Trading For Carey Price's Contract Makes Sense For Blackhawks

Former Montreal Canadiens superstar goalie Carey Price earned his $5.5 million signing bonus on Monday. During the NHL season, he will earn a $2 million salary, while his cap hit will be $10.5 million. 

That is a significant amount of cap space being allocated to a goaltender who is already retired and is a lock to be inducted into the Hall of Fame (it was shocking that he didn't get in with this most recent ballot, his first eligible year). 

For the Canadiens, a franchise looking to build on their shocking playoff appearance in 2024-25, they might want that extra $10.5 million in cap space. Trading Price's contract away is something that they will be looking to do so that they can make subsequent moves. 

The Chicago Blackhawks, along with a couple of other teams well below the cap, are the candidates to take on this type of contract. 

The Blackhawks may want to trade away a handful of veterans at the trade deadline to acquire assets that will benefit them in the future. It may be hard to do that if they are in danger of falling below the NHL's cap floor of $70.6 million. They are roughly $6 million over the floor right now, and about $18 million below the cap. 

Taking on Price doesn't even bring them close to the salary cap, and it will keep them above the floor if they trade away pieces down the road. 

Usually, the team taking on the bad contract gets assets with it. For example, a good prospect or draft pick will likely come to Chicago as a sweetener to help Montreal offload Price's contract. 

Kyle Davidson has not been shy about doing the things that are considered typical for rebuilding teams. Although they will likely be more entertaining in 2025-26, the Blackhawks are not going to win enough games to be playoff contenders. That makes them the perfect candidate to get Price on their books to make the team better in the future. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

Rangers ‘Excited’ To See The Work Brennan Othmann Did Put Into Action

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This upcoming season will be crucial for Brennan Othmann.

Last year, Othmann did not make the New York Rangers' opening-night roster out of training camp, but he got his chance to prove himself at the NHL level late in the season. 

In a 22-game sample size, Othmann failed to score a goal and recorded just two points. 

However, if you watched Othmann play, you could tell that he showed signs of improvement over time and really seemed to become comfortable at the highest level of play.

The 22-year-old used his size to his advantage, emerging as an impactful two-way forward, with a little physical edge to his game. 

The Rangers organization views last season as a learning lesson for Othmann.

"We're excited to see the work he has put in in the summer and what he learned last year," Rangers director of player development Jed Ortmeyer said via Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

Othmann will compete at training camp for an opening-night roster spot with the Rangers, and he has a legitimate chance at making the team.

If he does make the Rangers roster out of training camp, it will truly show the strides he’s made and the overall trust the organization has in him.

Yankees activate Ryan Yarbrough from IL, recall J.C. Escarra from Triple-A

With rosters officially expanding on Monday, the Yankees have made a pair of moves. 

Ryan Yarbrough has been activated from the injured list and J.C. Escarra has been recalled from Triple-A.

Yarbrough has been sidelined since late June due to a right oblique strain.

The southpaw has pitched well for the Yanks this season, posting a 3.90 ERA over 16 appearances. 

He slid into the backend of the rotation earlier in the year, but Aaron Boone said late last week that he's expected to work as a reliever down the stretch. 

Escarra has appeared in 40 games at the big-league level this season. 

The veteran hasn't quite been able to find his footing in the majors offensively, but has enjoyed a ton of success in the minors, hitting .308 with a .828 OPS in just 18 games. 

Flyers Late-Round Draft Pick Already Looking Promising

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It's still early, but the Philadelphia Flyers are certainly looking to have a potential draft steal on their hands with Max Westergard.

Westergard, 17, quietly made waves last season as the only draft-eligible player to score goal in the SHL playoffs, finishing with a goal and two assists in 11 postseason contests for Frolunda HC.

That's notable, too, because Westergard only played in four regular season games for the Swedish outfit, which also ranked 15th amongst all draft-eligible skaters in the SHL last season.

But, since being drafted by the Flyers in June, the Finnish forward has continued to show growth and progress, building on a decent showing at the Flyers development camp at the beginning of July.

