Arthur Okonkwo was the hero of the shootout as the Championship team downed Forest
Big noise from both sets of fans on a chilly night in what used to be known as Clwyd.
Sean Dyche, of course, is wearing shorts as he carries out his pre-match duties.
Continue reading...Following a 6-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell was fined $5,000 by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, the maximum allowed under the CBA, for high-sticking Alexandre Texier.
This is the second time Lundell has been fined this season; the first was for an incident against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 27.
Lundell was handed a four-minute double minor in the second period, but the Canadiens did not score on the man advantage.
Lundell finished the game with no goals or points, with a minus-1 and five shots on goal in 19:55 of ice time. Texier finished the game with a hat trick and a plus-2 rating with six shots on goal in 17:15 of ice time.
Lundell has gone cold as of late, failing to score or record a point in his last four games. In that time, the Panthers have won just one game.
The Panthers have dropped in the standings, sitting three points back of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, with three teams ahead of them. They are also eight points back of the third spot in the Atlantic Division.
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The Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals are going to face off for the second time in under a week. Last Saturday, the Blackhawks took down the Capitals in a long shootout, Nick Foligno scored the winner for Chicago.
Since then, the Blackhawks haven't lost and are undefeated in 2026 still. Since the holiday break ended, they are 5-1-1. A win on Friday over Washington would be their fifth straight.
The Blackhawks are going to be getting a boost in this game. Connor Bedard is going to return to the lineup from injury. He has been out since December 12th.
Connor Bedard Returns To Blackhawks Lineup On Verge Of Five Straight WinsFor Friday's game against the Washington Capitals, the Chicago Blackhawks will be getting Connor Bedard back in the lineup.Scouting Washington
The Washington Capitals are tied for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they are below the playoff line due to tiebreakers. A win on Friday night would put them above once again. It's a fight for every team in that conference right now.
Ovechkin-Strome-Beauvillier
McMichael-Sourdif-Leonard
Duhaime-Dowd-Frank
Milano-Lapierre-Leason
Fehervary-Carlson
Chychrun-Roy
Sandin-McIlrath
Thompson
Lindgren
For over two decades, Alex Ovechkin has been one of the faces of the NHL. Now, he will make his first appearance at the United Center as the all-time leading goal-scorer in NHL history. He passed Wayne Gretzky's mark last spring.
Ovechkin is still scoring goals at a high rate, despite being 40 years old. When he has open space, the Blackhawks better close it quickly, or he will find the back of the net. Ovechkin scored Washington's only goal in a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Wednesday.
John Carlson is an older player now, too, but he is still an incredibly productive defenseman at 35 years old. Whether it's on the power play as the quarterback or at even strength, the forwards have an easier time creating when he's on the ice.
A young Capital to watch out for is Ryan Leonard. The former Boston College and Team USA World Juniors star is blossoming into a good NHL player. He scored in last Saturday's game against the Blackhawks, and he'll be looking to score again in this one.
If Logan Thompson does in fact go for the Capitals in the net, it will be the Blackhawks' second straight game against a Team Canada Olympic goalie. They shocked Jordan Binnington for seven last time out, but beating Thompson will be much more of a challenge.
Projected Lines, Defense Pairs, & Goalie For Chicago
The Chicago Blackhawks didn't have the most traditional morning skate on Friday. Ilya Mikheyev, Arvid Soderblom, and Nick Foligno were all missing due to illness. A flu bug is circulating in the locker room, and it has even caused Jeff Blashill to miss the skate.
They won't know who is available to play until the afternoon, meaning we won't see the active lines until warmups. With Soderblom being one of the sick players, and a game in Nashville on Saturday night, Spencer Knight will be the Chicago goalie in this one.
Connor Bedard, as mentioned before, will make his return. You can expect him to resume his role as the top line center and one of the drivers of offense at both even strength and on the power play.
How To Watch
The game can be heard locally on AM 720 WGN in the Chicagoland area. To view this game, it can be found locally on CHSN. Nationally, it can be seen on NHL Network. The puck will drop shortly after 7:00 PM CT.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.
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The Carolina Hurricanes announced that they have reassigned defenseman Joel Nystrom to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL Friday morning, meaning that Jaccob Slavin should be returning to the lineup very, very soon.
