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Edgecombe stands out and learns, Embiid practices at Sixers training camp

Edgecombe stands out and learns, Embiid practices at Sixers training camp  originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Asked about his early impressions of VJ Edgecombe, Andre Drummond didn’t first point to the No. 3 overall pick’s bounce or defensive chops.

“The first day I saw VJ I was instantly impressed, because the first thing he did was just ask me a bunch of questions,” Drummond said Friday at Sixers media day. “He even asked me how my day was. He’s like, ‘What do you think about this, big bro? How do you feel about this?’ 

“He’s a kid that wants to soak up knowledge. And he’s a gifted athlete and he’s very, very good. I think he’s going to be very good for us and I’m excited about what’s to come.”

Day 1 of Edgecombe’s first NBA training camp was Saturday. Sixers head coach Nick Nurse named him and two-way contract player Dominick Barlow as standouts. 

As Drummond noted, Edgecombe is fully aware he has tons of NBA-specific knowledge to gain. The 20-year-old has recently been asking teammates about how to prepare for the Sixers’ upcoming preseason trip to Abu Dhabi. Edgecombe’s watched Tyrese Maxey’s shooting and marveled at his range and “muscle memory.” Over the summer, he was curious about “the fouls and physicality.” 

“What is legal, what is not legal? It’s a different game from college, so I’m just trying to learn the rules,” Edgecombe said Friday. “That’s why I ask a lot of questions, especially if I’m trying to box (Drummond) out on a rebound or something like that. Little things like that … just trying to learn. I ask questions to everybody — literally anyone. I ask Justin (Edwards) questions, Jared (McCain), Tyrese, everybody. I’m just trying to get better.” 

Since draft night, Edgecombe has worked to adapt to various aspects of NBA life. That includes his strength and conditioning habits. The 6-foot-4 guard said he’s gained a bit of muscle and is up to the 195 to 200-pound range. 

“I’m just trying to find a routine and stick to that,” he said. “I’ve been lifting a lot more, lifting a lot of weight. I’m resting a lot. I’ve got to get my eight to 10 hours of sleep now. I’m taking recovery more seriously, to be honest with you.”

Edgecombe has also aimed to improve his outside shooting after going 34 percent behind the college line last season. 

While he wasn’t a poor or unwilling shooter at Baylor, Edgecombe was fully on board with mechanical tweaks. 

“I had a flat shot in college,” he said. “Now my arc is really good compared to where it was a month ago … and just more consistent. It’s crazy that it’s now rare for me to shoot flat. Now I know when my shot is flat.”

In terms of Edgecombe’s rookie role, Nurse said Friday he plans to use him both on and off the ball. Nurse can also envision Edgecombe “playing some three” and generally being a part of guard-heavy lineups that play a high-energy, fast-paced style. 

Whatever the assignment, Edgecombe seems like he’ll roll with it (and ask about anything he needs to know). 

“It’s basketball, at the end of the day,” he said. “I feel like everyone on the court is interchangeable, so whoever’s got the ball can bring it up. We have a lot of versatile guys. Sometimes I’m running, sometimes I’m bringing the ball up, sometimes I’m trailing. But I’m just out there trying to make winning plays.”

Embiid in the mix on Day 1 

Joel Embiid emphasized at media day that his health is a day-by-day matter.

He shot jumpers following Day 1 of camp and Nurse confirmed that he took part in practice. 

“He did participate,” Nurse said. “Everything right from the start was live and he was in there, participating in that stuff. He didn’t do everything, but he did quite a bit.

“I think he’s probably told you how he’s feeling, how he’s looking. He was moving good, playing hard and he had great spirit out there today.”

A Sixers official said Trendon Watford (right hamstring tightness) is day-to-day and that Paul George (left knee surgery) did an individual on-court workout.

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Aaron Judge drives in three, Cam Schlittler tosses gem in Yankees' 6-1 win over Orioles

The Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 6-1 on Saturday afternoon in the Bronx.

Here are some takeaways...

- It didn't take long for Aaron Judge to continue building on his AL MVP candidacy. The slugger gave the Yanks an early advantage with a two-out solo shot to left-center in the bottom of the first, now giving him 10 in September and a total of 53 on the season. 

