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Where Steve Kerr hopes Brandin Podziemski can improve in third Warriors season

Where Steve Kerr hopes Brandin Podziemski can improve in third Warriors season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Steve Kerr believes that Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski took a big leap in his second NBA season.   

He also believes that Podziemski isn’t done growing. 

“I think this is a year where he takes another step,” Kerr told reporters Tuesday after Golden State’s first NBA training camp practice. “To be able to get through that crucible where you’re in the starting lineup, you’re in the playoffs, spotlight’s on you, you have a few bad shooting nights. Every player goes through that. He’s a tough guy and a tough player. I just think that he’s on a very natural progression to continue his improvement.”

Podziemski started in all but one of the Warriors’ 12 NBA playoff games last season, averaging 11.3 points per contest on just a 36.4 field-goal percentage.  

His best performance came in Game 4 of the first round against the Houston Rockets, in which he scored 26 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including six 3-pointers. His big shooting performance was the difference as the Warriors pulled out a 109-106 win to take a 3-1 advantage in the series. 

“One of the hardest lessons I ever learned as a player is when you have that bad night, you have to move on quickly. And you can’t let it get to you; you can’t let it carry over into the next day’s practice,” Kerr explained. “And if you’re a competitor, that can be really hard. BP’s a big-time competitor, he cares. So, I want to help him move forward after those inevitable tough nights.” 

Kerr wants his third-year guard to work on remaining aggressive when shooting the ball. But there’s another specific area he wants Podziemski to focus on. 

“Honestly, you’ll laugh, but leaving the refs alone,” Kerr said of the 22-year-old. “I mean, that’s important. It’s important to his energy, his mindset. It’s important for our team’s mindset. And taking that next step in just being more even-keeled.” 

Podziemski echoed his coach’s assessment. 

“I think [the] big thing to show another leap would be emotional maturity,” Podziemski told reporters Tuesday after being told what Kerr said. “Talking to the refs is included in that. But, just keeping a composure about myself so that my teammates see that.” 

As the Warriors’ roster grows older, Kerr noted their veterans inevitably will miss some games. In those instances, the younger core, which includes Podziemski, will be relied on much more heavily. 

“And those games that the veterans are out, how can we manufacture wins, and I think I’m going to be a focal part of that when they’re out,” Podziemski said, noting the importance of his emotional maturity. “So if they’re going to look to me and I’m out of whack emotionally, [it] becomes hard to win.” 

After some slight struggles to begin the 2024-25 NBA season, Podziemski missed 12 games due to injury in late December into late January. But, he returned with some great shooting, averaging 14.9 points per game while shooting 46.9 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from beyond the arc in his final 34 games of the regular season. 

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Do the MLB playoffs reseed teams? How the Division Series bracket will take shape

Do the MLB playoffs reseed teams? How the Division Series bracket will take shape originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

A few MLB playoff teams can sit back, relax and enjoy the opening round of the 2025 postseason.

The top two clubs in the American and National Leagues earned byes for the Wild Card Series and automatically qualified for the Division Series.

The No. 1-seeded Toronto Blue Jays and No. 2 Seattle Mariners will begin the playoffs in the ALDS, while the No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers and No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies clinched NLDS berths.

So, who could the Blue Jays, Mariners, Brewers and Phillies draw first this postseason? Here’s how the Division Series bracket will take shape:

Do the MLB playoffs reseed teams?

The MLB playoffs follow a bracket format and do not reseed teams. That means, for example, the top-seeded Blue Jays will face the winner of the No. 4 New York Yankees-No. 5 Boston Red Sox series even if the No. 6-seeded Detroit Tigers were to advance.

What is the Division Series bracket in the 2025 MLB playoffs?

Here’s a look at the Division Series bracket possibilities:

American League

  • No. 2 Seattle Mariners vs. No. 3 Cleveland Guardians/No. 6 Detroit Tigers
  • No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays vs. No. 4 New York Yankees/No. 5 Boston Red Sox

National League

How many games are in the Wild Card Series?