The 31-year-old defenseman has been recovering from an upper-body injury he suffered after getting boarded from behind by Florida Panthers forward A.J. Greer on Dec. 19.
It was a tough blow for Slavin, who was just three games into his return from a lower-body injury that had sidelined him for 28 games previously, but perhaps the new injury gave him even more time for that injury to heal as it was one that had pestered him from the preseason and the team had been extra cautious on.
Slavin, who has been practicing with the team for a little over a week now and recently also shed the non-contact jersey, has been a much missed piece on the Hurricanes' blueline.
The team has done an admirable job stepping up in his and the plethora of other absences they've had to deal with this year, but there's simply no replacing the best defensive defenseman in the game.
With the reassignment, Slavin will be able to be activated off of IR, as the Canes needed to free up a roster spot, and barring no immediate setbacks, he should play Saturday night against the Seattle Kraken as Carolina looks for a fourth straight win.
Nystrom, 23, has been a real gem of a find for Carolina this season.
The sheer amount of injuries the Canes dealt with to start the year meant he got the chance to showcase himself and what an impression he made.
The Swedish blueliner parlayed his opportunity into an extended stretch of games — he now has 33 under his belt, with eight points in that span — and he proved that he can be an everyday NHL defenseman.
That's why the team signed the 2021 seventh-round pick to a four-year extension earlier in the year and if it wasn't for the fact that he can be reassigned to the AHL without the need for waivers, he'd probably still be with the team as the seventh defenseman.
But it'll also be better for him in the long run to get regular playing time down with Chicago Wolves rather than sitting up in the press box with Carolina.
He's gonna be a good player for years to come and his development also gives the Canes a little more flexibility when it comes to potential trade packages as well.
A Perfect Storm: Hurricanes Rookie Defenseman Joel Nystrom Making Most Of OpportunityA rare seventh-round pick defies the odds, showcasing an already high-level hockey sense. Discover how Joel Nystrom's rapid development landed him a a spot in the Hurricanes lineup.Carolina Hurricanes Reportedly Weighing Offers For Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Hurricanes Acquire Former First-Rounder In Late Night Trade
Carolina Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov To Have Surgery; Likely To Miss Remainder Of Season
New Look, Same Swagger: Nikolaj Ehlers Fitting In Perfectly With Carolina Hurricanes
Seth Jarvis Snubbed; Not Named To Team Canada's Olympic Roster
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It's official: Trae Young is a Washington Wizard.
The trade reported a couple of days ago — with Young going to Washington and CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert headed to Atlanta — became official on Friday morning. That is when Young released this statement on X.
…Another Opportunity❄️ pic.twitter.com/jDk09ZI8BZ
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 9, 2026
The key parts of that discuss his acceptance of change for the man who had been the face of the Atlanta Hawks for more than seven years, since the team traded for him on draft night in 2018.
"The last few years weren't how I wanted them to be, expectations that were created for ourselves, reaching heights that Atlanta has never reached before...However, between the injuries, the setbacks, and situations that didn't make sense, we never truly got to see our full potential. The city that raised me and taught me so much will always be a chapter in this story. However, the pain of staying the same eventually outweighed the uncertainty of change."
Young also showed off his new jersey in the Wizards locker room.
It’s official #TRA3@WashWizardspic.twitter.com/Aikewfkwjc
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) January 9, 2026
Young goes to Washington in what is essentially a trial run, but how much we see of Young the remainder of this season is in doubt. Washington brought Young in to be a floor raiser with their young core, but this is also a team that owes its first-round pick to the Knicks, top-eight protected. Currently, the Wizards have the fourth-worst winning percentage in the league, and if the NBA Draft Lottery were today, they would retain their pick regardless of how the ping-pong balls bounce. But if Young plays a lot this season and lifts the Wizards up the standings, that dynamic changes. Which is why most people around the league expect it will be next season before we see a lot of Young on the court in a Wizards uniform and the real test of his ability to be a leader and mentor to this team will begin.
Major League Baseball returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026 with an exciting slate of exclusive games and programming, including Sunday Night Baseball, the return of MLB Sunday Leadoff, a special all-day "Star-Spangled Sunday" showcase on July 5, the Wild Card round of the MLB playoffs, and much more.
