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"He Needs To Drag This Team To The Playoffs": Dylan Larkin Directly Challenged By NHL Insider

There is no player on the Detroit Red Wings who wants more badly to play in the Stanley Cup Playoffs more than team captain Dylan Larkin.

Larkin, who was named the official successor to Henrik Zetterberg as Red Wings team captain prior to the start of the 2020-21 NHL season, is the last remaining player from the Detroit squad that most recently qualified for the postseason in 2016 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

Former NHL forward Mike Rupp, who now works as an Insider for NHL Network, recently issued a direct challenge to Larkin during a segment on the League's top-20 centers - put the team on your back and get them across the finish line. 

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"This might not be fair to say, but I think it speaks volumes to what I think of him as a player - I think he needs to drag this team to the playoffs," Rupp said. "I think we need to see a moment - he needs to have his moment where this guy is just out of this world. He has the ability to do it." 

"I'm not putting it all on him, it's a team sport and there's a lot of tother things going on," Rupp continued. "But we have seen some other guys do that thing, find ways to drag your team into the mix. I think Dylan Larkin is a prototypical power forward, I love everything about his game. But I think the one thing lacking is his team not making the playoffs." 

Larkin, ranked as the NHL’s 15th-best center by the Network, has spent his entire career with the Red Wings since being drafted in 2014. The last time he and Detroit played beyond the regular season was during his 2015-16 rookie campaign, when they fell to the Lightning in a quick five-game series. 

Since then, the closest they’ve come to securing a playoff berth was when they lost a tiebreaker to the Washington Capitals on the final day of the 2023-24 regular season. Larkin’s devastated demeanor after the season finale against the Montreal Canadiens, having fallen just short of the playoffs, was enough to tug at the heartstrings of even the most hardened Red Wings fans.

At times, Larkin has also appeared to voice frustration, most notably when he expressed his disappointment over no major additions being made to the roster at this most recent season's NHL Trade Deadline. 

Larkin's passion for the Red Wings and his desire to win are undeniable, and he committed to see things through with the team when he inked an eight-year contract extension in 2023. There is no doubt that his ultimate career ambition is to raise the Stanley Cup as team captain of the Red Wings. 

It's human nature for frustration to set in for Larkin, knowing that his time between playoff games will be no less than a full decade if the Red Wings can break their drought in the upcoming season. 

It's been Larkin who has faced the media and had to answer difficult questions during their prolonged and painful losing streaks, especially during the dark days of the 2019-20 season. He wears his heart on his sleeve. 

When the Red Wings finally return to the postseason, it will be a gratifying moment for Larkin, knowing that burden has been lifted, especially if he can rise to Rupp’s challenge and be the driving force in pushing Detroit over the hump.

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Florida Panthers sign forward Luke Kunin to one-year deal

The Florida Panthers have added another gritty forward to their stable of sandpaper guys.

Florida inked forward Luke Kunin to a one-year deal in a move the team confirmed on Friday afternoon.

Kunin will turn 28 this season and has played for four different teams over his eight years in the NHL.

He’s shown that he’s not afraid to throw his body around but still holds some offensive upside, scoring double-digit goals every full season he’s played since 2019.

“Luke is a physical and highly competitive forward who possesses excellent leadership abilities and strong character,” Panthers General Manager Bill Zito said in a statement released by the team.

Kunin racked up 11 goals and 18 points in 63 games with the San Jose Sharks last season before he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He’s played in 434 NHL games, accumulating 73 goals and 142 points, consistently ranking among team leaders in hits.

With Matthew Tkachuk expected to miss some time during the regular season, Kunin will likely slide into a bottom six role and help fortify Florida’s forward depth. 

Kunin actually led all Sharks forwards in hits with 165 in 2023-24, and he finished among Nashville forwards with 223 hits in 2021-22.

He played the first three seasons of his career with the Minnesota Wild after they selected Kunin 15th overall at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

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Photo caption: Feb 23, 2025; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin (11) during the face off against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images)

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Thomson, Phillies hopeful red-hot offense carries into Nationals series

Thomson, Phillies hopeful red-hot offense carries into Nationals series originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

To say the Phillies offense has been as hot as an August summer day in Philadelphia might be an understatement right now. Consider in their three game series just completed against the visiting Seattle Mariners, they scored 29 runs and collected 49 hits, 17 for extra bases.

