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Giannis Antetokounmpo on if he will stay with Bucks: 'Probably, I love Milwaukee'

While fans headed to the trade machine and teams lined up potential offers just in case, the most logical outcome of this summer's Giannis Antetokounmpo's flirtation with the trade market was always that he would remain with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Antetokounmpo essentially confirmed that during a live stream with iShowSpeed, when asked if he would remain with the Bucks next season:

"Probably. Probably, we'll see. Probably, I love Milwaukee."

We have seen this movie before. Antetokounmpo uses the hint he could ask out as leverage, pushing the Bucks to make big, bold offseason moves to keep the team in contention. A couple of years ago, that meant making a massive trade and sending out Jrue Holiday to help acquire Damian Lillard. This summer, it was waiving and stretching Lillard — at great cost to the future, $22 million of dead money on the books for each of the next five years — to sign Myles Turner. Rinse and repeat.

Except, these Bucks still feel like they are one player, one ball-handling guard or wing away from contending. Right now, Antetokounmpo is an MVP-level offensive creator and after him... the Bucks need some guys who can dribble. (Lillard, with his torn Achilles, was not going to be that guy this season.) The Bucks are going to be good, Turner is an upgrade over Brook Lopez at this point in their careers, but even with Antetokounmpo in a down East, does this team strike fear in anyone?

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Mavericks star Cooper Flagg shows flashes in NBA Summer League debut

Mavericks star Cooper Flagg shows flashes in NBA Summer League debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Cooper Flagg made his professional debut Thursday night in the NBA Summer League and celebrated an 87-85 win over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Flagg finished with 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Though Flagg struggled at times to find his rhythm, there were flashes as to why he was chosen No. 1 overall last month, doing plenty of little things that helped the Mavericks seal the win, including a key block near the end of the game.

Flagg swatted DJ Steward’s attempt with 1:10 left in the game, and Ryan Nembhard made a 3-pointer at the other end to give Dallas the 87-85 lead.

Flagg strolled into UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center at 4:17 p.m. on Thursday, wearing Dallas Mavericks gear, bright white New Balance shoes, and an emotionless look on his face as he passed through security.

Roughly 45 minutes later, he wore the same stone-cold face as he came out for warmups shortly after 5 p.m.

His fans more than made up for it with plenty of energy, electrifying the jam-packed arena that cheered loudest when he was announced as a starter in his first Summer League game.

Flagg missed his first two attempts of the game, picked up his first foul just 46 seconds into the game, and gave the crowd what they’d been anticipating, going one-on-one with fellow fan favorite James.

James buried his first attempt over Flagg, and then hit a 3-pointer after the 6-foot-8 Duke product missed his second attempt to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead.

Flagg excited the crowd at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter, jamming home his first points.

Early in the second quarter, Flagg nearly sent every fan in the building into a frenzy when he made a spin move into the paint and attempted a one-handed slam dunk over 7-foot Christian Koloko. The ball caromed off the back of the rim and still drew plenty of oohs and ahhs.

Generally filled with Lakers fans when the team plays in the summer, the arena was full of emotion with a fair share of Mavericks fans in attendance to see the 2025 National college player of the year.

Like 15-year-old Baer Epple, 15, who was seated with his father Chad in the third row from the court, donning Dirk Nowitzki’s Mavericks jersey.

Epple said he’s been following Flagg since before his Duke days, beginning with his junior year at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, Maine.

The 15-year-old who is in Las Vegas from Seattle for an AAU tournament said he’s been a Mavericks fan for roughly four years.

“Even more of a fan now that they got Cooper Flagg,” Epple said. “Hopefully he does good, that’d be pretty cool to see. I don’t want him to be like a bust or anything.”

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told The Associated Press before the game he’s looking for nothing more than effort and grit in his team’s opening game, as he wants them all playing hard.

“This summer league is a little different when you have this type of turnout,” Kidd said. “But the guys have had a couple practices. There’s going to be some turnovers. I just want to see how they respond to a couple of mistakes being made, no one’s gonna play a perfect game and be unselfish.”

As for his prize draft pick: “We’re all excited,” Kidd said of Flagg. “Seen enough of him on tape, so now it’s good to see him on the floor.”

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Mavericks star Cooper Flagg shows flashes in NBA Summer League debut

Mavericks star Cooper Flagg shows flashes in NBA Summer League debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Cooper Flagg made his professional debut Thursday night in the NBA Summer League and celebrated an 87-85 win over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Flagg finished with 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Though Flagg struggled at times to find his rhythm, there were flashes as to why he was chosen No. 1 overall last month, doing plenty of little things that helped the Mavericks seal the win, including a key block near the end of the game.

