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Sabres Should Be Focusing On Trading For This Veteran Stanley Cup-Winner

Nazem Kadri (Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Images)

The Buffalo Sabres are in need of many things this summer -- but more than anything else, they need some veterans to come in and establish a winning standard for a new era for the franchise. And while it won't be a cakewalk to acquire the type of talent that can change things for the Sabres, that doesn't mean Buffalo GM Kevyn Adams shouldn't be swinging for the fences in trades and free agency. 

And one intriguing possibility for the Sabres is a veteran center with a Stanley Cup championship on his resume -- Calgary Flames star Nazem Kadri. The 34-year-old is coming off a career-best scoring season, with 35 goals and 67 points. And he's locked up to a very reasonable salary that pays him $7-million per season for the next four years.

Now, Kadri has said he's comfortable in Calgary, and he has a full no-trade clause this year, so this admittedly could be a pipe dream. However, what's the harm in Adams making a pitch to the Flames for Kadri's services? He's an Ontario native who might want to play much closer to home than Alberta is. And although Calgary narrowly missed out on the playoffs this past season, you can make a solid argument that the Sabres have more overall depth and talent than the Flames. Maybe he wants to take a bigger swing with a new team.

And if it does work out, Kadri will make Buffalo a much tougher team to play against -- something that most observers want to see from a newly-rejigged Sabres team. And even if Kadri's play begins to slip, you're still getting someone who knows what it is to be a winner, and who knows how to be a true professional. 

Players like Kadri aren't going to fall into Buffalo's lap. Adams will have to make the move worth Calgary's while, and that means giving up young players and draft picks that will be part of the Flames long-term rebuild. But the Sabres have plenty of those type of assets, and if they do want to take the next competitive step, they're going to have to pay a steep price for it. 

Sabres Won't Land Maple Leafs' Marquee Free Agents -- But They Can Set Their Sights On This Young Leafs Player Via TradeSabres Won't Land Maple Leafs' Marquee Free Agents -- But They Can Set Their Sights On This Young Leafs Player Via TradeThe Buffalo Sabres have $23.2 million in salary cap space to play with this summer.  But for reasons we've covered in this THN.com article, Sabres fans can forget about acquiring Toronto Maple Leafs star and UFA right winger Mitch Marner. It's just not happening, folks. Marner probably isn't coming back to Toronto, but he's damn sure not coming to a team that hasn't made the playoffs in nearly a decade-and-a-half. And the same goes for Leafs UFA center John Tavares, who is going to happily accept a major pay cut from the $11-million he made this year if it means staying with his beloved hometown Leafs. 

But that said, Kadri would be a terrific option for Buffalo. In a market where top-six forwards are hard to come by, acquiring Kadri from the Flames would be a gigantic win for Adams and Sabres brass. It's not going to be easy by any means, but a gamble on Kadri could pay off in a very big way.

Kadri isn't a game-changer per se, but he is someone who would put a burr into the Sabres' saddle. And that's precisely what this organization needs at the moment. Adams may well look to other options to change the culture around the team, but if he can pry Kadri out of Calgary's hands, it could be one of the key moves that turns the Sabres from perennial disappointment to a playoff team at long last.

Sabres Moving On From Rising Free Agent Star Would Be A Disastrous DecisionSabres Moving On From Rising Free Agent Star Would Be A Disastrous DecisionAfter 14 years of missing the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Buffalo Sabres have to change up their lineup. However, this organization cannot afford to play fast-and-loose with most of their assets -- and that includes up-and-coming left winger J.J. Peterka.

So yes, Kadri is definitely worth enquiring about for Buffalo, and stranger things have happened in the NHL than seeing Kadri in a Sabres uniform. You never know until you try, and the Sabres should be trying their utmost to bring in a player with the pedigree that Kadri has. He can help set a new standard for this organization, and he'd be well worth the price Buffalo would have to pay for him.

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Johnson helps Giants find spark in emotional win vs. Padres

Johnson helps Giants find spark in emotional win vs. Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — Standing on second base and staring straight into the Giants’ dugout, Heliot Ramos pounded his chest twice and finished his fiery moment of pure excitement with the three best words in sports: “Let’s f–king go!”

Ramos had just hammered the hardest-hit ball of the night, a one-hopper off the left-field wall with the bases loaded to tie the game at five runs apiece in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Giants once had trailed the San Diego Padres — a team they hadn’t beaten in four tries this season and had a seven-game losing streak against since September of last season — 5-0 before coming back to earn a 6-5 win Wednesday night at Oracle Park.

Jung Hoo Lee’s sacrifice fly right after Ramos’ double gave San Francisco the lead, and the bullpen slammed the door shut on San Diego. 

The talk of the town had been the Giants’ reeling offense, leading to a major roster shakeup earlier in the day. They needed a jolt; a spark had to be lit. Multiple players had a hand in igniting a wick and lighting a fire in front of the home fans.

None brought pure adulation quite like Ramos’ swing after the seventh-inning stretch. 

“It was not only in our dugout, but the crowd went … I mean, that’s as loud as we’ve heard them all year,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said after the win. “It’s pretty inspiring when you haven’t scored any runs and you’re down 5-0 to one of the better pitchers in the National League. Now we get into a situation where we got a chance, and it was pretty loud.

