power play can be. So you get a stick on somebody, you got to be careful with your sticks. You know if they have a chance to make the play look worse than it is. They're going to. It's playoff hockey. Every team in this league does it, and it's an understanding that keep your stick off them. I mean the little push that (Tage) Thompson gave their player, I don't think that's called the regular season, but in the playoffs, it's called, so tell our guys not to do it.
What's your message to your team about maintaining composure?
We'll meet tomorrow morning, and just talk about what to expect. You can look at any series, Montreal's last series was win-a-game, lose-a-game. So you get pretty used to it. For us, a little bit of the same. You went to Boston, won a couple but then lost (and) had to go back to Boston again to win a game. You have to balance the victories and you have to be ready to reset and flush out the losses.
What do you think made Helenius ready for such a high-pressured debut in Game 4?
I think the experience he had with us earlier in the year, his experience and the great job that (Michael) Leone and his crew have done with him in Rochester to get ready to play. I watched all his D zone. A lot of times you have to teach a young player to stay in position support the puck. I thought he did a great job. He skated on pucks. He supported our breakouts really well. And I think that starts in the minors with all the people that are working with him. So they deserve a lot of credit.
Whenever a season ends for an organization, it is always intriguing to learn about the decisions and pursuits that were otherwise unavailable while the team was still playing.
General manager Steve Staios and his management group are very conscientious about leaks and the flow of information out of the organization. Management likes to keep its cards close to its chest, but from time to time, however, details emerge that provide insight into what the organization was trying to do.
The Ottawa Senators’ general manager has admitted that he has used the NHL trade deadline as an opportunity to lay groundwork for the offseason. The organization reportedly engaged in trade conversations regarding Linus Ullmark at the 2024 NHL trade deadline, which eventually culminated in a trade during the Stanley Cup Final.
The Sens Nation Podcast discusses the Senators' offseason need to find a solid backup goalie capable of playing 35 games.
Will defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen be the latest player that the Senators kicked tires on at the deadline, who is targeted in the offseason?
On the Ray and Dregs Podcast, Darren Dreger revealed that trade conversations with the Philadelphia Flyers had progressed pretty far.
“I know that Steve Staios was fairly down the road in negotiations in acquiring Ristolainen at the trade deadline,” Dreger disclosed. “But, Philadelphia just knew what they had. I don't think they believed, or were convinced that they were going to be as good as they were late in the season, and now we're seeing them in the playoffs.
“But, they knew it. They know what they have in the quality of Rasmus Ristolainen. So that's a pretty clear indication of what Staios and Ottawa were trying to acquire: a proven defenseman.”
The 31-year-old Ristolainen is a right-shot, who is best characterized as a defensive defenceman. He played in 44 games for the Flyers this season, recording a modest one goal and 14 points.
The Finnish defenceman missed the first 31 games of the regular season following triceps surgery in October. He would miss another six games later in the season with an undisclosed lower-body injury.
The Senators’ interest in Ristolainen is not surprising given the team’s situation on the back end.
Nick Jensen, who spent most of the season playing a top-four role alongside Thomas Chabot, got hurt. And, as an unrestricted free agent this July, he is not expected to return to the organization.
Artem Zub, arguably the team’s best defensive defenceman, is about to enter the last year of his contract.
Jordan Spence was a revelation, logging minutes alongside Tyler Kleven on the third pairing before Jensen’s injury allowed Spence to ascend the lineup. In all honesty, that was a move that should have been warranted earlier, given the disparity in their performances.
And finally, although Nikolas Matinpalo emerged as a viable defensive depth option, his struggles to move the puck well limited his effectiveness on the ice.
Assuming Dreger’s report is true, the pursuit of Ristolainen makes sense and would stylistically fit with what the Senators are trying to do.
After acquiring Warren Foegele at the deadline and having recently signed Stephen Halliday to a two-year extension, the Senators have four lines of depth at forward. On the blue line, however, there is room for an upgrade.
The defenceman has one year left on his contract that carries an average annual value of $5.1 million. Ristolainen will actually earn just $4 million in base salary next season.
Listed at 6’4” and 220 lbs, Ristolainen is a big and agile defenceman who averaged 21:23 of ice time playing against the opposition’s best offensive players. His skating and size allow him to step up and close in the neutral zone, which fits the aggressive, pressuring style the Senators play.
