Mention "Heat Culture" around the NBA and you elicit a lot of eye-rolling. It's dismissed as branding. Did that culture get them more than low-to-mid-40s wins or a first-round (or play-in last season) exit in any of the last three seasons?
"No, it's real," Antetokounmpo told The Athletic, shaking his head. "It's real...
"Togetherness. How serious they are. Communication,. Yesterday, we had a meeting. It was probably one of the most exciting, entertaining meetings. There were two Navy SEALs, and they were telling their story, and we were doing push-ups and s***. It's real, and I love every f****** second of it. I'm not even gonna lie. It gives me goosebumps. It's almost like being alive again."
Thompson put it this way:
"But now being with the Heat, it's just awesome. I can feel the hunger from the organization, how bad they want to get back to the finals. I love that energy. It makes me be a better professional. It makes me be way more in tune with my everyday habits, and I'm just elated to be here....
"The thing I love about being in Miami is how hungry these young players are. Their commitment to being here early to condition themselves this offseason was something I've never really seen before. It just inspires me to give them everything I have."
Antetokounmpo is coming out of a Milwaukee situation where, for the past few seasons, the focus was on keeping veteran players — Brook Lopez, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, and, for a time, Damian Lillard — rested and healthy to get to the playoffs. Miami comes to the process with a younger team and a different mindset of work from Day 1 — and that fits Antetokounmpo. His work ethic has always been second to none, and he feels Miami appreciates it more. It's also nice to be in a place where everything is new and fresh, not the same things you've seen for a decade.
Whether the Heat have enough around Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo for that culture to translate to wins on the court is another question. Miami should be a high-level defense and a good team; the question is how good in a deep East.
But the duo — and Thompson — believe in the Miami organization and its commitment to winning. Getting your stars to fully buy in is how to make a culture a reality, and Miami has that. In a couple of weeks, we'll see how that talk and effort start to pay off on the court.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 4: Dominick Barlow #25 and Adem Bona #30 of the Philadelphia 76ers high five during the game against the Detroit Pistons on April 4, 2026 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
There’s only been one preseason game and there’s already a laundry list of injuries. Sixers basketball could not be more back.
While Ariel Hukporti’s achilles injury is the only ailment that poses long-term problems for the Sixers, Nick Nurse had an update on three other players who’ve picked up bumps and bruises so far this preseason.
Dominick Barlow is still not practicing with what has been described as a back issue. Anfernee Simons was a partial participant with hamstring tightness. A hamstring issue is never what you want to hear, but at least it’s not related to the hand injury that plagued Simons last season.
While the Sixers wait for them to get back on the floor, especially the two guys in the front court, it appears to be all hands on deck to fill those backup center minutes. Nurse basically said that every front court player on the roster — even LeBron James — could be an option to play backup center minutes behind Joel Embiid.
“Dean [Wade] would be another candidate, I guess,” Nurse said. “If you call him a small five — he’s pretty good sized. I think LeBron is another candidate. I think he’s played some small-ball five as well. How many is that? That’s like four or five guys. So I think that we know probably go with that crew, unless something else emerges.”
While they try to figure out the backup center position on the fly, it looks like most of the big names will be available for Thursday’s game. Nurse said he’s hoping to get majority of their guys on the floor. It sounds like it could be the first (preseason) basketball game LeBron James plays for the Philadelphia 76ers.
“We should be able to get a majority of the guys out there tomorrow,” Nurse said. “Again, we’ll see. Was a pretty rough and physical today practice, so see how everybody comes out of it. We should be able to get them out there tomorrow.”
One storyline emerging this season is Aatu Räty's playing time. The 23-year-old was scratched for the first two games of the campaign and is averaging 9:43 per night. More healthy scratches may be coming for Räty in the near future as he was the extra forward at practice on Tuesday before the Vancouver Canucks departed for their six-game road trip.
The debate around Räty's usage isn't new. There were many questions last season, as the Finnish center also spent portions of the campaign in the press box. While it is very early, it looks like a similar situation could be emerging despite the change in coaching staff this off-season.
One of the best cases for Räty to be included in the lineup is his ability to win faceoffs. He finished the 2025-26 season winning 60.5% of his draws and is already up to 61.5% this year. While there is some debate on the importance of faceoffs, having someone that reliable on the bench can be beneficial, especially in the defensive zone or late in close games.
