Evan Link injury news after he was carted off during first half of Michigan football game vs Washington. Rod Moore and Justice Haynes injury updates.
Fantasy Basketball 2025-26: Building around Victor Wembanyama in High Score
While many prefer more traditional formats when playing fantasy basketball, others are more willing to try new formats. With that in mind, Yahoo! Sports has introduced its new High Score fantasy basketball game. There are some differences between this league and the head-to-head and roto setups we've grown accustomed to over the years. Let's look at how High Score is played, beginning with the rosters.
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- Each team has ten players, but only six will be active.
Lineups are set at the beginning of the week, with six active players and four on the bench. There are two guard slots for players with the point guard and/or shooting guard designation, three frontcourt slots (small forward, power forward and center) and one utility spot that can be occupied by any player regardless of position. The other four players will be on your bench, and you can slot them in at any point in the week.
However, there is a key factor that you'll need to take into consideration when moving a bench player into the lineup for that week. The points accrued by the player you've decided to bench come off the board and can't be recouped. Returning a benched player to the active lineup later in the week doesn't do the trick; only the points earned in games from that point onward will be eligible. Each player's high score from any game played during that week will count toward your team's score, so targeting players capable of an explosive performance is the best way to approach your draft.
- How does scoring work?
There are only five scoring categories for default High Score leagues, which are weighted.
Points: 1 point each
Rebounds: 1 point each
Assists: 2 points each
Steals: 3 points each
Blocks: 3 points each
For those who have played DFS, those point values will look somewhat similar, although rebounds and assists tend to count for 1.2 per rebound or assist. There are no decimals to deal with in High Score, only whole numbers. For those used to worrying about percentages or turnovers, those won't matter in High Score. That boosts the values of players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trae Young and Zion Williamson, to name a few.
The game also limits some of the risk of drafting injury-prone players in other fantasy formats. Will you still use a first-round pick on Joel Embiid or Ja Morant, to name two players with prior injury issues? Probably not, but managers will be better positioned to compensate for a player missing time in High Score.
While the High Score format will take some getting used to, it's a relatively simple deal from a scoring standpoint. The substitution situation and what that can do to weekly scoring may take many managers the most time to get used to, possibly losing a matchup or two. With these rules in mind, I recently entered a draft, hoping to craft a team that could do some damage in the High Score format.
I picked from the second slot in a 10-round snake draft, kicking things off with San Antonio Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama. Below is how the draft played out.
| Round 1 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | F,C | Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets |
| 2 | F,C | Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs |
| 3 | G | Luka Dončić | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 4 | G | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 5 | F,C | Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 6 | G | Cade Cunningham | Detroit Pistons |
| 7 | G | Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 8 | G | Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns |
| 9 | F,C | Anthony Davis | Dallas Mavericks |
| 10 | G | Trae Young | Atlanta Hawks |
| Round 2 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | G | James Harden | LA Clippers |
| 2 | G | Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors |
| 3 | F,C | Kevin Durant | Houston Rockets |
| 4 | F,C | Karl-Anthony Towns | New York Knicks |
| 5 | G | Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 6 | G | Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 7 | G,F,C | Amen Thompson | Houston Rockets |
| 8 | F,C | Jalen Johnson | Atlanta Hawks |
| 9 | F,C | Alperen Şengün | Houston Rockets |
| 10 | F,C | Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Round 3 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | G | LaMelo Ball | Charlotte Hornets |
| 2 | G | Jalen Brunson | New York Knicks |
| 3 | F,C | Domantas Sabonis | Sacramento Kings |
| 4 | G,F,C | Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors |
| 5 | G | Josh Giddey | Chicago Bulls |
| 6 | F,C | Chet Holmgren | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 7 | F,C | Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics |
| 8 | F,C | Jalen Williams | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 9 | F,C | Pascal Siakam | Indiana Pacers |
| 10 | G | Jamal Murray | Denver Nuggets |
| Round 4 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | F,C | Jaren Jackson Jr. | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 2 | F,C | LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 3 | F,C | Bam Adebayo | Miami Heat |
| 4 | G | Derrick White | Boston Celtics |
| 5 | F,C | Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic |
| 6 | F,C | Franz Wagner | Orlando Magic |
| 7 | F,C | Trey Murphy | New Orleans Pelicans |
| 8 | G | Austin Reaves | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 9 | G,F,C | Dyson Daniels | Atlanta Hawks |
| 10 | G | De’Aaron Fox | San Antonio Spurs |
| Round 5 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | F,C | Zion Williamson | New Orleans Pelicans |
| 2 | F,C | Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 3 | F,C | Jimmy Butler | Golden State Warriors |
| 4 | F,C | Ivica Zubac | LA Clippers |
| 5 | G,F,C | Desmond Bane | Orlando Magic |
| 6 | F,C | Brandon Miller | Charlotte Hornets |
| 7 | F,C | Kawhi Leonard | LA Clippers |
| 8 | F,C | Deni Avdija | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 9 | F,C | Kristaps Porziņģis | Atlanta Hawks |
| 10 | F,C | Cooper Flagg | Dallas Mavericks |
Rotoworld fantasy basketball staffers offer up all the advice you need going into your fantasy drafts on one page.