Panned in the early stages of his career while playing for a hopelessly woeful Buffalo Sabres squad, Ristolainen has improved markedly over the last few seasons in Philadelphia.
Hockeyviz.com
His isolated defensive impacts have grown substantially.
Hockeyviz.com
Although Carter Yakemchuk appeared in a handful of games this season for the parent club and showcased his offensive aptitude, another year of AHL development may benefit his defensive growth.
Acquiring a veteran like Ristolainen would give the organization more depth and the flexibility to bring Yakemchuk along slowly, without risking rushing his development. A similar acquisition would also allow head coach Travis Green to balance his pairings, matching puck movers with traditional archetypal defenders who take care of their own end first.
Whether Staios and the Senators circle back in the summer remains to be seen, but his reported interest at the deadline offers valuable insight into what we can expect from the team.
By Graeme Nichols The Hockey News
This article was first published at The Hockey News Ottawa. Check out more great Sens features from The Hockey News at the links below:
New York Yankees pitcher Max Fried (54) throws during the first inning of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers Friday, May 8, 2026 at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Max Fried only lasted three innings on Wednesday afternoon in Baltimore, indeed seeming to take himself out of the game after the third frame. Down 3-0, the lefty immediately went down the tunnel followed by members of the training staff, and pitching coach Matt Blake tapped Paul Blackburn to come in for longman’s work.
Fried has had blister problems before, affecting him for about five starts last season. I’m not a doctor, but I want to look at Fried’s pitch chart:
Look at the top of the zone, specifically how many cutters and four-seamers Max missed, and missed badly. These are pitches he wants at the letters, and you get that ball down with pressure on top of the baseball — first and middle fingers on four seams, then first finger on top and thumb on the side of the cutter pressing in. A blister or hotspot would affect your ability to apply pressure to the baseball, therefore it won’t sink the way you want it, and instead of starting with a cutter at the letters for a strike, you have an easy take and you’re behind 1-0.
To compensate, you’re going to speed up your arm action, and that throws off your regular pitching mechanics. Fried multiple times fell off the mound more violently than we’re used to, which once again makes me think there’s a hotspot. Break out the pickle juice.
That Fried left the game so decisively is actually a cause for optimism from me, since he seemed to recognize the problem rather than needing imaging or some other kind of diagnosis. Still, given this has been an issue in the past, and the Yankees don’t look great right now, a quick fix would be more than welcome.
Update
Max Fried exited the game with left elbow posterior soreness, the Yankees announced. He will be examined by team physician Dr. Chris Ahmad and undergo imaging tomorrow in New York.
Welp. That’s worse than blisters. Even with Gerrit Cole due back soon from his Tommy John surgery rehab, Fried needing tests on his own elbow is, of course, awful news. Lovely.
Yankees left-hander Max Fried pitches against the Orioles on May 13, 2026.
BALTIMORE — The most consistent and healthy part of the Yankees so far this season just took its first hit.
Max Fried left Wednesday’s game against the Orioles with left elbow posterior soreness, the team said, after just three innings and 61 pitches, replaced by Paul Blackburn.
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Yankees starter Max Fried exited Wednesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles after just three innings.
Following his third inning of work, Fried was seen going down the tunnel with trainers and members of the coaching staff.
The team later announced that Fried left the game with left elbow posterior soreness, and he will be evaluated by team doctors and undergo imaging on Thursday.
Fried threw 61 pitches, but never really looked comfortable on the mound, consistently missing high on the arm side. He also looked down at his landing spot on the mound more than once.
Fried allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out two and walking one.
He was relieved by Paul Blackburn to begin the fourth inning.
May 12, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks ahead of Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) and forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the first half of game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Coming off a tough loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves this past Sunday, the Spurs returned to the Frost Bank Center for Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. With the series tied at 2-2, the winner of this game would dramatically increase their chances of winning the series. After having an early ejection in Game 4, Victor Wembanyama returned in a big way. He scored 16 points in six minutes to start, and finished the first quarter with 18. The Spurs led by 15, but Minnesota cut the lead to four heading into the second quarter. After a low-scoring quarter by both teams, the Spurs took a 12-point lead into halftime. Early in the third, Minnesota quickly cut the deficit and tied the game at 61 apiece. From that point on, the Spurs pressed on the accelerator. They embarked on an 18-6 run and took an 18-point lead into the fourth. The Wolves chipped away bit by bit, but only got within 11 points before the Spurs put them away for good. The Spurs ultimately won 126-97.