It all starts with an Opening Day doubleheader on March 26, as 2025 NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates take on Juan Soto and the New York Mets, followed by the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers raising their championship banner at Dodger Stadium before they host the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Dodgers’ season opener will be the only primetime MLB game on Opening Day and is one of 27 primetime MLB games across NBC, Peacock, and NBCSN in 2026.
Expanding NBC’s marquee Sunday night lineup alongside the NFL and NBA, Sunday Night Baseball will debut on March 29 with a matchup between two 2025 first-place teams, as the Mariners host the Guardians. The 18-game MLB Sunday Leadoff schedule begins May 3, with the defending AL champion Toronto Blue Jays visiting the Twins in Minnesota. On Sunday, July 5, all 15 MLB games will be presented nationally across Peacock and NBC as part of a special all-day “Star-Spangled Sunday” showcase.
NBC Sports will also stream one out-of-market game each day of the 2026 MLB season nationally on Peacock. Telemundo Deportes will present all NBCUniversal-produced MLB games in Spanish, with Universo televising all games broadcast on NBC.
Opening Day can’t come soon enough. Check out the full schedule below.
2026 SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL & SPECIAL EVENTSCHEDULE
**All Times ET**
**NOTE: Most Peacock Exclusive Games Will Be Simulcast on NBCSN
| Date | Time | Game | Platforms |
| March 26* | 1 p.m. | Pittsburgh Pirates at N.Y. Mets | NBC/Peacock |
| March 26* | 8 p.m. | Arizona Diamondbacks at L.A. Dodgers | NBC/Peacock |
| March 29 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Guardians at Seattle Mariners | Peacock |
| April 5 | 7 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals at Detroit Tigers | Peacock |
| April 12 | 7 p.m. | Cleveland Guardians at Atlanta Braves | NBC/Peacock |
| April 19 | 7 p.m. | Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies | Peacock |
| April 26 | 7 p.m. | L.A. Angels at Kansas City Royals | Peacock |
| May 3 | 7 p.m. | Texas Rangers at Detroit Tigers | Peacock |
| May 10 | 7 p.m. | Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals | Peacock |
| May 17 | 7 p.m. | San Diego Padres at Seattle Mariners | Peacock |
| May 24 | 7 p.m. | Texas Rangers at L.A. Angels | Peacock |
| May 31 | 7 p.m. | Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals | NBC/Peacock |
| June 7 | 8 p.m. | San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs | NBC/Peacock |
| June 14 | 7 p.m. | Texas Rangers at Boston Red Sox | NBC/Peacock |
| June 21 | 7 p.m. | N.Y. Mets at Philadelphia Phillies | NBC/Peacock |
| June 28 | 7 p.m. | N.Y. Yankees at Boston Red Sox | NBC/Peacock |
| July 5** | 12:30 p.m. | N.Y. Mets at Atlanta Braves | NBC/Peacock |
| July 5 | 7 p.m. | San Diego Padres at L.A. Dodgers | NBC/Peacock |
| July 19 | 7 p.m. | L.A. Dodgers at N.Y. Yankees | NBC/Peacock |
| July 26 | 7 p.m. | N.Y. Yankees at Philadelphia Phillies | NBC/Peacock |
| August 2 | 7 p.m. | Boston Red Sox at L.A. Dodgers | NBC/Peacock |
| August 9 | 8 p.m. | Houston Astros at San Diego Padres | NBC/Peacock |
| August 16 | 7 p.m. | Seattle Mariners at Houston Astros | NBC/Peacock |
| August 23 | 3 p.m. | San Francisco Giants at Boston Red Sox | NBC/Peacock |
| August 30 | 3 p.m. | Cincinnati Reds at Chicago Cubs | NBC/Peacock |
| August 30 | 7 p.m. | Houston Astros at N.Y. Mets | NBC/Peacock |
| Sept. 6 | 3 p.m. | Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies | NBC/Peacock |
| Sept. 6 | 7 p.m. | Toronto Blue Jays at Kansas City Royals | Peacock |
| Sept. 7*** | 8 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco Giants | NBC/Peacock |
| Sept. 13 | 7 p.m. | San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants | Peacock |
| Sept. 20 | 7 p.m. | Milwaukee Brewers at Baltimore Orioles | Peacock |
*Opening Day (Thursday)
**Also on MLB Sunday Leadoff schedule (below)
***Labor Day (Monday)
2026 MLB SUNDAY LEADOFF SCHEDULE
