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Cameron Green not guaranteed spot as Australia remain coy on XI for fifth Ashes Test

  • Steve Smith defends allrounder but refuses to confirm his place in side

  • Beau Webster and Todd Murphy in the mix to face England at the SCG

Steve Smith has launched an impassioned defence of Cameron Green but can’t guarantee the out-of-form allrounder’s place in the XI for the Ashes series finale.

Australia’s stand-in captain insists all options are on the selection table for the fifth Test, including using both allrounders Green and Beau Webster at the SCG and leaving out spin for the third time in four starts.

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Canadiens Have Intriguing Trade Target In Penguins Forward

It is fair to say that the Montreal Canadiens had a strong first half of the 2025-26 season. The Habs currently sport a 22-12-6 record and are third in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens are also just two points behind the first-place Detroit Red Wings in the Atlantic, so they are undoubtedly in a good place right now. 

With how well the Canadiens are playing this season, it would not be surprising in the slightest if they continue to look to add to their roster by the trade deadline. While adding another impactful center would be big for the Canadiens, they also should be open to acquiring a skilled winger. 

When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Anthony Mantha stands out as an intriguing potential option for the Habs.

With the Penguins retooling and Mantha being a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), he has created chatter in the rumor mill. If the Penguins do officially make him available, the Canadiens should seriously consider making a push for the 6-foot-5 forward.

Mantha is currently in the middle of a strong season with the Penguins, as he has recorded 14 goals, 14 assists, 28 points, and a plus-8 rating. With numbers like these, Mantha would have the potential to be a very solid addition to the Canadiens' middle six and power play if acquired. 

Ultimately, if the Canadiens acquired Mantha, he would give them some solid secondary scoring and more size. Because of this, he would be a nice player for the Canadiens to add to their roster as they prepare for the post-season. 

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Blues Defenseman Philip Broberg "Extremely Honored" To Be Selected To Sweden Olympic Hockey Squad

ST. LOUIS – Early prognosticators didn’t even have Philip Broberg having a sniff of making the Sweden Men’s Winter Olympic hockey roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games in Italy.

The St. Louis Blues defenseman, despite the odds against him, had other ideas.

On Friday, the 24-year-old did what many didn’t think he would do: be chosen to represent his country for the first time at the highest level when he was named to Sweden’s Olympic roster.

“Extremely honored,” Broberg said Friday after a 4-3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights. “It’s a dream-come-true. I’m very excited about it.

“Got a call from the coach (Sam Hallam) a few days ago. It’s a dream-come-true. I’m very excited.”

Broberg joined the likes of Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning), Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres), Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh Penguins), Jonas Brodin (Minnesota Wild), Rasmus Andersson (Calgary Flames), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Gustav Forsling (Florida Panthers).

Among those not on the initial list – of course there could be injuries that can change things – include Mattias Ekholm (Edmonton Oilers) and Hampus Lindholm (Boston Bruins) at the top of the list.

So for Broberg, who is having a fantastic season with the Blues, to get the consideration speaks volumes.

“It does because Sweden has developed great defensemen for decades now,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. ‘There’s a plethora in our league. It does speak volumes about what he was able to accomplish.”

Broberg is averaging 23:15 and has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 42 games this season for the Blues and was likely chosen for the leaps and bounds he’s taken as a defensive player.

“It’s a well-deserved and earned reward for how much he’s continued to progress in his career, not only in St. Louis but from when he did when he got drafted,” Montgomery said. ‘More so than anything, in the game you see his physical tools, his ability to create off-man rushes offensively, his ability kill plays, his willingness to take away time and space and win battles 1-on-1 offensively and defensively, but the thing that has really improved with him is his mindset. His mindset has gone from being a good player in this league, and I’m just talking since I’ve been working with him now to trying to become an elite player, and because that mindset has been every day in practice and every game, even when he doesn’t have legs – that’s a hockey player’s term – you don’t feel like you can get up and go, he pushes himself right through that. I’ve seen first periods when he hasn’t been on, the second and third period he’s our best player. And that’s the will machine and the kind of guy you want to build around to get the culture to where you want, the culture to be. And that’s kudos to him and his mindset that he’s developed as a young man early in his career.”

Broberg, acquired via offer sheet from the Oilers along with forward Dylan Holloway on Aug. 20, 2024, was on a mission to at least be under consideration.

“Before the season we set goals and I think this was one of the goals for sure,” Broberg said. ‘I’m very excited about the opportunity I’m going to get. It’s going to be fun.

