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Red Wings Prospect Nate Danielson Impresses in NHL Debut

The Detroit Red Wings welcomed one of their top prospects, center Nate Danielson, for his NHL debut this past Sunday, slotting him on the third line alongside Marco Kasper and Mason Appleton. Danielson finished the game without a point but recorded four shots on net from five attempts and added one takeaway.

The 21-year-old Red Deer native logged 15:16 of ice time, with 11:46 at even strength and 3:30 on the power play, ranking sixth among all Red Wings forwards, ahead of players like James van Riemsdyk, Marco Kasper, and J.T. Compher. While Danielson struggled on the faceoff dot, winning just two of ten draws, his effort and hustle were clear. Despite Chicago scoring five goals, none came with Danielson on the ice, and he helped limit high-danger chances, spending most of his night in the neutral zone or generating offensive pressure in the Blackhawks’ end.

In his first shift, Danielson drove to the front of the net and redirected a point shot through his legs, creating a scoring opportunity on the goaltender. On his second shift, he made a heads-up play behind the net, cutting off Blackhawks goaltender Arvid Soderblom and jumping into the glass to keep the puck in Chicago’s zone. Defensively, Danielson was strong, covering for teammates and limiting scoring chances, though he had one misstep when a breakaway slipped behind him when he was covering for the defense but Detroit goalie John Gibson came up big with two key saves to keep the play from turning into a goal.  

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Brandsegg-Nygård Nets First Goal, Griffins’ Historic Win Streak Snapped in Loss To WolvesBrandsegg-Nygård Nets First Goal, Griffins’ Historic Win Streak Snapped in Loss To WolvesBrandsegg-Nygård ignites with his first AHL goal, but a gritty shootout loss ends the Griffins' historic streak.

He was active on the power play, working in with the second unit as a defenseman with Axel Sandin-Pellikka. Danielson made plays where he would work the puck low to set up teammates as well as getting open for chances himself like when he had a one-timer chance that was blocked. Danielson’s hustle in the neutral zone and transition game was notable, often picking up loose pucks and quickly moving them to the point. 

Offensively, he created scoring chances through quick passes and puck cycles, including a cross-crease attempt for Finnie and a setup for Marco Kasper in the slot. He showed grit in battles along the boards, tying up opponents to maintain possession, and even engaged physically to support teammates during scrums behind the net.

Despite a few missed opportunities, such as a loose puck that could have led to a high-danger chance, Danielson remained resilient, recovering quickly like when he was about to fall into the boards on one shift. It scared many at first as Danielson fell into the boards into his same shoulder that he just came off the injury reserve after injuring. He quickly got up though, stripped the puck off a Blackhawks forward and worked the puck back into Chicago's zone. 

Danielson will look to build on the performance and hopefully record his first NHL point Thursday, when the Red Wings take on the Anaheim Ducks at home.

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Mets sign INF/OF Jose Rojas to minor league contract

The Mets added some depth on Monday, signing INF/OF Jose Rojas to a minor league contract, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. 

Rojas, who turns 33 this offseason, has played in 83 big league games with the Los Angeles Angles. In 61 games in 2021, Rojas had a .676 OPS with six home runs, 15 RBI, 14 doubles, and 26 runs scored.

He played 22 games in the majors in 2022 for the Angels, and has bounced around a bit since then, including a stint with the Doosan Bears of the KBO in 2023. 

Rojas also spent a couple of stints in the Yankees’ minor league system, including this past season, when he slashed .287/.379/.599 with 32 home runs and 105 RBI in 124 games. 

Rojas has eclipsed the 20 home run mark four times in the minor leagues and has 145 career minor league round-trippers.

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Former Canadiens Winger Is Red-Hot Right Now

Artturi Lehkonen (© Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

The Colorado Avalanche are currently at the top of the NHL standings with a 10-1-5 record and 25 points. Former Montreal Canadiens forward Artturi Lehkonen has certainly played a role in the Avalanche's strong start to the 2025-26 season.

