The NCAA has approved a 15-day window, from Jan. 2-16, for college football players to enter the transfer portal. What to know:
Lakers get first glimpse of what Marcus Smart brings to the court
The Lakers’ first practice of the week gave them hope of what they can look like whole when Marcus Smart takes the court.
Smart has been dealing with Achilles tendinopathy most of training camp and has been limited in practice. But coach JJ Redick said after practice Tuesday that Smart “did most of practice, including some live play."
Redick said LeBron James and Luka Doncic — along with Maxi Kleber (quad) and Gabe Vincent — did “modified, mostly individual work.”.
“Marcus participated in some live [practice] and then was out at the end,” Redick said. “Yeah he was awesome. He was awesome. He, I think given the workload of today, I was impressed that he was able to sustain his level of intensity for as long as he did.”
Redick said Doncic was out for “load management.” Then Redick laughed.
Smart has been one of the NBA’s better defenders over his career, winning defensive player of the year for the 2021-22 season while playing for the Boston Celtics and being named to the All-Defensive first team three times — 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Read more:With their big three out, Lakers work on 'championship habits' against Warriors
That will be a big part of his role with the Lakers, and during practice they got a glimpse of his defensive tenacity.
"Yeah, he guarded me a little bit at the first of practice,” Austin Reaves said. “You still feel that pressure. You feel the intensity that he brings on the defensive end, and that's going to be big for us. We need that. We need him to be the best version of himself. With that communication that he brings, especially defensively, he's been in the league a while. He knows how to win at the highest level. So, very excited to have him."
After the Washington Wizards bought out his contract, Smart received several calls from Doncic about joining the Lakers.
Smart eventually signed with the Lakers for two years and $11 million.
At practice Tuesday, Smart left an impression.
“He looked great. He was moving great,” Jarred Vanderbilt said. “But like I said, his main power is that he’s vocal. So being able to help the guys. Communicate, that’s a big part of defense also. Being physical is one of them, but also being vocal, being able to communicate. I think he does both at a very high level. So, he can definitely help us on that end of the floor.”
Vanderbilt is the Lakers’ other top defender, his versatility allowing him to guard multiple positions.
He was asked to envision what the Lakers' defense will be like with himself and Smart together on the court.
“Aw, man, just causing havoc,” Vanderbilt said. “Not only physically but just vocally. He’s a vocal guy as well, so it’s being the anchor of the defense, flying around, setting that tone defensively. Like, I’m excited. I can’t wait to share the court together.”
LeBron James ad
At some point after practice, the Lakers were asked if any one texted them about James’ cryptic post about “#TheSecondDecision” on Monday.
It left many wondering if James was talking about retiring.
He was not. It was about an ad for Hennessy that was posted on social media Tuesday morning.
“You guys are idiots,” Redick said when asked, laughing as he spoke. “We all knew it was an ad, right? No, I think most people that text me are also aware that it's probably an ad, so it wasn't. … Nobody was freaking out.”
Still, James is entering his NBA-record 23rd season.
"I just got a couple calls, like, 'what is this?'" Reaves said, laughing.
Rui Hachimura wanted to know what was going on.
So he contacted James just to be sure.
“I mean, [I got] a couple texts. But I texted him too,” Hachimura said. “But he was using a [weird] emoji. I don’t even know. I didn’t understand at all. But he loves to do that type of stuff. Surprises, right?”
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
After 'Tremendous Camp' Devils' Prospect Expected To Take On Big Role With Comets
After a strong training camp and preseason with the New Jersey Devils, rookie defenseman Ethan Edwards was assigned to the American Hockey League (AHL) to begin the 2025-26 season with the Utica Comets.
The 23-year-old made his AHL debut last season, playing in the Comets' final 10 games. Before his re-assignment to Utica on Oct. 5, Edwards left a positive impact in New Jersey after what Comets General Manager Dan MacKinnon called a tremendous training camp.
