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Canadiens Have Intriguing Trade Target In Penguins Forward

It is fair to say that the Montreal Canadiens had a strong first half of the 2025-26 season. The Habs currently sport a 22-12-6 record and are third in the Atlantic Division. The Canadiens are also just two points behind the first-place Detroit Red Wings in the Atlantic, so they are undoubtedly in a good place right now. 

With how well the Canadiens are playing this season, it would not be surprising in the slightest if they continue to look to add to their roster by the trade deadline. While adding another impactful center would be big for the Canadiens, they also should be open to acquiring a skilled winger. 

When looking at trade candidates around the NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins forward Anthony Mantha stands out as an intriguing potential option for the Habs.

With the Penguins retooling and Mantha being a pending unrestricted free agent (UFA), he has created chatter in the rumor mill. If the Penguins do officially make him available, the Canadiens should seriously consider making a push for the 6-foot-5 forward.

Mantha is currently in the middle of a strong season with the Penguins, as he has recorded 14 goals, 14 assists, 28 points, and a plus-8 rating. With numbers like these, Mantha would have the potential to be a very solid addition to the Canadiens' middle six and power play if acquired. 

Ultimately, if the Canadiens acquired Mantha, he would give them some solid secondary scoring and more size. Because of this, he would be a nice player for the Canadiens to add to their roster as they prepare for the post-season. 

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Blues Defenseman Philip Broberg "Extremely Honored" To Be Selected To Sweden Olympic Hockey Squad

ST. LOUIS – Early prognosticators didn’t even have Philip Broberg having a sniff of making the Sweden Men’s Winter Olympic hockey roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games in Italy.

The St. Louis Blues defenseman, despite the odds against him, had other ideas.

On Friday, the 24-year-old did what many didn’t think he would do: be chosen to represent his country for the first time at the highest level when he was named to Sweden’s Olympic roster.

“Extremely honored,” Broberg said Friday after a 4-3 win against the Vegas Golden Knights. “It’s a dream-come-true. I’m very excited about it.

“Got a call from the coach (Sam Hallam) a few days ago. It’s a dream-come-true. I’m very excited.”

Broberg joined the likes of Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning), Rasmus Dahlin (Buffalo Sabres), Erik Karlsson (Pittsburgh Penguins), Jonas Brodin (Minnesota Wild), Rasmus Andersson (Calgary Flames), Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Gustav Forsling (Florida Panthers).

Among those not on the initial list – of course there could be injuries that can change things – include Mattias Ekholm (Edmonton Oilers) and Hampus Lindholm (Boston Bruins) at the top of the list.

So for Broberg, who is having a fantastic season with the Blues, to get the consideration speaks volumes.

“It does because Sweden has developed great defensemen for decades now,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. ‘There’s a plethora in our league. It does speak volumes about what he was able to accomplish.”

Broberg is averaging 23:15 and has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 42 games this season for the Blues and was likely chosen for the leaps and bounds he’s taken as a defensive player.

“It’s a well-deserved and earned reward for how much he’s continued to progress in his career, not only in St. Louis but from when he did when he got drafted,” Montgomery said. ‘More so than anything, in the game you see his physical tools, his ability to create off-man rushes offensively, his ability kill plays, his willingness to take away time and space and win battles 1-on-1 offensively and defensively, but the thing that has really improved with him is his mindset. His mindset has gone from being a good player in this league, and I’m just talking since I’ve been working with him now to trying to become an elite player, and because that mindset has been every day in practice and every game, even when he doesn’t have legs – that’s a hockey player’s term – you don’t feel like you can get up and go, he pushes himself right through that. I’ve seen first periods when he hasn’t been on, the second and third period he’s our best player. And that’s the will machine and the kind of guy you want to build around to get the culture to where you want, the culture to be. And that’s kudos to him and his mindset that he’s developed as a young man early in his career.”

Broberg, acquired via offer sheet from the Oilers along with forward Dylan Holloway on Aug. 20, 2024, was on a mission to at least be under consideration.

“Before the season we set goals and I think this was one of the goals for sure,” Broberg said. ‘I’m very excited about the opportunity I’m going to get. It’s going to be fun.

“I think we have a very good roster with a lot of very good players. I’m excited to meet all the guys and get a chance to play with them as well.”