Playing against Lausanne HC in some Champions HL action Sunday, Westergard picked up two assists in just 8:51 of ice time.

Latest Flyers Pipeline Ranking Features 2 Big SurprisesLatest Flyers Pipeline Ranking Features 2 Big SurprisesThe young core of the Philadelphia Flyers has taken an overall step forward from last year, though some rankings will leave fans scratching their heads a bit.

One of the 2025 fifth-round pick's assists, which made the rounds on social media as a highlight, showed what Westergard can be at the peak of his powers.

The 17-year-old backchecked hard in the high slot, effectively stick-lifting an attacking Lausanne player and winning the puck back for his team with just two touches.

Westergard then raced down the right wing with relative ease, blowing past three defenders, dropped his shoulder at the right circle, and fed the puck back into the crease at the last possible moment to earn an assist.

Westergard and Frolunda ultimately won 5-2, marking a second consecutive victory for the club.

The Flyers prospect, standing at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, will need to add more weight and play strength to successfully play this style consistently at the NHL level, but he's already more than holding his own against men in the SHL and Champions HL.

Speed and playmaking elements seem to be hallmarks of Westergard's game so far, but we'll see how far he can come with creating offense for himself with that speed.

A small sample size, yes, but Westergard is already showing signs of maturity and talent that bode well for an NHL future with the Flyers.

Mike Sullivan Opens Up About Changes That Constantly Go On Around The NHL

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Mike Sullivan is one of the most established coaches in the NHL, but even he learns something new every single day on the job. 

After winning two Stanley Cups and coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins for 10 years, Sullivan still feels he has so much to learn about the game of hockey. 

“One of the most rewarding aspects of that (coaching) journey is the learning process,” Sullivan said. “What is the next frontier? What is the new move? It might be on the ice tactically. It might be the sports science. It might be all the analytics. It might be in the human performance space. Mental health. Helping players with their states of mind off the ice so they are in the right head space when the puck drops. How they deal with confidence issues. Relationship stuff.

“There are so many things involved in coaching, and that is what makes it, number one, so difficult, but also so rewarding. None of us have it figured out, and those that think they do, they obviously don’t.”

Throughout his years in the NHL, the sport has evolved, and Sullivan has had to adapt to it. 

“It is essential. The minute you think you have it figured out as a coach, you are dead in the water,” Sullivan said. “The game is in constant evolution. It changes all the time. It changes a number of different ways. It can be coaches’ staffs that come up with and design different tactics. A lot of times it is the savants of the game, the players themselves. The game evolves through them with some of their creativity and the things they do on the ice.

“As a coach if you ever have an inclination to say I have arrived, it may be time to step away. It is a journey. You don’t ever arrive. You just don’t. It is a journey.”

Now, Mike Sullivan is set for his next challenge of coaching the New York Rangers

Sullivan is tasked with turning around a Rangers team that didn’t make the playoffs last season, while also helping change the culture in the organization and building a strong foundation. 

Just as he always does though, Sullivan will look to adapt to his new situation and make a lasting impact in New York just like he did in Pittsburgh.

Alex de Minaur eases into last eight of US Open with straight sets win

  • Australian No 1 too good for Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi

  • No 25 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime awaits in quarter-final

It took until the second week of the US Open for the No 8 seed to be given a slot on one of the US Open’s three show courts, but having finally been granted a premium placing Alex de Minaur has wasted no time putting on a show.

In truth the Australian No 1 did not play at his best, but he did not need to as his opponent, Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi, made a slew of errors.

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Kings vs. Canucks: Who Finishes Higher in the 2025-26 NHL Season?

© Bob Frid-Imagn Images

The 2025-26 NHL season will be a hot war in the Pacific Division. Still, early projections and expert analysis suggest that the Vancouver Canucks will finish higher in the standings than their division rivals, the Los Angeles Kings. 

While both franchises have made big offseason moves, it is the Canucks who are poised to stir things up and emerge as a power to be feared in the West. But which team will finish higher this season? 

