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Golden Knights Provided A Blueprint For The Devils To Go All-In

From the inaugural 2017-18 Vegas Golden Knights season onward, they were all in. In the spirit of Las Vegas, they pushed the chips into the middle of the table and pushed to win the Stanley Cup every season. 

It’s led them to three Stanley Cup Final appearances and a title in 2023. The Golden Knights are in their 10th season of existence, and a regression is expected. Yet, they remain one of the best teams in the Western Conference and on the shortlist of Cup contenders in the Pacific Division. 

They set the tone and a template for going all-in and making aggressive moves to win it all. In the modern NHL, with a salary cap and free agency, it’s more difficult to remain at the top. Yet, the Golden Knights proved to teams like the New Jersey Devils how it’s possible.

 

The Power Play & Other Issues The Devils Are Looking To Address After One MonthThe Power Play & Other Issues The Devils Are Looking To Address After One MonthThe Devils saw their winning streak end on Wednesday night with a 5-2 loss to the Avalanche, but the streak is a reminder that many factors are working in their favor.

While the Devils weren’t always operating with that mindset, things changed when general manager Sunny Mehta took over. He’s running the Devils with a similar mindset to how Kelly McCrimmon runs the Golden Knights. 

The Drive To Build A Superteam

When the Golden Knights made the 2018 Cup Final, they weren’t the star-studded team that they are now. They were a team built on depth, on a remarkable expansion draft haul where cast-offs from Alex Tuch, Jame Neal, and Jonathan Marchessault became key players. But that team wouldn’t win a Cup, and McCrimmon pivoted.  

It’s led to tough decisions, from letting go of Marc-Andre Fleury to Ryan Reeves, two fan favorites. There were some regrettable trades, including acquiring Max Pacioretty from the Montreal Canadiens for Nick Suzuki. It also led to some moves that built the champion team in 2023 and the team that made the Final last season, including some of the big ones below.

  • Acquiring Mark Stone ahead of the 2019 trade deadline.
  • Signing Alex Pietrangelo in the 2020 offseason.
  • Acquiring Jack Eichel in the middle of the 2021-22 season. 
  • Signing Mitch Marner in the 2025 offseason.
  • Acquiring Rasmus Andersson at the 2026 trade deadline. 

A common perception in front offices is that it’s best to build through the draft and then develop prospects. Trevor Connelly became the first Golden Knights first-round selection to make his debut with the team. He was drafted in 2024 and made his debut this season.

Mehta got to work from day one when he took over the Devils this offseason. While none of the moves he made were splash additions, they added depth and set the table for big moves. Then came the big swing when the Devils landed Connor Hellebuyck in a blockbuster trade. 

Devils GM Mehta Takes Calculated Risk In Hellebuyck Trade With JetsDevils GM Mehta Takes Calculated Risk In Hellebuyck Trade With JetsPushing not quite all-in to acquire Connor Hellebuyck instantly elevates the New Jersey Devils, hurts their divisional opponents, and creates a new perception around the team. As for the Winnipeg Jets? Well, the less said, the better.

Now, the Devils are set on the next big move, whether it’s Dylan Larkin, Quinn Hughes, or another star player. “We’re never done. We’re never done,” Mehta stated during Hellebuyck’s introductory presser, and it’s the message that he’s willing to embody. He won’t stop making moves until the Devils are a super team. 

The Non-Conventional Way Of Adding Depth

When the Golden Knights made moves for Eichel, Stone, and Andersson, they depleted the farm system and gave up draft picks. By default, they became a top-heavy team and lacked depth. 

However, they didn’t add depth through the draft. Most of the time, it came through under-the-radar signings, whether it was Paul Cotter, Michael Amadio, or Adin Hill, who, like many Golden Knights, was a castoff who became the starting goaltender during the 2023 Cup run. 

4 Bright Spots From The Devils' Four-Game Winning Streak4 Bright Spots From The Devils' Four-Game Winning StreakThe Devils saw their winning streak end on Wednesday night with a 5-2 loss to the Avalanche, but the streak is a reminder that many factors are working in their favor.

The Devils similarly are adding depth through trades and free agent signings. Anthony Mantha, Evan Rodrigues, and Jesper Boqvist make up their third line. All three were acquired in the offseason. They allowed Mehta to trade Dawson Mercer, a middle-six winger, in a Hellebuyck deal. Likewise, Luke Evangelista, who was acquired this summer, has turned into a top-six winger, and it allows the Devils to move other depth players in a blockbuster deal. 

Adding depth works twofold for contenders. It helps the team right away with players who round out the roster, and it allows the GM to flip them or other depth players for stars. The Golden Knights proved it time and time again, and the Devils are doing the same. 

Ultimately, It Keeps These Teams Competitive, It Certainly Did With Vegas

The Golden Knights are a decade into their existence and show no signs of slowing down. Eventually, they might regress, and they’ll be forced into a rebuild. However, they’ve managed to replace the top-end talent over the years. 

It’s largely because they’ve become a destination. The outside factors play a role, with Vegas being in a tax-free state with great weather. That said, they’ve built up a perennial winner, and it’s made them attractive. 

The message that a blockbuster trade sends to the room is that the front office is willing to do what it takes to win. The players respond by doing their part. The Devils saw the jolt that Hellebuyck provided and the energy shift in the room after the splash. 

Likewise, an aggressive front office is noticed around the league. Players heading to free agency want to join a team that’s willing to spend and make a push for a Cup. It’s how the Golden Knights landed top free agents in the past and how the Devils are starting to become an attractive spot for players looking to win. 

