Big and bad no more: SEC opts out of big rivalry games as conference is systematically manipulating the sport of rivalries
Penguins At Canadiens Preseason Preview: Young Players Aim To Prove Themselves
At long last, Pittsburgh Penguins hockey is back on Monday. They will play their first game of the preseason in the Bell Centre against the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. ET.
The Penguins announced the lineup for this game on Sunday evening, and it includes a lot of young players trying to make the NHL roster. There are still some NHL veterans in this lineup, including Anthony Mantha, Tommy Novak, and Robby Fabbri, but the lineup consists mostly of young players like Harrison Brunicke, Owen Pickering, Sergei Murashov, Joel Blomqvist, Tristan Broz, Avery Hayes, and Ben Kindel.
Those players, along with several others, will be given an opportunity to impress head coach Dan Muse and the rest of the coaching staff as they push for spots on the opening night roster.
Joel Blomqvist will get the start in net and play the first half of the game before Sergei Murashov replaces him. Blomqvist is battling Arturs Silovs for the backup goaltender spot behind Tristan Jarry, but don't forget about Murashov.
Murashov is a long shot to make the NHL roster right now, but he's been the best goaltender at training camp thus far. He could at least take that momentum to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a full season before potentially being NHL-ready for the 2026-27 season.
This game will be a good test for some of the Penguins' young players since the Canadiens will have some of their regulars playing, including defenseman Noah Dobson, forwards Brendan Gallagher and Patrik Laine, and goaltender Samuel Montembeault.
The Penguins went 3-0-0 against the Canadiens during the regular season last year and outscored them 18-6. Rickard Rakell was dominant in those games, compiling three goals and six points.
You can listen to the game on 105.9 The X and view the full rosters for the game here.
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Vancouver Canucks Sign Two Star OHL Players
A couple of OHL players returned to their respective club teams after attending the Vancouver Canucks training camp, but they are both coming back with NHL contracts.
On Sunday evening, the Vancouver Canucks made a round of cuts, assigning Gabriel Chiarot back to the Brampton Steelheads and Riley Patterson to his new OHL team, the Niagara IceDogs.
However, on Monday, the organization announced that the club had signed both forwards Patterson and Chiarot to three-year, entry-level contracts.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the #Canucks have agreed to terms with forwards Riley Patterson and Gabriel Chiarot on three-year, entry-level contracts.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) September 22, 2025
DETAILS | https://t.co/eDEQw2zmzhpic.twitter.com/VH7Y4ojM9J
Patterson, 19, was drafted 125th overall in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL draft by the Canucks. Through two seasons with the Barrie Colts in the OHL, he’s put together back-to-back 25+ goal seasons (25,29), and has recorded 121 points (54 goals, 67 assists) in 132 regular season games.
The Colts had one of the deepest rosters in the OHL last season. Patterson recorded three fewer points than he did the previous year, but interestingly, he tied with the New York Islanders’ 2025 first-round pick, Kashawn Aitcheson, for the most points on the team, both finishing the season with 59 points.
Patterson didn’t report to Barrie’s training camp when it opened, as he had requested a trade, wanting a fresh start with a new OHL team. Barrie traded him to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for five draft picks in late August.
Chiarot, 19, had the opportunity to celebrate his birthday on the 17th at Vancouver’s training camp, and what better way to celebrate than by signing your first NHL contract.
The Hamilton, Ontario, native was selected 175th overall in the sixth round of the 2025 NHL Draft by Vancouver. Chiarot recorded 35 goals (21 goals, 14 assists) in 66 regular season games last year with the Brampton Steelheads.
Chiarot’s appeal is that he’s a 200-foot, diligent winger who has the drive to play at the professional level. He’s a dirty-area player. He battles well in the corners, wins puck battles, has a presence on the forecheck, and is fearless in attacking the front of the net. He’s a responsible player who makes contributions on both sides of the puck, despite showcasing a minimal playmaking skill set.
Now, Chiarot didn’t rack up the points last season in his draft year, but he looked very impressive in three OHL pre-season games, recording three goals and four assists.
The Steelheads are going to be a much weaker team this year compared to last year. Canucks prospect Chiarot will be expected to lead the way offensively on a nightly basis for his club.
Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
Latest OHL News:
Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & FanbaseThe majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.
Reversal Trade? OHL's Flint & Niagara Swap Players 13 Months Later Here’s a trade you don’t see too often. The Niagara IceDogs have reacquired defenseman Artem Frolov and forward Hayden Reid from the Flint Firebirds, two players who were traded from Niagara to Flint 13 months ago in a massive three-team deal involving those two teams and the Barrie Colts.
Colorado Avalanche Prospect Christian Humphreys Confidence Rekindled After Leaving The NCAA For OHL's Kitchener RangersShould OHL players leave for opportunities to play collegiate-level hockey in the NCAA? That is a conversation that is constantly being had since we are seeing more and more high-end players from the CHL leave their junior teams to play in the NCAA.
Fantasy Basketball Guards 2025-26: Top 50 rankings, season outlooks, key stats
We're less than a month away from the start of the NBA season, which makes this a great time to go through our positional rankings at Rotoworld.
You can find our Top 50 forwards here and our Top 50 centers here, but we're discussing guards in this article.
The guard position is a vital one to figure out in fantasy basketball, though it certainly isn't a position that is lacking talent. There are plenty of unique guards with different strengths and weaknesses that can be optimized for any team build, though last season's MVP is alone at the top, thanks to his well-rounded, dominant statistical production.
Below is how we'd value SGA and 49 other guards in fantasy basketball this season.
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1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.7 steals, 1.0 block, 2.1 three-pointers
SGA was the best guard in fantasy basketball last season, which is why he should be selected with a top-three pick in every draft. The reigning MVP is the top guard on our board due to a combination of his ability and his availability. The Thunder rotation should be the same as it was last season, which means SGA should be able to deliver a similar output. Not that any roster change would actually impact his production; he’ll continue to be one of the best offensive players in the league while also providing both steals and blocks. He posted career-highs in points, assists and three-pointers last season, and he’ll be in the mix for the top spot in fantasy basketball once again this year.
2. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.5 three-pointers
Raise your hand if you accurately predicted how Doncic’s 2024-25 season would go. He missed time early on due to injuries, and then was traded to the Lakers in a move that shocked the basketball world. The last few months of their season was simply a trial run, and they made moves this offseason to better build around Doncic and LeBron James, with the signing of Deandre Ayton as the team’s lob threat down low as the main addition. Now, with an offseason to forge a team and playbook around the strengths of Doncic, the Lakers will be looking to compete for a title. With LeBron on the wrong side of 40, keeping him fresh for the playoffs is a priority, which means Doncic will be running things more often than not. He should be in for what has become a typical dominant season.
3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks, 2.1 three-pointers
It took a few seasons, but Detroit was finally able to put together a competitive roster around Cunningham, and it immediately resulted in the best season of his career. The added spacing of Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway Jr. opened up driving lanes for Cade, and the development of his teammates made things easier. Plus, Cunningham made individual strides. The Pistons lost THJ in free agency, and Beasley remains unsigned, but the return of Jaden Ivey, who missed the final three months of last season with a broken leg, should help make up for the losses. There’s no reason to think Cunningham won’t continue to progress after making his first All-NBA team last season.
4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals, 4.1 three-pointers
Every year, Edwards seems to take a step forward and add something new to his game. Last season, it was a three-point revolution for him, as he led the league in total threes made and increased his scoring average, which he has done every season of his career. Minnesota lost Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency, but the rest of the rotation should look the same, with some of the young guys making up for NAW’s departure. None of that will directly impact Edwards’ spot, and he’ll continue to carry the offensive workload for the T-wolves, which should result in a monster season for him.
5. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 25.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.4 three-pointers
To put it mildly, last season was a disaster for the Suns, but it wasn’t terrible for Booker. Sure, his field goal percentage dropped, but he was still able to average at least 25 points for the seventh consecutive season, and he set a new career-high for assists. Now, Phoenix’s “big three” experiment is over, with Kevin Durant in Houston and Bradley Beal in Los Angeles. The Suns brought back Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, but this is clearly Booker’s team. While the two newcomers will see their fair share of usage, everything is going to run through Booker under new head coach Jordan Ott. It isn’t an unfair expectation to think Booker could be in for the most productive season of his career.
6. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 24.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.9 three-pointers
Young started last season slowly, and while he did improve as the season progressed, he posted the lowest field goal percentage of his career and his fewest points per game since his rookie year. Young was one of the premier point guard options in fantasy hoops last season by providing a healthy dose of points, assists and threes while maintaining an elite free throw percentage and rate. Now, he has the most talented supporting cast of his career, headlined by the addition of Kristaps Porzingis, who is by far the best stretch five that Young has played with. It wouldn’t be shocking if Young was able to have one of the most efficient seasons of his career with more space to operate in.
7. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.3 three-pointers
While the Cavs were able to put together the second 60-win season in franchise history, it wasn’t because Mitchell took a step forward. In fact, his numbers regressed across the board during the first season under Kenny Atkinson. Mitchell’s 31.4 minutes per game were a career-low, which can at least partially be attributed to the absurd amount of blowout wins the team had. They didn’t make many offseason changes, but they’ll enter the year with Darirus Garland (toe) and Max Strus (foot) both dealing with injuries, which should mean extra usage for Mitchell early on. He could certainly be in for a bounceback season after “only” providing third-round value in nine-category leagues last season.
8. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
Positions: PG/SG/SF
2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.3 blocks
When Jabari Smith Jr. went down with a left hand injury last season, Thompson stepped into a starting role with Houston and never gave it back. In just his second year, Thompson became one of the best players in fantasy basketball, and the trade to bring in Kevin Durant will only help. With Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks gone, Thompson will be the Rockets’ best defender and starting shooting guard. Durant’s presence will create more space for Thompson as a driver, and his dominance defensively should continue. Shooting will never be a strength for him, but Thompson is impactful everywhere else.
9. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 24.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.1 steals, 4.4 three-pointers
Curry just keeps getting it done at a high level. He was back up over a steal per game and played at least 70 games for the second straight season. He also survived a slower start to the season (to his standards) and was better after the All-Star break. The trade deadline addition of Jimmy Butler will alleviate some of the offensive responsibility from Curry, but it also made life a little easier. This roster still has some unknowns as they try to navigate the Jonathan Kuminga saga, but nothing should drastically impact Curry’s production. This team will go as far as he takes them. They know that, and there’s nothing that could happen that will change that.
10. James Harden, LA Clippers
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 3.0 three-pointers.
Even at his age, Harden continues to get it done. He played 79 games last season, making it the second consecutive season that he played at least 70 games. He also provided second round value, which was a nice bounceback for him after he finished outside the first two rounds during the 2023-24 season for the first time in over a decade. The Clippers made some roster upgrades this offseason, but nothing should impact Harden’s place in the rotation or his usage. He figures to be among the league leaders in assists once again while still providing plenty of points, steals and threes.
11. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 26.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers
There was a lot to be frustrated about in Philadelphia last season, but Maxey’s early season success wasn’t part of that. He had the best season of his career and was one of the best players in fantasy basketball from mid-December to early February. He wasn’t available much after the All-Star break, but he should be healthy to start this season. The availability of Joel Embiid is the big question mark in Philly right now, and the answer should have a large impact on how dominant Maxey can be. Regardless, Maxey will at least be the second option, and it’s hard to imagine Embiid playing more than 50-55 games, and that’s staying positive. Maxey should run this team for much of the upcoming season.
12. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 26.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.3 three-pointers
The arrival of Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges gave the Knicks a more balanced roster, which contributed to Brunson taking nearly three fewer shots per game last season. His scoring dropped, but he made up for it with a career-high for assists. New York moved on from Tom Thibodeau this summer and hired Mike Brown to replace him. They also added more depth in the backcourt with Jordan Clarkson and Malcolm Brogdon. Brunson will still be the focal point offensively, but there’s certainly a chance he loses out on a few minutes per game. Still, he should be one of the best offensive players in the league once again, and Brown will want to take advantage of that in his first season at the helm. Expect plenty of points and assists from Brunson once again.
13. Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.5 three-pointers
The knee jerk reaction to the trade that sent Alex Caruso to the Thunder and Giddey to the Bulls was that OKC dominated the trade. While the addition of Caruso helped the Thunder win the championship last season, it doesn’t feel like a landslide deal anymore, thanks to the second-half emergence of Giddey, who was one of the best players in fantasy basketball after the All-Star break. It took a while, but they signed him to a four-year, $100 million contract in September. They didn’t give him superstar money, but he should play that role for them for the next few seasons, which means he could be in for a monster season in the box score.
14. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 23.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.9 three-pointers
Drama swirled around Sacramento early on last season, which resulted in Mike Brown being fired in December and Fox being traded to San Antonio in February. Fox only played in 17 games for the Spurs, with Victor Wembanyama only being available for five of those. San Antonio also added Dylan Harper with the second pick in the draft, and while he shouldn’t impact Fox’s minutes immediately, it does put his future with the team in question, which is weird to think about, since they’ve barely had him on the roster. Still, that won’t alter this season, and Fox should be in for a big year as the lead ball handler and playmaker for the most talented Spurs team in a while. The Fox-Wemby pairing should be fun to watch and only get better as the season progresses.
15. LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 3.8 three-pointers
LaMelo played 47 games last season. While that was an improvement over his two previous seasons, it still wasn’t good enough. It’s difficult to invest a premium pick into a player that has played 105 gamesover the last three seasons, but that’s the type of talent that Ball is. Charlotte added Kon Knueppel in the draft and traded for Collin Sexton, which will provide Ball with more space to operate and scorers to pass the ball to. This team is talented enough to compete for a postseason spot in the East, but like the last few seasons, it won’t happen if Ball isn’t available to play. That’s the risk every manager will take when they consider drafting him, but if he has a healthy season, the payoff will be worth it.
16. Desmond Bane, Orlando Magic
Positions: SG/SF
2024-25 stats: 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.4 three-pointers
Bane has been a top-40 player in nine-cat leagues for each of the last four seasons, but he’ll get a fresh start in Orlando after spending the first five seasons of his career in Memphis. Bane will immediately step into a starting spot and provide Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner with plenty of space to operate in the paint. Bane will be the third option on offense, but he should get plenty of good looks as a floor spacer while still getting the chance to orchestrate the offense. It may look different, but there’s no reason to think Bane won’t be able to replicate top-tier production for his new squad as they try to compete for the top seed in the East.
17. Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 14.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 3.0 steals, 1.1 three-pointers
There may not have been a better value pick last season than Daniels, who won the Most Improved Player award and was a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. In his first season with Atlanta, Daniels enjoyed a breakout season and led the league in steals. The Hawks added some backcourt depth this offseason in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard, but neither should impact Daniels’ place in the rotation. Daniels may not replicate his steals production from last season, but he should be among the league leaders in swipes.
18. Derrick White, Boston Celtics
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.1 blocks, 3.5 three-pointers
White ascended to fantasy stardom two years ago and was able to maintain that last season. He took slight hits across the board, but he set a new career-high for points, rebounds and three-pointers, which prevented his overall value from sinking far despite a drop in shooting percentages. Obviously, this Celtics roster is going to look quite different next season, with Jayson Tatum (Achilles) out for the season, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis gone, Al Horford likely gone, and Anfernee Simons in town. White is now the clear best defender, and he’s still one of the best offensive players, though he may not see a usage bump with both Simons and Payton Pritchard splitting point guard duties. Still, White should remain a top-tier option in fantasy basketball once again.
19. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 21.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 2.3 three-pointers
After years of injury question marks, Murray has been able to flip the narrative in recent years. His 67 games last year were the most he’s played since the 2018-19 season, and his 36.1 minutes per game were a career-high. Denver made some backcourt upgrades this offseason by bringing in Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr., but neither move should have an impact on Murray’s production. Assuming Murray is able to have another healthy season, he should be in line for another strong season after finishing in the top-20 in nine-cat value last season.
20. Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 20.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 2.8 three-pointers
Despite a slow finish to last season, Garland was still able to have a productive year, finishing in the top-50 for the third time in the last four years. It was a step up after a down year during the 2023-24 season, and he was able to address the toe issue that caused his slow finish to the year by undergoing a procedure in June. He’s expected to miss the start of the season, but it isn’t expected to be a long-term absence, though it could cause him to start the year slow.
21. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 23.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 7.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.8 three-pointers
Morant was in and out of the lineup all season for Memphis, but his 50 games played were a huge step up after only being available nine times the year before. However, his production took a hit across the board, including his minutes. The team fired Taylor Jenkins at the end of the season and made Tuomas Iisalo the full-time coach at the end of the year. Iisalo emphasized pick-and-rolls with Zach Edey way more than Jenkins did, which is something Morant had been asking for. Health will continue to be a concern for Morant, but he could certainly have the most productive season of his career.
22. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 2.7 three-pointers
Reaves is coming off the most productive season of his career, and he continues to improve every year. The trade for Luka Doncic didn’t slow him down; in fact, he was even better after the deal. The Lakers made some improvements this offseason, but none that will alter the backcourt rotation. Reaves will look to replicate his late-season numbers, where he was a borderline top-25 player in fantasy basketball. It seems unlikely that he does, but if he can, he’ll end up thoroughly outplaying his ADP.
23. Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 17.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 2.6 three-pointers
When Quickley was traded to the Raptors during the 2023-24 season, he was productive during the second half of that year, which led to many expecting a breakout for him last season. Unfortunately, injuries prevented that from happening. Now, he’s healthy to start this year, and he’ll be running a team that also added Brandon Ingram, who is set to make his debut for them. Quickley could be in line to have the breakout season that was expected last year, and if he does, Toronto could compete for a postseason spot.
24. Jordan Poole, New Orleans Pelicans
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 20.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, 3.5 three-pointers
Despite a tumultuous first season in Washington, Poole was much better last year, which resulted in him posting career-highs in points, steals and three-pointers per game. That was enough for New Orleans to trade for him this offseason and task him with being the team’s point guard while Dejounte Murray recovers from an Achilles tear. Everything went wrong for the Pelicans last season, but Poole can have a productive year as the primary playmaker for a talented team. They don’t have the rights to their 2026 first-round pick, which means there’s no incentive to tank. There’s no reason to think Poole will be at risk of being a shutdown candidate if things go poorly for New Orleans again.
25. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.9 three-pointers
Irving was an important piece for Dallas last season but quickly became even more important after Luka Doncic was traded to the Lakers. He was carrying the load offensively for the Mavericks for most of February before tearing his ACL in March. Irving will miss at least the first few months of the season, if not more, but it's difficult to pass on a player that's this good for very long. D'Angelo Russell and Cooper Flagg will both help with facilitating the offense until Irving returns, but he should be an impactful player when he's healthy, especially during the fantasy playoffs.
12-Team, 9-Cat Fantasy Basketball Mock Draft 2025-26: Take Giannis Antetokounmpo and don’t look back
Starting a draft with Giannis Antetokounmpo allows you to establish your team’s strengths and weaknesses immediately.
26. Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.3 three-pointers
27. Anfernee Simons, Boston Celtics
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 points, 0.9 steals, 3.1 three-pointers
28. Zach LaVine, Sacramento Kings
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 23.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.2 three-pointers
29. Andrew Nembhard, Indiana Pacers
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 three-pointers
30. Coby White, Chicago Bulls
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 20.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers
31. Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets
Positions: SG/SF
2024-25 stats: 15.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 three-pointers
32. Jalen Green, Phoenix Suns
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 21.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.9 three-pointers
33. Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
Positions: SG/SF
2024-25 stats: 24.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 three-pointers
34. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 14.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.9 steals, 3.2 three-pointers
35. Jalen Suggs, Orlando Magic
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 16.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.9 blocks, 2.2 three-pointers
36. D’Angelo Russell, Dallas Mavericks
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 12.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.9 three-pointers
37. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Positions: SG/SF
2024-25 stats: 16.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 three-pointers
38. CJ McCollum, Washington Wizards
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 21.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.8 steals, 3.1 three-pointers
39. Bradley Beal, LA Clippers
Positions: SG/SF
2024-25 stats: 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.9 three-pointers
40. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
Position: SG
2024-25 stats: 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.1 three-pointers
41. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.8 three-pointers
42. Scoot Henderson, Portland Trail Blazers
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.6 three-pointers
43. Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 18.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.7 three-pointers
44. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 17.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists. 2.1 three-pointers
45. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers
Positions: SG/SF
2024-25 stats: 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals, 2.0 three-pointers
46. Dennis Schröder, Sacramento Kings
Position: PG
2024-25 stats: 13.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.7 three-pointers
47. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.2 three-pointers
48. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Positions: SG
2024-25 stats (at Baylor): 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.6 three-pointers
49. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 16.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.6 three-pointers
50. Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans
Positions: PG/SG
2024-25 stats: 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 2.0 steals, 1.7 three-pointers
Canucks And Rangers' Playoff Hopes Affected By Divisional Strength
Following disappointing campaigns for the Vancouver Canucks and New York Rangers, their chances of returning to the post-season all depend on the makeup of the rest of their respective divisions.
The Canucks had a brutal dropoff in play last season, going from the top team in the Pacific Division in 2023-24 to fifth spot in the Pacific last year.
Nonetheless, Vancouver has essentially doubled down on its core of talent this summer, and in this writer’s point of view, Vancouver has a solid shot at being a playoff team and challenging for home-ice advantage.
In many respects, the New York Rangers have experienced a similar journey in the past two seasons as the Canucks have. The Rangers were the best team in the Metropolitan Division – and the league – in 2023-24, only to fall to fifth in the Metro last season.
While the Blueshirts did make some major changes – adding veteran defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and new coach Mike Sullivan, while parting ways with left winger Chris Kreider, D-man K’Andre Miller and coach Peter Laviolette – they also essentially have the same core.
However, the road ahead for the Rangers this season is considerably more difficult than it is for the Canucks. Unlike Vancouver, the Rangers are playing in a division where each team is aiming to take a step toward the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Canucks will be battling with some sub-par-to-mediocre Pacific teams – namely, the Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, and Seattle Kraken.
On the other hand, the Rangers are going to square off against three playoff locks in the Metro – the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and New Jersey Devils. After that, five other teams will be fighting for fourth place - the Rangers, Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers.
We’re already on record as picking the Blue Jackets to earn a playoff spot last year. And if that turns out to be accurate, the Rangers will be looking at fifth place at best in the Metro, and hoping to put together a record that bumps the fourth-place team in the Atlantic Division out of the playoffs. Neither of those two things will be easy, which is why it’s going to be harder for the Rangers to return to the post-season than it will be for the Canucks.
We’re not suggesting the Rangers are certain to miss the playoffs. Nor are we arguing the Canucks are guaranteed to make it. However, playing in a weaker division affects the bottom line for teams. Ultimately, the Rangers are playing in a more competitive division than Vancouver is. That’s not an opinion. That’s reality.
More things have to go right for the Rangers to return to the playoffs than they do for the Canucks to be a post-season team this year. If the stars don’t line up to the benefit of the Rangers, there are going to be some serious changes in Manhattan next summer. So yes, the Rangers have a tougher road back to respectability than Vancouver does.
The Canucks are going to have their own set of challenges this season, but the Rangers have a steeper hill to climb. Time will tell whether either or both teams were up to that challenge.
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Tale of Two Locker Rooms: Sharks vs Golden Knights 9/21/25
The San Jose Sharks hosted their first preseason game of the season on Sunday night. We discussed the events of the game itself last night, now let’s dive into what both locker rooms had to say about the game.
It was the opening contest of preseason for both teams, which was a major talking point of their media availabilities. “I felt good. I thought as the game went along, I got more comfortable,” said Sharks forward Michael Misa. “It's just gonna have to be something I'm gonna have to get used to. But obviously, that was the first preseason game, and I felt good out there.”
Vegas defenseman Kaedan Korczak was a little less optimistic, but had positive takeaways from the night overall. “I felt okay, obviously not the cleanest but felt decent,” he said. “I think going back to last year’s first game I felt a lot better.”
Jeff Skinner was highly complimentary of Sharks defenseman Sam Dickinson, who assisted on his goal. “Obviously, he's got some real good skill,” said Skinner. “He's a big body back there, and I see his junior stats sort of speak for themselves. He can move the puck, and he can create offensively. But I think for me, watching him out there, he looks solid in all three zones to me. I thought he had a great game.”
Dickinson also felt that he had a strong performance, adding, “ [I was] a little more comfortable, a little more confident in what I can do out there. I wasn't really looking just to be out there tonight. I wanted to make a difference and showcase what I can do out on the ice. I think I did a pretty good job of that tonight.”