Rising Momentum in Vancouver 

The Canucks are approaching the season with more optimism, led by a rich roster featuring Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, and talented goaltender Thatcher Demko. Vancouver is predicted to place third in the Pacific Division by experts at The Hockey Writers, with a bold prediction that the team has an equal chance of fighting for second place if its defense and goaltending hold up.

The Canucks' depth in offense gives them the advantage, provided Pettersson maintains his top-level scoring and Hughes anchors the blue line as one of the top blueliners in the league. Vancouver's most significant question mark is consistency, however. 

However, after re-entering playoff relevance in recent years, the Canucks now appear to be entering their window of contention and are, therefore, a serious threat in the Pacific.

Kings Staying Competitive but Faced With Challenges

The Los Angeles Kings are no strangers to playoff hockey, and their recipe for success has never been about making blockbuster additions, but rather about depth and internal development. However, this offseason, the Kings made more nuanced moves than just headline additions. 

For this reason, most pundits have them trailing Vancouver in the Pacific by just a point now. While the Kings' competitiveness and miserly defense remain in place, the consensus is that their current lineup doesn't possess the same amount of top-end firepower as some other Western contenders.

The Kings' success will thrive on four players: Quinton Byfield, Andre Kuzmenko, Darcy Kuemper, and Brandt Clarke. If LA gets all of these guys A-games, the Kings will be just as good as they were last season, but that all depends on how they're coached through the season. 

Head-to-Head Edge Favors Canucks

As much as the Kings vs. Canucks are concerned, these are meant to be a series that will heavily influence the Pacific Division standings. Vancouver's potent offense will test the Kings' defensive adjustments, and Los Angeles' playoff experience and depth could ultimately be the difference-maker in tight, low-scoring games.

Recent encounters between these two teams have only strengthened Vancouver's case. Last season, the two teams met three times, and the Canucks won the series 2-1, including a marquee February 2025 encounter. 

Vancouver defeated Los Angeles in overtime, showcasing its toughness and ability to deliver under pressure. Statistically, the Canucks and Kings have remained balanced over recent seasons, but Vancouver's rising trajectory and offseason moves provide it with the lift it requires in 2025-26.

Verdict: Canucks Slightly Favored

Both teams can finish in the top half of the Pacific, but most initial projections have the Vancouver Canucks for the year 2025–26. Hughes' dominant defense and Demko taking over the crease space give Vancouver the balance to finish third in the division. At the same time, the Kings are expected to finish third or fourth, depending on how their defense performs.

Of course, hockey doesn't always go as planned. If the Kings' young star players can step up in the regular season and stay healthy, Los Angeles could turn the script around. But heading into the season, the Canucks look a little bit stronger on paper and should finish higher than their division rivals.

Serbia's Bogdan Bogdanovic out for remainder of EuroBasket with torn hamstring

Serbian team captain Bogdan Bogdanovic is out for the rest of EuroBasket with a torn hamstring, leaving his status for the start of Clippers training camp and beyond up in the air.

Bogdanovic suffered the injury on a drive to the basket late in the first half of a group play game against Portugal. The Clippers' team doctors were consulted on the diagnosis — he is covered under their insurance — and it was decided that he will be out for the remainder of EuroBasket, reports Eurohoops.net.

The injury is described as a torn hamstring. Technically, any strain involves tearing of a muscle, and that can happen in degrees. This sounds like more than a Grade 1 strain, where he might have returned later in the tournament. If this is Grade 2 or Grade 3, it would keep him out at least for the start of training camp and, if severe enough, for the beginning of the season.

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic said from the U.S. Open that he reached out to Bogdanovic after hearing the news, saying this (hat tip Clutch Points).

"The moment I read that he was injured, I contacted him immediately," Djokovic said. "I called him again, and he told me that unfortunately it was a more serious injury. I gave him some suggestions, ways he might be able to speed up his recovery. But it doesn't seem to be helping this time."

