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44 Days Until Opening Day: The Sharks' History of Number 44

We’re only 44 days away from the San Jose Sharks hosting the Vegas Golden Knights at the SAP Center to kick off the 2025-26 season on October 9.

In honor of this, let’s take a look at the number 44, a number which has been on the ice starting in the Sharks’ inaugural season.

In the Sharks’ debut season, 5-foot-9 winger Kevin Evans became the first player in franchise history to wear the number 44. Evans made his NHL debut with the Minnesota North Stars during the 1990-91 season before joining the NHL’s next expansion franchise the following season. Evans played five games at the Cow Palace, recording his first and only career point as a member of the Sharks. He also recorded 25 penalty minutes in that short frame of time. After his stint with the Sharks, Evans was a regular in the International Hockey League and ECHL before retiring near the turn of the millennium.

It wouldn’t take long for the number 44 to take the ice for the Sharks again, as the following season Beauport, Quebec native Michel Picard would wear it for a short stint of his own. Picard played 25 games for the team in teal, scoring four goals in the process, before departing the organization. He’d have a lengthy career as a fringe player, never earning a full-time role in the NHL, but regularly playing a few games throughout the season. He’d make his final NHL appearance as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2000-01 season. Today, Picard works as a scout for the St. Louis Blues organization.

Once again, the number 44 didn’t remain vacant for long. Physical defenseman Shawn Cronin would wear it for two seasons, starting with the 1993-94 season. In that span, he played 63 games for the Sharks, recording four points and 137 penalty minutes. Cronin would call it a career after the 1996-97 season, when he played with the Fort Wayne Comets of the IHL.

Defenseman Vlastimil Kroupa debuted with the Sharks at the age of 18 wearing the number 26 during the 1993-94 season. Once Cronin left the organization though, Kroupa quickly changed to the number 44 and wore it through the 1996-97 season. During his time with the Sharks, Kroupa played 103 games and totaled 22 points over four seasons. He played his final two NHL games for the New Jersey Devils during the 1997-98 season. At the turn of the millennium he’d return to Europe to finish out his career, ultimately he’d retire from hockey following the 2010-11 season.

The number 44 would be off of the ice for a few seasons, until Matt Bradley wore it during his rookie season, 2000-01. After 21 games in the number 44, he’d change to the number 28 and spent two more seasons with the Sharks before moving to the Pittsburgh Penguins. His NHL career would come to an end following a single season with the Florida Panthers in 2011-12. He played a single game in Finland the following season before fully hanging up his skates. Today, Bradley is a scout in the Washington Capitals organization.

Defenseman Christian Ehrhoff would be the next to wear the number 44, starting in his rookie season, the 2003-04 season. He wore it for two seasons, before changing to the number 10 for the 2006-07 season. Over the course of five seasons, Ehrhoff played 341 games with the Sharks and recorded 132 points in the process. He retired from the NHL after a short stint with the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2015-16 season, returning to Germany for the next two seasons. After multiple years on the sidelines, at the age of 41 Ehrhoff signed with the Krefeld Pinguine in the German second division for the 2023-24 season, before retiring once again.

Once Ehrhoff changed to the number 10, it allowed the player synonymous with the number 44 in San Jose to take over the reins. Marc-Edouard Vlasic is undoubtedly the most well-known player to wear the number 44, spending 19 seasons with the team in teal while wearing it.

Regarded as one of the top stay-at-home defensemen of his time, Vlasic was a key part of the blue line during the Sharks’ “golden years.” He played the second-most games in franchise history, making it into the lineup 1,323 times. While he wasn’t known for his offensive ability, he also tallied a total of 379 points during his time with the Sharks.

At the end of his run in the Bay Area, age quickly caught up with Vlasic which made it difficult for him to perform at the level we were accustomed to seeing from him. He was out of the lineup regularly, and unfortunately he exited the organization under less than desirable circumstances this summer.

Currently an unrestricted free agent, what’s next for Vlasic remains a mystery.