Lehkonen has had an excellent start to the campaign, as he has recorded six goals, nine assists, 15 points, and a plus-13 rating in 16 games. With numbers like these, there is no question that the former Canadiens forward is producing strong offense this season for the Avalanche.

Lehkonen is also showing no signs of slowing down as the season continues. In his last four games, the former Canadiens winger has recorded four points. This included him scoring two goals in the Avalanche's most recent contest against the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 9. 

If Lehkonen continues to produce offense like this, he could very well end up setting new career highs with the Avalanche this season. Time will tell what happens on that front, but it is clear that the former Canadiens forward is feeling it right now. 

The Canadiens selected Lehkonen with the 55th overall pick of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. In 396 games over six seasons with the Habs from 2016-17 to 2021-22, he posted 74 goals, 149 points, and a minus-2 rating. 

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How to watch Washington Wizards vs Detroit Pistons: TV/live stream info, preview for tonight's game

It's the Washington Wizards vs Detroit Pistons tonight on Peacock. Live coverage begins at 6:30 PM. See below for additional information on how to watch tonight's game and follow all of the NBA action on NBC and Peacock. Peacock will feature 100 regular-season games throughout the course of the 2025-2026 season.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

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Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons Game Preview on Peacock!

Washington Wizards:

The Wizards (1-9) are off to their worst start since the 2012-2013 season, when they started 0-12. The team has now lost 8 consecutive games, most recently falling 111-105 to the Mavericks on Saturday. The Wizards currently have the worst scoring margin in the NBA (-16.9 per game) and are allowing the most points per game in the league (128.4).

Washington has the second-youngest team in the league, behind only the Brooklyn Nets. The Wizards roster includes eight first-round picks from the last three drafts, including four from the 2024 NBA Draft.

Detroit Pistons:

Detroit (8-2) is off to its best start since the 2005-2006 season. The Pistons defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 111-108 last night, earning their sixth straight victory, which is currently the longest active win streak in the league.

Cade Cunningham led Detroit with 26 points and 11 assists in the win, while Jalen Duren added 21 points and 16 rebounds. Duren leads the NBA in total offensive rebounds (43).

Cunningham struggled with turnovers early in the season, committing 24 turnovers in his first four games, but since then, he has found his footing. He is currently second in the NBA in assists per game (9.8) among qualified players.

"It's been a hell of a ride. There's been a lot of ups and downs, but it's still early." Cunningham said after the win. "I'm not [getting] above myself because we're 8-2. I think this is something that we all wanted, but we want something bigger than this. We just want to keep our heads down and keep working."

How to watch Washington Wizards vs Detroit Pistons:

  • When: Tonight, Monday, November 10
  • Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
  • Time: 7:00 PM ET
  • Live Stream:Peacock
NBA: Detroit Pistons at Philadelphia 76ers
2025-26 Fantasy Basketball Top 200 Rankings: Tyrese Maxey continues to shine in Philadelphia
Many fantasy managers had high hopes for Maxey before the season began, and he’s lived up to the hype thus far.

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

Peacock NBA Monday will stream up to three Monday night games each week throughout the regular season. Coast 2 Coast Tuesday presents doubleheaders on Tuesday nights throughout the regular season on NBC and Peacock. On most Tuesdays, an 8 p.m. ET game will be on NBC stations in the Eastern and Central time zones, and an 8 p.m. PT game on NBC stations in the Pacific and often Mountain time zones.

Check local listings each week. Both games will stream live nationwide on Peacock. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, 2026. For a full schedule of the NBA on NBC and Peacock, click here.

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Sign up here to watch all of our LIVE sports, sports shows, documentaries, classic matches, and more. You'll also get tons of hit movies and TV shows, Originals, news, 24/7 channels, and current NBC & Bravo hits—Peacock is here for whatever you’re in the mood for.

NBA on NBC 2025-26 Schedule

Click here to see the full list of NBA games that will air on NBC and Peacock this season.

What devices does Peacock support?