As for the flip side, Räty's offence has been a major question mark at the NHL level. In 104 career games, he has found the back of the net 12 times while recording a total of 27 points. While fourth-liners aren't expected to be high point-getters, Räty's point total is concerning.
Finally, there is the question of whether Räty's game matches up with Manny Malhotra's system. The Canucks want to play with speed down the middle, which is something the former second-round pick is not known for. As for the move him to the wing debate, Räty hasn't played that position in his career, which means additional work both on and off the ice to learn how to play either left or right wing.
In the end, the situation surrounding Räty is complicated. Vancouver can't send him to the AHL, as he requires waivers and would very likely be claimed. Ultimately, Räty's usage will be a storyline to follow this year, as more healthy scratches will lead to plenty of speculation about his future.
Oct 3, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Aatu Raty (54) reacts during warm up prior to a game against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, don't forget to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. This article originally appeared on The Hockey News.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
EAST MEADOW, NY -- The plan is for New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal to skate on Thursday, per head coach Pete DeBoer.
Barzal, 28, missed the entirety of training camp, all four preseason games, and the first three regular-season games due to inflammation in his left knee. He sustained the initial injury on Feb. 1, 2024, which required a minor procedure, and has been managing it since.
Although Barzal can be activated and play that same night given his Injured Non-Roster status, the Islanders would need to be roster compliant.
The Islanders would likely place defenseman Matt Kessel on waivers 24 hours before game day (at 2 PM ET), since players on waivers still count against a team's roster limit.
But, there's also a decision to be made about the injured Alexander Romanov, who sustained a lower-body injury in the third period of their 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday.
If the Islanders wanted to avoid having to waive anyone, they could place Romanov on Injured Reserve to open up the spot. Romanov would have to miss a minimum of seven days, retroactive to Oct. 6.
Barzal likely will not be ready to go against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday as he'll probably want to get a few practices in before returning. We'll see how he feels after skating and whether Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning is a realistic possibility or not.
Technical director held court at club’s training base, comparing rugby to winemaking and claiming interviews ‘steal my joy’
Brendan Venter began his long-awaited public appearance with head bowed, uttering one-word answers and a general demeanour he would rather be anywhere else. By the end he had compared Prem Rugby to an “autocracy”, mentioned Ukraine and Gaza, and detailed an inspirational talk he recently gave at a school. Of course there was wine to talk, too.
An audience with Saracens’ technical director and head of culture is rarely boring and the latest was worth the wait.
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 28: Anthony Davis #23 of the Washington Wizards poses for a portrait during NBA media day on September 28, 2026 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Washington Wizards forward Anthony Davis is on the last year of his current contract. While it was known that serious negotiations wouldn’t begin until after the 2026-27 season, it’s also likely that he will not get a maximum contract, according to David Aldridge and Joshua Robbins of The Athletic. Here is a snippet from their article.
It is well known among other NBA teams that Davis, who holds a $62.8 million player option that he can exercise for the 2027-28 season, wants a contract extension or a new deal that would pay him at, or very near, maximum salaries. If he were to turn down his player option now, Davis would be eligible for up to a four-year extension, through the 2030-31 season, worth as much as $275 million total.
…
But there’s almost no chance the Wizards will give him that max extension — not with his injury history, not at his age, not with the team in this stage of its development and the punitive first and second aprons looming.
The Wizards are also trying to maintain salary flexibility over the medium term as they look to be competitive this season and beyond. After all, most of Washington’s key players are still on their rookie contracts.
Do you see Davis staying beyond 2026-27? Let us know in the comments below.
Oregon men's basketball coach Dana Altman is retiring, the program has announced: a stunning move, particularly since it takes place less than one month before the 2026-27 season begins.
Longtime assistant coach and former DePaul coach Tony Stubblefield will serve as the interim coach for the upcoming season, while Oregon said it will search for a permanent coach after the season.
"I've loved every minute of coaching here, and stepping away is difficult and truly painful. I love coaching, it's what I know best and what I've been fortunate enough to do for almost five decades. I'm going to miss my coaches, my players and our incredible fans more than I can express," Altman said in a statement. "But I know this is the right thing to do at this time."