It all starts at the beginning and Trea Turner has been absolutely spectacular of late as the shortstop has had two or more hits in six of his last seven games, and scored 11 runs and drove in seven during that time.

Kyle Schwarber leads the National League with 45 home runs, 109 RBI and has a home run in 15 straight series. Bryce Harper is hitting .288 over his last 35 games with 15 doubles, 12 home runs and 26 RBI. Throw in J.T. Realmuto posting a .333 average with 23 multi-hit games, 18 extra base hits and 21 RBI over his last 51 games and you see why the Phillies have been so good offensively.

Before Friday’s game with the Washington Nationals, manager Rob Thomson pointed to something else that has been working quite well for his team.

“The back end of the lineup,” Thomson said. “We’re producing which turns it over to those guys and that’s where you can really do some damage as far as scoring runs. The bottom of the lineup is doing a great job right now.”

Leading the way has been outfielder Brandon Marsh and second baseman Bryson Stott. Because of his continued hot hitting, Marsh has moved up a bit in Thomson’s lineup and understandably so. Since snapping an 0-for-31 slump on May 3, Marsh has hit .296 over an 87-game span and is hitting .338 over his last 24 games.

Stott, along with his always-present excellent glove work, has hit .381 with nine runs scored, four stolen bases, seven extra base hits and eight RBI over his last 14 games.

Outfield carousel continues …

Nick Castellanos heads back to right field Friday while Harrison Bader takes the night off, sliding Brandon Marsh to center and Max Kepler to left against Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli, whom the Phillies just saw Sunday. Castellanos was held out of the series finale on Wednesday against the Mariners.

“Casty didn’t face him the last time and I don’t want him sitting too many days,” said Thomson. “This would be his third day in a row and I don’t want to do that. He’s in there tonight and then we’ll figure it out moving forward.”

Which means Thomson will probably continue to shuffle his outfield, pending numerous things but he said, “A lot of it has to do with the pitcher.” So it will probably continue that Kepler will face the majority of right-handers and Bader lefties and some right-handers, too.

“I try to get ahead of it if I can and communicate that with the players, if I can,” said Thomson of his platooning. “Sometimes it changes. You schedule a guy for a day off tomorrow, but he hits two homers and a double, you really got to change gears at that point. With a lefty going tomorrow I’ve got a pretty good idea of what I’m doing.”

Wheeler update

Nothing official from the team Friday as far as the condition of pitcher Zack Wheeler, who was diagnosed with a blood clot near his right shoulder last week. Asked what he’s heard, Thomson said there wasn’t much.

“I think we’ll know something in the next couple of days,” Thomson said. “We’ll see him in the next couple of days. Just getting some opinions, that’s all. Just texting (Wheeler). I don’t want to really bother him. He’s resting but he feels good.”

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Oilers Friday Faceoff: Front Office Scrutiny, Nuge’s Future, & Surprise Contenders

This week's Edmonton Oilers Friday Faceoff is full of news, trade speculation and talk about certain players on the roster. The biggest story of the week is how the team's front office ranked in a recent poll from The Athletic. Fans aren't confident this group running the Oilers is ideally suited to make sure things go smoothly. Is that a problem?

Check Out The First Four Posts in a Series About McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness

McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 1: My Introduction to the Oilers

McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 2: "Where's My Bottle Cap?"

McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 3: The Gretzky Trade

McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 4: Pronger Wants Out

McDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 4: Pronger Wants OutMcDavid v. the Decade of Darkness: Part 4: Pronger Wants OutAuthor's Note:

Front Office Ranks Low

Despite consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances, the Edmonton Oilers’ front office didn't see much of a bump in a recent ranking column from The Athletic. Coming in 21st out of 32 NHL teams, it was only four spots higher than last season.

The biggest point of contention was the loss of Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg to offer sheets.  Because the Oilers prioritized Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson, and it didn't pan out, fans felt that this current management team may struggle to identify the right type of talent.

From there, the signing of Trent Frederic after acquiring him at the trade deadline didn't sit well with some fans.

Inconsistent decision-making and the inability to fully capitalize on generational stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have left fans uneasy, questioning whether GM Stan Bowman and CEO Jeff Jackson can navigate what's coming. 

Trent Frederic: Potential Surprise of the Season

Speaking of Frederic, the eight-year, $3.85 million deal was viewed as one of the blunders of the off-season in a poll about bad contracts. Frederic was praised by Bowman for his unique style and what he brings to Edmonton, but injuries meant he couldn't demonstrate his full potential.