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IOC edges closer to ban on transgender women in female Olympic events

  • Sources expect ban within next six to 12 months

  • IOC president wants to protect the female category

The International Olympic Committee is edging closer towards implementing a ban on transgender women competing in the female category in time for the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Multiple sources expect such a ban to come into effect over the next six to 12 months with the new IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, making clear she wants to drive through her campaign pledge to protect the female category.

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Athletics star first baseman Nick Kurtz wins 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Award

Athletics star first baseman Nick Kurtz wins 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Award originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Take a bow, Big Amish.

Star Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz won the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year award in a unanimous decision, MLB announced Monday.

Kurtz, the ninth Rookie of the Year in Athletics franchise history and first since pitcher Andrew Bailey in 2009, beat out his A’s teammate, shortstop Jacob Wilson, and Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony for the award.

Kurtz, whom the Athletics selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, absolutely raked over his first 117 big-league games after being the sixth-fastest player to reach the majors in franchise history following his promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas on April 23.

The Lancaster, Pennsylvania native and Wake Forest product led all rookies with 36 home runs, 86 RBI and a 5.4 WAR while slashing .290/.383/.619 with a 1.002 OPS and 63 walks. Kurtz, too, led all first basemen in OPS while joining Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge as the lone players with at least 400 plate appearances to finish with an OPS over 1.000.

Kurtz hit several monster homers this year, including a 493-foot grand slam and some walk-offs. But the performance that solidified the 22-year-old’s rookie-of-the-year status came on July 25 in the A’s 15-3 win over the Houston Astros at Dalkin Park.

Then, he became the first rookie to hit four homers in one game en route to finishing with 19 total bases, eight RBI and six hits.

The only true competition Kurtz faced for AL Rookie of the Year was, ironically, his own A’s teammate: shortstop Jacob Wilson.

Wilson led all rookies with 174 hits and slashed .301/.348/.424 over 153 games. He tied with Bo Bichette for MLB’s second-best batting average in baseball behind Judge (.331). 

Kurtz, meanwhile, earned other rookie-of-the-year nods from Baseball America and The Sporting News. He also earned the AL Silver Slugger Award for his position and was named the AL’s “Most Outstanding Rookie” by the MLB Players Association.

But the actual AL Rookie of the Year award? That is the formal bow on Kurtz’s stellar introduction to the majors.

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After hundreds of millions spent on players, what was Liverpool’s plan?

The defending Premier League champions spent big over the summer, but it’s hard to see how the new players fit

What was it supposed to look like? Amid all the talk around Liverpool and their disappointing form at the start of this season, that is perhaps the hardest question of all to answer. What were they trying to do? If it had worked, how would this team have played?

The champions spent £424m (about $550m) on new signings in the summer, but if all had gone well, they would have spent an additional £40m ($53m) to land Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi. The England international would, at the very least, have given an extra option at the back (the injury to Giovanni Leoni has diminished their defensive options further), allowing Arne Slot to rest Ibrahima Konaté, whose poor form continued in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday. An early City penalty was a direct result of Konaté getting in Conor Bradley’s way as Jérémy Doku cut in from the left.

This is an extract from Soccer with Jonathan Wilson, a weekly look from the Guardian US at the game in Europe and beyond. Subscribe for free here. Have a question for Jonathan? Email soccerwithjw@theguardian.com, and he’ll answer the best in a future edition.

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‘Some in the industry' expect Giants as Max Scherzer's free agency destination

‘Some in the industry' expect Giants as Max Scherzer's free agency destination originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

There is one MLB free agent that has strong ties to the Giants, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if he landed in San Francisco this winter.

Veteran starting pitcher Max Scherzer will become a free agent after his one season with the Toronto Blue Jays, and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported in his latest column that some anticipate the 41-year-old signing with San Francisco.