“You just look for an organization that’s willing to do whatever it takes,” Hellebuyck stated in his introductory presser when asked why the Devils were a team he wanted to lift his no-trade clause to play for. Mehta is willing to make the aggressive moves, and players have noticed. 


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MLB option tracker: Players, teams exercising and declining 2027 options

Major League Baseball faces a precarious position as a potential lockout looms on Dec. 1 when the sport's collective bargaining agreement is set to expire.

Before that happens, some business still needs to be taken care of, as dozens of players have options on their 2027 contracts and will need to get those situations squared away for whenever the union and the owners decide that next season can be salvaged.

Teams face big decisions, and players must decide where they want to play the 2027 season by Nov. 2. Those include team, player and mutual options, as well as opt-outs for players who want to test the market and become free agents.

Some players who want to maximize their contracts can also accept a team's qualifying offer, which can be extended starting Nov. 2. The value of a 2027 one-year qualifying offer is $23.15 million, and free agents who decline a qualifying offer and sign with a new team will do so, as their old team will receive draft pick compensation as a result of their departure.

Here are the contract options that have been exercised and declined for the 2027 season:

MLB contract options exercised for 2027

  • Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves — Atlanta exercised $17M club option.
  • Ozzie Albies, Braves — Atlanta exercised $7M club option.
  • Sandy Alcantara, Marlins -- Miami exercised $21M club option.
  • Bo Bichette, Mets — Opted into his 2027 contract; has two years remaining on his three-year, $126M deal and can opt out again after 2027.
  • Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks — Opted into his 2027 contract, leaving four years on his six-year, $210M deal.
  • Tony Gonsolin, Royals — Kansas City exercised his $2.5M club option.
  • Ryan Helsley, Orioles — Opted into his $14M player option with Baltimore.
  • Andres Munoz, Mariners — Seattle exercised his $9M club option.

MLB contract options declined for 2027

  • Carlos Estevez, Royals — Kansas City declined his $13M club option, paying a $2M buyout.
  • Michael King, Padres — Declined his $28M player option for 2027. He also had a $30M player option for 2028. By opting out, he receives a $5 million buyout and walks away from the two remaining years of his deal.
  • Nick Martinez, Rays — Declined his $20M player option with Tampa Bay.
  • Dustin May, Brewers — Milwaukee's $20M mutual option was declined, with a $500K buyout.
  • Victor Robles, Mariners — Seattle declined his $9M club option, with a $500K buyout.

When is the MLB contract option deadline?

MLB teams and players must make their contract option decisions by Monday, Nov. 2, five days after the conclusion of the World Series. That includes decisions on club, player and mutual options, as well as eligible opt-outs.

Players whose options are declined or who exercise an opt-out can become free agents, while exercising an option keeps the player under contract for the 2027 season.

Qualifying offers are separate. Teams also have until Nov. 2 to extend them, but players who receive a qualifying offer have until Nov. 17 to accept or reject it.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB option tracker: Players, teams exercising and declining 2027 options

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Pistons vs. Nets preview: NBA Cup Group Play begins

There isn’t a whole lot you can complain about the Pistons start to the season. They sit at an East-best 4-1 and got through the brutal start to their schedule with a 3-1 record. This is all despite missing Jalen Duren for half of the games and key rotation players like Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Joe for a couple.

The Brooklyn Nets are 0-4, but they have been sneakily competitive this season with their only blowout loss being a 27-point loss to the Indiana Pacers. They are coming off a buzzer beating loss to the Boston Celtics in overtime on Tuesday.

It is tough to make definitive judgments on a team early in the season, but I feel like Brooklyn could be one of those teams that doesn’t win a lot of games, but makes it tough on you every time you face them.

The Pistons have a good shot at winning their group in the NBA Cup, but I definitely wouldn’t call this game an “easy” win.

Game Vitals

Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY
When: Friday, October 30 at 7:30 pm EST
Watch: TV20 Detroit or DAZN (streaming)
Odds: Pistons (-7.5)

Analysis

An underrated factor to this game is that the Brooklyn Nets were able to fly home from Boston after their overtime heartbreaker on Tuesday and have been home since then while the Pistons had to fly from New York, back to Detroit for a home game against Charlotte, and then back to New York for this game. They at least have a day of rest for this game, which should help, but having to travel that much in a 3-day span is not great.

This is very much could be a trap game given the travel-related factors and the fact that the Nets have been a pretty feisty team this season despite their 0-4 record. The Nets have a pretty good mix of developing young players and veterans that make things easier for them, so I feel like they will be a tough out every night, even if their record is one of the worst in the league.

The two veterans that are the big threats are Julius Randle and Michael Porter Jr. Both have kind of been sent to rot in Brooklyn by their former teams, but Porter put together an impressive season last year and continues to be one of the biggest off-ball shooting threats in the league. Randle’s game is what it is at this point, but he has the ability to take on a pretty heavy offensive burden and allow the younger guys to focus on taking the easy shots.

One of the young players we will miss out on seeing is last year’s highest of their many first round picks, Egor Demin, who suffered a leg injury in the overtime loss to the Celtics. The Nets still have other improving young players like 1st round pick Mikel Brown Jr. and Nolan Traore, who has shown some flashes in his 2nd season.