Trent Frederic and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers: Photo by  © Jayne Kamin-Oncea Imagn Images

Does that mean this will turn out to be a terrible signing? Perhaps not.

Allan Mitchell of The Athletic argues that while initially criticized as a questionable move, Frederic’s combination of scoring, physicality, and agitation could make him a fan favorite if healthy. Should he return at 100 percent, Frederic could turn a contract once considered a risk into a bargain, emerging as one of the season’s biggest surprises.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ Role

Veteran center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins enters 2025-26 at a crossroads, likely opening the season as the Oilers’ third-line pivot. While his power-play spot remains secure, declining production — 49 points last season after 104 and 67 in prior years — has raised questions about his long-term fit.

Nugent-Hopkins is the longest-serving Oiler on the team, and even if he's no longer a point-per-game player, he brings versatility, hockey sense, and a team-friendly contract in a rising salary cap environment. A strong start to the 2025-26 season could remove any doubt about his future or where he fits long term. If he struggles, a limited depth role may trigger trade speculation.

He does have trade protection in his contract, so any talk of him being moved needs to keep that in mind. 

Goaltending and Roster Moves

The Oilers’ goaltending situation remains a concern, with Stuart Skinner inconsistent and Calvin Pickard aging on an expiring deal. New Jersey’s Nico Daws, 24, has been suggested as a low-risk, high-upside option to push for starts while offering long-term potential. The Devils have a surplus of netminders, but it's not clear what the asking price would be, or if the Oilers see Daws as an upgrade that would be anything more than a player to put into their pipeline. 

Meanwhile, Edmonton has been linked to potential trades for Fabian Lysell from Boston, though overlapping talent makes such a move uncertain.  David Staples of the Edmonton Journal cited comments that the Bruins and the Oilers "have been in conversations.”

The Oilers also face decisions regarding minor moves and depth acquisitions to address key roster holes.

Milan Lucic PTO Veteran Gets a Tryout With Blues

St. Louis Blues confirmed on Tuesday that Milan Lucic is attempting an NHL return with a professional tryout. His last run was with the Boston Bruins before leaving the NHL to enter the Players' Assistance Program. He has since been reinstated.

The link between Peter Chiarelli and Lucic may explain Lucic’s PTO offer. While unlikely he's got what's needed in the tank to be an effective NHL player, it's a low-risk evaluation of whether the 37-year-old can contribute in a bottom-six role. 

For the Oilers, that the Blues are linked in this feels like another kick in the gut, assuming Lucic can make the team and be an impact player. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more.   Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.

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24 Nashville Predators in 24 days: Luke Evangelista

Is it October yet? 

Unfortunately, no, but we're here to help pass the time. From Aug. 8 to Sept. 1, The Hockey News Nashville Predators will be counting down 24 players in 24 days, profiling every current or potentially rostered player. 

Today's player profile is forward Luke Evangelista. 

24 Nashville Predators in 24 days series 

Adam Wilsby

Jordan Oesterle

Andreas Engulund

Cole Smith

Michael McCarron

Justin Barron

Zachary L’Heureux

Matthew Wood

Nick Blankenburg

Brady Martin

Michael Bunting

Justus Annunen

Nick Perbix

As an NHL prospect

Evangelista joined the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League in his first season of juniors, scoring two points in 27 games. He didn't really hit his stride until his draft year, the 2019-20 season, where he scored 61 points in 62 games.

He was selected 42nd overall by the Predators in the 2020 NHL Draft. Evangelista would actually play 14 games with the Chicago Wolves during the 2020-21 season, scoring four points in 14 games before returning to London the following season. 

During the 2021-22 season, he was named team captain of the London Knights and scored a massive 111 points (55 goals and 56 assists) in 62 games, with a plus/minus of 29. Shockingly, he was ranked fourth in scoring that season. 

Professional career 

Right wing Luke Evangelista skates during a scrimmage at Milwaukee Admirals practice Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Admirals. Dave Kallmann / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/ USA TODAY NETWORK

Evangelista was back in Milwaukee to start the 2022-23 season and continued to be a prolific scorer. He netted 41 goals in 49 games and played in the 2023 AHL All-Star Game. In the playoffs, Evangelista scored 15 points in 16 games. 

He also made his NHL debut, playing 24 games with the Predators and scoring 15 points. Evangelista joined the Predators full-time for the 2023-24 season, scoring 39 points in 80 games. He also had a point in six playoff games.