“Big hit, big response by the crowd. Obviously a huge win for us.” 

Ramos joined NBC Sports Bay Area’s Laura Britt and Shawn Estes on “Giants Postgame Live”, and called the win “a very emotional game, mostly mentally.” 

“When they scored those five runs, it was really tough,” Ramos said. “Then we started putting at-bats together. We always have the support of the fans, and that’s what we love. Honestly, it was an emotional at-bat. It was an emotional game, for sure.” 

The Giants on Wednesday morning designated LaMonte Wade Jr. for assignment as part of multiple roster moves. They had lost the first two games of the series against the Padres, almost exclusively because of a sputtering offense that hadn’t scored five or more runs since May 16. Ramos, their All-Star left fielder, is supposed to be a bat the Giants can lean on, and San Francisco did when it mattered most. 

The same goes with Matt Chapman. Defense always will come first for the glove manning the hot corner, but as the Giants’ cleanup hitter, Chapman also has a spotlight on him at the plate. 

Prior to the Giants scoring three runs in the seventh inning to tie the game and take the lead, Chapman got them within striking distance the inning before with a two-run homer that nearly was erased from the unfriendly confines of his home park.

Chapman’s blast just barely cleared the left-field wall, literally bouncing on top of it and back into the field. He felt like he got enough of it off the bat, but there’s no telling unless it’s a no-doubter in San Francisco. 

“I thought it was gone, and then by the way the left fielder started looking like he was camping under it, I was getting a little nervous there,” Chapman admitted. “I knew I hit it well, but sometimes here with the wind and it being cold, you don’t always know if it’s going to go. But I’m glad it did. We needed that.” 

Though Willy Adames’ 0-for-3 night dropped his batting average down to .201, his walk to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning wound up sparking the pivotal rally. The rest of the Giants’ big-name bats — Ramos, Chapman and Lee — came up big. 

Yet it was a fresh face who had just arrived from Sacramento that lit a flame as much as anybody else. 

Mac Dre’s “Since ‘84” blasted across the speakers when Vallejo native Daniel Johnson first walked up to the plate. He grew up coming to Giants and Athletics games, recalling memories of Barry Bonds and Jason Giambi. It was easier to get to A’s games, but he couldn’t hide his smile before or after the game to be wearing the Orange and Black. His night began with a strikeout but only got better from there. 

Johnson went 2-for-4 at the plate with two liners to center field, two runs scored and a stolen base. He had eight people in the stands for his Giants debut, including his mom, dad, brother, sister and a couple of friends. His season began in the Mexican League, where he hit the cover off the ball, and his night ended in a victory celebration, two outs after making the play of the game defensively. 

With his speed, Fernando Tatis Jr. almost was assured to score from first base when Luis Arráez launched a ball 372 feet into the right-center gap with a .520 expected batting average. Johnson opened his hips, changed his cleats for track spikes and ran down a ball that was waiting to bounce off the warning track. 

“I got to go. I have to run,” Johnson remembers telling himself. “He hit it — we were playing kind of in — I was running and I’m just like, ‘I have to run. I have to go.’ That was my only thought: Go get to the ball.” 

There are no words for a night like Johnson had or the kind of win the Giants could finally relish in, just feelings and unbridled emotions. 

“Speechless,” Johnson said. “Just enjoyed every moment of it.”

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Sabres Push For Big Splash May Lead Back To Pettersson

One of the most popular rumors that circulated prior to the NHL trade deadline involved the Buffalo Sabres interest in Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. That speculation evaporated after the trade that sent JT Miller to the NY Rangers in late January, but there may be some smoke to that fire according to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.  

The 26-year-old center, who had the second-worst offensive season of his NHL career in the first year of an eight-year, $92.8 million deal with the Canucks, has a no-movement clause in his contract that kicks in on July 1. Buffalo is undeniably looking to shake their roster up after their 14th straight season outside of the playoffs, and has pieces that might interest Vancouver in a hockey deal.

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Sabres Facing An Off-Season Of Change 

Pagnotta indicated that RFA defenseman Bowen Byram is likely to be moved by Buffalo, as he is slotted behind Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power on the left side of the Sabres blueline, and said that other names such as Power, wingers JJ Peterka and Alex Tuch have been mentioned as possible trade targets. The rumors regarding Buffalo and Pettersson involved Byram and Dylan Cozens, who was dealt to Ottawa at the deadline for center Josh Norris. 

There has been consistent chatter that the Canucks would expect to get a top center in a deal for Pettersson, something that the Sabres may be unwilling or unable to provide, although Norris does not have any trade protection next season. Peterka is a restricted free agent who could be a target for an offer sheet this summer, Tuch is entering the final year of his contract and makes a very reasonable $4.75 million AAV in 2025-26, while Power also is entering year two of a seven-year, $58.45 million contract and does not have any trade protection as well. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo

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Why Finals-bound Thunder remind Livingston of 2014-15 Warriors

Why Finals-bound Thunder remind Livingston of 2014-15 Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The NBA Finals are here.

And while an Oklahoma City Thunder-Indiana Pacers Finals might not have all the glitz and glamour that comes with a Los Angeles or New York franchise playing, it’s a matchup that excites former Warriors guard Shaun Livingston.