The first round of the MLB playoffs features a best-of-three format where the higher seed has home-field advantage for the entire series.

How many games are in the Division Series?

The postseason then moves to a best-of-five format for the Division Series. The higher seed has home-field advantage for Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 5.

When do the 2025 ALDS, NLDS start?

All four Division Series are slated to begin Saturday, Oct. 4.

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Do the MLB playoffs reseed teams? How the Division Series bracket will take shape

Do the MLB playoffs reseed teams? How the Division Series bracket will take shape originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

A few MLB playoff teams can sit back, relax and enjoy the opening round of the 2025 postseason.

The top two clubs in the American and National Leagues earned byes for the Wild Card Series and automatically qualified for the Division Series.

The No. 1-seeded Toronto Blue Jays and No. 2 Seattle Mariners will begin the playoffs in the ALDS, while the No. 1 Milwaukee Brewers and No. 2 Philadelphia Phillies clinched NLDS berths.

So, who could the Blue Jays, Mariners, Brewers and Phillies draw first this postseason? Here’s how the Division Series bracket will take shape:

Do the MLB playoffs reseed teams?

The MLB playoffs follow a bracket format and do not reseed teams. That means, for example, the top-seeded Blue Jays will face the winner of the No. 4 New York Yankees-No. 5 Boston Red Sox series even if the No. 6-seeded Detroit Tigers were to advance.

What is the 2025 MLB playoff bracket?

Here’s a look at the Division Series bracket possibilities:

American League

  • No. 2 Seattle Mariners vs. No. 3 Cleveland Guardians/No. 6 Detroit Tigers
  • No. 1 Toronto Blue Jays vs. No. 4 New York Yankees/No. 5 Boston Red Sox

National League

How many games are in the Wild Card Series?

The first round of the MLB playoffs features a best-of-three format where the higher seed has home-field advantage for the entire series.

How many games are in the Division Series?

The postseason then moves to a best-of-five format for the Division Series. The higher seed has home-field advantage for Games 1, 2 and, if necessary, 5.

When do the 2025 ALDS, NLDS start?

All four Division Series are slated to begin Saturday, Oct. 4.

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Philadelphia Flyers Cut Several Top Prospects from Training Camp Roster

(Photo: Eric Canha, Imagn Images)

After the latest round of training camp roster cuts, the Philadelphia Flyers are rapidly approaching their final roster ahead of opening night to start the 2025-26 season.

On Tuesday, the Flyers said farewell to a number of their top prospects, including some who were in a realistic battle for an NHL roster spot.

Chief among those prospects is winger Alex Bump, whose lowlight gaffe and otherwise ineffective performance against the Boston Bruins on Saturday helped doom him to an AHL start with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Forward Anthony Richard, a 2024 preseason standout, was also placed on waivers Tuesday with the intention of being assigned to the AHL.

Among the other cuts were Denver Barkey, Alexis Gendron, Devin Kaplan, Emil Andrae, Helge Grans, Hunter McDonald, Ty Murchison, and goalies Aleksei Kolosov and Carson Bjarnason.

Of the players in that group, Andrae stands out as the real surprise.

Grans, having been placed on waivers on Monday and clearing waivers Tuesday, played himself out of consideration.

Injured Flyers Prospect Missing Out on Big OpportunityInjured Flyers Prospect Missing Out on Big OpportunityIn what is shaping up to be a race to the bottom in the battle for a roster spot on defense, injured Philadelphia Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk is, unfortunately, missing out on a big opportunity.

Dennis Gilbert, Noah Juulsen, Adam Ginning, and Egor Zamula are all still in the mix for the Flyers, but Ginning is the only one who has been even remotely impressive or noticeable in a good way this preseason.

Based solely on merit, Andrae should have been given a roster spot, or at least a chance to earn one until the very end, but it would seem that head coach Rick Tocchet and the Flyers were gravely concerned about his 5-foot-9 size.