This past season, he had 32 points in 68 games. Evangelista has no current contract as he is a restricted free agent. 

What role will he play this season?

Dec 14, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Nashville Predators right wing Luke Evangelista (77) in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

This is a double layered situation. 

The elephant in the room needs to be addressed, that the Predators have still not extended a new contract to Evangelista. The Predators made him a qualifying offer on July 1, but Evangelista and his representation passed on it.

According to General Manager Barry Trotz, Evangelista's representation didn't like the length of the contract. The original offer expired on July 15. Evangelista's agents and the Predators have likely been negotiating offers since then, but about a month out from training camp, Evangelista is still a restricted free agent. 

Considering that Trotz's seat continues to get hotter and hotter following questionable signings in the offseason and almost weekly critiques by The Athletic on the Predators' front office, getting Evangelista to sign a new deal before the start of training camp or during would quiet some of that. 

In Evangelista's role with the Predators, he is a part of the next generation of this team. Considering all the talent that the Predators have drafted over the last three years and those ready to make the jump up to the NHL, Evangelista is leading that charge. 

His game is really beginning to heat up and getting him on a consistent line this fall could see everything really take off. If Brady Martin comes in, Matthew Wood starts going and the Fyodor Svechkov experiment works at center, the Predators are lined up for success. 

But that all starts with making sure that Evangelista is a priority and meeting his contractual obligations. It seems the Predators want to lock him down for a longer contract, which is why the negotiations are stalling. 

Trotz has said Evangelista is "the future" and he's really looking like that. 

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What Alex Cora expects from Red Sox prospect making debut vs. Yankees

What Alex Cora expects from Red Sox prospect making debut vs. Yankees originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Jhostynxon Garcia, also known as “The Password,” is the latest Red Sox prospect to be called up in hopes he’ll provide a spark.

Garcia, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, will bat fifth and start in centerfield as the Red Sox face the rival Yankees on Friday night. A late-August night at Yankee Stadium with the Red Sox playing arguably their most important series in years? No, not a bad night for a Major League debut.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora offered a scouting report of Garcia, a 22-year-old slugger who arrives after recording a .932 OPS in 66 games in Triple-A Worcester. MLB Pipeline views Garcia as Boston’s third-best prospect behind Franklin Arias and left-handed pitcher Payton Tolle.

“He swings a lot,” Cora said of Garcia, who has struck out 110 times in 99 games this season. “That’s the first thing, he swings a lot. But HE drives the ball to right-center, can do that with two strikes. He’s a great defender, good base-runner. So, we’ll see.”

Garcia’s elevation fills a need for the Red Sox with outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Rob Refsnyder on the injured list. Their respective injuries aren’t expected to cause long-term absences, which could result in Garcia returning to Worcester in the not-too-distant future. Unless, of course, he receives one of Boston’s added roster spots when rosters expand in 10 days.

For now, Cora indicated Garcia will start every game against a left-handed pitcher. He’s hit .283 with a .964 OPS against lefties this season.

Yankees left-hander Max Fried might present a different challenge for Garcia. But having watched rookie Roman Anthony blast one into the second deck against the Yankees on Thursday night, and having Anthony next to him in right field, could go a long way in setting the tone.

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Igor Shesterkin Took A Positive Step Last Season, But It Wasn't On The Ice

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Throughout the entirety of the 2024-25 season, there was a lot of noise surrounding Igor Shesterkin, but he remained quiet. 

He entered the season without a contract extension, as speculation about his future with the New York Rangers and contract status began to dominate headlines.

Shesterkin refused to talk about it though, making it hard to truly read his emotions. 

“I don’t read and I try to not hear about that,” Shesterkin said about all of the outside noise during the season. “I just focus on my game, on my practice and on my family. That’s it.”

In December, Shesterkin signed an eight-year, $92 million contract extension with the Rangers, which should have simmered down all of the outside noise. 

However, the Rangers began to struggle, and the team faced intense scrutiny for their play, including Shesterkin who signed the richest contract for a goaltender in NHL history.

It was a long and grueling year for both the Rangers and Shesterkin. 

During his exit interview, Shesterkin was as honest and candid as we’ve ever seen him. He divulged that the Rangers were a broken team.

“In my mind, something broke during the season and (went) the other way,” Shesterkin said. “We couldn't handle it.