"I would describe him as an elite, powerful skater, even at the NHL level," MacKinnon said. "He is not necessarily an offensive defenseman as an NHL prospect; he is a highly competitive, mobile, two-way defenseman who can end plays, but also mobilize the puck."
With his college degree in sports management from the University of Michigan in hand, Edwards will now focus on developing his game and transitioning into a full-time NHLer.
"I want to be in the (NHL) and will do whatever it takes," he told The Hockey News during camp. "I feel like my game can adapt to any role, and they can put me in any situation. I am just trying to do my best to stick around."
When the Comets open their regular season on Friday, against the Cleveland Monsters at Adirondack Bank Center, expect Edwards to take on an elevated role on the blue line.
"What we want to see from him is going to Utica and giving us what we call monster minutes," MacKinnon said. "20-plus minutes a night at even strength, penalty kill, and defensive zone starts. He probably will get some power-play time, but not necessarily power-play one.
"It is more about the minutes he is going to play as a rookie in the American Hockey League," he continued. "It is going to be a tremendous opportunity to show and say, 'Hey, I can handle this load and excel in this role.'"
During the preseason, fans saw glimpses of Edwards on the penalty kill. The 23-year-old was credited with more than 12 blocked shots and was not afraid to throw his body around with seven hits over his first two appearances.
"It is something I have always taken pride in," he said of the penalty kill. "You know, it is adapting to a role here, and maybe it is not going to be running the first power play. It is taking control of what I can and doing my best in that role."
Edwards will make up the Comets' blue line along with Calen Addison, Colton White, Austin Strand, Topias Vilen, and Dmitri Osipov.
Throughout the season, all eyes will be on Edwards as he seeks to make his mark, despite not knowing, at this moment, what that may entail.
"I think my game can adapt to any role, so looking forward to seeing what that role is."
Make sure you bookmark THN's New Jersey Devils site for THN's latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
Hischier's Manager Patrick Fischer: 'He's Driven to Succeed, but Not Easily
Golden Knights Ink Contract With Forward
LAS VEGAS -- On the eve of their season-opener against the Los Angeles Kings, the Golden Knights announced a contract signing
Not the one everyone has been anticipating - Jack Eichel's extension - however, as the team signed forward Alexander Holtz to a two-year contract through the 2026-27 season worth an average annual value of $837,500.
Holtz, 23, appeared in 53 games and registered 12 points (4 goals, 8 assists) for Vegas last season.
Holtz also saw action in Henderson, playing 16 games with the organization's AHL squad in nearby Henderson, the Silver Knights.
The forward recorded 13 points (7 goals, 6 assists) with the Silver Knights.
The Stockholm native has played in 163 NHL games during his career, posting 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists) with both Vegas and New Jersey combined.
Holtz - who was acquired by Vegas in June of 2024 from New Jersey, along with goaltender Akira Schmid - had a career-high 28 points (16 goals, 12 assists) in 82 NHL games with the Devils during the 2023-24 season.
NCAA adopts Jan. 2-16 transfer portal window and is set to tweak transfer window for players after coaching changes
Players at Oklahoma State, UCLA and Virginia Tech were immediately free to enter the transfer portal after their coaches were fired earlier this season.
Auburn looking to right its season, and Hugh Freeze’s tenure, with a win over Georgia
The Tigers have lost two straight and the heat is starting to turn up on Hugh Freeze. Can they pull a rabbit out of a hat this weekend in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry?
Florida Panthers play tribute videos for former goaltender, popular superfan who passed away
The Florida Panthers honored a former goaltender and a longtime season ticket holder during Opening Night on Tuesday.
During the first TV timeout of the game, the Panthers honored current Chicago Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight with a video going through some of the great times had during his tenue with the Cats.
Florida drafted Knight in the first round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
He played the first 80 games of his career with the Panthers before being a key piece in a Trade Deadline deal that brought Seth Jones to South Florida.