Raphielle Johnson| Round 6 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | F,C | Myles Turner | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2 | G | Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies |
| 3 | G,F,C | Brandon Ingram | Toronto Raptors |
| 4 | F,C | Miles Bridges | Charlotte Hornets |
| 5 | F,C | Walker Kessler | Utah Jazz |
| 6 | F,C | Nikola Vučević | Chicago Bulls |
| 7 | G | Darius Garland | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 8 | F,C | DeMar DeRozan | Sacramento Kings |
| 9 | F,C | OG Anunoby | New York Knicks |
| 10 | F,C | Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz |
| Round 7 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | F,C | Jalen Duren | Detroit Pistons |
| 2 | G,F,C | Cam Thomas | Brooklyn Nets |
| 3 | G | Zach LaVine | Sacramento Kings |
| 4 | F,C | Deandre Ayton | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 5 | G | Coby White | Chicago Bulls |
| 6 | F,C | Jarrett Allen | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 7 | G | Immanuel Quickley | Toronto Raptors |
| 8 | G | Tyler Herro | Miami Heat |
| 9 | G | Jordan Poole | New Orleans Pelicans |
| 10 | G | Payton Pritchard | Boston Celtics |
| Round 8 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | G | Andrew Nembhard | Indiana Pacers |
| 2 | F,C | Julius Randle | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 3 | F,C | Isaiah Hartenstein | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 4 | F,C | Rudy Gobert | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 5 | F,C | Jakob Poeltl | Toronto Raptors |
| 6 | F,C | Mark Williams | Phoenix Suns |
| 7 | F,C | Matas Buzelis | Chicago Bulls |
| 8 | G,F,C | Paul George | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 9 | G,F,C | Shaedon Sharpe | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 10 | F,C | Michael Porter Jr. | Brooklyn Nets |
| Round 9 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | G,F,C | Bennedict Mathurin | Indiana Pacers |
| 2 | F,C | Ausar Thompson | Detroit Pistons |
| 3 | F,C | Donovan Clingan | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 4 | F,C | Mikal Bridges | New York Knicks |
| 5 | G,F,C | Christian Braun | Denver Nuggets |
| 6 | G | Jalen Green | Phoenix Suns |
| 7 | G,F,C | Norman Powell | Miami Heat |
| 8 | G | Anfernee Simons | Boston Celtics |
| 9 | G,F,C | Bradley Beal | LA Clippers |
| 10 | G,F,C | Devin Vassell | San Antonio Spurs |
| Round 10 | Position(s) | Player | Team |
| 1 | F,C | Cameron Johnson | Denver Nuggets |
| 2 | F,C | John Collins | LA Clippers |
| 3 | F,C | Draymond Green | Golden State Warriors |
| 4 | F,C | Alex Sarr | Washington Wizards |
| 5 | F,C | Kel’el Ware | Miami Heat |
| 6 | F,C | Dereck Lively II | Dallas Mavericks |
| 7 | G | Kevin Porter Jr. | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 8 | F,C | Onyeka Okongwu | Atlanta Hawks |
| 9 | F,C | RJ Barrett | Toronto Raptors |
| 10 | F,C | Naz Reid | Minnesota Timberwolves |
Final team:
F,C Victor Wembanyama
F,C Alperen Şengün
G Jalen Brunson
G,F,C Dyson Daniels
F,C Joel Embiid
F,C OG Anunoby
G,F,C Cam Thomas
G,F,C Shaedon Sharpe
F,C Ausar Thompson
F,C RJ Barrett
Drafting a player of Wembanyama's caliber who can offer elite value in all five scoring categories opens things up regarding crafting your High Score team. I leaned toward offense with Şengün and Brunson, but Daniels was a must-have for me in the fourth round. Even with the second pick of the fifth round, I was unwilling to risk losing out on a defender of his caliber, especially after he racked up 229 steals and 55 blocked shots in 2024-25.
The back half of my draft focused primarily on players capable of putting in an explosive offensive performance, especially Thomas and Sharpe. The former is entering a contract year on a rebuilding team, while the latter is under similar pressure in Portland. Thompson hasn't been an explosive offensive option in Detroit, but I believe in what he brings to the table defensively. And with Jaden Ivey out to begin the regular season, there may be more room for Thompson to spread his wings as a slasher within the Pistons' offense.
Steph Curry outlines Warriors' ‘mission' before NBA season opener vs. Lakers
Steph Curry outlines Warriors' ‘mission' before NBA season opener vs. Lakers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Steph Curry and the Warriors have some unfinished business to take care of as their 2025-26 NBA season tips off Tuesday in Los Angeles.
After Golden State’s preseason finale on Friday night at Chase Center, the team’s star point guard outlined how Opening Night against Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers can set the tone as the Warriors seek a return to the NBA playoffs.
“It’s the same mission every year,” Curry told reporters after the Warriors’ 106-103 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. “Last year we accomplished it, and the wheels fell [off] a little bit. But no matter [what], you don’t really want to fast forward too much or panic if it doesn’t go well to begin with, but you want to have intentionality on how you’re trying to start out both ends of the floor, understanding, again, we’re a team that is building on a foundation we had last year, so want to win the first game.”
Curry and Co. will play their first game of the new campaign against a Lakers team without LeBron James, who is out with sciatica to start the season, at Crypto.com Arena. But after Los Angeles added Dončić in February of this year, Curry knows a steep challenge awaits the Warriors as they enter their first full season with their own recent trade-deadline acquisition in Jimmy Butler.
“It’s exciting knowing we’re starting on the road against a team that — wish LeBron was playing — but is lethal with Luka, so a good test to start out, and hopefully we can hit the ground running.”
The Warriors jumped out to a 12-3 record in their first 15 games last season and certainly hope to do so again this year — but instead, keep that momentum going this time as the season progresses. They hit a wall after their hot start in 2024-25, and Butler’s arrival in February rejuvenated the team and helped Golden State reach the postseason before a second-round exit.