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Cardinals' Willson Contreras gets 6-game suspension for on-field tirade and plans to appeal

ST. LOUIS (AP) Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras has been suspended for six games and fined an undisclosed amount for his tirade in St. Louis' 7-6 win over Pittsburgh on Monday night.

Contreras has informed Major League Baseball he plans to appeal the suspension, which means it will not take effect immediately. He was in the lineup for Tuesday night's 8-3 loss to the Pirates and went 0 for 3, driving in a run with a groundout in the sixth inning.

After the game, Contreras declined to comment about the suspension with his hearing pending.

On Monday, Contreras threw a bat that mistakenly hit Cardinals hitting coach Brant Brown and tossed bubble gum on the field after he was ejected. Manager Oliver Marmol also was tossed during an animated argument with the umpires after a called third strike in the seventh inning.

Contreras said he didn’t understand why he was thrown out of the game. He said he argued balls and strikes with plate umpire Derek Thomas but didn't address a specific pitch and didn't say anything disrespectful.

“Apparently, he heard something (he thought) I said. I did not say that,” Contreras said.

Crew chief Jordan Baker told a pool reporter that Contreras and Marmol were ejected for “saying vulgar stuff” to Thomas. Baker also said Contreras made contact with the plate umpire.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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Edwin Diaz’s 'nasty' outing gave Mets’ offense chance in walk-off win over Phillies

The Mets needed a big-time outing from Edwin Diaz, and boy, did he deliver. 

The All-Star closer entered Tuesday’s game against the Phillies with things knotted at five in the eighth. 

Ryan Helsley endured another rough appearance, retiring just one batter and allowing a game-tying two-run home run to former Mets outfielder Harrison Bader.

Helsley then walked the pinch-hitting Bryson Stott, and was booed off the mound by the hometown crowd.

Diaz entered knowing that the speedy Stott was going to be aggressive on the bases. 

He immediately stole second, but that proved to be no bother, as Diaz struck out the pinch-hitting Brandon Marsh with a slider in the dirt for the second out of the inning. 

Stott then swiped third, but that was no issue for Diaz either, as he retired All-Star shortstop Trea Turner on just four pitches to escape the inning with things still evened up.

“I just tried to stay calm in that situation,” he said. “I know they would run the bases against me with me being slow to that plate, but I was just trying to make pitches and try to make them chase out of the zone.”

After the Mets failed to scratch a run across against Jose Alvarado in the eighth, the righty came back on for the ninth, still in a tie ballgame.

He easily retired the meat of the lineup in order, striking out Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the process.

Overall, Diaz struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1.2 gutsy innings of work. The closer got seven whiffs on 13 swings with another four called strikes, for a 50 percent called strike-whiff rate.

And he ended up being rewarded for the efforts, as he took home the win after the Mets rallied to walk things off on All-Star closer Jhoan Duran thanks to Brandon Nimmo’s single.

“He was pretty nasty again today, going through their best hitters,” Carlos Mendoza said. “Runner at third with two outs against Turner, he gets him, then he’s going back out against their best guy and makes it look easy. Gives our offense a chance to win the baseball game -- it was a huge outing for him.”

It was a huge outing for the Mets as well, as they now have a chance to continue closing the gap and sweep the NL East leading Phillies on Wednesday night.

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Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: First-Round Pick Beginning To Turn Heads

March 8, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Will Horcoff (44) handles the puck during the first period against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Yost Ice Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

Heading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

With more talent in the system than Pittsburgh has had in years - and 13 picks in the 2025 NHL Draft - top prospects lists are becoming more competitive and more difficult to discern. Since the prospect pool is deepening, The Hockey News - Pittsburgh Penguins takes a look at the top-20 prospects in the organization. 

Today, we spotlight No. 11, a Penguins' 2025 first-round pick who has begun to turn some heads after Penguins' prospect development camp: center Will Horcoff.

#11: F Will Horcoff

Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; William Horcoff is selected as the 24th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

When the Penguins selected center Will Horcoff 24th overall in 2025, the first reaction of many was to think that the Penguins were reaching for the pick. After all, Horcoff was a largely unproven player straight out of the U.S. National Team Development Program who went on to play at the University of Michigan midway through the season - where he was the youngest player in the NCAA - and registered four goals and 10 points in 18 games. 

