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NHL's Top 10 Plays Of November: Quick, McDavid And More Amaze

November was an eventful month in the NHL, filled with major storylines.

The Colorado Avalanche are the second team in 45 years to have one regulation loss or fewer entering American Thanksgiving. Youngsters Macklin Celebrini and Connor Bedard are emerging as superstars. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers' struggles became a frequent talking point.

However, November was also full of great plays on both ends of the ice. The Avalanche, Leafs and Oilers had some dazzling moments during the month, even though only one of those squads had a November to remember.

Here are the NHL's top 10 plays of the month.

10. Clean Pace And Puck Control Lead To Cale Makar Goal

With the Avalanche trailing 2-1 against the New York Rangers on Nov. 20, Cale Makar stepped up and delivered one of the best goals of the month to tie the game up late in the second period. 

The play started with a 3-on-2 in the Rangers' zone. Nathan MacKinnon dropped a pass over to Martin Necas, who made a cross-ice pass to Makar. Makar sped behind the net and wrapped it behind a lunging Igor Shesterkin, who couldn't get his pad out in time.

9. Sam Reinhart, What A Goal

With just over seven minutes left in the first period of their Nov. 20 game against the New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers right winger Sam Reinhart delivered a beautiful goal, in what would be the only one of the game.

Reinhart picked the puck up at center ice and went off into Devils territory while Luke Hughes defended him. As he neared the hashmarks, Hughes tried to swipe the puck away. Reinhart slid the puck underneath Hughes' stick and followed up with a snap shot that beat goalie Jake Allen stick-side.

8. Leo Carlsson Goes Backhand Top Corner

On Nov. 8 against the Vegas Golden Knights, Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson extended the team's lead to 2-1 on one of his best goals yet.

Following a brief battle for the puck along the boards in the offensive zone, Ducks left winger Troy Terry emerged with it and fed Carlsson.

Carlsson made a quick backhand move, lifting the puck past defenseman Noah Hanifin and goalie Akira Schmid.

Carlsson has stepped his game up this year, but the quick move and accuracy on this goal were on a whole different level.

7. Beck Malenstyn Dekes Around Sebastian Aho

Buffalo Sabres left winger Beck Malenstyn is not known for piling up the points, but he surprised everybody against the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 23. 

With just over a minute remaining in the second period, Malenstyn caught a pass from Tyler Kozak, sending him into Hurricanes territory with Sebastian Aho to beat. When Aho caught up, Malenstyn pulled off a windmill deke, leaving the Hurricanes center lost. Malenstyn emerged on a mini breakaway and beat goalie Frederik Andersen glove-side for what was likely the best goal of his career.

6. William Nylander Fakes Out Jordan Binnington

In a game where the Maple Leafs needed a win badly, John Tavares, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly combined for arguably the team's best goal of the year so far.

With just under a minute left in overtime against the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 18, a battle for the puck ensued along the boards in offensive territory. Tavares emerged with the puck and made a back-heeled pass to Rielly, who sent it over to Nylander. Moving in, Nylander slid the puck past Dylan Holloway before deking out goalie Jordan Binnington on a backhand move that allowed him to tap it in.

5. Tyler Bertuzzi, Sam Rinzel And Connor Bedard Combine For A Beauty

The Chicago Blackhawks have been in a long rebuild, so it's fair to say their fans were pretty surprised when forwards Connor Bedard, Tyler Bertuzzi and Sam Rinzel combined for one of the nicest goals the team has scored in years.

The play began with Bedard skating in the offensive zone and leaving the puck for an incoming Bertuzzi, who sent it across the ice to Rinzel. Rinzel made a quick pass over to Bedard, who cut in front of the net and tipped it in over lunging Minnesota Wild goalie Filip Gustavsson.

4. Mikko Rantanen Pulls Off Spinning Backhand Goal

There are plenty of reasons Mikko Rantanen signed an eight-year, $96-million contract with the Dallas Stars last year. His ability to find the back of the net no matter the situation, as he did against the Vancouver Canucks, is definitely one of them.