Flagg swatted DJ Steward’s attempt with 1:10 left in the game, and Ryan Nembhard made a 3-pointer at the other end to give Dallas the 87-85 lead.

Flagg strolled into UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center at 4:17 p.m. on Thursday, wearing Dallas Mavericks gear, bright white New Balance shoes, and an emotionless look on his face as he passed through security.

Roughly 45 minutes later, he wore the same stone-cold face as he came out for warmups shortly after 5 p.m.

His fans more than made up for it with plenty of energy, electrifying the jam-packed arena that cheered loudest when he was announced as a starter in his first Summer League game.

Flagg missed his first two attempts of the game, picked up his first foul just 46 seconds into the game, and gave the crowd what they’d been anticipating, going one-on-one with fellow fan favorite James.

James buried his first attempt over Flagg, and then hit a 3-pointer after the 6-foot-8 Duke product missed his second attempt to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead.

Flagg excited the crowd at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter, jamming home his first points.

Early in the second quarter, Flagg nearly sent every fan in the building into a frenzy when he made a spin move into the paint and attempted a one-handed slam dunk over 7-foot Christian Koloko. The ball caromed off the back of the rim and still drew plenty of oohs and ahhs.

Generally filled with Lakers fans when the team plays in the summer, the arena was full of emotion with a fair share of Mavericks fans in attendance to see the 2025 National college player of the year.

Like 15-year-old Baer Epple, 15, who was seated with his father Chad in the third row from the court, donning Dirk Nowitzki’s Mavericks jersey.

Epple said he’s been following Flagg since before his Duke days, beginning with his junior year at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, Maine.

The 15-year-old who is in Las Vegas from Seattle for an AAU tournament said he’s been a Mavericks fan for roughly four years.

“Even more of a fan now that they got Cooper Flagg,” Epple said. “Hopefully he does good, that’d be pretty cool to see. I don’t want him to be like a bust or anything.”

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told The Associated Press before the game he’s looking for nothing more than effort and grit in his team’s opening game, as he wants them all playing hard.

“This summer league is a little different when you have this type of turnout,” Kidd said. “But the guys have had a couple practices. There’s going to be some turnovers. I just want to see how they respond to a couple of mistakes being made, no one’s gonna play a perfect game and be unselfish.”

As for his prize draft pick: “We’re all excited,” Kidd said of Flagg. “Seen enough of him on tape, so now it’s good to see him on the floor.”

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Mavericks star Cooper Flagg shows flashes in NBA Summer League debut

Mavericks star Cooper Flagg shows flashes in NBA Summer League debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Cooper Flagg made his professional debut Thursday night in the NBA Summer League and celebrated an 87-85 win over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Flagg finished with 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Though Flagg struggled at times to find his rhythm, there were flashes as to why he was chosen No. 1 overall last month, doing plenty of little things that helped the Mavericks seal the win, including a key block near the end of the game.

Flagg swatted DJ Steward’s attempt with 1:10 left in the game, and Ryan Nembhard made a 3-pointer at the other end to give Dallas the 87-85 lead.

Flagg strolled into UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center at 4:17 p.m. on Thursday, wearing Dallas Mavericks gear, bright white New Balance shoes, and an emotionless look on his face as he passed through security.

Roughly 45 minutes later, he wore the same stone-cold face as he came out for warmups shortly after 5 p.m.

His fans more than made up for it with plenty of energy, electrifying the jam-packed arena that cheered loudest when he was announced as a starter in his first Summer League game.

Flagg missed his first two attempts of the game, picked up his first foul just 46 seconds into the game, and gave the crowd what they’d been anticipating, going one-on-one with fellow fan favorite James.

James buried his first attempt over Flagg, and then hit a 3-pointer after the 6-foot-8 Duke product missed his second attempt to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead.

Flagg excited the crowd at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter, jamming home his first points.

Early in the second quarter, Flagg nearly sent every fan in the building into a frenzy when he made a spin move into the paint and attempted a one-handed slam dunk over 7-foot Christian Koloko. The ball caromed off the back of the rim and still drew plenty of oohs and ahhs.

Generally filled with Lakers fans when the team plays in the summer, the arena was full of emotion with a fair share of Mavericks fans in attendance to see the 2025 National college player of the year.

Like 15-year-old Baer Epple, 15, who was seated with his father Chad in the third row from the court, donning Dirk Nowitzki’s Mavericks jersey.

Epple said he’s been following Flagg since before his Duke days, beginning with his junior year at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, Maine.

The 15-year-old who is in Las Vegas from Seattle for an AAU tournament said he’s been a Mavericks fan for roughly four years.