Now, Curry, Butler and the rest of the Warriors will look to begin the new season on a high note in just a few days.
Game day: Everything you need to know for Nashville Predators road game against Winnipeg Jets
The Nashville Predators are looking to cap off a four-game road trip with a high note, taking on the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.
The Predators have a 1-1-1 record on this road trip so far, defeating Ottawa, losing to Toronto in regulation and most recently falling to Montreal in overtime on Thursday.
Against the Canadiens, the Predators gave up the game-tying goal with 20 seconds left in the game and the game-winning goal with three seconds left in overtime.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the Predators' final game of the road trip against the Jets.
Game day
Who: Nashville Predators (2-1-2) vs. Winnipeg Jets (3-1-0)
When: 6 p.m. CST at Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
TV: FanDuel Sports Network South
Radio: 102.5 The Game
Line (via BET MGM): Nashville +1.5 Winnipeg -1.5. Over/Under: 5.5 (-120/+100).
Starters: Nashville - TBD, Winnipeg - TBD
Thinning down the roster
Ahead of Thursday's game, the Predators sent another player down to Milwaukee.
Joakim Kemell, who has only played in two of the Predators' first four games of the season, was assigned to the Admirals. He logged 12:22 minutes of ice time in the season opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets and 9:46 minutes of ice time against the Senators on Oct. 13.
There are two more players who could be reassigned in the near future: Brady Martin and Nick Blankenburg.
Martin has not played since the Predators' game against the Utah Mammoth on Oct. 11, which the Predators say is a part of Martin's development plan. He gets nine games before the Predators decide if he should be reassigned to juniors.
Blankenburg was scratched in the Predators game against the Canadiens for Statsney. He has yet to play a game this season, but has been practicing and traveling with the team.
Nashville Predators assign Joakim Kemell to Milwaukee Admirals After playing in two of the Nashville Predators' first four regular-season games, forward Joakim Kemell has been assigned to the Milwaukee Admirals.Losing moments in winnable games
The Predators could very easily be sitting at 4-1-0 heading into this divisional matchup against the Jets.
Two of their losses this season have been in winnable games, and an argument could even be made that the 7-4 loss to Toronto was a winnable game as well.
Against the Utah Mammoth, the Predators lay back in the third period, allowing the Mammoth to tie the game. In overtime, the Mammoth dominated possession and found an easy way to win.
The loss to Montreal saw the Predators give up a late goal in a situation where Jonathan Marchessault had an empty-net opportunity blocked. Nashville was also seconds away from moving the game into a shootout before Cole Caufield scored the game-winner.
As for the Toronto game, the Predators were within striking distance late in the third period, but gave up two empty-net goals to inflate the final result.
Momentary lapses costing Nashville Predators from playing complete gamesThe Nashville Predators could be looking at a 4-1-0 record through five games, but have given up key moments, most recently falling to Montreal in overtime on Thursday.Scouting Winnipeg
The Jets are off to a strong start, winning three straight games and holding a 3-1-0 record to start the season. Their only loss was to Dallas, 5-4, on Oct. 9.
Mark Scheifele leads the Jets with eight points in four games, which is tied for seventh in the league. Kyle Connor also has seven points in four games, scoring a hat trick in the Jets' loss to the Stars.
Reigning Vezna Trophy and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck is off to a slower start with a 3.02 goals against average and .895 save percentage in three games played.
Red-Hot Jets Return Home Seeking Fourth Straight Win Against Slumping PredatorsJets chase fourth straight win behind potent offense, while Predators seek spark against surging Winnipeg.Inactive players
Nashville: Nicolas Hague (upper body)
Winnipeg: Adam Lowry (hip), Cole Perfetti (ankle), Dylan Samberg (wrist)
How The Vancouver Canucks Stack Up To The Rest Of The NHL: 5 Games In
The Vancouver Canucks are five games into the 2025–26 season and have collected a total of six points. With their shootout win against the Chicago Blackhawks last night, Vancouver is officially back in a playoff spot. Here’s how they’re performing compared to the rest of the NHL five games into the season.
Team Stats
As mentioned, the Canucks are back in a playoff spot after last night’s win against Chicago. With their three wins and two losses, they are currently tied with 12 other teams for seventh in the NHL. They are tied for 13th in the NHL with the Florida Panthers and Minnesota Wild in goals-for with 15 on the season, while their goals-against of 14 sits at the same position alongside the Montréal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres. Their least-favourable stat is their faceoff winning percentage, (44.6%), which sits 29th in the league.
Individual Skaters
Vancouver’s most notable individual skater stats are in blocks, TOI, and hits. Tyler Myers is the only player to crack the top-five in the NHL in the listed stat categories, as he is tied for fifth in the league in shots blocked with 14. Quinn Hughes leads the team in minutes played so far this season with 133:06, which puts him at sixth in the NHL. Last year’s hit king, Kiefer Sherwood, currently places sixth in the league in said stat with 24 on the season.
Goaltenders
Thatcher Demko leads Vancouver’s goaltending department in individual stats, which is unsurprising given that he has started more games than Kevin Lankinen. While the eye test indicates that both goaltenders have been stellar to start the season, stats-wise, Demko’s stats are more towards the middle. His SV% of .929 is 16th in the NHL, while his 2.03 GAA is 19th. Where Demko stands out the most is in high-danger saves, making 27 to tie him for sixth in the league. For reference, he has faced 29 high-danger shots (T-12th in the NHL).