“I like it,” Livingston told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole on Wednesday. “I mean, you look at those teams … they’re playing the best basketball obviously, you know, as a team. The connectivity, the way they’re sharing the ball, defensively, there’s great coaching on both sides. Just the way the chess match that’s being played, the game within the game and then, you know, the stars, obviously, they’re playing at a high level.”

And while the youthfulness of the two teams and their stars don’t bare many similarities with the current Warriors roster, Livingston said he sees some between the Thunder and his 2014-15 Warriors squad.

“They remind me of our first year, you know, and the way that they’re connected and also defensively the way that they can just really bite down and lock into guys, 1 through 5,” Livingston told Poole.

That first NBA championship of a now dynastic Warriors teams not only torched teams with a high-powered offense led by Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, but also played flawless defense, headlined by Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green, especially in the postseason where they held opponents to an NBA-best 98.8 defensive rating en route to the team’s first title since 1975.

The three-time NBA champion also mentioned the fact that only four players on the collective rosters have Finals experience — Thomas Bryant, Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam for the Pacers and only Alex Caruso for the Thunder — and compared that to his own experiences.

“I remember our first year,” Livingston told Poole. “Just, the lights, they’re bright. That first game, it’s almost like you got to calm yourself and kind of get into the flow because you want it so much. You want to win the whole series just in that first moment because of the intensity and energy.”

While both teams in this year’s matchup have at least one player with Finals experience, that Warriors 2014-15 roster had zero.

When asked about who he expects to win, Livingston said he just wants “to see good basketball” before telling Poole that he does have the Thunder winning due to his Western Conference ties.

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Why The Boston Bruins Shouldn't Wait To See Whether The Dallas Stars Fire DeBoer Or Not

The NHL’s coaching carousel spins fast once again, with seven teams changing bench bosses after their season ended. 

After the Pittsburgh Penguins hired Dan Muse, there’s only one coaching vacancy left – but there may be a second coming in short order, depending on what happens with the Dallas Stars.

The Boston Bruins are the only team without a coach right now, after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported he believes interim bench boss Joe Sacco is out of the running for the job. 

Soon enough, the Dallas Stars could be in need of a new coach if they fire veteran Peter DeBoer.

If you’re a Bruins fan who saw DeBoer throw Stars goalie Jake Oettinger under the bus in the wake of Dallas’ third-round loss to the Edmonton Oilers and read the reports that players spoke out against him in exit interviews, you shouldn’t want your team to wait and see what happens with DeBoer before deciding on your next coach.

Now, DeBoer has carved out a very nice NHL coaching career. In 17 seasons, he’s coached 1,261 regular-season games, posting a 662-447-152 record in that span. And he’s guided the five teams he’s coached – the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, Vegas Golden Knights and Stars – to 10 playoff appearances. You don’t get that many chances to coach in hockey’s top league if you don’t know what you’re doing.

But DeBoer’s experience doesn’t mean he’s the best choice for the Bruins’ job. 

Peter DeBoer (Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

DeBoer still hasn’t won a Stanley Cup, and after his first season getting the Devils to the Cup final in 2011-12, he hasn’t gotten his team past the conference final. If he were a player, he’d be considered a journeyman by now – and you can’t convince us that DeBoer should be gifted with another job once the Stars let him go simply because he’s been around for a long time.

Just like what Pittsburgh did by hiring Muse instead of seeing if DeBoer becomes available, hiring a first-time coach is the better solution for Boston. 

Look at the Washington Capitals. When they changed coaches last season, they went with a rookie NHL coach in Spencer Carbery, and it paid off spectacularly. The Caps got into the playoffs in Carbery’s first season in D.C., and they were the top regular-season team in the Eastern Conference this season. Carbery didn’t have a long resume to point to, but he was the right choice for the job, and the Caps are better today for it.

This is why someone like Mitch Love, who’s currently an assistant coach with Washington, would be a much better choice for the Bruins. 

Rather than giving someone like DeBoer who is, frankly, a retread, why not give an opportunity to a highly-regarded young coach like Love or AHL Ontario bench boss Marco Sturm? There’s no guarantee any coach works out the way a team hopes they will, but a fresh voice with something to prove could work wonders for Boston.

Certainly, things have soured in a hurry for DeBoer in Dallas. His poor choice of words for Oettinger – the Stars’ goalie of the present and the future – means he’s drawn a line in the sand.

But the Bruins hiring DeBoer isn’t a situation like the one that saw the St. Louis Blues fire coach Drew Bannister once Jim Montgomery was fired by the Bruins. Montgomery is still relatively early in his NHL coaching career, and he was rightfully voted as the 2023 winner of the Jack Adams Award as the league’s top coach. You can’t say either thing about DeBoer at this stage. 

The league clearly values coaching experience, and DeBoer has plenty of that. But there’s something to be said for a coach who hasn’t had a golden opportunity put in front of them yet. There’s a hunger there and a drive that might not be there for someone who would be on his sixth different NHL team.