“I think we have a very good roster with a lot of very good players. I’m excited to meet all the guys and get a chance to play with them as well.”

How much Broberg gets to play is anyone’s guess, but with Sweden, which opens on Feb. 11 at 2:10 p.m. (CT) against Italy, if they need a shutdown player to be in a plethora of situations, Broberg should be under heavy consideration. He has played 23-plus minutes 22 times this season.

“I think defensively, I think that’s been a big focus for myself,” Broberg said. “Grow defensively and be hard to play against, have good sticks, be physical. I think that’s a big, big thing. I still want to create offense as well, but that’s just a plus.”

Being a lifelong Swede from Orebro, the hometown of Stanley Cup champion Carl Gunnarsson, Broberg now gets to make his own memories.

“I think the best memory I have is (Niklas) Lidstrom scored that game-winner and they won the gold obviously (in 2006 over Finland),” Broberg said. “I have that memory a lot and I’m excited to be a part of the team there.”

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Mets weren’t sold on Tatsuya Imai as impact starter: report

On paper, Tatsuya Imai certainly seemed like a potential fit for the Mets. 

He’s still just 27 years old, brings a ton of potential upside coming over from Japan, and wasn’t commanding too much in free agency with his market not developing as hoped. 

However, the team reportedly was never serious about pursuing the right-hander before he reached an agreement on a three-year pact with the Astros on Thursday. 

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, that’s because the Mets weren’t sold on Imai as an impact starter. 

With the way his contract with Houston is set up -- including incentives based on innings pitched and opt-outs after every year -- it seems other clubs may have felt the same way. 

Imai pitched to a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts over 162.2 innings last year for the Saitama Seibu Lions. 

There are, however, some concerns about the righty making the transition to the States. 

So now, the Mets will have to turn their attention elsewhere if they hope to add to their rotation this offseason. 

Feinsand again connected them to Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez, two of the best available in free agency.

It remains to be seen if David Stearns will shell out the money and years the top arms are seeking, though. 

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Blackwood Placed on Injured Reserve as Avalanche Recall Miner and Makar

Injury issues have resurfaced for Mackenzie Blackwood.

Blackwood Injured Again

The Avalanche placed the goaltender on injured reserve Thursday with a lower-body injury, marking his second stint on IR this season after beginning the year sidelined. To fill the vacancy, Colorado recalled Trent Miner and Taylor Makar from the Colorado Eagles, the Avs’ AHL affiliate. The Avalanche already had an open roster spot, so no additional move was required. Blackwood will be reevaluated once the team returns from its three-game road trip.

The team did not provide additional details regarding the injury. Blackwood did not participate in practice ahead of the road trip, prompting the roster move.

Blackwood last appeared in Colorado’s 6–1 win over the Blues on New Year’s Eve, finishing the game in what was his second consecutive start. Despite the stop-and-start nature of his season and a resulting tandem split with Scott Wedgewood, the 29-year-old has been elite when available, posting a 13-1-1 record, .924 save percentage, and a league-leading 2.07 goals-against average in 16 appearances.

Blackwood missed training camp and the start of the regular season while rehabbing from offseason surgery on a lower-body injury. In his absence, Scott Wedgewood emerged as one of the NHL’s top goaltenders. With Blackwood sidelined again, Wedgewood is expected to shoulder the bulk of the workload once more.

Makar Called Up

Meanwhile, Makar has been called up to the NHL for the fourth time this season. 

The 24‑year‑old forward has appeared in 26 games this season with the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, recording six goals and four assists for 10 points in 26 games.

Selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Makar signed a one-year entry-level contract that runs through the 2025–26 season.

Before turning pro, he played three seasons at UMass Amherst, totaling 15 goals and seven assists in 85 games from 2021 to 2023. He then transferred to the University of Maine for the 2024–25 season, where he enjoyed a breakout year with 18 goals and 12 assists for 30 points in 38 games.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s older brother Cale Makar remains the driving force on Colorado’s back end in 2025–26, posting 12 goals and 33 assists for 45 points through 39 games to lead the Avalanche defense.

Miner Recalled

Miner has appeared in two NHL games this season, posting an 0‑0‑2 record while allowing four goals on 44 shots. In the AHL with the Colorado Eagles, he has a 7‑2‑0 record, a 2.40 goals-against average, and a .907 save percentage across 10 contests. Miner is expected to serve in a backup role for the Avalanche, with Scott Wedgewood likely stepping in as the starter during Blackwood’s absence.

