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Flashback: Red Wings' Jimmy Howard Goes After Sidney Crosby At Joe Louis Arena

There was still some bad blood between the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins in the spring of 2010, considering they were less than a calendar year removed from their second straight battle in the Stanley Cup Final.

While the Red Wings' most recent Stanley Cup victory came in 2008, the Penguins unfortunately returned the favor in 2009, ultimately winning a tightly-contested Game 7 by a 2-1 final score and celebrating in front of a stunned crowd at Joe Louis Arena. 

The sight of Sidney Crosby receiving the Stanley Cup and triumphantly raising it above his head while letting out a jubilant bellow continues to live in the nightmares of Red Wings fans despite being over 16 years ago. 

The Penguins visited The Joe on March 22, 2010, and it was a new face in the Detroit crease that quickly made a name for himself. Jimmy Howard, playing in his rookie campaign after successfully supplanting Chris Osgood as Detroit's starter, not only made 26 saves as part of a 3-1 victory but also permanently won himself a spot in the hearts of Red Wings fans. 

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Late in regulation as the final seconds ticked off the clock, a frustrated Sidney Crosby immediately began trying to mix it up with Henrik Zetterberg. Howard clearly did not appreciate this, and immediately went after Crosby and gave him a face wash with his catcher as a scrum formed.

Considering Crosby's firm status as a villain in Hockeytown, especially following the result of the previous season's Stanley Cup Final, the sellout crowd roared in approval for Howard, loving every second of the action. 

Howard tried to downplay his actions, saying he was simply coming to Zetterberg's aid.

“Just helping out a teammate, that’s all,’’ Howard said after the game. “It’s become quite the rivalry, and we stick together out there.’’

"(The game) was a little bit more special considering who it was. It’s turned into a heated rivalry. I wasn’t participating (in the last two Cup finals), but I was right there on the sidelines watching. Just being there, you got a sense of the rivalry." 

In the Penguins' dressing room, Crosby wasn't quite sure what to make of what had transpired and wasn't a fan of Howard coming after him.  

“I don’t know what he was doing,’’ Crosby said. “It was one of those things, a couple guys battling at the end. I knew the linesman was in there. I don’t know whether (Howard) wanted a free shot, but I don’t think it was any place for him to be.’’

The Red Wings and Penguins have experienced a downturn in their fortunes in recent years, and both clubs were battling for the final Wild Card playoff spot near the tail end of the 2024-25 season. 

The good news for Detroit is that they're trending back in the right direction, while the Penguins appear headed for a long stay in hockey purgatory. 

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Yankees' Max Fried, Cam Schlittler toss bullpens, on track to make next starts

The Yankees got through the first series of the second half of the season by winning two out of three at the Atlanta Braves, grabbing a 3-2 win on Sunday to keep pace in the AL playoff race.

And, for the time being, the news on the starting pitching front is at least not looking dire, as both Max Fried and Cam Schlittler tossed successful bullpens over the weekend and are set to make their next starts when the Yanks play a three-game series in Toronto against the Blue Jays.

"He should be good to go," manager Aaron Boone said after Fried's successful bullpen session on Sunday. "I feel good about it."

Fried, who is scheduled to pitch the third game of the series on Wednesday, left his last start on July 12 against the Cubs after allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks in 3.0 innings when a blister formed on his left index finger. A blister on that same finger had sent the left-hander to the IL on three different occasions, raising fears of a similar fate. But that was quelled on Sunday.

In his 20 starts before the break, Fried has been everything that he was billed as and more, pitching to a 2.43 ERA and 1.008 WHIP in 122 innings with 113 strikeouts to 27 walks.

Schlittler tossed his bullpen Saturday and will be good to start Tuesday's game after the right-hander experienced “upper-arm soreness” that sent him for an MRI and was the reason he did not start the series opener in Atlanta. The 24-year-old, the Yanks' 10th-rated prospect per MLB Pipeline, tossed 5.1 innings and allowed three runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in his big league debut earlier this month against Seattle.

And on the diamond in Sunday's win over the Braves, right-hander Marcus Stroman delivered his fourth-straight solid outing since returning from the injured list, allowing just one run on five hits over 6.0 innings with four strikeouts.

“He continued to do a really good job of mixing and matching and staying unpredictable, using all his pitches, using both sides of the plate,” Boone said.