Voted the team captain by his peers, Bogdanovic had 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting in Serbia's opening EuroBasket win over Estonia, then had seven points and five rebounds before leaving the game against Portugal. Serbia beat Latvia without him, improving to 3-0 in the tournament and advancing to the knockout Round of 16. Serbia remains one of the tournament favorites behind Nikola Jokic, but losing Bogdanovic is a setback.

Imane Khelif appeals to Cas over World Boxing’s genetic sex test decision

  • Algerian won Olympic welterweight gold in Paris

  • Taiwan’s Lin to miss upcoming world championships

Imane Khelif has appealed to the court of arbitration for sport over World Boxing’s decision to bar the 26-year-old from its events without a preliminary genetic sex test.

A court statement said an appeal was filed by Khelif on 5 August seeking to overturn a decision by World Boxing blocking the Algerian’s participation in the Box Cup in Eindhoven or any World Boxing event until a genetic sex test had taken place.

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Drew Gilbert gives Giants ‘needed' energy while helping spark win vs. Rockies

Drew Gilbert gives Giants ‘needed' energy while helping spark win vs. Rockies originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

There’s nothing quite like facing off against an old friend in the big leagues, but the feeling is even sweeter when you come out on top.

Young Giants outfielder Drew Gilbert experienced that firsthand in San Francisco’s 8-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday, taking former Tennessee teammate Chase Dollander deep for a two-run homer in the third inning at Coors Field.

While Gilbert certainly was fired up as he rounded the bases, he had nothing but compliments for his old friend after the win. The outfielder’s postgame demeanor tends to differ from the energy he displays on the field, which he credits to the “heat of the competition.”

“It’s cool,” Gilbert said of homering off Dollander. “Obviously grateful to have played with him, and he was a great teammate of mine, and he’s a heck of a pitcher and has a super bright future. He’s going to pitch in this league for a long time, so any chance you get to do something off a guy like that, you definitely cherish it.”

Gilbert had the Giants — and fans at home — rolling when he came back into the dugout after the homer, with a loud celebration involving Matt Chapman that was described by NBC Sports Bay Area broadcaster Javier Lopez as “next level.”

Gilbert and Dollander are two of four former Vols to make their MLB debuts during the 2025 season. San Francisco acquired Gilbert in the deadline trade that sent Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets, and the 24-year-old made his big-league debut against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 8 at Oracle Park.

“I think it’s always fun when you know a guy, you’re friends with someone and you get to compete against them,” Gilbert said when asked if he was more fired up than normal after the home run. “Obviously, I’ve just known him for so long, and he knows it, and I know it, so it’s just fun competition, friendly competition.

“And you know, I’m sure he’ll have plenty of moments where he’ll get the best of me, as we’re hopefully going to be in the same division for a long time.”

It certainly was a full-circle moment for Gilbert, who ended the day 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBI after the homer off his former teammate. Over his last six games, Gilbert appears to be benefitting from more playing time and is hitting .409 (9-for-22) with three doubles, six runs, seven RBI and a home run.

The Giants have felt Gilbert’s energy as the rookie becomes more comfortable, too.

“Oh my God, he might have more energy than me,” Willy Adames told Laura Britt and Sergio Romo on “Giants Postgame Live” after the win. “He shows up every day like he has new batteries … People are acting like, yo, how do you get so much energy? Where do you get it from? Like, give us something. Whatever you’re taking, we want some, too.

“He’s hilarious. He brought some energy to this club that we needed.”

The electric Gilbert wasn’t the only Giant to homer in Monday’s win, either. Rafael Devers hit his second home run in as many games when he crushed a 114.5-mph missile over the right-field wall — the hardest exit velocity on a Giants home run during the Statcast era, per MLB’s Sarah Langs.

And Adames crushed his 26th homer of the season in the seventh inning, increasing his odds to become the first player to hit 30 home runs in a full Giants season since Barry Bonds hit 45 in 2004. With Monday’s two-run shot, Adames also made his mark as the first Giants player with 26-plus homers through 138 games since Bonds in 2007, again per Langs.