**All Times ET**
**NOTE: Most Peacock Exclusive Games Will Be Simulcast on NBCSN
| Date | Time | Game | Platforms |
| May 3 | 12:30 p.m. | Toronto Blue Jays at Minnesota Twins | Peacock |
| May 10 | Noon | Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins | Peacock |
| May 17 | Noon | Miami Marlins at Tampa Bay Rays | Peacock |
| May 24 | Noon | Pittsburgh Pirates at Toronto Blue Jayes | Peacock |
| May 31 | Noon | Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles | Peacock |
| June 7 | 3 p.m. | Washington Nationals at Arizona Diamondbacks | Peacock |
| June 14 | Noon | Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates | Peacock |
| June 21 | 3 p.m. | Minnesota Twins at Arizona Diamondbacks | Peacock |
| June 28 | 3 p.m. | Athletics at L.A. Angels | Peacock |
| July 5 | 12:30 p.m. | N.Y. Mets at Atlanta Braves | NBC/Peacock |
| July 12 | Noon | Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates | Peacock |
| July 19 | Noon | Chicago White Sox at Toronto Blue Jays | Peacock |
| July 26 | Noon | Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays | Peacock |
| August 2 | 3 p.m. | Milwaukee Brewers at L.A. Angels | Peacock |
| August 9 | Noon | Cincinnati Reds at Washington Nationals | Peacock |
| August 16 | Noon | Baltimore Orioles at Tampa Bay Rays | Peacock |
| August 23 | 4 p.m. | Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks | Peacock |
| August 30 | Noon | Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals | Peacock |
NBC SPORTS’ JULY 5 MLB “STAR-SPANGLED SUNDAY”
EVERY MLB GAME PRESENTED NATIONALLY ON NBCUNIVERSAL PLATFORMS
**All Times ET**
**NOTE: Most Peacock Exclusive Games Will Be Simulcast on NBCSN
| Time | Game | Platforms |
| 12:30 p.m.* | N.Y. Mets at Atlanta Braves | NBC/Peacock |
| 1 p.m. | Pittsburgh Pirates at Washington Nationals | Peacock |
| 1 p.m. | Baltimore Orioles at Cincinnati Reds | Peacock |
| 1:30 p.m. | Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees | Peacock |
| 2 p.m. | Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Guardians | Peacock |
| 2:30 p.m. | St. Louis Cardinals at Chicago Cubs | Peacock |
| 3 p.m. | Philadelphia Philles at Kansas City Royals | Peacock |
| 3:30 p.m. | Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers | Peacock |
| 3:30 p.m. | Tampa Bay Rays at Houston Astros | Peacock |
| 4:00 p.m. | San Francisco Giants at Colorado Rockies | Peacock |
| 4:00 p.m. | Milwaukee Brewers at Arizona Diamondbacks | Peacock |
| 4:30 p.m. | Miami Marlins at Athletics | Peacock |
| 5:00 p.m. | Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners | Peacock |
| 7 p.m. ** | San Diego Padres at L.A. Dodgers | NBC/Peacock |
| 9:30 p.m. | Boston Red Sox at Los Angeles Angels | Peacock |
*MLB Sunday Leadoff
**Sunday Night Baseball
LeBron James. Kevin Durant.
Those two legends and future Hall of Famers are the only two players to reach 10,000 points in the NBA younger than Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves star reached that milestone Thursday night with a fourth-quarter step-back jumper along the baseline.
10,000 CAREER POINTS FOR ANT
— NBA (@NBA) January 9, 2026
Joins LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Luka Dončić, Tracy McGrady, and Carmelo Anthony as the only players to reach 10K before turning 25! pic.twitter.com/o3gPoJPopf
"To be honest, it's cool, but I know I've got a lot more to go, so it's really nothing, for real," Edwards said postgame, via the Associated Press. "I'm kind of sick that I got in front of Kobe. I wished I would've waited like 100 days or something, but yeah, it's all good."
Edwards, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, reached the milestone in 412 games. Only two other Timberwolves — Kevin Garnett and Karl-Anthony Towns — have reached this milestone with the team.
Edwards hit 10,000 on a night he scored 25 points with nine assists and seven rebounds as the Timberwolves picked up an impressive 131-122 win over the Cavaliers. The Timberwolves have won four in a row and 8-of-11.