“Some in the industry expect Scherzer to land with the San Francisco Giants, reuniting with new manager Tony Vitello, his pitching coach at Missouri in the mid-2000s,” Rosenthal wrote. “A return to Toronto also might be an option. Scherzer, like virtually all of the Blue Jays, speaks with great fondness about the unique bonds the players and their families forged last season.”

In 17 starts for the American League pennant-winning Blue Jays, Scherzer posted a 5.19 ERA with 82 strikeouts and 23 walks in 85 innings pitched. The three-time Cy Young Award winner then played a key role in Toronto’s rotation throughout the MLB playoffs, posting a 3.77 ERA in 14 1/3 innings pitched.

Scherzer, similar to fellow future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Justin Verlander, who the Giants signed to a one-year contract last offseason, likely will command another one-year deal this winter.

If the Giants once again are looking to add another veteran presence to their rotation, perhaps Scherzer makes the most sense.

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Pros and Cons: Should the Mets sign Bo Bichette?

Signing Bo Bichette as a pricey free agent doesn’t exactly jibe with David Stearns’ run prevention vision for the Mets' offseason. But adding the elite hitter to play second base certainly would enhance the club’s run production – wait until you see Bichette’s numbers with runners in scoring position – and jolt the core, if such a thing is top of mind in Queens. 

So should the Mets look at bringing in Bichette, who turns just 28 in March, as a big-splash move? Or are there too many complications in what already needs to be a hyper-busy winter?

After all, there is much pitching work to be done, both in the rotation and the depleted bullpen, as well as finding more offense, figuring out center field, and retaining (or not) Pete Alonso and Edwin Díaz. 

Let’s look at the pros and cons of signing Bichette…

PROS

Plain and simple, Bichette, who has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays, is a hitter. His .294 career average is fifth among active players and he batted .311 in 2025, second in the AL to Aaron Judge. He was one of only seven qualified MLB hitters to bat .300 or better. Bichette played in 139 games and had 181 hits, which was also second in the league. He’s led the AL in hits twice and finished in the top six in batting three times. 

He’s got extra-base pop, too – he had 44 doubles (second in the AL) and 18 homers last season and has hit as many as 29 home runs in a season. 

Bichette also appears to be evolving as a hitter, trimming his strikeout rate while increasing his walk rate. He had a down year in 2024, but got his strikeout rate down to 19 percent, at the time the lowest of his career. As he soared in 2025, he got his K-rate to 14.5 percent, by far the best of his career and well below the MLB average of 22.2 percent.

He’s below-average at walking, but his 6.4 percent rate in 2025 was the best of his career. 

Whatever you believe about the clutch gene, Bichette seems to have it. Had Game 7 of the World Series ended differently, they’d be writing songs in Canada about Bichette’s early three-run homer off Shohei Ohtani. 

In 2025, Bichette led all qualified MLB hitters in average with runners in scoring position (.381) and had a 1.053 OPS in those situations, which was third-best. Lifetime, Bichette has batted .330 with a .904 OPS -- a long track record of production. 

For all the handwringing last year over the Mets and RISP, they batted .260 (eighth in MLB) with an .805 OPS (third). Adding Bichette, obviously, would figure to be a boost in that department, as well as the offense overall.

/ Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Bo Bichette (11) throws out Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) in the sixth inning during game six of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.

Bichette was on a two-month heater when he hurt his knee in September, which kept him out of the postseason until the Fall Classic. He was hobbled in the World Series, but still produced, going 8-for-23 (.348) with six RBI. Give him points for clutch, give him points for grit.

He also showed a willingness to switch positions. With Andrés Giménez starting at shortstop, the only defensive position Bichette has ever played in the majors, Bichette played second base five times. He looked comfortable there, perhaps foreshadowing his next role.

CONS

Is second base really a need for the Mets? They seem to have plenty of options, including Jeff McNeil, who had 79 appearances there last season. Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio, and Brett Baty could figure into the position as well. Plus, one of the Mets’ best prospects, infielder Jett Williams, would fit nicely there, too.

Signing Bichette likely blocks the advancement of those players. But who knows what chain reactions could follow, should the Mets add Bichette.