The homers marked the first time San Francisco has homered in 15 consecutive games since 2001, too.

As the Giants’ offense continued to thrive, Kai-Wei Teng, whom San Francisco recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday after placing lefty Carson Whisenhunt on the 15-day injured list, did his job well. The right-hander surrendered two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts and no walks in his first start at Coors Field.

The Giants didn’t escape their successful series opener against the Rockies unscathed, however; Dollander hit Casey Schmitt in the right elbow to begin a three-run rally in the fifth, and the second baseman eventually was pulled from the game after initially going to first base.

After the game, manager Bob Melvin told reporters X-rays on Schmitt’s elbow came back negative, and that the Giants will see how he feels tomorrow. Christian Koss could start in his place, but the team doesn’t anticipate Schmitt landing on the IL.

The Giants (69-69) now are back to .500 with Monday’s win and sit five games back of the third and final NL wild-card spot, held by the Mets. With 24 games remaining, San Francisco certainly isn’t backing down. Gilbert seems more than ready for the final push, though he isn’t letting on if he’s starting to feel like a true big leaguer yet.

“I don’t know if I ever want to say [I’m feeling more comfortable] just because it’s the best players in the world on a night-to-night basis,” Gilbert said. “I think there’s more of a comfort level just being around your teammates, getting to know them, the coaching staff, just a new environment.

“Being able to kind of mold in here and get to know some of the guys has made it a lot easier.”

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NHL 26 Hockey Ultimate Team Breakdown

EA SPORTS NHL officially released their breakdown of what is new in NHL 26 Hockey Ultimate Team, we dove into the video below.

Like Franchise Mode in NHL 25 the HUT menu has received a UI overhaul that requires less clicks and scrolling. It will also feature the top player from your team on the home page. 

There will be new content releases five days a week in NHL 26 with a new program dubbed Chel Week that will include new objectives, cards, and a community vote. 

Rivals and Squad Battles have been removed from HUT and replaced with Ranked.

Ranked is a ladder system with divisions that will reset every season. Players can not be relegated once they reach a new division, this should help prevent the sandbagging that has been seen in HUT in previous games. 

Division tiers have their own rewards ladders, players must reach the Qualifications Division to qualify for HUT Champs. Those who reach Ultimate Rank will receive a unique jersey each season that shows they reached the top rank.

Team building has been revamped in NHL 26 with the introduction of combinations, this will give you an overall boost for having players from the same team or country. This will help players who love making theme teams.  

There will also be a salary cap that players must abide by. If the cap ultimately leads to players building unique teams and less meta cards it will be a win for HUT players. 

Every season there will be new Captains, Rookies, Heroes, and Icons. 

For offline HUT players there is a new Cup Chase mode, this consists of an 18 game schedule with two best-of-three playoff rounds. This mode has its own reward path but contributes to your overall XP Path. 

For early access players there is a Fresh ICE HUT Event with five master set players, Brock Faber, Morgan Rielly, Matthew Tkachuk, Tyler Seguin, and Logan Thompson. 

EA SPORTS NHL EA SPORTS NHL

EA SPORTS NHL gave players an early look at 12 new Heroes and Icons

The full list of the players and their attributes can be seen here.   

NHL 26 is set to release Sept. 12, those who pre-order the deluxe edition get access Sept. 5. 

For more NHL Gaming news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.    

Mets Notes: Tyrone Taylor dealing with hamstring tightness; next steps for Francisco Alvarez

Prior to the Mets' game on Monday against the Detroit Tigers, manager Carlos Mendoza gave a handful of updates on the team...


Tyrone Taylor out with hamstring tightness

Taylor is out of the lineup for a third straight game due to hamstring tightness he felt on Friday night, but the team is optimistic he won't need to go on the IL.

"On Friday night he complained about left hamstring tightness and that's why he wasn't available the past couple of nights," Mendoza said. "Feeling better today. So we'll see if he's available for us today or not. We didn't think right away that he was going be an IL situation and that's why we gave him 48 hours.