National League South side face Grimsby in the third round and those at the club are desparate for the ride to continue
Weeks on from the FA Cup third-round draw, inside Weston-super-Mare’s modest clubhouse at their stadium a couple of miles from the holiday haven beachfront, there is still a tinge of incredulity at what might have been. Bridget Bolland, operations manager and one of the mini-army of staff who keep the part-time sixth-tier side ticking, relays how, normally, visiting teams have their post-match meal on a bench beside the skittles alley, sausage and chips usually the offering. The thought of Bruno Fernandes or Erling Haaland tucking in here is yet to fully evaporate.
But the draw meant Weston, the promotion-chasing National League South side who have reached this stage of the Cup for the first time, have been preparing for a different challenge: a tie at fourth-tier Grimsby Town, who beat Manchester United in the Carabao Cup in August. “As a United fan, I hated them that night,” says Weston’s manager, Scott Rogers. “I was going mad at the TV. But I’m hoping we can do something similar. There’s always an upset in the Cup: why can’t it be us?”
Continue reading...The Winnipeg Jets are increasingly expected to be sellers at the upcoming NHL trade deadline, with several of their defensemen believed to be available to teams looking to bolster a thin backend. One name that continues to surface in league circles is veteran defenseman Luke Schenn, and a familiar suitor appears to be showing interest.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again being linked to Schenn, the former fifth overall pick they selected in the 2008 NHL Draft. Toronto’s interest comes at a critical time, as the club was dealt a devastating blow to its playoff hopes when key defenseman Chris Tanev suffered another injury. Multiple reports have suggested the injury could be season ending, forcing the Maple Leafs to reassess their blue line depth ahead of the postseason.
While Toronto has reportedly prioritized adding a puck moving defenseman, an alternative approach could involve bringing in a veteran presence for minimal cost. In that scenario, Schenn fits the profile as a low risk option who could serve as an emergency defender while also providing leadership in the locker room as the Leafs continue to explore other upgrades.
TSN insider Darren Dreger recently reignited the speculation, suggesting a reunion would not be difficult to complete from an asset standpoint. Dreger said he is “pretty sure if the Maple Leafs wanted to reunite Luke Schenn, they’d get him for a lower end draft pick.” However, Dreger also noted that Schenn has made it known that if he is moved, he would prefer a more consistent role rather than continuing as a depth defenseman, which has largely been his situation in Winnipeg this season.
The script writers cooked with this one 🧑🍳
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) January 7, 2026
Career game 1,100 ✅
First goal as a Jet ✅ pic.twitter.com/KJg4pIzMXe
That desire may be tied to a possible strained relationship between Schenn and the Jets in recent weeks. Former NHL player Ryan Whitney discussed the situation on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, pointing to Schenn being a healthy scratch while approaching his 1,100th career NHL game. Whitney referenced earlier criticism from former NHLer Mike Commodore, who publicly blasted the Jets’ decision to hire Scott Arniel as full time head coach and described him as difficult to work with when given more authority.
Whitney suggested there could be a divide, particularly stemming from Arniel’s decision to sit Schenn just before the milestone. Although Schenn was later dressed to officially reach the mark, Whitney said the initial healthy scratch likely sent a message throughout the locker room and may help explain why trade rumors surrounding the veteran defenseman have picked up once again.
Whether Schenn is ultimately moved remains to be seen, but even for a late round draft pick, the Jets could view it as a sensible move. Schenn is a 36-year-old veteran in the final year of his contract, and flipping him for an asset would align with a seller’s approach at the deadline. For Toronto, a trade would also carry some sentimental value, creating a full circle moment by bringing Schenn back to where his NHL career began.
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With Kaiden Guhle nearing a return, the Montreal Canadiens have reassigned Adam Engstrom to the Laval Rocket in the NHL, but that won’t be the only consequence of his return. For two of the Habs defensemen, it means that they’ll be back to fighting it out for their spot in the lineup. Arber Xhekaj and Jayden Struble played most of the team’s games since Guhle was injured; one of them made way for Engstrom for nine games (the youngster played 11 games, but in three of those, it was Mike Matheson who wasn’t in the lineup because of an injury).
