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Blackhawks Legend Glenn Hall Passes Away At 94 Years Old

On Wednesday night, news broke that Chicago Blackhawks legend Glenn Hall passed away at the age of 94. Hall, who is in the Hall of Fame and has his number retired by the Blackhawks, is second in franchise history in wins and holds the NHL record of consecutive games played by a goalie (regular season and playoffs) with 552. 

Hall lived an incredible hockey life, also spending years with the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. 10 of Hall's 18 NHL seasons came with Chicago, however, cementing him as a legend for the franchise. 

Throughout his career, Hall won the Calder Trophy, three Vezina Trophies, the Stanley Cup, and Conn Smythe Trophy. He also made 11 appearances as an NHL All-Star.

All of these accolades earned him a spot on the list of "100 Greatest Players in NHL History" during the league's centennial season. There is no doubt that he was one of the best goalies to ever live. 

"Glenn Hall was the very definition of what all hockey goaltenders aspire to be," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "Aptly nicknamed 'Mr. Goalie', Glenn was sturdy, dependable, and a spectacular talent in net.”

All of those records and awards that Hall had on his shelf were earned without wearing a mask, signifying his toughness. To his core, he was a hockey goalie. 

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Wilkerson scores 24 points, Indiana rolls past Maryland 84-66

Lamar Wilkerson scored 24 points, including all 16 of Indiana's points in a key second half run, and the Hoosiers defeated Maryland 84-66 on Wednesday night for their fourth straight win. Wilkerson had a personal 16-4 run in a 5 1/2-minute stretch, putting Indiana ahead 59-44 with 12 minutes remaining. He made 5 of 7 shots in the run, including 3 of 4 3-pointers.

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Dodgers and Brusdar Graterol reportedly agree to terms, avoid arbitration

Los Angeles, CA - March 28: Dodgers pitcher Brusdar Graterol cheers with the crowd as he receives his World Championship ring during a ceremony before the Dodgers game with the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Friday, March 28, 2025. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers pitcher Brusdar Graterol cheers with the crowd as he receives his 2024 World Series ring before the March 28 game at Dodger Stadium. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers avoided arbitration with reliever Brusdar Graterol on Wednesday, reportedly agreeing to terms with the Venezuelan right-hander on a one-year, $2.8-million deal before Thursday's deadline to avoid an arbitration hearing.

Graterol, 27, missed the 2025 season after undergoing surgery on the labrum in his right shoulder in November 2024. The $2.8-million figure is the same as his salary for last season.

After being acquired by the Dodgers in a 2020 trade that sent Kenta Maeda to the Minnesota Twins, he turned into a hard-throwing member of the team's bullpen.

Graterol's best season came in 2023 when he recorded a 1.20 earned-run average across 67.1 innings in 68 games, striking out 48 batters and walking 11.

Read more:Shohei Ohtani the most popular player among gamblers last year? You bet

Shoulder inflmmation and a hamstring strain limited Graterol to only seven appearances during the 2024 regular season — though he did pitch in three World Series games against the New York Yankees, including the clinching Game 5 — before he underwent shoulder surgery.

Graterol can become a free agent after the 2026 season.

The Dodgers have three other arbitration-eligible players who have until Thursday to agree to terms on a salary for next season: Left-hander Anthony Banda, outfielder Alex Call and right-hander Brock Stewart.

If any of the players cannot come to an agreement, the team and player must exchange salary figures and a hearing will be scheduled. Negotiations can continue until the date of the hearing.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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LeBron James to miss Lakers' game tonight at San Antonio

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 30, 2025: Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) sits on the bench late in the game as the Detroit Pistons take a double digit lead at Crypto.com Arena on December 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Lakers forward LeBron James will not play Wednesday night against the Spurs in San Antonio because of back and foot problems. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

LeBron James will miss the game against the San Antonio Spurs with right sciatica and left foot arthritis, the Lakers announced Wednesday.

James has starred for the Lakers (23-11) during their three-game winning streak, averaging 29 points in victories against the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. He's paired effortlessly with Luka Doncic as the duo scored 30 points each in Tuesday’s win over the Pelicans. But after missing 14 games to start the season because of sciatica, the 41-year-old James recognized he might not be able to play a second game in as many nights.