Andrae is waivers-exempt, so there's no real risk here, but it's hard to feel that the Flyers are icing their best possible lineup at this time.

With Bump and Barkey officially out of the mix, it would seem that Nikita Grebenkin and Rodrigo Abols have unblocked paths to NHL roster spots out of camp, and both players fully earned it if so.

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Rangers Place 2 Players On Waivers

Connor Mackey (© Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images)

According to PuckPedia, the New York Rangers have placed forward Brendan Brisson and defenseman Connor Mackey on waivers. 

The Rangers acquired Brisson this past season in the deal that sent forward Reilly Smith back to the Vegas Golden Knights. Following the trade, Brisson appeared in 16 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2024-25, where he posted two goals, four assists, six points, and 12 penalty minutes. 

Brisson was selected by the Golden Knights with the 29th overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. In 24 career NHL games, he has recorded two goals, six assists, eight points, and a plus-2 rating. 

Mackey, on the other hand, recorded six goals, 14 assists, 24 points, and 102 penalty minutes in 66 games last season with Hartford. He also played in two NHL games with the Rangers during the 2024-25 season, recording zero points, five penalty minutes, and an even plus/minus rating.

In 42 career NHL games over five seasons split between the Calgary Flames, Arizona Coyotes, and Rangers, Mackey has recorded four goals, seven assists, 11 points, and 80 penalty minutes. 

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Kawhi Leonard Seeks to Impeach Sponsor in Salary-Cap Flap

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard’s comments at his team’s media day on Monday marked the first time he’s addressed allegations he signed a contract with a team sponsor with the understanding the compensation reflected payments on behalf of the Clippers that were in addition to his player salary.

Leonard ridiculed the allegations as far-fetched “conspiracies” that further “clickbait” schemes, and he underscored how the sponsor company engaged in “fraud” and shouldn’t be trusted. In doing so, the star player made clear he’ll fight to preserve the reputation of the Clippers, team owner Steve Ballmer and himself.

The allegations center on how in 2022, Clippers team sponsor Aspiration, a now-bankrupt sustainability services company with whom Ballmer and minority Clippers owner Dennis J. Wong invested millions of dollars, signed Leonard to a four-year, $28 million deal. The parties allegedly understood Leonard didn’t have to perform services in exchange for pay and that the deal would end if the Clippers traded Leonard. The allegations were made on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, with additional reporting by the Boston Sports Journal and Toronto Star. 

If proven, the allegations strongly suggest the Clippers violated Article 13 of the collective bargaining agreement. 

Article 13 prohibits “any agreements” of “any kind” that are “express or implied, oral or written” or “understandings of any kind” in which the team uses a sponsor or business to circumvent the cap by paying a player money that exceeds his contract.  

The Clippers signed Leonard to a four-year, $176.3 million max contract in 2021, but if Aspiration paid Leonard extra on behalf of the Clippers, the Clippers would have violated Article 13. Potential punishments would include fines, suspensions, forfeiture of draft picks and termination of Leonard’s contract with the Clippers.

A finding of cap circumvention would also effectively brand Ballmer, Leonard and others as cheaters—an ignoble distinction and figurative scarlet letter they’d carry for the rest of their NBA careers.

Leonard said the allegations are factually wrong and suggested Aspiration’s bankruptcy and fraudulent acts are overlooked factors. 

To that point, Leonard said he understood the terms of the Aspiration contract “and the services that I had to do.” His reference to “services” is significant, because it signals the deal obligated him to perform acts and was not a do-nothing, gift-like arrangement. 

Leonard also stressed how Aspiration “went bankrupt” and how he and others “knew” that development would invite controversy. According to court filings from March 31, Aspiration owes Leonard a lot of money—about $7 million. The company also allegedly owes the Clippers and the Boston Red Sox $30.1 million and $5 million, respectively.