“Even more of a fan now that they got Cooper Flagg,” Epple said. “Hopefully he does good, that’d be pretty cool to see. I don’t want him to be like a bust or anything.”

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told The Associated Press before the game he’s looking for nothing more than effort and grit in his team’s opening game, as he wants them all playing hard.

“This summer league is a little different when you have this type of turnout,” Kidd said. “But the guys have had a couple practices. There’s going to be some turnovers. I just want to see how they respond to a couple of mistakes being made, no one’s gonna play a perfect game and be unselfish.”

As for his prize draft pick: “We’re all excited,” Kidd said of Flagg. “Seen enough of him on tape, so now it’s good to see him on the floor.”

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Tyler Soderstrom caps huge night with ‘special' walk-off hit in Athletics' win

Tyler Soderstrom caps huge night with ‘special' walk-off hit in Athletics' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

When the Atlanta Braves intentionally walked Miguel Andujar to get to Athletics left-hander Tyler Soderstrom in the 11th inning on Thursday night, they got the matchup they wanted with southpaw Aaron Bummer on the mound.

And Soderstrom made them pay.

The 23-year-old collected his fourth RBI of the night on a walk-off single, scoring Brent Rooker from second base and sending the crowd at Sutter Health Park home happy with a 5-4 win and series victory over Atlanta.

The walk-off hit was the first of Soderstrom’s young MLB career — a surreal moment for the former first baseman-turned-left fielder who has made major strides at the plate this season. His hero moment in extras came after he hit his 16th homer of the 2025 MLB season in the first inning with a three-run shot to right center field, and the 2020 first-round draft pick is now slashing .370/.414/.704 over his last seven games.

As part of the A’s young-and-upcoming homegrown core, Soderstrom reflected on playing and growing alongside teammates like Lawrence Butler, whom he rose through the team’s farm system with.

“It’s super fun,” Soderstrom told Chris Townsend and Steve Sax on “A’s Cast” after the win. “I’ve played with some of these guys like [Butler] since Low-A, so it’s cool to be up here in the big leagues, sharing these experiences with them. Getting my first walk-off hit tonight was super special. Something I always dreamed of, for sure.”

After A’s starting pitcher Mitch Spence surrendered five home runs to the Braves and was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas following Wednesday night’s 9-2 loss, JP Sears took the mound for Thursday’s rubber match and allowed three earned runs across five innings while striking out six and walking none.

Another member of the A’s young core, first baseman Nick Kurtz, took the MLB rookie home run lead with his 15th blast of the season — a solo shot in the eighth that tied the game 4-4 and ultimately allowed the Green and Gold to go to extras with Atlanta.

It was just one of several clutch moments Kurtz has delivered for the A’s this season, and the team certainly hopes there’s more to come from the first baseman and the rest of the roster as the season’s halfway point nears.

“It’s a great feeling, especially with All-Star break coming up, to kind of grind through that one — come up early, then lose the lead and then be able to come back late was awesome,” Kurtz told Townsend and Sax. “Sodey had a great game, came up huge when we needed him. So it’s great team win. …

“[The front office] has done a great job drafting guys, and it’s kind of cool, because a lot of those guys who were drafted came up together, know each other really well and are best friends. Then me joining and coming into the fold made it really easy to just kind of go along with the group. And it’s been really fun.”

As the A’s approach their final series before the MLB All-Star break with the Toronto Blue Jays coming to town, the youthful group, now 39-56, will look to carry some momentum into the second half and continue building upon what they’ve accomplished so far together.

“We’re always trying to win these games, trying to stay hot and have some momentum going into the All-Star break and ready to roll for the second half,” Soderstrom told Townsend and Sax. “So just continue to learn and just get better. …

“We feel like one through nine, you see the lineup, all the young guys in there for the last couple of weeks. So we’re all really confident in each other. We’ve played together for a while now. So one through nine, we can get it done.”

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Tyler Soderstrom caps huge night with ‘special' walk-off hit in Athletics' win

Tyler Soderstrom caps huge night with ‘special' walk-off hit in Athletics' win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

When the Atlanta Braves intentionally walked Miguel Andujar to get to Athletics left-hander Tyler Soderstrom in the 11th inning on Thursday night, they got the matchup they wanted with southpaw Aaron Bummer on the mound.

And Soderstrom made them pay.

The 23-year-old collected his fourth RBI of the night on a walk-off single, scoring Brent Rooker from second base and sending the crowd at Sutter Health Park home happy with a 5-4 win and series victory over Atlanta.