“His foot typically the day after a game is sore, so that’s the primary thing,” coach JJ Redick said before the game. “… We’re hoping that he gets to the point where he can play in back-to-backs with his body, but this stretch and this month, it’s going to be tough to say that.”

James will miss his 17th game this season, putting him right on the edge of continuing his streak of 21 consecutive All-NBA honors. Players have to appear in 65 games to remain eligible for postseason awards. The Lakers are beginning a busy January that ends with their longest trip of the year: the eight-game Grammy trip.

The Lakers are also without Austin Reaves (calf), Rui Hachimura (calf) and Adou Thiero (knee). Hachimura participated in a workout with the G League affiliate South Bay Lakers in L.A. on Wednesday as he progresses back to the court.

Guard Gabe Vincent (back) will be available for Wednesday’s game while on a restriction of about 18 minutes, Redick said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Latest Kyle Tucker free agency buzz: Blue Jays expected to offer OF a longer contract than Mets, Dodgers

Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding free agent outfielder Kyle Tucker and his chances of signing with the Mets...

 

Jan. 7, 8:24 p.m.

Earlier reports suggested that Tucker may have to settle for a short-term deal with a high AAV, but one team is seemingly willing to commit to the All-Star outfielder long term.

The Athletic's Will Sammon reports that while the Mets, Dodgers and Blue Jays are among Tucker's options this offseason, New York's preference is to offer a shorter contract. Sammon speculates the Mets would like to make a deal with a length of less than four years. However, the Blue Jays are expected to offer a longer contract this offseason.

Sammon notes that the Dodgers should not be ignored, as they have a history of swooping in and making deals.

After trading Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers, Juan Soto is the only Mets outfielder written on the lineup in pen. Tyrone Taylor and Carson Benge are the current top candidates to fill center field and left field, but adding Tucker would immediately change that equation.

Jan. 6, 8:37 p.m.

Three teams have emerged as the most "aggressive" in their pursuit of Tucker.

According to former MLB exec and MLB Network radio analyst Jim Duquette, the Mets, Dodgers and Blue Jays are the most aggressive suitors for Tucker. However, Duquette adds that nothing appears imminent and there is some distance between the other team reportedly interested and the main three. 

The Athletic's Mitch Bannon reported Tuesday that Toronto has increased their efforts to recruit Tucker as he fits their roster construction better than former infielder Bo Bichette. After signing Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto, the Blue Jays' infield is likely set, while an outfield addition is easier. Adding Tucker would mean Anthony Santander would move to left field, allowing George Springer to play most of the time as the team's DH. 

Jan. 5, 2:08 p.m.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Monday that Tucker's market is "the biggest mystery," adding that he could have to "take a higher AAV on a short-term contract and hit the market again after two consecutive injury-plagued second halves."

Many believed Tucker's market would result in a massive contract in terms of length, with some projecting a contract of 10 or even 11 years. However, that may not be the case if teams balk at the idea of a long-term commitment.

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Ex-Blackhawks Forward Has Incredible Game

Former Chicago Blackhawks forward Anthony Duclair just had a game that he won't forget.

In the New York Islanders' 9-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 6, Duclair recorded a hat trick and two assists. With this, the former Blackhawks forward was simply unstoppable for the Islanders against the Devils. 

Duclair's big game came at a great time, as he was having a bit of a cold streak before it. Over his previous six games, he had just one assist. However, with his five-point night against the Devils, it is fair to say that he has broken the ice in a big way for the Islanders. 

Duclair will now be aiming to continue to stay hot after his huge game against the Devils. This kind of performance should help the former Blackhawks forward's confidence, and it will be fascinating to see how he responds from here. 

With his impressive game against the Devils, Duclair now has seven goals, 11 assists, 18 points, and a plus-5 rating in 40 games this campaign with the Islanders.

Duclair was acquired by the Blackhawks during the 2017-18 from the Arizona Coyotes. In 23 games with the Blackhawks following the trade, he recorded two goals, six assists, and eight points. His time with the Blackhawks would end during the 2018 NHL off-season after he did not receive a qualifying offer from the Original Six club. 