Dickisnon also noted a key defensive play he made in the second period, disrupting a breakaway chance for Vegas forward Brett Howden as a turning point for him on an individual level. “I think that play there was something that gave me a little bit of confidence to build off of, and to kind of use something to anchor and build shift by shift from,” Dickinson said. “I think it was just the kind of game where I think everybody knew it’s going to take some time to fully get into it.”
As for Vegas, they were pretty open about how the game played out. “We [were] a little soft and got scored on twice,” said Matyas Sapovaliv. “It’s harder to reach for the game after that.” While Korczak knew what they needed to address moving forward, “ I mean 5-on-5, I thought we were right there. We didn’t really take the puck to the net too much but had some looks, but to score in this league you have to get to the net.”
Both teams were also heavily complimentary of their goaltenders, as Skinner had nothing but great things to say about Alex Nedeljkovic, “He was great,” Skinner said. “Not only the saves, I thought he played the puck really well. I thought he made some great plays and that settles things down for us, especially sometimes when they're just trying to dump it in. We had a clean break out, because he made a good play, and then obviously, he saved all the shots. He did his job. I thought he did great. It's nice to see.”
At the other end, Sapovaliv had positive sentiments about both Carl Lindbom and Jesper Vikman. “They both played a really good game and they’ve been good for us,” Sapovaliv stated. “They still kept the game really close.”
Looking back on Misa’s night, he won some key faceoffs that certainly helped the Sharks walk away with the win, despite not recording a point. That’s a key area of his game that he feels he needs to work on moving forward though. “It's gonna be something that's gonna become my daily routine after practice, working on those,” Misa said. “You definitely see it out there a lot stronger guys on the face off. So it's good for me to have to deal with that, and have to practice.”
As for the coaches, Sharks head coach Warsofsky was happy with the performances of quite a few players but did note some things, in the third period specifically, he wants to see the team improve on moving forward.
“[We need to work on] managing pucks, continue to make plays,” said Warsofsky. “We got put on our heels a little bit, which is going to happen in this game, but we can't be soft flipping pucks to the neutral zone, losing wall battles with soft flips, and when you want to argue the penalty and whatnot, we can't take penalties up 2-0. Next thing you know, it's 2-1 with four and a half minutes left. We've seen this act before. So those are the things that we need to improve on. You know, we can't take penalties under six minutes. You know, we don't take penalties at all, really. It's going to happen. Those are the moments we have to start learning as a group.”
At the other end, Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy was happy overall with his team’s 5-on-5 play but said, “Offensively, we needed to be more competitive to get inside. Some of that is young guys not knowing how hard it is to score in this league, and that’s part of the learning curve.”
The Sharks and Golden Knights will face each other once again on Friday, and it will certainly be interesting to see not only how different the lineups will be, but also whether both teams are able to implement the changes they want to see in that quick of a time frame.
San Jose Sharks Defeat Golden Knights 3-0 Due to Multiple Strong First ImpressionsThe San Jose Sharks hosted the Vegas Golden Knights in their first preseason action of the 2025-26 season on Sunday night.
Macklin Celebrini and Cam Lund Return to Training CampAhead of tonight’s preseason matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights, Macklin Celebrini and Cam Lund both returned to the ice this morning at Sharks Ice.
The Hockey News Sunday Recap: San Jose Sharks` - Sunday Sept. 21stHappy Sunday, San Jose Sharks fans.
MLB Power Rankings: Playoff picture heats up as Guardians climb and Tigers and Mets plummet
Featured in the final MLB Power Rankings of the season, the playoff picture is finally coming into focus, the Tigers and Mets are flirting with the wrong kind of history, baseball is fun in the state of Ohio, Clayton Kershaw approaches the end, Mike Trout achieves a milestone, and Nationals center fielder Jacob Young does some straight-up magic against the Mets.
(Please note these power rankings are a combination of current performance and long-term projected outlook)
Let’s get started!
Note: Rankings are from the morning of Monday, September 22.
1) Milwaukee Brewers
Last week: 1
Three straight NL Central titles and likely homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. That’s great, but there’s plenty of uncertainty about the availability of Jose Quintana, Brandon Woodruff, and Trevor Megill. As of now, either Jacob Misiorowski or Chad Patrick figure to follow Freddy Peralta and Quinn Priester in the postseason rotation.
2) Philadelphia Phillies
Last week: 2
Good news on Trea Turner, who is expected to face live pitching on Tuesday and Wednesday as he rehabs from a hamstring injury. He could be back in the Phillies’ lineup as soon as Friday, which would allow him to shake the rust in game action before the playoffs begin.
3) Toronto Blue Jays
Last week: 3
So far, the Blue Jays are the only American League team to clinch a postseason berth. They could also be looking at their first AL East title in 10 years. If they can hold off the Yankees, that is. One major advantage is that the Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker.
This is just the first step. There's more to accomplish.
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) September 21, 2025
But for now...a toast pic.twitter.com/0V4m99l6rd
4) Los Angeles Dodgers ⬆️
Last week: 6
The Dodgers’ rotation is falling into place just in time for the postseason, but it sounds like they’ll be missing Will Smith as he recovers from a hairline fracture in his right hand. Mookie Betts has picked things up this month, but this lineup isn’t nearly as scary without Smith in there.
5) Chicago Cubs ⬇️
Last week: 4
The Cubs are back in the postseason for the first time since the COVID-shortened season in 2020. Craig Counsell's club should have home field advantage in the Wild Card Series next week, but will they have Kyle Tucker and Daniel Palencia?
6) New York Yankees ⬆️
Last week: 7
The Yankees are almost certainly playoff-bound, so the only question is if they’ll be able to chase down the Blue Jays for the AL East lead. While they are two games back in the standings, they’ll actually need to gain three games because of the tiebreaker. It’s a tall task even with a favorable schedule (White Sox, Orioles) to close out the regular season.
7) Seattle Mariners ⬆️
Last week: 8
After sweeping the Astros over the weekend, the Mariners probably have the AL West locked up. Depending on how things go this week, they could secure a first-round bye, as well.
Oh, and Cal Raleigh just keeps mashing dingers and setting records. How high can he climb this week?
HE'S GOT 58!
— MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2025
Cal Raleigh is unreal! pic.twitter.com/CYmzPHqdBc
8) Detroit Tigers ⬇️
Last week: 5
We’re looking at DEFCON 1 levels of panic and anxiety. The Tigers have lost six straight and nine out of 10, giving them a skinny one-lead over the surging Guardians in the AL Central. They are fortunate that the Twins did them a major favor on Sunday. Now all eyes of the baseball world will be on a three-game series between the Tigers and Guardians in Cleveland, beginning on Tuesday.
9) Boston Red Sox
Last week: 9
The Red Sox had to go out there and make things more difficult for themselves by losing to the Rays on Sunday night. This is by no means an easy week to close out the regular season, as they get three against the Blue Jays (who are trying to finish out the AL East) and three against the Tigers, who are trying to avoid an epic collapse.
10) Cleveland Guardians ⬆️
Last week: 14
The Guardians’ winning streak was snapped at 10 games on Sunday, but they are just one game behind the free falling Tigers and also find themselves tied with the Astros for the final Wild Card spot. Absolutely incredible. You’ll be shocked to hear this, but the Guardians’ pitching staff has been the big key, as they’ve posted a 2.32 ERA this month.
11) San Diego Padres ⬇️
Last week: 10
Michael King bounced back from a brutal start against the Mets to deliver five scoreless innings against the White Sox on Sunday. The Padres haven’t officially clinched a postseason spot yet, but that’s more of a formality. King is the likely choice to start Game 2 of the Wild Card series, with Nick Pivetta expected to start Game 1.
12) Houston Astros ⬇️
Last week: 11
Missing Yordan Alvarez due to an ankle sprain, the Astros were swept by the Mariners at the home over the weekend. With the division looking unrealistic at this point, now they need to fight to keep a Wild Card spot.
13) Cincinnati Reds ⬆️
Last week: 18
Coming off a four-game sweep of the Cubs, the Reds are now in position for the final NL Wild Card spot thanks to their tiebreaker with the Mets. Hunter Greene set the stage on Thursday night with a complete game one-hitter. It would be so much fun to see him on the playoff stage.
Hunter Greene dazzled tonight
— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2025
(MLB x @Snapdragon) pic.twitter.com/XS7N0rL36s
14) New York Mets ⬇️
Last week: 13
With a pair of brutal losses to the Nationals over the weekend, the Mets no longer control their own destiny for a playoff spot. The Mets have struggled for a while, but it’s still a shocking fall for a team who had the best record in baseball in June.
15) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬆️
Last week: 16
No matter what happens this week, kudos for the Diamondbacks to even being in this position. Everybody knows about Corbin Carroll and his excellence, but Geraldo Perdomo has been playing out of his mind down the stretch.
16) Texas Rangers ⬇️
Last week: 12
After going on a 16-4 run to climb back into playoff contention, the Rangers have lost seven straight to effectively end their playoff hopes.
17) Kansas City Royals
Last week: 17
The Royals probably aren’t making the playoffs, but they still have a chance to secure their second-straight winning season. Recent call-up Carter Jensen has been a bright spot of late, hitting an even .300 (12-for-40) with two homers and 11 RBI over 14 games.
Carter Jensen is seeing double
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 20, 2025
The @Royals' No. 2 prospect becomes the first big leaguer since 2018 (Matt Carpenter) to hit three doubles in the first three innings of a game: pic.twitter.com/Pu1jlzddRL
18) San Francisco Giants ⬇️
Last week: 15
The Giants rallied to avoid a sweep on Sunday, but they’ve lost seven out of their last nine to make them extreme long shots for the postseason. Quite the disappointment given how things looked after the trade for Rafael Devers.
19) Tampa Bay Rays
Last week: 19
This will be the first time the Rays have missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons since they missed the playoffs in five straight years from 2014-2017. With ownership set to change and executives Matt Silverman and Brian Auld stepping down, some big changes are afoot with this franchise.
20) St. Louis Cardinals
Last week: 20
We’re in the final week of the John Mozeliak Era in St. Louis. Cardinals fans are rightly eager to move forward now that the club has missed the postseason in three straight years, but it’s still been an incredible run.
21) Miami Marlins ⬆️
Last week: 22
Credit to the Marlins for keeping the pressure on, as they’ve won 10 out of 11 to give themselves a chance at a .500 season going into the final week. That would be a huge accomplishment.
22) Baltimore Orioles ⬆️
Last week: 23
This year will go down as a failure for the Orioles, but it’s at least easier to be optimistic about next year with Trevor Rogers returning to form and Kyle Bradish back in the fold from Tommy John surgery. Grayson Rodriguez will be a question mark as he returns from shoulder/elbow surgery, so the Orioles still have work to do with this rotation.
23) Athletics ⬇️
Last week: 21
The A’s were in Pittsburgh this weekend, which led to this cool moment between father and son.
Once upon a time, Jack Wilson caught a first pitch from his 4-year-old son Jacob.
— MLB (@MLB) September 19, 2025
Tonight in Pittsburgh, it was Jacob's turn to catch his dad's first pitch ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nkia8uOKQo
24) Atlanta Braves ⬆️
Last week: 25
The Braves are set to miss the postseason for the first time since 2017, but Matt Olson is finishing the season on the a high note. He’s hitting .357 with seven homers, 16 RBI, and a 1.217 OPS in September.
25) Los Angeles Angels ⬇️
Last week: 24
Mike Trout became the 59th player in history to reach the 400-homer plateau over the weekend, and my goodness did it he do it in emphatic fashion.
BREAKING: MIKE TROUT HITS CAREER HOME RUN NO. 400 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/2sn9SjtPFr
— MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2025
That Coors Field special traveled 485 feet, giving him the longest home run of the 2025 MLB season.
The coolest part of this whole thing wasn’t even the home run. It was the aftermath, which resulted in the fan who caught it getting to play catch with Trout.
The fan who caught Mike Trout’s 400th HR received some signed bats and he had one more request.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) September 21, 2025
To play catch with Trout. pic.twitter.com/qnhIsWDgEl
26) Pittsburgh Pirates ⬆️
Last week: 27
The Pirates finished their home slate with a 44-37 record, their best record at PNC Park since 2018. There’s reason for optimism here, if they can just spend some money to upgrade on the position player side.
27) Washington Nationals ⬆️
Last week: 28
Mets fans, look away. You probably don’t want to see this. Still, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t show Jacob Young’s circus catch from Sunday.