With just over a minute left in the third period of their Nov. 21 game against the Canucks, Rantanen moved into the offensive zone in a 1-on-1 against Brock Boeser. As he neared the hashmarks, Rantanen spun and sent a no-look backhand shot on goal that beat goalie Kevin Lankinen over his left shoulder.

3. Andrei Vasilevskiy Makes An Incredible Game-Saving Stop

Anybody who said Andrei Vasilevskiy isn't the same goalie he used to be is dead wrong, and this game-saving play against the  Oilers couldn't be better proof.

With just over three minutes remaining in overtime, the Oilers emerged on a 3-on-2 in Lightning territory, with defenseman Darnell Nurse in control of the puck. Vasilevskiy stopped Nurse's shot, but the puck redirected right in front of the net for Oilers right winger Jack Roslovic, who appeared to have an easy scoring chance.

As Roslovic went to raise the puck over Vasilevskiy, the goalie lifted his pad and stopped the shot.

With Oilers defenders struggling to get back, the Tampa Bay Lightning charged down the ice and scored the game-winning goal.

2. Connor McDavid Also Scored A Spinning Backhand Goal

If you thought Mikko Rantanen's spinning goal was incredible, just brace yourself for what Oilers superstar Connor McDavid did just a week-and-a-half earlier.

Just under a minute into the third period of the team's Nov. 10 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, McDavid entered the offensive zone, trying to make something happen.

Coming down the left boards, he skated across the ice, spun at the top of the right faceoff circle and delivered a no-look backhand shot that beat goalie Jet Greaves' glove side.

McDavid also sent Blue Jackets defenseman Denton Mateychuk flying to the ground during his spinning shot, making the play even more impressive.

1. Jonathan Quick Robs Patrick Kane Of Wide-Open Net Goal

Yes, there's one play that beats McDavid's thrilling goal, and that's a defensive play by Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick.

With just under 11 minutes remaining in the second period of the Rangers' Nov. 7 game against the Detroit Red Wings, Quick came out of his net to play the puck.

However, it deflected off the stick of Patrick Kane, who had an open net.

Just before it looked like Quick's blunder would be one of the biggest misplays of the month, he dove in the direction of Kane. Quick took his stick and pulled Kane's twig away from the puck.

The Rangers, who were up 2-1 at the time, ended up adding two more for the win. Quick's save wasn't only incredible but also prevented a momentum shift, leaving it as the best play of the month.

Michael Hapanovich is an intern with The Hockey News.

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Blackhawks Superstar Connor Bedard Named Third Star Of November

The Chicago Blackhawks have a superstar on their hands with Connor Bedard. He has been a top-five scorer in the NHL all season long, and he took his game to another level in November. 

Bedard scored 10 goals and added 13 assists for 23 points in 14 games played during the year's 11th month. That earned him the honor of the "3rd Star of the Month" for November of 2025.

He comes in behind Jacob Robertson of the Dallas Stars (second star) and Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche (first star). That is some pretty elite company for Bedard to be in, but that's becoming normal for him as he enters superstardom. 

For his season total, Bedard is up to 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points in 25 games. Those 37 points have him as the third leading scorer in the entire National Hockey League. 

Connor Bedard has been impressive to begin his NHL career. It wasn't always perfect when he was a teenager, but his game has risen to a new level. This won't be the last time he receives an accolade from the league. 

Bedard's first chance to impress in December will come on Tuesday night when the Blackhawks visit the Vegas Golden Knights. 

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Maple Leafs Using Playoff Defeat To Panthers As 'Motivation' Amidst Difficult Stretch Of Games

Six and a half months ago, the Toronto Maple Leafs were sent packing by the Florida Panthers in the second round of the playoffs.

That Panthers team went on to win a second straight Stanley Cup.