The walk-off hit was the first of Soderstrom’s young MLB career — a surreal moment for the former first baseman-turned-left fielder who has made major strides at the plate this season. His hero moment in extras came after he hit his 16th homer of the 2025 MLB season in the first inning with a three-run shot to right center field, and the 2020 first-round draft pick is now slashing .370/.414/.704 over his last seven games.

As part of the A’s young-and-upcoming homegrown core, Soderstrom reflected on playing and growing alongside teammates like Lawrence Butler, whom he rose through the team’s farm system with.

“It’s super fun,” Soderstrom told Chris Townsend and Steve Sax on “A’s Cast” after the win. “I’ve played with some of these guys like [Butler] since Low-A, so it’s cool to be up here in the big leagues, sharing these experiences with them. Getting my first walk-off hit tonight was super special. Something I always dreamed of, for sure.”

After A’s starting pitcher Mitch Spence surrendered five home runs to the Braves and was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas following Wednesday night’s 9-2 loss, JP Sears took the mound for Thursday’s rubber match and allowed three earned runs across five innings while striking out six and walking none.

Another member of the A’s young core, first baseman Nick Kurtz, took the MLB rookie home run lead with his 15th blast of the season — a solo shot in the eighth that tied the game 4-4 and ultimately allowed the Green and Gold to go to extras with Atlanta.

It was just one of several clutch moments Kurtz has delivered for the A’s this season, and the team certainly hopes there’s more to come from the first baseman and the rest of the roster as the season’s halfway point nears.

“It’s a great feeling, especially with All-Star break coming up, to kind of grind through that one — come up early, then lose the lead and then be able to come back late was awesome,” Kurtz told Townsend and Sax. “Sodey had a great game, came up huge when we needed him. So it’s great team win. …

“[The front office] has done a great job drafting guys, and it’s kind of cool, because a lot of those guys who were drafted came up together, know each other really well and are best friends. Then me joining and coming into the fold made it really easy to just kind of go along with the group. And it’s been really fun.”

As the A’s approach their final series before the MLB All-Star break with the Toronto Blue Jays coming to town, the youthful group, now 39-56, will look to carry some momentum into the second half and continue building upon what they’ve accomplished so far together.

“We’re always trying to win these games, trying to stay hot and have some momentum going into the All-Star break and ready to roll for the second half,” Soderstrom told Townsend and Sax. “So just continue to learn and just get better. …

“We feel like one through nine, you see the lineup, all the young guys in there for the last couple of weeks. So we’re all really confident in each other. We’ve played together for a while now. So one through nine, we can get it done.”

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Vancouver Canucks Sign Aleksei Medvedev To A Three-Year, Entry Level Contract

The Vancouver Canucks have signed goaltender Aleksei Medvedev to a three-year, entry-level contract. Vancouver selected the 17-year-old with the 47th pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Medvedev was the fourth goaltender selected in this year's draft, and the highest goalie selected by the Canucks since Thatcher Demko in 2014. 

In a press release, GM Partik Allvin wrote, "Aleksei is an important addition to our organizational depth in goal and his signing is a great thing for our hockey club. He showed us a lot at development camp and has a bright future if he continues to build on his skill set and fundamentals. We look forward to monitoring his progress and helping him develop into a solid pro."

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Medvedev spent last season in the OHL with the London Knights. The Russian-born goaltender went 22-8-2, with a .912 save percentage. He also participated in the 2025 OHL Top Prospect Game and was part of London's Memorial Cup-winning team. 

Since Medvedev has now signed his ELC, he is unable to play in the NCAA. He is set to return to the Knights next season, where he will be the projected starter. Medvedev is now one of eight goaltenders who have been signed by Vancouver, joining Demko, Kevin Lankinen, Artūrs Šilovs, Nikita Tolopilo, Ty Young, Jiří Patera and Aku Koskenvuo. 

Alexei Medvedev at Vancouver Canucks Development Camp (Photo Credit: Kaja Antic/THN)

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Can the team that just exploited a Mets’ weakness help them fix it?

The Mets know that they need to upgrade the bridge to Edwin Diaz before the trade deadline, and that a returning Brooks Raleywon’t be able to do it alone.

In the first game of Thursday’s split doubleheader in Baltimore, the Orioles provided the latest reminder that Ryne Stanek is not the guy for the eighth inning during a pennant race or postseason game. Stanek allowed a two-run home run to Gunnar Henderson that undermined a David Peterson gem and decided the game.

But while the Orioles spoiled an afternoon for the Mets, they are positioned to help with that exact problem. According to league sources, Baltimore is close to being open for business with all available players.

The Orioles traded a reliever on Thursday, but that situation was unique -- righthander Bryan Baker went to Tampa Bay for a Competitive Balance round draft selection, the 37th overall pick. Baltimore, sources say, wanted that pick and was therefore motivated to make that particular deal before this weekend’s draft.