Now, Knight is the goaltending backbone of the Blackhawks’ rebuild.
Panthers honor former goaltender Spencer Knight during the season’s first TV timeout. pic.twitter.com/kSfaVIu1ZD
— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) October 7, 2025
Later in the period during another TV timeout, Florida played a touching tribute video to fan Steve Elario.
A well-known yacht broker, Elario was extremely popular with Panthers fans for years.
Elario, with long silver hair and a big smile, resembled wrestling legend Ric Flair and every time the Panthers would put Elario on the jumbotron, it would elicit loud ‘WOOOs!’ from fans.
Sadly, Elario passed away in early September.
It was a touching moment inside Amerant Bank Arena as fans reacted to the tribute video with a chorus of ‘WOOs’ and cheers.
The Panthers also asked fans to come together for a collective ‘WOO’ after the tribute, and you can check out video of it in the X post below:
A touching tribute from the Panthers and their fans to Steve Elario, a massive Cats fan who sadly passed away last month.
— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) October 7, 2025
WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/l7O4Xx7Y5R
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Yankees ALDS Notes: Aaron Boone living and dying with same lineup for must-win Game 3
Prior to Game 3 of the ALDS between the Yankees and Blue Jays on Tuesday, manager Aaron Boone spoke about a variety of topics...
Dance with who brung ya
If the Yankees survive elimination and force a must-win Game 4 in the Bronx on Wednesday, they'll do so with the same exact lineup that placed them in a daunting 0-2 series hole this past weekend.
With veteran right-hander Shane Bieber slated to start for the Blue Jays, the Yankees decided to leave their batting order untouched. For a third straight game, they'll trust Trent Grisham in the leadoff spot, Ben Rice batting cleanup at first base, Giancarlo Stanton hitting fifth as the designated hitter, and Austin Wells handling catching duties.
When asked about deploying an identical lineup and weighing lefty-righty matchups, Boone didn't mince words. He wants his best hitters in the box right away, even if some metrics recommend a shuffling.
"I'm putting out there what I think has the best chance to be successful against Bieber," Boone said. "I understand in the short time at the back-end of this season, he's been a reverse-split. Throughout his career, he's been very neutral -- some years, one way or the other... But the people they have in their bullpen, the lefties are very lefty specialist-type guys. Having the threat of a couple of our righties is a presence I like to have."
One of the righty bench options will be Paul Goldschmidt, who, in a tiny six at-bat sample, has three hits off of Bieber. He and Stanton (3-for-15) happen to be the only Yankees players with multiple knocks against the former AL Cy Young winner. Aaron Judge is a measly 1-for-13 with eight strikeouts.
Boone still prefers Rice over Goldschmidt at first, and based on the power potential, the choice makes sense. But the rookie infielder hasn't exactly posed a threat since ripping a home run in Game 2 of the Wild Card series against the Red Sox. He looked wobbly at the plate in Toronto, striking out four times with no luck against off-speed pitches.
"He's just been more than a dangerous hitter, especially here down the stretch," Boone said of Rice. "He kind of killed the ball all year against right-handed pitching. He's just a real threat in the middle of the order. Goldy has that presence looming over there. Hopefully, I can get him into a good matchup and even better than that, I'm putting him in late because we have a lead and he's playing defense at first."
With no margin for error, the Yankees can ill afford to fall behind early and look off-balance. They were held scoreless through five innings in Games 1 and 2 at Rogers Centre, and their swing-early-and-often approaches to starters Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage were fruitless.
The Yankees also must buck the strikeout trend. They've already whiffed 21 times in the series, and with 50 total punchouts in five playoff games this season, they're once again resembling an offense that can't deliver hits in bunches under bright October lights.
Running out of time
History has shown that 0-2 LDS deficits aren't death sentences -- 10 teams have defied the odds and advanced to the LCS, and the most recent instance came in 2017, with the Yankees' three-win comeback over the then-Indians.