Toronto was facing its own questions following the series defeat, including what was next for its star forward, Mitch Marner. Ultimately, he left for the Vegas Golden Knights, and in return, the Maple Leafs got Nicolas Roy.

Not only that, they added Matias Maccelli and Dakota Joshua to replace the production Marner left.

Since then, it hasn't gone too smoothly for the Maple Leafs. But you can say the same for the Panthers, who, like Toronto, are decimated by injuries. That all goes out the window when they face each other on Tuesday evening in Florida, their first rematch since half a year ago.

'It Hurts Right Now': Craig Berube Urges Maple Leafs to Remember Playoff Disappointment, Pins Game 7 Loss on Structure'It Hurts Right Now': Craig Berube Urges Maple Leafs to Remember Playoff Disappointment, Pins Game 7 Loss on StructureCraig Berube didn't mince any words about why he felt his team struggled in Game 7 and other points in the Toronto Maple Leafs' second-round playoff loss to the Florida Panthers.

Both teams are trying to climb out of the Atlantic Division's basement, and a win would do just that.

"It's going to be a big one for us," Oliver Ekman-Larsson said on Monday. "And obviously, we've got to make sure that we're ready because every game is so important right now, and we need this one. But at the same time, we want to build from what we did last night and obviously put some wins together."

The Maple Leafs took a step in the right direction on Saturday night, soundly defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-2. It was their most lopsided win of the season, and one that likely moved them in the direction they've wanted to go since the beginning of November.

'That's What Happens When You Get Scratched': Max Domi Responds With Big Game Vs. Penguins After Maple Leafs' Benching'That's What Happens When You Get Scratched': Max Domi Responds With Big Game Vs. Penguins After Maple Leafs' BenchingDomi's two points came in the back half of Toronto's lopsided win over the Penguins.

If they manage to defeat the Panthers, more fuel will be added to the fire.

"Yeah, I mean, they're obviously been the standard of the league over the last two, three years," Auston Matthews said, when asked if he'll use what occurred last spring as motivation.

"I think you use it as motivation. I think at the same time it's a divisional game. Looking at where we're at in the standings and just how important these games are, especially against your own division, I don't think there's really any extra motivation needed.

"We know we have to be ready to play. They're a very detailed, structured team, physical team. Got a lot of depth throughout their lineup. So for us, it's just all about competing out there, setting each other up for the next shift, taking care of pucks and just making sure that we're winning the net-fronts as well."

Not only would a win pull them out of the basement, but it could also move them closer to a playoff spot again. As of Tuesday afternoon, Toronto is four points out of a playoff spot. If the Montreal Canadiens lose and the Maple Leafs win, that gap shrinks to two points.

Even if the Panthers are dealing with numerous injuries (like the Maple Leafs), they'll still have Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, and Carter Verhaeghe. Plus, a fully intact defense core.

'I Grew Up A Leafs Fan': Panthers': Brad Marchand Owns Toronto Again, But Doesn't Believe Fans' Pressure Is Justified'I Grew Up A Leafs Fan': Panthers': Brad Marchand Owns Toronto Again, But Doesn't Believe Fans' Pressure Is JustifiedFlorida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones shook his head, agreeing with Brad Marchand after the veteran forward, who's now ousted the Toronto Maple Leafs from the playoffs on five separate occasions, <a href="https://www.nhl.com/panthers/video/fla-at-tor-jones-marchand-postgame-6373044656112">said the fans beat the pressure into this team</a>.

No matter who's injured, they're going to be a tough team to beat, and that's what Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube expects.

"It's going to be like we always play Florida. We know how they play, and we know what type of game it's going to be. Their game's not going to change. And we just got to build off last game," he said.

"We did a lot of good things with the puck, and we're going to have to do that again tonight. And even looking back to the playoffs last year, we had some real good success against them in that series, and then not so good success. So there's certain things that we can do tonight that will give us success, and that's what we're going to focus on."