The winningest coach in program history, Altman has been at Oregon since 2010. He made the Ducks a consistent contender during his 16 seasons in Eugene, winning four Pac-12 regular-season title and four Pac-12 Tournament championships. He led the team to nine NCAA tournament berths, including four trips to the Sweet 16, two to the Elite Eight and the 2017 Final Four that was the program's first appearance in 78 years.
However, Altman is coming off his worst season of his tenure. Injuries and inconsistent play led to a 12-20 record and a 5-15 mark in the Big Ten that resulted in a 15th-place finish, the first time Oregon had finished worse than eighth in its conference and didn't win at least 20 games.
There was massive turnover on Oregon's roster going into the 2026-27 season, as well.
The timing of the decision is notable, considering the preparation for the 2026-27 season is in full swing. Oregon is set to participate in Big Ten media days on Thursday, Oct. 8, and its first scrimmage is scheduled against Seattle on Oct. 15. The Ducks officially kick off the season on Nov. 2 against Montana.
Why did Dana Altman retire?
Altman said in a press conference his energy was low and he took two weeks off in August hoping "my energy would return, and it didn't."
"Some people I trust and truly respect told me just delegate more and take it easier, back off a little bit, and I tried that for a couple weeks in September, and that's not me. It's not what I've done for 37 years," he said. "I looked in the mirror, and I'd be a hypocrite if I lied to myself and said I was the best coach for the job."
The former coach added that his health also played a factor, but he isn't facing anything serious.
"I had a physical last month, and I'm not as healthy as I should be, and not as healthy as I want to be," Altman said. "Nothing serious, nothing life-threatening, nothing like that. But I'm 68, and I want to hang around for a while."
Dana Altman record
Altman finishes with a record of 382-182 with Oregon. Combined with his tenures at Marshall, Kansas State and Creighton, Altman has a 792-425 record in 37 seasons as a Division I coach, the 15th-most wins in NCAA history.
Dana Altman age
Altman turned 68 years old on June 16. He began coaching in the 1980-81 basketball season as an assistant at Western Colorado. He had his first Division I head coaching job at Marshall in 1989-90, then Kansas State (1990-94), Creighton (1994-2010) and Oregon (2010-26).
Who is replacing Dana Altman? What to know of Tony Stubblefield
Oregon's coach for the 2026-27 season will be Tony Stubblefield, who is very familiar with the Ducks after spending 13 seasons on Altman's staff. He arrived with Altman in 2010 and spent 11 seasons as an assistant, including on the 2017 Final Four team.
Stubblefield got his first head coaching role at DePaul in 2021. After he led the Blue Demons to 15 wins in his first season, he was unable to build on it and was fired midway through his third season in 2023-24. He finished his tenure with a 28-54 record.
He returned to Oregon in 2024 and has been with the team for the past two seasons.
Stubblefield will hold a virtual news conference at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT).
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Cooper Pratt #12 of the Milwaukee Brewers scores a run ahead of the throw to Ethan Salas #8 of the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning of game three of the National League Division Series at Petco Park on October 06, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Diamondbacks Linked to All-Star Outfielder The Diamondbacks have apparently been linked to impending free agent, Randy Arozarena. Just so everyone knows, I was once tabbed to potentially marry Anne Hathaway one day. I’m pretty sure my chances are still higher than Arizona’s.
ATLANTA, GA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tyler Mahle #54 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the sixth inning during Game Two of the Wild Card Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 30, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jack Casey/Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves took the field in the home Friday reds on a Tuesday, hoping to take a 2-1 lead in the NLDS in front of a sold-out crowd. Instead, in a rematch of an August marquee pitching matchup, they were stifled by Yoshinobu Yamamoto and couldn’t overcome three runs on a pair of home runs allowed by Chris Sale.
A lack of run support for the Braves ace was unfortunately common for the regular season, but it was especially frustrating in a pivotal Game 3. For all the hand-wringing and Narrative about Braves pitching, the lion’s share of the blame should be focused on an underperforming offense.