"That's four starts where he's given us a really good chance to win ballgames, and that's all you can ask," he added. "In a lot of ways, he's had his back against the wall here a little bit, and he's come out and delivered."

After allowing 12 runs over 9.1 innings in his first three starts before injury, Stroman has allowed just seven runs in 21 innings. The veteran dealt with a rough first season in pinstripes last year, followed by an offseason of uncertainty and trade rumors, and the possibility of being shipped over to the bullpen before injuries thrust him into the rotation, appears to be pitching with even more of an edge of late.

"He's pitching like there's a lot on the line, and there is," Boone said. "He's probably been counted out by a lot of people. And I'm sure he's felt that [chip on his shoulder] throughout his career. He's always kinda had that edge to him."

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Nico Daws’ Future: Trade Bait or Asset?

Nico Daws is currently in an interesting position as the third-string goaltender for the New Jersey Devils. 

While his track record has shown he can be a valuable piece of the puzzle, trade rumors continue to swirl around the 24-year-old netminder.

Daws is entering the second year of his contract with the Devils, and for the first time, it's a one-way deal. Last season, he was on a two-way contract, earning $775,000 at the NHL level and $350,000 in the AHL. Now, he’s locked into an $850,000 NHL salary. 

With Jake Allen re-signed in free agency and Jacob Markstrom acquired as the starter, the Devils have solidified their goaltending duo. That leaves Daws in a difficult position.

On one hand, he could reprise his familiar role, ready to step in when injuries hit. On the other, he may not see any NHL ice time this season. If the latter scenario plays out, New Jersey may want to consider trading him to a team in need of goaltending depth.

Two potential landing spots stand out: the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights are actively looking for a dependable backup. With Adin Hill firmly entrenched as the starter, Vegas knows a single goalie can’t handle the full load of an 82-game season.

They need a reliable, experienced backup who can step in at any moment, and Daws fits the mold. He has served in a similar role with the Devils, and prior to that, he was a dependable presence in the Ontario Hockey League. He’s been called up to the NHL three times and posted a .898 save percentage.

Daws could be an ideal low-cost, low-risk option to help shoulder the workload in Vegas.

Edmonton Oilers

Another potential fit is Edmonton, a team that’s been painfully close to winning it all but has struggled with goaltending consistency.

The Oilers have reached the Stanley Cup Final two years in a row, led by superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But shaky performances in net have kept them from finishing the job.

Stuart Skinner was their starter last season and played well in the regular season, but was frequently substituted for backup Calvin Pickard in the playoffs. That rotation cost them stability in the crease when it mattered most.

While the Oilers may target a veteran like Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, that move would require significant assets. Daws, meanwhile, presents a cheaper alternative. He’s younger, has NHL experience, and could provide just what the Oilers need.

What’s Next?

Goaltending is always in demand, and Nico Daws could be a fit for several teams across the league.

Or, as he’s done before, he could once again step up and save the day for the Devils.

© Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

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Sabres Stocking Amerks Shelves With Pair Of Signings

The Buffalo Sabres would seemingly have work to do at the NHL level, as the club has not adequately replaced the offensive production of winger JJ Peterka. Peterka, who was second on the Sabres in scoring with 68 points last season, was dealt to the Utah Mammoth for defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan before the NHL Draft.  

GM Kevyn Adams may be investigating the last few options in free agency or the trade market, but the club this week has continued to fill holes in AHL Rochester.  After the signing of former NHLer Jake Leschyshyn to a one-year, two-way contract earlier this week, the club announced the signing of center Trevor Kuntar and defenseman Peter Tischke to one-year AHL deals. 

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Kuntar, a 24-year-old Buffalo native and son of former NHLer and longtime minor leaguer Les Kuntar, was a 2020 third round pick of the Boston Bruins, who played three seasons at Boston College and two years for the Bruins AHL affiliate in Providence. After scoring 10 goals and accumulating 113 penalty minutes in his first pro season with the Bruins, the 6’0”, 201 lb. center dipped to 12 points in 57 AHL games last season. 

Tischke, 29, played four years at the University of Wisconsin from 2015 to 2019, saw spot duty with the AHL Colorado Eagles for two seasons before playing two seasons with the Amerks and ECHL Cincinnati. Last season, the veteran blueliner had 13 points in 54 games with the Sabres ECHL affiliate in Jacksonville. 

Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo    

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Freddie Freeman injured as Dodgers are swept by the Milwaukee Brewers, again

Los Angeles, CA, Sunday, July 20, 2025 - Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, right, walks back to dugout with manager Dave Roberts after getting hit on the wrist by a pitch during a 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers held their annual Family Day on the field at Dodger Stadium on Sunday, rolling food trucks, bounce houses and a climbing wall onto the warning track in left field. Few of the players seemed to be in a festive mood, however.

That’s because the Dodgers warmed up for Family Day with a 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, the team’s fourth straight loss and the 10th in 12 games in which they’ve been outscored 71-36. It’s the team’s worst 12-game skid since 2018.

The loss was also the sixth in as many tries against the Brewers in the last two weeks, making Milwaukee the first team to sweep a season series of more than four games from the Dodgers in 20 years.

Read more:Pitching injuries continue to be an issue in MLB. How it's impacting pitchers at all levels

“Guys are getting frustrated,” manager Dave Roberts said. “You see kind of more emotion coming in. We just haven't played good baseball.”

But it gets worse: the Dodgers might have lost first baseman Freddie Freeman for a spell. Freeman, who is among the team leaders in batting average (.292) and is third in runs (47) and hits (95), sustained a left wrist contusion after being hit by a José Quintana pitch in the sixth inning. Roberts said X-rays on Freeman’s wrist were negative and the first baseman is considered day to day.

“That one, I held my breath," Roberts said. "I think we all did, because, you know, when you're scuffling and to potentially lose a guy for four-to-six weeks is obviously very scary.”

In Freeman's absence, catcher Dalton Rushing could play at first base.

As for the rest of what ails the Dodgers, that could be a lot harder to fix.

On Sunday they made three errors, leading to two unearned runs. They gave up the lead twice and Mookie Betts lined out to center with the bases loaded to end the game.

“We’ve got to figure it out. We’ve got to play better,” Betts whispered in an empty clubhouse after going one for five, leaving him with a .189 average in July and as many strikeouts as hits.

Across the room Clayton Kershaw cut short a scrum with reporters. He pitched well enough Sunday, but his day was undone in a three-run Milwaukee fourth in which a Tommy Edman throwing error and a fielding error by Andy Pages gave the Brewers two runs and forced Kershaw to throw 29 pitches.

Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers in the fifth inning Sunday against the Brewers.
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw delivers in the fifth inning Sunday against the Brewers. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“I’m frustrated. We’re all frustrated. I don’t know how else to say it,” said Kershaw, who was visibly angry after being pulled from the game in the fifth inning. â€śWe didn’t win a game. No excuses. We’ve just got to play better.

“I don’t have much to say,” he added. “I’m going to get myself in trouble. So let’s just call it.”

The Dodgers gave Kershaw an early lead with a three-run third inning, the big blow a two-run homer by Shohei Ohtani, his 34th of the season. The defense gave all three runs back in the fourth, however.

Hyeseong Kim slides safely into first, beating the tag of Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn.
Hyeseong Kim slides safely into first, beating the tag of Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn on a pickoff attempt in the sixth inning Sunday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“It's frustrating,” Roberts repeated. “That's the word everyone uses when things aren't going well, but you also have to make your own breaks. And when things are tough, you can't do things to sabotage yourself. Today, specifically, it was the defense.”

Esteury Ruiz’s first home run for the Dodgers put them back in front in the fifth, but the Brewers (59-40) went in front to stay in the sixth, scoring three times off relievers Alex Vesia and Lou Trivino (3-1) on a double, three singles and a walk.

The Dodgers’ bullpen earned-run average of 4.39 ranks 12th in the National League. The team hasn’t gotten a scoreless game from its bullpen since July 3.

Read more:Shaikin: Why the small-market Milwaukee Brewers might be America's team

“You've got to kind of find a way to reset,” Roberts said before heading back up the dugout steps for Family Day. “Come back fresh tomorrow and play good baseball.”

Snell and Treinen continue rehab

Pitchers Blake Snell and Blake Treinen made rehab appearances for triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday.

Snell, who has been on the injured list since April 6 because of left shoulder inflammation, made 58 pitches over four innings, giving up a run on four hits while striking out six. It was his third rehab appearance.