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Maple Leafs' Brandon Carlo Out For An Extended Period Of Time, 'No Real Improvement' On Anthony Stolarz

Oliver Ekman-Larsson Avoids Injury Scare, Could Tie A Maple Leafs Franchise Record Vs. Panthers: 'No Pressure'

Maple Leafs' Brandon Carlo Returns To Toronto 'To Get Looked At By Doctor' After Injury Setback

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Injury & Illness Scare Fades as Avalanche Stars Set to Start Tuesday

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche have received a full slate of green lights—everyone is good to play tonight.

We're All Clear

Captain Gabe Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, and Parker Kelly were all absent from Monday’s practice due to illness. After Colorado’s 7–2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at Ball Arena, Coach Jared Bednar explained that MacKinnon had been feeling unwell since Saturday morning, yet he still dressed, competed, and produced a goal and two assists.

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Landeskog did not take part in Tuesday’s morning skate, but he was later seen in the gym, where he paused to sign an autograph for a young fan, pose for photos, and was in great spirits.

As for Kelly, he took part in the morning skate and told The Hockey News that his ailment didn’t fit the usual definition of being sick.

"(I feel) good," Kelly stated. "I don't want to specify on mine too much, but mine wasn't really a sickness, like a cough or a flu, it was something else."

Use your imagination, folks.

When asked for an update on the trio, Bednar kept it simple: “All good to go.”

Nichushkin Will Suit Up Tonight Despite Pre-Game Uncertainty

Nichushkin shed his red non-contact sweater at Monday’s practice, yet a measure of uncertainty lingered heading into Tuesday. He appeared in a white jersey during the morning skate, a choice that can occasionally signal a player is not fully cleared to return, prompting some concern that he might not dress for tonight’s game. However, Bednar erased all doubt when he was asked if he was returning tonight.

"He is."

Nichushkin sustained a lower-body injury in the third period of Colorado’s 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on November 11 after blocking a shot and immediately heading down the tunnel.

History has generally been unkind to the Avalanche when Nichushkin hasn't been in the lineup, but his absence has not affected Colorado too bad this time around as the Avalanche remain the NHL's best team with just one regulation loss through 25 games.

In fact, the Avalanche have matched the 2012-13 Blackhawks’ 21-1-3 start for the second-longest streak to begin a season with only one regulation loss. Still, Colorado has some ground to cover to catch the all-time benchmark set by the 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers, who opened the season 26-1-10.

The Game

Stay tuned to The Hockey News for your latest updates. The Avalanche (18-1-6) square off against the Vancouver Canucks (10-13-3) at Ball Arena. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. local time. 

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Giants reportedly were ‘involved' in contract talks for starter Cody Ponce

Giants reportedly were ‘involved' in contract talks for starter Cody Ponce originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Another notable starting pitching option is off the market for the Giants in MLB free agency.

Right-hander Cody Ponce, who has spent the last four years playing overseas and won the 2025 KBO MVP, reportedly has agreed to a three-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays worth $30 million.

San Francisco reportedly was “involved” in talks for Ponce, but his price tag ended up being too steep, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly reported Tuesday.

The 31-year-old Ponce has 20 games of MLB experience, pitching to a 5.86 ERA for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020 and 2021 before spending the next three seasons in Japan. He then moved to the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO in 2025, when he went 17-1 with a 1.89 ERA across 29 starts en route to winning the Choi Dong-won Award — given to the league’s top starting pitcher.

The former second-round pick in the 2015 MLB Draft has Bay Area connections; he is married to 49ers tight end George Kittle’s sister Emma.

Ponce’s signing comes a day after Baggarly reported the Giants “do not anticipate” signing star Japanese righty Tatsuya Imai this offseason. The three-time NPB All-Star is expected to earn a contract worth over $100 million after being posted last month by the Saitama Seibu Lions.

The Blue Jays also already added another big-name free-agent starter, signing Dylan Cease to a seven-year, $210 million contract last week.