How much Broberg gets to play is anyone’s guess, but with Sweden, which opens on Feb. 11 at 2:10 p.m. (CT) against Italy, if they need a shutdown player to be in a plethora of situations, Broberg should be under heavy consideration. He has played 23-plus minutes 22 times this season.

“I think defensively, I think that’s been a big focus for myself,” Broberg said. “Grow defensively and be hard to play against, have good sticks, be physical. I think that’s a big, big thing. I still want to create offense as well, but that’s just a plus.”

Being a lifelong Swede from Orebro, the hometown of Stanley Cup champion Carl Gunnarsson, Broberg now gets to make his own memories.

“I think the best memory I have is (Niklas) Lidstrom scored that game-winner and they won the gold obviously (in 2006 over Finland),” Broberg said. “I have that memory a lot and I’m excited to be a part of the team there.”

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Mets weren’t sold on Tatsuya Imai as impact starter: report

On paper, Tatsuya Imai certainly seemed like a potential fit for the Mets. 

He’s still just 27 years old, brings a ton of potential upside coming over from Japan, and wasn’t commanding too much in free agency with his market not developing as hoped. 

However, the team reportedly was never serious about pursuing the right-hander before he reached an agreement on a three-year pact with the Astros on Thursday. 

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, that’s because the Mets weren’t sold on Imai as an impact starter. 

With the way his contract with Houston is set up -- including incentives based on innings pitched and opt-outs after every year -- it seems other clubs may have felt the same way. 

Imai pitched to a 1.92 ERA with 178 strikeouts over 162.2 innings last year for the Saitama Seibu Lions. 

There are, however, some concerns about the righty making the transition to the States. 

So now, the Mets will have to turn their attention elsewhere if they hope to add to their rotation this offseason. 

Feinsand again connected them to Framber Valdez and Ranger Suarez, two of the best available in free agency.

It remains to be seen if David Stearns will shell out the money and years the top arms are seeking, though. 

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Blackwood Placed on Injured Reserve as Avalanche Recall Miner and Makar

Injury issues have resurfaced for Mackenzie Blackwood.

Blackwood Injured Again

The Avalanche placed the goaltender on injured reserve Thursday with a lower-body injury, marking his second stint on IR this season after beginning the year sidelined. To fill the vacancy, Colorado recalled Trent Miner and Taylor Makar from the Colorado Eagles, the Avs’ AHL affiliate. The Avalanche already had an open roster spot, so no additional move was required. Blackwood will be reevaluated once the team returns from its three-game road trip.

The team did not provide additional details regarding the injury. Blackwood did not participate in practice ahead of the road trip, prompting the roster move.

Blackwood last appeared in Colorado’s 6–1 win over the Blues on New Year’s Eve, finishing the game in what was his second consecutive start. Despite the stop-and-start nature of his season and a resulting tandem split with Scott Wedgewood, the 29-year-old has been elite when available, posting a 13-1-1 record, .924 save percentage, and a league-leading 2.07 goals-against average in 16 appearances.

Blackwood missed training camp and the start of the regular season while rehabbing from offseason surgery on a lower-body injury. In his absence, Scott Wedgewood emerged as one of the NHL’s top goaltenders. With Blackwood sidelined again, Wedgewood is expected to shoulder the bulk of the workload once more.

Makar Called Up

Meanwhile, Makar has been called up to the NHL for the fourth time this season. 

The 24‑year‑old forward has appeared in 26 games this season with the Colorado Eagles, the Avalanche’s AHL affiliate, recording six goals and four assists for 10 points in 26 games.

Selected in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Makar signed a one-year entry-level contract that runs through the 2025–26 season.

Before turning pro, he played three seasons at UMass Amherst, totaling 15 goals and seven assists in 85 games from 2021 to 2023. He then transferred to the University of Maine for the 2024–25 season, where he enjoyed a breakout year with 18 goals and 12 assists for 30 points in 38 games.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s older brother Cale Makar remains the driving force on Colorado’s back end in 2025–26, posting 12 goals and 33 assists for 45 points through 39 games to lead the Avalanche defense.

Miner Recalled

Miner has appeared in two NHL games this season, posting an 0‑0‑2 record while allowing four goals on 44 shots. In the AHL with the Colorado Eagles, he has a 7‑2‑0 record, a 2.40 goals-against average, and a .907 save percentage across 10 contests. Miner is expected to serve in a backup role for the Avalanche, with Scott Wedgewood likely stepping in as the starter during Blackwood’s absence.