Leonard further described Aspiration going “belly up” as a reflection of “fraud.” Last month, Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud. According to the Justice Department, Sanberg deceived investors and lenders. 

It’s not surprising that Leonard repeatedly referenced “fraud.” If allegations against the Clippers are based on statements and materials provided by Aspiration officials, Leonard and the team can more persuasively argue the accusers and the materials stem from fraudulent operations and thus shouldn’t be trusted. In law, the tactic of claiming an accuser is unreliable or untrustworthy is known as impeaching the witness. It could prove crucial for Leonard and the Clippers.

That brings the discussion to the NBA. The league is investigating the allegations and has retained a law firm, Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, to assist. 

The NBA could rely on circumstantial evidence, meaning indirect proof that is reliable enough to draw inferences, to find the Clippers guilty. Along those lines, the NBA doesn’t need an email or contract referencing a conspiracy between the Clippers and Aspiration. A mere “understanding,” which is a low threshold and can refer to an informal, shared perception, would be sufficient.

At the same time, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has cautioned that while the NBA is not a court of law—with accompanying procedures and formalized protections for the accused—he’s going to be fair. A seasoned attorney, Silver values foundational safeguards emphasized in law school and at providers of legal services. He has referenced that reliable evidence will be necessary for the league to conclude the Clippers broke the rules and that due process matters in reaching such a determination. 

Those factors don’t mean the NBA will clear the Clippers, but they do mean Silver will need to be convinced that allegations are based on trustworthy sources and corroborated evidence that withstands scrutiny.

That’s why Leonard’s comments are important: He’s presenting a rebuttal to the allegations and raising questions about the sources. Whether he and the Clippers win the case remains to be seen.

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Flyers' Helge Grans Clears Waivers; Now What?

(Photo: Eric Hartline, Imagn Images)

The Philadelphia Flyers can consider themselves somewhat lucky that prospect defenseman Helge Grans went unclaimed on waivers Tuesday, but where do the two sides go from here?

Grans, 23, is still under contract through next season after inking a two-year, $1.58 million contract extension this offseason.

At the same time, though, he was considered a shoo-in for the Flyers' roster this year in the wake of Rasmus Ristolainen's injury, only to get cut before players like Noah Juulsen, Adam Ginning, Emil Andrae, Dennis Gilbert, and Egor Zamula.

That's particularly prudent, as Ginning had an awful training camp last year and played in only one NHL game, whereas Grans played in his first six NHL games for the Flyers.

Now, the tables have turned, with Ginning putting himself in the driver's seat for a roster spot and Grans enduring the disastrous training camp. Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet prefers to have a lefty and a righty on each defense pair, which underscores how bad Grans was to get to this point.

The 6-foot-3 Swede was such an attractive prospect heading into his draft year due to his rare combination of size and skating ability, but despite that size and skating ability, Grans was uncharacteristically and regularly beaten to the net with speed in the preseason.

Now that he can start the season in the AHL with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Grans will have an opportunity to impress Flyers brass and begin auditioning for another opportunity as soon as possible.

Injured Flyers Prospect Missing Out on Big OpportunityInjured Flyers Prospect Missing Out on Big OpportunityIn what is shaping up to be a race to the bottom in the battle for a roster spot on defense, injured Philadelphia Flyers prospect Oliver Bonk is, unfortunately, missing out on a big opportunity.

Clearly, the moment was too big for Grans after an offseason full of hype and promise, but the opportunity isn't completely gone.

In addition to being under contract for two seasons, the Flyers just simply can't count on Ristolainen surviving the rigors of a long and arduous regular season any longer.

On top of that, the battle on defense for a roster spot has been so unflattering so far that anyone who makes the team can falter and open a place in the lineup in the blink of an eye.

The Flyers were probably wise to cut Grans from their roster before other teams had the opportunity to make their final cuts and the league-wide waivers carousel begins around the NHL.

The 23-year-old would have been far more likely to get claimed at the end of the preseason, though it's also possible that teams saw Grans's performance in the preseason and decided that if he can't make the lowly Flyers, he won't be able to help them, either.