If the Mets do want to change their core and they signed Bichette, they could move McNeil in a trade. But they could also switch up the core by letting Alonso depart as a free agent, which, theoretically, would also help run prevention, assuming their new first baseman is a better defender than Alonso.

Bichette got the $22.025 million qualifying offer from Toronto, which he is sure to reject, meaning the Mets would lose their second-and fifth-highest selections in the 2026 MLB Draft if they sign him (or another player who rejects the QO). Bichette has also said he wants to remain in Toronto and, while that could be the typical free agent-speak, he and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. --two homegrown stars taking another run at a World Series title -- is a narrative with a nice, ahem, ring to it, no?

Then there’s the cost. Bichette should get a big contract and the Mets have to spend first on pitching, don’t they? MLB Trade Rumors estimated Bichette would get $208 million over eight years, and ESPN predicted a five-year, $130-million deal. Both would be for $26 million per year.

VERDICT

Signing Bichette would be a bold stroke of roster construction by the Mets and also trigger other moves that would significantly reshape the team. That could be just what the Mets need after the crushing disappointment of the 2025 season.

Bichette’s mega-hits profile would add significant depth to a lineup that sometimes struggled beyond the "Fab Four" last year. That sounds pretty appealing, too.

Maybe it’s just fun to think about. But it’d be fun to see if the Mets could make it jell with run prevention.

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Jimmy Butler invites Jonathan Kuminga over for dinner amid recent struggles

Jimmy Butler invites Jonathan Kuminga over for dinner amid recent struggles originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Jimmy Butler isn’t worried about Jonathan Kuminga’s recent production — in fact, he is hosting him for dinner.

After the Warriors’ 114–83 win over the Indiana Pacers on Sunday at Chase Center, Butler shared that he planned to have Kuminga over to talk, offering support as the young forward works through a quieter stretch on offense.

“He’s actually [going] to come over to my house for dinner right now, but the thing that I’ll tell you and I’ll tell him … You’re not going to play great every night, you’re not going to play bad every night either,” Butler told reporters postgame. “But you don’t ever get too high whenever you score 79 points and you don’t ever get too low when you score two. You stay right in the middle and you keep working and you keep doing what you’re supposed to be doing every single day, and those days, they will even out.”

Kuminga finished with five points in 20 minutes, going 0-for-5 from 3-point range but adding eight rebounds and two assists.

Butler emphasized that scoring isn’t the full measure of Kuminga’s impact.

“I wouldn’t say that he’s played bad,” Butler explained. “He’s playing well enough on the defensive side, he’s rebounding the basketball — it’s more than just scoring, which is what I try to tell him.”

Kuminga opened the season strong, scoring in double figures in his first four games. But in Golden State’s 129-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday, he finished with just six points, part of a quieter stretch as his usage has dipped and the rhythm of the offense has shifted.

Butler also pushed back on the notion that Kuminga has looked tentative in recent games.

“I like all the threes that he takes … It’s a make-or-miss league — if he’s making them, we don’t have this conversation.” Butler noted. “I just want him to keep that confidence high knowing that he belongs in this league, knowing that he’s a starter on this team and it’s all going to turn around.”

Butler finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in the win, while Golden State improved to a 6-5 record. As far as he is concerned, Kuminga’s production will come — the confidence and approach are what matter now.

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Negativity around 3-7 Mavericks fueling questions about future of GM Nico Harrison

The NBA is a results-based business. That applies on the court, with the scoreboard and standings, and it also applies off the court, in terms of fan loyalty and the amount of money they spend on tickets, jerseys, and more.

The Dallas Mavericks are 3-7 to start the season, which has stirred up frustration and resentment in the Dallas fan base that goes back to the Luka Doncic trade last season. Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Doncic is averaging a near triple-double — 37 points, 10 rebounds and 9.5 assists a game — leading the Lakers to a 7-3 record and a top-10 offense in the league.