JACOB YOUNG OH MY GOODNESS! pic.twitter.com/bHaSqV0d29
— MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2025
Young's ninth-inning robbery isn’t going to get as much attention, but it was an amazing play nonetheless, especially given the context.
JACOB YOUNG JUST DID IT AGAIN!!! pic.twitter.com/53rnITzHas
— MLB (@MLB) September 21, 2025
28) Minnesota Twins ⬇️
Last week: 26
A lost year for Pablo Lopez is officially over due to a right forearm strain. He was great when healthy, posting a 2.74 ERA over 14 starts, but he also missed time with a hamstring strain and a shoulder strain. Fortunately, an MRI ruled out any concerns with his elbow or ulnar collateral ligament.
29) Chicago White Sox
Last week: 29
Losers of eight out of nine, the White Sox go into the week with 98 losses. Now they play six on the road (three against the Yankees and three against the Nationals). It’s going to be tough to avoid another 100-loss season.
30) Colorado Rockies
Last week: 30
Hey, at least the Rockies won’t be the worst team ever? The Rockies took two out of three from the Angels over the weekend to get them to 43 wins, two more than the White Sox had last season when they set the modern record for losses in a season.
Bruce Pearl, winningest basketball coach in Auburn history, announces retirement
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement Monday months after taking the Tigers to another NCAA Final Four.
Sherrone Moore has high praise for Michigan football: ‘Like waking up on Christmas morning’
Michigan coach Sherrone Moore couldn't have been more upbeat after returning from suspension, saying the vibes are high and his team is trending up.
Kraken Reassign Six Players To Their Junior Clubs
The Seattle Kraken have reassigned six players to their junior clubs, highlighted by 2025 first-round pick Jake O'Brien.
Among the six players are Alexis Bernier, Jakub Fibigr, Blake Fiddler, Julius Miettinen, Jake O'Brien and Will Reynolds.
Bernier will head back to the Drakkar de Baie-Comeau in the QMJHL, where he's spent three seasons. The 19-year-old defender set a career-high in goals and points last year and will be looking to improve on those numbers when he returns from rehabbing an ACL injury.
Fibigr, a 19-year-old Czech defender, will return to the Brampton Steelheads. The Steelheads will look quite different this season after Kraken prospect Carson Rehkopf and other top NHL prospects Porter Martone and Luke Misa have left the team. Fibigr will play a large role with both the Steelheads and the Czechia National Team at the world juniors.
Fiddler, a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft, is heading back to the WHL to rejoin the Edmonton Oil Kings. The 18-year-old got his first taste of NHL action last night and looked strong and poised. The right-handed defenseman has a massive frame and skates very well for his size. Another strong WHL season can go a long way for Fiddler.
Miettinen is currently recovering from an injury and did not participate in rookie camp or training camp. He'll return to an Everett Silvertips team who are hoping for better fortune in the playoffs this year. With exceptional status defenseman Landon DuPont and 2025 first-round pick Carter Bear, the Silvertips should be among the favorites to take home the WHL championship.
O'Brien, like Fiddler, got his first opportunity at playing against NHL competition and did not look out of place. O'Brien is as smart as they come, but he is in major need of adding muscle to his 6-foot-2 frame. Another season or two of developing in the OHL with the Brantford Bulldogs will be very beneficial toward becoming an NHL-ready center.
Reynolds was a third-round pick in the most recent NHL draft and will embark on a new era of his career. The 18-year-old has spent the past season and a half with Acadie-Bathurst Titan in the QMJHL but will join the Newfoundland Regiment this year. Listed at 6-foot-3, Reynolds has appealing physical tools for a defenseman.
Pitt to retire Aaron Donald’s jersey number when the Panthers host Notre Dame on Nov. 15
Aaron Donald, a Pittsburgh-area native, starred for the Panthers from 2010-13.
Bruce Pearl, winningest men’s basketball coach in Auburn history, announces retirement
Auburn coach Bruce Pearl announced his retirement Monday less than six months after finishing the Tigers' best season in program history with another trip to the Final Four. Pearl's 38-year-old son Steven Pearl, who has been on his father's coaching staff for all 11 seasons at Auburn, will take over as coach. "I just feel when I can’t give 100% it’s time to pass the torch,” Bruce Pearl said in a 14-minute video posted on social media.
Deion Sanders says everybody is spelling his name wrong, including himself, and a nursery rhyme is to blame
Deion Sanders is now known as Coach Prime or just 'Prime,' but his actual first name is Dion, not Deion
Former London Knight Impressing Maple Leafs Organization & Fanbase
The majority of NHL teams have kicked off their pre-season this past weekend, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. Training camp and pre-season are opportunities for younger players in the system to impress coaches and management and make a name for themselves.
We could say that is exactly what former London Knights forward Landon Sim is doing in Toronto.
The Toronto Marlies signed the agitating forward to a one-year AHL contract in early May, briefly after the Knights swept the Kitchener Rangers in the Western Conference Finals to advance to their third consecutive OHL Finals. He factored in massively in that series, scoring four goals in that four-game series.
Additionally, Sim was a goal-scoring threat all throughout the 2025 playoffs for the Knights, scoring 12 goals in 17 games, 10 of which were at even strength, and three were game-winners. He can be described as a nasty player who loves to get under his opponent’s skin, as evidenced by his 33 penalty minutes, which were the third-most in the 2025 playoffs.
This isn’t Sim’s first opportunity to attend an NHL training camp. The New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, native was drafted 184th overall in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues.
St. Louis never extended an entry-level contract offer his way, although the organization appreciated his game and had him attend their training camp last year as a free agent invite.
A year goes by, and after scoring a combined 43 goals in 76 games across the OHL regular season, playoffs, and Memorial Cup tournament, the Maple Leafs organization snatched him up via their farm team, and Sim’s physical presence, chippiness, and competitiveness have started to raise eyes in Leafs nation.
Landon Sim is no stranger to dropping the gloves. In fact, I think it’s something he really enjoys doing. He recorded 18 fighting majors in his OHL career, with a career high of eight last regular season. So, it was no surprise when Sim dropped the gloves in Toronto’s first game of their rookie tournament showcase against Ottawa Senators’ prospect, Matthew Andonovski, who was the Kitchener Rangers captain last season.