Having said that, the O’s are said to be ready or near ready to talk seriously about relievers like Andrew Kittredge -- he in particular could appeal to the Mets -- as well as righty Seranthony Dominguez and lefty Gregory Soto. Rivals do not believe that Baltimore will trade closer Felix Bautista.

All of these pitchers, along with starter Tomoyuki Sugano and the returning Zach Eflin, would help fill the Yankees' needs, too. But the Yanks have long been skeptical that Baltimore would ever give them a fair deal; it’s known around these parts as the “Yankee Tax.”

O’s center fielder Cedric Mullins is another rental player who fits the Mets. The team is looking to upgrade that position before the deadline.

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Newly signed Nashville Predators defenseman Nic Hague wants to add offensive depth to own game

Defenseman Nicolas Hauge, known for his size and physical play, aims to return to the more offensively minded side of the game he played in juniors. 

The Nashville Predators' newest addition, acquired in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on June 29 that sent defenseman Jeremy Lauzon and center Colton Sissons to Vegas, was introduced to local media at a press conference on Thursday. 

Hague signed a 4-year, $22 million contract, with an annual hit of $5.5 million. 

"I've always heard nothing but great things about here [Nashville]," Hague said. "Talking to the guys, too, it just seems like just a great place to live and a great place to play." 

In the press conference, Hague talked about how he came from an "active" defensive system in Vegas and how he'd like to be more offensively involved in Nashville. 

"I think there's more to give [in my game] offensively," Hague said. "In juniors, I was an offensive guy, and when I came into the NHL, there's a heavy focus on defending in this league. You're not going to make it anywhere if you do that." 

"Now, I want to round out my game a little bit more with those offensive instincts I had in juniors, but not lose that defensive part." 

During the 2017-18 season, Hague's final junior season with the Mississauga Steelheads, he scored 78 points, complemented by 105 penalty minutes. Since coming to the NHL, he has yet to surpass 17 points in a single season. 

Last year with the Golden Knights, Hague had 12 points in 68 games, but was part of an offensively active defensive corps. Vegas' defensemen had 173 points, led by Shea Theodore with 57 points. Nashville had 133 defensive points, led by Roman Josi with 38 points. 

"In Vegas, we talked about playing as five all over the ice," Hague said. "Our whole system is a unit. You're never man-on-man. If one guy got beat, you kind of had to beat us in layers...We always had a lot of success playing that way, and we always seemed to click." 

The defense was a significant focus for the Predators in the offseason, specifically addressing its issues, according to general manager Barry Trotz. Trotz said having a more offensively involved defense will help fix the gap at center.

Similar to what defensemen Nick Perbix said in his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Hague also believed last season was a "fluke" for the Predators.

"I think everybody had a lot higher expectations with the summer they had in free agency," Hague said. 

Hague did add that the attitude of having something to prove following a disappointing season has paid off for him in the past. The year before Vegas won the 2023 Stanley Cup, it had missed the playoffs by three points. 

It was the Predators that got the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. 

"We were very hungry and felt like we had something to prove that next year," Hague said. "That's a powerful feeling in the locker room if everybody can buy in. Having something to prove can take a team a long way." 

Not everyone is a stranger to Hague in Nashville. He is reunited with former Golden Knight Jonathan Marchessault. The pair played together for five seasons and have become close friends off the ice as well. 

"Marshy [Marchessault] is a really good friend. He always makes me laugh," Hague said. "I can't wait to reconnect with them [Marchessault's family]. We got pretty close in Vegas over the years, and lived down the street from them. It'll be good to see him, Alex and the kids." 

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Marco Kasper Earns Title of Red Wings Rookie of the Year

The 2024-25 NHL season was a true breakout campaign for Detroit Red Wings rookie Marco Kasper, who showed tremendous promise and all of the signs of being an effective impact player for years to come. 

Thanks to his impressive first foray into the NHL, he's being recognized by being named the 2024-25 Red Wings Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Media (DSM).

Kasper, whom the Red Wings drafted with the eighth overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, began the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins but was called up to the Red Wings in late October, and remained with the club for the remainder of the campaign.

Kasper ultimately played in 77 games, scoring 19 goals with 18 assists. His first NHL goal was scored on November 15 against the Anaheim Ducks and goaltender John Gibson, who is now his teammate in Detroit after being acquired in a recent trade. 

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But it was Kasper's second half of the season that was extremely encouraging. In the 42 games that he played spanning from January 10 through the end of the season in April, Kasper's 17 goals were first among all NHL rookies. His 29 even-strength points were tied for first among all rookies, and his 30 points were good for fifth overall.