Victor Wembanyama led the way with 27 points (9-16 FG, 7-9 FT), 17 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. After being ejected for elbowing Naz Reid in Game 4, Wemby was a man on a mission in Game 5. After setting the tone by having an explosive first quarter, Wemby got others involved and continued to dominate the glass. Wemby also became the third-youngest player in NBA history to drop 25+points, 15+rebounds, and 5+assists in a playoff game (Magic Johnson and Luka Doncic were younger). Ever since the rough offensive performance in Game 1, Wemby has been dominant in Games 2, 3, and 5 by averaging 28.3 points per game, 15.6 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, with 59% shooting from the field. It is safe to say, Minnesota has not figured out how to answer the Alien’s invasion on the court.
CAUTION: UFO APPROACHING. Wemby’s first quarter highlight reel consisted of putbacks, lob slams, threes, and putting Rudy Gobert in a blender!
Keldon Johnson came alive for the first time in this series with 21 points (8-11 FG, 4-5 FT), two rebounds, two steals, and a block. After struggling from the field all series, KJ finally had his best playoff game. He was an extra boost for the offense, especially when Wemby was not on the court. He was also active on defense, racking up three stocks. The 6MOTY is the heart and soul of this team, and he showed out in front of the Spurs faithful.
CLEANUP ON AISLE 3! KJ slams home the missed three with a putback jam!
De’Aaron Fox dropped 18 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Fox, dealing with ankle soreness, powered through and provided early scoring. He also dished out several dimes and had an impact on offense throughout the game. Fox has caught a bit of flak this postseason despite having solid games throughout the series. Nonetheless, he continues to do whatever the team requires of him, and having several other star guards, plus one of the league’s greatest players, makes his job a bit easier.
RONDO FAKE! Fox gets Gobert in the air and spins away for the floater!
Stephon Castle dropped 17 points (8-11 FG), six assists, four rebounds, two steals, and a block. Steph came alive in the second half, providing a spark when the game was deadlocked at 61 apiece. He played determined to get the cup by any means necessary, and played with a swagger that allowed the Spurs to build their lead. Whether he is playing alongside Fox, Dylan Harper, or as the lead guard, Steph has shown that he will make a play on either side of the floor. The 21-year-old continues to be a special two-way player for the silver and black.
FASTBREAK AND-ONE! Steph runs downhill and finishes through contact for the floater and-one!
Dylan Harper dropped 12 points (5-10 FG), 10 rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block. Dylan once again played like a seasoned veteran in another playoff game. His handles and finishing at the rim are so elite that it has many Spurs fans and NBA fans wondering how it’s possible that this will be the worst version of him? He also became the youngest guard ever to record multiple double-doubles in the playoffs, passing Derrick Rose. The rookie has become the Spurs’ secret weapon in these playoffs and seems to have no issue playing his game, regardless of his matchup.
BIG GUARD THINGS! Dylan snatches the offensive board and finishes back at the rim over Julius Randle!
All in all, this was a much-needed win to tilt the series back in the Spurs’ favor. They held multiple double-digit leads throughout the game that were evaporated, but they took care of business from the middle of the third quarter till the end of the game. Wemby definitely played like he owed his team this game, and the supporting cast also stepped up when needed. Honorable mentions: Devin Vassell dropped 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and a block. CB also played lockdown defense on Edwards that forced an 8-second violation. This team has ultimate confidence for Game 6. The question is, will they take care of business with a two-day rest?
Finally, here are the full game highlights.
The Spurs look to move on to the WCF with a Game 6 win this Friday at 8:30 P.M. (CST) on Prime Video.
On this day in 2022, the Florida Panthers did something they had not accomplished in nearly 30 years.
They won a playoff series.
The early days of the Panthers franchise were pretty solid.
They were the most successful expansion team (at the time) following their inaugural season in 1993-94 and went to the Stanley Cup Final during only their third year of existence.
After that, however, things started going downhill.