Judge would deliver again a few innings later, smacking a two-run bases-loaded single to make it a 5-0 ballgame. A few pitches before that, Aaron Boone was ejected by home plate umpire Ramon De Jesus for a league-leading seventh time for arguing balls and strikes.

The captain finished the day 2-for-4 while driving in three of New York's six runs. 

- Two of New York's other runs also came via early blasts off of Baltimore lefty Tomyoki Sugano. After homering two different times in Friday night's game, Giancarlo Stanton lifted a solo shot leading off the bottom of the second, giving him 453 for his career (the 40th-most all-time).

Stanton reached base two more times on the day with a walk and a 102.5 mph infield single. The big slugger is heating up just in time for the playoffs -- hitting .333 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and a 1.392 OPS over his last seven games. 

- A few batters later, Ryan McMahon followed that up with his 20th homer of the season, fourth as a Yankee. 

- Cam Schlittler took advantage of the early lead and closed his spectacular rookie campaign on a high note. The young right-hander issued a two-out walk in the first, but then retired the next eight batters he faced before allowing a one-out double to Gunnar Henderson in the top of the fourth.

Schlittler got a lineout and strikeout to strand Henderson there. He hit two batters in the fifth to put another man in scoring position, but he was able to get Jackson Holiday to ground out to second to again escape without any damage on his line.

The youngster picked up two more strikeouts as he worked around a two-out single in the top of the sixth, then he put together a 1-2-3 seventh to end his day with just two hits (single, double) and a walk allowed while striking out nine batters across seven scoreless innings. 

Schlittler ends his campaign with a 2.96 ERA, the second-lowest by a Yankees rookie since 1981.

- Paul Blackburn entered and immediately broke up the shutout, allowing a leadoff solo homer to Coby Mayo. The right-hander rebounded to retire the next six hitters in order, securing the Yanks the series victory in their final set of the regular season. 

That earned run was the first one Blackburn has allowed in six appearances this month. 

- Jazz Chisholm left the game in the bottom of the fifth after being hit by a pitch on the left forearm. 

Game MVP: Cam Schlittler

The young right-hander certainly made a strong case for a playoff start, ending his rookie campaign on a high note.

Highlights

What's next

Luis Gil (4-1, 3.29 ERA) takes the mound against Kyle Bradish (1-1, 2.25 ERA) as the Yankees and Orioles close the regular season on Sunday at 3:10 p.m. in the Bronx. 

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Zegras, Michkov make a highlight, youngster has tough play and Flyers fall to Bruins

Zegras, Michkov make a highlight, youngster has tough play and Flyers fall to Bruins originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Flyers dropped to the Bruins, 4-3, in preseason action Saturday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Travis Sanheim, Nikita Grebenkin and Trevor Zegras provided the Flyers’ goals. The markers by Sanheim and Zegras came on the power play.

Matvei Michkov collected two assists. Zegras also had a helper to go along with his goal.

The Flyers are 1-3-0 in the preseason and have three games left.

• Grebenkin and Alex Bump both got another look in their push for a job with the big club.

Grebenkin took advantage of a second-period climb in the lineup, scoring his first goal of the preseason. The 22-year-old winger stood out in the pair of rookie games with a goal and two assists.

He played seven games for the Maple Leafs last season and has a legit shot to win a season-opening roster spot with the Flyers.

“He’s a sticky guy, he comes up with loose pucks, that’s what we need,” Rick Tocchet said. “He finds the pressure and he goes to it, he’s not shy. There are really good parts of his game. We’ve got to clean up some stuff, a lot of turnovers at the center ice he has got to clean up. Other than that, though, I thought he had a good game for us.”

Bump had a costly turnover in the final seconds of the first period.

The 21-year-old winger lost control of the puck right by his own net as he was trying to milk the clock to zero. John Beecher pounced on it and put it past Samuel Ersson with 0.6 seconds left.

“I just tried to settle the puck down,” Bump said. “Funny bounce on me, funny roll. Unfortunate, yeah, but whatever, it’s over now.”

A number of Flyers went up to support Bump before they headed down the tunnel to the locker room. After starting the game with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny, Bump dropped down the lineup for the second and third periods.

“Listen, everybody has made mistakes like that,” Tocchet said. “You just move on from it, it’s not a big deal. He knows.”