Avalanche On the Road

The Avalanche (30‑2‑7) face the Carolina Hurricanes (24‑13‑3) on Saturday at Lenovo Center with coverage starting at 5 p.m. local time. Colorado will then head on an all-Florida road trip, taking on the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on January 4 before meeting the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 6.

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Red Wings Top Prospect Sets Historic Mark Last Achieved By Current Vezina Favorite

Detroit Red Wings top prospect Sebastian Cossa continues to dominate in the AHL, earning Goaltender of the Month honors for December, marking the second consecutive month he has received the award.

Cossa previously won the accolade for November, becoming the first netminder in Red Wings franchise history to win the award twice in a single season. He also becomes the first AHL goalie since Henderson’s Logan Thompson in 2021 to capture the honor in consecutive months.

Thompson, now with the Washington Capitals, has gone on to thrive at the NHL level. He was recently named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster and currently sits as a Vezina Trophy favorite, highlighting just how elite Cossa’s company is as he joins the list of goalies who have translated AHL dominance into NHL stardom.

The 23-year-old Hamilton, Ontario native was spectacular in December, posting a 7-0-1 record with two shutouts, a 1.76 goals-against average, and a .929 save percentage. This season, Cossa has been nearly untouchable, boasting a 15-1-1 record, a 1.65 GAA, and a .936 save percentage, leading all AHL goalies in every major statistical category.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

Cossa recently experienced a rare setback in an overtime loss to the Milwaukee Admirals, stopping 21 of 24 shots. Prior to that, he had allowed just four goals over his previous four starts, stopping 85 of 89 shots with two shutouts.

With aging NHL goaltenders Cam Talbot and John Gibson nearing the end of their tenures in Detroit, fans are eagerly anticipating Cossa’s NHL debut. The Red Wings, long plagued by goaltending instability since the days of Chris Osgood, appear to have found their next franchise netminder.

Selected 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Cossa has consistently shown why Detroit invested a top pick in him. His dominance in the AHL this season has many believing he is ready to kick down the door to the NHL and become the long-term solution between the pipes for the Red Wings, following in the footsteps of other elite goalies like Logan Thompson.

Non-NHL Red Wings Who Could Compete at the Winter OlympicsNon-NHL Red Wings Who Could Compete at the Winter OlympicsGrand Rapids Griffins forward Eduards Tralmaks is one of several players within the Red Wings organization who could see action at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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Why Warriors' choice to tank without achy stars vs. Thunder was logical decision

Why Warriors' choice to tank without achy stars vs. Thunder was logical decision originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – With Draymond Green and De’Anthony Melton given one-game recesses, Jimmy Butler III calling in sick and Stephen Curry showing up but not suiting up, the Warriors were doomed against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Golden State’s 134-94 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday night was preordained, as any NBA team’s B squad would feel the shoe soles of the best team in the league.

The Warriors tanked this game. Not for draft positioning but for a better future.

And even though the sellout crowd at Chase Center (18,064) began streaming toward the exits early in the fourth quarter, with the Warriors trailing by 37, it was a logical decision.

Scanning their achy roster and their upcoming schedule, coach Steve Kerr and the team’s medical and training staffs opted for prudency. This was not an NBA playoff game and would not have any impact on one. So, rather than dance with risk, they chose to sacrifice a slim chance of beating OKC in hopes it would benefit the 47 games still on the schedule.

Curry was sitting because tweaked his left ankle, and any aggravation could jeopardize several weeks. Butler was on the afternoon injury report with an undisclosed illness. Green (rest) and Melton (surgery management) were scheduled to sit.

“With Draymond, that was easy,” coach Steve Kerr said two hours before tipoff. “We’re in the midst of this five [games] in seven days. At his age, coming off a trip, with three [game] in four [nights], starting tonight, it’s an easy one for us to rest Draymond tonight.

“Jimmy, we didn’t plan to. He got sick this morning, and he won’t even be coming to the game tonight. So, hopefully he gets better quickly.”

Coming off back-to-back road games on Tuesday (Brooklyn) and Wednesday (Charlotte), the Warriors on Saturday night face the Utah Jazz at Chase Center, then travel to Los Angeles on Sunday to face the Clippers on Monday night.

“The schedule is what it is,” Kerr said. “When you have an older team, you have to navigate it as best you can. We’re trying to do that.”

That, folks, is the essence of the issue. The front office assembled a roster with a core that is NBA old. Green is 35, Butler 36 and Curry 37. Al Horford, who has missed 18 of Golden State’s 35 games but played 16 minutes on Friday, is 39.