Regardless, the Flyers have no reason to rush the process along. For Grans, it's now time to roll with the punches, learn from this experience, and return to the Flyers in the future as a better player.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo confirms he re-evaluated his future with Bucks this summer. Like every summer.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is not in Milwaukee to start training camp — but that did not stop the drama.

Antetokounmpo zoomed into Bucks media day Monday from his home, where he is recovering from a case of COVID (he is expected to return in the coming days). From his house, Antetokounmpo said things Bucks fans will want to hear, such as that he is all-in on the Bucks this season, he is ten-toes down, believes in his teammates and called the Bucks "very, very dangerous."

He also confirmed that he did re-evaluate his future with the Bucks over the summer, but added that is nothing new.

"Of course, yes," Antetokounmpo said about the reports he considered whether to seek a change this summer. "Guys, every summer there's truth. To every report. The same thing I've been saying my whole career – I want to be on a team that allows me, gives me a chance to win a championship and wants to compete at a high level.

"I think it's a disservice to basketball, it's a disservice just to the game to not want to compete at a high level, to not want your season to end in April. So, it's pretty much the same. It's not the first time. I had the same thoughts last year, I had the same thoughts two years ago, I had the same thoughts five years ago – yeah, 2020 – so it's never gonna change. I want to be among the best, I want to compete with the best, and I want to win another championship and that's it."

Antetokounmpo felt he got to do that for his native Greece this summer at EuroBasket, and said winning the bronze medal there was "Probably the greatest accomplishment in my life." Now he wants that feeling again in Milwaukee.

The Bucks did enough to keep Antetokounmpo happy this summer, waiving and stretching Damian Lillard to free up the cap space to sign stretch big Myles Turner away from the Pacers. However, if the Bucks get off to a slow start, the rumors will just start up again.

Another bit of drama came via Antetokounmpo and Bucks owner Wes Edens. When discussing Antetokounmpo and his future with the franchise, Edens said, "I had a great conversation with Giannis in June, and he made it clear that he is committed to Milwaukee and he likes having his family here."

Antetokounmpo was asked about that meeting an hour later when it was his turn.

"I cannot recall that meeting."

Antetokounmpo has never been anything but loyal to the Bucks, and has said countless times that he loves Milwaukee and raising his family there. However, he has also consistently been clear — as he was at media day — that if he feels the Bucks can't compete for a title, he will move on.

That means the drama isn't going away heading into the season. Sorry, Bucks fans.

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NHL Waivers: 22 Players Placed On Wire On Sept. 30

A new batch of players are on NHL waivers as roster cutdowns continue.

The Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets placed a total of 22 players on the wire.

For each player, the rest of the NHL has 24 hours to submit a claim for them. Otherwise, they'll be eligible for the AHL.

Here are the players on NHL waivers until Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. ET, according to PuckPedia.

  • Carolina: Gavin Bayreuther, Noel Gunler, Tyson Jost, Josiah Slavin, Ryan Suzuki
  • Calgary: Clark Bishop, Dryden Hunt, Yan Kuznetsov, Sam Morton
  • Edmonton: Matt Tomkins
  • NY Islanders: Matthew Highmore, Marcus Hogberg
  • NY Rangers: Brendan Brisson, Connor Mackey
  • Philadelphia: Anthony Richard
  • San Jose: Shane Bowers, Jimmy Huntington, Samuel Laberge, Oskar Olausson, Jakub Skarek
  • Winnipeg: Tyrel Bauer, Isaak Phillips
Tyson Jost (James Guillory-Imagn Images)

Jost, 27, has played 495 career NHL games, including 39 last season with the Hurricanes. The center and left winger had four goals and nine points, adding nine points in 14 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves. This pre-season, he put up an assist in four games.

Morton, 26, has only played one NHL game while Hunt has appeared in 235. But Morton competed for Calgary's fourth-line center role, scoring once in four pre-season games. Flames coach Ryan Huska praised Morton for going hard into battles, finishing checks and playing with a bit of positive recklessness.