However, a large sum of that tune changed when folks actually got to see a little bit of Horcoff in live action at Penguins' prospect development camp at the beginning of July.

5 Observations From Penguins’ Prospect Development Camp5 Observations From Penguins’ Prospect Development CampAfter five days, development camp for the Pittsburgh Penguins has finally reached its conclusion.

Granted, it's unwise to put too much stock into a performance at prospect development camp, as - oftentimes - it is not all-gas, no-brakes. The stakes aren't high, and it's not as if players are truly playing for roster spots at that point.

But there's no doubt that Horcoff was a standout once the competition kicked off on the last day of camp during the scrimmages. The 6-foot-5, 203-pound forward showed off his high compete level, strong work ethic, ability to drive his way to the net front, and strong two-way presence.

The biggest draw to Horcoff's game is easily his versatility. Already a high-IQ player at such a young age, Horcoff is responsible in his own zone, can win faceoffs, is deployed in all situations, and has been known to put the puck in the net using his craftiness and ability to read defenses. 

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Don't Sleep On This Russian WingerTop-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Don't Sleep On This Russian WingerHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

Like fellow first-round draftee Bill Zonnon, Horcoff's all-around game is already on display. But the fact that Horcoff waltzed onto Michigan's roster and made an impact right away as the league's youngest player speaks volumes. There is a maturity, a recognition, and a will in his game that may not be matched by anyone else on this list. 

And he can always be found right around the blue paint and unafraid to get confrontational, which is an energy the Penguins desperately need.

Horcoff's father, Shawn, spent 15 seasons in the NHL and was drafted in the fourth round (99th overall) by the Edmonton Oilers in 1998, finishing his NHL career with more than 1,000 games played and north of 500 points. Hockey is in Horcoff's blood - and he very well could take that for granted - but he plays every shift like his career depends on it.

Horcoff has a nice ceiling as a versatile middle-six center, and he's the kind of player any team wants when they're trying to contend for Stanley Cup championships. He's certainly one to watch as the Penguins continue to build toward the future. 

The list so far:

- No. 12: F Mikhail Ilyin
- No. 13 F Filip Hallander
- No. 14: F Bill Zonnon
- No. 15: F Melvin Fernstrom
- No. 16: D Emil Pieniniemi
- No. 17: F Avery Hayes
- No. 18: F Cruz Lucius
- No. 19: D Finn Harding
- No. 20: D Peyton Kettles

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: First-Round Pick Has Middle-Six UpsideTop-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: First-Round Pick Has Middle-Six UpsideHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

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Mets blow late lead, but rally to beat Phillies on Brandon Nimmo's walk-off single

The Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 on Tuesday night on Brandon Nimmo's walk-off single.

New York has now won nine straight games against the Phillies at Citi Field, dating back to last September.

Here are some takeaways...

- Sean Manaea has been up and down since returning from the IL in mid-July, but he fared a bit better in this one. The lefty allowed just one baserunner and struck out four over the first two innings. He worked around an Edmundo Sosa leadoff double in the third, thanks to another strikeout and a pair of groundouts. 

Manaea danced past two singles in the fourth with some help from two more punchouts and a caught stealing, but as has been the case in his recent outings, he was unable to get through the fifth. He was pulled after allowing a two-out single by Trea Turner put runners on the corners. 

Gregory Soto entered, and after issuing a walk to Kyle Schwarber to load the bases, he allowed Bryce Harper to put the Phillies in front with a two-run single the other way. Manaea's book closed with two runs allowed on six hits while tying his season-high with eight strikeouts in just 4.2 innings of work. 

The 33-year-old's ERA is now up to 5.01, and he is yet to complete six innings over nine outings. 

- The Mets wasted a couple of early opportunities against Jesus Luzardo, but they were finally able to break through and answered right back in the fifth. They chased the southpaw after the first four batters of the inning reached base safely, including a Juan Soto RBI single.