With Guhle’s imminent return, the bottom-pairing blueliners are back in the hot seat, and Xhekaj clearly doesn’t intend to be the healthy scratch. At times this season, he has looked unsure of how he should play, worried about going over the line and taking costly penalties, but in the last few games, that hasn’t been the case.
Canadiens Win Seventh Game In A Row Against Panthers
Report: Canadiens Interested In Flames Top Target
Canadiens Beat Flames In Dominant Fashion
In each of the last two games, the rugged defenseman has landed six hits and has avoided taking bad penalties. He did get a misconduct with less than two minutes left in the duel with the Florida Panthers, but by that time, the win was in the bank, and Donovan Sebrango was looking for someone to pass his frustration on. On Wednesday, in the game against the Calgary Flames, he was assessed a two-minute minor for high-sticking, but it wasn’t a penalty that came from a bad decision; it was purely accidental.
He’s also looked very good in the last two fights he had, against Scott Sabourin, whom he knocked out with one well-placed punch and Nikita Zadorov, who’s a tough customer. In other words, he’s back to being the best at what the Canadiens need him to excel in. Not that he’s only there to fight, but when he’s on his game, his presence has a strong dissuasive element, and it helps keep the opposition in check. One well-placed bone-crushing hit can send a powerful message, and we’ve seen it time and time again.
Arber Xhekaj and Scott Sabourin exchange jabs 👊 pic.twitter.com/OWzvXRrFRp
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 28, 2025
When Guhle returns, and that could very well be on Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings, Xhekaj has earned the right to be there.
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NEW YORK — Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal asked for a record $32 million in salary arbitration while the Detroit Tigers offered the left-hander $19 million.
Skubal was the most prominent of the 166 players eligible for arbitration at the start of the day and was among 18 who swapped figures with their teams. Those without agreements face hearings before three-person panels from Jan. 26 to Feb. 13 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has the highest salary in an arbitration case decided by a panel, winning at $19.9 million in 2024. Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado submitted a record request of $30 million in 2019, then agreed to an eight-year, $260 million contract.
Juan Soto’s $31 million contract with the New York Yankees in 2024 is the largest one-year deal for an arbitration-eligible player. David Price has the highest negotiated salary in a one-year contract for an arbitration-eligible pitcher, a $19.75 million agreement with Detroit in 2015.
A two-time All-Star, the 29-year-old Skubal will be eligible for free agency after the World Series. He is 54-37 with a 3.08 ERA in six major league seasons.
Skubal was 13-6 with an AL-best 2.21 ERA in 31 starts last year, striking out 241 and walking 33 in 195 1/3 innings while earning $10.5 million. His 0.891 WHIP topped qualified pitchers.
Catcher William Contreras exchanged with Milwaukee, asking for $9.9 million as the Brewers offered $8.55 million.
Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli has the smallest gap: $900,000 vs. $825,000.
Among the 148 striking deals were Seattle outfielder Randy Arozarena ($15.65 million), Cincinnati right-hander Brady Singer ($12.75 million), Baltimore outfielder Taylor Ward ($12,175,000), Philadelphia left-hander Jesús Luzardo ($11 million), Seattle right-hander Logan Gilbert ($10,927,000), Toronto outfielder Daulton Varsho ($10.75 million), and New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Philadelphia third baseman Alec Bohm (both $10.2 million).
Teams went 5-4 in hearings last winter, leaving clubs with a 358-270 advantage since arbitration started in 1974.
All agreements for arbitration-eligible players are guaranteed but deals that go to panel decisions are not.
As the Mets' offseason rolls on, with pitchers and catchers set to report to spring training in one month, frustration with the pace and current results when it comes to player acquisitions is understandable. But nuance is needed.
It's not just the Mets whose plans are evolving slowly -- it's most of the league.
There have been offseasons where one or two huge free agents remained unsigned as spring training neared. The most notable occurrence was when it took until February of 2019 for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado to sign.
But never in recent memory has there been a crop of free agents like this still out there with spring training so close:
Kyle Tucker
Cody Bellinger
Bo Bichette
Alex Bregman
Framber Valdez
Ranger Suarez
Zac Gallen
Eugenio Suarez
The above players just scratch the surface, with there being roughly 200 free agents left.
Then there's the trade market.