But the Yankees' pair of road losses eight years ago weren't lopsided and humiliating like their latest road letdowns in Toronto. The Blue Jays flexed their muscles with home-field advantage, scoring a whopping 23 runs on 29 hits.
As if there wasn't enough pressure on the Yankees' bats to adequately produce, Carlos Rodón is tasked with do-or-die stakes on the mound against a lineup -- from top to bottom -- that causes fits. The trick will be containing a red-hot Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who's hit a lifetime .308 (203 plate appearances) at Yankee Stadium and .588 (21 plate appearances) against the veteran southpaw.
"I think we'll respond well," Boone said. "We've handled adverse situations well all year, navigated that. It's a group that's very close together. They trust in one another. That's important this time of year... But it all comes down to playing well, and I feel like our guys are in the right frame of mind to go do that."
While both teams finished the regular season tied atop the AL East with 94 wins, the head-to-head tiebreaker favored the Blue Jays, who thumped the Yankees with 10 wins in 15 meetings. Only time will tell if some home cooking keeps the Yankees' hopes alive for at least one more day.
8 Bold Penguins' Predictions For The 2025-26 Season
In case you haven't heard, the Pittsburgh Penguins play hockey Tuesday night against the New York Rangers.
And that means the 2025-26 regular season is underway.
Well, we've already provided you with some regular predictions for the upcoming season, but what about some bold ones?
Are they realistic? Probably not. But, hey, they're not impossible, either.
Here are eight bold predictions for the 2025-26 season.
1. Erik Karlsson is in prime form and turns in a point-per-game season
Karlsson showed that he is still capable of being that game-changing, generationally talented offensive defenseman during the 4 Nations Face-off for Team Sweden last season. With another opportunity to vie for Team Sweden's roster on the line - Karlsson has not yet been named to Sweden's 2026 Olympic team - as well as the potential to be dealt to a Stanley Cup-contending team before the trade deadline, Karlsson has a lot to play for.
And I do believe Karlsson will be dealt to a contender at the deadline in the Carolina Hurricanes.
2025-26 Season Predictions: THN Penguins' EditionIt’s a new NHL season, and that means it’s time for a new THN - Pittsburgh Penguins season prediction piece!
2. Evgeni Malkin also returns to point-per-game this season and earns himself another contract
Malkin has not been point-per-game since the 2022-23 season, when he recorded 27 goals and 83 points. But, since then, he has also had a rotating carousel of linemates.
This season? That should not be the case. He's starting the season with Anthony Mantha and Justin Brazeau, but once Bryan Rust returns from injury and the kids - like Rutger McGroarty and Tristan Broz - start to populate the roster, he'll have the talent around him to give him that boost.
3. Ville Koivunen wins the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year
Demidov who?
It's hard to argue against Ivan Demidov taking home the Calder before the season even begins. But a full season of Koivunen alongside Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell?
Sure, his seven points in eight games to end the 2024-25 season is going to be hard to replicate, but if he's always next to Crosby or Malkin, why can't he replicate it? Why can't he sniff point-per-game alongside one of the greatest players of all time and one of the league's best goal-scorers?
After all, these are bold predictions... so let's shoot high!
Ville Koivunen's Rookie Year Starts On Sidney Crosby's WingPittsburgh Penguins forward Ville Koivunen will be on the top line for Tuesday's regular-season opener against the New York Rangers.
4. Sidney Crosby hits the 100-point mark for the first time since 2018-19
Crosby has been hovering around 90 points for what seems like forever, and recently, he's had slow starts to seasons.
Well, what if that slow start never happens this year? There's no reason to believe that the longest-tenured captain in NHL history can't make up 8-10 points in that time. And he'll have some young talent to play with this season, too.
Crosby Set To Tie Prestigious NHL Record This SeasonBy now, Pittsburgh Penguins' captain Sidney Crosby approaching NHL records is a relatively regular occurrence.