I have faith that the Pistons will be able to slow down the Brooklyn Nets on the defensive end, as they have only given up 98 points per game over the last three games. But, in those three games they have only averaged 100 points per game. Without their 2nd offensive threat in Jalen Duren as well as a drop off in shooting from Duncan Robinson and no Isaiah Joe, the free flowing offense that hit a lot of threes to start out the season is now temporarily missing in action (hopefully).

Luckily for the Pistons, there is a chance that Isaiah Joe returns tonight and their schedule over the next couple weeks while Jalen Duren is out is not as difficult as the gauntlet they started the season out with.

But, as long as the Pistons have Cade Cunningham, they have a chance in any game. Cade finally broke out of his quiet start to the season to the tune of 30 points against Charlotte on Wednesday. He hit multiple clutch shots along with Daniss Jenkins to seal the game. With how much the Pistons have struggled to create offense without Jalen Duren, I expect the Jenkins-Cade backcourt to get a few more looks since both players can handle the ball and create a bit for others.

That’s not to say that we haven’t gotten that look before, as JB Bickerstaff has employed it a few times this season, but Jenkins is a player that had his best moments last season when he got a lot of minutes, so it is worth riding the hot hand.

If there is one factor that is in Brooklyn’s favor in this game, it is their frontcourt size. Paul Reed has done a fantastic job filling in for Jalen Duren, but he is a bit undersized for a full-time starting center. Brooklyn has Day’Ron Sharpe, Julius Randle, and Michael Porter Jr. in their starting frontcourt and all three are 6’9” or above. The only one of those three that can be classified as a “good” defender is Sharpe, but all of them are good rebounders so I could see the Nets having an advantage on the glass.

At full health, it is difficult to see a world where the Pistons lose this game, but without Jalen Duren to provide a bit more offensive punch and possibly not having Isaiah Joe, this could end up being another ugly game for the Pistons that they have to win with their defense.

Lineups

Brooklyn Nets (0-4): Mikel Brown Jr, Nolan Traore, Michael Porter Jr, Julius Randle, Day’Ron Sharpe

Detroit Pistons (4-1): Cade Cunningham, Duncan Robinson, Ausar Thompson, John Collins, Jalen Duren

Question of the Day

Do you think the Pistons continue to win ugly or do they finally break out of their offensive slump?

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Knicks Bulletin: ‘He’s a great guy to play off’

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 25: The sneakers featuring former Knicks captain Willis Reed worn by director Spike Lee during the third quarter of the game between the New York Knicks and the Orlando Magic at Madison Square Garden on October 25, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Cup Basketball is back, and with that…

…so are your reigning Champs.

Here’s a bunch of quotes before today’s affair.

Mike Brown

On Rick Brunson suggesting the Tyler Kolek-Jalen Brunson backcourt combination against Chicago:

“One of the things he suggested was throwing Kolek in the game with Jalen [Brunson].”

On Kolek’s performance in the Knicks’ comeback victory over the Bulls:

“Tyler had a big floor game for us.”

On Kolek’s role once Jose Alvarado return:

“Tyler is definitely going to keep playing while Jose is out. When he comes back, we’ll figure it out.”

Jalen Brunson

On the need for avoiding the opening-night mistakes that doomed the Knicks:

“We just need to obviously not do what we did [the last time we played them].”

Tyler Kolek

On avoiding turnovers and making smarter decisions as the Knicks’ backup point guard:

“Not trying to make the home run play. Just trying to get us in the offense, get the best shot for our team. It’s about being more mature in my game. Trying to take care of the ball, that’s what the team needs. When I go in there, I can’t be turning it over, I can’t be throwing it all over the floor. Got to get us in the offense, got to get us good shots.”

On playing alongside Jalen Brunson and benefiting from the defensive attention he attracts:

“We played together last season for stretches. He’s a great guy to play off. They’re going to double-team him, you get open shots.”

On the defensive challenges of playing in a two-point-guard lineup and staying ready for opportunities:

“Obviously it’s two smaller guards, so I have to compete harder on defense.

“You guys have seen [the double point guard]. It’s been successful in stretches, with Jose in the playoffs. With me a little bit in the NBA Cup. And then a couple games sprinkled in. But when coach is searching, trying to find something, everybody on the bench has to be ready for any situation.”

Shams Charania

On Karl-Anthony Towns’ willingness to accept a discount:

“He will sign for less than his max contract. He’ll take a sizable discount. $70 plus million less, that’s something that he is not willing to do right now.”

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2026 Atlanta Braves Player Review: Chadwick Tromp

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 22: Chadwick Tromp #39 of the Atlanta Braves hits a walk-off RBI single in the eleventh inning during the game between the Washington Nationals and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, May 22, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

A familiar smile made a somewhat unlikely return to the big leagues with the Atlanta Braves behind the plate, as a spate of injuries caused the Braves to reach deep into their catcher depth chart before Memorial Day.

How Acquired

The Atlanta Braves first acquired Chadwick Tromp off waivers from the San Francisco Giants on September 21, 2021. In the seasons since, Tromp has been on the fringes of the big league roster as the proverbial fourth catcher on the depth chart. Seriously, the roster moves involving him have been legendary in length: DFAed in 2022 (and re-added), minor league free agency and a re-signing after the 2023 season, a DFA in early 2025, a stint with the Orioles, a stint with the Red Sox, re-added by the Braves in November 2025… you get the idea. All in all, Tromp had been a depth mainstay, spent part of the 2025 season elsewhere, but the affable Aruban played with the Braves for a fifth consecutive season in 2026. (And was part of the organization for a sixth consecutive season.)