“I mean, I’m always giving my best to get better, but I know it’s going to be hard next year,” Kasper said after the season ended. “You know, it’s, I mean, I personally feel like I had a pretty good year, but it’s going to be really hard to come back and do just like that and even improve what I want."

Kasper, who also later played for Austria in the 2025 World Championship, also said that he's going to spend the summer focusing on improving himself physically. 

“Obviously, I always talk about I’m trying to get better every day. It’s really hard, but it’s something I’m going to focus on this summer," he said. "Just whenever I’m in the gym, when I’m just maybe watching some playoff games, that’s where we’re going to go and everybody’s going to have to improve for us to get there. And so it’s going to be an important summer.”

Under coach Todd McLellan, who took over the head coaching duties on December 26, Kasper would routinely center Detroit's second line flanked by Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, a line that will likely be intact heading into next season. 

At only 20 years old, the sky is the limit for Kasper moving forward. 

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Canadiens Now Have Goalie Battle To Watch

Samuel Montembeault is heading into next season as the Montreal Canadiens' clear starting goalie. The 28-year-old is coming off a solid 2024-25 campaign, as he posted a 31-24-7 record, a .902 save percentage, a 2.82 goals-against average, and four shutouts in 62 games. With this, he was certainly a reason why the Canadiens made the playoffs for the first time since 2021. 

Yet, when it comes to the Canadiens' backup goalie position, that is where things get more interesting. With the team signing Kaapo Kahkonen to a one-year, $1.15 million contract, there will now be a goalie battle to watch between him and Jakub Dobes at training camp for the backup spot. 

Kahkonen, 28, spent most of this season down in the American Hockey League (AHL). In 36 regular-season games split between the Colorado Eagles, Manitoba Moose, and Charlotte Checkers, he had a 14-20-1 record, a .894 save percentage, and a 2.91 goals-against average. He also played in 18 playoff games for the Checkers this spring, where he had a 12-6 record, a .906 save percentage, and a 2.18 goals-against average. 

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Canadiens Have Three Of The Top 10 Point Scorers Of The 2019 Draft

Although Kahkonen appeared in just one NHL game this past season, he has a good amount of experience as a backup at the NHL level. In 140 career games over six seasons split between the Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche, he has posted a 49-68-15 record, a .898 save percentage, and a 3.34 goals-against average. Thus, if the Canadiens want more experience for the backup role and to let Dobes develop his game more in the AHL, they could start the year with Kahkonen. 

However, Dobes demonstrated plenty of promise during his first NHL action this season with the Canadiens. In 16 games with Montreal on the year, he posted a 7-4-3 record, a .909 save percentage, a 2.74 goals-against average, and one shutout.  He also performed well while in the AHL with the Laval Rocket this campaign, recording a 9-3-1 record, a .910 save percentage, and a 2.44 goals-against average in 14 games. 

It is fair to argue that Dobes has a good shot at winning the Canadiens' backup goalie spot. Yet, with the Canadiens bringing in an experienced goalie like Kahkonen, Dobes will need to earn the role with a strong training camp. 

Photo Credit: © Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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Oilers' Isaac Howard Follows The Footsteps Of McGroarty And Gauthier

Isaac Howard bet on himself by forcing a trade to the Edmonton Oilers, but it comes with a catch.

The Tampa Bay Lightning first-rounder may have landed a dream job on Connor McDavid’s or Leon Draisaitl’s wing next season with the Oilers. But if Howard, who won the Hobey Baker Award as the top men’s college hockey player, didn’t already have a bullseye on his back, he certainly does now. 

Chances are, like Rutger McGroarty and Cutter Gauthier, he’s probably OK with that. 

When you’re a young, elite hockey player, the world can be your oyster. You have the power of top-level performance to build your brand. You have people who’ve scouted you from an early age, telling you how great you are. And more often than not, you wind up believing in the hype about yourself.

Now, some elite young players wind up doing what most young players do – they accept hockey’s draft system, go wherever they’re told to go and build a career from there. 

But over the years, there have been some top youngsters who defied the system and negotiated their way to a team and a town where they felt they were a better fit than the club that drafted them.

Of course, some famous examples in modern history are Eric Lindros, who refused to play in Quebec City, orchestrating a trade to the Philadelphia Flyers. More recently, star defenseman Adam Fox first told the Calgary Flames he wouldn’t sign with them after they drafted him. After the Flames dealt him to the Carolina Hurricanes, Fox didn’t sign there, either. Before his draft rights expired, the Hurricanes moved him to where he wanted to be, the New York Rangers, where he’s played ever since.