Luzardo was ejected by home plate umpire Willie Traynor as he left the mound. 

Orion Kerkering entered and was greeted rudely as Pete Alonso laced a go-ahead two-run double into the left-center gap, the scorching hot Mark Vientos lined an RBI single the other way, and Brandon Nimmo lifted a sacrifice fly to cap off a five-run inning. 

Kerkering entered the night with a 5.59 ERA in 10 career appearances against the Mets. 

- Huascar Brazoban allowed Philly to creep back in but stranded a pair in the sixth. Tyler Rogers followed that with a perfect seventh, but Ryan Helsley's struggles continued in the eighth as he allowed a long game-tying two-run blast to former Met Harrison Bader. 

Helsley has now allowed 10 earned runs in his 11 appearances since joining the Mets. 

- Edwin Diaz cleaned up Helsley's mess in the eighth and then worked through a scoreless ninth before the Mets pieced together a rally against Phillies trade deadline addition Jhoan Duran with three-straight singles – bullets from Starling Marte and Alonso and a flare to shallow left by Brett Baty – before Nimmo lined a single the other way to walk it off. 

Game MVP: Brandon Nimmo

Nimmo provided the late-inning heroics in the victory, picking up his fifth career walk-off RBI. Honorable mention to Alonso, who went 4-for-5 with two RBI

Highlights

What's next

Nolan McLean (2-0, 1.46 ERA) makes his third career start against former Met Taijuan Walker (4-6, 3.44 ERA) in the final match of this three-game set on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m.

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Giancarlo Stanton drives in every Yankees run in 5-1 win over Nationals

Giancarlo Stanton was all the offense the Yankees needed as he drove in all five runs of New York's 5-1 win over the Nationals.

The Yankees were outhit by the Nationals, 8-6, but delivered when it mattered. The Yanks were just 1-for-6 with RISP, with eight runners left on base, while the Nats were 3-for-12 with nine left on base. 

Here are the takeaways...

-Luis Gil was up and down in this one, getting through the first two innings, stranding runners and not allowing a run. However, the Nationals' overaggressiveness benefited them when Robert Hassell III ran through the stop sign at third base and scored on a one-out single that took Cody Bellinger and the Yankees by surprise. There was no urgency to throw the ball in, and Hassell got in ahead of the cutoff throw from a double-clutching Amed Rosario.

Gil escaped the third but walked two in the fourth. The right-hander's velocity seemed a tick low on his fastball (93 mph) and Aaron Boone and the training staff came out to see if Gil was ok. Gil convinced them he was fine and struck out Jacob Young on a 95 mph fastball to end the frame.

After James Wood led off the fifth with a double, Gil bounced back, getting the next two batters, and then Bellinger gunned down Woods at home after a Josh Bell single to keep the Nationals at one run.

Gil's night was done after five innings and 92 pitches (59 strikes), allowing one run on five hits and four walks while striking out five batters.

-Fernando Cruz, activated Tuesday from the IL, was the first arm out of the bullpen and immediately got into trouble. He gave up a leadoff single and hit a batter to put two runners on with no outs. After a strikeout, Hassell bunted for an infield single to load the bases before striking out Young. Boone brought in Tim Hill, who got Wood to ground out to end the threat. 

The rest of the bullpen kept the Nationals at bay to lock down the win. Here's how the relievers broke down:

  • Cruz: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 K
  • Hill: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K
  • Camilo Doval: 1.0 IP, 2 K
  • David Bednar: 1.0 IP, 2 K

-The Yankees offense had a tough time with Mackenzie Gore until the third, when Paul Goldschmidt led off the inning with a double before Aaron Judge and Bellinger walked the bases loaded with two outs. Giancarlo Stanton was up with the RBI chance and the slugger delivered, clearing the bases with a double off the left-center field wall.

Stanton wasn't done. With a man on in the sixth, Stanton launched a 451-foot blast to give the Yanks a 5-1 lead. It's his longest home run of the season. The Yankees slugger was replaced in the field by Jose Caballero in the seventh, ending his night after going 2-for-3 with five RBI.

