In a recent article for Sportsnet, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Philadelphia Flyers were one of the teams that had interest in Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine ahead of the trade deadline.
"There were discussions about Patrik Laine ending up either in Philadelphia or Toronto, but it obviously didn’t work out," Friedman wrote.
The Flyers having talks with the Canadiens about Laine ahead of the deadline is certainly interesting. The Flyers are currently on the wrong side of the playoff line, so it could have been surprising to some if they successfully brought in a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) like Laine.
However, the Flyers also notably traded Bobby Brink to the Minnesota Wild on deadline day. With this, perhaps the Flyers viewed Laine as a potential short-term replacement for Brink in their top nine once he got fully healthy.
The Canadiens were one of the teams that had been connected to Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen ahead of the trade deadline as well.
Nevertheless, Laine, of course, did not end up being dealt to either the Flyers or the Maple Leafs and will finish the season with the Canadiens because of it. In five games this season with Montreal, Laine has one assist. This is after he had 20 goals and 33 points in 52 games for Montreal last season.
Baseball is booming and so are the ticket prices. In 2026, ticket prices depend on where you sit and which team you’re watching.
Here in California, the divide isn’t subtle. It’s as large as the Grand Canyon.
The Los Angeles Dodgers don’t just lead Major League Baseball in ticket prices this year, they honestly belong in another economic category altogether.
The average minimum ticket price at Dodger Stadium sits at $76.57, nearly double the MLB average of $34.82.
Baseball is booming and so are the ticket prices. 2026 ticket prices depend on where you sit and who you’re watching. Sports Illustrated via Getty ImagesThe average minimum ticket price at Dodger Stadium sits at $76.57, nearly double the MLB average of $34.82.
It’s also miles ahead of their California neighbors, including the nearby Angels who have the lowest ticket prices in the league.
A nightly tax to watch the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and now Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz. This isn’t just an ordinary baseball roster, it’s a traveling All-Star team, and the cost of admission reflects it.
And when the Dodgers travel, the exorbitant ticket prices come with them. Opposing ballparks swell with anticipation–and price hikes.
On average across the league, when the Dodgers come to town, the cheapest ticket in the ballpark jumps to $62.51. The only other team in that stratosphere is the rival Yankees.
If you travel a few hundred miles south, then the story changes–but not entirely.
On average across the league, when the Dodgers come to town, the cheapest ticket in the ballpark jumps to $62.51. MLB Photos via Getty Images
The San Diego Padres, averaging $40.04 per game, sit comfortably in the league’s upper middle class, buoyed by a roster that still carries star power and October ambition.
Up north, the San Francisco Giants command $47.85, a blend of history, ballpark beauty, and brand equity that keeps Oracle Park buzzing, especially when the Yankees or Dodgers roll through town and send prices soaring into triple digits.
And then there are the Angels.
At $16.02 per game—the lowest in all of baseball—the Los Angeles Angels aren’t just affordable in today’s market, they are a reflection of their 11 straight years of futility.
Owner Arte Moreno recently suggested fans care more about affordability than winning, a quote that lands with the soft thud of another last-place finish.
Because in Anaheim, the barrier to entry is low, but so, too, are expectations. When the Dodgers visit, even that changes—the average ticket spikes dramatically, a reminder that demand isn’t dead, it’s just waiting for something worth chasing.
When the Dodgers visit, even that changes—the average ticket spikes dramatically, indicating that demand isn’t dead. Getty Images
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At $16.02 per game—the lowest in all of baseball—the Los Angeles Angels aren’t just affordable in today’s market, they are a reflection of their 11 straight years of futility. Getty Images
That’s the tension running through baseball’s 2026 season. Most of the data above comes from a new report by Doc’s Sports, who analyzed 2,426 games across the league.
The median ticket price sits at $29.00. A number that suggests accessibility. But the average creeps higher, dragged upward by a select few franchises that have turned their brand into currency.