Florida reached the playoffs in 1997, losing to the New York Rangers in five games, and then again in 2000, getting swept out of the first round by the New Jersey Devils.
Then came what Panthers fans like to refer to as the dark ages.
Florida went 12 seasons without reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs, finally qualifying for the big dance during a fun 2011-12 season that again ended with a first-round defeat at the hands of the Devils. At least this time the Panthers pushed the series to an exhilarating seventh game on home ice.
But alas, Florida has still not won a playoff series since the ’96 conference finals.
Another opportunity came during 2016, but again the Cats were ousted in the first round, this time in six games by the New York Islanders (Trocheck was tripped). Three of Florida’s four defeats in that series came during overtime, with the final two losses happening in double OT.
A 2019 COVID bubble postseason appearance ended in a four-game loss to the Islanders in what was a best-of-5 qualifying round, and then the following year Florida was knocked out in six games by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Then came the 2021-22 season.
That year, the Panthers were firing on all cylinders.
The high-flying Cats led the NHL in goals, were the league’s best team on home ice and won the franchise’s first Presidents’ Trophy.
Surely, this was the year that they would finally end their streak of postseason futility.
Even after a surprising loss in Game 1 to the Washington Capitals, Florida still felt good about their team and their chances.
Those good vibes started to dissipate after the Panthers were trounced 6-1 in Game 3, again falling behind in the best-of-7 series.
That’s when Carter Verhaeghe decided to take matters into his own hands.
Verhaeghe scored twice in Florida’s comeback Game 4 victory, including the overtime winner, sending the series back to Sunrise knotted at two.
Game 5 started out disastrous for the Panthers, falling behind 3-0 by the 3:38 mark of the second period.
Then, Verhaeghe happened again.
He scored Florida’s first goal less than three minutes after the Capitals went up by three, then assisted on goals by Patric Hornqvist and Sam Reinhart, sending the game into the second intermission all tied up.
Verhaeghe finished off an odd-man rush with Panthers captain Sasha Barkov to give Florida their first lead of Game 5 early in the second period, then assisted on a third period tally by Claude Giroux to seal the deal.
For those not keeping track, that’s four goals and seven points in two games for Verhaeghe.
And no, he still wasn’t done there.
The series shifted back to DC for Game 6, with Florida having an opportunity to win their first playoff series in 26 years.
Once again, the Panthers would need to come from behind, trailing 1-0 during the second period and 2-1 early in the third.
Giroux tied the game about midway through the period, with Verhaeghe picking up an assist, and Florida actually led a late lead after a goal by Barkov with just over five minutes to go.
T.J. Oshie’s sixth goal of the series tied the score at three with 1:03 to go, sending the game to overtime.
That’s where Verhaeghe gave the Panthers franchise its biggest postseason moment in decades.
Just two minutes and 46 seconds into the overtime session and with Florida cycling in the Caps’ zone, Verhaeghe came flying down the slot and accepted a pass out of the corner from Giroux.
Verhaeghe took the pass off his skate, directing the puck toward his stick blade, and in one motion sent a backhand shot that went over Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov and into the net.
Wow.
They actually did it.
Looking back from current time in 2026, that game and that series feels like it happened so long ago.
While the Panthers didn’t make much of a run after beating the Caps, losing to Tampa Bay in a four-game sweep in round two, Florida got a taste of what it took to find success in the playoffs.
Panthers General Manager Bill Zito made some major moves that summer, trading for Matthew Tkachuk and hiring Paul Maurice as the team’s next head coach, changing the squad from a chance-trading, end-to-end rush team to a gritty, forechecking, defensively frustrating group that has been a nightmare for opponents to face during the postseason.
Three Stanley Cup Final appearances and two championships later, it would seem that Zito pushed the correct buttons.
Still, looking back at the series against the Capitals and Verhaeghe’s amazing few games, it’s nice to take a moment and remember how good that felt.
Little did we know, the Panthers were just getting started.
Photo catpion: May 13, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) scores the game-winning goal on Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) in overtime in game six of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Capital One Arena. The Panthers won the series 4-2. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
The 18-year-old became the face of the Islanders franchise and helped them make a playoff push before falling short in the final couple of weeks of the regular season. He received all 198 first-place Calder votes.