-Anthony Volpe was back in the lineup after two games on the bench. Hitting eighth, Volpe went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Judge went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Game MVP: Giancarlo Stanton

The slugger is arguably on the hottest offensive streak of his career.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees have a short turnaround as they play the series finale against the Naitonals on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.

Max Fried (13-5, 3.14 ERA) will take the mound against Cade Cavalli (1-0, 2.82 ERA).

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Tyrese Haliburton on if he regrets playing in Game 7 of Finals: 'No. Hell no.'

"It's the Finals, man. I've worked my whole life to be here and I want to be out there to compete. Help my teammates any way I can."

That was Tyrese Haliburton after undergoing an MRI on his strained calf and before Game 6 of the NBA Finals last June. He knew the risk he was taking, he even called Kevin Durant — who had tried to play through a calf injury in the Finals with the Warriors and tore his Achilles — for advice. Haliburton got through Game 6, but early in Game 7, the worst possible outcome happened — Haliburton went down with a torn Achilles. However, he has no regrets, he told Logan Paul and the crew on the Impaulsive podcast (hat tip Hoopshype).

Haliburton: "I had some close friends, family, and mentors in my life call me after Game 5 and say, 'Hey, shut it down.'"

Interviewer: "Do you wish you would have taken that advice?

Haliburton: "No. Hell no. Hell no. I'll be honest—I called KD after I got my MRI after Game 5. I said, 'Bro, do you regret playing in the game you tore [your Achilles]?' He said, 'No, not at all.' He said, 'You never...' I was like, 'Alright.' Yeah, I wasn't going to switch anyway, so I'm glad he said that. It made me feel a little bit better. But no, I don't regret it, bro."

Haliburton also said it would be 15 months from the injury before he'd play in a game again, echoing what the Pacers have said, that he is out for all of next season.

In a podcast conversation that covers a wide range of topics, Haliburton also laughed at the idea that the NBA is scripted or rigged.

"Well, the problem is, I play for the Indiana Pacers. So, if the NBA was going to rig the league, the last two teams they'd probably rig it for would be the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder."

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"For Sure": Alex DeBrincat Says Red Wings Have Pieces In Place For Postseason Run

While the Detroit Red Wings ultimately missed out on qualifying for the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, one of the positives that they took with them into the offseason was the return to form of goal-scoring forward Alex DeBrincat. 

The Farmington Hills, Mich. native tallied 39 goals for the Red Wings in the 2024-25 NHL season, his highest output since reaching 41 goals while a member of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2021-22. It was also 12 goals higher than his output of 27 in his first season wearing the Winged Wheel. 

Earlier this week, DeBrincat participated in the 17th Annual Ilitch Charities Celebrity Golf Classic, and spent a few minutes chatting with hosts Jim Costa and Jon Jansen of The Costa & Jansen w/ Heather Show on 97.1 The Ticket, and was asked right off the bat how much of an adjustment period it will take thanks to the multiple new faces on the roster acquired by GM Steve Yzerman. 

"Not that long, I think that a lot of the bonding that we do in Traverse City off the ice helps it progress and make it a lot easier," he said. "It's nice going up there to get to know the new guys, and as a new player, it's nice to get to know the team. It's a great time up there, and it really makes us closer."

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DeBrincat and the Red Wings have been in prime position to further solidify a spot in the Wild Card postseason race in each of the last two seasons coming into the month of March, only to suffer prolonged losing streaks that all but officially sealed their fate. 

"I think there's a lot of things that happen at that time of year, we obviously weren't playing well, but that's history," DeBrincat said of Detroit's March struggles. "We gotta figure out a way why in the last two years, we've had a lull in that March time frame....us as players have to find a way to power through that and not get such a setback. There are going to be setbacks during the year, but we have to find a way to minimize them and not let them last." 

Among the multiple new additions to the Red Wings roster coming into this season include goaltender John Gibson, forwards James van Riemsdyk and Mason Appleton, and defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker, Travis Hamonic and Ian Mitchell. 