Avalanche On the Road

The Avalanche (30‑2‑7) face the Carolina Hurricanes (24‑13‑3) on Saturday at Lenovo Center with coverage starting at 5 p.m. local time. Colorado will then head on an all-Florida road trip, taking on the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers on January 4 before meeting the Tampa Bay Lightning on January 6.

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Red Wings Top Prospect Sets Historic Mark Last Achieved By Current Vezina Favorite

Detroit Red Wings top prospect Sebastian Cossa continues to dominate in the AHL, earning Goaltender of the Month honors for December, marking the second consecutive month he has received the award.

Cossa previously won the accolade for November, becoming the first netminder in Red Wings franchise history to win the award twice in a single season. He also becomes the first AHL goalie since Henderson’s Logan Thompson in 2021 to capture the honor in consecutive months.

Thompson, now with the Washington Capitals, has gone on to thrive at the NHL level. He was recently named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster and currently sits as a Vezina Trophy favorite, highlighting just how elite Cossa’s company is as he joins the list of goalies who have translated AHL dominance into NHL stardom.

The 23-year-old Hamilton, Ontario native was spectacular in December, posting a 7-0-1 record with two shutouts, a 1.76 goals-against average, and a .929 save percentage. This season, Cossa has been nearly untouchable, boasting a 15-1-1 record, a 1.65 GAA, and a .936 save percentage, leading all AHL goalies in every major statistical category.

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Cossa recently experienced a rare setback in an overtime loss to the Milwaukee Admirals, stopping 21 of 24 shots. Prior to that, he had allowed just four goals over his previous four starts, stopping 85 of 89 shots with two shutouts.

With aging NHL goaltenders Cam Talbot and John Gibson nearing the end of their tenures in Detroit, fans are eagerly anticipating Cossa’s NHL debut. The Red Wings, long plagued by goaltending instability since the days of Chris Osgood, appear to have found their next franchise netminder.

Selected 15th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, Cossa has consistently shown why Detroit invested a top pick in him. His dominance in the AHL this season has many believing he is ready to kick down the door to the NHL and become the long-term solution between the pipes for the Red Wings, following in the footsteps of other elite goalies like Logan Thompson.

Non-NHL Red Wings Who Could Compete at the Winter OlympicsNon-NHL Red Wings Who Could Compete at the Winter OlympicsGrand Rapids Griffins forward Eduards Tralmaks is one of several players within the Red Wings organization who could see action at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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Why Warriors' choice to tank without achy stars vs. Thunder was logical decision

Why Warriors' choice to tank without achy stars vs. Thunder was logical decision originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – With Draymond Green and De’Anthony Melton given one-game recesses, Jimmy Butler III calling in sick and Stephen Curry showing up but not suiting up, the Warriors were doomed against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Golden State’s 134-94 loss to Oklahoma City on Friday night was preordained, as any NBA team’s B squad would feel the shoe soles of the best team in the league.

The Warriors tanked this game. Not for draft positioning but for a better future.

And even though the sellout crowd at Chase Center (18,064) began streaming toward the exits early in the fourth quarter, with the Warriors trailing by 37, it was a logical decision.

Scanning their achy roster and their upcoming schedule, coach Steve Kerr and the team’s medical and training staffs opted for prudency. This was not an NBA playoff game and would not have any impact on one. So, rather than dance with risk, they chose to sacrifice a slim chance of beating OKC in hopes it would benefit the 47 games still on the schedule.

Curry was sitting because tweaked his left ankle, and any aggravation could jeopardize several weeks. Butler was on the afternoon injury report with an undisclosed illness. Green (rest) and Melton (surgery management) were scheduled to sit.

“With Draymond, that was easy,” coach Steve Kerr said two hours before tipoff. “We’re in the midst of this five [games] in seven days. At his age, coming off a trip, with three [game] in four [nights], starting tonight, it’s an easy one for us to rest Draymond tonight.

“Jimmy, we didn’t plan to. He got sick this morning, and he won’t even be coming to the game tonight. So, hopefully he gets better quickly.”

Coming off back-to-back road games on Tuesday (Brooklyn) and Wednesday (Charlotte), the Warriors on Saturday night face the Utah Jazz at Chase Center, then travel to Los Angeles on Sunday to face the Clippers on Monday night.