The Dodgers are the clearest example of that transformation. They’ve monetized excellence, leveraged stardom, and built a product fans are willing to pay a premium to experience. The Angels, by contrast, have discounted hope.
Somewhere between Chavez Ravine and The Big A, between $76.57 and $16.02, lies the true state of baseball’s economy—where winning doesn’t just lift banners. It raises prices significantly.
Fried, the Yankees' most crucial starter entering the season, struggled in his final start before taking the mound for the regular season opener against the Giants next week. The lefty allowed three runs on five hits and walked four, but seemed earnestly grateful for the chance to stumble before the games count.
“Definitely not sharp, but also the perfect amount of being able to make that adjustment,” said Fried, who said he valued the chance to work on some different sequencing and pitch with runners on base against a Baltimore Orioles lineup that looked similar to what it will be during the regular season.
“I would rather, in this situation, have a little bit more traffic on the bases, taking the chances,” Fried said. “Something maybe I would not do during the regular season to push those boundaries and get feedback in a not completely results-based game.”
Aaron Boone announced after the game that the Yankees reassigned the young right-hander to minor league camp. A month ago, that announcement would have felt like mere formality: At 22 years old, with 16 Double-A appearances to his name, Lagrange did not begin this spring as a candidate to break camp with a team that views itself as a World Series contender.
But after four impressive Grapefruit League outings in which he combined his 100-plus mph fastball with more consistent strike-throwing and in-zone command of his change-up and slider, Lagrange pitched his way into the Yankees' plans for 2026.
“He made it a difficult decision, which coming into this wouldn’t have even thought there was a decision,” Boone said. “He definitely caught everyone’s attention. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is impacting us early, middle, later part of the season. I don’t know. But I can just tell you we’re all very excited about his continued development and what he could mean to our team at some point.”
All spring, the Yankees handled Lagrange like a starter. He has a varied enough arsenal to stick as a starter in the majors, as long as he commands his secondary pitches like he did this spring. At the moment, the Yankees have major league starting pitching depth with reinforcements on the way. But Lagrange has pushed his way into their plans once already, and there are only so many 102 mph fastballs to be found.
Mar 18, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Lagrange (84) throws a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the fifth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
With Opening Day inching closer and closer, the Yankees are gradually dealing with some roster question marks, the latest of moves involving Angel Chivilli and Carlos Lagrange. The former was optioned to Triple-A while the latter was sent to minor-league camp.
Specializing in finding hidden gems with which to build their bullpen in recent seasons, the Yankees acquired Angel Chivilli from the Rockies via trade this offseason. The young right-hander who is coming off an atrocious 2025 campaign got knocked around enough in spring training to begin the year in the minors. On a positive note, he did strike out 10 batters in 6.2 innings of work, so something to keep an eye on. Chivilli was always going to be a bit of a relief project, so he’ll have time to polish his craft at Triple-A rather than potentially costing games in the process.
Despite impressing in spring, Lagrange, who’s never pitched above Double-A, was always likely to require more seasoning in the minors. The 22-year-old allowed just one run across 9.2 innings in three appearances, one of them a start. Lagrange’s last appearance was an incredibly exciting one, holding the Red Sox scoreless through four innings, sitting 99+ mph on his heater, and generating 11 whiffs on 29 swings. His presence and impact on the major-league team seem to be only a matter of time.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 13: Hayden Birdsong #60 of the San Francisco Giants pitches during Spring Training at Scottsdale Stadium on February 13, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Excitement is building for the San Francisco Giants, as Opening Day creeps ever closer … we’re just six days away, now. But unfortunately, the news on Thursday is anything but exciting: a few hours before the Giants play one of their final Cactus League games and their Spring Breakout contest, the Giants announced that right-handed pitcher Hayden Birdsong will undergo Tommy John surgery.