However, even with those names off the board for San Francisco, Buster Posey and the Giants’ front office still have options in the starting pitching market — namely Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer, who both pitched for Toronto’s AL pennant-winning roster in 2025.

Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast

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Report: While Bulls have had 'internal discussions' about Anthony Davis trade, would not give up young core

The expectation in league circles is that the new front office in Dallas — either the current interim one or whoever takes the job full-time — will explore the trade market for Anthony Davis. One of the names that comes up as a potential landing spot is the Chicago Bulls, sending Davis back to the city where he grew up, ideally to become the two-way big man this improving team needs.

Chicago has had "internal discussions" about a Davis trade, reports Jamal Collier of ESPN — but the Bulls wisely would not give up any of their young core in a deal.

The Bulls have had internal discussions about how to proceed, including conversations about Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, sources told ESPN, whom they believe could help the team's porous rim protection and defensive interior ... However, team sources said the Bulls will not sacrifice any of their young core to execute such a deal until the team is closer to contention.

"I don't think going out and chasing X megastar is the way to proceed -- at least today," one source told ESPN.

The Bulls picture their young core as Josh Giddey (23), Coby White (25), Matas Buzelis (21), and, hopefully, rookie Noa Essengue (18), along with whomever they draft in the next couple of years. Isaac Okoro, 24, might fit in that group as well.

Anthony Davis is 32, turning 33 in March, and comes with a history of nagging injuries. What's more, Davis is making $54.1 million this season, has a guaranteed $58.5 million next season, and will be seeking a contract extension this summer. He does not fit Chicago's retooling timeline and takes up a lot of cap space for a team where ownership rarely spends into the luxury tax (three times in the past 13 years). First, Davis will have to stay healthy and produce on the court throughout December and into November before any team will even seriously consider a trade.

Because of his massive salary and the fact that the Mavericks are up against the second apron, where they are hard-capped, constructing any reasonable Davis trade in-season is next to impossible. Chicago could make it work financially with an offer of Nikola Vucevic, Patrick Williams and another player making less (maybe Jevon Carter) plus a pick, but that's not going to interest Dallas (remember what they gave up to get Davis).

No doubt the Bulls have had internal discussions about Davis, but in the NBA "internal discussions" are nearly meaningless — front offices are always throwing around ideas and thinking through options, even ones they have little to no interest in actually executing. Call it due diligence, but front offices want to think through every reasonable scenario.

If Davis gets traded, it's far more likely an offseason move. But the rumors are not going to stop until the trade deadline passes.

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Mets agree to deal with Devin Williams, more action to come at Winter Meetings | The Mets Pod

On the latest episode of The Mets Pod presented by Tri-State Cadillac, Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo react to the news that the Mets agreed to a deal with reliever Devin Williams, while delivering a full preview of next week’s MLB Winter Meetings. 

First up, the guys look at the deal for Williams, including what it means for the Mets and the future of Edwin Diaz. 

Later, Connor and Joe dive into stories of friction in the Mets clubhouse, explore trade scenarios surrounding Kodai Senga, break down deals for Dylan Cease and Ryan Helsley, and go Down on the Farm in search of more relief help. 

The show wraps up with a Mailbag featuring questions about Tatsuya Imai, Juan Soto as DH, Luisangel Acuña, and more. 

Be sure to subscribe to The Mets Pod at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Carter Hart Could Become An Asset For Golden Knights: Devan Dubnyk

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart is projected to make his return to the NHL against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.

The Golden Knights signed Hart to a two-year contract following his reinstatement into the NHL, along with the four other former Canadian world junior players who were acquitted of sexual assault in London, Ont., in July.

As of Monday, these players – Hart, Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote – have served their suspensions and are eligible to play for an NHL club, cueing Hart's debut for the Golden Knights.

Former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk said Hart suiting up for Vegas is more than having goalie depth on the roster. If Hart can play like a starting goaltender like he once did for the Philadelphia Flyers, the Golden Knights have an asset.