In the past couple of years, top forward prospects Gauthier and McGroarty leveraged their way out of Philadelphia and Winnipeg, respectively. Gauthier forced a trade to the Anaheim Ducks, while McGroarty got moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

With all that in mind, it shouldn’t come as any surprise that another young up-and-comer has forced his way away from the team that drafted him. Howard didn’t come to terms with the Lightning, which selected him 31st overall pick in 2022. The Lightning traded him to the Oilers in exchange for OHL prospect Sam O’Reilly.

Isaac Howard and Gary Bettman (Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)

In his introductory press availability, Howard said the usual boilerplate things about being happy with his new team. But make no mistake – he will now face scrutiny as he tries to make the jump from the NCAA to the NHL without needing to play in the AHL. Like it or not, when you use the system to your advantage in a way most players do not, the spotlight on you will be prolonged and intense. 

So far in their careers, McGroarty and Gauthier haven’t exactly set the league on fire. McGroarty spent most of his first professional season in the AHL, posting 14 goals and 39 points in 60 games this past season. In a brief stint with the NHL’s Penguins, McGroarty generated only one goal and three points in eight games. His adaptation to hockey’s top league will still take some time, but he’s got a promising future.

Gauthier has been more successful thus far, playing a full 82 games with the Ducks in his initial NHL season and generating 20 goals and 44 points. Gauthier has had more opportunity than some of his peers, but he’s taken some of the heat off himself by being so productive as a rookie.

Now, the same spotlight will hang hard on Howard. 

The belief in Edmonton is that the 21-year-old is NHL-ready and will be in the lineup when the 2025-26 season begins. Playing alongside McDavid and Draisaitl will no doubt help Howard’s acclimation to the NHL, but playing on a team that wants a Stanley Cup championship means there’s little room for error.

It may not be fair in that regard, but by orchestrating a trade to a place he wants to play, Howard has opened himself up for criticism, not only from Lightning fans who may feel cheated but from hockey gatekeepers who always bristle when a young player dictates where they want to play.

If Howard can thrive as an Oiler, Edmonton management will be more than happy to make him a cornerstone part of the organization. While Howard will likely face a lifetime of jeering from Tampa fans – the same way McGroarty and Gauthier will always hear it from Jets and Flyers fans, respectively – this won’t be the last time we see a player break up the hockey food chain and make it clear they’re not going to be swayed when it comes to playing where they want to play.

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Mets' David Peterson named to 2025 All-Star Game

The Mets will send four players to Atlanta for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game after all.

MLB announced Wednesday that Mets southpaw David Peterson will join the All-Star Game roster as a reserve pitcher, taking the place of Giants starter Robbie Ray.

It's the first time Peterson has been named to the All-Star Game but it's well-deserved in what is becoming a career year for the 29-year-old. Including Wednesday's performance against the Orioles, Peterson has pitched to a 6-4 record and a 3.06 ERA.

Peterson will join NL All-Star Game starter Francisco Lindor and reserves Pete Alonso and Edwin Diaz in Atlanta next week. This will be the second season in four years that the Mets have had at least four participants in the All-Star Game. The other was the 2022 Mets team that sent Alonso, Diaz, Starling Marte and Jeff McNeil.

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Flyers Depth Chart 1.0: Early Prospects Outlook, Roster Depth

Trevor Zegras projects to take over as the Flyers' No. 1 center. (Photo: Sergei Belski, Imagn Images)

The Philadelphia Flyers didn't make too many additions to the roster this offseason, but they did enough to shake up the organizational depth chart for the time being.

And with that, the team's pace should change at least a little bit this season.

New head coach Rick Tocchet will get to iterate his own version of these Flyers, and the newcomers will breathe some life into a stagnant roster that saw very little turnover from 2023-24 to 2024-25.

The most notable offseason departures in 2024 were those of veterans Cam Atkinson and Marc Staal, as well as reserve goalie Felix Sandstrom

By adding Trevor Zegras and Christian Dvorak, the Flyers hope to address and smooth over the holes left by Joel Farabee and Morgan Frost, who went to the Calgary Flames in a January trade earlier this year.

Note that the following depth chart is not necessarily how I see or believe the lines will play out, but more where I think players fall in terms of ice time based on their roles, pecking order in the event of injury, etc.

Additionally, we will assume that Tyson Foerster, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Noah Juulsen are all healthy.

3 Flyers Prospects Named to World Junior Summer Showcase Rosters3 Flyers Prospects Named to World Junior Summer Showcase RostersWith only two rosters revealed so far, the Philadelphia Flyers are already set to be well represented at the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase later this month.