Red Wings Add Blue Line Depth With Signing of Travis Hamonic Red Wings Add Blue Line Depth With Signing of Travis Hamonic Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has already signed defensemen Jacob Bernard-Docker and Ian Mitchell so far this offseason, but another new name has been added to Detroit's blue line. 

Does DeBrincat believe that the team, as currently constructed, can bring playoff hockey to Little Caesars Arena for the first time? 

"For sure," he said with no hesitation. "We got a couple guys that are coming in that should really help us, and it'll be fun to start the year and see what everyone's made of and go from there. You can't make the playoffs in the first month, but it will definitely help if you have a good start." 

Following their 13-17-4 start last season, Yzerman decided to change direction, parting ways with head coach Derek Lalonde and assistant coach Bob Boughner. In their place, he hired former Stanley Cup–winning assistant coach Todd McLellan, along with assistant coach Trent Yawney.

After the coaching change, the Red Wings went 26-18-4 under McLellan, highlighted by a pair of seven-game win streaks. Over a full 82-game schedule, that pace would have been enough to secure a postseason berth.

DeBrincat believes the Red Wings will benefit from having McLellan lead a full training camp as he begins his first full season as head coach.

"It will be good and it will be hard," DeBrincat said of he's anticipating from McLellan in Training Camp. "It will be very attention to detail oriented. In Todd's game, details are really big, and just the work ethic - he requires you to give it your all on every shift, and tthat's something that will be instilled on Day 1." 

DeBrincat, McLellan and the Red Wings will officially begin Training Camp in Traverse City, Mich. on September 18, followed by the annual Red & White Game (moved to Grand Rapids this year). 

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Ex-Penguins First-Rounder Signs With New Team

Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Simon Despres has found his new home.

The Saint-Hyacinthe Bataillon of the Ligue Nord-Americaine de Hockey (LNAH) have announced that they have signed Despres for the 2025-26 season. 

Despres spent this past season in the UK's Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) with the Glasgow Clan, where he posted six goals, 29 points, and 63 penalty minutes in 52 games. This was after he recorded two goals and 12 points in 44 EIHL games with the Nottingham Panthers in 2023-24. Now, by signing with Saint-Hyacinthe, he will get the chance to continue his career in Quebec. 

Despres was selected by the Penguins with the 30th overall pick of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In 144 games over four seasons with the Penguins from 2011-12 to 2014-15, he recorded five goals, 33 points, 120 penalty minutes, 323 hits, and a plus-27 rating. 

Despres' time with the Penguins ended when he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks during the 2014-15 in exchange for Ben Lovejoy. From there, Despres played with the Ducks until the completion of the 2016-17 season. This would be the last year he played at the NHL level.

Penguins Should Consider Targeting Intriguing Bruins ProspectPenguins Should Consider Targeting Intriguing Bruins ProspectThe Pittsburgh Penguins are currently in the middle of a retool/rebuild. Because of this, one of their primary goals from here should be to continue to improve their prospect pool. This will only help their future as they look to become a playoff team again. 
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“It’s Missing”: Kane Targets Elusive Olympic Gold Medal in 2026

Detroit's Patrick Kane Eyes Final Olympic Run with Team USA in 2026

With the 2026 Winter Olympics on the horizon, Patrick Kane is making it clear: he’s not chasing a farewell tour but a gold medal.

The 36-year-old NHL veteran has his sights set on cracking the U.S. Olympic roster one final time, understanding this may be his last opportunity to compete at the sport’s highest international level. Kane was among the players invited to Team USA's orientation camp this week, a preliminary step in assembling the squad for the upcoming Games in Milan-Cortina.

“Winning gold in a best-on-best tournament is something that’s missing from my career,” Kane told NHL.com’s Nick Cotsonika. “It would be fun to have that opportunity.”

Red Wings’ 2025 Draft Steal Turning Heads in Junior League ActionRed Wings’ 2025 Draft Steal Turning Heads in Junior League ActionRed Wings recent 2025 5th-round pick Nikita Tyurin Talks Development, KHL Debut, and Championship Mindset.