So yes, if you’re a Bruins fan, you don’t want your team to bring in DeBoer. Starting a new era often means starting with someone who hasn’t had the chances other people have had, and we’d rather see someone like Love implementing a new vision than someone like DeBoer swinging and missing yet again.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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Golden Knights' Nicolas Hague Garnering Interest From Flyers

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague (14) skates against Philadelphia Flyers center Lukas Sedlak (23) during the first period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

In order to free up cap space and shake up the roster, the most talked about option has been trading pending restricted free agent Nicolas Hague, and recently, trusted insider Elliotte Friedman shared a team that has shown plenty of interest in trading for Hague.

That team is the Philadelphia Flyers. Acquiring Hague would make a lot of sense for the Flyers. They have the salary cap space to sign him to a long-term deal, and his age fits the Flyers' timeline. The Flyers won't be competing for a Stanley Cup in the next year or two but will want to begin to take steps in the right direction, which starts by competing for a playoff spot. 

At just 26 years old and with plenty of playoff experience, including winning a Stanley Cup, Hague would be a fantastic addition to Rick Tocchet's squad. 

The Golden Knights haven't come out and claimed they are actively looking to trade Hague, but reports have stated that they are taking calls on him and are listening to offers. With players like Kaedan Korczak, Lukas Cormier and Ben Hutton waiting on the outskirts, it's made Hague expendable considering he can command a lot of money on his next contract. 

The Golden Knights would be looking to regain draft capital in exchange for Hague, although the market for the Kitchener, ON native, has yet to be set. The Flyers have three first-round picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, and the Golden Knights could be looking to move Hague to get back into the first round and begin to repair their prospect pool. 

Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.

Golden Knights Reportedly Entertaining Calls On Nicolas HagueGolden Knights Reportedly Entertaining Calls On Nicolas HagueThe Vegas Golden Knights are pressed against the salary cap heading into the offseason and will likely need to make moves to remain under and improve their team. According to a report by David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, the Golden Knights could do so by trading Nicolas Hague and are entertaining calls and engaging in trade discussions.  Could Golden Knights' Nicolas Hague Be On The Move This Offseason?Could Golden Knights' Nicolas Hague Be On The Move This Offseason?Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nicolas Hague finished the final year of a three-year, $2,294,150 contract he signed with the franchise, making him a restricted free agent this offseason and a player who could garner a lot of interest from other teams. 
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Phillies lose in Toronto but the Mick Abel turnaround might be legit

Phillies lose in Toronto but the Mick Abel turnaround might be legit originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It had been six years since the Phillies used their top pick on a pitcher when they made Mick Abel the first high school arm off the board, 15th overall, in the 2020 draft.

There was Aaron Nola in 2014, Abel in 2020 and then Andrew Painter a year later.

Nola was viewed coming out of LSU as a fast riser with well-above-average command and he lived up to the billing, speeding through the Phillies’ minor-league system and debuting 13 months after his draft date.

Painter was viewed as a potential phenom, a massive right-hander with a classic pitcher’s frame, upper-90s velocity and impressive secondary stuff. After only one full season in the minors, he was the perceived front-runner for the No. 5 spot in the Phillies’ rotation in spring training 2023 before suffering an elbow injury that eventually required Tommy John surgery. Painter has been working his way back since and should be up with the Phils shortly after the All-Star break.

Abel’s path to The Show hasn’t been nearly as straightforward. There were years of control problems. There were questions about confidence and overthinking. There were never questions about the quality of his stuff, and he’s shown why in two major-league starts.

After beating the Pirates with six scoreless innings and nine strikeouts on May 18, Abel pitched nearly as well Wednesday night in Toronto, returning to the Phillies’ rotation with 5⅓ innings of one-run ball.

The lone run came in the bottom of the sixth when Abel allowed a one-out single to Andres Gimenez and an RBI triple to Bo Bichette, whose deep fly ball narrowly eluded a diving Brandon Marsh in center field.

It was another walk-free outing. Abel has made two major-league starts and hasn’t walked anyone. Only two of his last 53 minor-league outings were walk-free. Control is the biggest key for him and it’s been a primary factor in his early success. Abel has thrown a first-pitch strike to 29 of the 41 batters he’s faced (71%).

“I think it’s kind’ve clicked for him,” manager Rob Thomson said. “He’s been around now for a few years and learned a lot. He’s confident in his stuff. He understands now to attack hitters and trust his stuff. That goes a long way.

“He was fantastic. Strike-to-ball ratio, curveball was really good. Poise was outstanding.”

The Phillies really seem to have something here with Abel. Even with side tightness delaying Aaron Nola’s live BP session this week, the Phils’ rotation is an embarrassment of riches — Zack Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Nola, Abel, Painter soon. Suarez is a free agent after the season but even if he walks, it will be difficult to fit everyone into one rotation, which could make Abel even more important this July.

Thomson lifted Abel with one out in the sixth to let Orion Kerkering face Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Kerkering worked out of the jam and the game remained tied until Alejandro Kirk’s walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.

The loss went to Jordan Romano in his first appearance back at Rogers Centre. The win went to Jeff Hoffman in his first appearance against the Phillies since departing in free agency.

Hoffman faced only two batters, allowing a two-out single to Alec Bohm before ending the top of the ninth with a Nick Castellanos groundout. Romano had Guerrero on second with two outs and was ahead 0-2 on Kirk, who ended a seven-pitch at-bat with a deep drive to center that fell in for the winning run.