“Let It Fly” doesn’t hit as hard when it’s the other team doing it in your park to beat you. Yes, it’s something Walt Weiss said to the team in spring training. That, plus probably a sweet bonus of being a subtle-but-deniable clap back at our Wild Card opponents, makes an amount of sense. But my advice to the marketing team as someone else in the field? It makes for great highlight clips, but maybe give a cursory glance to make sure the season’s offensive numbers and trends can back up the rally cry.
The Braves had a golden opportunity to win and advance at home. But this weird team prefers to do things the hardest of ways, so here we are: on the brink of elimination again for the second time this postseason. What will they do this time with their backs against the wall?
Fighting for a flight to Los Angeles, Tyler Mahle gets the ball for Atlanta. Mahle spun a gem in his playoff debut for the Braves with seven innings of one-run ball against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the Wild Card series. He surrendered half of his six hits in the first inning, where the one run scored. Otherwise, he walked one and struck out six on 95 pitches. The outing was overshadowed by the extra-innings loss and was all the more remarkable when Weiss revealed that Mahle had felt an abdominal pull prior to starting. But he and Mahle have reiterated it is not an issue for today’s do-or-die game.
Mahle also had a stellar start versus LA back in April as a member of the San Francisco Giants. He outdueled Shohei Ohtani and scattered three hits, two walks, and five strikeouts in seven shutout frames. The Dodgers with the most success against Mahle with an OPS over 1.000 are last night’s architects of defeat in Kiké Hernández and Freddie Freeman, as well as Will Smith. The latter two have a homer apiece off him. Max Muncy is 6-for-19 with a double to account for his .316 AVG and .778 OPS. Otherwise, everyone else drags down the team slash line to .208/.280/300.
The Dodgers will counter with a Tyler of their own. Glasnow has a career 2-6 record with a 4.43 ERA in the postseason. He spent some time on the IL for low back spasms, but owns a 5-2 record with a 3.53 ERA in 13 games in the regular season. He last faced Atlanta in August and gave up three runs on five hits in five innings while striking out seven.
The most ABs against Glasnow on the team belong to Rowdy Tellez, who is 5-for-19 with two doubles and two home runs. The only other Braves with a homer off him is Sean Murphy, which accounts for his one hit in four at-bats. Every Brave has at least one hit except for Ha-Seong Kim and Lane Thomas, but there hasn’t been much success in sub-15 PAs, leading to the .182/.243.303 team slash line.
The Braves have faced a true gauntlet of starting pitching, and you simply have to tip your cap to Yamamoto’s brilliance last night. But they’ve got to hit to win. Get to Glasnow early/often and live to play another day, or else someone else’s champagne will be on ice in your ballpark.
Game Info
Game Time: Wednesday, October 7, 6:00 pm EDT
Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
Watch: FS1 / FOX ONE
Radio/Audio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM, ESPN Radio
(Original Caption) Pitcher Bud Daley, New York Yankees' newcomer whorwas with the Kansas City Athletics, gathers in dressing room here July 23rd, with a quartet who made things easy for him as he and teammates beat the Washington Senators by score of 13-4, at Yankee Stadium here. Surrounding the newcomer are (left to right): Bill Skowron; Roger Maris; Daley; Elston Howard; and Mickey Mantle. Howard and Skowron each homered. Mantle hit his 28th homer of the season while Maris got his 29th and 30th.
The Yankees of the early 1960s were a behemoth. Led by Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in the lineup and Whitey Ford in the rotation, the team was stacked and fearsome, still operating at the peak of its power and winning the AL pennant nearly every year. But championships are not won solely by the top of a roster. Even the most star-studded squad needs contributions from role players to get them over the hump. One of these unheralded contributors was a journeyman lefty who brought his experience to bear in their bullpen.
Leavitt Leo “Bud” Daley Born: October 7, 1932 (Orange, CA) Died: October 15, 2024 (Riverton, WY) Yankees Tenure: 1961-64
Bud Daley grew up in southern California. He came to baseball late, playing his first organized game while enrolled at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach. By his senior year, he was hitting .450 and pitching to an 11-1 record, drawing the attention of the pros. Of the many teams that came calling, he picked Cleveland because their star hurler, future Hall of Famer (and, later, Yankees manager) Bob Lemon was also an alumnus of Woodrow Wilson.