That seemed likely ever since the Giants revealed that Birdsong was sidelined with a UCL injury. Birdsong and the staff were openly weighing surgery against a lengthy rehab treatment, and opted for a second opinion from Dr. Keith Meister. From there, the decision for surgery was made, and Meister will perform Tommy John on the team’s young starter next week.
It’s a huge blow for Birdsong, who was hoping to rebound from his brutal second half of 2025, and has as much talent as any pitcher in the Giants organization. And it’s quite a hit for a Giants team that is desperately hoping some of their young starting pitchers will step up and be able to fill in when the rotation needs it, while also bolstering the bullpen. They still have Trevor McDonald, Carson Whisenhunt, Blade Tidwell, and Carson Seymour, but after designating Mason Black for assignment, trading Kai-Wei Teng, and now losing Birdsong to injury, that depth has taken quite a hit.
On the bright side, Tommy John surgery is not the death sentence it once was for pitchers. These days, nearly every hard-throwing pitcher has to have TJ at least once in their career, and the vast majority return to pitch at their previous levels. If Birdsong needs reason to feel optimistic, he need just talk to the two pitchers at the top of the team’s rotation, Logan Webb and Robbie Ray. They’ve both been through it, and emerged with excellence on the other side.
But it will take a while. The surgery means that Birdsong won’t pitch at all this season, and is likely to miss the first few months of the 2027 season, as well. Given that his spot on the active roster is no sure thing, and that it could take him a while of rehab appearances to shake off the rust, it wouldn’t be surprising if Birdsong doesn’t pitch in the Majors again until 2028.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 14: Yordan Alvarez (44) of the Houston Astros bats during a spring training game against the New York Mets on March 14, 2026 at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Houston Astros (10-11-3) host the New York Mets (11-9-2) in Grapefruit League play.
RHP Peter Lambert (1-0) will make his second start and fifth appearance of the Spring tonight as he takes on Mets RHP Kodai Senga.
TONIGHT’S STARTER: RHP Peter Lambert gets his second start and fifth overall appearance of the Spring tonight. He has been solid this Spring, allowing just one run in 9.0 innings of work for a 1.00 ERA.
Lambert, who was signed as a minor league free agent in the offseason, spent the 2025 season playing in Japan for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the NPB. In 23 appearances (22 GS) for the Swallows, he posted a 3.98 ERA (55ER/124.1IP).
Prior to his season in Japan, Lambert had been in the Rockies organization since being selected in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft. While with the Rockies, he spent parts of four different seasons in the Major Leagues with stints in 2019, 2021, 2023 and 2024. On June 6, 2019, Lambert had a record-setting ML debut, tallying nine K’s to set a franchise record for strikeouts in a debut.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Coby Mayo #16 of the Baltimore Orioles tags out Nick Gonzales #39 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 11, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Pirates are back on the field against the Baltimore Orioles looking to grab a win in Spring Training.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 31: Kodai Senga #34 of the New York Mets in action against the Miami Marlins during the game at Citi Field on August 31, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Mets lineup
Francisco Lindor – SS Juan Soto – LF Bo Bichette – 3B Jorge Polanco – 1B Luis Robert – CF Brett Baty – RF Marcus Semien – 2B Mark Vientos – DH Francisco Alvarez – C
SP: Kodai Senga – RHP
Astros lineup
Jose Altuve – 2B Isaac Paredes – 1B Yordan Alvarez – LF Carlos Correa – SS Cam Smith – RF Zach Cole – CF Christian Walker – DH Yainer Diaz – C Shay Whitcomb – 3B
SP: Peter Lambert – RHP
Broadcast info
First pitch: 6:05 PM EDT TV: Not this time Radio: Sorry, no
Ryan Johansen has announced he is retiring from the NHL and professional hockey at the age of 33. Drafted in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft fourth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets, Johansen would go on to play over 900 games in the NHL, scoring 202 goals, 376 assists, and 578 points.