What were the expectations?

Coming into 2026, Tromp had appeared with the Braves in every season since 2022 – beginning the the legendary “Chadwick Tromp Game” when he went 3-for-4 against the Tampa Bay Rays – but had only 28 games of action across four seasons to show for his Atlanta Braves tenure.

With catcher Sean Murphy recovering from surgery coming into 2026, Tromp’s addition made him one of two veteran options, with Sandy León, to back-up Drake Baldwin to start the season should Murphy not be ready. But, with the organization bringing in Jonah Heim in February 2026 to be Baldwin’s back-up, Tromp was relegated to the third or fourth option in the organization’s depth chart until Murphy’s return, which would have pushed him back further.

Performance-wise, Tromp has had the career of a quintessential third catcher: he can’t hit at all (career 63 wRC+, which is the result of substantially outhitting an unplayable .234 xwOBA), but he provides solid catcher defense (career +3 Statcast-based catcher runs above average in under 460 innings). That actually adds up to over 1 WAR per 600 PAs given how valuable catcher defense is, but Tromp came into 2026 with just 0.4 fWAR in 67 career games, given that no one really wants to give a bunch of playing time to a guy that can’t hit.

All of that is to say that Tromp was expected to be a staple in Gwinnett and an emergency option should something go unexpectedly wrong in Atlanta.

2026 results

Like 2021, something did go wrong, as the Braves dealt with a cacophony of injuries, leading to Tromp sharing time with León as the catcher tandem for several weeks in May.

He made 12 appearances for the Braves, including six starts, after the team traded Heim to the Athletics. Of course, that trade only happened because the Braves activated Murphy, but Murphy went right back on the shelf after a bat broke his hand on a catcher’s interference snafu… and Baldwin followed suit a week later with an injury of his own.

With the Braves, Tromp slashed a paltry .200/.192/.240 with Atlanta (11 wRC+), with surprisingly poor tiny-sample, no-meaning defense, leading to -0.1 fWAR in 27 PAs.

Tromp also had a similar lack of playing time with the Orioles, totaling 24 PAs and -0.3 fWAR; his defense “rebounded” but his bat was even worse (-39 wRC+). It was not a banner year for Tromp.

What went right?

Tromp picked-up a hit in his first 2026 at-bat with the Braves, and followed that up with another hit in his first start of the season a couple of days later. But, the highlight of his time with the Braves came on May 22, 2026 against the Washington Nationals — in what is now the new Chadwick Tromp Game. He went 2-for-3 after entering the game in the seventh inning, had a run-scoring hit in extra innings after the Braves fell behind 4-2 in the top of the tenth, and then proceeded to get the game-winning, walk-off hit for Atlanta in the 11th inning.

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This performance earned him 0.46 WPA, and the walkoff hit alone was worth .392 WPA given that it came with two out. The WPA was the seventh-highest by a Braves hitter this season for a single game, and the walkoff hit itself was 12th.

Also, after he departed the Braves, he gave us this hilarious sequence with Matt Olson, featuring multiple ABS challenges and smiles all around.

What went wrong?

After his heartwarming effort against the Nats, Tromp only managed one hit — a double in a shutout loss against Boston — in his final nine games with Atlanta. Sadly, his heroics were short-lived: two days after his huge game, the Braves had the bases loaded with one out while trailing the Nationals by a run. With no other options, Tromp was up to face new pitcher Orlando Ribalta… but he struck out on four pitches.

Atlanta designated Tromp for assignment on June 4, and the veteran inked a deal with the Baltimore Orioles, just as he did in an identical situation in 2025. After nine games with the Orioles, and an IL stint, Tromp was let go by Baltimore and landed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he ended the season at Triple-A.

2027 outlook

If the 2027 season starts on time, Tromp will turn 32 days before the regular season starts. As a veteran option who would likely play at Triple-A and give an organization depth as a third or fourth catcher, he seems likely to continue to have options for at least another five seasons.

Could that include Atlanta? Possibly. Perhaps even probably.

With Baldwin and Murphy expected to be on the big league roster in 2027, the Braves will likley need one or two veteran options in the system. Maverick Handley and Chuckie Robinson, both of whom have had cups of coffee in the big leagues, along with 2021 13th round draft choice Adam Zebrowski, are all catching options as well. That shouldn’t close the door to Tromp in ‘27, should both parties want to be dance partners again. Maybe there’ll even be a new Chadwick Tromp Game eventually.

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Checking in on Rangers in the AFL

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 24: Paxton Kling #21 of the Surprise Saguaros slides into second base during the game between the Saguaros and the River Rafters at Camelback Ranch on Saturday, October 24, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Steve Chadwick/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

We are roughly two-thirds of the way through the 2026 Arizona Fall League schedule, with the regular season having begun on October 3, and ending on November 11. The Surprise Saguaros, for whom the Rangers prospects play, is currently 12-8, a half-game back of the Peoria Javelinas for first place.

Let’s take a look at how the Rangers prospects have been faring.

Sebastian Walcott, #1 prospect in the Rangers system and consensus top prospect in the AFL, has been solid. Walcott has slashed .300/.362/.460 in 56 plate appearances over 12 games, striking out 13 times and walking 6 times. Walcott has just one homer, but does have five doubles. Also, notably, he is tied for the team lead in stolen bases, with nine, having been thrown out just once.