Daley had a rough start to his pro career in 1951, pitching to a 5.54 ERA in 25 appearances with Class-C Bakersfield. He started to straighten things out the following year, winning 14 games with a 3.09 ERA for Class-B Cedar Rapids, but still struggled with control, walking 125 in 227 innings. His improvement was enough to earn him a promotion to Triple-A the following year. He got his free passes in check, and by 1955, at the age of 22, he got the call to the Show.
Daley would spend all three of his years in Cleveland shuttling between the big club and Triple-A, struggling to find a consistent role. In ’58, he was traded to the Orioles as part of a deal that brought back franchise icon Larry Doby for a second act with the club. Baltimore flipped Daly before he could appear for the O’s, this time to the Athletics.
It was in Kansas City that Daley would find his greatest success. After a solid first campaign as a swingman, he joined the rotation in earnest for the ’59 season. It would be the high-water mark of his career. Daley took the decision in 16 of the A’s 66 wins, posting a career-best 3.16 ERA while making both of the year’s All-Star squads and earning down-ballot MVP votes. He’d make the All-Star teams and receive MVP votes again the following year, though perhaps largely on the strength of his breakout the year prior; Daley allowed the most runs in baseball in ’60. His All-Star berths did lead to a career highlight for the 27-year-old, who got to finish off one of the games in front of his hometown fans.
“That was one of the biggest thrills I ever had,” Daley later said. “I came in in the ninth inning to pitch the last inning and the bullpen was in dead center field. I opened the gate and started walking in. From the time I opened the gate until I got to the mound I had a standing ovation the whole way.”
The A’s were sold that offseason to the notoriously stingy Charlie Finley. After Daley got off to a slow start, he found himself on the trading block once again, this time headed to New York.
Four months later Finley traded his best pitcher Bud Daley to the Yankees for a washed-up Art Ditmar and a not-ready Deron Johnson but ok https://t.co/idIi9rRQIo
Daley’s performance was uneven down the stretch, leading to the loss of his regular spot in the rotation. But, come October, he settled into a new role. In Game 3 of the World Series, with both the game and the series knotted at 1-1, Daley entered in a critical spot. Yankees starter Bill Stafford had exited with two outs and two on in the seventh. Yankees manager Ralph Houk called on his southpaw reliever to face the left-handed Vada Pinson. The 23-year-old was one of the game’s most dangerous hitters, having just led all of baseball with 208 hits. Daley got two strikes on Pinson before inducing a fly out to right. It would be the only batter he’d face in an eventual 3-2 victory.
In Game 5, Houk would lean on his swingman for more length. With the Yankees up 6-3 with one out in the third, the skipper brought in Daley. He’d end up going the rest of the way, allowing only two unearned runs in 6.2 innings of work, earning the win as the Yankees clinched the title. Not many players in big-league history can say that they were on the mound when a championship was secured, but for all his days, Daley could.
Daley continued to work primarily out of the bullpen the next season and got another inning of work in the ‘62 Fall Classic, retiring Willie Mays and Willie McCovey to strand two runners in the eighth inning of Game 2. He wrapped up his postseason career without allowing a single earned run in eight innings of work.
Daley made just one appearance in ‘63 before suffering an arm injury that ended his season. He returned the following year but wasn’t the same pitcher. The Yankees traded him back to Cleveland before the ‘65 campaign but he failed to make their roster, hanging up his cleats at the age of 32. Daley and his family retired to Wyoming, where he lived until his passing in 2024.
The Yankees mourn the passing of Bud Daley and extend our deepest condolences to Bud's family, friends and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/v5tqsSRtr4
While he’s far from the first name that comes to mind when remembering the mighty Yankees of the early ‘60s, Daley put together a strong, 10-year career that included excellence in World Series play. Please join us in remembering the legacy of Bud Daley.
See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.
The only Dodger more excited for this game than Max Muncy, who finally gets a chance to start once again after sitting against a pair of left-handers, is Tyler Glasnow. Much like the case with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Glasnow will take the ball following a long layoff—having last pitched roughly two weeks ago—only without the same track record of postseason dominance to project total security in his upcoming performance, set to battle his namesake, Tyler Mahle.