Treinen, out since April 19 with a forearm strain, followed with a perfect fifth inning in which he struck out two. He could return to the Dodgers’ roster this week.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Mets do little things right as clutch hits from big bats remain elusive

It wasn’t an especially impressive win, and for that matter, the late innings nearly turned into a catastrophe. In the end, however, all that mattered on this day was the Mets found a way to stop the bleeding -- and the booing.

Judging by the way the fans let their team hear it on Saturday after another listless loss, in fact, the mood at Citi Field could have turned downright ugly had the Mets let this one get away on Sunday.

As it was, they still didn’t hit much. And, indeed, the play everybody was talking about afterward was Juan Soto’s baserunning, as he got a good jump from third base on a contact play to score the go-ahead run on Luis Torrens’ ground ball in the eighth inning.

“That’s the way you teach it,” manager Carlos Mendoza said afterward. “There are going to be stretches when it’s hard to score runs. You’ve gotta do the little things.”

Baby steps, right?

That’s kind of where the Mets are at the moment, needing to find ways to make up for the ongoing lack of offense from what was supposed to be among the most imposing lineups in baseball.

And so on this day, while they got a strong start from David Peterson, their ability to pull out a 3-2 win over the Reds and avoid a sweep was indeed due largely to the little things:

  1. A sacrifice bunt by Luisangel Acuña that led to a Brandon Nimmo RBI single, the only hit that he, Francisco Lindor, and Soto could muster at the top of the lineup.
  2. A stolen base by Brett Baty, allowing him to score on Acuña's double to left.
  3. Soto’s jump, which followed his leadoff walk and Jeff McNeil’s well-placed double into right-center.

Soto himself may have put his baserunning in the best perspective. He could have been speaking for the team when he said, “Hitting isn’t going my way right now. So any way to help the team is great.”

Any which way on this day. The Mets needed the win, as much for their mojo as to stop the three-game losing streak that spanned the All-Star break.

And even more so, after Edwin Diaz couldn’t get the job done when Mendoza turned to him for a potential four-out save in the eighth inning. Coming on with a runner at first, Diaz was struggling with his command from the start and wound up allowing the Reds to tie the score 2-2 on a walk, a single to deep short, and a hit-by-pitch.

At that point, the home crowd was groaning practically in unison. The boos were coming next, had Diaz not gotten out of the inning, and it didn’t look good when he fell behind 3-1 to Tyler Stephenson.

But the Mets’ closer dug deep to strike out Stephenson and allow everyone to exhale.

Diaz has been so dominant this season that his brief lack of command was probably nothing more than a hiccup. The timing, however, made it feel as if the sky was falling for the Mets, considering not just their poor play on Friday and Saturday, but their 10-20 stretch entering Sunday that has exposed more flaws than expected from this team.

In that respect, pulling out the win, with Ryne Stanek closing it out, felt more important than a win in July for a 56-44 team probably should feel, at least, on the outside looking in. But such is the nature of huge expectations.

And gritty win or not, it did little to make the pressing questions disappear.

After all, the Mets managed two extra-base hits. Their big guns aren’t hitting at all. Soto admitted to his own struggles, while the numbers on Lindor speak for themselves, as an 0-for-4 day stretched his hitless streak to 0-for-19, and his under-.200 run to 39 games.

On top of that, Pete Alonso was out of the lineup with a hand injury after getting jammed during his pre-game hitting Saturday against a pitching machine, of all things.

After hours of treatment Saturday night and Sunday, he felt good enough to enter the game in the later innings. And though he struck out looking in the eighth inning, he said afterward that he feels good enough to be in the lineup on Monday.

In any case, the Mets’ lack of offense is becoming more and more of an issue, especially as often as they’ve failed with runners in scoring position throughout the season.

On Sunday, they got some production from the bottom of the lineup, a rarity in itself. Baty has swung the bat well lately and Acuña’s laser double off the left-field wall was a reminder of his impressive September last season, subbing for the injured Lindor.

On the other hand, Mark Vientos didn’t build on his impressive weekend in Kansas City before the break, and Ronny Mauricio has gone cold again, 2-for-his-last-21.

That’s the problem: for all the occasional flashes, not one of the Mets’ young hopefuls has done enough to be an obvious answer offensively this season or beyond.