Paxton Kling, the Rangers’ 2025 7th rounder who spent most of the season at Hub City before moving up to Frisco for the last week of the season and the playoffs, has also performed well for Surprise. He’s slashing .326/.446/.413 in 56 plate appearances over 12 games, with 10 walks and 10 strikeouts. And remember how I said Walcott was tied for the team lead in stolen bases? Kling, who is also 9 for 10 in stolen base attempts, is the guy he is tied with.

Catcher Julian Brock has an interesting .212/.400/.273 slash line in 43 plate appearances, with 10 walks against 11 Ks. An even more fascinating slash line has been generated by second baseman Casey Cook, who is slashing .136/.457/.136 in 33 plate appearances, with 11 walks against 6 Ks.

The Rangers pitchers have had a rougher go of it. Mason McConnaughey has allowed 7 runs in 11.1 innings over four appearances, although with 18 Ks against 5 walks. The 2025 4th rounder only threw 20 innings during the minor league season in 2026, as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Jacob Johnson, a 20 year old righthander who split the 2026 season between the complex league and low-A, logging 43 innings in all, has also made four appearances. He’s allowed 10 runs in nine innings of work, walking nine and striking out nine. Its kind of an ugly line, but this was a challenging assignment for Johnson, given his limited pro experience and the fact he’s never faced players of this caliber.

J’Briell Easley has thrown 5.2 innings over five appearances, allowing six runs, walking five and striking out six. Jesus Gamez has allowed eight runs in 3.2 innings over five appearances, walking five and strking out four.

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Jalen Brunson wins Philly sports writers’ top honor after 76ers torture

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson #11 drives to the basket as 76ers Joel Embiid defends.

PHILADELPHIA — Jalen Brunson is even winning awards behind enemy lines. 

He was named the Professional Athlete of the Year by the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association. The announcement came just hours before Brunson and the Knicks were set to play the 76ers at Xfinity Mobile Arena Friday night, the second matchup between the two teams already this season after the Knicks dropped the season opener at Madison Square Garden. 

Brunson, a South Jersey native, played collegiately nearby at Villanova. He roots for Philly sports teams, especially the Eagles. 

Knicks guard Jalen Brunson #11 drives to the basket as 76ers Joel Embiid defends. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

But he is now the captain of one of Philly’s top rivals – a Knicks team that has tormented the 76ers in recent years, including a dominant sweep in the second round of the playoffs last year en route to a championship. It’s an honor that is sure to anger 76ers and Philly sports fans. 

“What Jalen Brunson accomplished this past year has been nothing short of remarkable,” PSWA president Mike Shute said in the announcement. “His skill, his leadership and his connection to the Philadelphia basketball community all make him a deserving recipient of this honor. 

“He plays his best basketball when the stakes are the highest and has led his teams to championships at every level.” 

There is no doubt Brunson is connected to the Philly basketball community. 

Currently, though, that connection comes at Philly’s expense. 

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Here's How the Golden Knights Are Celebrating Nevada Day With Their Fans

Nevada Day is getting a little extra gold, silver and hockey this year. The Vegas Golden Knights are turning Friday’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils into a full-on celebration of the Silver State, with specialty merchandise, signed jerseys up for auction and plenty of reasons for fans to show up in white.

The Golden Knights announced Tuesday, Oct. 28, their plans for the annual Nevada Day game, set for 3 p.m. PT Friday, Oct. 30, at T-Mobile Arena. The game, presented by Travel Nevada, honors the state’s admission to the Union on Oct. 31, 1864. Vegas will take the ice in its white jerseys, and fans are encouraged to match the look by wearing white to the game.

There will be more than hockey happening around the arena, too.

Fans heading to Paramount+ Plaza will get the first chance to shop the latest Golden Knights x VANS collection, with sales beginning at 10 a.m. PT. Additional co-branded VGK x VANS merchandise by Violent Gentleman will also be available.

For fans looking to take home something a little more exclusive, specialty signed Nevada Day jerseys will be up for auction. Bidding opens at 1:45 p.m. PT on Friday and closes at 5 p.m. PT. Fans can register and place bids at VGKNevadaDay.givesmart.com or by texting VGKNevadaDay to 76278.

Want a closer look before placing a bid? The jerseys will be on display along the concourse near sections 11 and 12. Proceeds will benefit the VGK Foundation and support its ongoing programming with the Clark County School District.

Nevada Day merchandise won't stop at the arena, either. T-shirts, pucks and other commemorative items will be available for purchase at The Arsenal at City National Arena.

Travel Nevada has already helped kick off the celebration with its "Ultimate Hockey Experience" sweepstakes. One lucky winner and three friends scored tickets to Friday's game, official Golden Knights jerseys, premium transportation to and from T-Mobile Arena and an exclusive opportunity to attend the postgame press conference.

With a holiday crowd, fresh merchandise and some one-of-a-kind jerseys up for grabs, Friday's game is shaping up to be more than just another afternoon at the rink. And with the Devils coming to town, the Golden Knights will have a chance to give Nevada fans one more reason to celebrate.

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Will Wade Has Put Himself In A Hilarious Situation

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 14: Will Wade head coach of the LSU Tigers reacts a an exhibition game against the UCF Knights at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on October 14, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Someone really should approach Will Wade and LSU about starting a reality show. Look at what’s gone on there just this week:

First, the Reese Alston recruitment. Alston’s father, former NBA star Rafer, absolutely slammed Wade a few days ago for the recruitment of his son, saying this: “I’m disgusted by how this whole process has played out. Will Wade has operated in a disgusting manner. He is a sleazeball of an individual. I know there was a back alley deal involving PUMA, in which money was accepted without my authorization.”