Forwards

Tyson Foerster - Trevor Zegras - Matvei Michkov

Owen Tippett - Sean Couturier - Travis Konecny

Alex Bump - Noah Cates - Bobby Brink

Nikita Grebenkin - Christian Dvorak - Garnet Hathaway

Extras:

Nick Deslauriers - Rodrigo Abols - Porter Martone

Karsen Dorwart - Jett Luchanko - Anthony Richard

Denver Barkey - Jacob Gaucher - Lane Pederson

Massimo Rizzo - J.R. Avon - Devin Kaplan

Rationale

Tyson Foerster, when healthy, is going to play a ton of 5-on-5 minutes, and his role should expand on the penalty kill, too.

I don't know where the caution came from with Trevor Zegras, but he is definitely an NHL center, and a talented one. The biggest question is going to be how far his defense can come, because the playmaking, scoring, and invariable power play boost will keep him on the ice regardless.

Flyers Development Camp 2025 Scrimmage Winners, Notes, and ObservationsFlyers Development Camp 2025 Scrimmage Winners, Notes, and ObservationsIf the Philadelphia Flyers have one thing to look forward to in the coming months, it's the continued development of their standout prospects.

A small note on Owen Tippett: his speed and long reach would be dangerous assets to have on the penalty kill a la Travis Konecny. Can Tocchet and the Flyers make him into something more than a high-priced, volume-shooting power forward?

I don't believe Alex Bump, who's a favorite to make the roster out of camp, will play on a checking line with Noah Cates, but 14-15 minutes a night to start him off in the NHL would be ideal.

As for Nikita Grebenkin, if he makes the roster, I'd expect 12 or so minutes a night with potential for PP2 ice time.

Diving into the extras, where Jett Luchanko falls depends a lot on his training camp, but if the Flyers suffer a rash of injuries, I could see him being re-called from the OHL in the event of an emergency over a bit part AHL player.

Ditto for Denver Barkey and Devin Kaplan, who may not be the first line of defense but could still see NHL ice under certain circumstances.

At this point in the rebuild, I don't see how it would benefit the Flyers to play veterans and journeymen over some of the prospects who are now turning pro.

Defense

Travis Sanheim - Rasmus Ristolainen

Where Did These Former Flyers End Up in NHL Free Agency?Where Did These Former Flyers End Up in NHL Free Agency?Between their additions and subtractions, the Philadelphia Flyers have been well-represented in NHL free agency this year.

Cam York - Jamie Drysdale

Nick Seeler - Noah Juulsen

Egor Zamula - Helge Grans

Emil Andrae - Oliver Bonk

Hunter McDonald - Ethan Samson

Dennis Gilbert - Adam Ginning

Ty Murchison

Rationale

Travis Sanheim, Rasmus Ristolainen, and Cam York are all going to play the bulk of the even strength and penalty kill minutes, and Nick Seeler and Noah Juulsen will each factor in on the man disadvantage, too.

The biggest question will be who plays the power play. 

Jamie Drysdale was the Flyers' No. 1 option by a comfortable margin on the power play last year and was on the ice for 15 goals for. Ristolainen, Sanheim, Emil Andrae, and Egor Zamula were on the ice for a combined 17 goals for, for reference.

Sanheim and Andrae, who each played 50 minutes on the man advantage, out-scored opponents by a combined 10-1, with the two leading all Flyers defensemen in goals for percentage on the power play, per Natural Stat Trick.

The issue is that Andrae might not make the roster, which opens the door for someone like York to take on more responsibility and actually showcase all his talents.

York ranked sixth amongst Flyers defensemen in power play ice time last season, playing just 9:36 in 66 games.

I expect Helge Grans to challenge for a roster spot for as long as Ristolainen is out after making his NHL debut last season. In the event of further injury, Andrae and prospect Oliver Bonk should top the list of re-call options.

Goalies

Dan Vladar

Sam Ersson

Flyers' Porter Martone Sets Sights on Early NHL DebutFlyers' Porter Martone Sets Sights on Early NHL DebutJust one day into on-ice activities at development camp, the hype around top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone is already growing.

Aleksei Kolosov

Ivan Fedotov

Carson Bjarnason

Rationale

No surprises here. Top free agency addition Dan Vladar will be tasked with keeping Sam Ersson fresh, which has proven challenging over the last two seasons.

There's no reason for Aleksei Kolosov to not return given the situation with Dinamo Minsk, and he has more long-term upside than Ivan Fedotov if he can show the Flyers some consistency at the AHL and/or NHL levels.

Carson Bjarnason, who is just now turning pro, is the break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option. I think the Flyers would trade for a stopgap before throwing him to the wolves.