Since his time with the Blackhawks ended, Duclair has had stints with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Ottawa Senators, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and now Islanders.

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Trae Young reportedly has Washington as top preferred trade destination

While it is still 29 days until the Feb. 5 NBA Trade deadline — and big trades tend to happen closer to that date — there is a lot of smoke and clearly some fire around a Trae Young trade to the Washington Wizards.

Washington is Young's preferred destination, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. That is new and it matters. Young is a fan favorite and has been the face of the franchise in Atlanta for more than seven years, the team will want to do right by him. The Hawks front office and Young’s agents have been collaborating to find Young a new team, and now the Wizards are the clear frontrunners. The fact that CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert — two players expected to be sent to Atlanta in a trade — are sitting out the Wizards game on Wednesday feels like a little more than a coincidence.

A trade of Young to Washington for McCollum and Kispert works under the cap.

What to watch is the draft picks attached to this trade. While the instinct for many would be to say Washington needs to add draft picks to this deal — they are getting a 27-year-old three-time All-Star in his prime, a guy who has averaged 25.2 points and 9.8 assists a game for his career — the opposite is true, league sources told NBC Sports. Washington can argue that they are sending out the expiring contract of McCollum to take on one more year of Young, who has a $48.9 million player option for next season, which he is expected to pick up. Washington will want to be compensated for taking on that extra salary, even though it has the cap space to do so, as Josh Robbins of The Athletic discussed on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast. There could be an exchange of draft picks, but don't expect the Wizards to send out better picks than they take back in the deal, which has been their modus operandi in the Jordan Poole trade and others.

The other thing to watch for is a contract extension. Young wants to be on a team where he has the ball in his hands and somewhere he could sign a longer-term extension (he's not a max player anymore, not in the world of NBA tax aprons, but he still would command considerably more than an average starter). Washington can put the ball in his hands, but it will want to wait to see how he meshes with the young players the franchise sees as part of the future — Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Bilal Coulibaly — before it talks extension. Young would pick up his option and be playing for his next contract.

On offense, Young would be a natural fit. Sarr, who has taken a big step forward this season, averaging 17.5 points and 7.8 rebounds a game, should thrive with Young as a pick-and-roll partner. Plus, Young's gravity and passing would get Johnson, George and others plenty of better, cleaner looks in the halfcourt. On top of all that, this is a team that wants to get out and run, and Young's passing and style of play fit well with that.

On the other end of the court, Washington has the 29th-ranked defense in the NBA right now and Young is not going to help that.

What Young gives the Wizards is someone fans will pay to see, someone who should make their offense entertaining and will win them some games (and maybe get them in the play-in a year from now) — all without giving up anyone they see as a core part of their future. It's low risk. And if Young clicks with the existing core, the Wizards can always extend him.

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Unreal Macklin Celebrini theatrics, heroics fuel Sharks' comeback win over Kings

Unreal Macklin Celebrini theatrics, heroics fuel Sharks' comeback win over Kings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Macklin Celebrini Show took Los Angeles by storm on Wednesday night, and it was a sight to behold in the Sharks’ 4-3 overtime win over the Kings at Crypto.com Arena.

With the Sharks in need of a late miracle, the 19-year-old superstar authored one of the more remarkable goals of the 2025-26 NHL season to tie the game with 66 seconds remaining in regulation.

Celebrini’s 24th goal of the season forced overtime, and just over three minutes into the extra period, he connected with a streaking William Eklund for the game-winner.

“I know Mack’s going to find me if I’m open, so for me, it was just like, OK, when I get the puck here, it’s going to go in the net and I thought [Kings goalie Darcy Kuemper] saved it there but no, it went in,” Eklund told Randy Hahn and Drew Remenda on NBC Sports California’s “Sharks Postgame Live” moments after the win. “So, I’m happy for that.”

The Sharks’ fifth win in six games pushes their record to 22-18-3 and moves them into the Western Conference’s first wild-card spot. San Jose is just one point away from leading the crowded Pacific Division.

Celebrini finished the night with one goal and two assists, giving him 67 points this season.