The Phillies are 37-24 heading into Thursday afternoon’s rubber match between Luzardo (5-1, 3.58) and Chris Bassitt (5-3, 3.80). J.T. Realmuto exited in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday after taking a foul ball to the nether regions. He was in considerable pain and had trouble walking off the field with a trainer. With a 3:07 p.m. game Thursday he might not have played anyway, but it’s looking more like a Rafael Marchan day.

“He said he’s had worse,” Thomson said, “but we’ll check him out tomorrow.”

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Phillies lose in Toronto but the Mick Abel turnaround might be legit

Phillies lose in Toronto but the Mick Abel turnaround might be legit originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It had been six years since the Phillies used their top pick on a pitcher when they made Mick Abel the first high school arm off the board, 15th overall, in the 2020 draft.

There was Aaron Nola in 2014, Abel in 2020 and then Andrew Painter a year later.

Nola was viewed coming out of LSU as a fast riser with well-above-average command and he lived up to the billing, speeding through the Phillies’ minor-league system and debuting 13 months after his draft date.

Painter was viewed as a potential phenom, a massive right-hander with a classic pitcher’s frame, upper-90s velocity and impressive secondary stuff. After only one full season in the minors, he was the perceived front-runner for the No. 5 spot in the Phillies’ rotation in spring training 2023 before suffering an elbow injury that eventually required Tommy John surgery. Painter has been working his way back since and should be up with the Phils shortly after the All-Star break.

Abel’s path to The Show hasn’t been nearly as straightforward. There were years of control problems. There were questions about confidence and overthinking. There were never questions about the quality of his stuff, and he’s shown why in two major-league starts.

After beating the Pirates with six scoreless innings and nine strikeouts on May 18, Abel pitched nearly as well Wednesday night in Toronto, returning to the Phillies’ rotation with 5⅓ innings of one-run ball.

The lone run came in the bottom of the sixth when Abel allowed a one-out single to Andres Gimenez and an RBI triple to Bo Bichette, whose deep fly ball narrowly eluded a diving Brandon Marsh in center field.

It was another walk-free outing. Abel has made two major-league starts and hasn’t walked anyone. Only two of his last 53 minor-league outings were walk-free. Control is the biggest key for him and it’s been a primary factor in his early success. Abel has thrown a first-pitch strike to 29 of the 41 batters he’s faced (71%).

“I think it’s kind’ve clicked for him,” manager Rob Thomson said. “He’s been around now for a few years and learned a lot. He’s confident in his stuff. He understands now to attack hitters and trust his stuff. That goes a long way.

“He was fantastic. Strike-to-ball ratio, curveball was really good. Poise was outstanding.”

The Phillies really seem to have something here with Abel. Even with side tightness delaying Aaron Nola’s live BP session this week, the Phils’ rotation is an embarrassment of riches — Zack Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Nola, Abel, Painter soon. Suarez is a free agent after the season but even if he walks, it will be difficult to fit everyone into one rotation, which could make Abel even more important this July.

Thomson lifted Abel with one out in the sixth to let Orion Kerkering face Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Kerkering worked out of the jam and the game remained tied until Alejandro Kirk’s walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth.

The loss went to Jordan Romano in his first appearance back at Rogers Centre. The win went to Jeff Hoffman in his first appearance against the Phillies since departing in free agency.

Hoffman faced only two batters, allowing a two-out single to Alec Bohm before ending the top of the ninth with a Nick Castellanos groundout. Romano had Guerrero on second with two outs and was ahead 0-2 on Kirk, who ended a seven-pitch at-bat with a deep drive to center that fell in for the winning run.

The Phillies are 37-24 heading into Thursday afternoon’s rubber match between Luzardo (5-1, 3.58) and Chris Bassitt (5-3, 3.80). J.T. Realmuto exited in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday after taking a foul ball to the nether regions. He was in considerable pain and had trouble walking off the field with a trainer. With a 3:07 p.m. game Thursday he might not have played anyway, but it’s looking more like a Rafael Marchan day.

“He said he’s had worse but we’ll check him out tomorrow,” Thomson said.

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Who is Mark Daigneault? Meet the Thunder's young star head coach

Who is Mark Daigneault? Meet the Thunder's young star head coach originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Just a year after a young head coach won the NBA Finals, the 2025 championship matchup could feature a similar scenario.

Last season, Joe Mazzulla became the youngest head coach since 1970 to win the NBA championship when the Boston Celtics topped the Dallas Mavericks in five games. Mazzulla was 35 years and 353 days old at the time.

In the 2025 NBA Finals, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault would still be one of the youngest head coaches to win a championship.

Daigneault is in his first NBA head-coaching role after taking over in 2020. He was the head coach of Oklahoma City’s developmental team, the Blue, from 2014 to 2019 following some years as an assistant coach at the college level.

Now in the fifth year of his job, Daigneault can help Oklahoma City make history with a series win when it faces the Indiana Pacers, led by head coach Rick Carlisle, who has two NBA rings to his name (in 1986 as a player and in 2011 as the Mavs’ head coach).

Here’s everything to know about Daigneault, the Thunder head coach:

Who is the Oklahoma City Thunder’s head coach?