Rodrigo Abols, a big forward who can play center or winger, suited up again. He’s the only skater to have played in all four preseason games so far. And he has earned it. The 29-year-old could be in the Flyers’ bottom six on opening night.

• Zegras gave the Flyers what they probably envisioned when they acquired him this summer in a trade with the Ducks.

In the second period, the 24-year-old center teamed up with Michkov for an impressive power play goal.

It was high-level playmaking that the Flyers have desperately needed on the man advantage. Michkov’s vision on his pass was excellent.

“He’s a guy that if we get people moving in the right areas, he’s going to find them,” Tocchet said.

More: How Zegras has bonded with Michkov over a game of ‘crossbar’

• Ersson started in net for the Flyers and played the full game, stopping 23 of 27 shots.

Jeffrey Viel snapped a 3-3 tie in the third period by waiting out Ersson on a move in close.

Ersson has made 30 saves on 36 shots through four periods of exhibition play.

• Jamie Drysdale looked confident and creative with the puck on his stick.

“He has been real assertive,” Tocchet said. “He’s trying to do stuff we want on the blue line. He’s doing some spin-o-ramas, he’s holding onto pucks, he’s doing some good stuff. … There’s a lot there, he’s a good player. He’s only going to get better.”

• The Flyers sent prospects Spencer Gill and Jack Nesbitt back to their respective junior clubs.

The club’s roster is down to 40, which includes injured players.

• Lou Nolan, the Flyers’ longtime public address announcer, paid tribute to the late Bernie Parent before the game.

The Flyers held a moment of silence for their all-time great goaltender, who died last Sunday at the age of 80.

• The Flyers and Bruins meet again Monday in preseason action at TD Garden (7 p.m. ET).

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Former Panthers Goaltender Returns To Toronto On PTO

Former Florida Panthers goaltender James Reimer is returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs on a professional tryout. 

Reimer's NHL career began in Toronto, with the Leafs selecting him in the fourth round of the 2006 NHL Draft. Now 37 years old, Reimer played six seasons with the Leafs, recording a .914 save percentage and a 2.83 goals-against average in 207 games. 

"I haven't had that much fun in a long time. And so it's been a special experience to be back here," Reimer said one day after signing with the Leafs on a professional tryout. "A lot of memories and a lot of good emotions. And really enjoying the moment and just enjoying being back. It's a lot of fun."

Reimer was brought in on a PTO because Joseph Woll is away from the team for personal reasons. The Leafs have not revealed why he needed to leave and have asked to respect his privacy. 

'I Haven't Had That Much Fun In A Long Time': James Reimer Reflects On First Maple Leafs Practice in 9 Years And When He May Play'I Haven't Had That Much Fun In A Long Time': James Reimer Reflects On First Maple Leafs Practice in 9 Years And When He May PlayJames Reimer stepped onto the ice in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey for the first time in over nine years on Saturday and the veteran NHL goaltender couldn't stop smiling from ear-to-ear.

The Panthers are the team Reimer has played the second most games with, recording a .912 SP and 2.85 GAA in 123 games.

Reimer spent three seasons with the Panthers from 2016 to 2019. Reimer has bounced around the NHL quite a bit as a veteran, spending time with the Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks and the Buffalo Sabres. 

It's unknown if the Leafs will sign Reimer to an NHL contract, but it's a feel-good story for both Reimer and the Leafs fans.

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Ducks And McTavish Finally Come To Terms On A Six-Year Deal

The Anaheim Ducks and Mason McTavish finally came to terms on a contract extension after missing a chunk of training camp and several weeks of negotiations and stalemates.

Anaheim signed McTavish to a six-year extension worth a total of $42 million. The center will earn $7 million in average annual value. His contract will kick in immediately as he's been an RFA since July 1.

This new contract will expire after the 2030-31 campaign, when McTavish will be entering his prime years at the age of 28. This extension also eats up two years of UFA eligibility.

Some concerns began to surface that McTavish would miss a bit of the regular season because of the contract dispute. At one point, the 22-year-old began practising with the OHL's Ottawa 67's.

However, now that the team has locked him up for the next six years, he can return to the Ducks to finish off the rest of training camp and pre-season.

Entering his fifth NHL season, McTavish has already played 229 NHL games, scoring 60 goals and 140 points. Furthermore, he's coming off a career-high season where he recorded 22 goals and 33 assists for 52 points in 76 appearances. 