Tomkins, 31, started six NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2023-24, winning three of them. With the Syracuse Crunch, he received the Harry 'Hap' Holmes Memorial Award in 2024-25 for being the goaltender on the AHL team that allowed the fewest goals against. This pre-season, Tomkins recorded a 3.41 goals-against average and .828 save percentage in 87:57 minutes played for Edmonton.

Hogberg, a 30-year-old goaltender, played in 15 games for the Islanders last season, putting up a 2-6-3 record, 3.38 GAA and .878 SP. He stopped 27 of 30 shots across two games this pre-season.

Brisson, 23, spent most of last season in the AHL, recording 25 points in 61 games. The Rangers acquired the 2020 first-round pick from the Vegas Golden Knights in March. The left winger was a minus-2 in two games this pre-season.

Richard, 28, played 15 games for the Flyers last season, recording six points. The center and left winger scored a goal in two pre-season contests.

Olausson, 22, was selected 28th overall in the 2021 NHL draft by the Colorado Avalanche. They traded the right winger to the Sharks this past July in exchange for Danil Gushchin. Olausson has yet to record an NHL point after four career games, and he was a minus-1 in one pre-season match.

Phillips, 24, has played 56 career NHL games, including three last season, when he scored once. The defenseman was a minus-2 and took two shots in two pre-season games.

All 22 players placed on waivers on Sept. 29 cleared, including Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Kevin Gravel and Jiri Patera.

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Islanders Waive Marcus Hogberg, David Rittich Wins Backup Goaltender Job

The New York Islanders have placed goaltender Marcus Hogberg on waivers, which means that David Rittich has won the opportunity to start the season as Ilya Sorokin's backup.

The writing was on the wall, which had been the case ever since the 33-year-old Czech backstop put pen to paper on his contract this summer. His one-year, $1 million deal was never intended for Bridgeport. 

For Marcus Hogberg, he looked solid in his two preseason appearances, posting a 3.56 GAA with a .900 SV%, allowing three goals on 27 shots. 

His numbers were actually better than Rittich's, who recorded a 3.58 GAA and an .855 SV% in his three appearances, allowing eight goals on 47 shots.  

The biggest difference is the two's Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAA), if you believe in that sort of thing. In essence, it's which goals should have been stopped based on the quality and quantity of the shots. 

Rittich had a -0.56 GSAA, which means he stopped fewer shots than the numbers thought he should. Hogberg played to a 1.06 GSAA, which means that he stopped one more goal than the model expected. 

That mixed with how Rittich's 2024-25 season went, tying a career-low with an .886 SV% and a 2.84 GAA, could have people questioning why he won the backup job. 

It comes down to Roy's trust in the goaltender. 

In Monday night's 3-2 preseason loss to the New York Rangers, Rittich had a rough start, allowing two of the first three goals to go in -- two goals he'd want back. 

"I don't feel bad," Rittich said about how he's played this preseason. "It's just some sort of things. It's better when that happens in the preseason than in the regular season. So I hope I got rid of those unlucky bounces and bad reads by me. I just hope it's gonna get better."

When asked about Rittich's performance, Roy had this to say: 

"He said something that he had a couple of bad reads. But I will say this, he's a great pro, so I have no worry about him," Roy said. "I think he has the quality to be able to evaluate himself very well. And if he says that he had a couple of bad reads, I'm on his side. So I mean, I know that he's a great competitor. He's going to do everything to help the team, and I have a lot of trust in him."

Trust is the keyword, as it played a part in the Islanders needing to go out and get another goaltender this summer, despite Hogberg being under contract (with one year remaining at $775,000). 

When Semyon Varlamov went down in November, it took Roy a little bit before deciding that he trusted Hogberg with NHL minutes, with the veteran returning to the NHL following three seasons back home in Sweden. 