It’s still very early on in the season, so fans shouldn’t take too much stock into where the Canucks’ stats place them within the NHL. However, as the team plays more and more games, these stats will be a good indicator as to how Vancouver stacks up against the rest of the league.
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.
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Jean-Philippe Mateta’s hat-trick rescues Crystal Palace in thrilling draw with Bournemouth
For most of this breathless encounter, Bournemouth supporters were relishing the prospect of going top of the Premier League, albeit perhaps for only a few hours, and inflicting Crystal Palace’s second home defeat of 2025. Andoni Iraola’s impressive side had led through two goals from the teenager Eli Junior Kroupi before being pegged back by Jean-Philippe Mateta and thought they had won it when the substitute Ryan Christie scored with two minutes of normal time remaining.
Mateta, who scored on his first start for France in midweek, had other ideas as he converted an injury-time penalty to complete his hat-trick, although he missed a golden opportunity to win it at the death.
Continue reading...Manchester City’s unstoppable Erling Haaland downs Everton with double
Erling Haaland’s double seized the points, took him to 23 goals in 13 games for club and country this season, and kept Tottenham as the only foes the uber-striker has failed to score against this season.
The 25-year-old’s goals – on 58 and 63 minutes – shredded the visitors in two high-quality moments that decorated a generally middling affair.
Continue reading...Nets' Egor Demin impresses in strong preseason debut: 'He’s going to be a problem'
There were some question marks surrounding Egor Demin's shooting ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, and rightfully so.
Demin shot just 27.3 percent from three during his lone season of college basketball at BYU, causing many scouts to be hesitant about how his shot would translate to the NBA. But that didn't scare the Nets away, as they saw the potential star upside in his game and selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in June.
While it's still very early in his professional career, Demin demonstrated his skill set Friday night in his preseason debut against the Toronto Raptors. The 19-year-old, who missed the team's first three preseason games due to a plantar fascia tear, scored 14 points with five rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes off the bench.
The performance earned him praise from teammates Michael Porter Jr. (34 points) and Cam Thomas (seven points), who believe the 6-foot-9 rookie can make a real impact in the NBA.
"Oh, yeah, he’s solid. He’s going to be really good," Porter Jr. told the New York Post. "Positionally, for his size, if he can translate all those point guard skills over to the pros, he’s going to be a problem.
"He makes the right reads and the right plays. So I know it may take time to deal with the physicality of the point guard position in the NBA, but once he gets the hang of it, he’s going to be really, really good."
the rook pullin' up with confidence! 🎯@whoisegor3 | #NetsWorldpic.twitter.com/6GJIxez3Bt
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 18, 2025
Demin's 14 points came on 3 of 5 shooting, including 2 of 3 from three-point range, and 6 of 7 on free throws. 11 of his 14 points came in the first half, including all of the foul shots. He also recorded a block and committed two turnovers in the 119-114 loss.
"He was great. He was great. Obviously, it’s preseason, but he was good for his first game," Thomas said. "We’ll see what happens in Charlotte, but it was a great start for him, for sure."
While Demin is still working his way back to full strength from the foot injury, as he only started playing five-on-five while the team was in China, head coach Jordi Fernandez was pleased with what he saw from the guard Friday night.
"He was excellent," Fernandez said. "There’s going to be things he’s going to keep working on. We’ve got to keep building him up physically to be able to sustain more minutes. … But I’m very happy with his presence, how composed he was, how he talked to his teammates, all those things. And made it look easy.
"He shot the ball every time he was open or halfway open, got to the free-throw line and rebounded. He got five rebounds, made nice plays at the rim. It was good."
Demin added that his first bit of NBA action was a great learning experience, and he'll take those lessons with him into the regular season.
"Yeah, 100 percent. I’ve been told a lot about the Raptors as one of the most physical and longest teams from the standpoint of pressure almost the whole game, and how pesky they are," Demin said. "I don’t want to say I was scared, but I was super aware of what to expect. But I also couldn’t understand what to expect in my first game … so I’m just happy we went through this and had this experience. It’s a huge lesson for all of us, and I can’t wait for the start of the season."
GAME DAY Preview: Calgary Flames @ Vegas Golden Knight (Oct. 18)
The Calgary Flames (1-4-0) will travel to Sin City to take on the Vegas Golden Knights (3-0-2) for a Saturday night NHL tilt.
The Flames earlier did battle with the Knights on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at home where Calgary jumped up 2-0 in the first period only to give up four unanswered goals in the final two periods to lose the contest.
That has kind of been the theme for the Flames in the past three games: they get an early lead by the end of the first period, but fail to hold on to it by the final whistle. In ALL of their games, their collapse began in the third period except for their last game against Utah where the downfall started in period number two.
The good news is that in their last outing against Vegas, the Flames tied with their season-high shots on goal with 29, which they had established the game before against the Blues.
However, they also gave up the most total shots against the Golden Knights with 69 (20 blocked shots, 19 missed shots, 30 shots on goal).
There is a big contrast between how many times both teams have been shorthanded. While Calgary does rank higher than Vegas on the penalty-kill, the Flames have been undermanned on the ice 20 times (third-highest in the league), while the Golden Knights have been forced on the PK only 12 times (tied for fourth-lowest).
Speaking of special teams, Vegas' Pavel Dorofeyev is tied with the most power play goals with four, and individual goals in the league with six.
Vegas are getting their money's worth with the recent Jack Eichel contract extension as the four-time All-Star is currently leading the league with 11 points in five games.
Mark Stone is right behind with nine points, but with all of them beings assists, he is currently topping the league in that department.