Edward Cabrera, whose name was in rumors all offseason and was linked to the Mets, was just traded from the Marlins to the Cubs. But most of the big names haven't moved. That list includes Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, Joe Ryan, Jarren Duran, Luis Robert Jr., and any of the Padres -- with the Mets being linked to Nick Pivetta and Mason Miller a few weeks ago.
So, what gives? And what do the Mets need to do?
As far as the glacial overall pace of the MLB offseason, it's pretty simple to understand. Most teams have similar evaluations of what players are worth, which limits true bidding wars. Front offices are seeking the most value, while agents and players are often seeking the most years. When long-term deals aren't attainable, shorter-term contracts with higher average annual values (and opt-outs) start to make a lot of sense.
That's where the Mets could come in.
Regardless of what New York's internal projections might be as currently constructed -- and it's fair to believe they're aiming to win 90+ games in 2026 -- they remain in dire need in both the lineup (specifically in the outfield) and starting rotation.
Enter Tucker and Valdez.
According to multiple reports this week, including from SNY analyst Jim Duquette, the Mets are among the teams most interested in signing Tucker. The two other most interested teams? The Blue Jays and Dodgers.
Conventional wisdom all offseason has been that the Jays were the best fit for Tucker, and that they would offer him the long-term deal he reportedly covets. With Tucker still out there, it's fair to believe there's a serious gap. It's also important to note that Toronto already has roughly $304 million committed to their payroll for 2026 -- the highest in franchise history.
The Blue Jays also have a recent history of including heavy deferrals in their contracts, which significantly lower the present- day value. They did that with Dylan Cease in December.
Then there's the Dodgers, who could be a soft landing spot for Tucker on a short-term deal. But it takes two to tango.
Maybe the Jays pony up a huge deal that satisfies Tucker. Maybe the Dodgers are lying in wait, ready to pounce. Or maybe the Mets will find themselves in a relatively perfect spot, where something like a four-year and $160 million deal with opt-outs can lure Tucker to Queens.
When it comes to Valdez, the Mets and Orioles are reportedly the most interested teams. Ranger Suarez is also out there on the free agent market, but is arguably not a great fit given his declining fastball velocity and the potential length of his deal.
Regarding Valdez, I would be surprised at this point if he wound up with more than a three-or four-year deal. And if that's the case, he should fit snugly within David Stearns' preferred parameters for free agent deals to older starting pitchers.
The Mets inking both Tucker and Valdez could add roughly $70 million to the payroll, which -- while doable -- feels like something that could hamstring them going forward.
So perhaps the most sensible outcome here has the Mets signing Tucker or Valdez, and turning to the trade market to fill whichever huge need they don't address via free agency.
Given the lack of difference-making outfielders on the trade market (there might not be any if Duran doesn't move), the cleanest thing could be signing Tucker and trying to pry Peralta away from the Brewers -- something the Mets should be in strong position to attempt since they still have their full stable of prospects.
No matter what happens, New York needs a legitimate top of the rotation starting pitcher after their rotation doomed them last season and a potential difference-making bat to offset the losses of Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo.
It could be one of the above combinations of players or something totally different we're not even contemplating. All that matters is that it happens.
Former Phillie Max Kepler suspended 80 games for PED violation originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Free-agent outfielder Max Kepler has been suspended 80 games for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced Friday.
Kepler, 32, tested positive for Epitrenbolone, a performance-enhancing substance. Under the program, the suspension will take effect immediately as the regular season begins.
Major League Baseball did not specify a timetable for reinstatement beyond the standard suspension length.
Kepler is currently a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Phillies on a one-year deal. In his lone season in Philadelphia, the 6-foot-4 outfielder hit .216 with 18 home runs, drove in 52 runs and posted a .691 OPS.
In the National League Division Series against the Dodgers, Kepler collected a pair of extra-base hits and registered a .750 OPS in 15 plate appearances.
Before joining the Phillies, Kepler spent the first 10 seasons of his career with the Twins, establishing himself as an everyday corner outfielder.
Kepler had already been considered unlikely to return to Philadelphia this offseason.
Steve Kerr hilariously recalls his angriest career ejections as Warriors coach originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Steve Kerr can laugh about it now.
Speaking Thursday on 95.7 The Game, the Warriors coach recalled some of the angriest ejections of his coaching career — including Monday night’s highly visible outburst against the Los Angeles Clippers.
When asked where that ejection ranked on his personal “anger meter,” Kerr didn’t hesitate.