Wade allegedly cut a deal with Reese’s mother, who presumably will be signing the grant-in-aid, given Rafer’s disgust with Wade.

Then there’s the RJ Luis situation, which, at this point, is pure comedy.

Wade, pushing the limits as always, recruited RJ Luis for a fifth season, despite Luis’s brief NBA dalliance, during which he signed more than one contract.

This was part of why the SEC got angry enough at LSU to threaten to kick them out of the conference.

Now, Luis’s attorney,  Tony Clayton Jr,. having won a temporary restraining order that will allow his client to play, and that also prevents the SEC from punishing LSU for now, are taking it a step further: if Wade doesn’t roster Luis and then play him, Clayton will take him to court and ask the judge to hold him in constructive contempt.

In Louisiana, the penalties for that are $1,000 dollars, which is trivial, and up to 6 months in jail, which is anything but.

Clayton said this about Wade: “I’m telling you we’re going to use the long arm of the law to force Will Wade to play him because I’m not going to allow these folks to play musical chairs. We would bring in Coach Wade and move to hold him in constructive contempt. I would not advise anyone to be in contempt of court. This judge is real.”

In case you missed it, Clayton is telling Wade he has to actually play Luis. So what happens if Wade puts him in for 30 seconds? Will that suffice? Or will Clayton demand a certain number of minutes? Is he now a functional member of the coaching staff?

Just as a side note, Clayton, who clearly has a bit of flair, compared SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey to North Korean strong man Kim Jong Un.

Wade is now having to balance the SEC’s very real threats vs. potential jail time.

Not surprisingly, Wade is not sticking his neck out in public, and refused to comment on Luis’s eligibility.

At the end of the day, we wonder about a couple of things: first, what exactly happened between Wade and Reese Alston’s mother. When the transfer portal and paying players came to pass, we said that we didn’t know how, but that members of the Situational Ethics Conference would find new ways to cheat. It won’t surprise us in the slightest if Wade leads the way on that.

And second, what must the braintrust at NC State be thinking? They were angry when Wade abandoned Raleigh to return to LSU. At this point, though, they must be breathing a sigh of relief that the Music Man, predictably, skipped town and took his chaotic show to Baton Rouge.

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Sabres Pursuit Of Scoring Likely To Cost One Of Their Prime Prospects

The Buffalo Sabres did not remedy the offensive gap created by the departures of winger Alex Tuch and defenseman Bowen Byram last summer. The club was minus 44 goals from last season, and appeared to be relying on the internal development of youngsters Zach Benson, Josh Doan, Konsta Helenius, and Jiri Kulich to make up the difference. 

Early returns have proven that to be a miscalculation by GM Jarmo Kekalainen, as these four forwards have combined for just six goals, and before their breakout 7-6 win in Anaheim on Thursday, the Sabres were averaging 2.75 goals per game and were 25th in scoring.  ,are moving forward with goalie Connor Hellebuyck now with the New Jersey Devils, but details continue to filter out as to what the club offered to acquire the 33-year-old Hart and Vezina Trophy winner before the NHL Draft last June. 

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Owen Power has become an offensive threat this season for the Sabres.

According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, Kekalainen is looking to add some scoring help, but unless Buffalo is looking for a temporary solution, such as a scorer on an expiring contract, it will likely cost the Sabres one of their top prospects. Timing could be an issue for Kekalainen, since teams who may be sellers at the deadline, like the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames or Chicago Blackhawks, are probably not ready to move players until they get overpaid or the calendar is closer to the trade deadline. 

The cost for the Sabres on a rental with an expiring contract would likely be a high draft pick, but if Kekalainen is looking for a forward with term, such as Pittsburgh’s Bryan Rust, it could cost Buffalo a pick and an excellent prospect, such as 2025 first rounder Radim Mrtka, or NCAA prospects Adam Kleber or Brodie Ziemer. 

If Buffalo is looking for a scorer with significant term remaining, such as Vancouver's Brock Boeser, it could cost them a forward like Doan, Benson, or Ostlund, who are younger and also signed to long-term deals, or Helenius, who is 20 years old and in the first year of his entry-level contract.

The need for a move will depend on where the Sabres are in the standings come the end of November, when clubs begin to take stock of where they are.       

Follow Michael on X, Instagram @MikeInBuffalo

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Florida Panthers Show Off New Equipment With Hometown Remix Colors Ahead Of Official Release Next Week

The Florida Panthers gave us a sneak preview at their Hometown Remix uniforms on Friday.

When the Panthers took the ice for their morning skate at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, the Cats were wearing equipment to go with the soon-to-be-released specialty uniforms.

That includes the goaltenders, who had pads and gloves showing off the pink, dark blue and gold colorway that the new uniforms will feature.

Even the goalie masks were specially painted, with Jacob Markstrom featuring some hot pink popping off the cage and Akira Schmid prominently featuring the Hometown Remix logo on the crown.

As for the players, their new colored gear consisted of dark blue gloves, pants and helmets with gold numbers and lettering.

The Panthers are going to officially release the Hometown Remix gear on Monday at 9:54 a.m. at Pantherland in Fort Lauderdale and Coral Springs, as well as on their official website.

Later that evening, Florida will debut their Hometown Remix uniforms when they host the Detroit Red Wings at Amerant Bank Arena.