Johansen’s last season in the NHL was with the Colorado Avalanche in 2023-24, where, in 63 games, he scored 13 goals and 10 assists for 23 points, six of which were power-play points, while averaging over 13 minutes of ice time per game.
His time with the Avalanche was not one to remember much fondly, as the team desperately needed a second-line center after Nazem Kadri left for the Calgary Flames, and J.T. Compher left as well.
He just came off a down season, scoring 12 goals and 16 assists for 28 points in 55 games with the Nashville Predators, a significant drop from his 2021-22 season, when he scored 26 goals and 37 assists for 63 points.
A change in scenery was supposed to do good for Johansen, joining an Avalanche team coming off a Stanley Cup, despite losing some players to free agency and only having to move off Alex Galchenyuk in exchange. However, it did come with his hefty $8 million cap hit, but if he could bounce back more offensively and remain strong defensively, it could fill a massive hole as the cap could continue to rise, and the team could focus on other areas to improve.
Though his time with the Avalanche wouldn’t last long, as he was traded mid-way through the season to the Philadelphia Flyers in a package that saw Sean Walker and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Avalanche in exchange for Johansen and a 2025 first-round pick.
It was a cap dump the Avalanche had to make; the production wasn't there, and his defensive game couldn't keep up with the cap hit he brought along, though getting Sean Walker was a great addition.
It got messy for Johansen with the Flyers as they tried to move him down to the AHL. After a “material breach,” the Flyers opted to terminate his contract, but that only opened up a whole can of worms among him, the NHLPA, and the organization for trying to get his contract off the books.
Center Ryan Johansen, who played eight seasons with the Nashville Predators from 2015 to 2023, announced his retirement on Thursday.
During his time in Nashville, Johansen tallied 362 points (110 goals and 252 assists) in 533 games played and 48 points (17 goals and 31 assists) in 61 playoff games, helping the Predators reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history in 2017.
Over his NHL career, Johansen played in 905 games, recording 578 points (202 goals and 376 assists) with three teams: Columbus, Nashville and Colorado.
His Predators' point and assist totals both rank sixth all-time. Johansen also owns the record for fastest goal scored in franchise history, tied with David Legwand at 11 seconds.
Johansen played in the 2015 NHL All-Star Game and earned All-Star MVP honors, tallying two goals and two assists. That season, with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Johansen had a career-best 71 points in 82 games.
He was drafted fourth overall in the 2010 NHL Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Johansen spent four and a half seasons in the Blue Jackets organization before he was traded during the 2015-16 season for defenseman Seth Jones.
Johansen was traded by the Predators to the Colorado Avalanche following the 2022-23 season for the rights to Alex Galchenyuk. He played 63 games in Colorado before he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline and then placed on waivers.
He'd remain on the Flyers roster due to an unreported injury when he was acquired. Johansen was then placed on unconditional waivers following a breach of contract in the 2024 offseason.
Johansen had not played a game since the 2023-24 season.
John McGinn and Leon Bailey scored the goals that eased Villa into the quarters
2 min: … but that was a fast start by Villa, and they’ve clearly been told to get right into Lille during the early exchanges. They’re first to everything at the moment. Small sample size, admittedly.
1 min: Abraham gets lively quickly. He steals the ball off a snoozing Bouaddi and feeds McGinn down the inside-left channel. McGinn attempts something spectacular from distance. It doesn’t come off, dribbling harmlessly wide right.
Forest made their first European quarter-final in 30 years, wining 2-1 on the night and 3-0 on penalties to set up a last-eight meeting with either Porto or Stuttgart
Question: what is the exact thing the Premier League – and wider world of football – does not need?
The Mets are still going into Opening Day with the plan for Bichette to be the everyday third baseman, but he will get some time at shortstop this weekend.
Mendoza said the plan is for Bichette to play Friday afternoon's game at short, which could hint at some roster decisions the club has to make.