"This is a guy who has a ton of potential and was a really good goalie when he was in Philadelphia coming up," Dubnyk said on The Hockey News' Big Show on Monday. "You might have signed somebody who can become part of your team, and then he becomes an asset.

"Whether that's an asset that you want to keep around, or an asset you want to move for somebody else, they find that out now. I don't think there's any point in waiting," the former netminder said. "If (Carl) Lindbom had been putting up wins and doing his thing, well then that's a different story, and you don't necessarily push a guy out of there, but that hasn't been the case in my eyes, and I think it's an opportunity for them to give him a look."

Dubnyk pointed out that although Akira Schmid's been winning games, Lindbom hasn't been up to par in Vegas' net since Adin Hill suffered a lower-body injury on Oct. 20.

Schmid has made 13 starts this season and has a 9-2-4 record, .896 save percentage, 2.51 goals-against average and 2.2 goals saved above expected, according to moneypuck.com. Lindbom, meanwhile, has one win in seven starts while putting up an .870 SP, 3.14 GAA and minus-2.7 goals saved above expected.

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Akira Schmid (40) is congratulated by Carl Lindbom (30) after the Golden Knights defeated the Detroit Red Wings 1-0 at T-Mobile Arena on Nov. 4. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images)

Hart should have an opportunity to become the starter with Hill reportedly being out for a little while longer. If the 27-year-old indeed hits the ground running, Vegas will have options to move a goaltender when Hill returns, whether that's Schmid, Hill or even Hart. While Lindbom is exempt from waivers, the other three aren't.

That said, every team in the NHL had a chance to sign Hart as soon as Oct. 15. But some teams made it clear they weren't signing him.

The Flyers confirmed in September they would not sign Hart after the goalie's representative said it was better for them to look for a fresh start. The Edmonton Oilers, which have a league-worst .865 team save percentage, did not see Hart as an option and instead gave votes of confidence to Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard to start the season.

"Right now, we're not looking at those types of situations," Oilers GM Stan Bowman said in September.

Hart was briefly linked to the Carolina Hurricanes in September, but those reported talks stopped. The Pittsburgh Penguinsdidn't make any inquiries despite surfacing in speculation, and the Utah Mammothwere out as well.

NHL Suspensions End For Five Players Acquitted In Hockey Canada TrialNHL Suspensions End For Five Players Acquitted In Hockey Canada TrialAs 2018 Canadian world junior players Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Cal Foote are now eligible to play in the NHL again, here's where they're playing now.

Before Hart left the Flyers in late January 2024 to face the sexual assault charge, he played 26 games and posted a .906 SP, 2.80 GAA and 12-9-3 record.

Hart wrapped up his conditioning stint with the Golden Knights' AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. He made three appearances, registering a 3.07 goals-against average and a .839 SP.

There shouldn't be much stock put into Hart's AHL stats, Dubnyk said.

"It's completely different hockey," Dubnyk said. "I'll preface this with not bashing anybody who plays in the American League, they're still good players, it's still good hockey. It's chaotic. It's chaotic, and most of your chances are created off of mistakes. There are turnovers that don't happen in the NHL. There are plays that don't happen in the NHL."

On good NHL teams, there's structure in front of a netminder forcing opponents to create chances, Dubnyk added. Of course, he said players such as Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini or Nathan MacKinnon will still find ways to score, even if goalies know what to expect in the NHL.

"When you're used to seeing NHL play in front of you, it is completely different," he said. "That's where you get guys saying, some find it easier to play in the NHL because of that reason."

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Tyler Kolek’s emergence gives Knicks another weapon amid championship pursuit

Injuries can be a real drag on a team’s season, especially one with expectations as high as the Knicks’, but there’s a silver lining to them as well. Guys buried deep on the bench get an opportunity they may not otherwise receive, and teams can often be pleasantly surprised by what’s been hiding outside of their usual rotation.