The Thunder head coach is Mark Daigneault.

Where is Mark Daigneault from?

Daigneault is a Massachusetts native. He was born in Leominster, Worcester County.

How old is Mark Daigneault?

Daigneault is 40 years old. He was born on Feb. 23, 1985.

Did Mark Daigneault play in the NBA?

No, Daigneault did not play basketball at college or the NBA but attended UConn and Florida.

How many teams has Mark Daigneault coached?

Daigneault has just coached the Thunder at the professional level. He joined in 2020 and has seen a steady growth from record and playoff-run standpoints.

What is Mark Daigneault’s record with the Thunder?

Here’s a year-by-year look at Daigneault’s record since joining Oklahoma City:

  • 2020-21: 22-50
  • 2021-22: 24-58
  • 2022-23: 40-42
  • 2023-24: 57-25 (lost in second round to Dallas 4-2)
  • 2024-25: 68-14 (NBA championship finalists)

What is Mark Daigneault’s coaching style?

Daigneault is a progressive coach who continuously adds to his clipboard with new tactics and schemes. He’s been touted as open-minded and innovative, finding new ways to optimize his players, such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becoming the league MVP and Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren developing into top-three players on a championship finalist team.

Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe and Cason Wallace are also examples of players on the squad who improved and moved into key roles under Daigneault.

What are Mark Daigneault’s coaching accolades?

Since joining the Thunder in 2020, Daigneault has won the NBA Coach of the Year award once, in 2023-24. He was named an NBA All-Star Game coach in 2025. He could add an NBA title to his resume should Oklahoma City beat Indiana for the franchise’s first ever championship, too.

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What we learned as Giants' offense returns in comeback win vs. Padres

What we learned as Giants' offense returns in comeback win vs. Padres originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The streaks – yes, plural – finally are over for the Giants in all the right ways. 

Fighting back for a 6-5 victory Wednesday night at Oracle Park, the Giants snapped a seven-game losing streak against the San Diego Padres that dated back to last season. They were 0-4 against the Padres this season prior to the win.

They also showed their most life offensively in weeks. The Giants hadn’t scored five or more runs since May 16, and only had scored four in three games since then. But in the final four innings, the Giants scored all six of their runs.

Starting pitcher Kyle Harrison couldn’t get through the fifth inning. Not to worry, the Giants’ bullpen held it down for the young left-hander. A combination of Sean Hjelle, Tyler Rogers, Ryan Walker and Randy Rodriguez kept the Padres scoreless over the final 4 2/3 innings. Rodriguez earned his first save of his young career. 

Here are three takeaways from the Giants’ much-needed win against the Padres.

Harrison’s Tough Outing 

At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Gavin Sheets isn’t built for speed. The 29-year-old first baseman is in his fifth MLB season and on his second team. Wednesday night was his 492nd game in the majors, and he entered with exactly one career triple. 

That number doubled in Sheets’ first at-bat of the night. Sheets roped a hanging slurve off the bricks in Triples Alley to score two runs in the top of the first inning. In the top of the fifth inning, Sheets ended Harrison’s night on an odd sequence. 

With one out and runners on second and third base, Sheets hit a one-hopper up the middle that bounced off Harrison’s left throwing elbow and into right field. The single plated both runners and sent Harrison to the dugout. 

It’s not like the Padres crushed balls left and right off Harrison. He got tough luck on multiple infield hits, making his line of five earned runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings look worse than it really was. However, the nine hits Harrison allowed were his most ever in a Giants jersey. 

Fresh Faces

On a day where the Giants said goodbye to LaMonte Wade Jr. and looked to inject life into a struggling offense, it was the same result the first time two new players stepped to the plate. Both Dominic Smith and Daniel Johnson struck out in the bottom of the second inning. But Smith followed his disappointing debut at-bat with the Giants by flashing some leather to start the top half of the next inning. 

Padres designated hitter Luis Arraez worked an 11-pitch at-bat to lead off the second inning, and looked to continue extending his battle with Harrison. Smith had other plans. The left-hander made an incredible diving back-handed snag down the first-base line.

Smith grounded out softly to third baseman Manny Machado his next time up, though Johnson had much better luck his second crack at starting pitcher Nick Pivetta. Johnson started his own little two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth when he singled to center field, stole second base and then scored on a Patrick Bailey double to right field.

Johnson again singled up the middle to center field in the bottom of the seventh, this time knocking Pivetta out of the game. He finished the night 2-for-4, and Smith was hitless in four at-bats. Both showed out defensively as Johnson tracked down a big-time catch in the right-center gap to preserve the Giants’ lead in the ninth inning.

Bats Wake Up

Through the first four innings, it looked like the Giants’ offense would continue to be stuck in the mud. Bailey’s double got the ball rolling, and just like that, the Giants remembered what it was like seeing runs scored for their side. 

With one swing, the Giants’ deficit was cut in half in the bottom of the sixth inning. Matt Chapman sent a two-run blast to left field that just barely cleared the fence to make it a 5-3 game. Every inch counts. 

The Giants’ first two batters in their lineup, Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee, then did something that has seemed impossible as of late. Ramos’ bases-loaded double off the left-field wall in the seventh inning scored two runs to make it a 5-5 game, hyping the Giants and every fan at the ballpark. Lee followed Ramos by hitting a sacrifice fly to center field, giving the Giants the lead and their most runs in nearly three weeks. 