5. Ben Kindel stays the entire season and registers more than 40 points
Many - myself included - have rookie defenseman Harrison Brunicke outlasting his nine-game NHL trial and Kindel going back to the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL after his.
Kindel already surprised everyone by his performance in training camp. Why can't he do it again?
Hey, never say never. I'd say it would require Kindel blowing everyone out of the water during his nine games in order to be kept around.
I say he blows everyone out of the water.
Top Prospects Brunicke, Kindel Confirmed To Make NHL Debuts In Penguins' Season OpenerEven though rosters were trimmed to 23 on Saturday, there was no guarantee that the Pittsburgh Penguins were going to carry those exact 23 players into their season opener against former head coach Mike Sullivan and the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
6. Sergei Murashov is the starting goaltender by season's end
To be honest, I'm not really even sure that this is a "bold" take. But, it's a take nonetheless, and we'll run with it.
Murashov, 21, was the best goaltender in Penguins' training camp. He also dominated the AHL level last season. Arturs Silovs is slated to start game one for the Penguins against the New York Rangers. Tristan Jarry was waived last season and will likely have a short leash.
If Murashov dominates the AHL again - and one of the NHL goaltenders falters - how long before Murashov simply takes the net for himself?
My bet is that it happens this season. Murashov is the real deal.
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7. Harrison Brunicke is the top-pair right defenseman by season's end
If Karlsson is dealt at the deadline - and Brunicke stays the entire season - it's reasonable to suggest that he will be the best defenseman on the Penguins' roster at that point, even if that bar is low.
Of course, Kris Letang is the best defenseman in Penguins' history and could very well have himself a bounceback campaign. But, it's possible that Brunicke - although young and unrefined - will have an even better season.
Bold? Maybe. But, with Karlsson out of the picture, it's certainly not impossible.
8. The kids will push the Penguins into the playoffs
Ah, the "P" word.
That may make some Penguins' fans quake in their boots given the shiny prize for the winner of the draft lottery next summer. But, if the Penguins' roster truly does go young - and the Penguins can acquire a young left defenseman or see a decent one emerge in their system - how far can the kids take them?
There is talent in the system. Murashov, Koivunen, Brunicke, and McGroarty could all be on the roster at some point this season, and they're not the only ones. This team is a better one with the kids on it, and - maybe, just maybe - they can provide enough of a spark to squeak this team into a wild spot.
For better or for worse, of course.
Dan Muse And Mike Sullivan Set To Begin New Chapters On Opposite SidesThe Pittsburgh Penguins will open their 2025-26 campaign against the New York Rangers on Tuesday night, and the game will hold extra significance for the head coaches on both sides.
Bookmark THN - Pittsburgh Penguins on your Google News tab to follow the latest Penguins news, roster moves, player features, and more!
Don't expect Harrison Bader to be a full-time player anytime soon
Don't expect Harrison Bader to be a full-time player anytime soon originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
LOS ANGELES – So here’s the situation that is facing the Phillies now, some of them known, maybe some not.
They are down two games to none in this best-of-five National League Division series against Los Angeles with Game Three to be played Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
In order to keep themselves alive in this series, the Phillies will have to start getting some offense from the top of the lineup and receive continued good pitching from their starters. Next up: Aaron Nola.
The part that wasn’t so well known but now has seem to come to light a little bit more is that Harrison Bader probably won’t be a major participant for the rest of this series in now what we know is a hamstring strain.
The frustration in Bader’s voice was as noticeable as the purplish bandana holding back his long locks as he described his injury and the struggle to get himself to be 100 percent. The feeling is, he just isn’t going to get there before this series is over, whether that be on Wednesday, Thursday or Saturday back in Philadelphia. Pinch-hitting appears to be the only chore his body will allow at this time.