As such, David Stearns is facing some hard questions approaching the trade deadline. One that needs answering quickly is whether Francisco Alvarez’s home-run binge in Syracuse is simply the result of Triple-A pitching or something more significant.

Alvarez’s defense was no small factor in his demotion, but that’s a lot easier to live with if he adds some thump to the offense. With his call-up coming Monday, they will get a look before July 31.

The bottom line, of course, is the Mets' need for Lindor, Soto, and Alonso to be less streaky and carry the load offensively.

And while they have obvious pitching needs, everyone kind of expected they could use the trade deadline for help in that area. At this point, however, the need for an impact bat becomes more glaring by the day.

Bunts and good jumps will only go so far.

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Coyotes Pick, Jets Legend: Blake Wheeler’s Uncommon NHL Journey Ends As Winger Retires

Very quietly this week, longtime NHL forward Blake Wheeler announced his retirement. Wheeler hadn’t played since the 2023-24 season, but even after waiting a year to hang up his skates, Wheeler has played 1,172 regular-season games and 66 more Stanley Cup playoff games. He can hold his head high on a career well done.

What helped set Wheeler apart from his peers was his decision not to sign with the team that drafted him – the Phoenix Coyotes, who selected him with the fifth-overall pick in the 2004 draft. Instead of hammering out an entry-level contract with the Coyotes, Wheeler opted to become an unrestricted free agent coming out of his days at the University of Minnesota. And from there, Wheeler quickly came to terms with the Boston Bruins, where he spent his first two-and-a-half NHL seasons starting in 2008 before he was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in February of 2011.

Like other NHLers, including Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier, Edmonton Oilers forward Isaac Howard, New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox and Pittsburgh Penguins forward Rutger McGroarty, Wheeler was unique because he essentially engineered a move away from the team that drafted him. But unlike many of those aforementioned players, success came right away for Wheeler, as he potted 21 goals and 45 points in his rookie NHL season, then had double-digit goal totals in each of the next two seasons as a Bruin.

But it wasn’t until Wheeler got traded to the Thrashers that he really settled in as a legitimate scoring threat. In his fourth year with the franchise, which by then had relocated to become the Winnipeg Jets, Wheeler put up 28 goals and 69 points. And for each of the next six seasons, Wheeler produced at least 20 goals and 61 points, and his point total went as high as 91 in two consecutive seasons when he was at his peak from 2017-2019.

At the end of his NHL days, Wheeler was playing as a secondary scoring option for the Rangers, and in his final season in hockey’s top league, he amassed nine goals and 21 points in 54 games. In the previous four seasons, Wheeler had trouble staying healthy, as he never played in more than 72 games at any point in that span. But as evidenced by his final post-season with the Jets, Wheeler still had something to offer, as he posted two goals and six points in five playoff games in 2023.

Blake Wheeler (Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images)

Wheeler isn’t the first talented player never to win a Cup, and he won’t be the last. But he produced 321 goals and 943 points in his regular-season career, and he had another 10 goals and 45 points in playoff games. He’s going to be fondly remembered by Jets fans who appreciated him playing so long in Winnipeg. 

And while he’s not a Hockey Hall of Famer, Wheeler has made his mark on the game, both on the Jets organization and on the NHL. He accomplished much more than most NHLers accomplish, and he deserves his flowers for his 16-season NHL career.

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Mets Notes: David Peterson delivers as stopper; Luis Torrens makes amends late

While a full-strength Mets rotation features a couple of starters capable of producing quality performances at a welcome rate, their circle of trust really only includes David Peterson over the last month. Why? Nobody else has provided sufficient length.

Tasked as the stopper with the Mets facing a three-game losing streak to begin their post-All-Star break slate, Peterson answered the call on Sunday afternoon, delivering six innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts in a tight 3-2 win over the Reds at Citi Field.

Cheers at home have become the norm for Peterson. The reliable left-hander entered the series finale with a 2.11 ERA across nine starts in Queens this season, and that mark is now down to a laudable 1.91.

"He was really good," manager Carlos Mendoza said. "On a day where, I feel like he was missing arm-side, especially with the sinker, he got ground balls. I thought that slider came and went. But he executed when he needed to... For him to go six [innings] there was solid."