Defensively, it's not going to be easy either. Both the pairings of Jeremy Lauzon-Kaeden Korczak and Brayden McNabb-Shea Theodore are ranked in the top four in the league for giving up the least Expected Goals Against (xGA) for pairings that have logged in at least 60 minutes of ice-time.
Perhaps the only weakness for the Flames to take advantage of would be of Vegas goalie Adin Hill, who is expected to be in net, and his poor start to the season. He carries an 0-0-2 record with a save percentage of 0.845. In their last game, the Flames scored two goals on him in 10 shots in the first period before Akira Schmidt stepped in for the last two periods and shut out Calgary.
Also, Jonathan Huberdeau makes his return for the Flames, so Calgary will be hoping his presence will be a difference-maker this time around.
Bottom Line
I've said it before and I'll say it again: You need to finish out the game, even if it means you have to win ugly.
But with going into Vegas' turf this time? Easier said than done.
Red Wings' Starting Goalie Debate Hotter Than Ever Following Gibson's 31-Save Effort
The Detroit Red Wings won their fourth straight game on Friday in large part due to the play of backstop John Gibson, who made 31 saves in a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in overtime.
A 31-save night for Gibby 👊
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 18, 2025
That's our @xfinity game-changing moment(s)! pic.twitter.com/r6aGIcwGos
The win was a memorable one as rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka scored his first NHL goal earlier in the game. It was an all-around solid team performance out of the Red Wings with many wondering who would start next for their Sunday matinee versus the back-to-back Western Conference Champion Edmonton Oilers.
Veteran goaltender Cam Talbot would be the obvious answer as the 37-year-old has yet to produce a bad performance with three straight wins, including a 38-save effort against the Toronto Maple Leafs this past Monday. Now the decision falls onto Detroit bench boss Todd McLellan as Gibson has now re-entered the picture thanks to his stunning effort on Friday with a coach never wanting to bench the hottest hand.
2 words to describe today's @xfinity game-changing moment(s):
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 14, 2025
CAM. TALBOT. pic.twitter.com/WQxZMmEkAJ
It would also make sense to give Gibson another start on Sunday, allowing both goaltenders to have three games under their belts before deciding who gets the nod for Detroit’s upcoming road matchup against the Buffalo Sabres next Wednesday. Gibson was brought in by Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman with the expectation of becoming the team’s top goaltender. The Pittsburgh native had been splitting time in Anaheim with young netminder Lukas Dostal and was looking for a larger role with Detroit hoping to oblige.
Talbot's play as of late has thrown a snag into those plans as McLellan wants to play the hottest hand and give his team the best chance to succeed but you also don't want to upset the player that the team just finished trading for and made a commitment to.
"Team Effort": Red Wings' John Gibson Credits Teammates After Stellar Performance Red Wings goaltender John Gibson rebounded from a subpar first game of the season, making 31 saves and helping Detroit pick up their fourth win of the young season, a 2-1 overtime triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
The most likely outcome in the situation is we see a regression from Talbot. The journeyman has put together similar hot stretches in the past, only to cool off with a string of average or subpar performances that brought his numbers back down to earth. Still, Talbot has proven capable of strong play over a full season before, most notably during his 2016–17 campaign with the Oilers, when he posted a 42-22-8 record and a 2.39 goals-against average across 73 starts.
However, the wheels usually fall off at some point as Talbot routinely finishes with a goals against average closer to three when receiving more starts but when serving as a backup, he can produce very solid numbers. As he's gotten older, the numbers have slowed down. There's no doubt we are seeing vintage Talbot as of late but the Caledonia native has finished with a goals against average of 2.93 twice in the last three seasons and Gibson should be able to produce better numbers.
Gibson has played for some bad Ducks teams in recent years with the defense in front of him not helping. While Talbot was bouncing around to several teams around the league, they were all better than Gibson's basement team in the NHL. The Ducks since last making the playoffs in 2018 have the fourth-worst defense in the league yet Gibson still produced numbers like a 2.98 goals against average and a .903 save percentage during the 2020-21 season when the Ducks' poor play led to him finishing with a brutal 9-19-7 record.
On a stronger team, fans have long wondered just how good the 2015–16 Jennings Trophy winner could be, given that he was a three-time All-Star back when the Ducks were regular playoff contenders. If the Red Wings can carry their season-opening momentum into a legitimate playoff push, Gibson will likely emerge as the steadier, more dependable option in net.
McLellan might begin the season with a 1A/1B goalie rotation, giving Talbot the chance to ride out his hot streak. But don’t be surprised if that momentum fades and Gibson ends up taking on a heavier workload. Either way, this is a good problem for the Red Wings. Recent Stanley Cup contenders have leaned on having two dependable goaltenders rather than just one standout, and early signs suggest Detroit could have one of the top tandems in the NHL.
Rookie Defenseman Shocks NHL as Early Calder Trophy Front-RunnerAn 18-year-old defenseman is shattering expectations, logging elite minutes and dominating the early Calder Trophy race against a loaded rookie class.Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!
Trae Young, Hawks reportedly do not reach contract extension, that's not a surprise
This news is not a surprise. In fact, Trae Young was resigned to this outcome months ago.
Young and the Atlanta Hawks will not reach terms on a contract extension before the start of the season, something confirmed by Joe Varden and Fred Katz at The Athletic. Young will make $46 million this season and has a player option for $48.9 million next season — he could, in theory, leave the team for nothing as a free agent next summer.