Asked how close to normal he felt in Game Two when he hit a pinch-hit single in the ninth before being pinch run for, Bader said, “If normal is not having a hamstring strain, it felt abnormal. You do your best. It’s the playoffs and I’ll just give whatever I can to help the team. In that moment it was just getting off an at-bat. Hopefully I can certainly do more tomorrow because it’s really bothering me not being out there.”
He went on to say what his workout plan was for Tuesday, including some running, fielding and batting practice. But with a long travel day that started early in the morning, the Phillies cut their time on the field very short. Bader was seen doing a couple of 60-foot semi-sprints before leaving the field.
A betting man would certainly take the money that he’s not going to be manning center any time soon. And you can see it’s killing Bader to not be able to be out there.
“Your body has limits to it and trying to take that first step out of the box, even though it wasn’t necessarily a sprinting play, you still feel a little bit limited,” said Bader about his pinch-hitting duty. “But I can swing. It’s better than it was at two days ago. Just assess it realistically and go through whatever we can do today, and I have a full day to recover and come back tomorrow and hopefully it will be better. It’s certainly progressing better. It really is minor. It’s a strain, certainly. It’s affecting me from being 100 percent out there, but I don’t have to be 100 percent to go out there and help this team win. I’m just going to do whatever I can to my limit to just try be effective.”
Effective is not what the Phillies’ offense has been against the Dodgers in this series so far and now they will face Los Angeles starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who has given up a total of five earned runs in his last seven starts for a 0.96 ERA in 46.2 innings.
“Pitching’s been good, on both sides of the ball,” said Bryce Harper, who is 1-for-7 in the series with a walk and three strikeouts. “I don’t think, there’s maybe two guys that have kind of played well on both sides. It’s always tough in the post season. You get into it, you’re excited, you’re ready to go and then you run into the juggernaut of pitching. That’s our team and that’s their team as well. I think those are two really good matchups, the first two matchups, two of the better ones in baseball, all through. I expect tomorrow night to be the same thing. Obviously, we need to do a better job of hopefully hitting the long ball or making things happen anywhere, any way we can.”
Particularly at the top of the order. Harper, leadoff hitter Trea Turner and No. 2 Kyle Schwarber have combined to go 2-for-21 with 11 strikeouts and left12 on base so far in this series. But Harper insists it’s nothing you can dwell on.
“I think the postseason you got to flush it as quick as possible because any at-bat can change the course of a game or change the course of a series,” he said. “Any time you go up there if you get out you’ve got to flush is as quick as possible because that at-bat has no merit on what your next one is going to be. You just got to go up there and get the pitches that you can. I don’t let an at-bat like that affect me any way. Especially this time of the year you can’t let that happen. You just have to let the game come to you a little bit and go from there.”
Aaron Nola will be the somewhat surprise starter for the Phillies, coming off a phenomenal outing his last start of the season when he allowed two hits and one earned run in eight innings against the Minnesota Twins. He’ll be followed closely by Ranger Suarez.
“He’s more comfortable starting,” Thomson said of having Nola start. “You’re going to see Ranger tomorrow. I would be shocked if you don’t see Ranger. The numbers on their lefties are very similar, Ranger versus Nola. And the trust factor. I have trust in both of them, don’t get me wrong, but Noles has pitched some really big games for us. I regret having either one of those guys not pitch in this series.”
What Thomson didn’t regret was the bunt he called for Bryson Stott to execute in the ninth on Monday that ultimately got Nick Castellanos thrown out at third for the first out of the inning.
“I just think they made a great play,” Thoms said. “Mookie Betts did a great job by breaking very late so the hitter can’t adjust (to slash at the ball) and it’s tough for Nick to get a proper secondary (lead) or bigger secondary because Betts is sitting right behind him. At the end of the day, they made an aggressive play and they made it work. It was a good play.”