As a team, the Giants went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and Lee and Johnson each enjoyed a multi-hit game in the win.

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Six Panthers And Oilers Players With Something To Prove In The Stanley Cup Final

By Nevan Oliveira, The Hockey News intern

Excitement builds for a Stanley Cup final rematch between the defending champion Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers.

Fans are eager to see if Florida can be the third NHL team to repeat in the last decade or if Edmonton can finally end Canada’s 32-year Cup drought.

Both teams are stacked with talent, but the edge may go to the one playing with more confidence and urgency. That includes players who returned from injury, underperformed last year or are on their first or potentially last deep playoff run.

Here’s a look at some of those players with something to prove heading into this high-stakes matchup starting June 4.

Brad Marchand, LW, $6.125 million AAV

For the first time in his impressive 16-year career, Brad Marchand is heading to the Stanley Cup final as something other than a Boston Bruin. 

Marchand has reached the Cup final three times – winning against Vancouver in 2011, then losing to Chicago in 2013 and St. Louis in 2019. In the 20 games combined from those final appearances, Marchand had seven goals and 12 points.

Marchand got another chance to chase a Cup this year after the falling Bruins moved him to the Panthers in the final moments of NHL trade deadline day – and he’s making the most of it. At 37, this could be his last kick at the can in the Cup final, depending on what happens with his pending UFA status this summer.

Seth Jones, D, $9.5 million AAV

Seth Jones has at last reached the Stanley Cup final in his third month as a Panther.

After a tough stint in Chicago where his performance suffered despite consistent scoring, Jones was traded for Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick, offering a fresh start reminiscent of his more successful Columbus years.

In Florida’s 17-game playoff run, Jones has three goals, seven points and a plus-9 rating alongside Niko Mikkola. Now, with a shot at the Cup, Jones can prove he’s still an elite defenseman at 30.

Evan Rodrigues (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Evan Rodrigues, C/W, $3 million AAV

Rodrigues has become increasingly noticeable as the playoffs progress, highlighted by a standout series against Carolina, where he tallied one goal and seven of his 11 playoff points in just five games.

In last year’s Stanley Cup final against the Oilers, Rodrigues led the team with four goals and seven points. If Rodrigues can carry that level of confidence and performance against the Oilers once again and deliver a strong showing in another Stanley Cup final, he could significantly boost his next salary when his current contract expires in 2027.

Leon Draisaitl, C, $14 million AAV

As one of the NHL’s most effective players, the only thing missing from Draisaitl’s resume – like Connor McDavid – is a Stanley Cup. 

He underperformed in last year’s Cup final, recording just three points and a minus-2 plus-minus, though coach Kris Knoblauch later revealed he was playing through hand and rib injuries. 

Now, healthier and hungrier, this rematch against the Panthers provides Draisaitl with another opportunity to prove his dominance and bring the Cup back to Edmonton.

Oilers And Panthers' Conn Smythe Contenders Ahead Of The Stanley Cup FinalOilers And Panthers' Conn Smythe Contenders Ahead Of The Stanley Cup FinalThe NHL’s Stanley Cup final starts Wednesday, and players on the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers are making a strong case for winning the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Stuart Skinner, G, $2.6 million AAV

With Edmonton placing a stronger emphasis on defense down the stretch of these playoffs, Stuart Skinner has shown his capabilities. Since taking over from Calvin Pickard against Vegas, he’s posted a .931 save percentage and a 1.73 goals-against average over eight games, winning six of them. 

If Skinner can help lead the Oilers to a Stanley Cup for the first time since the days of Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford, his reputation will be transformed – and so will his future contract value.

Evander Kane, LW/RW, $5.125 million AAV

Before this post-season, Kane didn't play since Game 2 against Florida last year. He recovered from two torn hip adductor muscles, two hernias, two torn lower abdominal muscles and a knee injury to play in this year's playoffs. He’s contributed five goals and 11 points in 15 games so far. 

Now, hopefully close to full health, Kane brings a physical edge and scoring touch the Oilers miss without him. If Edmonton deploys him effectively, he can use his snarl to disrupt the Panthers’ rhythm and chip in with gritty, timely goals, which we saw in the clincher against Dallas.

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Why Celtics should try to hold on to Kristaps Porzingis

Why Celtics should try to hold on to Kristaps Porzingis originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Has Kristaps Porzingis played his final game as a Boston Celtic?

The Celtics must shed roughly $20 million in salary this offseason to get under the second apron of the NBA’s luxury tax. That means they will have to part ways with at least one rotational player, and Porzingis is a prime candidate to be moved.

Porzingis is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $30.7 million salary cap hit. If the C’s prefer to maintain their core of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White, that might make Porzingis the odd man out.

What would the Celtics get in return for the do-it-all 7-footer? MassLive.com’s Brian Robb laid out a scenario in which Boston would send Porzingis to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for old friend Robert Williams and Matisse Thybulle. Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix and Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor shared their takes on that hypothetical deal during NBC Sports Boston’s The Off C’Season special.