Once he got his shot, Hogberg played well. But after an upper-body injury before the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off, he struggled.

Over his final eight starts of the season, he went 0-5-3, with a 5.00 GAA and an .821 SV%. That led to the Islanders going out and bringing in some competition, knowing that Varlamov would not be ready for the start of the season. 

However, if Hogberg plays well in Bridgeport and Rittich struggles, there's a chance that Hogberg could get NHL time. 

The key question here is whether Hogberg makes it through waivers, and what the Islanders do if he doesn't. 

Unless they are hopeful that another goaltender hits waivers -- maybe Boston Bruins Michael DiPietro or a Buffalo Sabres' Alex Lyon or Russian Alexandar Georgiev -- Darche may need to look at making a cheap deal because Bridgeport will need a veteran to pair with Tristan Lennox. 

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Ex-Maple Leafs Winger Max Pacioretty Ends NHL Career, Takes Coaching Job At Michigan

Max Pacioretty has called it a career.

The University of Michigan announced on Tuesday that Pacioretty, an alum, will join the hockey program as a Special Assistant to Head Coach Brandon Naurato. For the 17-year NHL veteran, this move to Ann Arbor is the natural endpoint for a career consistently plagued by brutal Achilles injuries."

"After 17 seasons in the NHL, I'm excited to begin this next chapter with Michigan Hockey," Pacioretty said in a statement. "I'm so thankful for the teammates, coaches and fans who have been a part of my journey. Hockey has given me so much, and now I have the opportunity to help develop the next generation of players. Michigan has a tradition of producing elite talent, and I can't wait to share what I've learned to help these guys grow on and off the ice. Just as important, this next step allows me to be closer to my family and spend more time with my kids. I'm going to be coaching my four boys in youth hockey and that's something I'll really cherish as a dad."

Pacioretty joined the Toronto Maple Leafs last season on a professional tryout before signing a one-year contract with bonuses that paid him $1.5 million. The acquisition for Toronto and his brief tenure was a low-cost, high-reward bet that paid off in some aspects. 

Why the Maple Leafs Signed Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz to Contracts Following Their Professional TryoutsWhy the Maple Leafs Signed Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz to Contracts Following Their Professional TryoutsThe Maple Leafs also signed defenseman Cade Webber to a two-year contract extension beginning in 2025-26.

Limited by the effects of twice suffering a torn Achilles tendon—a brutal injury that cost him the latter part of his career—he tallied a modest five goals and eight assists in 37 regular-season games with the Leafs. However, his value materialized in the postseason.

After Pacioretty was a healthy scratch for Toronto’s first two postseason games, he went on to score three goals and add five assists for eight points in just 11 games, finishing fourth in scoring behind William Nylander, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. Pacioretty's goal in Game 6 against the Ottawa Senators was crucial in helping Toronto advance to the second round, after the opponents erased a Toronto 2-0 lead.

After Toronto's playoff exit against the Florida Panthers, Pacioretty was reflective, citing the personal sacrifice his family had made while he played in Toronto. His family remained in Michigan as the player played in Toronto last year.  The opportunity to return to his alma mater as an assistant to the Wolverines program fits the personal needs of the player. He retires with 389 goals and 399 assists for 788 points across 939 games with the Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and Leafs.

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Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool: Champions League – as it happened

Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty and a late VAR intervention condemned disjointed Liverpool to defeat

1 min: Liverpool have stationed Szoboszlai at right back, with Frimpong up in Salah’s usual position … and the latter wins a corner after 49 seconds. The former to take.

Liverpool huddle, the Gala fans whistle their displeasure, and then the visitors get the ball rolling. Roar! Growl! Bedlam!

Continue reading...
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Brady Tkachuk On Starring In Prime Video Show: 'I'm An Open Book To Begin With'

Brady Tkachuk is one of the most unique players in the NHL.

His blend of skill and physicality is unmatched, making him the preeminent power forward in the NHL. Since the beginning of the 2018-19 season, when the young left winger entered the NHL, there has been only one player during this span who has recorded 30-plus goals and 240-plus hits in a season.