Young's extension can be agreed to and signed at any point during this season, and Young has hinted on social media that he wants to sign one. However, Hawks management has built the best team around Young he has ever had, and new GM Onsi Saleh wants to see how all of this looks before extending anyone. On paper, the Hawks appear to be a top-four team in the East, with the potential to be a playoff threat to the Cavaliers and Knicks at the top of the conference. But what will they look like on the court?
Atlanta was aggressive in building out this roster. The Hawks traded for Kristaps Porzingis, who brings much-needed shot blocking on defense as well as a pick-and-pop partner for Young. Atlanta sign-and-traded for Nickeil Alexander-Walker to add shooting and defense on the wing. Speaking of shooting, the Hawks went out and got Luke Kennard.
Then there are the players in house expected to take a step forward. Jalen Johnson is healthy again after what looked to be a breakout season a year ago. Zaccharie Risacher seems poised to make a leap in his second season. Dyson Daniels was the league's Most Improved Player a season ago, while this is a big year for big man Onyeka Okongwu.
That's a lot of talent, but it puts pressure on Young to show he can be the leader of this team, not just a scorer or offensive force but a floor general when the team needs it. If Young can put all the puzzle pieces together, he will get his extension (his max would be four years, $229 million, but the number likely comes in a little below that).
It's just not happening before the season.
NHL Hockey News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games 2025-10-19 16:06:14
Avalanche vs. Bruins Game Preview: Colorado Looks to Extend Hot Streak
After opening their first road trip of the season with back-to-back wins, the Colorado Avalanche (4–0–1) return home for a one-off at Ball Arena on Saturday to face the Boston Bruins (3–2).
Bruins Coming in Cold
Meanwhile, Boston is coming off a 6–5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights—a game defined by wild momentum swings, including a three-goal second period for Vegas, as both teams seemed allergic to playing defense. Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman surrendered six goals and will get the night off against Colorado. Instead, Joonas Korpisalo will get the start; he owns a 5–3 career record against the Avalanche.
The Bruins opened the season with three straight wins, but their recent defensive lapses have been glaring—allowing 11 goals over their last two outings. Their structure has looked increasingly disjointed, particularly in transition, where turnovers and blown coverages have led to extended shifts in their own zone. If they hope to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat, they’ll have to tighten up defensively.
Avalanche On Fire
Scott Wedgewood has started every game in Mackenzie Blackwood’s absence and currently owns a career-best 1.58 goals-against average. As of publication, Trent Miner—who has served as the backup while Blackwood has been sidelined but has yet to appear in a game this season—has not been formally reassigned to the Colorado Eagles. This raises a few intriguing possibilities: Colorado could give Miner a start before sending him down, or they might lean on Wedgewood again despite it being his sixth straight appearance, which seems less than ideal. Of course, there’s also the chance Blackwood makes an earlier-than-expected return to the crease, which would give the Avalanche a timely boost in net. According to The Hockey News, Blackwood's conditioning stint with the Eagles, the Avs' AHL affiliate, ended on Friday.
On Thursday, Valeri Nichushkin scored twice for his first multi-goal game of the season, and Wedgewood stopped 22 of 23 shots to lead the Avalanche to a 4–1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Cale Makar found the back of the net in his 400th NHL game, becoming the first player to score in their 400th professional game since Jared Spurgeon accomplished the feat for the Minnesota Wild on December 22, 2016, in a 4–2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
Nathan MacKinnon was held off the scoresheet for the first time this season, but he’s remained the driving force behind Colorado’s attack alongside Martin Nečas. The MacKinnon–Nečas duo has been the most dynamic one-two punch in the league through the early stretch, combining for seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points over five games. The third Avalanche player maintaining a point-per-game pace is Makar, who has recorded two goals and five assists over the same five-game stretch. Martin Nečas is currently in a five-way tie for second in league scoring with nine points, while Nathan MacKinnon sits in a two-way tie for third with eight points.
Bruins Top Players
David Pastrňák leads the Bruins with six points, ranking tied for first in both goals (2) and assists (4).
Elias Lindholm is tied for the team lead in goals (2), ranks second in points (5), and is third in assists (3).
Pavel Zacha shares the team lead in assists (4), sits second in points (5), and is tied for seventh in goals (1).
If the Avalanche hope to navigate this game successfully, they must stay composed, particularly when moving the puck up ice. Recent contests have shown that in high-pressure moments, leaders like Pastrňák are unafraid to put everything on the line—illustrated by the massive hit he delivered on Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov late in Monday’s 4–3 loss. Hockey remains an inherently dangerous sport, and the last thing Colorado needs is another injury that sidelines one of its key stars.
Goaltender Stats
In Korpisalo’s most recent start against the Avalanche last season, he stopped 25 shots to back the Bruins to a 5–3 victory. Colorado’s goals came from Ross Colton, Makar, and Rantanen, who has since moved on from the team.
Wedgewood’s last outing against Boston, in January, saw him make 14 saves in a 3–1 loss—a game that also marked the Avalanche debuts of Nečas and Jack Drury following Rantanen’s trade to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Blackwood has not faced the Bruins since November 30, 2023, when he was with the San Jose Sharks. Despite turning aside 37 shots, he was tagged with a 3–0 loss.
Miner has only two NHL starts to his name, neither of which came against Boston.
The Game
Who will emerge victorious? We’ll find out at 7 p.m. local time when the Bruins face off against the Avalanche at Ball Arena. You can catch the game on Altitude or KTVD (My20).