Peterson is also the lone Mets starter to complete six-plus innings over their last 35 games, and he's accomplished the feat five times. Overall, he owns a 2.90 ERA with 97 strikeouts and 12 quality starts (116.0 total innings). Simply durable and dependable.

"I don't necessarily see it as pressure. We're obviously trying to go as deep as we can into every game," Peterson said. "That's our job, trying to give the team a chance to win. You notice it when we have certain guys being used. You want to be able to try and get as deep as you can, to get it to those guys later in the game."

Backstop redemption

Luis Torrens made a critical error in Saturday's loss, as he regretably attempted a back-pick throw to first base in the third inning that traveled into right field and allowed a run to score. The gaffe set the tone for the Mets' afternoon.

But the veteran catcher made up for that mistake at the dish and behind it on Sunday. He worked a 12-pitch walk in the sixth, gunned down a runner trying to steal second with the game tied in the eighth, and then scorched a hard grounder to second in the bottom half of the frame that drove in the winning run.

"Just one more day in the office," Torrens said after the win. "I've been feeling a lot more comfortable at the plate. I'm putting in a lot of good work, and when you put in that work, the results start to eventually come around."

Rewarded for hustle

While the Mets avoided a weekend sweep, they scored just nine runs across the three-game set while hitting 6-for-25 (.240) with runners in scoring position. They also left 25 total runners on base.

But a team in need of offense will accept runs of any kind, and the Mets' eighth-inning rally on Sunday backed the claim. The winning effort began with a leadoff walk from Juan Soto, who proceeded to reach third base on a one-out double from Jeff McNeil.

Moments later, heads-up hustle from Soto made all the difference. He rushed home on Torrens' sharp grounder to second with a head-first slide, and the bang-bang play at the plate gave the Mets a 3-2 lead.

Soto's jump and threat placed pressure on Reds second baseman Matt McLain, whose throw home went slightly behind catcher Tyler Stephenson instead of in front of him.

"Any way you can help the team win a ballgame, it's great," Soto said. "You know the hitting isn't going my way right now, but I try my best to help the team with defense, running, any way I can do it... You've got to get the momentum going. I was going on contact, so I was trying to make sure I was ready."

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Pros And Cons Of Signing These Five Remaining UFAs

After nearly three weeks of NHL free agency coming into full effect, there are still a handful of NHLers available in the UFA market. Not only are these players expected to be regular NHL players in the upcoming 2025-26 campaign, but some could also be difference-makers.

Here are five players who remain UFAs and the pros and cons of signing each one.

Jack Roslovic, C

Jack Roslovic is undoubtedly the top name on the list of current UFAs. The center, who can also play on the wing, has two 20-goal seasons under his belt, including last season. He put up 22 goals and 39 points for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Roslovic is coming off a one-year contract that saw him earn $2.8 million, much less than the $4-million per year that he earned in his previous contract he signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The pros of signing the ripe 28-year-old are getting a player who can play center, and receiving a two-time 40-point scorer. He would be an effective secondary scorer on any team, contender or not.

However, because Roslovic is alone at the top of the UFA list, he’s right-handed and can play down the middle, there’s a great chance that a team will need to overpay for the Columbus, Ohio native to obtain his services.

Jack Roslovic (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Ilya Samsonov, G

Ilya Samsonov has had plenty of ups and downs in his six-year career. He’s gone from being a tandem goaltender to a starter, to a backup. Last season with the Vegas Golden Knights, he made 29 appearances, all of which were starts. 

Samsonov ended the campaign with a respectable 16-9-4 record. Although his save percentage and goals-against average were average. He recorded a 2.82 GAA and .891 SP.

While he may not be a popular choice, the pro in signing Samsonov would be receiving a relatively experienced goaltender who has seen all situations in terms of his spot on the roster.

The downside of bringing in the 28-year-old Russian is that he’s proven to be inconsistent. With the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022-23, he posted a 2.33 GAA and .919 SP in 40 starts.However, in the following season for Toronto, he finished with a 3.13 GAA and .890 SP. He went from a career high to a career low in the span of two consecutive seasons.

Matt Grzelcyk, D

The Pittsburgh Penguins decided not to sign defenseman Matt Grzelcyk after he registered one goal and 40 points, a career high in the points department. Grzelcyk is coming off a one-year contract with Pittsburgh worth $2.75 million. 