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Kane’s international résumé includes appearances in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but the only medal to show for it is silver from Vancouver. Despite a decorated career that includes three Stanley Cups and multiple individual awards, Kane remains motivated to add international gold to his trophy case.

Notably, he was left off the U.S. roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off last February but remains an impact player with nearly 60 points last season, including a season-ending hot streak in which he posted 45 points over the final 43 games. 

“I don’t want to be picked because of what I’ve done in the past,” Kane explained as he wants to make the team based on performance “You want to be selected because of what you bring now.”

Detroit recently brought back Kane on a one-year, $3 million deal, where he’ll continue his pursuit of several major milestones like scoring his 500th career goal and surpassing Mike Modano as the highest-scoring American player in NHL history as he needs just eight goals and 32 points, respectively, to reach those marks.

“If I play well and someone else gets the nod, that’s part of it,” he said. “But I’ll know I did everything I could.”

Red Wings Prospect Emerging as Top Talent After Impressive KHL Pre-SeasonRed Wings Prospect Emerging as Top Talent After Impressive KHL Pre-SeasonRussian prospect for the Red Wings dazzles with three goals through KHL pre-season. 

From the sounds of it, Kane is motivated more than ever and could lead to another stellar season from the Buffalo native as he enters his 19th NHL season. 

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Phils' losing streak at Citi Field reaches nine as Mets walk it off vs. Duran

Phils' losing streak at Citi Field reaches nine as Mets walk it off vs. Duran originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

NEW YORK – Oh, it’s real. Whether it’s the play of the New York Mets, the frenzied fans, something about Citi Field, or just the Phillies themselves. There might be a curse the Mets have over the Phillies that isn’t as easily explainable as the team and the manager want us all to believe.

How else do you explain Jesús Luzardo’s lack of composure when things get choppy? Or center fielder Harrison Bader, a Gold Glove winner, needlessly attempting a throw out at home instead of hitting a cutoff? How do you explain Mets starter Sean Manaea – who allowed 17 earned runs over his past 19 1/3 innings – striking out eight of the 14 batters he retired? Or how Jhoan Duran blew his second save in less than a week?

Don’t try to make sense of it because it’ll have you praying to the baseball gods for answers, and it doesn’t seem like there are logical ones. The Mets belted four consecutive singles off Duran in the ninth inning to take a 6-5, walk-off win – their second in this three-game series. The Phillies’ lead in the National League East is still at five games, but the momentum factor between these two teams leans heavily in New York’s favor.

It was the Mets’ ninth consecutive win over the Phillies at Citi Field and their 23rd in the last 29. Are the Phillies more frustrated than they would be after a routine loss?

Starter Cristopher Sánchez beat up a trash can when he left the game in the sixth inning on Monday. Jesús Luzardo shouted at home plate umpire Willie Traynor during his exit in the fifth and was ejected.

If you need a bit of a silver lining, Harrison Bader briefly provided it. In the eighth inning, he crushed a Ryan Helsley pitch deep into the seats score him and Nick Castellanos for a 5-5 tie. But that only delayed what has been inevitable of late … and that’s the Mets finding a way to win again on their home field.

“I don’t ever think that way,” said Rob Thomson of everything seemingly going wrong lately against the Mets in New York. “I’m always looking from a positive aspect.

“I’ve been asked that numerous times since we’ve been here. It’s not the building. They’ve been playing good and we played well today, too. We battled back. They get the five-spot in the fifth and I was proud of our guys the way they battled. We come out here tomorrow and do it again.”

As they did Monday, the Phillies jumped out to a lead when Bryce Harper – who was three hits on the nigh – drove in a pair with a single in the fifth inning. All that did was seem to awaken the Mets, who hadn’t done much of anything against Luzardo up to that point.