Senators Face Rookie Sensation Matthew Schaefer As Islanders Visit Ottawa Saturday
The Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders meet on Saturday afternoon (3 pm, TSN 5, RDS) at Canadian Tire Centre, with both clubs feeling a little lighter after shaking off three-game losing skids on Thursday night.
Linus Ullmark’s excellent 30-save performance helped the Senators (2-3) beat the Seattle Kraken 4–3 in a shootout. The Islanders (1-3) earned their first win of the season, a 4–2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, led by a hat trick from Bo Horvat.
The Sens went 1-2 against the Islanders last season, and Saturday’s starting goalie, Ilya Sorokin, has had their number. He’s 4-0-1 lifetime against the Senators with a 1.97 GAA and a .942 save percentage. That said, he's off to a slow start this season with an 0-3-0 mark, a 4.18 GAA, and an .854 save percentage. David Rittich got the Isles win on Thursday. Ullmark is a good bet to go again for Ottawa.
Schaefer’s Strong Start
After the Islanders finished with 82 points last season, and ahead of nine other teams, the NHL bestowed the number one overall pick on them, thanks to the league’s silly draft lottery rules.
They used that pick to draft defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall in June, and his early reviews have been excellent. Schaefer has four points in four games, and considering that he just turned 18 last month, his early poise has been incredible, and his average ice time of 21:53 leads all Islander defensemen.
This will be Schaefer’s first game back in Ottawa since the World Juniors, when he broke his collarbone in a game against Latvia, ending his season on December 27.
Notables
The game also marks a homecoming for J.G. Pageau, an Ottawa native and fan favourite during his time with the Senators. It's hard to believe he's already in the final year of that six-year, 30-million-dollar deal has signed after the Sens traded him to the Islanders. He was mentioned in trade rumours over the summer and, depending on how the Islanders are doing, could be a trade chip at the deadline. Former Senator Anthony Duclair also returns for the Isles.
For the Sens, one of the season’s best storylines so far has been the quick start of Shane Pinto. The 24-year-old centre is in a contract year and has picked the perfect time to break out, scoring six goals in his first five games — good for a share of the NHL goal-scoring lead.
Sens fans have long known about Pinto’s potential, but he’s never scored more than 21 goals in a season before. As the Sens continue to juggle in the absence of Brady Tkachuk, it's getting harder and harder to identify Pinto as the club's third-line centre. Based on ice time, he's been their clear number two behind Tim Stutzle.
Senators Remain Loyal To Struggling Penalty Kill FormationWith the second-worst PK in the league, is it time for the Senators to switch away from their diamond formation?Projected Lineups
From NHL.com — subject to change
Ottawa Senators
Forwards
Ridly Greig – Tim Stützle – Claude Giroux
Michael Amadio – Shane Pinto – Fabian Zetterlund
David Perron – Dylan Cozens – Drake Batherson
Nick Cousins – Lars Eller – Arthur Kaliyev
Defense
Jake Sanderson – Artem Zub
Thomas Chabot – Nick Jensen
Tyler Kleven – Jordan Spence
Goaltenders
Linus Ullmark
Leevi Meriläinen
Scratched: Kurtis MacDermid, Nikolas Matinpalo
New York Islanders
Forwards
Anthony Duclair – Mathew Barzal – Kyle Palmieri
Jonathan Drouin – Bo Horvat – Emil Heineman
Anders Lee – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Maxim Shabanov
Simon Holmstrom – Casey Cizikas – Kyle MacLean
Defense
Matthew Schaefer – Scott Mayfield
Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov – Tony DeAngelo
Goaltenders
Ilya Sorokin
David Rittich
Scratched: Marc Gatcomb, Adam Boqvist, Maxim Tsyplakov Injured: Pierre Engvall (hip surgery), Semyon Varlamov (knee surgery), Ethan Bear (upper body)
Romanov missed Friday’s practice and may be replaced by Boqvist.
Face off is 3 pm, TSN 5, RDS.
Prior to the game, the Sens are running with an Oktoberfest theme for fans starting at noon. Calendars, hand-drawn by Claude Giroux's son, Gavin, will be on sale in support of CHEO.
My guy🥹🥰 I’ve been adoring his annual calendars for three years now! I’m so excited to share this one with all of you! Even happier to be giving back in such a fun and special way. Gavy bear, don’t ever change 🫶🏼 @28CGirouxhttps://t.co/Pf4dUCS8Te
— Ryanne Giroux (@ryannegiroux) October 17, 2025
More Sens headlines at the Hockey News Ottawa:
Senators Send Swedish Winger Down To The Minors on Friday
Tkachuk Has Successful Thumb Surgery And Will Miss 6-8 Weeks
Sens Call Up Kaliyev As Tkachuk Goes On IR
Senators Suffer Discouraging 8-4 Loss At Buffalo
Senators Lose Sebrango, Claimed Off Waivers By Florida
An Early Glance At The Senators' Goaltending Pipeline
Scouts and execs on complications in Mets' potential trade for Tigers' Tarik Skubal
It’s complicated.
That’s one of two consensus opinions I found in speaking with six scouts/executives from different teams about the Tarik Skubaltrade speculation that has become the talk of the baseball industry over the last 48 hours.
At least it was the talk before Shohei Ohtani’s sublime performance late Friday night, but in a way, the stories are connected, especially for a team like the Mets, who need someone like Skubal to have a chance at competing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for baseball supremacy in 2026 and beyond.
More on that to come. For now, the larger point, as the scout/execs point out, is that the Detroit Tigers are in a very difficult position. They would be risking the wrath of their championship-starved fan base if they trade Skubal, arguably the best pitcher in baseball, after reaching the postseason the last two years, yet they’d almost certainly lose him to free agency a year from now if they choose not to trade him.