Penguins coach Mike Sullivan heavily utilized the 31-year-old defenseman as he averaged 20:37 of ice time, the most in his nine-year career. 

With that, he had the joint-most power-play points on the team, tied with Sidney Crosby’s 15 points. He recorded more than potential Hall of Fame offensive blueliners, Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang.

It’s easy to say that the pros of signing Grzelcyk are that he is a reliable D-man who is capable of running a power play. Not only that, he is an experienced defenseman and has notable playoff experience, featuring in 66 post-season games from his time with the Boston Bruins.

As for cons, he and his agent might believe he’s worth more than what teams are willing to offer him, which might be the reason he’s still on the market. 

Victor Olofsson, LW

Victor Olofsson is a three-time 20-goal scorer and was on pace to accomplish that feat again last season in his first year with the Golden Knights. He scored 15 goals and 29 points in 56 contests with Vegas. 

If he reached another 20-goal milestone, he’d have four in six full seasons. Not to mention, he’s never played more than 75 games in a season. Imagine if he played more games throughout his career.

When the left winger is given the required ice time, he can put the puck into the back of the net like anyone else. Scoring has always been a strength for Olofsson, dating back to his years with the Buffalo Sabres.

The pro of bringing on the 30-year-old Swede is his ability to score, and he would bring scoring depth to any team that is willing to sign him.

The con of Olofsson’s game at times is that he is a streaky scorer rather than a consistent one at times. For instance, he went on a two-month goalless drought for Vegas last season, as he went 20 consecutive games without scoring a goal.

Luke Kunin, C

Luke Kunin is a bottom-six center, and like Roslovic, he is right handed and can play the wing. The 27-year-old is known for his two-way game and penalty killing. Last season, he averaged 1:41 of ice time on the penalty kill – among the top 100 forwards in the league per Natural Stat Trick.

Kunin played 63 games for the San Jose Sharks before he was traded to the Blue Jackets on trade deadline day. He played an additional 12 games for the Jackets for a total of 75 appearances last year.

In that span, he recorded 11 goals and seven assists for 18 points, perfectly matching his offensive production from the season before. Kunin didn’t get his name on the scoresheet in any fashion during his time with Columbus.

The pro of acquiring Kunin is that he is a regular NHL player who can fill in on the PK at any given time. 

However, in contrast, the center hasn’t shown signs of steady progression in terms of production since his 15-goal, 31-point season in 2019-20 with the Minnesota Wild. Even with his penalty killing ability and two-way game, teams could likely find a player with a similar arsenal at a cheaper price.

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2027 Top-Prospect Reveals That The Canucks Were His Favourite Team As A Kid

It appears yet another top prospect grew up as a fan of the Vancouver Canucks. In a recent clip released on the NHL "X" account, Landon DuPont, who is the projected first overall pick in the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, stated that his favourite team as a kid was the Canucks. DuPont is currently playing with the Everett Silvertips and was the first defenceman ever to receive "Exceptional Status" from the WHL. 

As mentioned, DuPont is not the first top prospect to say Vancouver is his favourite team. Among the other notable names were 2023 first-overall pick Connor Bedard and 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini. While Bedard and Celebrini are both from British Columbia, DuPont was born in Alberta and spent his time before joining the WHL playing for Edge School in Calgary. 

Despite only recently turning 16, DuPont has become one of the WHL's top defensemen. He posted 60 points in 64 games last season and was named CHL Rookie of the Year. DuPont has also been invited to Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team Selection Camp, which will determine the roster for the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Latest From THN’s Vancouver Canucks Site:

Canucks Prospect Camp 2025: Photo Edition

Vancouver Canucks 2024–25 Report Card: Aatu Räty

Vancouver Canucks Coaches’ Playing Careers: Adam Foote

Ultimately, the odds that the Canucks will be in a position to draft DuPont in 2027 are slim. They would either need to have a disastrous 2026-27 campaign or trade for the pick that will eventually become first overall. That being said, it will not stop fans in Vancouver from picturing DuPont in a Canucks jersey, and creating trade packages both before and after he is drafted in the NHL. 

Landon DuPont of the Everett Silvertips (Photo Credit: Caroline Anne/Everett Silvertips/WHL)

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Phillies signing possible Mets, Yanks target RHP David Robertson: report

The Philadelphia Phillies are signing right-handed relief pitcher David Robertson, according to multiple reports.