“Probably not too much confidence. If we can look on the last season before when we won (the) President’s Trophy, if we’re down 3-0 we still know we get back but during the season I didn’t feel that sometimes.”

Dylan Garand's Confidence In Himself Runs DeepDylan Garand's Confidence In Himself Runs DeepNew York Rangers prospect Dylan Garand possesses the ideal trait for a goaltender: confidence. 

This kind of honesty and openness from the 29-year-old goalie is a good thing for the Rangers. Shesterkin is the face of the franchise, so his comments carry a significant amount of weight. 

He’s one of the best players in the NHL, but the next step for Shesterkin is to blossom into a leader, and his exit interview was a positive first step. 

There’s a lot of pressure on Shesterkin going into the 2025-26 campaign. 

In order for the Rangers to succeed and bounce back into Stanley Cup contention, it’s all on Shesterkin’s shoulders to propel them to those levels and prove he’s the best goalie in the world.

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Mets signing catcher Ali Sanchez to minor league deal: report

The Mets are signing catcher Ali Sanchez to a minor league deal, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic.

The move will bolster New York's minor league catching ranks with Francisco Alvarez on the shelf with a thumb injury that he hopes to play through before eventually needing surgery.

Sanchez, 28, began his career with the Mets organization as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2013. He worked his way up the ranks and eventually made his MLB debut during the 2020 season, when he appeared in five games -- notching one hit in nine at-bats.

After being DFA'd by New York in February 2021, he bounced around several big league organizations' minor league outfits and played a handful of big league games while making stops with St. Louis, Detroit, Arizona, the Chicago Cubs, and Miami. Sanchez appeared in nine big league games this season with Toronto (eight) and Boston (one), and tallied five hits in 22 at-bats (.227), including two doubles. 

In 54 games with the Blue Jays' Triple-A outfit this season, he slashed .279/.347/.419 for a .766 OPS with 13 extra-base hits and 28 RBI. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox earlier this month before he was again designated for assignment 10 days later.

Sanchez has appeared in 47 big league games and has 22 hits in 119 at-bats (.185) with six extra-base hits, for a .458 OPS.

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Adversity to evolution: How Mets prospect Brandon Sproat put himself on cusp of MLB debut

Last week, the Mets called up No. 4 prospect Nolan McLean for his big league debut, and he impressed with 5.1 scoreless innings against Seattle. This has led to the question of "who’s next?"

There is likely just one more prospect who should be expected to debut during the 2025 season: No. 5 prospect, right-hander Brandon Sproat. 

It’s been somewhat of a roller coaster ride for Sproat, who -- less than a year ago -- was the consensus Mets No. 1 prospect and was ranked among the top 50-60 prospects in all of baseball. It now appears as if that ride is soon going to arrive at the station, Willets Point that is.

Sproat burst onto the scene last year in his first professional season after the Mets took him in the second round of the 2023 MLB Draft.

In 17 starts split between High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton, he was basically untouchable, posting a 2.05 ERA in 87.2 innings with 110 strikeouts. Batters only hit .170 with a .523 OPS against him. He was blowing hitters away with his upper 90s fastball and leaning on a changeup and sweeper as his primary secondary offerings.

Then came his first real adversity as a professional at the Triple-A level. He made his first start with Syracuse on Aug. 8 against Worcester and allowed six runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings with three walks and four strikeouts. Sproat ended up making seven Triple-A starts to close out 2024 and posted an unsightly 7.53 ERA. Triple-A opponents hit .313 with a .957 OPS against him.

Adversity is not a bad thing. In fact, it is something the Mets organization embraces, as senior vice president of player development Andy Green told us on The Mets Pod back in spring training. 

"[Adversity] is going to come in a big league uniform at some point in time, and you can always go back to that experience in the minor leagues," Green said. "We would love for everyone to have to fight through something."

New York Mets pitcher Brandon Sproat (91) prepares to pitch against the Houston Astros at Clover Park.
New York Mets pitcher Brandon Sproat (91) prepares to pitch against the Houston Astros at Clover Park. / Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Some of that adversity was due to challenges at the Triple-A level that affect some more than others. They use the major league ball there, and it is a different ball than Double-A and below. That generally has a negative impact on pitch metrics. 

There is also the ABS challenge system, so pitchers must be more precise. On top of those changes, pitchers are facing veteran players, sometimes as much as 10 years older than them, who have much more of a plan at the plate.