With that, the Ducks' star continues to grow and mature as he averaged a career-best 16:53 of ice time last year.

“Mason is a key part of our team, and we’re excited to reach a long-term agreement that reflects his importance to our future,” Ducks GM Pat Verbeek said in a statement upon Saturday's announcement.

“He’s a highly skilled, physical, and competitive player who plays the game the right way. Mason has already made a significant impact at a young age, and we’re confident he’ll continue to grow into a top player as we build toward sustained success.”

It's been seven years since Anaheim were in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Despite that, many are expecting the young Ducks to challenge for a playoff spot or at least make some noise in the Western Conference wild-card race.

“Today is an exciting day for me and my family to commit my long-term future to the Anaheim Ducks,” McTavish said in a statement.

“I believe in the direction of this organization and the group we have in the locker room. We’re building something special and I want to help this team take the next step toward becoming a consistent playoff contender and, ultimately, a championship team.”

Securing the services of McTavish is crucial if  Verbeek and the rest of the franchise want his team to sniff around the post-season. 

McTavish wasn't the only player who had lengthy contract negotiations as an RFA. New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and Nashville Predators right winger Luke Evangelista both require new deals.

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Training Camp: Penguins Make First Wave Of Roster Cuts

With the regular season just 10 days away, the Pittsburgh Penguins are beginning to get a picture of what their NHL roster will look like come Oct. 7, when they face the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden to open the season. 

And that picture includes reducing the training camp roster bit by bit.

On Saturday, the Penguins made the first big round of cuts to the roster, assigning all listed players to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's AHL training camp, which begins on Sept. 29 at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pa.

The following players were re-assigned:

  • F Raivis Ansons
  • D David Breazeale
  • D Tommy Budnick
  • F Kyle Criscuolo
  • F Brayden Edwards
  • F Zach Gallant
  • F Max Graham
  • D Brent Johnson
  • F Jordan Kaplan
  • F Gabe Klassen
  • D Daniel Laatsch
  • F Brett Murray
  • G Maxim Pavlenko
  • D Emil Pieniniemi
  • F Zach Urdahl
Blue Jackets At Penguins Preseason Preview: Marc-Andre Fleury Returns To Pittsburgh Blue Jackets At Penguins Preseason Preview: Marc-Andre Fleury Returns To Pittsburgh The Pittsburgh Penguins picked up their first preseason win on Friday night against the Detroit Red Wings. 

After the cuts, the Penguins' training camp roster was reduced to 58 players, which still includes prospects such as Filip Hallander, Ville Koivunen, Ben Kindel, Harrison Brunicke, Owen Pickering, Avery Hayes, and Tristan Broz. Goaltenders Sergei Murashov, Filip Larsson, and Arturs Silovs also remain on the roster.

Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab  to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!      

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Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. exits Saturday's game vs. Orioles after HBP; X-rays negative

The Yankees are preparing for a postseason run, so they can't afford potential injuries to starters in the final games of the regular season.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. exited Saturday's tilt with the Orioles after southpaw Grant Wolfram hit the Yankees second baseman in the left forearm with a 97-mph sinker in the fifth inning.

Chisholm dropped his bat, held his arm and immediately went into the dugout to be tended to. After a few moments, Jose Caballero came out to replace Chisholm on the bases and for the rest of the game.

The Yankees infielder finished the day going 0-for-2. 

An initial X-ray revealed there was no damage to Chisholm's forearm, and a later CT scan also came back negative.

“Early signs good," manager Aaron Boone said after the game. "X-rays are negative, going to get more tests just to be sure. We’re hopeful." 

Being hit by a pitch wasn't the only incident for Chisholm in this game. Back in the fourth inning, Tyler O'Neill hit a liner to Cody Bellinger in left field. The Yankees outfielder turned and fired to second base to try and double up Gunnar Henderson, who strayed a bit too far from second base, but overthrew Chisholm. Jazz lept for the ball and landed on a sliding Henderson. 

Both players came away unscathed. 

The Yankees have clinched a playoff spot and are tied for the AL East lead. If they can't capture the division from the Blue Jays, the Yankees will finish the regular season on Sunday and then host Game 1 of their Wild Card round on Tuesday.