But Luzardo began the fifth by hitting Luis Torrens and then gave up a single to Francisco Lindor and an RBI single to Juan Soto. Luzardo and catcher J.T. Realmuto both questioned a ball call on Marte, who eventually walked to load the bases, and that was it for Luzardo, before for the arguing. He was also miffed in the first inning when he was called for stopping his windup against Juan Soto, allowing Soto to call time. After throwing the pitch, Luzardo walked towards home to have a word or two with Traynor.

Pete Alonso crushed Orion Kerkering’s second pitch to the left-center field wall for a pair of RBIs and a five-run, game changing inning was in full gear. And it didn’t look good, again, for the Phillies until Bader’s bomb in the eighth.

“Just a good baseball game, good teams on both sides, pretty familiar opponents on both sides,” said Bader, who played for the Mets last season.

“Every playing surface just has a different feel to it. Different batter’s box, different batter’s eye. Sometimes it’s just as simple as that, and you try to put your best swing forward. Whatever the numbers say you just going out there and competing and trying to win a baseball game. I can’t really speak to the history of the rivalry or the history of how the Phillies have played here. I’ve always learned growing up from my dad was to just kind of be emotionless because the ball doesn’t really have emotions. Try to just breathe through it.”

With the lead in the East trending down, is breathing a little bit harder now?

“I don’t think anybody got into this room by doing math,” said Bader. “Every game you just try to gather information from it. It is what it is. You just go out there and try to attack the pitcher, swing at strikes, take care of the baseball and just try to go from there.”

Attack Duran is exactly what the Mets did in the ninth in picking up those four consecutive hits to start the celebration near first base.

“I feel good. I threw the pitch where I want to throw it,” said Duran. “The got the ball past the defense. They had good luck today.”

It seems to be a theme. And becoming a very unnerving one at that.

“I think a little bit of both, really,” said Luzardo on his frustration with himself and others. “Obviously take accountability for three walks, two hit batsmen. Frustrated with myself after the hit by pitches.

“I felt amazing today. I’m not really an emotional guy, pretty calm out there, for the most part. When I think something is not fair, I’ll make sure to stick up for it. I didn’t think it was right.”

If the Phillies are going to break this skid while visiting the Mets, the star players are probably going to have to pull them through. Tuesday wasn’t the night for that, however. J.T. Realmuto struck out four times and left a couple runners on base, Trea Turner struck out twice and left two runners in scoring position and Nick Castellanos struck out twice and left a runner on.

“It was really tough for these guys to back the ball up on the lefty (Manaea),” said Thomson, explaining his team’s 15 strikeouts.

“There was some chase but just out front. The slider he’s got is a really good pitch and very deceptive when he mixes off that fastball. You have to really, really stay opposite-field oriented against him.”

As they all said, tomorrow is another day. They can only hope it isn’t like many before it at Citi Field.

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The Top 10 Left Wingers In NHL 26

EA SPORTS NHL has revealed the top 10 left wingers in NHL 26, led by Kirill Kaprizov at 94 overall. 

NHL 26 cover star Matthew Tkachuk comes in as the second highest rated left winger at 93 overall, with Artemi Panarin and Kyle Connor narrowly behind at 92 overall. 

The top 10 left wingers in NHL 26 are:

  1. Kirill Kaprizov - 94 overall
  2. Matthew Tkachuk - 93 overall
  3. Artemi Panarin - 92 overall
  4. Kyle Connor - 92 overall
  5. Jesper Bratt - 91 overall
  6. Alex Ovechkin - 90 overall
  7. Brandon Hagel - 90 overall
  8. Matthew Boldy - 89 overall
  9. Brad Marchand - 89 overall
  10. Jake Guentzel - 89 overall

Kaprizov's 96 offensive awareness and 94 puck control contribute to his high rating he has Quick Release and Wheels X-Factors. Tkachuk also has 96 offensive awareness to go along with the Big Tipper, Born Leader, and Spark Plug X-Factors.

Ovechkin remains a deadly sniper with 95 overall slapshot power and 93 wrist shot. 

Keep an eye on the ratings database for an in-depth look at each players stats. 

NHL 26 is set to release Sept. 12, those who pre-order the deluxe edition get access Sept. 5. 

For more NHL Gaming news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.