Montreal’s Ivan Demidov was second and Anaheim’s Bennett Sennecke third in voting by members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
The San Jose Sharks were on a tight deadline to sign forward Carson Wetsch to an entry-level contract, as his rights were set to expire on June 1, but Mike Grier was able to get it done.
The captain of the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League, Wetsch is preparing to participate in this year's Memorial Cup but he had to file some paperwork before the tournament kicked off later this month.
As the Sharks' third round draft pick in 2024, Wetsch had the opportunity to re-enter the NHL Entry Draft this June if he didn't reach an agreement with the Sharks. Instead, the 20-year-old winger opted to sign and will remain a member of the Sharks organization.
Wetsch's offensive production took a major step forward this season, his first in Kelowna. He registered a career-high 72 points in 65 games while scoring 22 goals, which, ironically, was his lowest total since his first season in the WHL.
Known for his physical style of play and getting toward the net to create scoring chances from the dirty areas of the ice, Wetsch projects to be an effective bottom-six forward at the NHL level whenever his time comes. As a 20 year old, Wetsch will most likely join the Sharks' American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, next season where he could potentially fill a top-six role if needed.
Wetsch's Kelowna Rockets qualified for the 2026 Memorial Cup as the host team for this year's event, which will start on May 21st. Currently, the only other team that has locked in a place in the Memorial Cup are the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers, who won their league title on Tuesday night.
AMARILLO, TX - MAY 06: Josh Grosz #30 of the Amarillo Sod Poodles pitches during the game between the Wichita Wind Surge and the Amarillo Sod Poodles at Hodgetown on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by Elisa Chavez/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Last week, in the space of fewer than 24 hours, Jake McCarthy hit a grand slam and drove in five runs as the Rockies beat the Mets 6-2, and Alek Thomas was designated for assignment. In the short-sightedness of many fans (no judgment; I’m in this category sometimes as well) this meant that we had traded away the wrong outfielder.
It’s impossible to know that, because we do not know what the return for Thomas would have been, but it’s also important to note that while results are the only thing that makes a difference in wins and losses, Thomas was fantastically unlucky at the plate this year. All of his expected stats exceeded the results, some by a substantial margin. His xwOBAcon (this takes into account quality of contact and also sounds delicious) exceeded his wOBA by an astounding 110 points. His barrels, launch angles, and hard hit rates were improved on last season. McCarthy, meanwhile, has one of the lowest hard hit rates in the game, although he has also improved his launch angles. But his xwOBAcon is .385 while Thomas’s is .359, a difference not entirely attributable to playing in Coors Field, but which is certainly helped by that. Thomas is also the superior defender. The Diamondbacks designated Thomas for assignment just as much because of roster crunch as because of performance; given his improved launch angles, they surely hope he clears waivers and can go to Reno. If he does not and he suddenly starts hitting above replacement level for another team, it’s not that they suddenly fixed him so much as it is the fixes the Diamondbacks already gave him having better luck.
But anyway, this isn’t about which light hitting outfielder the Diamondbacks should have traded. It is about the overlooked player the Diamondbacks got for McCarthy.
Josh Grosz was an 11th round selection of the Yankees in 2023, five picks after the Mariners drafted Brandyn Garcia. With the Diamondbacks’ own pick of Casey Anderson, he is the third member of the 11th round in 2023 in the organization. (That 2023 draft is looking pretty solid this year. Anderson seems to be finding his feet as a reliever in AA, Philip Abner has already reached the major leagues, and Tommy Troy and LuJames Groover are both knocking on the door. Caden Grice is finally healthy, and Jack Hurley looked to be turning things around at AAA.) These are just interesting facts that have no bearing on the discussion, which is the return for McCarthy.
Grosz starred at East Carolina, a “mid-major” school but one with a top-level (but extremely snake bitten) baseball program. They hold the record for most NCAA tournament appearances without ever making to Omaha, and only two teams are even halfway to their 35: South Alabama (alma mater of Turner Ward, Matt Peacock, and some guy named Luis Gonzalez) with 28, and Stetson. He entered the starting rotation in 2022 and started the game that looked to break the schneid. He gave up two runs (one earned) and the Pirates built a 7-2 lead in the seventh inning. But Texas came back to win and dominated the following day. He was a regular in a rotation that included Trey Yesavage in 2023, with mixed results. (East Carolina has produced some excellent pitching in recent years. In addition to Yesavage, Carson Whisenhunt and Gavin Williams both starred in Greenville post-COVID.)