We’re seeing such a case play out with Tyler Kolek, New York’s 34th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, who’s stepped up in the wake of injuries to OG Anunoby and Landry Shamet to help the Knicks to a nice stretch of wins. This comes after Kolek failed to meaningfully crack the early season rotation despite some leash during the preseason and the first few games of the regular season.

Should this continue, it would make for a great turnaround for Kolek and huge development for management after not seeing real returns from any of their draft classes after 2021. But most importantly, Kolek’s emergence potentially gives the Knicks another weapon in their chase for a championship.  

Kolek was a gifted scorer and creator at Marquette who fell deeper into the draft due to the inherent limitations in his age and athletic build. After some dealing around with their picks, the Knicks scooped him up, desperately needing some added ball-handling off their bench.

Offensively, he actually looked the part relatively early in Las Vegas, preseason and even some early-season NBA minutes in 2024-25. He was a clear-cut floor general who could run an offense, dribble-drive into opportunities and score when confidently looking to. 

He didn’t get the chance to see sustained NBA minutes his rookie year though, spending a few games in Westchester but not displaying anything spectacular. After a head coaching change that emphasized experimentation and depth, pressure was on heading into Kolek’s second year.

To make matters tougher, the Knicks brought in a host of veteran guards - Jordan Clarkson, Shamet, and Malcolm Brogdon - to compete with Kolek for reserve guard duties. Kolek held his own in the preseason despite seeing his name in trade rumors, but even with Brogdon retiring, he fell out of the rotation after a couple of appearances in late October.

When Shamet went down with a shoulder strain in Orlando almost two weeks ago, Kolek stayed ready as the next man up, and hasn’t disappointed. He’s averaged 5.6 points, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals in 14.6 minutes a night, shooting 45.5 percent from the field.

Oct 26, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) drives to the basket against Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) and center Bam Adebayo (13) during the third quarter at Kaseya Center.
Oct 26, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) drives to the basket against Miami Heat guard Dru Smith (12) and center Bam Adebayo (13) during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Even extrapolated over 36 minutes a game, these numbers aren’t anything crazy. But Kolek has brought in a steady hand and surprisingly stout defense, which is impacting winning.

If there were numbers to call out they would be Kolek’s plus-17 in those 36 minutes, and a 6.5 assist-to-turnover ratio. When Kolek is on the court, you know the offense is going to be organized, with his commitment to pushing the ball up and getting into an action with pace on every play apparent. 

He’ll defer to the stars when asked, but otherwise Kolek units feel like fully fleshed out conduits of Mike Brown’s system -- and all that zip and movement is tangible. It’s a healthy dose of action that’s completely controlled, as Kolek rarely turns the ball over, which is a valuable and unique trait for someone with high passing volume.

A lot of this was the case before this stretch, but Kolek has taken this opportunity with a newfound aggressiveness and desperation that elevated his game. He’s only hit a third of his threes but looks more prepared to put them up, and has even looked comfortable in the paint.

Cut through the film and he’ll almost look unrecognizable, posting up Desmond Bane for a fadeaway, trying shoulder bump floaters, and hitting tough sweeping lays. It seems like his confidence is only growing with each passing game.

The offense has been a great if not totally surprising spark, but it’s the defense that will keep Kolek on the court long-term. He’s no weapon on that end, but if he keeps rotating this hard and playing with this physicality, his scouting report will date itself quickly.

Once Shamet returns, the rotation could look a little guard-heavy, but the Knicks should still have room for Kolek’s ball-handling. Even if it gets tricky at full health, having Kolek earn his stripes now could prepare him for the trials of late April and May hoops, when the Knicks might really need him. 

The small and moral victories may not do it for Knicks fans thirsting for the franchise’s first title in half a century, but accumulating them can help New York in achieving that goal. It may have taken an unfortunate injury, but Kolek proving himself worthy of playing with the big club is nothing to scoff at, and could pay even bigger dividends down the line.