The 2024 No. 1 overall pick is at the forefront of the Sharks’ resurgence and has the team thinking about the Stanley Cup playoffs, and a possible deep postseason run.

“It’s great,” Celebrini told reporters after the win. “This is what we want, the position we want to be in, especially with where things were. We’re doing a great job handling all of it and I think we have the group to do it. Obviously, there’s half a season left and there’s a lot of work to do, but you have a feeling in our group.

“We’re confident in those situations that when we’re down 3-2 or tied 2-2 going in late against a really, really good team, a playoff team. It’s a different type of swagger and feeling in our group.”

After sweeping a home-and-road back-to-back against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Kings, the Sharks get two well-earned days off before taking on the 60-point Dallas Stars at home on Saturday night.

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Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton show Warriors surest path to top-six playoff seed

Al Horford, De'Anthony Melton show Warriors surest path to top-six playoff seed originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – A couple of X-factors showed out Wednesday night, and the only way the Warriors can make the ascent of their dreams is if this becomes a semi-consistent pattern.

It’s profoundly evident these Warriors have no chance of thriving if they throw all their hopes into the lap of Stephen Curry. It’s unfair. Silly, even. Same, for that matter, applies to the best of Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green. All three are essential, but the rest of the roster – a battalion of X-factors – must have the ability to threaten opponents.

De’Anthony Melton and Al Horford did more than that Wednesday night in a 120-113 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Chase Center. They delivered the kind of goodies the coaching staff and the Curry-Butler-Green trio have consistently insisted were within the reach of the supporting cast.

Melton and Horford combined for 30 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal. Melton was plus-4 over a season-high 25 minutes, and Horford was plus-9 over 19 minutes.

“Those are two guys that connect our lineups,” Green said of Melton and Horford.

“Those two guys weren’t available much or at all early in the year, and they’re both trying to find their legs, their rhythm,” Curry said. “But you can see how much of a difference they can make off the bench.”

Melton was terrific, dropping a season-high 22 points, twice punishing the Bucks with timely 3-pointers. He scored with high efficiency, shooting 8-of-13 from the field, including 5-of-9 from deep.

After spending most of December searching for his shot after returning from a yearlong recovery and rehab from ACL surgery, Melton has found it.

Horford brought the kind of assortment bag that put a gold star on his stat line and his fingerprints on the game: eight points, on 3-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-4 from deep, along with team- and season-high 10 rebounds and six assists.

“We’re starting to get to the point where we’ve been able to bump his minutes up,” coach Steve Kerr said. “And he looks healthy. Playing him 19 minutes gave us a new heavy rotation. And he was terrific. He did everything.”

This is the Horford the Warriors expected when they signed the 39-year-old to a contract in the offseason. Fill in the gaps, no matter what they are.

“My impact, I feel like it’s anything that has to do with winning and making winning plays, whether it’s rebounding, whether it’s assists,” Horford said. “I know I can shoot the ball, so being able to be a floor spacer for the group and shoot. Just impacting in different ways. But this was a game that a lot of that came together, which was nice for me.”

Though Curry shone, Butler and Green did enough to support him.

Curry totaled a team-high 31 points, 13 of which came during a third quarter that allowed Golden State to take a 16-point lead (98-82) into the fourth quarter. His step-back 3-pointer with 26.1 seconds remaining extinguished Milwaukee’s hope of a comeback.

Butler didn’t shoot well (6-of-15, including 1-of-5 from distance) but managed 21 points, five rebounds and three assists. Green, playing with controlled fire, contributed 14 points, seven assists (with one turnover) and three rebounds.

A couple of X-factors filling in superbly allowed the core trio to survive ordinary games from Butler and Green.

“It’s always great to have those guys stepping up, because, like we’ve said all year, we need those guys to win,” Green said. “It’s not just going to be an effort of us three doing it . . . and that’s never been the answer. When you look at teams that think that’s the answer, they’ve been wrong every time. So, we depend on our guys. We trust our guys.”

On this night, the “guys” the Warriors depended on were Melton and Horford, along with 18 intense minutes from Gui Santos. On another night, it might be Gary Payton II or Moses Moody or Brandin Podziemski or Quinten Post or Will Richard or Trayce Jackson-Davis or, of course, Pat Spencer.