Utilizing only two relievers in Game 3, involved in a series in which runs have come at a premium and with off days on either side of the two games in Atlanta, Dave Roberts is likely to manage this game aggressively—if not ready to turn to the bullpen at the first sign of trouble, at the very least unwilling to push the envelope with his starter.
For the superstitious crowd, you’ll be pleased to know that the Dodgers were 6-0 last postseason when Glasnow took the mound, four times as a starter, and a couple more out of the bullpen. Looking back, the perception of his postseason performance was affected by the 11 walks in 21.1 innings, but apart from a shaky Game 3 of the World Series against the Jays, run prevention wasn’t a problem for the former Ray.
Prior to the Game 3 win, the threat of Chris Sale loomed large, almost regardless of how much this team trusted Yamamoto. Mahle, today’s opponent, doesn’t have the track record, but the reality is that through the last months of the season and into the start of the playoffs, few have done it better than the right-hander. And the Dodgers offense isn’t exactly performing at its highest level.
The Calgary Flames are in a rebuild, a retool, or whatever term you want to use for the current stage of the organization.
Whatever the label, patience is going to be required at the NHL level.
The Flames are still trying to find consistency with their young NHL roster, but there are encouraging signs that the organization is building a deeper prospect pool behind it.
Calgary has invested heavily in the draft over the past few years while adding prospects through trades and other avenues. The result is a system that is becoming deeper and more interesting.
It is still far too early to make major declarations about where these players will ultimately end up, but several Flames prospects have gotten off to strong starts this season.
Through four games, Harrington has three goals and seven points with a plus-7 rating. He also leads the team in points, assists, penalty minutes and plus/minus.
His season began with a statement performance. In his first two games, Harrington recorded three goals, two assists and two fights, completing a Gordie Howe hat trick along the way.
He is also coming off a strong 2025-26 season, when he recorded 28 goals and 57 points in 61 games.
🔥Ethan Wyttenbach is back and off to a fantastic start — Here’s hoping this is the season he brings home the Hobey Baker!#Flamespic.twitter.com/8VxFV26Pms
The 20-year-old is playing at the University of Michigan, where he has two assists through two games to start the season.
Mews is coming off a shortened 2025-26 campaign in which he recorded nine points in 10 games.
Before making the jump to Michigan, Mews had a highly productive junior career, including an 82-point season in 68 games with Ottawa and Sudbury in 2024-25.
His ability to move the puck and contribute offensively makes him an intriguing defensive prospect for Calgary.
The 18-year-old made the jump to North America this season with the Sarnia Sting after playing in Finland with Tappara’s junior program.
Katolicky has two goals and three points through seven games with Sarnia.
At 6-foot-5, he brings an intriguing combination of size and skill, and his transition to North American hockey will be worth watching as the season progresses.
The Bigger Picture
It is still early.
A strong September or October does not guarantee that any of these players will eventually become NHL regulars. Development rarely happens in a straight line, and every prospect has a different timeline.
But that is also the encouraging part for Calgary. The Flames are no longer relying on one or two prospects to carry the weight of the organization’s future.
There is legitimate depth developing throughout the WHL, OHL and NCAA, with players at different stages of development and with different skill sets.
Harrington is wearing a captain’s letter and producing offensively. Wyttenbach is coming off a 59-point NCAA season and has started this year at two points per game. Iginla is beginning to establish himself in Vancouver, while Mews is producing at a point-per-game pace at Michigan. Katolicky is adjusting to North American hockey after making the jump from Finland.
None of that guarantees future NHL success. But it does give the Flames something they have been trying to build for years: options.
As the organization continues working through its current NHL rebuild, those options could become increasingly important.
Mar 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Nick Martinez (28) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Go back a week, and you’ll see that the Yankees had been favored to win this series.
They had former Cy Young Gerrit Cole on the mound for game one and the should the unthinkable happen and New York drop game one, they’d have the for sure victory in game two behind probable 2026 Cy Young Cam Schlittler. Plus, they’d have the added benefit of a home away from home with a raucous pro-Yankee crowd at Tropicana Field.
Four days and two games later things look very different.