Landon Sim drops the gloves early in the game, trying to make an impression. 👀👊#leafsforeverpic.twitter.com/k2T32L4ViF
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) September 13, 2025
Fighting one Kitchener Ranger wasn’t enough for Sim. Toronto’s next game was against the Montreal Canadiens, and guess who was playing: Rangers defenseman Andrew MacNeil. It was a spirited bout between the two.
Landon Sim and Andrew MacNiel go at it.
— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) September 14, 2025
Two fights in less than five minutes between the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens' prospects. pic.twitter.com/dOwzFkvz2N
Now, MacNeill and Sim have a previous history. The two fought each other in the OHL last season on Mar. 18, where MacNeill was sending some heavy blows to Sim.
Sim was in Toronto’s lineup for their first pre-season game against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. The Hockey News Toronto Maple Leafs reporter David Alter jokingly tweeted out at the start of the game that his prediction for the game was that Sim would get into a fight.
To much of everyone’s surprise, Sim did not get into a fight, however he did finish the game tied for the most hits on the team with four, despite logging the lowest ice time at 9:56. The two-time OHL champion played on a line with Jacob Quillan and Matthew Barbolini, two players he’ll have an opportunity to develop some chemistry with on the Marlies this season.
Lastly, a clip of Sim during Maple Leafs practice went viral over the past week, as he had a spirited battle with his former London teammate Easton Cowan.
Easton Cowan and Landon Sim with a nice, friendly battle during Group 2’s practice. 👀
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) September 18, 2025
— @markhmasters#LeafsForeverpic.twitter.com/1EXicBjTvn
It seems that Landon Sim is doing everything possible to make a strong impression not only on the Maple Leafs organization but also on the fanbase, who greatly appreciate that blue-collar, hard-nosed style of play.
Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
Latest OHL News:
Reversal Trade? OHL's Flint & Niagara Swap Players 13 Months Later Here’s a trade you don’t see too often. The Niagara IceDogs have reacquired defenseman Artem Frolov and forward Hayden Reid from the Flint Firebirds, two players who were traded from Niagara to Flint 13 months ago in a massive three-team deal involving those two teams and the Barrie Colts.
OHL Opening Night; A Night Of FirstsThe OHL opened up the 2025-26 season with two games on the docket. It was the night of firsts, as it will be all weekend, with many new players entering the league in the new landscape.
Ottawa 67’s 2024 Fifth-Round Pick Excited To Debut For Hometown Team Following NCAA Eligibility ChangeThe NCAA ruling on CHL-player eligibility last November turned the junior hockey landscape upside down. Prior to the November ruling, any player who joined a CHL team became ineligible to play NCAA hockey. The change created an environment where the CHL is now a viable destination for elite young players who want to preserve the option to secure an education while they develop as hockey players in the NCAA. Flyers’ Experiment with Michkov, Zegras, and Grebenkin Already Shows Promise
Preseason hockey is usually about shaking off rust, breaking in new systems, and giving prospects a chance to show if they can handle NHL pace.
But sometimes, a coach stumbles onto something that makes the entire building lean forward in its seat. That happened in the Philadelphia Flyers’ first preseason matchup against the Islanders, when Rick Tocchet rolled out a line of Matvei Michkov, Trevor Zegras, and Nikita Grebenkin.
On paper, the appeal of Michkov and Zegras together is obvious. Both are high-skill, high-vision players who thrive in the creative pockets of the game. Michkov sees plays that don’t exist yet; Zegras has the flair and precision to execute them.
It’s the kind of pairing that fans dream about because it hints at highlight-reel chemistry. But the real intrigue came with the third piece of the line—Grebenkin, a prospect who has been making noise at camp and suddenly found himself flanking two of the Flyers’ brightest stars.
And he didn’t look out of place.
Grebenkin's chemistry with Zegras and Michkov was seamless, natural. He skated with pace, retrieved pucks, and found smart ways to keep plays alive, whether by extending possession along the wall or making the small, quick passes that let Michkov and Zegras do what they do best. (Not to mention, Grebenkin kept the game interesting by stirring the pot with the Islanders multiple times.) The chemistry was surprising not because the top two meshed—that was expected—but because Grebenkin elevated the line instead of weighing it down.
Snowden describes Nikita Grebenkin as a player with “a lot of bite” and described him as “highly-skilled.” Praised how involved he gets and how difficult he is to play against.
— Siobhan Nolan (@SGNolan) September 13, 2025
That detail matters in a camp like this, where internal competition has been one of the dominant themes. Tocchet and the Flyers’ veterans have been clear: jobs aren’t guaranteed. Prospects are pushing. Roster spots are being earned, not handed out. In that context, Grebenkin’s ability to keep stride with Michkov and Zegras was more than just a good shift or two in a preseason game—it was a tangible step forward in his case to make the Flyers' NHL roster.
It’s also telling about the type of player Grebenkin could become at this level. He has some NHL experience from his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but this is a prime opportunity for him to really show what he's capable of.
With Michkov and Zegras, Grebenkin doesn’t need to be the line’s driver, nor does he need to reinvent himself as a grinding specialist. Instead, his value lies in being the facilitator who can adapt to different situations and elevate the talent around him. That’s not always easy for a young player still acclimating to NHL pace and physicality, but Grebenkin managed to strike that balance in his first showcase alongside two of the team’s most gifted offensive minds.
Of course, one preseason look doesn’t write the story. The Flyers have other forwards making strong pushes for roster spots—Alex Bump, Jett Luchanko, to name a couple—and the competition will only intensify as camp goes on. Tocchet will continue to shuffle combinations, searching for both balance and sparks. But what the Michkov-Zegras-Grebenkin line offered was a glimpse of possibility, and possibility is exactly what camps like this are meant to reveal.
For Michkov and Zegras, there’s no question the organization wants to see if they can form something lasting. For Grebenkin, the question is whether he can insert himself into that picture for more than just a trial run. Nights like this help make the case.
In the end, one game of preseason hockey isn't a big enough sample size to determine if this line can truly work. However, it's a promising start in the journey to identify pieces that fit—building the scaffolding of chemistry, giving players chances to prove where they belong. For one night, Michkov and Zegras did what they were supposed to do—and Grebenkin showed that maybe, just maybe, he belongs right there with them.