“The schedule is what it is,” Kerr said. “When you have an older team, you have to navigate it as best you can. We’re trying to do that.”

That, folks, is the essence of the issue. The front office assembled a roster with a core that is NBA old. Green is 35, Butler 36 and Curry 37. Al Horford, who has missed 18 of Golden State’s 35 games but played 16 minutes on Friday, is 39.

This season is, and always has been, about navigating the schedule, managing bodies, therapeutic massages – and hoping that the rest of the team showed well when the vets were unavailable.

That was the case last Dec. 6, when Golden State’s B squad beat the Cavaliers in Cleveland, but it was demolished by the Thunder.

Asked if there was anything of value, Kerr was quick with a reply.

“Not a whole lot to take from it,” he said.

“You got to forget about it,” Will Richard said.

“That was disgusting,” Trayce Jackson-Davis said. “It’s in the toilet and already flushed.”

This night was about opportunities. Would Brandin Podziemski continue his stellar recent play? He did not, scoring 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field, including 1 of 4 from distance.

This was a chance for starting center Quinten Post, the team’s designated stretch-5, to move past his 27-percent shooting over the previous seven games. Nope. He was he was 1 of 6 against OKC.

This was an opportunity for Buddy Hield, whose 32-percent shooting from deep kicked him out of the rotation, to perhaps rediscover the shot that determines his value. He took nine shots beyond the arc, making three.

Podziemski and Post are in the rotation. And Hield at some point might be needed, if only because he addresses Kerr’s spacing fetish. All three are part of the supporting cast that will be needed for the Warriors to exploit a schedule that now swings in their favor.

Nine of their next 10 games, and 15 of their next 22, are at Chase. The Warriors don’t leave California until Jan. 22 and don’t fly east of the Mississippi River until after the Feb. 14-19 NBA All-Star break.

“It is a big opportunity,” Kerr said. “The schedule kind of swings back our way this next month, after a difficult first 20 games or so. It feels like we’re playing better. We’re playing more consistently, and with this next month’s schedule time at home, we’d love to keep our momentum going and build on this a little bit.”

Golden State still has a long-range goal, which enters 2026 invisible to the naked eye. It will stay that way unless the navigation, management and therapy works wonders.

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Latest Cody Bellinger free agency buzz: Yankees tweaked latest offer

Here is the latest news and buzz surrounding free agent outfielder/first basemanCody Bellinger and his chances of returning to New York with the Yankees or Mets...

 

Jan. 13, 8:25 a.m.

The Yankees have tweaked their latest offer to Bellinger by adding an opt-out and signing bonus, reports Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Additionally, the amended offer contains no deferrals.

Heyman reported on Monday that the Yanks and Bellinger "spoke through the weekend," though a gap remained regarding what New York was offering and what Bellinger desired.

It was reported by ESPN's Buster Olney on Saturday that talks between Bellinger and the Yankees were at an "impasse."

According to multiple reports, the Yankees' offer to Bellinger is for five years and roughly $150 million, while Bellinger is seeking a seven-year deal. 

In addition to the Yankees, the Mets and Dodgers have been linked to Bellinger.

Heyman reports that free agent Kyle Tucker is among the alternatives the Yanks are considering, while noting that they're "on the periphery." The three teams most seriously linked to Tucker have been the Blue Jays, Mets, and Dodgers. 

Jan. 10, 6:33 p.m.

Contract negotiations between the Yankees and Bellinger are currently described as at an impasse and New York is reportedly now operating under the assumption that the outfielder is going to sign somewhere else, reports ESPN's Buster Olney.

The Yanks' latest offer to Bellinger of a five-year deal for at least $30 million per year remains far off from what Bellinger and his camp, including his agent Scott Boras, are looking for which is reportedly a seven-year contract with an AAV of more than $30 million.

With both sides unable to reach an agreement, Olney reports that New York is now seeking additions elsewhere and barring a shift in the negotiations, Bellinger's tenure with the Yankees is likely over.

New York can shift their focus to other possible targets such as Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, both of whom have been on the Yankees' radar this offseason and who have remained in conversations with the organization during the Bellinger negotiations. 

The Yankees also continue to engage other teams in trade possibilities.

Jan. 8, 9:02 p.m.

Although there's a gap between Bellinger and the Yankees, the latest report shines a light on how far New York is willing to go with the outfielder.