They’re all X-factors for Golden State, which is greatly enhanced when any two or three bring it as Horford and Melton did against the Bucks. It’s the Warriors’ surest path to climbing out of eighth place in the Western Conference and into at least the top six.

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Avalanche Set for 2027 Winter Classic Showdown Against Utah

The Colorado Avalanche are headed outdoors once again.

The NHL announced Monday that Colorado will serve as the visiting team in the 2027 Discover Winter Classic, facing the Utah Mammoth at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Additional details, including the game’s date, start time, and ticket information, will be announced at a later date.

Avs-Mammoth 2027 Winter Classic Official

The matchup will mark the Avalanche’s first appearance in the Winter Classic and the fourth outdoor game in franchise history. It will also be the first time Colorado has taken part in an outdoor NHL game as the road team.

Previously, the Avalanche hosted the Detroit Red Wings at Coors Field during the 2016 Stadium Series, the Los Angeles Kings at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs for the 2020 Stadium Series, and the Vegas Golden Knights at the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe in 2021.

For the first time in its 20-year history, Colorado will take part in the Winter Classic. However, it will not be the 20th edition of the event, as the 2013 and 2021 Winter Classics were canceled due to the NHL lockout and the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively.

“We’re excited and honored that the League selected us for the Winter Classic,” said Avalanche President of Hockey Operations Joe Sakic. “The Avalanche organization is always proud to be in consideration for marquee events like this. We’re looking forward to being matched up with a great team and represent the Rocky Mountain region in a game that appeals to these two markets in this part of the country.”

Colorado Record in Outdoor Games

The Avalanche are 1–2 all-time in outdoor games, though their most recent appearance came in a 3–2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights at the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe in 2021. Several months later, Vegas returned the favor, eliminating Colorado in six games during the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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Cubs agree to acquire right-hander Edward Cabrera in a trade with the Marlins

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are adding Edward Cabrera to their rotation, agreeing Wednesday to acquire the right-hander in a trade with the Miami Marlins in their first major offseason move.

A person familiar with the deal confirmed the move to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it hadn’t been announced.

Chicago agreed to send outfielder Owen Caissie and infield prospects Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon to Miami for Cabrera, who went 8-7 with a 3.53 ERA in a career-high 26 starts and 137 2/3 innings last year.

Caissie, 23, could compete for a starting job with the Marlins after making his major league debut in August. Caissie, a second-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft, hit .192 in 12 games with the Cubs, but he batted .286 with 22 homers and 55 RBIs with Triple-A Iowa last season.

Cabrera is eligible for arbitration and cannot become a free agent until after the 2028 season.

The Cubs finished second in the NL Central last year with a 92-70 record. They made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2020 before they were eliminated by Milwaukee in a five-game NL Division Series.

Cabrera, who turns 28 in April, joins a deep rotation that also includes Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton and Jameson Taillon. Colin Rea and Javier Assad are two more starting options, and Justin Steele is coming back from left elbow surgery on April 18.

The 6-foot-5 Cabrera made his major league debut with Miami in 2021. He is 25-29 with a 4.07 ERA in 87 career starts and two relief appearances.

Cabrera arrives in Chicago with some injury concerns, including recurring blisters on his right middle finger. He also was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 1 with a right elbow sprain. He returned on Sept. 23 and pitched five shutout innings against the New York Mets in his final start of the season on Sept. 28.

While the addition of Cabrera strengthens Chicago’s rotation, Caissie was expected to compete for time in right field. Kyle Tucker is expected to leave the Cubs in free agency.

Miami went 79-83 in its first season under manager Clayton McCullough, a 17-game improvement from its last-place finish in 2024. Sandy Alcantara and Eury Pérez lead the team’s rotation.

Hernandez, 22, batted .252 with seven homers and 53 RBIs for High A South Bend last year. De Leon, 18, played for the Cubs’ team in the Arizona Complex League in 2025, hitting .276 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 43 games.

Also Wednesday, the Cubs claimed left-hander Ryan Rolison off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. Rolison made his big league debut with Colorado in May.