This season is, and always has been, about navigating the schedule, managing bodies, therapeutic massages – and hoping that the rest of the team showed well when the vets were unavailable.

That was the case last Dec. 6, when Golden State’s B squad beat the Cavaliers in Cleveland, but it was demolished by the Thunder.

Asked if there was anything of value, Kerr was quick with a reply.

“Not a whole lot to take from it,” he said.

“You got to forget about it,” Will Richard said.

“That was disgusting,” Trayce Jackson-Davis said. “It’s in the toilet and already flushed.”

This night was about opportunities. Would Brandin Podziemski continue his stellar recent play? He did not, scoring 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field, including 1 of 4 from distance.

This was a chance for starting center Quinten Post, the team’s designated stretch-5, to move past his 27-percent shooting over the previous seven games. Nope. He was he was 1 of 6 against OKC.

This was an opportunity for Buddy Hield, whose 32-percent shooting from deep kicked him out of the rotation, to perhaps rediscover the shot that determines his value. He took nine shots beyond the arc, making three.

Podziemski and Post are in the rotation. And Hield at some point might be needed, if only because he addresses Kerr’s spacing fetish. All three are part of the supporting cast that will be needed for the Warriors to exploit a schedule that now swings in their favor.

Nine of their next 10 games, and 15 of their next 22, are at Chase. The Warriors don’t leave California until Jan. 22 and don’t fly east of the Mississippi River until after the Feb. 14-19 NBA All-Star break.

“It is a big opportunity,” Kerr said. “The schedule kind of swings back our way this next month, after a difficult first 20 games or so. It feels like we’re playing better. We’re playing more consistently, and with this next month’s schedule time at home, we’d love to keep our momentum going and build on this a little bit.”

Golden State still has a long-range goal, which enters 2026 invisible to the naked eye. It will stay that way unless the navigation, management and therapy works wonders.

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Latest Cody Bellinger free agency buzz: Yankees make formal offer to outfielder

Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding free agent outfielder/first basemanCody Bellinger and his chances of returning to New York with the Yankees or Mets...

Jan. 2, 5:22 p.m.

As the offseason continues, it seems the Yankees have formally made an offer to Bellinger earlier this week, per the NY Post's Jon Heyman.

It's no surprise the Yankees did so, as Bellinger is the team's No. 1 target this offseason, but Heyman added that with both sides in a weekslong standoff, the Mets can't be ruled out. 

Other teams linked to Bellinger are the Dodgers, where the outfielder started his career, and the Giants. Heyman also adds the Blue Jays as a potential landing spot if Toronto does not land Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette. 

Dec. 26, 9:50 a.m.

While the holiday season has lowered the hot stove temperature, it appears the Yankees' hopes of re-signing Cody Bellinger remain high enough.

A reunion with the star outfielder is still a priority in the Bronx, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, and the club feels "pretty confident" he won't move boroughs for a deal over in Queens.

The pursuit of Bellinger is also endorsed by the Yankees' captain. Heyman reports Aaron Judge is "a big advocate" for a long-term commitment with the former MVP, who hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI as a one-year rental in pinstripes last season.

It's unclear when Bellinger will take himself off the free-agent market, but with high demand from championship contenders, some projections have him earning around $30 million annually on a six-year contract. The Yankees may have to sweeten the pot in order to convince him to stay.

Dec. 14, 7:35 p.m.

While reports indicated that the San Francisco Giants "do not anticipate making the nine-figure investment" required to sign free agents this offseason, they aren't checked out of the marketplace altogether.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser reported recently that the Giants “have checked in on” Cody Bellinger, the Yankees' No. 1 target.

Bellinger proved to be a big part of the Yanks' last season, contributing well on both sides of the ball with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, and a .272/.334/.480 slash line for an .813 OPS (125 OPS+ and wRC+) while ranking in the 93rd percentile in outs above average (seven) and with 12 defensive runs saved.

Dec. 4, 11:42 a.m.

While other suitors are certainly in the mix, Cody Bellinger remains the Yankees' No. 1 target, and the club is making a "big effort" to bring him back, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Heyman lists the Mets, Phillies, Angels, and Dodgers as other possibilities.

ESPN's Jeff Passan has previously reported that signing Bellinger would be a "multipart move" for the Yankees, as the club would almost certainly need to move one of their other outfield pieces --potentially Jasson Dominguez or up-and-coming prospect Spencer Jones.

With Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer, the Yanks would have a surplus of outfielders if Bellinger was to re-sign.