"Yeah he's been playing well, but even when he's healthy we're going to continue to play the matchups and put the guys we feel best there."

With Taylor out, trade deadline acquisition Cedric Mullins will start his third straight game in center field on Monday. Mendoza was asked if an IL stint is still possible for Taylor and said they'll need to see how he feels after running and working out.

"Well I mean we got to see, we got to push him," Mendoza said. "He's got to start running, which he was going to do today, and we'll see what we got there. They're tricky, especially for a guy that speed is part of his game and defense and all that. We just got to wait and see."

New York also recalled infielder Luisangel Acuña from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, as Mendoza noted how the speedster saw some action at CF while in the minors and could be used in that spot defensively, especially with Taylor out.

Two more Triple-A games for Francisco Alvarez

Alvarez caught nine innings on Sunday for Triple-A Syracuse as he works his way back to the bigs following his thumb and pinky finger injuries. Mendoza said Monday that the 23-year-old will catch again the next two games for Syracuse before the team makes a decision.

"Alvarez will catch tomorrow," Mendoza said. "He has back-to-back in Triple-A, he'll catch Tuesday and Wednesday."

With Alvarez continuing to improve, it sounds possible that the catcher could rejoin the team in Cincinnati for their three-game series against the Reds over the weekend.

Aug 3, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after hitting an RBI double during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Aug 3, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) reacts after hitting an RBI double during the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

No plan for Kodai Senga yet

After Sunday's 5-1 loss to the Marlins, Mendoza hinted at a possible change in the starting rotation in regards to Kodai Senga. The righty struggled again in the loss and has not completed six innings of work in any of his last nine starts since returning from the IL.

“We’ve got to get him right, obviously,” Mendoza said Sunday. “I’m pretty sure we’re going to have some discussion about what’s next for him, but our job is to get him right. But it’s been a struggle, and again, we’ll see what’s next for him.”

When asked about it again Monday, Mendoza didn't say the team hasn't decided on a plan.

"No, we don't know yet," Mendoza said.

Upcoming pitching rotation

Moving to a six-man rotation with Jonah Tong getting another start, Mendoza discussed the pitching plan for later this week. The Mets have an off day on Thursday before playing a three-game series against the Reds in Cincinnati starting on Friday.

"As of right now, [David] Peterson will go Game 1 there and then we'll see where we're at," Mendoza said. "The off day helps. We got six starters. It'll be fluid, we'll be creative and go from there."

Despite Peterson's recent rough start against the Marlins, Mendoza expressed confidence in the lefty who's been one of New York's more consistent starters this year. Tong could follow him on Saturday and then that "creativity" will have to kick in if they don't turn to Senga on Sunday.

Building up Tylor Megill as a starter

Megill will make another rehab start in the minors on Tuesday as he's nearing a return to the majors, but when he does, it's unclear what his role will be. 

"We'll see, the biggest thing is we have to get him healthy, which he is," Mendoza said. "We're building him up as a starter. But if we have to make an adjustment here and use him as a multiple inning guy out of the bullpen, we will do it. But right now, the plan is to build him as a starter."

Megill has been out since June 14 due to an elbow strain and has pitched well during his rehab. Over four starts (two in Double-A and two in Triple-A), he's gone 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 21 strikeouts across 19.0 IP. He had gone 5-5 with a 3.95 ERA over 14 starts prior to the injury.

The right-hander has started all but one game he's pitched in the majors over the last three seasons, but does have some experience pitching out of the bullpen with six appearances in 2022.

Garrett Stubbs knows no rules in Phillies return

Garrett Stubbs knows no rules in Phillies return originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

MILWAUKEE – If instructions were handed down about player behavior earlier this year by the Phillies when it comes to shenanigans, Garrett Stubbs is oblivious to them. At least that’s what he claims.

“Are there any rules here,” he questioned in the Phillies clubhouse before the team played the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. “I wasn’t aware of rules. No, I have been told any new rules or if there were any previously or now. Hopefully not.