The Mets were excited about Sproat’s spring training and his approach heading into this season, but it did not go according to plan for his first 15 outings. In 62 innings, Sproat posted a 5.95 ERA and struggled to miss bats, striking out only 43, which is a well below average 15.4 percent strikeout rate.

From a pitch usage standpoint, Sproat appeared to be focusing on trying to be a ground ball pitcher, with a higher use of his sinker. He was throwing it 21 percent of the time during that stretch after throwing it just one percent of the time in 2024. Overall, his power stuff wasn’t quite as powerful as it was in 2024.

His four-seam fastball’s average velocity was down nearly a full mile per hour, from 96.7 mph in 2024 to 95.9 mph in early 2025. It wasn’t just his fastball; his velocities were down across the board. 

There was some thought that Sproat was not throwing with conviction and trusting his stuff like he should. He was pitching much more defensively, just trying to outsmart hitters instead of attacking them.

In late June, there was a mental shift from Sproat. He decided, after conferring with his mental strength coach as well as the Mets organization, that he was going to just let everything loose and throw the ball nearly as hard as he could. In his eyes, there was no downside.

In nine starts since, Sproat has pitched to a 2.05 ERA in 48.1 innings with 57 strikeouts. In this span, his 30.3 percent strikeout rate was essentially double what it was earlier in the year. Opponents have hit only .144 with a .461 OPS against Sproat over the last nine starts.

For Sproat, everything has taken a step forward in the last nine starts. 

He is throwing more strikes, getting more swings and misses, his ground ball rate is up and, importantly, his line drive rate has gone down significantly. His average velocities and/or whiff percentages are up across the board for all six of his offerings from just earlier this season:

- Four-seam fastball velocity is up from 95.9 mph to 97.1, and whiff percentage is up from 18.1 percent to 32.1

- Changeup whiff rate is up from 27.8 percent to 40.6

- Sinker velocity is up from 95.3 mph to 96.1

- Slider velocity is up from 86.9 mph to 90 mph, and whiff rate is up from 20.7 percent to 24.4

- Sweeper whiff percentage is up from 31 percent to 38.6

- Curve ball velocity is up from 78.9 mph to 81.1 mph, and whiff percentage is up from 27.8 percent to 34.3

Sproat is pitching with confidence and conviction, and his stuff has ticked up across the board. He is back to routinely touching 99-100 mph, which he was not doing at all earlier in the season.

The Mets' rotation has been struggling for much of the second half, and Sproat has made the necessary adjustments that warrant a call-up. 

Having both McLean and Sproat in the rotation could provide a jolt that the Mets seem like they need as they head into the final month of the season -- as they try to make the playoffs for the second year in a row for just the third time in franchise history.

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Sabres Prospect Profile – David Bedkowski

The Buffalo Sabres have been considered to have one of the deepest prospect pools in the NHL, which is in part due to them selecting high in recent drafts because of their not qualifying for the playoffs. The Sabres have displayed an eye for talent, but the organization’s developmental model has not yielded enough results. 

Leading up to the opening of training camp in mid-September, we will look at the club's top 40 prospects. All are 25 years old or younger, whose rights are currently held by the Sabres or are on AHL or NHL deals, and have played less than 40 NHL games. 

#21 - David Bedkowski - D - (Owen Sound - OHL)

The Sabres have drafted predominantly right-handed defensemen (Radim Mrtka, Adam Kleber, Simon-Pier Brunet, Maxim Strbak, Gavin McCarthy, and Vsevolod Komarov) in the last four drafts, with the top half of their NHL blueline all left-handers. The club continued that practice at the 2025 NHL Draft, selecting Mrtka ninth overall, and after trading their second-round pick to clear Connor Clifton’s contract and acquire righty Conor Timmins, Buffalo selected another righty in David Bedkowski. 

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The 18-year-old played his first two OHL seasons with Oshawa and was traded last season to the Owen Sound Attack. The 6’5”, 215 lb. defenseman’s skill set is purely physical, as last season he had only seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in 35 games, but compiled 73 penalty minutes. 

Elite Prospects Draft Guide said that it would be an understatement to say Bedkowski has a mean streak. “He punishes. He hurts, retaliates, beats down, knocks, and crushes opponents with open-ice hits and bone-rattling contact along the boards.”  That mean streak is something that most of Buffalo’s blueline has been missing for years, but it will be at least a few years before the Toronto native can bring that physicality to the NHL roster.