According to The Athletic's Brendan Kuty, the Yankees' latest multi-year deal had an average annual value of more than $30 million a year. However, the report states Bellingers' camp continues to push for a seven-year contract. 

If Bellinger accepted the $30 million-plus AAV deal, it would have him as the fifth-highest-paid outfielder in baseball. Juan Soto ($51 million), Aaron Judge ($40 million), Mike Trout ($35.5 million) and Mookie Betts ($30.4 million) are the others. 

The 30-year-old outfielder/first baseman had a great season in his first year in The Bronx, and the Yankees have made re-signing Bellinger a priority this offseason.

Other teams linked to Bellinger this offseason include the Cubs, Dodgers and Mets. 

Jan. 6, 1:13 p.m.

There is "clearly a gap" between Bellinger and the Yankees, Jack Curry of YES reported on Monday during an appearance on Yankees Hot Stove.

According to multiple reports, Bellinger has been seeking a six- or seven-year contract.

In addition to the Yankees, the Mets have been heavily linked to Bellinger.

Bellinger's ability to play all three outfield spots and first base is appealing, and sets him apart from fellow free agent Kyle Tucker.

However,  Bellinger's career OPS+ of 120 is dwarfed by Tucker's career OPS+ of 140.

When it comes to the last three seasons, Tucker has an .892 OPS (150 OPS+), while Bellinger's is .815 (125 OPS+).

Jan. 4, 7:09 p.m.

After making a formal offer to the outfielder earlier this week, the Yankees have reportedly made a second offer to the 30-year-old, per NY Post's Joel Sherman.

The offer comes on the heels of the news that New York is eying starting pitcher Edward Cabrera in a possible trade with the Miami Marlins, which connects to the Yankees' offer to Bellinger because if he were to stay in New York he would likely play left field, alongside Aaron Judge in right and Trent Grisham in center.

With that outfield configuration, the Yanks could afford trading away a player like OF Jasson Dominguez to a team, like the Marlins, for a different area of need such as starting pitching, although Sherman writes that that is merely speculation.

However, it does help that both teams have been trade partners in the past which shows a willingness on both sides to get a potential deal done.

Jan. 2, 5:22 p.m.

As the offseason continues, it seems the Yankees have formally made an offer to Bellinger earlier this week, per the NY Post's Jon Heyman.

It's no surprise the Yankees did so, as Bellinger is the team's No. 1 target this offseason, but Heyman added that with both sides in a weekslong standoff, the Mets can't be ruled out.

Other teams linked to Bellinger are the Dodgers, where the outfielder started his career, and the Giants. Heyman also adds the Blue Jays as a potential landing spot if Toronto does not land Kyle Tucker, Alex Bregman or Bo Bichette.

Dec. 26, 9:50 a.m.

While the holiday season has lowered the hot stove temperature, it appears the Yankees' hopes of re-signing Cody Bellinger remain high enough.

A reunion with the star outfielder is still a priority in the Bronx, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, and the club feels "pretty confident" he won't move boroughs for a deal over in Queens.

The pursuit of Bellinger is also endorsed by the Yankees' captain. Heyman reports Aaron Judge is "a big advocate" for a long-term commitment with the former MVP, who hit .272 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI as a one-year rental in pinstripes last season.

It's unclear when Bellinger will take himself off the free-agent market, but with high demand from championship contenders, some projections have him earning around $30 million annually on a six-year contract. The Yankees may have to sweeten the pot in order to convince him to stay.

Dec. 14, 7:35 p.m.

While reports indicated that the San Francisco Giants "do not anticipate making the nine-figure investment" required to sign free agents this offseason, they aren't checked out of the marketplace altogether.

The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser reported recently that the Giants “have checked in on” Cody Bellinger, the Yankees' No. 1 target.

Bellinger proved to be a big part of the Yanks' last season, contributing well on both sides of the ball with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, and a .272/.334/.480 slash line for an .813 OPS (125 OPS+ and wRC+) while ranking in the 93rd percentile in outs above average (seven) and with 12 defensive runs saved.

Dec. 4, 11:42 a.m.

While other suitors are certainly in the mix, Cody Bellinger remains the Yankees' No. 1 target, and the club is making a "big effort" to bring him back, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

Heyman lists the Mets, Phillies, Angels, and Dodgers as other possibilities.