It is Brady Tkachuk, and he has done it three times.

As meaningful as his individual accomplishments have been, Tkachuk has married that ruggedness on the ice by exhibiting a natural and comfortable disposition off it. Being around NHL locker rooms from a very young age assuredly helped him develop and prepare for a potential NHL future, but Tkachuk's charm and candour have helped transform him from being just another hockey player. They have endeared him to this community and hockey market, making him one of the most popular players in Ottawa Senators history.

Tkachuk's 2024-25 season made him one of the most marketable figures in the sport, and Amazon's Prime Video was there to capture it all as part of their second season of 'Faceoff: Inside the NHL'.

The storylines involving Brady were compelling.

The Ottawa Senators had missed the postseason for seven consecutive seasons, while Brady's brother Matthew had just won his first Stanley Cup in Florida. Brady and his wife, Emma, welcomed their first child, Ryder, into the world. Balancing family life and his philanthropic work while trying to push the Senators towards a postseason berth added layers of compelling stories before even considering Tkachuk's starring role playing for the United States in the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off.

And Amazon had access to it all, inviting fans and media to watch an early screening of Brady's episode at Cineplex Cinemas Lansdowne this past Wednesday.

The captain of the Ottawa Senators held court with the assembled media before the showing.

"I'm an open book to begin with," Brady stated while explaining what fans can take away from his episode. "To see the ins and outs at the rink and the stuff that people normally wouldn't see. Our team camaraderie, too. It shows our group and the city well.

"I'm excited for everybody to see a part of my life. It was an awesome experience, and I'm really looking forward to everybody seeing it."

Having the cameras constantly be around was a process that Tkachuk admitted he had to get used to.

"They did a great job of not being invasive or in your face," Brady said appreciatively. "Even in the room, you almost forget that they're there.

"They do such a good job of respecting your space, but capturing those moments that not everybody wants to (have seen). Those raw, emotional moments when not everything's all sunshine and rainbows. There are emotional moments, and I think they did a great job of capturing those."

Marketing and growing the game is an obligation Tkachuk recognizes and wants to help with.

"Growing up, I was always watching (HBO's) Road to Winter Classic," Brady acknowledged. "Seeing the behind-the-scenes (footage), I thought it was the coolest thing in the world.

"Now, being able to have this opportunity to do that for myself, and have the next generation of future fans and kids now look up to me and see not just a hockey player, but see how I treat my family. Family is so important to me. To have an opportunity to showcase yourself, and people and fans can be a part of it, to get to know that side of (me). That's a super cool opportunity."

Brady believes that fans will really enjoy the 4 Nations Face-Off footage, but feels that Amazon accurately portrayed the team's push for the postseason.

"At the time we started, we were right outside of a playoff spot," the captain recalled. "When I had this opportunity, it was just going to be meant to be. (Amazon was) going to capture this drought being over, and we're going to make the playoffs.

"To capture that ride and the highs and lows of that stressful time of the year (was important). It was the perfect opportunity to show the hunger, the drive, and what it took to get to the playoffs. It's going to be really cool for the city and the fans to see the behind-the-scenes of what it took to get there."

The episode even delved into the Senators' early-season struggles and the unfounded trade rumours that began emanating out of the United States. For a smaller market like Ottawa, the episode was a notable opportunity to showcase itself to a much bigger audience.

"(Amazon) did a great job (portraying Ottawa)," Brady said when asked about whether the series would help put this city at the forefront. "It shows us going to Icelynd with its skating trails and something fun that the city has to offer.

"For me, it's an honour to be able to represent this city and what it's all about. The passion and the care that everybody has in this city (comes through). I'm excited for everyone to be a part of this episode and for the future things to come.

Tkachuk's is the first of the six-episode docuseries that will launch on Friday, October 3rd. All six episodes will premiere exclusively on Prime Video.

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