This story is still developing...

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Jack Devine 'soaking it all in' at Panthers camp as collegiate standout prepares for first full pro season

Florida Panthers prospect Jack Devine will be one to watch this season.

The former 2022 seventh-round selection and two-time NCAA Champion is set to embark on his first full pro season after signing a three-year entry-level contract with Florida in April.

Over the past couple weeks, Devine has been experiencing the Panthers’ development and training camps for the first time as a professional.

His first taste of pro hockey came earlier this year, however, when he joined Florida’s AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for their run to the Calder Cup Final.

Considering the championship pedigree he was a part of at the University of Denver, it’s no surprise that Devine was able to contribute when it mattered most, picking up two goals and two assists on nine shots over the three games he played against the Abbotsford Canucks in the Final.

“I thought that playoff run was something that was super special,” said Devine. “Being able to come in after my year in college and get a taste of it, it was something that was super beneficial, and something I'm very grateful for.”

Finding success after advancing levels in hockey is nothing new to Devine.

A native of Glencoe, Illinois – about 45 minutes north of Chicago – Devine has been able to avoid the struggles that many players go through when moving up to a higher level of the game.

Going from AAA hockey to juniors to playing with the U.S. National U17 and U18 clubs and then to the highest level of collegiate hockey, all in the span of five seasons, did not phase Devine as he continued to grow his game and absorb everything his coaches had to offer.

“In every level, I’ve had really good teammates and really good coaches,” he said. “I'm always eager to learn, and I've always been fortunate enough to have some really elite coaches at every team I've gone to.”

That enthusiasm to learn has done Devine well, and it’s stayed with him all the way up to the professional level, where he’s quickly earning a reputation as someone always looking to learn and improve.

“Guys have been joking this week that it’s trying to be like a sponge, just soaking it all in, so that's kind of the mindset,” Devine said. “Obviously, this the best organization in the NHL, two Stanley Cups back-to-back as of late, so I’m just trying to learn from everyone here. They've had success, so it's an easy thing to do.”

Devine’s eagerness to absorb as much valuable information as he can and translate that knowledge to improving his game on the ice has not gone unnoticed by the coaching staff, either.

“He'll be a guy that I think that the game will get easier for him the higher level he plays,” said Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice. “He’s a smart, intuitive player, very serious about his game.”

Maurice went on to cautiously compare Devine to a current Panthers player, while quickly providing cover that nobody should be going out and saying, ‘Jack Devine is the next so-and-so.’

“He's got a great pedigree of winning and being part of those cultures,” Maurice began. “So he is, I hate doing this to a guy, so you're going to be careful, he's in the mold of the style of game of Sam Reinhart. He doesn't rely on pure speed to beat people, but he skates well enough, he's got some hands, and he can figure out the game. So that's the kind of style of hockey that we would like him to follow into.”

Devine is expected to start the season with the Checkers in Charlotte, and if things continue on their current path, he’ll be on a short list of players under consideration for an NHL call-up if and when the need arises.

While the idea of fulfilling his dream of putting on an NHL sweater is something that certainly does not escape him, Devine is keeping his focus on being the best professional he can be, knowing that if he does, things should work themselves out.

“That's definitely a goal,” Devine said of being called up. “I think for me, though, it's just day-by-day, trying to get better. Whether I'm in Charlotte, whether I'm in Florida, wherever I'm at, I just want our team to be successful and to win. I think wherever I'm at, I just want to be present there and give my best every day.”

It’s that hard-working, positive attitude that has helped land Devine a prime position on the radar of Florida’s front office.

When you’re the 221st player selected at the draft, you know from the start that it’s going to be an uphill climb to reach the NHL.

Devine has faced that challenge head-on, and now he’s on the cusp of achieving something he’s been striving toward for most of his life.

“I definitely worked hard to be where I'm at,” he said. “It was a dream of mine as a kid to put on an NHL sweater, especially the team that drafted me. It's not only myself, but my teammates in the past, the development staff here, that helped me get to where I'm at, so I can't only say it's myself, but just being fortunate enough a couple years later to be here and work and try to prove myself on a roster is pretty special.”

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Photo caption: Sep 24, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Jack Devine (38) looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at Lenovo Center. (James Guillory-Imagn Images)