They’ll also wear the flashy uniforms the following home game, Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The eight additional games that Florida will feature the Hometown Remix gear will be on Nov. 26 vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dec. 19 vs. the Calgary Flames, Dec. 26 vs. Tampa Bay, Jan. 2 vs. the Montreal Canadiens, Jan. 16 vs. the Vegas Golden Knights, Feb. 13 vs. the Dallas Stars, March 6 vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs and March 27 vs the Philadelphia Flyers.

You can check out footage of Florida wearing the Hometown Remix gear during Friday’s morning skate in the video below:

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Clint Hurdle announces he is leaving the Rockies

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 22: Clint Hurdle #55 of the Colorado Rockies waves to the crowd after a tribute to his time as the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game at PNC Park on August 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Early Friday morning, Clint Hurdle announced that he is leaving the Colorado Rockies organization after more than 20 years of service.

Hurdle, 69, first joined the organization in 1994 as a minor league hitting instructor and was promoted to major league hitting coach in 1997, where he served until his promotion to manager in 2002.

Hurdle is perhaps best known as the manager of the 2007 Rocktober run that saw the Rockies win 13 of their last 14 games to force Game 163 (and definitely saw Matt Holliday touch home plate) on their way to eventually making their first, and so far only, World Series appearance in franchise history.

After a poor start to the 2009 season, Hurdle was fired in May and went on to join MLB Network as a studio analyst before joining the Texas Rangers organization as a hitting coach for the 2010 season. He got back into managing the following season, and served as the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2011-2019.

After retiring from coaching, Hurdle came out of retirement to rejoin the Rockies as a special assistant to the general manager in 2021, where he served until he was named interim hitting coach on April 17, 2025 and then was subsequently named bench coach on May 11 after Bud Black and Mike Redmond were fired.

Hurdle said, “With my last day being October 31, 2026….just know that I am not retiring…but rather recalculating my journey personally and professionally.”

Shortly after Hurdle’s announcement, the Rockies thanked Hurdle for his work:

When reached for comment, a Rockies spokesperson said Hurdle and the team had “mutually parted ways.”

We at Purple Row wish Clint all the best in his next chapter!

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New Phillies' hitting coach Pete Fatse looks to lift a sagging offense

New Phillies' hitting coach Pete Fatse looks to lift a sagging offense originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Before Pete Fatse can try to improve the Phillies’ offense, he has to understand it.

The team’s new hitting coach has been on the job less than a week. There’s a lot to take in.

“I’m kind of drinking through a fire hose right now with information,” he said during an introductory Zoom session with reporters Friday.

Fatse was Boston’s hitting coach from 2022 until being let go in April as part of a major staff purge that included manager Alex Cora. He won’t have to dig too deep to see some of the Phillies’ issues.

The team’s offense declined across the board in 2026. It went from eighth in the majors in runs per game (4.80) in 2025 to 19th (4.40), from third in batting average (.258) to 21st (.240) and fourth in on-base percentage (.328) to 23rd (.312). The Phils plummeted from fourth in OPS (.759) to 22nd (.707).

There are many ways to evaluate an offense and Fatse can dig deep into the granular. In the big picture, he’ll work toward raising that OPS.

“It’s a simple concept,” he said. “Teams that are putting themselves on base will be in position to score more.”

Poor plate discipline was at the root of many of the Phillies’ offensive woes in 2026. Phillies hitters ranked 27th in the majors with a 32.6 chase percentage. They got themselves out a lot.

Hitting coaches are positive thinkers.

Where most people see a problem with the Phillies’ plate discipline, Fatse sees …

“An opportunity, for sure,” he said. “It’s one of the things throughout my career that I’ve always paid attention to.

“Every offense is subject to what you swing at, especially before two strikes. How do you prioritize what parts of the zone you want to attack and having a game plan for that while ultimately being agile when the game tells you something else is needed.

“So, it’s working through that thought process. We work through different ways to practice it and train it. Sometimes, it’s a mindset, an execution thing. Ultimately, you start to figure out where different players are because it is so individual at times. You (learn) what messaging is best suited for each guy.”

Fatse, 39, replaces Kevin Long.

Trea Turner will be one of Fatse’s biggest projects. On the night the Phillies’ short postseason run ended in Atlanta, Turner raised his hand and said he was the reason for the team’s overall decline in offense.

Turner won the National League batting title at .304 in 2025. He hit .242 in 2026 and led the majors in outs made. His chase rate was 34.6 percent. His OPS plummeted from .812 to .675. His strikeout rate went from 16.7 percent to 21 percent.

Turner’s defense at shortstop was also poor in 2026 and he must improve it – quickly – or face a position change in 2027. In addition to changing hitting coaches for 2027, the Phillies will have a new infield coach as Carlos Mendoza replaces Bobby Dickerson.

Fatse has already communicated with Turner via text. A personal meeting could come in November, before baseball’s expected lockout.

“Trea is a tremendous, dynamic talent,” Fatse said. “Getting to understand his priorities and building off his strengths is important to me.”

Relationships in general are important to Fatse. They are to all coaches. Without a strong two-way relationship between a player and a coach, messages and lessons go undelivered. Before becoming Boston’s top hitting coach, Fatse was an assistant with the Red Sox. He overlapped with Kyle Schwarber when the slugger was in Boston in 2021. Fatse plans to communicate with all Phillies hitters in the weeks to come.

“You have to earn trust,” he said. “You have to understand why players do what they do. You can study video. You can dive into advanced analytical information and paint a picture, but ‘the why’ is most important to me as a coach. You have to understand and appreciate why someone does things before you can jump in and make an assumption. Hitting is always a collaboration with the player.”