The slow start has fueled negativity around the Mavericks and is adding to the pressure on general manager Nico Harrison and questions about whether he could be fired. Dallas-based NBA insider Marc Stein added to the discussion at his Substack.

"With the Mavericks already in a significant hole when it comes to simply reaching the playoffs, league sources tell The Stein Line that the rising and virtually ceaseless negativity that surrounds the franchise is indeed wearing on and troubling ownership."

Part of the challenge for ownership is that "it is by no means clear at this juncture" to whom they would turn to run the team, Stein adds.

One major question hangs over this entire saga: Can owner/governor Patrick Dumont admit his mistake? Owners are notoriously poor at that, and firing Harrison would be a tacit admission that the Doncic trade was a mistake — a trade Dumont signed off on and backed.

Dallas picked up a road win over the lowly Wizards on Saturday, but now returns home for a tough stretch of games: the Bucks, the surprisingly strong Suns, the Clippers, and the athletic Trail Blazers. How much does the team's performance in this home stand impact ownership's decision?

One other interesting note from Stein: Despite the poor start to the season, Dallas has no plans at this point to trade center Daniel Gafford. That shouldn't be a huge surprise with third-year center Dereck Lively III having played just three games this season due to injury after playing just 36 games a season ago. Dallas signed Gafford to a three-year, $54.4 million contract extension this past offseason.

However, if Dallas continues to struggle after Christmas, the Mavericks might pivot — they control their 2026 first-round draft pick, which is considered a deep class at the top, and Dallas may instead consider adding another lottery pick to pair with No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. If that happens, Gafford might become available, but the Mavs are not yet close to making that decision.

And we're not sure who might be the GM making that decision.

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Four Takeaways From Ottawa Senators 4-2 Victory Over Utah Sunday Night

The Ottawa Senators continue to rise closer to the surface in the Atlantic.

They defeated the Utah Mammoth 4–2 on Sunday night at Canadian Tire Centre for their second win in as many nights. Leevi Meriläinen made 29 saves for the Senators, who now have just one regulation loss in their last 10 games (6-1-3). Ottawa leaned heavily on its secondary scoring to knock over the Mammoth, with goals from Nick Cousins, Ridly Greig, Jordan Spence, and Michael Amadio.

1. Meriläinen Makes His Case

Leevi Meriläinen was making his first start since October 27, a surprising stretch of inactivity given Linus Ullmark’s inconsistent start to the season. Meriläinen’s return gave the coaching staff plenty to think about after another calm, controlled performance in goal.

Yes, his season debut against Buffalo was a rough one, surrendering eight goals to the Sabres. But in his two games since he’s looked composed and confident, giving Ottawa a chance to win in each case. Meriläinen’s ability to make timely saves was crucial on Sunday.

2. Support Staff Steps Up

Ottawa’s depth came through in a big way.

  • The backup goalie played well got the win.
  • Ridly Greig opened the scoring with just his second goal of the season and first in 13 games.
  • Nick Cousins scored his third goal of the season.
  • Jordan Spence notched his first as a Senator, as fans continue to wonder, how much longer will the Sens keep a point-per-game (7) defenseman as a part-time player? With Spence moving up to play the second half of the game with Thomas Chabot, the answer appears to be: not much longer at all.

Getting contributions from across the lineup, which is crucial for any hockey team at any level, will be a major factor in Ottawa’s success this season.

3. It's A-Me, Amadio

Michael Amadio is starting to make it harder to describe his offense as “secondary.” The veteran forward scored his fourth goal in as many games and now sits third on the team with six goals this season.

A former 50-goal scorer in the OHL, Amadio’s production won't continue at this pace, but this run has been a pleasant surprise for a team that doesn't have a top 30 NHL scorer.