The Mets and Yankees were reported to be among the teams that were at least considering a reunion with the veteran, who spent time in both Queens and The Bronx.

Robertson's deal with Philadelphia, which is pending a physical, will pay Robertson around $5.5 million on a pro-rated, one-year, $16 million contract, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.

The two New York clubs were among those who had “at least recently looked into” signing the 40-year-old ahead of Robertson holding a throwing session for interested teams on Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island, according to The Athletic.

Robertson, who has not pitched in the majors this season, spent last season with the Texas Rangers, appearing in 68 games while posting a 3.00 ERA and 1.111 WHIP in 72 innings. He had 99 strikeouts to 27 walks with two saves.

The well-traveled back-end of the bullpen arm spent the bulk of his 16-year career with the Yankees, posting a 2.75 ERA and 1.157 WHIP in 501 regular-season games in pinstripes while serving primarily as a setup man.

Robertson signed with the Mets ahead of the 2023 season and posted a 2.05 ERA and 1.000 WHIP in 44 innings (40 games) before being dealt to the Miami Marlins ahead of the trade deadline.

Now he will return to the NL East and bolster a Phillies bullpen that lost closer José Alvarado to an 80-game suspension after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Alvarado, suspended in late May, will return from the unpaid ban in August, but will not be eligible to pitch in the postseason.

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Canadiens Made Great Move With Important Forward

Montreal Canadiens forward Jake Evans had a strong year in 2024-25. In 82 games with the Original Six club, he scored 13 goals and set new career highs with 23 assists, 36 points, and 124 hits. With numbers like these, he provided the Canadiens with solid depth offensive production to go along with a nice amount of grit. 

Due to Evans being a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) and having such a strong season, he was a very popular trade target around the NHL leading up to this year's deadline. However, the Canadiens officially made him a long-term part of their future when they signed him to a four-year contract extension with an average annual value of $2.85 million on March 4. 

When noting that Evans has been such a nice part of the Canadiens' forward group for so long, it is clear that they made the right call signing him to a contract extension. This is especially so with this year's UFA center market being worse than in past years. Thus, if the Canadiens ended up not keeping Evans around, it would not have been an easy task for them to find a proper replacement for him. 

Furthermore, had the Canadiens waited until the summer to re-sign him, it very well could have cost them more per season to keep him due to the center market being weaker this year. Thus, in the end, the Canadiens were wise to get him locked up back in March. 

Now, with the Canadiens signing Evans to this four-year extension, he will continue to be a very important part of the Canadiens' bottom six and penalty kill. This is very good news for a Canadiens team that is continuing to improve, and it will be fascinating to see how Evans builds off his career year from here. 

Interesting Canadiens Forward Is Clear Bounce-Back CandidateInteresting Canadiens Forward Is Clear Bounce-Back CandidateThe 2024-25 season was a bit of a rough one for Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Newhook. His pace of production was noticeably lower, as he posted 15 goals, 11 assists, 26 points, and a minus-21 rating in 82 games. 

Photo Credit:  © David Kirouac-Imagn Images

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Aaron Judge ties A-Rod on Yankees’ all-time home run list at 351 in win over Braves

ATLANTA — Aaron Judge hit the first home run of his MLB career the day after Alex Rodriguez retired. Now, the two are tied on the Yankees’ all-time home run list.

Judge hit his 351st career homer in a 4-2 win over the Braves on Sunday, moving into a tie with A-Rod for sixth place in Yankees history.

“Just an incredible honor, especially, you know, growing up watching A-Rod for so many years and watching what he did in pinstripes,” Judge said. “He’s a legend. One of the best ever players.”

Judge trails Yankee greats Babe Ruth (659), Mickey Mantle (536), Lou Gehrig (493), Joe DiMaggio (361) and Yogi Berra (358) in career homers for New York.

Judge’s homer on Sunday was his 36th of the season. He is two behind MLB leader Cal Raleigh of the Mariners, who won the Home Run Derby in Atlanta on Monday.

Judge hit a solo shot in the first inning that traveled 409 feet to right field off Grant Holmes, giving the Yankees a 1-0 lead. It was his eighth home run in his last 17 games.

The Yankees travel to Toronto to face the AL East-leading Blue Jays in a three-game series starting Monday.