“I read that I’ve been ejected five times,” Kerr joked. “So I’m just going to say it was top five.”
As he looked back, Kerr began cycling through other moments that still stand out.
One came in a matchup with the Sacramento Kings, where the embarrassment only compounded as he made his way off the floor. At the time, the Kings were led by DeMarcus Cousins — one of the league’s most fiery personalities, and no stranger to technical fouls or ejections himself.
“I remember getting ejected in Sacramento, and as I was being led off the floor, DeMarcus Cousins, who was playing for the Kings, was laughing at me,” Kerr said. “And so that’s never a good sign when DeMarcus is laughing at you because you got kicked out.”
Another flashpoint came years later in a game against the Portland Trailblazers, when a call involving Draymond Green pushed Kerr over the edge.
“I got mad at Kenny Mauer in Portland one year when he called a flagrant foul on Draymond [Green], and I went nuts and got tossed,” Kerr explained. “So, yeah, I mean, every once in a while, I snap, and it’s happened a handful of times. I can’t really rank them, because I lose my mind. And I don’t remember much. Sometimes I just feel like I have to back up the team. And sometimes it’s genuine anger and conviction.”
That same principle applied Monday night, Kerr explained, referencing the missed goaltending call that ultimately led to his ejection against the Clippers.
“You just cannot miss an obvious goaltend,” Kerr noted. “A lot of that was just principle.”
What made this ejection different, however, was everything surrounding it.
Kerr recalled that the game was played with his mother in attendance — and that his ejection was memorably narrated by Snoop Dogg on Peacock’s broadcast.
“This was the most memorable one, for sure, because I got the narration from Snoop, which gives me great street cred, and then I got completely shot down by my mom for my behavior,” Kerr said. “So, yeah, it was like the full, you know, I got praise, and I got mom’s glare. So I guess I’m back to square one.”
For Kerr, the memories now land less as moments of regret and more as reminders of why those eruptions happen in the first place — passion, principle, and a willingness to stand up for his team, even if it means hearing about it from his mom afterward.
Former Columbus Blue Jackets forward and current Montreal Canadien Alex Texier, had himself a night last night in a 6-2 win over the Florida Panthers.
Going up against another former Blue Jacket in Sergei Bobrovsky, Texier and his Canadiens beat the Panthers for their third straight win. A win that moved them into first place in the Atlantic Division.
Now for the cool part.
Texier was able to net his first career hat trick in his 262nd NHL game, scoring his third goal with just 50 seconds left in the game to power the Canadiens past the visiting Panthers.
Not only was this Texier's first hat trick, but it was his second three-point NHL game is as many games. Just one night prior, he scored a goal and had two assists to record his first three-point game in the NHL. During his time with Columbus, he had a couple two-goal games, and two-point nights, but never got the elusive hattie.
Texier, Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, and Antoine Roussel are the only French nationals to reach 100 career NHL points in league history.
Texier was traded to the St. Louis Blues from the CBJ on June 28, 2024. On November 23, 2025, he would sign with the Canadiens after the St. Louis blues terminated his contract a day earlier. He only played in 39 games for the Blues in two seasons.
Through 22 games this season, he has 7 goals and 14 points, which puts him on pace to hit right around 38 points on the season, and that would beat his career high of 30, which was back in the 23-24 season while playing for Columbus.
Check out Texier's hat trick goal below.
SORTEZ TUQUES, CASQUETTES, CHAPEAUX
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 9, 2026
ALEXANDRE TEXIER, HAT TRICK#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/JiPNnlWOQm
T3XI3R#GoHabsGopic.twitter.com/rL4oA8qBAs
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 9, 2026
Montreal Head Coach Martin St. Louis had this to say about Alex Texier, "It's still a small sample, but we’re happy with that sample. A player that’s still young, he’s talented, he had to overcome his own obstacles, just like Montembeault. It doesn’t matter where you are and how you got there; what matters is how you keep moving forward. There’s mental strength that comes with that, but also intentions. Your actions have to match your thoughts. […] Confidence doesn’t start when the puck drops; it’s way before that. It’s reps in practices, how you prepare. When you do that, you give yourself a chance to be successful."
Congrats to former Blue Jacket Alex Texier.
Up Next: Columbus travels to Colorado to take on the league's best in the Avalanche.
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