In case you need a recap: Over the first two games of the ALDS, it’d be hard to fathom a team playing much worse (decent pitching notwithstanding) than the New York Yankees. They are having a historically awful time against the Rays pitching. Drew Rasmussen came just four outs shy of a no-hitter during game one and Freddy Peralta held the Bronx Bombers in check for the first three innings of his outing until Ben Rice ruined things. Ben Rice and Austin Wells have been the extent of the Yankees offense thus far with the entirety of the rest of the Yankees lineup collectively going 1-46.
For game two, Schlittler pitched well but couldn’t overcome a relentless Rays offense and an absolute abysmal atrocious defense behind him. Typical Rays chaos resulted in botched plays, errors, stolen bases, and well timed hits that allowed the Rays to tally five runs. The Yankees offense mustered two runs, both courtesy of Ben Rice solo homeruns. Cam Booser had the most difficult part of the night for the Rays, facing Cody Bellinger with the bases loaded and two away. After getting ahead 0-2, Bellinger lined a ball to center field that wouldn’t have been a homerun in 18 of the 30 MLB ballparks (including Yankee Stadium). Johnny DeLuca tracked it down, with little difficulty, for the final out.
Ian Seymour worked three innings, allowing just one run (Ben Rice’s 2nd homerun). Then Bryan Baker worked another perfect inning, recording his second save. With a Rays victory on Wednesday, if Baker records the save he’ll become just the 4th pitcher in MLB history to record a save in a League Division Series sweep.
And about tonight? Well, the Yankees won’t make things easy on the Rays as the series heads to New York.
Tampa Bay will face one of the best left-handed starting pitchers in baseball as Max Fried is scheduled to take the mound. There was some talk of Fried missing the start so he could be with his pregnant girlfriend, who is expected to deliver their baby any day now. However, Fried confirmed with reporters on Tuesday that he would be starting Game Three of the ALDS against Tampa Bay.
Fried signed a record breaking contract with the Yankees prior to the 2025 season and proceeded to put up possibly the best year of his career. This past season, Fried endured two seperate stints on the Injured List but when healthy, he was equally if not better than his 2025 campaign.
Over 20 starts, Fried compiled a 2.80 ERA | 2.65 FIP with a 24.0 K% & 7.6 BB% spread over 112.2 IP. Expect the Rays to load their starting lineup with right-handed bats as Fried is nearly unhittable against lefties. Those who share the same side of the plate as Fried hit just .174/.245/.228 this season over 103 PA while righties hit .209/.270/.288. Another testament to how great of a pitcher Fried is that he is able to keep the ball in the park despite playing in a stadium that is known for being a homerun haven. That being said, Fried’s numbers in New York are much worse than when on the road. All four homeruns that Fried has surrendered this season came at home and he has a 3.42 ERA in the Bronx compared to 2.34 away (and yes, that is FOUR HOME RUNS ALL SEASON).
Going to the mound for the Rays is one of the best free agent signings in franchise history, veteran hurler Nick Martinez.
Martinez has pitched all around the league and even in Japan for a spell. Most recently, Martinez was with the Cincinnati Reds and provided them with two excellent years. Despite his success, the Rays were able to snag Martinez as a free agent on a one year, $13M deal (there is a mutual option for 2027 but given Martinez’s 2026 campaign, he’ll get PAID).
During this past season with Tampa Bay, Martinez showcased himself as an excellent starting pitcher and possibly even better teammate helping to foster an amazing environment within the Rays clubhouse. He’s not a strikeout pitcher but manages to induce plenty of weak contact, which is a good approach when he has one of the game’s top defenses behind. Martinez helped his own cause by having some of the best command in baseball, evidenced by a 3.6 BB% which was easily the lowest in baseball among qualifying pitchers (2nd was Drew Rasmussen and Chris Sale with 4.8%). Among pitchers with at least 40 IP (there were 389 of them), Martinez’s 3.6 BB% was still the lowest while fellow Rays Kevin Kelly and Cam Booser slide just behind him at 3.9%.
The Yankees offense has been held in check by the Rays pitching staff but regression may be imminent. Not many baseball offenses will sustain a 1-46 performance and perhaps the squad will be riveted by return home to what is sure to be an incredible atmosphere. Then again, not many teams have a stable of arms like the Rays and thus far, they’ve been able to limit the Yankees to just 2 runs over two games while keeping most of their bullpen rested.
Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr.went hitless in his team’s 4-3 win over the Brewers on Tuesday night.
But one Padres fan was more worried about how his butt looked.
Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres speaks to the media during a press conference prior to game three of the National League Division Series at Petco Park in San Diego, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026. Getty Images
X user @linatheemo posted a video of a Padres fan zooming in on Tatis Jr.’s butt with her Phone camera while he was taking a knee in the outfield during Tuesday’s game.
The fan, who was wearing a Padres hat backward, snapped a photo of the 27-year-old’s backside when she was content with the photo.
San Diego Padres fan taking a photo of Fernando Tatis Jr.’s butt during an NLDS game. (X/@linatheemo).
Caught in 4K #ForTheFaithful #Padres #SanDiego,” the post was captioned.
It has since gone viral, amassing over 20,000 views since it was posted Tuesday night. Fans find it hilarious how shameless the fan is with this photo.
Then again, the fan surely had no idea they were being recorded while capturing a photo of Tatis Jr.’s backside.
This Padres fan may have gone viral, but the Tatis Jr. close-up probably won’t help her dating prospects.
San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies fans sing the United States national anthem before the start of the game at Coors Field. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Chicago Blackhawks are 1-3-1 after their first win of the season, which also came in their first home game. Before the puck dropped, Patrick Kane received a warm welcome as he played his first home game as a Hawk since 2023.
Patrick Kane has a claim to be considered the greatest player in franchise history. There have been individual accolades in addition to an incredible amount of team success. Most of Chicago's roster were children when Kane was on Stanley Cup-contending teams.
Now, those same players who grew up watching him are skating alongside him, trying to get the franchise back on track. So far, it sounds like they really enjoy having him as a teammate and benefit from it in multiple ways.
"The nice thing is that as a teammate, his demeanor and the way he carries himself, he's not a larger-than-life figure as a human being," Spencer Knight said of Kane. "He's a really nice guy, a normal guy, fun and easy to be around. With what he's done, it's pretty impressive on all levels."
Spencer Knight is a young goaltender who hasn't spent a whole lot of NHL time around Patrick Kane yet. However, it seems that Kane doesn't act like a guy who has won the Stanley Cup three times, the Conn Smythe Trophy, the Hart Trophy, the Calder Trophy, or any of his other prolific accolades.
To be a great leader on a young team, you have to be relatable. Kane, according to his newest teammates, is just one of the guys despite all of his success.
"It's so cool to see the love and the passion that the fans have for him," Alex Vlasic said of Kane.
Young guys need to see what they can become if they just win. Patrick Kane is as beloved as any athlete in Chicago's rich history of sports, and the young players are seeing firsthand what that could look like for them.
After the game was over, especially because the Blackhawks won, there was a special buzz in the locker room. Everyone was fired up from the moment they were introduced until the final whistle. Obviously, the recognition of Kane played the biggest role in that.
“I was like a little kid in the candy shop," Sam Rinzel said. "It was really cool to see, especially as an American, growing up watching him. It’s pretty special and really cool to see as kind of a younger kid. He's been unbelievable, and it couldn’t happen to a better guy.”
On the ice, there are a lot of youth on the side of Chicago. They play a sloppy game at times, and it is mostly due to players figuring out good on-ice habits that will eventually lead to winning. The pure skill is there, which was on full display against St. Louis, but they have to put it all together over the course of a full season to take advantage.
Kane learned how to do it, and he has the wisdom to help. He isn't doing it because he has to, either. He genuinely enjoys it.
"I think it's great," Kane said about being a leader in the room filled with young players. "These guys are going to grow up together, play together, and develop chemistry on and off the ice. I think it's going to be a special group down the road. Right now, we want to be as good as we can. We're striving to be better than last year, find a way to keep ourselves in every game, get better and better as the season goes on. As the years go by, as these guys get more experience, it's going to be a pretty special group."
Patrick Kane is not in his 20s or early 30s anymore. He is beyond the years of competing for scoring titles. However, being surrounded by the youth on the current edition of the Blackhawks will help him get more out of the late years of his career. This is shaping up to be a mutually beneficial situation.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive, and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting on the article below on THN.com or by creating your own post in our community forum.