Former Ottawa Senator GM Passes Away At Age 70Former Ottawa Senator GM Passes Away At Age 70Mel Bridgman, the Senators' first GM, has passed away at the age of 70

4. The Mammoth Are (Is?) Fast

The Mammoth showed why they’re gaining a reputation as one of the NHL’s quicker teams. Both of their goals came off solo rush efforts, including a highlight-reel effort from Nick Schmaltz, who beat Jake Sanderson wide and cut to the net to score. It marked the second straight game Sanderson has lost a one-on-one showdown, after being victimized by Matvei Michkov on Saturday in Philadelphia.

Clayton Keller added another similar goal for Utah, forcing the Senators to make in-game adjustments to handle the pace.

“That’s a quick team over there,” head coach Travis Green told the media. “I thought the first period we did some good things, but their speed was an advantage for them. They were on top of us a couple of times, but we adapted, our defense made a few adjustments, and I liked the rest of our game for sure.”

With the win, Ottawa continues its slow but steady climb up the Atlantic standings at 8-5-1. The Sens have a busy week with home games against Dallas on Tuesday, Boston on Thursday and Washington on Saturday.

More From The Hockey News Ottawa:
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Japanese ace, potential Mets target Tatsuya Imai to be posted for MLB teams this offseason

Add another intriguing name to the list of high-end starting pitchers who will be available this offseason as the Mets seek to fortify their rotation.

Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai, 27, will be posted by the Seibu Lions, and his posting paves the way for him to ink a deal with an MLB club in December.

Imai is coming off a huge season for the Lions.

In 163.2 innings over 24 starts, the right-hander had a 1.92 ERA and 0.89 WHIP while allowing just 101 hits and striking out 178 -- a strikeout rate of 9.8 per nine.

Over eight seasons pitching for Nippon Professional Baseball, Imai has a 3.15 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. But he has reached another level over the last four seasons, posting earned run averages of 2.04, 2.45, 2.34, and 1.92.

Imai's stuff is considered plus. It includes a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and can reach 99 mph. He also has a splitter, slider, and cutter. 

While he isn't viewed by evaluators as the kind of can't-miss ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto has become since making the transition from Japan to the majors, Imai is nevertheless expected to get a relatively massive payday. 

While the Mets have the prospect quality and depth to secure a top-of-the-rotation starter this offseason via trade, it's possible they'll also look to the free agent market for impact.

Imai will be the crown jewel when it comes to pitchers coming from Japan. As far as the MLB free agents, they include Framber Valdez, Dylan Cease, Ranger Suarez, and Michael King. 

Of those four pitchers, Cease -- a 29-year-old with swing-and-miss stuff who eats innings -- could be the best fit. 

As New York decides which way to go this offseason as the rotation is bolstered, it's fair to believe they have three pitchers penciled into their rotation at the moment -- Sean Manaea, Nolan McLean, and Clay Holmes. 

Other options include Kodai Senga (who could be a trade candidate), David Peterson (entering his final season of arbitration), Brandon Sproat, and Jonah Tong.

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Bank On Blue Jackets Exploiting Oilers’ Leaky Defense

Monday’s NHL slate may be small, but it’s packed with excitement as four high-stakes matchups promise fast-paced action, dramatic finishes, and plenty of highlight-reel moments. One of the night’s most intriguing games features the Columbus Blue Jackets taking on the defending back-to-back Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers.

Columbus enters the matchup on a three-game skid, while Edmonton has also struggled with losses in six of its last eight. Both teams are desperate to turn things around. The Blue Jackets are looking to rediscover the momentum that fueled their earlier four-game winning streak, and the Oilers are eager to restore their reputation after suffering a 9–1 blowout loss to the league-leading Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

For those following our betting challenge, we start with a modest $10 bankroll and aim to grow it through smart, data-driven wagers. In past runs, we’ve turned profits into triple-digit totals. Tonight’s same-game parlay focuses on the Oilers–Blue Jackets matchup, presenting a great opportunity to rebound after our recent hot streak cooled off. Our bankroll had climbed to $264.60 before taking a loss in last Tuesday’s Golden Knights–Red Wings game, but we’re ready to get back on track.

All betting lines are from BetMGM Sportsbook and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly. 