ESPN's Jeff Passan has previously reported that signing Bellinger would be a "multipart move" for the Yankees, as the club would almost certainly need to move one of their other outfield pieces --potentially Jasson Dominguez or up-and-coming prospect Spencer Jones.

With Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer, the Yanks would have a surplus of outfielders if Bellinger was to re-sign.

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Non-NHL Red Wings Who Could Compete at the Winter Olympics

The Winter Olympics are just weeks away from getting underway, and excitement is beginning to build across the hockey world as national teams begin to announce and finalize their rosters. While traditional powerhouses like Canada and the United States will once again command much of the spotlight, several other participating nations will be looking to make an impact in the ice hockey tournament.

Here are some players within the Detroit Red Wings organization who could potentially participate in the Winter Olympics. They may not be suiting up for the sport’s biggest superpowers, but each could play a meaningful role for their country and gain valuable experience competing against some of the best players in the world on the Olympic stage.

Eduards Tralmaks - Latvia 

Latvia has emerged as one of the fastest-rising nations in hockey. Once a frequent relegation team at tournaments such as the World Juniors and World Championships, the program has now established itself among the sport’s elite and is producing an increasing number of NHL players. Currently, Latvia boasts four skaters and two goaltenders in the NHL, with several other Olympic hopefuls playing in leagues around the world, including the AHL.

Tralmaks is one of six Latvian skaters competing in the AHL and is tied for second in scoring among them with Providence Bruins forward Dans Ločmelis, trailing only Sandis Vilmanis of the Charlotte Checkers by a single point. Latvia faces a challenging Olympic group, matched up against the United States along with rising hockey nations Germany and Denmark. For Tralmaks, the Olympics could provide a major opportunity to prove himself on an international stage and potentially raise his profile with a strong performance.

Michal Svrcek - Slovakia

Slovakia has remained competitive at the World Juniors, and Svrcek has put together a solid tournament, recording a goal and an assist through four games. He is set to face Canada in the quarterfinals, a matchup that could present opportunities against a Canadian squad that has surrendered its share of goals.

Looking ahead to the Olympics, Slovakia is expected to feature nine NHL players, including high-profile names such as Juraj Slafkovský and Šimon Nemec. Beyond those nine, depth becomes a concern, as Slovakia has only about ten additional skaters in the AHL. That limited pool may force management to look elsewhere for reinforcements, including other professional leagues or even junior talent. 

Svrcek fits that profile well as a recent fourth-round pick, he is enjoying an excellent season in Sweden’s U20 Nationell league with Brynäs IF, where he has totaled 14 points in nine games. Given his strong play and upward trajectory, he could be one of several prospects from Slovakia’s system considered for Olympic selection.

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Michal Pradel - Slovakia 

With no Slovak goaltenders currently in the NHL and only a limited presence in North America, Slovakia may be inclined to lean on whoever is performing best at the World Juniors. After taking over the starting role in the team’s second game of the tournament, Pradel elevated his play immediately, delivering a standout 31-save performance in a 4–1 victory over Germany.

That showing earned him the net for the next two starts, beginning with a challenging matchup against the United States. Facing one of the strongest junior lineups in the world, Pradel made several highlight-level saves and kept Slovakia competitive, stopping 35 shots in a narrow 6–5 loss despite allowing six goals. He was steady again overall, though his most recent start against Switzerland showed some vulnerability, as the Swiss capitalized early and held on for a 3–2 win, with Pradel stopping 15 of 18 shots.

At just 18 years old, Pradel remains very much a developing goaltender, and Slovakia’s management may ultimately prefer more experienced options. However, if they choose to reward recent form, bringing Pradel along in a depth role could make sense, allowing him to gain valuable experience and learn alongside veteran goaltenders.

Kevin Bicker - Germany

Germany has traditionally been known more as a soccer nation than a hockey powerhouse, but its hockey programs have steadily grown in recent years, fueled by the emergence of NHL stars such as Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, and Moritz Seider. Despite that progress, Germany’s player pool in North America remains limited, with only six NHL players and four skaters in the AHL.

Because of that lack of depth, Germany may need to look toward its junior and domestic programs for additional options. One potential candidate is 20-year-old Kevin Bicker, a Red Wings prospect selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. As one of the rarer NHL draft picks to emerge from Germany, Bicker showed enough ability at the junior level to earn selection and now represents a viable option for the national team.