Stubbs, along with left-handed reliever Tim Mayza, were placed on the 28-man expanded roster Monday and his arrival made an immediate impact in the clubhouse with hugs and smiles all around.

The 32-year-old catcher has spent this season with triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he hit .265 and collected 12 doubles, eight home runs and 50 RBI in 71 games. He spent the past three seasons with the Phillies as a backup to J.T. Realmuto. His arrival now will allow for manager Rob Thomson to have some flexibility when Realmuto doesn’t catch, such as using him as a designated hitter or a pinch-hitter in those games.

“Love these guys so it’s just awesome to see their faces again. It’s already been great, on the bus ride over, going and grabbing food just in the first 30 minutes of being here. It’s just fun to be back around the group of guys that have been here since ‘22-’23. Excited to get that going again, just have some fun and win some baseball games.

“It was really nice to get some consistent playing time down there, get a feel for my swing offensively again. It was cool to have some success down there, too, and just working with a young pitching staff of guys that have made some appearances here and getting to know them.”

Particularly, Stubbs got to see, first hand, top prospect Andrew Painter and his progression this season from Tommy John surgery.

“He’s coming off of Tommy John. Success is him having a full season and being able to get the innings in and post every single week,” said Stubbs. “To me, that’s a successful season. I know people want to see him up here, probably months ago. He’s been our number one prospect for a long time. People want to see him here. For me, just seeing him healthy every single week and getting to pitch is a success for him. It’s been good to see him do that, progress throughout the season.

He’s got really good velo, throws the ball hard. Him getting a feel for all of his pitches back will take some time coming off of Tommy John. Just getting to know him as a person, too, and getting to see how mature he is and that he’s ready for the big league level mentally. The physical stuff will come in time as he progresses through his Tommy John rehab still.”

Mayza, an Upper Perkiomen grad and Millersville University product, has just finished up rehabbing a lat strain. He could become an important left-hander out of the bullpen moving forward for Thomson.

“Exciting as somebody who grew up a Phillies fan and to finally be able to put the uniform on and be in the organization, I’m excited,” Mayza said. “It’s kind of super fun to be close to home. I’m definitely excited to be here.

Mayza has 374 career relief appearances and has posted a 3.85 ERA to go with a 20-9 record.

“I feel great,” Mayza said. “I had four outings, one of them was multiple innings, which I felt like that was the biggest thing I was looking forward to was how I was bouncing back from that. Everything’s been going great. The recovery’s been great. The stuff is where I’d like it to be.”

Lineup shuffling

Thomson had Edmundo Sosa at third base instead of Alec Bohm on Monday, and also penciled in an outfield of Brandon Marsh, Harrison Bader and Max Kepler.

“Just a day off,” he said of Bohm. “Get Sosa back in there.” As for Castellanos, the manager said, “Just a day off.”

It is the first time the Phillies have faced hard-throwing rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, who was named to the National League All-Star game back in July.

Geraint Thomas happy to bow out on home soil after farewell tour

Former Tour de France winner will ride his last race in the Tour of Britain, ending in his hometown of Cardiff

Geraint Thomas will close his long and illustrious racing career with a farewell appearance in the 2025 men’s Tour of Britain, which begins in Suffolk on Tuesday.

Six days of racing will take a high-quality peloton from the eastern town of Woodbridge, to the mouth of the Severn, for a final cele­bratory stage next Sunday in Cardiff, which will provide a fitting climax to the Welshman’s career.

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NHL Nugget: How Johnny Gaudreau Learned To Skate Using Skittles, Ft. Vincent LaRusso

Here's today's NHL Nugget –  this month's edition of Shinny or Nothing remembers NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his submission in the Players' Tribune in February 2016, when he was with the Calgary Flames.

Gaudreau discussed how his father helped him learn to skate and play hockey as a kid, years before he turned pro and became a husband and father himself.

Appearing on this edition of the NHL Nugget is a special guest, Vincent LaRusso, who played Adam Banks in the iconic The Mighty Ducks series.

Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media.  And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.