Sign up with BetMGM, make a deposit, and place your first wager on any game using your First Bet Offer token. If that bet with the token applied loses, you’ll get your original stake paid back in Bonus Bets, up to $1,500! Get in the game today with BetMGM.

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Picks: Blue Jackets +1.5 & Over 4.5 Goals (-114)

The Oilers’ long-standing goaltending issues continue to be a major problem, with no stability in net. This weakness has cost them dearly during both of their recent Stanley Cup Final runs. So far this season, Edmonton is allowing an average of 3.44 goals per game, ranking among the NHL’s bottom five teams defensively. Their offense has not been able to make up the difference, which was clear on Saturday when they were dominated at home by Colorado.

Heading into Monday’s matchup, the Oilers will be desperate for a strong response after widespread criticism suggesting they lack what it takes to make the playoffs, let alone return to the Stanley Cup Final.

The Blue Jackets are also looking to end their recent skid. Even though they enter as significant underdogs, they have won five of their last seven meetings with Edmonton. Goals should be expected in this matchup, as these teams have combined for four or more goals in 11 straight games against each other.

Columbus has also struggled on the defensive end, ranking 12th-worst in the league with a 3.21 goals-against average this season. However, the Blue Jackets have been strong against the spread, going 8-3 when listed as underdogs. The Oilers, in contrast, have one of the league’s worst betting records at 4-12 against the spread this season.

With a $10 bankroll, a wager on the Blue Jackets and the over at -114 odds would return a profit of $8.80 for a total payout of $18.80. With a full NHL slate scheduled for Tuesday, it is an ideal opportunity to build on momentum and continue growing the bankroll.

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Columbus Blue Jackets (14 pts) vs. Edmonton Oilers (16 pts) Game Preview

The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the road to face the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place.

The Edmonton Oilers are going to come into this game angry. The Oilers were absolutely demolished by the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday by a score of 9-1. They will be looking to let out some frustration and blow the doors off the Jackets. They come into the game 4-3-3 in their last 10 games and have lost three straight games, and they desperately need a win.

The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, have also lost three straight and sit at NHL .500 with a record of 7-7. Much like Edmonton, Columbus really needs to break out of this slide. The Jackets typically play tough in Edmonton; they just can't get the wins. All-time, they are 9-23-0-2 on the road inside Rogers Place. Yeah, not good. 

Something positive needs to happen for the Dean Evason and the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. 

Blue Jackets Stats

  • Power Play - 14.7% - 29th in NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 70.7% - 27th in NHL
  • Goals For - 43 - 25th in NHL
  • Goals Against - 45 - 15th in NHL

Oilers Stats

  • Power Play - 33.3% - 2nd in NHL
  • Penalty Kill - 81.8% - 12th in NHL
  • Goals For - 47 - 14th in NHL
  • Goals Against - 55 - 26th in NHL

Series History vs. Oilers

  • Columbus is 27-36-3-3 all-time, and 9-23-0-2 on the road vs. Edmonton.
  • The Jackets are 5-2 in the last 7 games against the Oilers.
  • The CBJ went 1-1 vs. the Oilers last season.

Who To Watch For The Oilers

  • Connor McDavid leads the Oilers with 17 assists and 22 points.
  • Leon Draisaitl leads Edmonton with 10 goals.
  • Stuart Skinner is 4-4-3 with a SV% of .889.
  • Calvin Pickard is 5-2-2 with a SV% of .836.

CBJ Player Notes vs. Oilers

  • Zach Werenski has 8 points in 12 games against the Oilers.
  • Sean Monahan has 27 points in 45 games.
  • Cole Sillinger has 9 points in 8 career games against Edmonton.

Injuries - Gudbranson on IR

  • Erik Gudbranson - Upper Body - Missed 6 games - IR

TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 16

How to Watch & Listen: Tonight's game will be on FanDuel Sports Network. Steve Mears will be on the play-by-play. The radio broadcast will be on 97.1 The Fan, with Bob McElligott behind the mic doing the play-by-play.

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