“If Porzingis can play, if he’s shaken whatever this illness was, he brings a lot more value than Robert Williams,” Mannix said. “You want a guy that — on a lesser contract — that has shown he can play with Jayson Tatum, has shown he can fit in alongside Jaylen Brown. If you can keep him around on a better deal, that’s probably better long-term for the Celtics.”

While Porzingis has been key to the Celtics’ success, he has struggled to stay healthy. He missed 25 games in 2023-24 and 40 games in 2024-25. He was limited throughout Boston’s 2025 postseason run due to a nagging illness.

Despite those health concerns, O’Connor believes the Celtics should do everything in their power to avoid trading Porzingis, especially if the Williams/Thybulle return is the best they can get.

“You’ve got to see how he looks with Latvia (in the EuroBasket 2025 tournament), and possibly you take him into the season, because he’s still a major X-factor,” O’Connor said. “Still has shown what he can do to this offense, the layers he brings to this team that loves to shoot 3s. His post-up, his ability with his size, and obviously his defense as well.

“Porzingis is a guy I’d prefer to keep, considering his value is so low right now. And if you’re only getting back Time Lord (Robert Wllliams), who, I love him, but injury-prone, hasn’t shown a lot, and Thybulle, who cannot shoot at all and hasn’t for multiple teams, that’s not a great return for Kristaps Porzingis.”

With Porzingis likely on the trade block, plus Al Horford and Luke Kornet set to hit free agency, the Celtics’ frontcourt could be overhauled this summer. It’ll be an eventful offseason for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens as he navigates the team’s challenging financial situation.

Watch the full episode of The Off C’Season in the video below:

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Oilers' Leon Draisaitl scores OT winner vs. Panthers in Stanley Cup Final Game 1

Oilers' Leon Draisaitl scores OT winner vs. Panthers in Stanley Cup Final Game 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Leon Draisaitl scored on the power play in overtime, Stuart Skinner made 29 saves and the Edmonton Oilers erased a multigoal deficit to beat the defending champion Florida Panthers 4-3 in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final rematch on Wednesday night.

After Tomas Nosek’s penalty for putting the puck over the glass, Draisaitl’s goal 19:29 into OT sent the home fans into a frenzy and made sure the Oilers would not start this series like they did a year ago, when they fell behind three games to none.

For a while, it looked like they would at least start out trailing. Draisaitl’s goal 66 seconds in was followed later in the first period by Sam Bennett deflecting a shot in past Stuart Skinner after falling into him.

Edmonton’s Kris Knoblauch unsuccessfully challenged for goaltender interference, with the NHL’s situation room ruling that his own player, Jake Walman, tripped Bennett into Skinner. The resulting penalty paved the way for Florida’s Brad Marchand to score the go-ahead goal on the power play.

Bennett scoring his second of the night early in the second period put the Panthers up 3-1. They entered 31-0 over the past three playoffs since coach Paul Maurice took over when leading at the first or second intermission.

With Connor McDavid leading the way, the Oilers rallied. Fourth-liner Viktor Arvidsson brought the crowd back to life early in the second, and fellow Swede Mattias Ekholm — playing just his second game back from an extended injury absence — tied it with 13:27 remaining in regulation off a perfect pass from McDavid.

At the other end, Skinner made a handful of saves that were vital to keeping the Panthers from extending their lead or tying it late in the third. Florida counterpart Sergei Bobrovsky did the same, in between derisive chants of “Sergei! Sergei!” that followed goals he allowed.

Skinner was greeted with friendlier chants of “Stuuuu” after saves, including one in the first minute of overtime on a quality scoring chance. Bobrovsky stone-cold robbed Trent Frederic nine minutes in but eventually cracked.

Up next

Game 2 is Friday night in Edmonton before the series shifts to Sunrise, Florida for Games 3 and 4.

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Simulating The Edmonton Oilers Versus Florida Panthers Stanley Cup Final In NHL 25

The 2025 Stanley Cup Finals begins tonight between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers and we simulated the series in NHL 25 to see who the game predicts to lift the cup. 

We used the most recent roster update and line predictions for the series in NHL 25 Playoff Mode, with Zach Hyman out of the Oilers lineup and Connor Brown inserted for Jeff Skinner. 

The simulation predicted the Florida Panthers to win the series in five games.

The Oilers took game one before the Panthers roared back to win the next four games to capture the cup. The Panthers won all of their games by at least two goals. 

Matthew Tkachuk led the series with nine points, Sam Reinhart had seven, Leon Draisaitl had six to round out the top three. 

Aleksander Barkov, Connor McDavid, and Sam Bennett each had five points, Barkov led the finals with four goals, just ahead of McDavid and Evander Kane who each had three.

Sergei Bobrovsky outplayed Stuart Skinner by a significant margin in the series, posting a .919 SP and 2.41 GAA while Skinner had a .897 SP and 3.84 GAA.

Florida outscored Edmonton 20-12 with five of them coming on the powerplay. 

While this simulation does not expect to see a close matchup we will see how closely it resembles the real series beginning tonight. 

EA SPORTS NHL predicted the Toronto Maple Leafs to win the Stanley Cup in their official simulation. 

Double Shift Week 2 can be seen here.

For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.       

Photo Credit: © Sam Navarro-Imagn Images