NOTES: The Phillies will wear their powder blue uniforms for both games of the series, something they decided about 10 days ago, according to Thomson. He said the players just like them and wanted to wear them on the road in the playoffs… Harper, who grew up in Las Vegas, professed his early childhood love of the Dodgers, which went directly against his dad who was a Cincinnati Reds fan… The early morning cross-country flight didn’t involve a lot of baseball talk, Harper said. “Played a lot of cards, so that was fun.”
As Opening Night In The NHL Approaches, The ECHL Is Well-Represented On Opening Rosters
Apr 17, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Edmonton Oilers assistant coach Glen Gulutzan against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The 2025-26 NHL regular season is finally here, with Opening Night on Tuesday.
Final rosters for all 32 teams were submitted Monday. The ECHL has 60 players on NHL opening-day rosters, marking the 24th season in a row with more than 50 former ECHL players in that category.
The Premier ‘AA’ Hockey League, the ECHL has a player or coach on each of the 32 teams and has affiliations with 30 of the 32 teams in the NHL, marking the 29th consecutive season that the league has had affiliations with at least 20 teams in the NHL.
There are 57 coaches with an ECHL background working behind the benches of teams in the NHL including Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar, Dallas Stars head coach Glen Gulutzan, San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky, Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy and Washington Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery. All previously were ECHL head coaches.
In addition, Nashville Predators head coach Andrew Brunette is a former ECHL player. It is the 15th consecutive season that there have been 30 or more coaches with an ECHL background working in the NHL.
Last season, Carbery became the third former ECHL coach to win the Jack Adams as NHL Coach of the Year, joining Cassidy (2019-20) and Bruce Boudreau (2007-08).
In the 2022-23 season, Cassidy became the third former ECHL head coach to lead his team to a Stanley Cup title, joining Laviolette (Carolina, 2006) and Bednar (Colorado, 2022).
In 2021-22, Bednar became the first coach to lead teams to championships in the ECHL (South Carolina, 2009), AHL (Lake Erie, 2016) and NHL (Colorado, 2022).
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Predicting The NHL's 2025-26 Stanley Cup Champion
The NHL’s 2025-26 regular season is underway, so it’s a perfect time to make a stand and put out this writer’s pre-season prediction of who will make the Stanley Cup final – and who will win.
Earlier this summer, we made our predictions for who would win their respective divisions this year:
- Atlantic Division
- Metropolitan Division
- Central Division
- Pacific Division
Now, we’re making an educated guess as to which two teams will win their conference and who will win the 2026 Stanley Cup championship.
Eastern Conference champion: Toronto Maple Leafs
Western Conference champion: Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup champion: Colorado Avalanche
The Breakdown: For our conference final winners, we’re going with two teams that didn’t make it out of the second round last season. But in today’s parity-filled NHL, it’s entirely possible that a team can struggle one season and then go on a long playoff run the next.
With that in mind, we think the Maple Leafs will have unheard-of modern-day success in the post-season this year.
With the Florida Panthers suffering major injuries to star forwards Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, the door is wide open for Toronto to repeat as Atlantic Division champions.
Now that Toronto GM Brad Treliving has changed the makeup of his team with the additions of gritty forwards Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua, the Leafs are much better built for playoff hockey than they were in the Mitch Marner Era.
The Maple Leafs' odds of winning the Eastern Conference are 8.50 (+750) on BetMGM. Their odds of winning the Cup are `17.00 (+1600).
In the Western Conference, the Avalanche have failed to get beyond the second round in the last three seasons since they won a Cup in 2022. But last season’s seven-game first-round loss to the Dallas Stars could’ve gone either way, and Colorado’s experience, superstar power and tremendous depth will serve the Avs well this season as they try to navigate their way through Western powerhouses in Dallas, Edmonton and Vegas.
The Avalanche have the in-house know-how to power them through three playoff rounds and into the Cup final. So long as they stay healthy, the Avs have what it takes to win the fourth Cup in franchise history. Having a full year with veteran forwards Gabriel Landeskog and Brock Nelson will help Colorado earn home-ice advantage next spring – a feat the Avalanche couldn’t muster this past year, but a crucial element that they’re likely to benefit from this season.