“Just kinda get him a game there, that’s his position,” Mendoza said. “But as we get closer to decision-making, right? I think it was important for Bo to get some reps there in case we do go that route, where he could potentially be our back-up shortstop.”
Earlier on Thursday, the club announced Ronny Mauricio was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, meaning the Mets will likely not carry an extra shortstop on the roster with Francisco Lindor set to start the season on time after coming back from hand surgery earlier this spring.
Mendoza credited Bichette for his willingness, after Lindor’s injury, to make himself available to whatever role may be asked of him.
“Not knowing the expectations and the timetable [of Lindor’s return], he was very open to say, ‘Hey, I know third base is going to be the priority, but I can always go back and play short, I can play second, whatever the team needs,” the skipper said. “It goes to show you that he’s willing to do whatever we’re asking him to do.
“That’s why we’re giving him a game [at shortstop] tomorrow.”
And speaking of Opening Day, Friday's lineup of Lindor, Juan Soto, Bichette, Jorge Polanco, Luis Robert Jr., Brett Baty, Marcus Semien, Mark Vientos, and FranciscoAlvarez might be as close to the one the manager sends out next Thursday against Pittsburgh.
Mendoza said “there’s a good chance” a lot of those same players get the nod, adding, “It’s pretty close.”
Back from his start in the WBC Final, the young right-hander is set to throw on Monday at Mets camp, which would line him up to pitch the second game of the regular season on Saturday.
Mendoza called it a “great experience” for the 24-year-old to get some high-intensity innings in the WBC.
“I thought he was really good that day,” the manager said of McLean’s 4.2-inning outing against Venezuela. “I’m glad that we saw the 98, 99 [mph] early in camp, because if not, I was gonna be jumping off the couch when I was watching it.
“But just how he handled the whole environment. An unbelievable experience for him that is going to continue to set him up for success. Coming back now, a full year here, hopefully gonna keep him healthy… I was proud of him, as well.”
Senga, who is making the start in Friday night’s game, will hang back in Port St. Lucie after the Mets break camp to get an additional bit of work in before re-joining the Mets on Opening Day and making his regular-season debut, Mendoza said.
The skipper added that they are still "in the beginning of having those discussions" about setting up the rotation beyond Freddy Peralta starting on Opening Day, but they "have an idea."
The New York Islanders officially announced on Thursday that they intend to move their AHL affilaite, the Bridgeport Islanders, to Hamilton, Ontario, following the 2025-26 season.
The
The team will be set to play in the newly renovated TD Coliseum, which just underwent a $300 million renovation and seats 18,000 fans. The hope is to attract more talent to the Islanders organization, as the team will play in a more promising hockey environment, which Bridgeport could not compete with.
Hamilton offers a much better venue and a stronger hockey market.
The move will have to wait for approval from the AHL board of governors.
Here's the release:
"On behalf of the entire New York Islanders organization, I want to extend our deepest thanks to the City of Bridgeport and the incredibly loyal fans who have supported this team for the past 25 years," said Kelly Cheeseman, President of Business Operations for the Islanders and UBS Arena. "From the early days of the Sound Tigers to our time as the Bridgeport Islanders, this community has been the heart of our AHL operations. We are grateful for the memories, the partnerships, and the passion the fans in Connecticut have shown our players and staff."
"We are excited to make Hamilton our primary affiliate in the American Hockey League," said Mathieu Darche, General Manager and Executive Vice President of the Islanders. "The support the city has shown our organization throughout this transition has been incredible. We look forward to having our top young talent play in front of such a strong fanbase inside the newly renovated, world-class TD Coliseum and we are committed to establishing ourselves in the community to engage a new generation of hockey fans."
Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter JJ Wetherholt (77) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Mets during the fourth inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The St. Louis Cardinals Spring Breakout Game will feature JJ Wetherholt, Rainiel Rodriguez and Liam Doyle on the mound as they take on the Washington Nationals starting at 3:30pm. The game should be available through MLB.tv.