With few German players competing in North America, attention could shift back home, where Bicker currently plays in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) with Löwen Frankfurt. A strong showing against elite international competition could help solidify his place on Team Germany and potentially influence Detroit’s decision to offer him an entry-level contract.

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What we learned as short-handed Warriors suffer blowout loss at home vs. Thunder

What we learned as short-handed Warriors suffer blowout loss at home vs. Thunder originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Starting the new year against the Oklahoma City Thunder already was a tall task. Then came a never-ending Warriors injury report.

The Warriors were about as short-handed as it gets for their first game of 2026 against defending champions. Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green all were ruled out early in the day, as well as De’Anthony Melton. Jonathan Kuminga was a late addition two hours before tipoff and wasn’t able to go because of lower back soreness. 

Exactly one month to the date, the Warriors last played the Thunder and were without Curry but still fought for all four quarters in what wound up being a 12-point loss. The talent gap was far too wide for the Warriors to make it a competitive game one month later in a 37-point blowout loss, 131-94, Friday night at Chase Center.

Dub Nation was teased during the second quarter when the Warriors got within two points of the Thunder, 38-36, just for OKC to lock in and reel off a 19-0 run. 

Missing so much firepower, the Warriors shot 35.6 percent from the field and 29.5 percent on threes. They were below 30 percent shooting for the majority of the game.

Scoring was spread out to the Warriors having six players score in double figures, though nobody had more than the 13 points scored by Al Horford, Moses Moody and Will Richard.

Here are three takeaways from the Warriors falling to 18-17 with a loss to open 2026.

Makeshift Starting Five 

Steve Kerr finally built some continuity with his starting lineup after picking names out of a hat for nearly the first two months of the season. The Warriors used the same starting lineup in each of the last seven games, going 5-2 in that span. Injuries, rest and an illness didn’t allow the streak to reach eight games. 

Only two players from the Warriors’ recent starting lineup were available to play: Moody and Quinten Post. They were joined by Brandin Podziemski, Richard and Gui Santos. The Warriors, going into their 35th game of the 2025-26 NBA season, had used 431 five-man lineups, and this group wasn’t one of them.

The Warriors were down by six when Kerr made his first substitution, and the starting five was a minus-5 together going into halftime. They were outscored 8-7 in the third quarter when Kerr first turned to his bench. Shooting could not match their spirit. 

Overall, the starting five played 10 minutes and 41 seconds together and were outscored 22-15. With all five starters on the floor, the group went 3 of 13 on 2-pointers and 2 of 8 on 3-pointers.

Spotlight Goes To Podz

Without any of the Warriors’ Big Three of Curry, Butler and Green available, the featured face for them became Podziemski. The third-year pro often is under a microscope and heavily scrutinized from outside noise. Lately, he has let his game do all the talking. 

Podziemski in December averaged 12.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists over 13 games while shooting 51.7 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from 3-point range and 81 percent at the free-throw line. He looked to be on his way to that kind of production in the first quarter, scoring four points, grabbing three rebounds and even blocking a shot. 

Though his stat line was similar in the second quarter, Podziemski was starting to get caught in the trap of the Thunder’s defense and he missed all three of his 3-point attempts. If this were a game Podziemski wanted to prove he can be the go-to guy without star power around him, he came up far short of doing so.

His fourth 3-point attempt of the night went through the nets, but it cut the Warriors’ deficit to … 29 points. Podziemski watched the entire fourth quarter from the bench, ending his night with 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting and 1 of 4 on threes, with four rebounds and four assists.

The Rookie Was Ready

After closing the previous three games, Richard was back in the starting lineup for the first time since Dec. 7. Richard also started against the Thunder last month and only scored five points with little to show in 25 minutes. His third game and second start against the Thunder was a different story – at least at first it was. 

Richard easily was the Warriors’ best player in the first half despite them trailing by 19 points. He scored 13 points through the first two quarters, which was one off the 14 total he scored in his first two games against the Thunder. 

The rookie right away showcased his two-way impact, especially with a crowd-pleasing steal and dunk in the second quarter. As the Warriors’ offense struggled for long stretches, Richard scored 10 of their 20 points in the second quarter.

Even when Richard was missing shots, his smarts still stood out as an active defender and constant cutter offensively. But his second half was one to forget. Richard, after a 13-point first half, was scoreless in the final two quarters on 0-of-5 shooting as a minus-16.

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