The Avalanche have 5.25 (+425) odds of winning the West and 9.50 (+850) odds of winning the Cup on BetMGM.
Why The NHL's Stanley Cup Favorites Could Or Couldn't WinEntering a new NHL season, all 32 teams begin with the same record, but each of them has different goals.
If the Maple Leafs do win their first three rounds, their key players will be experiencing the Cup final for the first time.
Toronto has indeed added players with Cup-winning experience – including center Nicolas Roy, left winger Steven Lorentz, defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and goaltender Anthony Stolarz.
But the difference between the Leafs and Avalanche is that Colorado’s core star players – Landeskog, center Nathan MacKinnon and defensemen Cale Makar and Devon Toews – all know what it takes to win a championship.
You can’t say the same about Maple Leafs stars Auston Matthews, William Nylander and John Tavares, and that’s why we’re ultimately going with the Avs beating the Leafs in the Cup final.
Leafs fans will be thrilled if Toronto wins three rounds next spring, but that may make it all the more painful if they fail to finish the job and once again don’t come away with a Cup win. Still, a long Leafs run will feel like manna from heaven for Leafs Nation.
It’s nearly impossible for teams to repeat as Cup champs – a fact that makes the Panthers a major long shot to do that for the third straight season. The door is open for a different Cup winner this year, and you can do much worse than putting your chips behind the Leafs to win the East and the Avalanche to win the West and the Cup final.
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Panthers raise 2025 Stanley Cup Champions banner on Opening Night
Opening Night of the 2025-26 NHL season began Tuesday in South Florida.
That’s where the league’s back-to-back defending champions reside, and where a celebration of sorts was held prior to the start of the new season.
Tuesday at Amerant Bank Arena, the Florida Panthers, for the second time in as many years, raised a Stanley Cup Champions banner to the rafters.
The ceremony was not anything particularly special, which is perfectly fine.
Florida’s players skated onto the ice, followed by alternate captain Aaron Ekblad, who was carrying the Stanley Cup.
With the players lined up along the blue line, the 2025 Stanley Cup Champions banner went up.
For the night, it’ll hang right above Sergei Bobrovsky’s goal crease.
By Thursday night, when Florida hosts the Philadelphia Flyers, it should be in its new permanent location, a couple parking spots down from the team’s 2024 Stanley Cup Champions banner.
Below you can see a video of the ceremony:
Panthers raise their second Stanley Cup Championship banner pic.twitter.com/INvRHprLhn
— David Dwork (@DavidDwork) October 7, 2025
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Ex-Devils First-Rounder Signs New Deal With Vegas
The Vegas Golden Knights have announced that they have re-signed former New Jersey Devils forward Alexander Holtz to a two-year contract that comes with an average annual value (AAV) of $837,500.
Holtz was still a restricted free agent (RFA) with the 2025-26 regular season just about here. Yet, the Golden Knights have now gotten him signed with this cheap bridge deal.
✍️ The Golden Knights have signed Alexander Holtz to a two-year contract!! 🙌 #VegasBornhttps://t.co/3b7ptO3AbZ
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) October 7, 2025
Holtz was traded by the Devils with goaltender Akira Schmid to the Vegas Golden Knights this past off-season in exchange for forward Paul Cotter. Holtz is coming off a bit of a quiet year with the Golden Knights, as he recorded four goals, eight assists, and a minus-3 rating in 53 games. This was after he set career highs with 16 goals, 12 assists, and 28 points in 82 games with the Devils in 2023-24.
Holtz was selected by the Devils with the seventh-overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 110 games over three seasons with the Devils, the former top prospect posted 19 goals, 15 assists, and 34 points.
Holtz will now look to put together a breakout season with the Golden Knights after signing this new two-year contract from here.