Fatse played minor-league ball in the Milwaukee organization. Like most hitting coaches of this era, he has a strong understanding of analytics and the use of data. Before hiring Fatse, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he was looking for someone who could use contemporary analytics and communicate the information efficiently to players.

After being let go by Boston in April, Fatse worked as a consultant with Tampa Bay’s analytics/hitting group. The Rays lost to Milwaukee in the World Series. As an opponent, Fatse was quite impressed with the Brewers’ offensive “tenacity and the way they grinded at-bats.”

The goal is to bring some of that to the Phillies. Time will tell if it happens.

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The Penguins inability to close out games is still a concern (and other quick thoughts)

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 03: Head coach Dan Muse of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on against the Montréal Canadiens at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 3, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images

It should have been a storybook night for Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ben Kindel.

In his most recent game, at Utah, it ended with him being robbed on a last-second shot that would have tied the game and sent it to overtime. Then he had a medical episode that resulted in him spending what were almost certainly a couple of stressful days in a Utah hospital, then missing two games in a row.

He returned on Thursday night, against Utah, and helped jumpstart a sluggish Penguins offense with a goal and an assist.

The goal, with 20 seconds to play in regulation, should have been the game-winner.

It seemed almost impossible to believe that they could give up a tying goal, with a neutral zone face-off, and only 20 seconds to play.

But these are the Penguins, and surrendering baffling, unacceptable goals in the closing seconds is kind of their thing. And then they did. And then they could not control the puck in overtime, taking part in a four-minute comedy of errors that eventually ended with Mikhail Sergachev’s game-winning goal.

It was a point against a contender, but it should have been more.

There are a few things that should be incredibly frustrating about that result for the Penguins.

The obvious is, well, that it happened.

The second is that it was an opportunity for them to do something they have not done anywhere enough of this season and actually won a game in regulation. They have now played 13 games, and even though they have five wins, only two of them have come in regulation. That was a chance to secure a regulation win, against one of the better teams in the league, and they squandered it. There are only four other teams in the league that don’t have at least three regulation wins at this point: San Jose, Columbus, Los Angeles and Vancouver. It’s not the type of company you want to be keeping.

The third is that it is a continuation of their inability to close out games. It is already the third time this season they have allowed a team to tie a game in the final minute, with the other two coming against the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens. They were able to salvage the first two with wins in overtime/shootout, but could not do the same Thursday.

It’s a rough look for everybody involved that it keeps happening this frequently.

But it is an especially rough look for the coaching staff, especially given some of the deployment decisions.

In all three instances it was the fourth line on the ice, but with Sidney Crosby inserted in on the first two occasions (yesterday Lizotte maintained his spot). Declan Carlile has been on the ice for two of them.

What makes Thursday’s so baffling is that they could have, in theory, put any player and defense pairing on the ice that they wanted. Utah argued the go-ahead goal for more than a minute. There was a delay while the play was reviewed. Then Utah called a timeout. Everybody was rested. Everybody was fresh. The entire bench was at your disposal. Muse responded by sending out a defense pairing of Carlile and Kaedan Korczak, a pairing that had only played two minutes together on Thursday. And then Carlile committed about every possible mistake imaginable in trying to secure the lead. When the puck was pinned against the wall, he dug it free. He lost his man. He then let his man have a free whack at the puck in front of the crease.

At that point, just tackle him. Who cares if you commit a penalty. There are three seconds left.

Leave the puck pinned against the wall.

Do anything other than what you did.

A few other quick Penguins thoughts….

1. If we get to game 20 and Crosby still looks like this, you have to start having a discussion about where his season is going to go, and by extension, where the Penguins season is going to go. He has seven points in 13 games. The only other time in his career that he’s had less than 11 points through 13 games was the start of the second Mike Johnston year, and we all know how bad that was (for everybody, not just Crosby). He’s had some slow starts in recent years, but never this slow, and honestly, never this bad. And that’s not an inappropriate word to use. He’s been bad. Something just looks … wrong. His line is consistently one of their worst ones every night, and it has been getting buried defensively more than any other. We are far enough into the season that you should be paying attention to it. Maybe not fully worried. But certainly paying attention. They are getting solid play from every other line at times. Maybe not as consistently as you would like in some cases, but a lot of solid play. They are not getting anything from his line. Certainly not enough. You can make the argument that he would have a few more assists if Rickard Rakell had some better finishing early on, and that’s certainly true, but the lack of chances from him and just how pedestrian he looks are eye-opening.

2. I am trying to be generous with Andrei Kuzmenko given, *gestures hands* what he went through before the season */gesture hands*, but it’s not working right now. If there’s somebody that is going to come out for a healthy Elmer Soderblom, or to get an Avery Hayes or Rutger McGroarty back in the lineup, or Justin Brazeau when he returns, that is pretty obviously the guy at this point.

3. I think you have to sit Carlile for a game or two. I liked the signing and the mindset behind it. I liked the gamble. I am certainly not giving up on it. But right now he is struggling a bit and I don’t love some of the decision-making. The end of Thursday’s game was shocking.

4. I am not overly concerned about the lack of playing time for Sergei Murashov at this point. He needs to play. He will play. I don’t think it’s damaging his development to sit for a bit here while Arturs Silovs played well. Especially given the way his past two starts went. Sometimes a reset and a chance to watch is helpful.