“That’s why it’s hard to predict which way this thing will go,” said an executive from a mid-market NL team. “In a vacuum, it’s a no-brainer, unfortunately, considering Skubal is a (Scott) Boras guy and all that. You make the best trade you can and move on. But in the real world, that’s a tough sell when you haven’t won in 40 years.”
It’s 41 years, actually, since the Tigers won the World Series in 1984. And there is another layer to their conundrum.
For years, the late Mike Ilitch, the Tigers’ owner, operated with one of the higher payrolls in baseball while trying to win another title, spending big in free agency and once locking up Justin Verlander to a seven-year, $180 million extension that at the time was the highest in the game. But Ilitch died in 2017 and his son, Christopher, has run a more budget-conscious operation since taking over.
“It’s kind of like Hal (Steinbrenner) taking over after George died,” said one midwest-based scout. “The fans there long for the days when they felt like Mike Ilitch would spend whatever it took to try to win. The son is not very popular as it is. Trading Skubal would make him persona non grata in Detroit.”
In short, this isn’t Garrett Crochet, who was traded for prospects last winter by the rebuilding Chicago White Sox, or even Corbin Burnes, traded by the small-market Milwaukee Brewers from a team that had enough pitching depth to continue winning.
Skubal is far more essential than that to the Tigers and the city of Detroit.
Still, the same scouts and execs don’t rule out a trade. For it to happen, however, it would take a more attractive package than either Crochet or Burnes brought back.
Which leads to the second consensus opinion that emerged from my various conversations: That is, no team is more motivated or well-positioned than the Mets to make such a trade happen.
“I’d make them the favorite to get Skubal, no question, if the Tigers decide to trade him,” said an NL scout. “They have the pieces to get it done and they obviously have the need. Steve Cohen apologized to the fans for missing the postseason -- what does that tell you? He’s going to want to make big-splash moves to change the narrative.”
To that point, SNY’s Andy Martino reported Friday the Mets are expected to be “involved” if Skubal is made available, and willing to “shake up their current position-player group” if it means acquiring a top pitcher.
So the question on the Mets’ end would be just how far they’re willing to go for a player they could lose to free agency after one season.
“Steve Cohen changes that equation,” said one team exec. “His money takes significant risk out of losing the player. And when you look at the Mets, as badly as they played down the stretch, they’re still talented enough that a pitcher like Skubal could be the difference-maker that gives them a chance to compete with the Dodgers and win it all next year.
“But I’d still expect them to draw a line somewhere as to how much they’d be willing to give up, knowing they could sign Skubal in a year without giving up assets.”
So what would it take? The scouts/execs all made the point that this has to be more than trading prospects, as the Tigers, even without Skubal, would go into next season trying to win, with the core of a team that had the best record in baseball until a September collapse.
“They would want players who could help them win next season, plus prospects too,” said a team exec. “They’re going to ask for (Nolan) McLean. He’s a guy you can sell to your fans as a rising star who can be another Skubal. You get him with some other pieces and maybe your fans can live with it.
“But if I’m the Mets, McLean is the one untouchable. The ceiling is too high and you have him under control for six years. Other than that, it’s finding the right combination of players on your major league roster and top prospects.”
Scouts identified catcher Francisco Alvarez, third baseman Brett Baty, and lefty starter David Peterson as possibilities the Tigers would want off the major league roster.
One suggested Clay Holmes as well.
The prospects in demand, other than McLean, figure to be pitchers Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong, infielder Jett Williams, first baseman Ryan Clifford, and outfielder Carson Benge.
“It has to be some combination of those players,” said a scout.
Two players sparked much debate among the scouts/execs: Alvarez and Benge.
“Other than pitching, Alvarez could be the key,” one exec said. “It depends how the Tigers’ scouts evaluate him. He showed some growth after the Mets sent him to Triple-A, but is he still a 30-home run guy as he was projected to be when he came up? As a catcher, that would make him a difference-maker and something to help justify the trade from a PR standpoint.
“If you’re the Mets, you have to make the same evaluation. Is it worth giving up a catcher who’s still young (Alvarez turns 24 in November)? I’d have a hard time doing that, on top of what else you’d have to put in the deal.”
Then there is Benge, the minor leaguer who could be the long-term answer to filling the Mets’ hole in center field. Scouts love him for his athleticism and advanced approach at the plate.
“He has a chance to be a .300 hitter with power who can play center field,” one scout said. “How many of those guys are there in the game these days? If I’m the Mets, I’m doing everything I can to keep him.
“You know you’re going to have to give up pitching, probably either Tong or Sproat, plus Peterson. And you can live with giving up Jett Williams. But Benge could be special offensively and he fills a big need for the Mets.”
The bottom line is the scouts/execs believe the two teams could find enough common ground on a trade package to make it work if the Tigers become committed to making a deal. But only two of the six people I spoke to think the chances of it happening are more than 50-50.
The other four think it’s far more likely the Tigers will listen but ultimately decide that Skubal is worth more, even for one more season, than what the Mets or anyone else is offering.
“I just don’t think they’d want to deal with the uproar it would cause among their fans,” one exec said. “That’s a very real factor, especially when you haven’t won a championship in so long and the public perception is that Skubal gives them a chance next year.
“But I’ll say this: if the Mets are willing to go the extra mile, in terms of what they’d give up, they could make it awfully tempting for the Tigers to ignore all the outside noise and decide, let’s do it.”