He signed with the Yankees and got good results, performing well enough to get a spot start in AA. He was even better in 2025, but struggled after being traded to the Rockies in the Ryan McMahon deal. He was a bit unlucky; his xFIP- was 100, indicating that he would have been expected to get average results rather than the poor results he got.
The raw numbers of a 4.12 ERA and a 1.322 WHIP at Amarillo make it look like his luck has turned. That’s not accurate. Jose Cabrera leads the Soddies in WHIP at 0.862. His xFIP- is 75. Jonatan Bernal leads the Soddies in ERA at 1.32. His xFIP- is 63. Grosz’s xFIP- of 55 is closer to Kade Anderson’s than Cabrera’s. Kade Anderson was in line to be the top pick in the draft last year and has an ERA of 0.60 and a WHIP of 0.667 as a starting pitcher in the Texas League. His xFIP- is 46. (Lower numbers are better for minus stats, while higher numbers are better for plus stats, but the meaning is basically the same, with 100 average.) Grosz is allowing a .395 BABIP, which is substantially above his career numbers and is certain to come down. (All statistics are through Sunday, May 10.)
Since it’s not luck, how has he improved so much? It basically comes down to two stats which xFIP absolutely loves. He’s striking out more batters and getting more ground balls. And not by a small margin. He’s faced enough batters for his strikeout rate to mean something, and he’s striking out 40% of the batters he faces. In addition to the strikeout rate, he’s getting more than twice as many ground balls as fly balls.
It is imperative to note what I am not saying here. I am not saying that Josh Grosz is a future ace, or even a guaranteed future rotation piece. Strikeout rate is the only statistic that is really meaningful at this point, and players with strikeout rates like his tend to already be or eventually become relievers. I am not even saying that Josh Grosz would have success in the big leagues. But I do think he’s cracked the code to be a successful pitcher at Amarillo and Reno, if he can keep it up. Strike out batters, make the others hit the ball on the ground, and you can get good results, even at Hodgetown.
Grosz isn’t getting quite as many whiffs as one might like, but he’s still quite good in that department. He’s getting swinging strikes on 14.2% of pitches. For context, Seth Hernandez has the highest rate in the minors at 25%, Rio Britton has the highest rate in the organization at 18.1% (which is in the top-20 across the minors), Mason Miller has the highest in the majors at 26.5% (minimum 10 innings pitched) and Juan Morillo has the best in the organization at 16.1%. One would expect that to drop moving up levels, but it doesn’t always; Morillo is getting more whiffs in the big leagues than he did at AA.
Grosz’s ceiling is mid-rotation starter, and will most likely wind up as a reliever. We’ll likely never know if he would have been the return for a theoretical Thomas trade, but there’s a very good chance that the Diamondbacks wind up on the better side of the McCarthy trade in the end.
Here are the other pitchers who have faced 70 batters and struck out more than 30%. Sanchez and Aracena are the only other ones starting some of the time, and Aracena has also appeared in relief.
It’s interesting that none of these were signed as highly regarded prospects. The Diamondbacks signed Mercado last year after he went undrafted out of Oregon in 2024; he initially didn’t find any takers among the thirty big league organizations and signed with Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League. Rio Britton also attended Oregon once upon a time, but transferred to NC State and went undrafted. The Diamondbacks pounced quickly in his case and signed him in 2023. Aracena may be a prospect now, but he signed for just $70,000, while Sanchez and Santana do not have listed signing bonuses, meaning that they were almost certainly below $50,000. While there have been plenty of complaints (including from me) about the organizational failures in pitching development, there are a few success stories as well, but mostly on the bullpen side.
Jose Cabrera may be having the best season of any of the pitching prospects thus far, but he just missed the 30% cut. Brian Curley and Chung-Hsiang Huang are two starting prospects who have done well to keep walks down while striking people out in the 25-30% range. And pitchers in the complex haven’t faced enough batters yet to form any judgment. Dean Livingston had a solid debut, and Modesto Vargas can be added to the list of potential future bullpen arms who can reach triple digits, but it’ll be at least a few weeks before much more can be said.
